Policies and Initiatives
Supervisor Wolf is committed to serving her constituents in the Second District by:
• responding to constituent concerns.
• cultivating a healthy and sustainable County of Santa Barbara.
• protecting the diversity and vitality of our neighborhoods.
• supporting public safety and disaster planning.
• encouraging environmental awareness and enhancing our agricultural resources.
• fostering regional cooperation and collaboration.
• enhancing educational, recreational and creative opportunities for youth.
• addressing the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Constituent Services:
• Respond to constituent concerns quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain constituent contact database to track concerns of and responses to constituents.
• Continue, and advance, relationships and partnerships with neighborhood and community associations.
• Hold meetings with neighborhood, senior citizen, environmental, agricultural, educational and social justice groups on issues of importance in the Second District and throughout the County
• Appoint new members to Boards and Commissions with an emphasis on expertise and diversity.
• Encourage community participation in community meetings.
• Publish quarterly E-Newsletter to communicate with Second District constituents on issues of concern inviting participation and response.
• Update website regularly to provide important Second District information to constituents
Current Year (FY 08-09) Accomplishments of Supervisor Wolf and the Second District Office
Goleta Valley Community Plan Update
• Held recruiting workshops inviting community members to apply for the Goleta Valley Planning Advisory Committee (GVPAC).
• Worked closely with Long Range Planning staff to appoint members to the GVPAC and to hold regular monthly meetings and community workshops to update the 1993 Goleta Community Plan.
Countywide Issues
• Through leadership on LAFCO and input from Second District constituents, successfully argued against a City of Goleta sphere of influence for parts of the unincorporated Goleta Valley.
• Conducted site visits throughout the County, including Tajiguas Landfill, Cuyama Valley, Casmalia, Point Sal and many others.
Sustainability Initiative
• Successfully advocated for hiring first-ever County Energy Manager
• Reconvened County “Green Team” as the “Conservation and Sustainability Team” with mission to develop plan to make County buildings and operations more energy efficient, lowering costs and reducing carbon footprint.
• Conducted “Green Gardening Day” for Second District and County-wide constituents to learn about how to make their landscaping more sustainable.
• Collaborated with Supervisor Carbajal and community members to Implement a multi-agency Integrated Pest Management (IPM) quarterly meeting to collaborate on issues of pesticide use reduction and related concerns. Collaborated on the development of the “Santa Barbara County Green Landscape Consortium” website to bring IPM information to County constituents.
Transportation Projects
• Promoted County “Adopt-A-Median” partnerships with businesses in Second District
• Continued to support Hollister Avenue Median enhancement.
• Through working collaboratively with Public Works, MTD and SBCAG:
• Repaired and repaved Atascadero-Goleta Beach Bike Path
• Repaired sidewalks and streets and replaced trees on several streets in the unincorporated area.
• Continued implementation of preventative road maintenance program for Second District Roads
• Reestablished portions of MTD Line 8 services through Second District
Safe Routes to School
• Worked with Hollister Elementary, La Colina Jr. High and San Marcos High School and County Public Works to improve pedestrian routes to school in the Cathedral Oaks and San Antonio Road areas.
• Successfully encouraged collaboration among Sheriff’s Department, Public Works, San Marcos High School and constituents to improve safety in the bike path adjacent to SMHS by re-routing of “drop-off” area.
Public Safety
• Worked closely with EOC, Fire and other Departments during Gap Fire to remain abreast of danger conditions and secure Governor’s assistance for State of Emergency declaration.
• Organized Gap Fire Community Forum with representatives from CEO, Fire, Sheriff, Public Works, along with state and federal agencies to discuss emergency preparedness in case of winter flooding.
• Pursued improvements and expansion of public notification and education efforts on issues of disaster preparedness and public health and safety issues.
• Updated “Emergency Information” cards with phone numbers and radio stations to turn to in case of disaster.
• Conducted site visits at staging areas of major fires, including Gap and Tea Fires.
• Visited Isla Vista during Halloween night to observe issues of safety, interagency coordination and crowd control.
• Provided resources and staff assistance in setting up Tea Fire Call Center.
• Worked with Public Works staff, PTA President and Goleta and Hope School District personnel to insure the installation of additional stop signs around elementary schools.
Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency
• Successfully advocated for February “budget workshops” to allow the Board, County staff and members of the public to receive and provide valuable input to the budget process in advance of the June budget hearings
• Advocated for increased transparency and accountability regarding public employee salaries, bonuses, organizational changes and other public records information pertinent to public policy decisions.
• Represented the BOS on the Debt Advisory Committee.
Open Space Preservation & Environmental Protection
• San Marcos Foothills Preserve opened to public with public reception and ceremony. Worked with the Parks Director and community stakeholders to ensure ongoing meetings of the stewardship committee to implement an initial plan for maintenance and use of the “public park” and open space segments of the Preserve at San Marcos.
• Protected “Sempra Salt Marsh” land near Goleta Beach to prevent future damage to sensitive habitat by facilitating agreement between the County, Gas Company, and Coastal Commission.
• Led local efforts to hold oil companies accountable for oil spills that endanger our environment and public health. Advocated for enhanced penalties and oversight by County Petroleum Administrator.
• Participated in Foothill Open Space Planting Days to restore native vegetation.
