For information on community project funding requests for Fiscal Year 2024, click here.

For Fiscal Year 2023, Rep. Salud Carbajal submitted funding requests for fifteen important community projects in CA-24 to the House Appropriations Committee.

Fourteen of them were funded in the omnibus funding bill approved in December 2022:
•       $7,000,000 for U.S. 101 Highway Carpool Lane Expansion
•       $2,000,000 for the Orcutt Branch Library
•       $1,500,000 for the Dwight Murphy Field
•       $1,500,000 for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
•       $1,384,040 for San Marcos Road Stabilization
•       $1,267,500 for Pioneer Park 
•       $1,000,000 for the Marian Regional Medical Center’s Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Residency Program Clinic
•       $500,000 for the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center
•       $500,000 for Lake Cachuma's emergency pumping facility
•       $2,065,000 for Prado Bridge Replacement
•       $500,000 for the Arroyo Grande Swinging Bridge Stabilization
•       $1,500,000 for Morro Bay’s North T-Pier
•       $750,000 for E.P. Foster Library
•       $1,000,000 for safe beach access at Mondo’s Cove

A guide to what was eligible in FY23 can be found here. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.

In Fiscal Year 2022, Congressman Carbajal submitted 10 community projects for funding, nine of which were funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. Those projects can be found here.

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Carbajal has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested.

HOMELAND SECURITY

County of Santa Barbara - San Marcos Road Stabilization

Amount of Request: $1,400,000

Intended Recipient and Address: County of Santa Barbara - 105 E Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Breakdown: The San Marcos Road Stabilization Project proposes to stabilize approximately 975 feet of failing roadway, shoulder width, and supporting soil embankment. San Marcos Roadway has experienced a high number of landslides and roadway failures over the lifetime of the use of the roadway.  Sometimes these are slow-progressing failures that result in pavement cracking and downward movement of the roadway surface at the downslope edge of the roadway.  Other times larger or deeper landslides and embankment failures develop that need retaining walls or enhanced embankment reconstructions. 

Justification: Slope stabilization measures are necessary in response to existing movement and subsequent slides due to annual rain events and periods of drought which degrade the stability of the highly expansive shale embankment and roadway support materials. 

San Marcos Road is an important route for emergency vehicles and State Department Transportation vehicles to maintain and clear (slide) debris from State Highway 154. During storm events, this road acts as a primary access route for maintenance and construction vehicles accessing landslide areas. San Marcos Road is also a key fire suppression and maintenance access way as it is situated in a very high fire threat area. The roadway was graded using cut and side-cast fill to create the existing roadway width. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

Lake Cachuma Emergency Pumping Facility

Amount of Request: $500,000 

Intended Recipient and Address: Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board - 3301 Laurel Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Breakdown: An Emergency Pumping Facility (EPF) Project is needed to allow water to be pumped (via a 3,600' pipeline) from a floating platform (Pumping Barge) to the Intake Tower, to allow for continued use of reservoir water until sufficient inflow to the lake occurs and reservoir levels return to a normal operating condition for gravity feed.

The Lake Cachuma Emergency Pumping Facility Project (EPF) would operate continuously during drought deployment to provide critical water supply to the Intake Tower, and to the South Coast of Santa Barbara County including approximately 200,000 customers served by Goleta Water District (GWD), the City of Santa Barbara (City of SB), Montecito Water District (MWD), and Carpinteria Valley Water District (CVWD). 

Justification: Lake Cachuma provides about 70% to 80% of the water supply to approximately 208,000 people in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria. It is also the endpoint for State Water Project (SWP) water, which is unable to be delivered if there is no mechanism for water to enter the intake tower. Local water resource managers are actively pursuing a diverse water portfolio including conservation first and foremost, supplemented by expanded interconnections, groundwater, recycled, desal, imported, and surface water supplies. The Lake Cachuma Emergency Pumping Facility Project is an additional step towards self-reliance, by increasing access to available surface supplies.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

City of Arroyo Grande - Arroyo Grande Swinging Bridge

Amount of Request: $1,600,000

Intended Recipient and Address: City of Arroyo Grande - 300 E Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Breakdown: The Swinging Bridge Retrofit project consists of removing and replacing existing cables and helical anchors, reinforcing existing concrete abutments, cleaning and painting existing towers, replacement of treated timber components, and tightening and/or installing bolts at suspension bridge wood connections. These major structural retrofits and upgrades will preserve the City’s unique Swinging Bridge, eliminate the need for pedestrian weight limit capacity, and provide safe and functional non-motorized access across Arroyo Grande Creek. The next closest creek crossings are vehicle bridges that are 0.2 miles apart. 

Justification: The Swinging Bridge provides a basic need by connecting residential neighborhoods to the City’s downtown commercial district (The Village). The Swinging Bridge is one of the only bridges of its kind in the State of California.

