Preserving affordable housing
National Llama Day
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Our 166th Year
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W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M BE R 8 , 2 021
Increased rent control discussed by City Council
This map, showing the newly defined districts for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors after the 2020 census, was selected by the county’s Independent Redistricting Commission. The panel can still make further adjustments before it votes to adopt the map tonight.
By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Mayor Cathy Murillo and Mayor Pro Tem Oscar Gutierrez presented a plan to tighten rent control in Santa Barbara to 2% plus the consumer price index during the Santa Barbara City Council meeting Tuesday. Currently, landlords are restricted from raising rent beyond 5% plus inflation, per state law. Mayor Murillo, who has one more regular meeting remaining, led the discussion with a sense of urgency. Her impatience may come from her mere weeks left in office or conversations with renters and advocacy groups. “I just feel like it’s so critical right now,” she said. “Renters that I’m talking to, they’re getting increases where they can’t find a
place to live.” Councilmember Mike Jordan was the first to offer concerns. He saw a memorandum that promised information and heard a plea instead of data. The mayor said tenant-advocacy groups sent information, buried in the approximately 1,000 emails they received. Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez said she would like to see a needs assessment with recent analysis, given pandemic conditions. “Some of the housing that we have now is not livable, and we constantly have complaints about property management groups that are not following through. The tenants, they don’t have the funding or the education to fight for their rights,” she said. She said the relocation assistance ordinance backfired. Please see COUNCIL on A2
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Redistricting map chosen Commission set to adopt map at tonight’s meeting By FORREST MCFARLAND NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The culmination of a year-long project took place in the Santa Barbara County Engineering Building, where 114 maps drawn by citizens finally became one. The county Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission chose its preferred map after a nine-hour meeting and is set to formally adopt it during tonight’s hearing at 6 in the Planning Commission Room, 123 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The final map splits the county into five districts based on the population changes documented in the 2020 U.S. Census. “We are very grateful for the citizens who have engaged with the process and provided input
and testimony,” Commission Chair Glenn Morris told the News-Press. After dozens of hearings with public comment, the commission cut, combined and edited nearly 100 maps until they landed on three focus maps. The commission continued to make even more modifications and agreed upon a single preferred map, which was informed by all three focus maps. The commission’s preferred interactive map can be viewed at ndcresearch.maps.arcgis.com/ apps/View/index.html?appid=5 b153f8500ba4199a2df0ea30ac63 095&extent=-121.0883,34.2783,118.9790,35.0936. Mr. Morris explained to the News-Press how influential the public was to the creation of this final map. “The commissioners had
absorbed ideas and themes from public comment and wanted to create a final map that pulled together as many good ideas as possible,” Mr. Morris said. “We made adjustments in the boundaries to keep neighborhoods and communities of interest whole.” “They did a really good job, and I congratulate them,” 41-year resident Denice Spangler Adams told the News-Press. “Everybody’s thrilled that UCSB is in District 2 where it belongs.” Despite the commission making much progress, the map is still open to discussion and public comment during the meeting tonight. “Depending on what we hear, there may or may not be some minor last minute adjustments,” Mr. Morris told the News-Press. “I don’t think they’ll be substantial.”
Mrs. Adams and other citizens involved are seeing this process through to the end with the commission. “We will be there to hold them accountable,” Mrs. Adams said. Mr. Morris explained that the final documents need to be submitted to the county clerk and elections official by Dec. 15, and the commission is at the finish line. “Whether it was showing up and providing public comment or drawing one of the 114 maps, the intent was to ensure that the people of the county had a voice in the process,” Mr. Morris said. “We’ve been really pleased with the number of people who have been thoughtful and engaged. Congratulations to the people of the county.” email: fmcfarland@newspress.com
Board of Supervisors discusses OASIS center, cannabis project By FORREST MCFARLAND NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
The OASIS Meeting Center project, a budget development report and an appeal seeking to shut down a cannabis project were all discussed at Tuesday’s Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting. (The appeal was denied.) At Tuesday’s session in Santa Maria, representatives for the Orcutt Area Seniors in Service proposed the construction of a new meeting center to the board. OASIS is a nonprofit community resource serving senior citizens in Orcutt, which is just outside Santa Maria. The project consists of a 15,661 square-foot facility as well as
parking modification, access roads, landscaping and private trails within the development area. OASIS explained to the board the development should have been built years ago, and planners have amended the project for years to accommodate neighbors’ concerns. The members of the board voiced their support of OASIS as well as their work toward the meeting center. “OASIS isn’t just about a retreat,” Chairman Bob Nelson said during the meeting. “What OASIS does is really important to my community. OASIS is very much the heart of Orcutt.” Supervisor Gregg Hart Please see BOARD on A3
California attorney general visits Santa Barbara California Attorney General Rob Bonta, left, and Unity Shoppe Executive Director Tom Reed chat outside Unity Shoppe in Santa Barbara on Tuesday. Mr. Bonta came there to encourage people to support legitimate charities such as Unity Shoppe and present tips on avoiding scams. “Right here in Santa Barbara County, about 18.5% of children face food insecurity. About 2,000 residents are experiencing poverty. About 20% of families are experiencing poverty,” Mr. Bonta said during a news conference, noting Unity Shoppe and other nonprofits help families to meet their needs. You can see Mr. Bonta’s talk in a video at newspress. com.
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Encouraging people to donate to worthy nonprofits such as Unity Shoppe, California Attorney General Rob Bonta gives tips on avoiding scams during a news conference. His tips included checking on charities’ registration status with his office and being wary of social network fundraising. “We’re all online these days, and unfortunately, scammers are too,” he said. “Make sure the charity you’re donating to is legit.” To learn more about Mr. Bonta’s tips, see the video at newspress.com.
Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 7-11-14-19-46 Mega: 26
Tuesday’s DAILY 4: 5-2-1-3
Tuesday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 1-7-40-43-68 Mega: 1
Tuesday’s FANTASY 5: 1-21-23-33-37
Tuesday’s DAILY DERBY: 10-05-02 Time: 1:48.34
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 10-40-45-56-67 Meganumber: 2
Tuesday’s DAILY 3: 9-6-3 / Midday 8-3-4