• Tested Goleta Slough water quality with Goleta Stream Team
• Provided funding to Channel Keepers to ensure winter water quality testing
• Advocated for continued and increased Project Clean Water funding, and a strengthened Stormwater Ordinance.
• Worked with Parks and Project Clean Water to issue a new RFP for Watershed Resource Center that incorporates the role and presence of the Chumash and the Chumash Tomol House at Arroyo Burro Park.
Animal Services
• Encouraged installation of a Dog Bath at Arroyo Burro Beach Park
• Promoted County Shelter Services on Overpass Road in Second District
Homelessness
• Provided ongoing leadership in local groups and projects focused on homelessness including: Co-chair of the South County Homeless Advisory Committee; member of the Governing Board of the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
• Participated in the Santa Barbara City Council ad-hoc Committee on Homeless Issues.
• Worked with Casa Esperanza staff and board to increase skills training available to residents.
Education and Youth
• Continued to host ongoing “student art display” from Second District Schools in the Second District Office in collaboration with the Arts Commission members. Held first public art opening with McKinley School student art.
• Conducted frequent visits to elementary, junior and senior high schools in the Second District to speak to classes, youth groups and at special functions.
• Met with emancipated foster youth at La Morada Transitional facility to learn of their experiences and insights on the services they receive.
• Founding member of County Commission on Foster Care convened by Judge Herman and Social Services Director Kathy Gallagher.
• Observed proceedings in Judge Jim Herman’s Juvenile Court to better understand the challenges of the youth, families and social workers.
• Visited Children’s Mental Health to meet with staff and learn about specialized programs.
Library Services
• Strengthened financial stability and visibility of County-wide Library system through leadership on Library Advisory Committee
Community Development
• Continued participation in Process Improvement Team meetings and workshops; advocated for expanded and strengthened noticing procedures.
Proposed Key Projects in 2009-10
Goleta Valley Planning Advisory Committee
• Continue holding GVPAC monthly meetings and community workshops to update Goleta Valley Community Plan.
Public Safety
• Work to enhance existing and to establish new partnerships for disaster preparedness planning among public agencies and within the community, including the expansion of Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) training.
• Continue to strongly advocate for new Emergency Operations Center and encourage partnerships with non-profits and other local agencies to offset costs.
Transportation Projects
• Continue to work with SBCAG, CalTrans, Second District municipalities and alternative transportation stakeholders to advance the planning and implementation of transportation projects that address road and highway safety, public transit, congestion and infrastructure needs, and pedestrian and bicycle safety including Safe Routes to School.
Improvements of Public Spaces:
• Work with Public Works staff and neighborhood groups to secure funding and landscape expertise to improve appearance of medians and other public spaces within the unincorporated Second District.
• Invite Neighborhood Associations to participate in County’s Roadway Enhancement Partnerships Program (REPP) to clean up public areas.
• Continue to seek public-private partnerships through the “Adopt-a-Median” program to improve the appearance of Hollister Avenue medians.
Sustainability Initiative
• Hold Green Building Forum to educate Second District and County constituents on how to retrofit homes for energy efficiency
• Work with County Sustainability and Conservation Team to advance energy saving measures and conservation practices in County buildings and services.
• Continue working with multi-agency Integrated Pest Management (IPM) group to collaborate on issues of pesticide use reduction and related concerns. Update “Santa Barbara County Green Landscape Consortium” website to bring IPM information to County constituents.
Social Justice
• Establish the Social Justice Commission if budget allows
• Hold meetings with social justice groups on issues of importance in the Second District and throughout the County
Watershed and Coastal Issues
• Goleta Beach: Work closely with County Departments and Coastal Commission staff to ensure thorough processing of Goleta Beach sand nourishment
• San Jose Creek: Work with City of Goleta to complete Memorandum of Understanding for San Jose Creek restoration, ensuring ensure fish passage and public safety
• Gaviota Coast: Continue initiatives to secure the preservation of open space and agriculture on the Gaviota Coast, including discussing the recommendations listed in the Gaviota Study Group report.
• Continue to work toward developing a regional watershed planning effort.
Public Health
• Advocate for a non-smoking ordinance at parks and beaches.
• Continue to promote prevention strategies to encourage women’s “heart health”
Seniors
• Hold community forums with seniors at independent and assisted living facilities
Youth and Educational issues
• Meet and encourage partnerships with and among individuals and organizations (public, private and educational) committed to expanding and enhancing recreational, cultural and educational opportunities for youth and adolescents.
• Continue ongoing “student art display” from Second District Schools in the Second District Office in collaboration with the Arts Commission members. Hold additional public art openings with art from local schools.
Agriculture
• Continue to explore opportunities to maintain agricultural viability
Boards and Commissions: Represented the constituents of the Second District and Santa Barbara County on a variety of county boards and commissions, including:
• Air Pollution Control District (APCD)-(Chair)
• Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON)
• CenCal Health-(formerly the Regional Health Authority)
• California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Coastal Counties Steering Committee
• Debt Advisory Committee
• First Five Children and Families First Commission (alternate)
• South Coast Joint Affordable Housing Task Force
• Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
• Legislative Program Committee
• Library Advisory Committee
• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
• Mental Health Commission (alternate)
• National Association of Counties( NaCO), Health & Human Services Committee
• Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG)
• Santa Barbara County Commission on Children in Foster Care
Return to top of page