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

City of Santa Barbara - Dwight Murphy Field Renovation

Amount of Request: $1,500,000

Intended Recipient and Address: City of Santa Barbara - 735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Breakdown: The City of Santa Barbara and the private non-profit Gwendolyn Strong Foundation are partnered to implement the full scale renovation of Dwight Murphy Field. The park renovation includes the construction of a 36,000 square foot all inclusive playground, named in honor of Gwendolyn Strong who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Justification: Playgrounds provide critical, free play spaces to children across the country.  Active play is critical to the development, health, well-being, and social-emotional growth of children.  The funds will support the development of creative, all-inclusive play space within a public park setting.  The project demonstrates how public and private resources can come together to enhance a community and support its residents.  And the project has a direct connection to fostering the health, well-being and resiliency of a community that thrived in outdoor park settings during a global pandemic.  The realization of Gwendolyn's playground will encourage appreciation of the differences between people. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

City of Ventura - E.P. Foster Library

Amount of Request: $2,700,000 

Intended Recipient and Address: City of Ventura - 501 Poli Street, Ventura, CA 93001

Breakdown: The E.P. Foster library was built in 1959 and is approximately 33,000 square feet. The building only has heating and ventilation, and operable windows. The installation of air-conditioning will provide improved comfort and air quality and will also be used as a cooling center for the elderly during heat events.

Justification: The E.P. Foster library is in the heart of Ventura's historic Downtown, which is the hub of activity in the City. The uniqueness of Downtown attracts all walks of life and offers amenities that fosters into the creation of a destination that serves a myriad of needs. If the library were able to have air conditioning, they would be able to become a cooling center, continuing the mission of public service and serving a portion of the public that has little to no other options. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

Amount of Request: $1,500,000

Intended Recipient and Address: 490 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Breakdown: Santa Barbara County ranks 3rd out of California's 58 counties in its poverty rate, with 23% of residents lacking the resources to meet basic needs, including food. To resolve these dangerous inadequacies with the south county warehouse and best serve the entire county, Foodbank Officers, Directors and Executive Staff determined that the deficient warehouse needed to be replaced with one that has the capacity to accommodate daily as well as emergency food distributions. After an extensive search, an extremely well-priced 50,000 square-foot warehouse was identified, which once retrofitted, will have the capacity to store more than 750,000 pounds of food.

Justification: Located at 80 Coromar Drive in Goleta, the property includes a 57,000-sq. ft. warehouse and a 20,000-sq. ft. office building. This new Nutrition and Education Hub will provide the logistic capacity needed to serve all those in need of food on a daily basis as well as during a disaster. It will also serve as a critically needed space for expanded access and wrap-around services for low-income children and adults.   

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

City of Santa Maria - Japanese Community Center

Amount of Request: $500,000

Intended Recipient and Address: City of Santa Maria - 110 E. Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Breakdown: The Santa Maria Japanese Community Center will be a $5 million, 10,000 square foot cultural center. The project is a partnership with the Japanese Community Center, Inc., who have donated $350,000 to the project to memorialize the Issei first generation immigrants to the Santa Maria Valley. Designed to serve the community as a gathering spot for all cultures, the community center will feature a spacious lobby where memorabilia documenting the lives of the Issei generation and their contributions to the agricultural industry in the Santa Maria Valley will be displayed, a large assembly room to seat 350, and support facilities such as kitchen, restrooms, meeting room and office. 

Justification: Creating a community center in Santa Maria, particularly one that honors original Japanese settlers to the area, is an important benefit to the Santa Maria community. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

County of Ventura - Mondo's Beach Access

Amount of Request: $1,000,000

Intended Recipient and Address: County of Ventura - 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009

Breakdown: There is currently no safe beach access improvements at Mondo’s Cove beach and users must traverse dangerous large riprap bounders from the adjacent roadway to the beach below. The Mondo’s Cove beach access stairway will provide an access improvement providing safe access throughout the year. 

The proposed project will advance several Public Assess Program priorities, including promoting safe beach access, providing for ocean fishing opportunities (surf casting) and providing opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation, including access to rock intertidal areas (tide pools) and viewing of several different types of marine species, including migrating whales, dolphins, and seals, in addition to several marine bird species. 

Justification: Mondo’s Cove beach is a very popular beach that attracts users of all ages, ethnicities and income levels including families, sunbathers, beach combers, and many different water sports users, such as swimmers, body boarders, surfers, and paddleboarders. The stairway in this area will enhance opportunities for all users because of free parking alongside the roadway in the area and a safe access stairway when the project is completed. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

City of Morro Bay - Morro Bay North T-Pier

Amount of Request: $1,500,000

Intended Recipient and Address: City of Morro Bay - 595 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Breakdown: The North T-Pier is a tie-up facility for a portion of Morro Bay’s commercial fishing vessel fleet, the operational hub for the US Coast Guard Station Morro Bay, the California Fish and Wildlife enforcement vessel “Bluefin,” and the Morro Bay Harbor Patrol, and provides recreational and tourism opportunities for residents and visitors.

