New Board and More at January Meeting

The Montecito Association held its Annual Meeting and January Board Meeting on January 13, 2026, welcoming community members, announcing election results, and hearing updates from key agencies and partners on issues impacting Montecito. 

The meeting opened with the 2025 Montecito Association Annual Meeting, during which prior minutes were approved and board actions ratified. The president reported on 2025 accomplishments, including the formation of a Safety Committee, ongoing efforts to secure a local sheriff’s substation, and the expansion of community meetings and advocacy efforts. The treasurer shared that the Association’s finances are strong, with membership increasing each year and membership contributions increasing 31%.

Election results were announced, with 643 ballots cast by members. Newly elected directors include – Mindy Denson, Patrice Serrani, Rock Rockenbach, Chris Albertson, Cliff Ghersen, and Heather Sourial Craigie. Five directors were elected to three-year terms, and one director was elected to a one-year term.

2026 Officers were also announced – President: Bill Macfadyen; First Vice President: Leslie Lundgren; Second Vice President: Patrice Serrani; Secretary: Mindy Denson; Treasurer: Bill Herting.

Three directors – Doug Black, Andrea Newquist, and Cheryl Trosky – completed their terms of service to the board. We also bid farewell to Melissa Miller, who had to step down from the board for personal reasons. They were all thanked for their time, leadership, and dedication, which have made meaningful impacts on our organization and the broader community. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and the thoughtful contributions they brought to the board. 

During the January meeting, representatives from Southern California Edison (SCE) presented plans to modernize Montecito’s electrical infrastructure by upgrading circuits from 4KV to 16KV, increasing capacity and reliability. The project will also include removal of the Schoolhouse Road substation, anticipated by 2029. SCE explained that the upgrade will better support modern energy needs such as EV chargers and ADUs and improve overall system resilience. While undergrounding is not currently planned for Montecito circuits, board members raised questions about costs and feasibility, and SCE noted that targeted undergrounding has been approved elsewhere and could be advocated for locally. The project is expected to be completed by 2028, and SCE will need access to residential properties to inspect equipment and move the work forward.

Representatives from Lotusland shared updates on fire safety and infrastructure improvements. Tree removal along Sycamore Canyon was completed with county permits to reduce fire risk and improve safety. Replanting efforts are underway and will include native oak woodland, hedgerows, and rare plant species. Lotusland also outlined plans for on-site water storage and biofiltration systems, including underground reservoirs to capture and manage runoff. The iconic pink wall, originally designed by George Washington Smith, will be repainted as part of the improvements.

A resident raised concerns about the noise and environmental impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers in Montecito. While the City of Santa Barbara has a ban in place, enforcement and regulations differ in unincorporated areas. County representatives shared that Supervisor Roy Lee’s office has experience addressing this issue, including helping pass a ban in Carpinteria, and is supportive of exploring solutions for parts of the county. Board members discussed possible approaches, including decibel limits and time-of-day restrictions. The issue will be discussed further with relevant county departments, and residents working on this topic will be connected to collaborate.

Community Partner Reports:

– Montecito Fire (Chief Neels): Reported approximately eight inches of rain from recent storms with no residential flooding and announced the annual chipping program beginning in February (information below).

– Santa Barbara County Sheriff (Lt. Brittingham): Warned of a recent scam that defrauded a resident of $27,000, noted towing enforcement at Hot Springs, and shared that construction is underway on the Miramar sheriff’s substation.

– Montecito Sanitary District: Introduced new sanitary Board President Rock Rockenbach and announced the first-rate study since 2016.

– Montecito Union School District: Reported strong literacy outcomes, plans to hire a new music teacher, and cost-saving measures to build reserves.

– Supervisor Lee’s Office: Provided updates on Butterfly Beach drainage, vandalism concerns at Hot Springs, and ongoing negotiations related to the Montecito Association’s facility lease.

The Board will hold a January retreat to set priorities for 2026. The 2026 budget will be reviewed at the retreat and brought forward for approval at the next board meeting, in February. Our members receive a weekly community email – not a member? Sign up at www.montecitoassociation.org.