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First District Supervisor Das Williams — Resilience and Remembrance

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2024 • Comments Off

1/9 Debris Flow Remembrance Event

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching seven years since the 1/9 Debris flow that took the lives of 23 people and damaged hundreds of homes.

This tragic event has changed us all in profound ways. For me, and for our Flood Control staff, it has further heightened our personal and professional commitments to improve safety, which is why we are embarking on a Montecito Flood Control Master Plan (more on that below) to improve the capacity of all creeks in Montecito.

Please join me on Thursday, January 9th and remember, at Raising Our Light.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

6:00 PM

Montecito Union School, 385 San Ysidro Rd

It is normal to experience feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness at the anniversary of a disaster. The Community Wellness Team (CWT) was created to support residents following the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow. Representatives of the CWT will be on-site for the Raising Our Light ceremony to provide support for anyone in need or looking to connect. Community members are welcome to contact the CWT at any time by calling 805-364-2750.

Community members are welcome to gather in the school courtyard for a short program of speakers and reading of the names of the 23 people we lost on January 9, 2018. Bells will ring out 23 times from local churches and schools, Montecito firefighters will light 23 candles in honor of the lives lost and we will pause for a moment of silence together.

Montecito Flood Control Plan Update

Going back to 1964 there have been 12 documented flooding events in Montecito. And this time of year, the heavy memories of the 1/9 Debris flow and the 2023 winter storms are at the top of our minds. Last week, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Montecito Flood Control Master Plan Phase 1, and directed staff to prepare Phase 2. This process has brought the community and our Flood Control engineers together to evaluate and prioritize solutions that will reduce the severity of flooding. The plan contains:

6 miles of improved creek channels
Natural stream bottoms
Upsizing of 48 culverts and bridges
Locations for 8 potential new debris basins

The sobering reality that we heard from County staff is that completion of this project will cost almost a billion dollars. By contrast, the entire amount of funding for flood control on the South Coast is $17 million — and if disaster relief funding from the Federal Government isn’t secured, that number gets even lower. That means that partnership with the State and Federal government will be key to making these improvements happen.

Read the Plan

The Randall Road Debris basin is an example of the collaborative efforts between property owners and County Public Works to reduce the impacts of flooding.

TRUTH Act Forum with Sheriff’s Office

On Tuesday, December 17, the Board of Supervisors will hold the TRUTH Act Forum. At the forum, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office plans to share data regarding the number and demographic characteristics of individuals to whom the agency has provided any ICE access, the date ICE access was provided, and whether the ICE access was provided through a hold, transfer, or notification request or other means.

On-site Spanish translators will provide interpretation services for Spanish-only speaking individuals through headsets available for real-time interpretation of the TRUTH Act forum. Spanish translators will also be available to interpret public comments that may come in in-person or via Zoom.

Know Your Rights Immigration Forum in Carpinteria

In our community, particularly among those who immigrated to this Country, a palpable and understandable fear exists due to the statements of the incoming President. The best way to prepare for an uncertain future is to know your rights. Join the Carpinteria Children’s Project and Carpinteria Community Library and trusted local organizations at the “Know Your Rights” Immigration Forum next week. Topics covered at the forum will include understanding your rights as an immigrant in the US, planning for immigration issues, and Q&A with immigration lawyers and subject experts. Childcare will provided at the Library.

Learn More

Adopt a Pet This Holiday Season

Santa Barbara County Animal Services is collaborating with BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, to bring holiday hope to homeless pets by prompting a national call for adoption with its Empty the Shelters reduced-fee adoption event through Dec. 17.

Learn More

Heat Pump Webinar and Financial Incentives

Join 3C-REN and Resilient Central Coast tonight, December 11th at 6:30 PM, for an informative webinar on heat pump technology for home heating and cooling.

This 1-hour session will cover:

The nuances of HVAC heat pump technology
How to find qualified contractors and ask the right questions to verify their expertise
Tips for comparing quotes, including efficiency ratings and available incentives
Information on rebates for Central Coast residents from programs like TECH Clean CA, the Inflation Reduction Act (HEEHRA), 3C-REN, 3CE, Santa Barbara Clean Energy, and Golden State Rebates

Reminder: 3C-REN Incentives Relaunch Today

Our 3C-REN incentives for home upgrades are back online today, December 11th! For a project in a single-family home, you can expect incentives anywhere from $500 to $6,000 depending on the energy savings your upgrade will accomplish. Heat pump projects that replace a gas-powered water heater or gas-powered furnace trigger the biggest incentives, and we offer even higher equity-incentives to help give everyone a chance to benefit from our program. 3C-REN incentives are accessed through our enrolled contractors and can be combined with many other incentive programs to accomplish steeper savings.

Learn More about 3C-REN Incentives

Das Around Town