District 1 Council Member· 2025-2028
Wendy Santamaria
Santa Barbara
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 4
- Total speaking time
- 51:30
- Avg per meeting
- 12:53
- Segments
- 519
Want every word Santamaria has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Santamaria said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(General)
Just Cause Eviction Protections
Your rent could go up or down depending on what happens with these new rules.
city acquisition of La Casa de la Raza community center
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.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
This could mean fewer rental income options for homeowners and potentially higher hotel costs for visitors.
Rent stabilization and short-term rental ordinance costs
Startup costs of roughly $500,000 to $2 million, expected to be repaid via program fees.
eminent domain dispute
The fight could mean costly legal bills, business disruption, and uncertainty over the property’s value or compensation.
immigration policy
It's unclear yet if this will cost taxpayers more or less.
ICE arrests at county jails
Taxpayer money might be wasted if these ICE arrests violate state law, potentially leading to legal battles.
Employment Agreement Amendments for City Administrator and City Attorney
Any changes to these executive contracts affect the city's salary costs, but the amounts weren't made public.
rent control ordinance
This could save renters money each year, but landlords might see reduced income potential.
Marina slip waiting list policy
This could mean fewer backroom deals and a more transparent way to get a slip, potentially impacting resale values.
Ellis Act eviction requirements
Property owners looking to exit the rental business face a five-year waiting period before units can be re-rented or redeveloped.
Temporary rent increase moratorium (rent freeze)
Renters in covered pre-1995 buildings get immediate relief from increases; landlords face capped income and potential administrative costs the city hasn't yet quantified.
Storm drain funding and proposed storm drain utility
$500K requested for storm drain maintenance in FY2027; a new utility fee could shift costs to affected properties.
ICE enforcement on county property
While the exact cost isn't clear, these moves could involve legal fees or new security measures.
historic building sale
The nonprofit is taking a hit on the sale price, meaning less money to get their programs running again.
oil pipeline restart legal challenge
This could mean big bucks lost for the oil company if they can't restart, but also saves us from potential cleanup costs if something goes wrong.
cannabis cultivation regulations
Growers who don't upgrade their facilities to reduce smell could face hefty fines or lose their licenses, impacting their bottom line.
lease dispute
This lawsuit could mean big changes to how much these popular spots have to pay the city, potentially affecting your dining costs.
rent crisis
Basically, the city's wealthy are worried about how these rent solutions might mess with their investments.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Santamaria was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching General.
Voting record (0)(General)
No votes found matching General.