Mayor Randy Rowse's Vision for Santa Barbara: Key Insights from the State of the City Address

Mayor Randy Rowse recently addressed the Santa Barbara Board of Realtors at our Cabrillo Pavilion monthly meeting, held against the stunning backdrop of clear skies, the ocean, and nearby islands. Here are the key topics he discussed in a straightforward manner:

1. Recent Election and New Councilmembers: Mayor Rowse expressed his eagerness to work with the new councilmembers and engage with vocal constituents on pressing issues such as downtown retail development, rental housing, and homelessness. 

2. Firefighting Preparedness: Concerns about the readiness of city and county firefighting crews were addressed. Mayor Rowse assured us that the city fire department is well-prepared, with water being consistently pumped to reservoirs. The new Garden Street water feed to Montecito is improving water supply to the Cater Water Plant and up to the city water storage facilities. The collaboration between city, county, and joint fire crews is proving effective in controlling local wildfires.

3. Illegal Food Vendors: The mayor highlighted the prosecution of illegal food vendors and urged the public not to support them due to questionable food quality and safety concerns. State regulations prevent the health department from taking direct action against these vendors, who frequently relocate their carts. There are also concerns about potential violations of wage and hour laws and the exploitation of workers. In contrast, restaurants and food trucks are fully licensed and permitted.

4. State Street Developments: Mayor Rowse discussed State Street with entrepreneur and developer Rick Caruso. Mr. Caruso suggested that reintroducing auto traffic might be more beneficial than allowing e-bikes and unsafe bike riding, as other retail closed/promenade streets have seen revenue drops of up to 97%. Cleanliness and proper lighting are essential for a thriving commercial district. State Street has historically been a major attraction of our jewel of a city.

5. E-Bike Regulations: Currently, e-bikes are regulated by the DMV and California Vehicle Code, but there are no regulations in place. In Long Beach, unsafe e-bike riders have had their bikes confiscated, only to be returned to their parents.

6. Tenant and Landlord Issues: Mayor Rowse emphasized that we are all tenant advocates and the importance of collaboration between tenants and landlords, which has generally benefited both parties in the city. He quoted economist Peter Rupert, noting that rent control is ineffective, as evidenced by Santa Monica's experience where rent-controlled homes are often kept as second homes by part-time residents. The costly $24 million rental registry in Santa Monica has not increased available units and discourages investment in new housing.

7. New City Manager: Kelly McAdoo, who started in May 2024, is the new city manager, and Mayor Rowse has high expectations for her leadership.

8. Police Department Staffing: The police department is expanding from 128 to 142 officers, focusing on recruiting dedicated and educated personnel.

9. Homelessness Initiatives: The homeless navigation center is successfully registering individuals, moving them out of parks and libraries, and assisting them in finding employment and housing.

These discussions reflect Mayor Rowse's commitment to addressing key issues and improving the quality of life in Santa Barbara.