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Dear Inquirer,

I hope this message finds you well. Last month, I had the privilege of stopping by Safe Haven Wellness Center in Arroyo Grande to meet with the staff and learn more about the wonderful mental health programs they offer. Run by Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA), Safe Haven provides dozens of community-based mental health programs for adults, including peer support, depression and anxiety groups, art and mindfulness classes, creative writing, community outings, and more—all free of charge!

Just a block off Branch St. in the AG Village, this incredible community resource is right in the heart of South County. I highly encourage you to check it out if you or someone you love is looking for a welcoming environment for mental health support.

Their April calendar of events is available here, and they also have an Open House on May 8 from 12 to 3pm. Learn more about their programs at t-mha.org or by calling 805-541-6813.

I’m also happy to share that the Board of Supervisors will be recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month during our Board meeting on May 5.

One of my favorite parts of this job is getting to meet incredible people every day who are so deeply committed to serving this community. A big thank you to Mya, Alex, Jeffrey, and Shawn (pictured above) for inviting me to visit and for the important work that they do.

Sincerely, 

Jimmy Paulding 
District 4 Supervisor

With that, here’s what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter:

• Key upcoming meetings & events
• A new trail is coming to Nipomo 
• Crosswalk improvements in Olde Towne
• Pier Ave and Oceano Park Playground improvements are underway
• Volunteer opportunities through the Sheriff's Office and the Air Pollution Control District
• And a few other quick updates

It was an honor to attend this month’s Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony and King David's Lodge Firefighters Recognition dinner, celebrating the extraordinary bravery, service, and dedication of the men and women who keep our communities safe. Grateful for their commitment and proud to support those who serve.

April Nipomo Community Plan Workshop Postponed - During last week's South County Advisory Council meeting, my office shared that the County was tentatively planning a Nipomo Community Plan workshop for April 19. This workshop is being postponed. County Planning staff are hard at work on getting the draft plan prepared for public release, and we expect to have an update soon about the next workshop. 

April 7 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. Key agenda items include a discussion on budgeting for County Parks and a report from the Immigration Ad Hoc Committee that I serve on with Supervisor Ortiz-Legg.

April 21 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. Key agenda items include proclamations for Arab American Heritage Month and Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a discussion about additional funding for public safety, and a study session on housing policy.

April 21 – Desal Community Workshop, 6pm, Ramona Community Center, 993 Ramona Ave, Grover Beach. Learn more about our regional effort to build a desalination plant in SLO County. More information will be posted at slocounty.ca.gov/DESAL closer to the event.

April 27 – South County Advisory Council Meeting, 6:30pm, Dana Adobe Cultural Center. This is a great opportunity for you to weigh in on land use decisions in the AG Mesa/Nipomo area. Learn more about scac.ca.gov.

May 8 – Safe Haven Wellness Center Open House, 12-3pm, 203 Bridge Street, AG. Come learn about the amazing services available through Transitions-Mental Health Association.

Please note that anticipated Board agenda items are subject to change. Always be sure to check the posted agenda at slocounty.ca.gov to confirm if an item will be discussed at the next meeting. Agendas are usually published the Wednesday prior to each Board meeting.

After roughly two years of working alongside the Dana Adobe, it’s incredibly rewarding to see this milestone become a reality.

Last week, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement to move forward with a new public trail connecting Olde Towne Nipomo to the Dana Adobe & Cultural Center.

A project like this has been discussed for decades, and it’s exciting to see it finally taking shape. The new trail will provide a direct connection to a historic site that has stood since 1839, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience and learn about California’s Rancho era while also expanding recreational opportunities.

What makes this effort especially meaningful is that it has been driven by the community. The Dana Adobe has demonstrated a strong commitment to preservation, education, and public access—ensuring that this important piece of local history remains accessible for future generations. At our meeting, the Board also formally recognized the Dana Adobe for their efforts to expand recreational and educational opportunities in our community.

It’s been a pleasure working alongside Dana Adobe President Jim Corridan (pictured above) to help move this project forward, and I look forward to seeing the continued progress in the months ahead.

