IT’S NOT TO LATE TO GIVE INPUT ON UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS
The public has until Friday, December 15, to give input on how bus systems, dial-a-ride, and paratransit services work for them as part of the annual unmet transit needs process. SBCAG will host the last countywide unmet transit needs listening session online and in-person next week from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on December 11. Four annual listening sessions have occurred over the last two months, organized by SBCAG and the Cities of Lompoc and Santa Maria. An online survey is available in English and Spanish until Friday, December 15, 2024. Comments provided at any of the listening sessions, on the online survey, or in writing are shared with local decision-makers, transit agencies, and the California Department of Transportation to help influence options for transit services and projects. The public can stop by anytime during the two-hour session. Find more information about the listening sessions on SBCAG’s website or download the flyer (English/Spanish).
 
SR 166 STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONVENES INAUGURAL MEETINGth
The SR 166 Stakeholder Advisory Committee convened its first meeting this week, the first of four advisory committee meetings associated with the SR 166 Comprehensive Corridor Study. The committee, appointed by the SBCAG Board of Directors, met to provide valuable input on the data collected in a draft of the existing conditions report and public outreach efforts. Committee members elected Garret Matsuura as Chair and Claire Wineman as Vice-Chair. As part of the ongoing outreach efforts, the project team is encouraging the public to give input on an online survey and interactive mapping tool to ensure a diverse range of perspectives are considered for improvements to the corridor. The project team anticipates surpassing their goal of collecting 350 surveys. Additionally, SBCAG member agencies and Directors are asked to encourage input through the online interactive mapping tool, which has received 32 comments. SBCAG remains engaged through events such as the Santa Maria Parade of Lights taking place on Saturday, December 7, and the Early Bird Flea Market on December 8.
 
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE SOUTH COAST SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
More than $3.7 million in competitive funding is available over the next three years to support pedestrian and bicycle safety projects in the cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and the south coast portion of the County of Santa Barbara. This program, known as the “Measure A Safe Routes to School, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program,” aims to expand and improve the South Coast’s regional bicycle and pedestrian facilities network. Cities and the County will be eligible to compete for funding. Funds can be used for project development and construction of capital facilities, education programs, and maintenance. A call for projects begins February 20, 2025, with pre-applications due March 6, and the final application deadline is April 1. School districts, universities, colleges, transit agencies, and Caltrans can compete for funding with a city or county co-sponsor. Guidelines and application materials will be posted online by February 13, 2025. An informational flyer is also available to download. 
 
WORD ON THE STREET:

• The County of Santa Barbara updates:
  • Announced it will reduce speed limits on more than 36 miles of local roads by five miles per hour and reduce the speed limit by 10 miles per hour on Alamo Pintado Avenue near Los Olivos Elementary School and Modoc Road from Via Senda to the City of Santa Barbara limits.
  • Seeking comments on the draft 2025 legislative platform until December 13.
• The City of Lompoc adopted the revised Housing Element on November 19.
• The City of Santa Maria’s “State of the City 2024” address of November 14 is available for viewing anytime in English and Spanish on multiple platforms thanks to a newly produced video of the presentation by the City. Watch and learn as Mayor Alice Patino and Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu talk about new housing and downtown revitalization, efforts to expand the City’s boundaries, new parks, declining crime rates, budget challenges, and so much more.
• Caltrans District 5 announcements:
  • A project to install a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 154 and Roblar Avenue near Los Olivos is now underway. The temporary traffic signal will be in place until the Baseline Avenue/Highway 154 roundabout project is completed in Spring 2025.
  • Hosting an in-person public information meeting for the Los Alamos Connected Community Project on Wednesday, December 11, at 5:30 p.m. at the Los Alamos Men’s Club. This meeting will allow the public to talk with Caltrans staff about the various design features of the project before the final design is selected.
• California has launched the first-ever e-bike incentive project, providing up to $2,000 in support for qualified Californians who purchase a new electric bicycle. The California Air Resources Board funds this incentive project, and the application window will open on December 18.
• The California Office of Traffic Safety is hosting a series of meetings in December and January to learn more about their grant programs and how to apply for funding for the Federal Fiscal Year 2026. Learn more about the available outreach meetings by visiting their website.
• Congratulations to Jennifer Bigelow McGovern, President and CEO of the Housing Trust Fund, for receiving the 2024 Michael Towbes Excellence in Workforce Housing Award from the Coastal Housing Coalition. McGovern has been an essential partner to SBCAG with the Regional Early Action Planning Grants, providing regional leadership on affordable housing development.
• The California Association of Councils of Governments is hosting a four-part webinar series on regional perspectives on housing. The ‘Homes for the Holidays’ webinar series will cover new housing laws, RHNA reform ideas, housing & VMT mitigation, and strategies for local housing elements. The webinar series is FREE, and you can register here.

• Thursday, December 12 @ 10 a.m. – California Vanpool Authority Board of Directors meeting
• Friday, December 13 @ 10:30 a.m. – Santa Claus Lane Streetscape Project Groundbreaking