COVID-19 Business Advisory Task Force

Mayor Cathy Murillo established the ad hoc COVID-19 Business Advisory Task Force on March 21, 2020 in response to the significant economic impact the Governor’s stay-at home order and non-essential business closures were having on Santa Barbara’s economy. The Business Advisory Task Force is comprised of business owners and representatives from a cross section of impacted local business sectors.

The Task Force was established to provide the Mayor and Council input on how the City can help businesses address the current crisis and support their reopening and recovery. The City plans to focus its efforts on responding to the needs of the local business community and workforce. City staff will report out regularly to Council and the public with the Task Force’s recommendations, input, and ideas for staff and Council consideration.  Meeting summaries and/or recordings will also be posted below.

Community members and interested parties who wish to submit feedback for consideration by the Covid-19 Business Advisory Task Force may email their comments, questions, and concerns  to  COVIDRecovery@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or click here:  Send Feedback to the Task Force

Task Force Meetings: Agendas, Summaries, & Recordings:

Mayor Murillo understands that community members are interested in the topics discussed by this Task Force. For transparency, meeting summaries and/or recordings will be posted here and are available to the public.

• Mar 26, 2021: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• Feb. 26, 2021: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• Jan. 29, 2021: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• Dec. 21, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• July 31, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• July 17, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• July 02, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• June 19, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• June 05, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• May 28, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• May 22, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• May 14, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• May 08, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Recording & Meeting Summary
• April 24, 2020: Agenda & Meeting Summary [Note: this meeting was not recorded]

Reopening Guide Recommendations from City of Santa Barbara to Santa Barbara County:
Click here to see the letter sent from the City of Santa Barbara to the County of Santa Barbara on May 8, 2020, listing the City's recommendations for the County as it considers reopening guidelines.

COVID-19 Business Advisory Task Force Members:

• Nancy Anderson – Santa Barbara County
• Stephanie Armstrong – Santa Barbara Chamber
• Miguel Avila – Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Alan Bleecker – business owner, construction
• Clare Briglio – Economic Development Collaborative
• Amy Cooper –downtown business owner
• Dan Ferrick – business owner, business incubator and technology
• Brad Finefrock – business owner, restauranteur and finance
• Kathy Janega-Dykes – Visit Santa Barbara
• George Leis – Montecito Bank & Trust
• Peter Lewis – property owner, builder
• Cathy Murillo – Mayor Santa Barbara
• Kathy Odell – Women’s Economic Ventures
• Tom Patton – Hospitality Santa Barbara
• Leslie Person Ryan – business owner, food/agriculture
• Trey Pinner – business owner, Chair Downtown Parking
• Barrett Reed – developer/property owner, Planning Commissioner
• Luz Reyes-Martin – Santa Barbara City College
• Dr. Peter Rupert – UCSB Department of Economics
• Bob Stout – Downtown Santa Barbara, business owner
• Bob Tuler – commercial real estate, business owner
• Sherry Villanueva – restauranteur, business owner
• Paul Casey, Jason Harris, & Nina Johnson - City of Santa Barbara staff