Lori La Riva of Traffic Solutions, a division of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, was recognized as a 2019, 40 Under 40, emerging leader in transportation demand management by the Association for Commuter Transportation. The association recognizes professionals who are leaders in their field in developing programs that shift behavior and create long-lasting change for commuters and increase the livability of their communities. La Riva was recognized among an impressive group of international leaders who are changing the way communities address transportation and mobility challenges.

“This is a tremendous honor for our organization by recognizing an inspiring leader who is working on creative solutions to help move people in a sustainable way for the benefit our community and economy,” remarked Kent Epperson, Director of Traffic Solutions.  “Lori is the kind of person who wins commuters over with her big smile, approachable demeanor, humble nature, and her impeccable professionalism.  Over the years, she has helped build a large community of commuters and employer partners that feel like family to us and are our most active champions for sustainable transportation in Santa Barbara County.”

La Riva remarks that she enjoys collaborating with local employers to build commuter programs from the ground up and takes pride in resolving situations that are challenging for commuters or employers. She also loves working with community members during CycleMAYnia Bike Month to bring their creative, inspiring, and fun ideas to life.

Traffic Solutions works to connect people and destinations by offering programs and incentives that help commuters travel smarter. A division of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Traffic Solutions focuses on transit use, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling, telecommuting, compressed workweeks, and flexible schedules. Traffic Solutions develops programs and relationships with local employers, government agencies, and individuals to expand commuter options that reduce traffic congestion and vehicle miles driven and encourage sustainable transportation. Employers in Santa Barbara County who wish to develop their commuter programs can contact Traffic Solutions at (805) 963-7283 or info@trafficsolutions.org.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) elected their 2020 leadership and approved the Board of Directors regular meeting schedule through December 2020. The Board of Directors selected Gregg Hart, County Supervisor Second District to serve as Chair and Holly Sierra, Mayor of Buellton to serve as Vice-Chair. The Board also extended their appreciation to outgoing Chair Alice Patino, Mayor of Santa Maria.
 
"As a former Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Deputy Director, I understand transportation and housing issues facing our region,” said director Gregg Hart. “I will work hard with my Board colleagues, SBCAG staff and our partners to secure full funding to complete the 101 widening project, expand rail service, increase funding for transit, bike, and pedestrian improvements and create new opportunities for affordable housing."
 
In 2020, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, in partnership with Caltrans, will be focused on the Santa Barbara U.S. 101 Multimodal Corridor Project, which is the priority project of Measure A, the transportation measure passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2008. Measure A funding helped leverage $184 million in competitive Senate Bill 1 funding for the project from Carpinteria to Summerland with construction starting in 2020. In the new year, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will seek to leverage additional Senate Bill 1 funding to secure the remaining investment needed for the entirety of the project to Santa Barbara. The funding also supports improving local connections for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit and rail users. The public can stay informed on the progress by signing up to receive updates at www.sbroads.com.
 
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will also be engaged in Connected 2050, Santa Barbara County’s next Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP-SCS).  The RTP-SCS is the long-range transportation plan that is updated every four years and helps guide future planning efforts and policy decisions that affect transportation, including its relationship with housing and land use.  The current RTP-SCS, Fast Forward 2040, as its name suggests, plans out to the year 2040.  Connected 2050 will plan out to 2050.  Connected 2050 will also align with the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process as directed by the State of California to support how Santa Barbara communities can adequately plan to meet the housing needs for our region. Public participation will be vital to the development of Connected 2050 and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will conduct public meetings and surveys in advance of a draft release of Connected 2050 anticipated in June 2021.
 
Regular meetings of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors occur on the 3rd Thursday of each month, convening at 10:00 a.m. Listed below is the 2020 Meeting schedule and locations. Santa Barbara meetings are held in the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 105 East Anapamu Street, 4th Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Santa Maria meetings are held in the Santa Maria Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455
 
2020 Regular Meeting Dates/Locations

• January 16, Santa Barbara
• February 20, Santa Maria
• March 19, Santa Barbara
• April 16, Santa Maria
• May 21, Santa Barbara
• June 18, Santa Maria
• July 16, Santa Barbara
• August 20, Santa Maria
• September 17, Santa Barbara
• October 15, Santa Maria
• November 19, Santa Barbara
• December 17, Santa Maria

First meeting of the Highway 154 Safety Committee to take place on December 16, 2019

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Highway 154 Safety Committee is hosting a Town Hall on December 16, 2019, at Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive in Solvang. The town hall will feature the latest information on Highway 154 traffic safety and efforts to improve safety. The public will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, and local/state elected officials. Childcare will be provided by the Santa Ynez YMCA at the Solvang Library, and Spanish language interpretation services will be available.
 
At 6:30 p.m., there will be an open house with state and local agencies, followed by the first meeting of the Highway 154 Safety Committee at 7:00 p.m. A committee agenda will be available on the Santa Barbara County Association of Government’s Board Committee Meeting website in advance of the meeting and will include presentations from State and local agencies. The public is encouraged, not required, to register to attend the town hall. Registration can be done online, or by phone to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments at (805) 961-8900.
 
WHAT: Highway 154 Safety Town Hall

WHEN: December 16, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – Open house with state and local agencies; 7:00 p.m. – Highway 154 Safety Committee meeting

WHERE: Solvang Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang
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DETAILS: Register to attend online at www.hwy154.eventbrite.com, or by phone to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments at (805) 961-8900. The Town Hall is FREE to attend, registering helps meeting organizers plan the logistics for the event. Childcare will be provided by Santa Ynez YMCA at the Solvang Library, and Spanish language interpretation services will be available.