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Council approves consent calendar, community services funding and CDBG/HOME plan priorities
Summary
The Santa Barbara City Council approved the consent calendar (items 2–8), accepted Community Development and Human Services Committee funding recommendations for human services and CDBG spending, and accepted priorities in the five‑year Consolidated Plan for CDBG and HOME funds. All recorded motions passed unanimously by members present.
At the March 18 meeting Mayor Pro Tem Friedman presided in Mayor Rouse's absence. The council took three formal package actions recorded on the public record.
1) Consent calendar: Council approved the consent calendar (items 2–8) by motion of Council Member Harmon, seconded by Council Member Gutierrez. The clerk had read the consent items into the record; they included a $1,450,000 loan agreement to the Housing Authority for affordable housing at 15 South Hope Avenue, lease amendment with Breakwater LLC for waterfront restaurant lease terms, budget amendments and contract authorizations for infrastructure and pavement maintenance projects, a $947,850 grant agreement with the California State Coastal Conservancy for a Wildfire Resilience Project, grant acceptance for "Lunch at the Library 2025" ($39,042) and license agreement revenue adjustments for waterfront concession licenses. The motion passed unanimously by the members present (Yes: Harmon, Santa Maria, Sneddon, Gutierrez, Jordan, Friedman; Absent: Mayor Rouse).
2) Community Development and Human Services Committee (CDHS) funding recommendations: After staff presentations and public comment, Council approved the committee's recommended allocations for fiscal years 2026–27 human services general fund grants and the FY2026 CDBG capital and public services recommendations, and authorized the Community Development Director to execute grant agreements. The motion to approve was made by Council Member Stedten and seconded by Council Member Harmon. The council recorded a unanimous vote of the members present in favor of the motion. Staff and the committee noted contingency procedures in the recommendation in case federal CDBG entitlement amounts change; council also authorized staff to backfill CDBG cuts from the general fund for one fiscal year, if federal funding were eliminated, to allow agencies time to adjust.
3) Five‑year Consolidated Plan (CDBG and HOME) priorities: Council held a public hearing on the city's five‑year consolidated plan for CDBG and HOME funds (program years 2025–2029) and the annual action plan for 2025–26. Staff outlined six priority areas for the five‑year plan (homeless assistance; decent housing; public facilities and infrastructure; economic development; planning; and a new priority for childcare, youth and senior services and mental‑health services tied to community facilities). Council Member Stedten moved and Council Member Santa Maria seconded a motion to accept the plan priorities and open the 30‑day public review period; the motion passed unanimously by the members present.
All three recorded actions were approved without recorded opposition. Councilmembers and staff noted the procedural contingency plans for CDBG entitlement uncertainties and emphasized that federal HOME funding is separately administered and distinct from local inclusionary or in‑lieu fee revenues.
Votes at a glance: - Consent calendar (items 2–8): Motion to approve by Council Member Harmon; second Council Member Gutierrez; vote: Yes—Harmon, Santa Maria, Sneddon, Gutierrez, Jordan, Friedman; Absent—Mayor Rouse. Outcome: approved. - CDHS funding recommendations (FY2026–27 human services; FY2026 CDBG): Motion to approve by Council Member Stedten; second Council Member Harmon; vote: unanimous of members present (Harmon, Santa Maria, Sneddon, Gutierrez, Jordan, Friedman). Outcome: approved. - Five‑year Consolidated Plan priorities and annual action plan (public hearing opened for 30‑day comment): Motion to accept staff recommendations by Council Member Stedten; second Council Member Santa Maria; vote: unanimous of members present. Outcome: plan priorities accepted and 30‑day comment period opened.
Clarifying details: The consent calendar included a $1,450,000 loan contingent on state funding for 15 South Hope Avenue, a $947,850 Coastal Conservancy grant for wildfire resilience, and smaller grants for library and waterfront concession revenue adjustments. CDHS recommendations cover both general fund human services grants (two‑year awards) and CDBG capital and public services proposals; staff described contingency rules if federal CDBG entitlement changes.
Ending: Council proceeded to later agenda items after unanimous approval of the consent items and the consolidated plan priorities; staff will execute grant agreements subject to city attorney review and will submit the APR and consolidated plan to state and federal agencies as required.
