West Santa Ynez Annexation to Santa Ynez Community Services District

Conclusions 3

• CL1
  The Jury sees the option provided to landowners in the affected area to connect to the sewer system as beneficial, especially as the total cost may be amortized over 20 years. At the same time, the Jury understands that not all landowners may choose to connect to the sewer system. They do not have to do anything until such time as their septic system fails. At that time, instead of hooking up to the District's sanitary system, they may prefer to install an advanced treatment system and perform routine, ongoing maintenance as well as have official inspections by qualified inspectors at least once per year. Both these options will protect the groundwater from serious contamination. The 2016-17 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury determined that the Santa Ynez Community Services District and Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission followed statutory procedures regarding the annexed area of west Santa Ynez. What was needed were more public informational meetings, better communication with the public and better coordination between the two agencies. Under California Penal Code §933 and §933.05, this activity report does not require a response. APPENDIX A Santa Ynez Community Services District Philler dy in ngview-Im 12 7E 24 puntay pa 9 14 18 26 58 Œ 7G 4 10A 7G 6K 108 7 Hiller 19 20E 60 23 8 2 Region of a 17 71 5G 15 70 Montebello St 6C 70 16 gr 68 Willow St 6A 61 22 20A 15 Cerri -GerritoSt" 78 11A6F Coder St Cedar S Collar Se orb. Pak 7H6G Hilly Ranch Caffada de los Pifioso Formation -Ridea Rd- T6N R31W Manuanung: Madera St vum ancia is S SA THE PARTY Ť 13 Ó OB Rank SC. anta-Ymez-Airpore-Dr bolt in lle Pico Wall-Valley Rd 6H 11C 11B 25 3 N. 30 Lucky Irm Redondore Krill-Rd Santa Ynez Community Services District Compiled by the Office of the County Surveyor on 1721/2016. Formed by Board of Supervices Resolution 71-773, Recorded 11/29/1971, Inst. 2374/OR48. Last Action: 26, LAFCO 14-08, Rores Legend — Reeways GRAPHIC SCALE
• CL2
  — Hghways Sphere of Influence 0.25 0.125 0.5 See boundary activity table at http://www.countyofsb.org/pwd/pwsurveyor.aspx?id=23260 - Roads Formation NONCODECAMENT the data of the reference of the Managh way effort to been undersooned the source of video wide, went and conditions configuring the registration of court of which the large when the desired in thirds. So ins
• CL3
  ☐ Parcels Annexation Miles Detachment Sections

