Santa Barbara City Council candidate Frank Hotchkiss blasted the council’s 10/2 decision to approve $27,500 for a 2,900-square-foot public park near the Granada Theatre. He said the money-combined with $46,000 spent earlier on design plans-could have been used to fund another police officer position. Councilmembers pointed out the funding came from Redevelopment Agency money, which can’t be used for salaries or operational expenses.
