Mayor· 2022-2026
Randy Rowse
Santa Barbara
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 15
- Total speaking time
- 55:08
- Avg per meeting
- 3:41
- Segments
- 1143
Want every word Rowse has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Rowse said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
election administration
No direct financial impact on residents, just peace of mind that your vote is secure.
Just Cause Eviction Protections
Your rent could go up or down depending on what happens with these new rules.
mayoral and city council election coverage
More than $225,000 is already pouring into the District 4 council race, which means more ads, mailers, and donor influence.
Labor negotiations with city employee unions
The eventual contract terms will shape the city's payroll and budget, but no numbers were disclosed.
city acquisition of La Casa de la Raza community center
Purchase price and terms were discussed in closed session and have not been disclosed.
Potential purchase of 190 El Cielito Road
Purchase price and terms were discussed in closed session and have not been disclosed.
State Street revitalization
No direct spending approved, but ideas discussed — like fee waivers and police substations — could carry future budget implications.
SEIU Local 620 supervisory unit labor negotiations
The outcome of union negotiations will affect future payroll and benefit costs in the city budget; no figures were disclosed.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
This could mean fewer rental income options for homeowners and potentially higher hotel costs for visitors.
Airport Infrastructure and Noise Management
Affordable Housing at West Carrillo Street
The city would lend $1,945,176 from its Local Housing Trust Fund.
Gibraltar Dam Spillway Repairs
Grant funding could offset local costs of the spillway repairs.
Pending litigation: Jane Doe v. City of Santa Barbara
Potential settlement or litigation costs for the city aren't disclosed, so the financial hit to taxpayers is unknown.
Rent stabilization and short-term rental ordinance costs
Startup costs of roughly $500,000 to $2 million, expected to be repaid via program fees.
budget reserve crisis
Reserves drop $1.1 million in FY2027 and are forecast to fall further in 2028 without more cuts.
Scroggin v. City of Santa Barbara litigation
Unknown — litigation costs and any potential settlement aren't public.
Potential litigation from Graham Lyons letter
Potential litigation exposure could carry financial costs for the city, though no figures were disclosed.
The Mission LLC litigation against the City
Potential litigation costs and any settlement or judgment against the City could affect the budget, though no figures were disclosed.
housing affordability
It's going to cost you a fortune to even think about buying a home here.
legal challenge to development
This lawsuit could either open the floodgates for more development or put the brakes on it, impacting construction jobs and property values.
Decisions during term (15)
Recorded while Rowse was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Adjourn to closed session on two pending litigation matters
Solid Waste rate increases — no reserve smoothing
Faro Center funding plan
Reserve policy review sent to Finance Committee
Holiday parades funding and Solstice on State Street
Analyze sustainable local housing trust fund source
Vacancy tax analysis
Downtown parking work session
Park fencing and gating work session
Compensation philosophy and class & comp study
Staff-recommended budget adjustments (Item A)
Separate resolution on Local Housing Trust Fund transfers
Reserve policy non-compliance resolution direction (Item C)
Consent calendar (Items 1 and 3) minus Item 2
Temporary rent increase moratorium and Ellis Act eviction ordinances (Item 2)
Voting record (5)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Reserve policy review sent to Finance Committee
Believes surpluses should go to replenishing depleted reserves rather than the housing trust fund.
Vacancy tax analysis
Believes the administrative and legal burden exceeds the utility and it is legally challengeable.
Downtown parking work session
Believes someone always pays for free parking.
Park fencing and gating work session
Supports fencing for safety and vandalism prevention.
Temporary rent increase moratorium and Ellis Act eviction ordinances (Item 2)
Argued the freeze is a top-down approach without knowing scope, and preferred negotiating rent policy rather than facing litigation.