Observations 1

• OB1
  The non-profit organization, Heal the Ocean, focuses on wastewater infrastructure, sewers and septic systems, as well as ocean dumping practices that have contributed to ocean pollution. Because of its participation in developing the County's LAMP, on February 10, 2015, Heal the Ocean sent out an informational letter to Santa Ynez homeowners. The letter informed them of future changes to septic system regulations adopted in the LAMP and indicated that the homeowner "will not be required to hook up to the sewer line until your septic system fails per SYCSD, County and State Regulations." Because Santa Ynez is not on the ocean, the Jury learned that some homeowners discarded the letter without opening it, thinking it either did not pertain to them or was a fundraising solicitation. 1 Septic System Sanitary Survey for Santa Barbara County, prepared for Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services by Questa Engineering Corp., Project #210029, March 2003, pp 2-12 and 2-13. WEST SANTA YNEZ ANNEXATION TO SANTA YNEZ COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT Santa Barbara County adopted its LAMP in January 2016. On January 20, 2016, as required by law, the SYCSD filed an application with LAFCO for annexation. On May 5, 2016, LAFCO adopted a resolution approving the annexation, under which 483 existing homes could potentially be connected to SYCSD's sanitation system. On May 27, 2016, in accordance with its statutory timelines, LAFCO mailed a notice to landowners and registered voters in west Santa Ynez informing them of the annexation and about a protest hearing to be held on June 30, 2016, at the SYCSD offices. The notice indicated that protest forms would be included, but it was not clearly stated that the form was, in fact, printed on the back of the notice. Neither the protest notice nor the protest form explained how the value of the written protests filed (and not withdrawn) would be determined. Also as required, LAFCO posted a notice in the newspaper regarding the hearing. However, it was only posted in the Santa Maria Times and not in other local publications. The Jury learned that a LAFCO protest hearing is not actually a discussion meeting on an issue but, merely, the last opportunity to hand in a protest form. The protest hearing was held on a Thursday, June 30, at 11:00 a.m., and the deadline for handing in the protest form was 11:40 a.m., although eligible persons could have mailed in their protest form prior to the hearing. In accordance with its procedures and timelines following an annexation approval, LAFCO sent out its protest hearing notices with a protest form on the reverse side. However, the SYCSD had not held a public meeting to inform those affected of costs and options regarding septic tanks and sewer hook-ups. Therefore, on June 9, 2016, SYCSD quickly sent out a letter to landowners and registered voters inviting them to the Board of Directors' meeting on June 15th, emphasizing that they were not being forced to connect to the sewer system. At the June 15th board meeting, the SYCSD provided a handout explaining the reason for the annexation and the LAMP policy. They outlined two options if septic tanks fail: to install an advanced treatment system requiring routine, ongoing maintenance and periodic, official inspections or to connect to the sewer system. According to SYCSD, an advanced treatment system would cost approximately $40,000 plus repairs, maintenance and inspections. In contrast, the District estimates a hook-up to the sewer system will cost $25,000, which could either be paid upfront or spread over 20 years at Prime plus 1 percent, and billed with property tax. The costs could be less if the SYCSD secured grants for some of the work, including laying new sewer lines where none previously existed. There would also be an annual user fee of approximately $800 added to the property tax bill. Additionally, the homeowner would be responsible for the line from their house to the main sewer and for decommissioning and crushing the old septic tank. The results of written protests by landowners and registered voters, filed and not withdrawn against the annexation, were tabulated pursuant to Government Code §57075. Because the area of annexation was "inhabited territory," the protest proceeding was conducted for both landowners and registered voters. Protests filed by registered voters were referred to and examined by the Santa Barbara County Elections Office. Protests filed by landowners within the affected area were referred to and examined by the Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office. The County Elections Office determined there were 712 registered voters residing in the affected area as of Wednesday, July 29, 2016, and 153 submitted a valid protest against the annexation, WEST SANTA YNEZ ANNEXATION TO SANTA YNEZ COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT which is 21.49 percent. The County Assessor's Office determined there were 531 landowners in the affected area as of close of business on Wednesday, July 29, 2016, and 131 filed valid protests against the annexation, which is 24.67 percent. The total assessed value of the land within the affected area was $98,354,004 and the total assessed value of the land owned by landowners who filed valid protests was $21,828,905, which is 22.19 percent. If either the landowner or the registered voter protests had been more than 25 percent but less than 50 percent, the annexation issue would have gone to an election. If 50 percent or more submitted valid protests, then the annexation would have been terminated. In this case, because both sets of protests were less than 25 percent, the annexation was forwarded to the State for final approval. Timeline Leading to Annexation Date/Year Activity In 2000 Santa Barbara County conducts an analysis to locate, characterize and track septic systems in unincorporated areas. West Santa Ynez determined to be one of 24 Focus Areas of concern. June 2012 State Water Resources Control Board adopts "Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation & Maintenance of Onsite Water Treatment Systems." May 2013 State Water Quality Control Policy becomes effective. Between 2014-15 County-led stakeholder process takes place to develop County's Local Agency Management Program (LAMP). Heal the Ocean informational letter sent to homeowners in west February 10, 2015 Santa Ynez re LAMP. January 2016 Santa Barbara County adopts its LAMP. SYCSD files application to Local Agency Formation Commission January 20, 2016 (LAFCO) for annexation. LAFCO adopts resolution approving annexation subject to protest May 5, 2016 proceedings. LAFCO mails notice regarding protest hearing, including protest May 27,2016 form, to landowners and registered voters. SYCSD sends letter to property owners inviting them to their June 9, 2016 board meeting on June 15, 2016. SYCSD holds board meeting; provides handout explaining reason June 15, 2016 for annexation, LAMP and cost estimates. LAFCO holds a protest hearing (deadline to submit written June 30, 2016 protests). September 1, 2016 LAFCO Memorandum to Commission members gives the results of protest hearing. Because protests were less than 25 percent, the annexation is considered complete and forwarded to the State for ratification. WEST SANTA YNEZ ANNEXATION TO SANTA YNEZ COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.