Boards & Commissions D-M

On February 5, 2019, City Council established a De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Historic Landmarks Commission, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market. The purpose of the Subcommittee is to support the development of conceptual plans for the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization Project. The committee will meet up to four times during the development of conceptual plans for the Revitalization Project.

The Downtown Parking Committee was established August 30, 1988, and replaced the Parking District Committee.

On October 15, 2019, City Council established the New Saturday Farmers Market Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is comprised of three representatives from the City Council.

In 1874, the Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 was organized. Crime was infrequent in Santa Barbara in the 1800's and major felonies were so rare that it was not considered necessary to form a police force until 1900.

The Golf Advisory Committee was established in June 1978 to provide guidance and operational assistance to the Parks and Recreation Department and Parks and Recreation Commission in the provision of golf course matters.

In 1926, Major Max C. Fleischmann, an ardent yachtsman and philanthropist, offered $200,000 (approximately one half the cost) toward the construction of a harbor project on the condition that the City contribute the balance.

In 1959 the California State Legislature passed a bill enabling local communities to provide for historic districts and landmarks and, in September of that year, El Pueblo Viejo historic district was born.

In November 1968, City Council sponsored a measure entitled Proposition C, which the voters approved, asking for authority to develop low income housing units.

The Housing Task Force was established on December 13, 2016 to consider potential amendments to the Average Unit-Size Density Incentive Program and bring recommendations to Council.

On March 30, 2021, the City Council appointed the City’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). The IRC is charged with drawing electoral redistricting maps using 2020 Census Bureau data. The electoral maps are used to assure the City’s six electoral council districts comply with state and federal law.

The City Council adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy on June 17, 2003. The purpose of the IPM policy is to reduce or eliminate pesticide use on City property and to serve as an example to private property owners.

The Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara has created a Library Advisory Committee. Each contracting city including Santa Barbara, shall nominate one member for appointment by the Board of Supervisors. This page is for information only, and it contains the link to the County site.

Miss Sara Plummer established the City's first library on State Street in 1870. After Miss Plummer married, the library was sold to the Odd Fellows who moved it to their lodge at State and Haley Streets.

The Living Wage Advisory Committee was established on April 25, 2006, by Resolution No. 06-031. Its purpose is to advise the City Council regarding the City’s implementation of the Living Wage Ordinance.

Measure P was passed by the voters of the City of Santa Barbara at the Special Municipal Election held on November 7, 2006. Measure P relates to the City of Santa Barbara mandating that the Santa Barbara Police give State and Federal marijuana laws the lowest law enforcement priority possible. It also mandated the establishment of a community Oversight Committee.

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) provides fixed-route transit service within the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria along 23 routes. The main terminal (Transit Center at 1020 Chapala Street) and maintenance facility is located in Santa Barbara; an auxiliary dispatching and maintenance terminal in Goleta has been in use since early 1978.

The Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County (formerly the Santa Barbara Coastal Vector Control District) annexed the City of Santa Barbara into their district on June 11, 2004. The Mosquito and Vector Management District is a local governmental agency providing multifaceted health and safety protection to many residents of Santa Barbara County.