The dirt trail will follow the old Pacific Coast Railroad tracks which runs adjacent to Nipomo Creek from the Dana Adobe toward Tefft and Carillo St. It will be open during daylight hours and will serve pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders. The trailhead in Olde Towne will be located at the future Jim Miller Park.

Now that the agreement is in place, the County will soon be issuing final permission for the Dana Adobe to begin trail construction. Read more about the new trail in this Tribune article.

Some big improvements are underway in Oceano with a brand-new playground at Oceano Memorial Park and a redesign of Pier Ave both under construction right now.

The playground was in dire need of replacement with aging equipment and a serious flooding issue. The new playground design will fix the flooding issue, be more ADA accessible, and feature fun and engaging new play components for the kids. Construction broke ground last month and is expected to be completed in May. Learn more about the new playground here and check out a rendering of what the new playground will look like here.

On Pier Ave, crews have begun preparing for significant improvements as part of our first phase of the Pier Avenue Corridor Plan. The improvements will include safer crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons, dedicated bike lanes, improved lane configurations and parking, and of course fresh pavement. This plan is a result of more than a year of community input, and I’m thrilled to see it coming to life. Construction of this initial phase is expected to be completed by Memorial Day with later phases slated for future years once funding is identified. Learn more about the Pier Ave Corridor Plan here.

I want to highlight a unique opportunity to get involved in public safety here in SLO County. The Sheriff's Office offers a Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer Patrol (SAVP) program, made up of community members who volunteer their time to support deputies and help keep our neighborhoods safe.

These trained volunteers serve as an extra set of eyes and ears throughout the county—patrolling neighborhoods, assisting at community events, conducting vacation house checks, and helping strengthen communication between law enforcement and the public. While they do not perform enforcement duties, their presence plays an important role in crime prevention and community engagement.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, with a clean driving record and no felony convictions. Once accepted, SAVPs commit to volunteering at least eight hours each month and attend monthly meetings.

Although interviews for this year’s academy have already taken place, those who are interested are encouraged to reach out now to be notified when the next application period opens. It’s a meaningful way to give back, connect with your community, and support public safety efforts here in District 4.

To learn more or express interest, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit through Grace Norris by calling 805-781-4483 or emailing gnorris@co.slo.ca.us. You can read more about the program here.

I also want to share an opportunity for residents interested in serving in a unique and important role related to air quality and public health. The SLO County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is currently recruiting for several positions on its Hearing Board, including a Public Member and Alternate, as well as alternate positions for a Medical Member and an Engineer.

The Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body that considers requests from regulated industries, including variances from air quality rules and orders related to public nuisance concerns. It plays a key role in ensuring that air quality regulations are applied fairly while protecting public health.

Applications are being accepted through April 29. If you have a background in engineering, medicine, or are simply interested in serving as a public member, I encourage you to consider applying.

To learn more or request an application, visit slocleanair.org or contact the APCD Clerk of the Board at 805-781-5912 or boardclerk@slocleanair.org. Appointments will be made at the May 20 APCD meeting.

County on Track to Meet Homelessness Goals: In case you missed my last email, the County is on track to meet—or even exceed—our goal of reducing homelessness by 50% as part of our Five-Year Plan. Recent data shows significant progress, including a 42% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2022 and a 49% drop in chronically homeless veterans since last summer, alongside continued investments in housing and services. These results reflect a coordinated, countywide effort to expand supportive housing, strengthen mental health and substance use treatment, and improve outreach and prevention programs. You can read more about this update and the work ahead in our full news release and in the articles below:

KEYT: San Luis Obispo County Reports Sharp Decline in Homelessness Since 2022

SLO Tribune: SLO County records landmark moment in its fight against homelessness

KSBY: Results from Point-in-Time Count show decrease in homelessness around SLO County

Check out the Latest AG City Newsletter: Stay connected with all the latest news, events, and updates from the City of Arroyo Grande by checking out the latest edition of the Arroyo Grande Gazette. The March 2026 issue is available in both English and Spanish.

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