Santa Barbara County's Third District Supervisor
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Summer 2018
,
I hope that you are enjoying the long days of summer with family and friends. My office has been quite busy and I want to update you with news from around the County and to alert you to some upcoming events.
Sadly, this past weekend the County endured another disaster. The Holiday Fire tragically destroyed 10 homes in the hills above Goleta. I send my deepest condolences to all the families who lost homes in this fire. Fortunately, there were no major injuries and firefighters were able to stop the blaze before any more homes were lost. I am grateful to all of the first responders and community members who continually endeavor to protect us. We still have a long fire season ahead and I urge you to stay safe and be prepared. Visit
awareandprepare.org
for tips about how to be ready for the next disaster.
Please enjoy this
summer newsletter and please do not hesitate to contact me with ideas and questions.
Warmly,
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County Board of Supervisors Adopt Balanced Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19
The Santa Barbara County Fiscal Year 2018-19 Recommended Balanced Budget of $1.105 billion was adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Overall, the operating budget reflects an increase of 2.5 percent over the prior year. Key funding items included resources for recovery from the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow disasters; enhanced public safety services such as dispatch and jail operations; greater maintenance of County roads, parks and buildings; and implementing a cannabis regulatory program and proactive enforcement effort.
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Goleta Valley Library Opens a New Chapter
Goleta and Isla Vista residents - have you picked up your new Goleta Valley Library card? On July 1, the City of Goleta took over direct management of the Goleta Valley Library from the Santa Barbara Public Library System. All patrons within the Goleta Valley Library service area will need a new library card in order to check out any material or access electronic resources from any Santa Barbara County library.
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Summertime Safety on
Highway 154
In June, I joined representatives of the California Highway Patrol, the Sheriff’s Office, Caltrans, SBCAG, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, and state and federal legislators to urge motorists to drive safely this summer, especially on Highway 154. The summer months see an uptick in crashes and citations issued along this corridor.
In other news, I was pleased to learn that CalTrans has awarded a grant for the
Santa Ynez Valley Traffic Circulation and Safety Study
. This study will assess and identify needed circulation and safety improvements for multi-modal transportation in the Valley. I worked closely with SBCAG staff to prepare this grant application.
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More SB 1 Funding Steered Toward Highway 101
in Santa Barbara County
In May, The California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved an additional $184 million in SB 1 state gas tax funding for the Highway 101 HOV Widening Project in southern Santa Barbara County. Combined with $226 Million that the CTC awarded in March,
SBCAG has now received $410 Million in SB 1 funding for the critical 101 Widening Project
. Included in the most recent award is funding for
sidewalks, bikeways, coastal access parking, and signage.
The Highway 101 Widening Project is SBCAG’s highest regional transportation priority.
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Proposition 68 Passes with Major Voter Support
In a huge win for parks, open spaces and clean water, Proposition 68 passed with an overwhelming majority on the June 5th primary.
Proposition 68 will steer $4 billion dollars to projects enhancing access to clean water and parks for residents across the state
. I proudly sponsored a County Resolution supporting this Proposition.
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Central Coast: Farms, Murals, and Movie History
In case you didn't catch it, Northern Santa Barbara County was featured in the
Los Angeles Times
as a memorable stop for its food, rural landscapes, and picturesque dunes. It is nice to see this wonderful region recognized for the treasure that it is.
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Noteworthy Board of Supervisors Agenda Items:
(Dates may change)
Coastal Commission Review of Gaviota Coast Plan
7/17
Community Choice Energy Update
7/17
Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan
8/14
Library Committee Report
8/14
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
8/14
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Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture Summer Cinema
Be sure to come out on Friday nights to the Sunken Garden at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for a free films under the stars. This summer's theme is "Animated Nights".
Guests may set out blankets and chairs after 12:00 p.m. on movie nights.
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Community members and non-profit organizations continue to step up for positive change in the City of Guadalupe. The Guadalupe Lions led an
Earth Day,
community
clean-up effort of a neighborhood park and installed a mural by local high school student, Jewel Ruiz. Grassroots community efforts like this one are helping to improve the scenic beauty of Guadalupe.
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Filing an Air Pollution Complaint
Our office occasionally receives air pollution complaints from constituents. We recommend that if you have a complaint or a concern to call the County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) at 805-961-8810. You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number. Registered complaints are kept confidential by the District unless identities must be disclosed due to litigation.
- Location and time that you observed an odor, or smoke, gases or particles, and any additional observations.
- Description of the problem, and its effects on you.
APCD inspectors will conduct an investigation of each complaint, and determine whether there is a violation of District rules, including whether or not an individual or facility is causing a public nuisance. If a violation is documented, enforcement action will be taken. The District responds quickly to all complaints, usually within 24 hours, but please note our the APCD's
inspector availability.
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OFFICE HOURS
The Third District is geographically the largest and most diverse district in the county, spanning from UCSB, Isla Vista, up the Gaviota Coast, into the Santa Ynez Valley and up to Vandenberg Village and Guadalupe. We hold regular office hours throughout the district that are open to Third District residents. Here is where we will be next:
Solvang
Wednesday, July 18, from 4 - 6 pm at the Solvang Office - 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang
Guadalupe
Thursday, July 19, from 5 - 7 pm at Little House by the Park - 4681 11th Street, Guadalupe
Vandenberg Village
Tuesday, July 24, from 3 - 5 pm at Vandenberg Village Library - 3755 Constellation Road, Lompoc
Los Alamos
Wednesday, August 22, from 4 - 6 pm, at Bedford Winery - 448 Bell Street, Los Alamos
Isla Vista
Thursday, September 13, from 1:30 - 3 pm at
Coffee Collab - 6560 Pardall Road, Isla Vista
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call 805-568-2192 or email our office Scheduler at
gfischer@countyofsb.org
*Office hours can be subject to unforeseen changes, it is recommended to call ahead to verify.
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Out and About in The Third District
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Re-barcoding Thousand of Books
I was one of hundreds of volunteers who logged thousands of hours to re-barcode books at the Goleta Library in preparation for their July 1 opening under the City of Goleta's management.
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Bright Lights in Isla Vista
I recently facilitated a meeting with the leaders of the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) and County Public Works to discuss lighting in IV. Partnering with the leaders of local community service districts on public safety and infrastructure improvements one of the highlights of my job as Supervisor.
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Solvang 4th of July Parade Promoting HEAL and Bike Trails
I participated in the Solvang 4th of July Parade, promoting Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) community work with the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition.
Click to see a video.
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Touring Point Sal
Increasing access to open space and trails is one of my top priorities. As such, I was happy to spend a day on the Point Sal Trail and at Point Sal State Beach exploring the spectacular landscape with fellow trail enthusiasts.
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Contact Us
Santa Barbara Office
105 East Anapamu Street, 4th Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 568-2192
Solvang Office
1745 Mission Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-5095
Santa Maria Office
511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 111
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 346-7210
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