Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — 101 Widening in Summerland, Debris Basin Update, and Reminder to Vote!

The ordinance allows administrative fines to be targeted at parties that exceed the number of people or households allowed under the public health order; businesses not complying with reopening guidelines, such as capacity limits or enforcement of protective measures; and large gatherings at beaches or parks. It would not be used for someone walking down the street without a mask on. Education is still the highest priority when it comes to enforcing public health orders, but we now have a middle ground for enforcement when necessary.

Gatherings of all sizes remain prohibited in Santa Barbara County, unless an exemption applies. This guidance is more restrictive than the State guidance on gatherings and is in place to help us continue to reduce cases so that we can move into the Orange Tier. If you are determined to gather anyway, please keep it outside, in small numbers, and keep social distancing. I know this time of year we like to gripe about it getting cold, but c’mon, it’s still in the 70’s! Do not be temped to go inside, our staff has traced significant transmission from even modest indoor gatherings.

Our 7-day average case rate is 4.4 per 100,000 residents, we have a 2% test positivity rate, and a 4.4% health equity metric. To move to the “Orange Tier,” our case rate needs to go down to 3.9 per 100,000 residents. Our test positivity and health equity metric are already in the range required for Orange Tier. This is a pivotal moment for our county and we need everyone’s continued vigilance (hand hygiene, physical distancing, and refraining from gathering) so that we can graduate to the next tier.

During the closure of the southbound Highway 101 off-ramp at Sheffield Drive, flaggers will direct traffic at the San Ysidro/Jameson intersection during the morning peak periods from 7:30am-9:00am, Monday through Friday. In addition, new stop signs will be installed to create a 4-way, stop-controlled intersection at the southbound Highway 101 off-ramp and San Ysidro.

Detours for the area are detailed in these images:

Sign up to receive updates from the project team at and check out this video on the project to learn more!

Our first project – the expansion of the Cold Springs Debris Basin – is complete! The basin was expanded to increase the ability to capture large amounts of material that come down. This is the first of many projects to come. Similar improvements are anticipated to be made to the Romero Basin in 2021 and San Ysidro Basin in 2022.

In addition our new debris basin that will be constructed at Randall Road just received a $13.5 million grant from FEMA, which is 75% of the estimated cost of the project. This debris basin will increase the capacity of the current basin by four times and will feature design elements to detain more trees and rocks. Because of this and because it is at the best gradient in the watershed, this is the ideal project for the protection of the community. I want to thank the families who are selling the land to us and the community supporters who have been advocating every step of the way, and additionally thanks to Congressmember Carbajal for his support of our FEMA application. Construction is set to begin on that project in 2021.

1)   Drop it off! Secure ballot drop boxes are located throughout the county 24 hours a day until 8 p.m., November 3.

Each Drop Box has been identified as a Drive-Up, Walk-Up, or both, and whether the box is accessible, please see below for details at each location.

County of Santa Barbara Administration Building – Accessible/Walk-Up

105 E. Anapamu St. (Anacapa Street Entrance)

County of Santa Barbara Elections Main Office – Accessible/Drive-Up/Walk-Up – 4440-A Calle Real

Eastside Branch Library – Accessible/Walk-Up – 1102 E. Montecito St.

MacKenzie Park – Accessible/Drive-Up/Walk-Up – 3111 State St. (corner of State and Las Positas)

San Andres Hardware – Accessible/Walk-Up – 635 W. Micheltorena St. (Corner of San Andres and Micheltorena)

Santa Barbara City College (West Campus Drop-Off) – Accessible/Drive-Up – 721 Cliff Dr.

2)     In-person options! For those who prefer in-person voting or for additional services including language assistance or a replacement ballot, 35 polling places will be open Saturday, October 31 through Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Facial coverings are required, and there may be a socially distanced waiting line. A list of all polling places and drop boxes are printed in the County Voter Information Guide and on the website at www.sbcvote.com.

Take care,

Das