A project scope to get the North-T Pier to a “satisfactory” rated condition for its intended uses includes the following: Replace approximately 50-60 of the pier’s 419 structural and fender pilings that were rated with “moderate” structural deterioration in the 2011 assessment. Replace timber cross-bracing, pile caps, wales, stringers and decking as-needed. Replace the under-deck fire suppression automatic sprinkler system. Replace and upgrade the electrical service systems on the pier to current codes and materials. 

Justification: The project provides significant benefits to the local and regional economy which is likely to be amplified as the offshore wind energy project is developed and goes online. The project also supports the important national defense mission of the Coast Guard vessel stationed at Morro Bay. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

County of San Luis Obispo - Nipomo Sheriff’s Station

Amount of Request: $2,000,000

Intended Recipient and Address: 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Breakdown: Over the last 20 years, the area served by the Sheriff’s South Station has grown in population and complexity. Two major development projects, along with some smaller projects and individual homes have contributed to service needs that are not adequately met. 

The Sheriff’s Office has developed plans to build a 6,000 square foot facility on a 1-acre parcel of land currently owned by the County. The Sheriff’s Office plans to staff the station with a full complement of sworn deputies and civilian personnel and operate it as a 24-hour facility that would exclusively serve the needs of the Nipomo community.   

Justification: The service population, business community and other complexities of providing law enforcement services in Beat 7 have increased over time.  The need to provide adequate services based solely on community growth is evident.  The cost reduction realized through driving fewer miles and less overtime for late calls for service due to a shorter drive will help reduce General Fund support for those specific items.   

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

County of Santa Barbara - Orcutt Library

Amount of Request: $2,000,000

Intended Recipient and Address: County of Santa Barbara - 105 E Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Breakdown: The County of Santa Barbara proposes to use federal funds to help purchase a suitable building to house the Orcutt Branch Library. County staff conducted a search of nearby properties and identified an office building, known as the Union Oil Building, that could be used for library purposes, public gathering spaces, and office space. The Union Oil Building is approximately 19,600 square feet and is situated within a large 7.8-acre commercial development on the same parcel as the current library site.

Justification: Orcutt is a growing community that would benefit from a larger library and public gathering space. Expansion of the Orcutt Branch Library will improve the public’s access to information and learning resources, as well as community space and support for job seekers. This would greatly enhance the services provide by the library to surrounding community.

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

City of Lompoc - Pioneer Park

Amount of Request: $1,300,00

Intended Recipient and Address: City of Lompoc - 100 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, CA 93436

Breakdown: Pioneer Park is a dilapidated baseball park and playground located between an elementary school and multi-family housing. The improvements will bring opportunities for safe and healthy recreational activities for a whole range of residents from youth to seniors. Installation of accessible playground equipment as well as exercise equipment will improve the health of the community. This portion of the project will utilize the requested federal funding.

Justification: The installation of a new baseball field will serve the community with healthy activity, team interaction and engage our youth with the community around them through sports. Youths aged 12-18 from lower income families often quit sports due to the financial burden, lack of access to facilities, and transportation. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

City of San Luis Obispo - 101 Prado Road

Amount of Request: $2,000,000

Intended Recipient and Address: City of San Luis Obispo - 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Breakdown: The project includes replacement of an existing functionally obsolete and structurally deficient bridge along a principal arterial (Prado Road), which is a component of the National Highway System as defined under Title 23 of the U.S. Code. 

In addition to the bridge replacement, the proposed improvements include modifications to the adjacent intersection of Prado Road/South Higuera Street to provide additional capacity to serve existing and future multimodal traffic demands. The new bridge itself would include four vehicle lanes, physically-separated sidewalks, protected bike lanes and street lighting - none of which exist on the present narrow 70-year old bridge. 

Justification: This project represents a regional improvement that will benefit housing, industry and sustainable transportation. Separated pedestrian and cyclist facilities will improve neighborhood connectivity and promote access to nearby regional facilities, including transit, homeless services and recreational trails. 

Construction of this bridge and associated improvements will allow development to continue in the southern portion of the City and County, as well as mitigate current and forecasted deficiencies along this important corridor. 

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.

U.S. 101 Highway

Amount of Request: 7,000,000

Intended Recipient and Address: Santa Barbara County Association of Governments - 260 N San Antonio Rd # B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Breakdown: The Santa Barbara Highway 101 High Occupancy Vehicle Project Segment 4D  North (Project) is one of the two remaining segments of a planned 16-mile High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes from Ventura County to Santa Barbara County.  The HOV lanes will complete a 2.5 mile gap on this segment of U.S. 101 and are a significant part of a larger multimodal strategy (Santa Barbara Highway 101 Multimodal Corridor) which includes peak hour rail passenger service, local and interregional transit service, and an interconnected active transportation network to increase bicycling and walking.

Justification: The project is part of corridor improvements aimed to address racial equity and reduce barriers to opportunity for residents of disadvantaged communities in Oxnard and Ventura in Ventura County and in the City of Santa Barbara. It will also improvs nationwide commerce and interregional travel on U.S. 101, Critical Urban Freight corridor.  

Click here for signed certification letter stating the Member has no financial interest in the project.