SB City Council looks at 2023 priorities

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Timely. Relevant. Significant. And familiar. These are just some of the terms that could apply when describing the vital issues confronting Santa Barbara in 2023, priorities the City Council discussed on Friday.

They include creating more housing, helping Santa Barbara’s unhoused population, improving conditions on State Street now and in the future, and financial stability, and accomplishing this and more with limited numbers of staff.

“The meeting was a great opportunity for the council members to really roll up their sleeves and work together to find some common ground and determine what near-term issues they want to tackle,” City Administrator Rebecca Bjork said.

“For me, this was an opportunity to set goals and prioritize strategies to address the many issues facing our city,” Councilmember Eric Friedman said.

The council did not vote on anything or make any actual decisions at the special council meeting.

“Friday was a work session, not an action item meeting,” Mayor Randy Rowse told the NewsPress. “Ideas were shared and each council member got to list their priorities for discussion. The list will be distilled from a brainstorming session down to some cogent and attainable goals.

the city attorney, our thoughts, goals and what (we) feel are community priorities.”

Councilmember Kristen Sneddon said there seemed to be a clear consensus to prioritize housing, homelessness, State Street, public safety including youth safety, financial stability and staff retention, and economic vitality.

“The council and the mayor seemed in agreement on what the priorities should be, with future public agenda items on how to achieve these priorities in measurable ways,” she told the News-Press.

“We all had a lot of ideas, but this meeting wasn’t for deciding the policies of how to get there, but for agreeing on what to focus limited staff resources on while we continue to deliver services and perform the many city functions already in place.”

During the morning session, City Attorney Sarah Knecht provided Brown Act training and updates, along with overviews of new legislation on council meeting decorum and campaign contributions.

The council also reviewed their Rules and Procedures, including remote meeting updates and agenda management. Revisions will be brought to a future council meeting for consideration and formal adoption.

In the afternoon, the council focused on areas of priority for fiscal year 2023. Discussion focused on five areas of particular interest for the year: fiscal sustainability, State Street, homelessness, housing and youth safety.

By MATT SMOLENSKY NEWS-PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Fans across Santa Barbara and the nation gathered at homes and bars or tuned in on various devices to watch Super Bowl LVII, and were treated to a thrilling game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

The close game, played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., was decided by a field goal in the end, as the Chiefs overcame a ten-point first half deficit to win 38-35. The final three points were scored in the last eight seconds of the game. The Super Bowl victory was Kansas City’s second in the past four years, having also won in 2020. The Chiefs also reached the title game in 2021, but were defeated.

NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to the victory, throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers despite aggravating an ankle injury in the first half. Isiah Pacheco also ran in a score for Kansas City, and linebacker Nick Bolton scored a defensive touchdown on a fumble return. The final field goal, a 27 yarder, was put through the uprights by kicker Harrison Butker.

The first half ended with the momentum firmly in Philadelphia’s favor, as the Eagles capped the half off with a field goal that gave them a ten point lead.

“It was just all heart. We knew we didn’t play our best in the first half,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelcie said. “We were just able to regroup at halftime and figure it out. In that second half we were just flying around.”

Mahomes played a big part in the second half comeback, despite apparent pain from an injury originally sustained against the Jaguars on Jan. 21. He appeared to aggravate the injury toward the end of the first half after a tackle by Eagles linebacker TJ Edwards.

Mahomes, the youngest quarterback to ever start three Super Bowls, was rewarded for his efforts by being honored as Super Bowl MVP.

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen

Hurts also had an outstanding game, rushing for 70 yards and three touchdowns, both Super Bowl records. He also completed 27 of 38 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown, and was easily the Eagles’ most dynamic player. The only blemish on his game was a fumble that resulted in Bolton’s touchdown.

The Halftime show was performed by superstar singer Rihanna, who sang and danced to a number of hits while decked out in an unmissable bright red outfit. But the performer managed to make her biggest splash not with song, but with a personal revelation … she strongly hinted to those viewing the show that she is pregnant, displaying a baby bump during the performance. Representatives for the singer confirmed the reveal after the show. email: msmolensky@newspress. com

“I can say that the status of State Street, homelessness, housing and financial stability were consensus points,” he said. “But once again … it was a time to share with each other, the city administrator and

Mayor Rowse said the meeting was a chance for the council to develop an understanding of what is needed to reach their goals for

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