• Avila Beach is Getting Bike Lockers
• 2027 Community Needs Assessment
• Route 227 Improvement Project Community Forum
• Bob Jones Trail Safety Event Needs Volunteers
• Diablo Lands Commission Meeting
• Welcome Our New Public Health Director
• Out in the Community - Upcoming Fundraisers and Events
• Recent Community Highlights
• Mark Your Calendars - Important Dates and Meetings

The Board of Supervisors recently approved transferring $186,951 in existing Avila Beach parking-in-lieu funds to SLOCOG to support new and improved bicycle parking in Avila Beach to accommodate larger e-bikes.

These funds were specifically set aside for alternative transportation projects.  Our office worked with County staff and SLOCOG to identify a practical way to put the dollars to work in Avila Beach: installing secure bicycle lockers. The funding will be used to purchase, install, and maintain bicycle lockers, providing more secure bike parking and additional transportation options for residents, employees, and visitors. It’s another step toward improving mobility while helping meet the growing demand for bicycle parking in Avila Beach.   Lockers will be installed in County Right-of-Ways, and on Port San Luis Properties. 

The County’s DESAL Plan Site Feasibility Study will come before the Board of Supervisors on September 1, marking the next step in our long-term discussion about regional water supply reliability.

The study evaluates potential desalination opportunities throughout San Luis Obispo County and narrows the options to five feasible project concepts. The presentation will provide the Board with an update on the study and community input received throughout the process. If you’d like to learn more or review the Draft DESAL Plan, visit the Public Works DESAL Plan webpage.

Water planning discussions will continue on September 29, when the Board will hold a public hearing to consider adoption of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan for Zone 3 (Lopez Reservoir). The plan helps guide long-term water supply planning for the communities served by the Lopez water system.

I encourage those interested in our region’s water future to follow these upcoming Board discussions.

This year, the County of San Luis Obispo will receive an estimated $3 million in federal funding to support affordable housing, homeless services, neighborhood improvements, public facilities, and other public infrastructure. Before funding decisions are made, we want to hear from you.

The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services, Homeless Services Division invites you to participate in the 2027 Community Development Needs Assessment (CDNA) Survey. The survey is open August 13 to October 13, 2026. Share and take this 10-minute survey!

Your feedback will help prioritize how funds should be allocated to the goals established in the 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan:

• Housing Facilities, including affordable rental housing, single-family housing, and senior housing
• Public Services, including health care, mental health, and homeless services
• Public Facilities, including health care and mental health facilities, and childcare centers
• Housing Services, including homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and emergency shelters
• Public Infrastructure, including high-speed internet, water and sewer improvements, and sidewalk improvements

Survey responses will help inform the County's 2027 Annual Action Plan, which recommends how federal housing and community development funds should be allocated to address local priorities. Take the survey at slocounty.gov/CommunityDevelopment

CDNA Public Hearing

The survey results and proposed funding priorities will be presented to the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors during a public hearing on December 8, 2026. Come attend and share your voice!

Survey results will help inform the County's 2027 Annual Action Plan, which outlines how federal housing and community development funds are allocated from three U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs:

The 2027 Notice of Funding Availability for HUD grant funds and General Fund Support is anticipated to be released on September 28, 2026.

The Octagon Barn, 4400 Octagon Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

These improvements are designed to make driving, biking and walking in South SLO safer and smoother for everyone. 

The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), in partnership with Caltrans and RICK Engineering, is moving forward with the State Route 227 Improvement Project. These improvements are designed to make driving, biking and walking in South SLO safer and smoother for everyone.   

Throughout this process, our goal is to keep our community members and neighbors informed about our progress and any upcoming phases that could affect traffic or road closures. Join us to hear a presentation from key stakeholders and engage in breakout tables from key organizations who will answer your questions and concerns. 

Light bites and beverages will be provided.

Avila Beach resident Betty Hartig is organizing a second volunteer Bob Jones Trail Safety Event on Saturday, September 5, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Volunteers will serve a 45-minute shift along the trail, sharing friendly reminders to “Share the Trail” and practice good trail etiquette. The goal is simple: encourage walkers, runners, and cyclists to safely enjoy this wonderful community resource together.

Interested in volunteering? Reach out to my office and we’ll connect you with Betty.

A public workshop for the Diablo Canyon Lands Conservation Planning Project
will take place in at the San Luis Obispo Library Community room on September 23,
2026. Join the workshop to learn about the planning process and how conservation,
Tribal priorities, and potential public access will be considered for the 12,000 acres of
coastal lands. Visit DiabloCanyonLandsPlanning.com to learn more and sign up for updates.

Please join me in welcoming Suzanne "Suzy" Jed, RN, MSN, as San Luis Obispo County's new Director of Public Health.  

Suzy brings more than two decades of public health and healthcare leadership experience, with expertise in infectious disease prevention, maternal and child health, emergency preparedness, and strategic program management. Most recently, she served in a senior leadership role with USAID in the Dominican Republic and has led major public health initiatives around the world.   We are fortunate to have her experience and collaborative approach leading our Public Health Department, and I look forward to working with her.

 Please join us in welcoming Suzy and her family to SLO County!

You can find me at the following upcoming community events and fundraisers.

• CASA's Annual Rendezvous Gala 9/12 5-8pm - The White Barn, SLO
• Ground Breaking for Bob Jones Trail 9/17 3-4pm, Octagon Barn, SLO
• Catch of the Central Coast 9/19 5-9pm Central Coast Aquarium
• Creeks to Coast Cleanup 9/19 County Wide
• Diablo Lands Community Workshop 9/23 4pm-7pm, SLO Library 
• Break a Wave Cal Poly Rodeo 9/24-9/25, Avila Beach
• PAC 30th Anniversary Celebration 9/26 7:30-9pm, PAC Cal Poly
• Five Cities Homeless Coalition Empty Bowls 10/1 11-1pm, Arroyo Grande
• Lumina Days 10/3 11am-3pm, Arroyo Grande Modeling with Daughter Georgia, please donate HERE 

Thank you to everyone who attended the "Diablo Canyon 2045: Local and Statewide Implications” Forum.  This three-hour forum provided the opportunity for community members to learn about the local and statewide implications of extending Diablo Canyon Power Plant's operations through 2045.  This included energy generation and demand,  ratepayer benefits, fiscal contributions, updates on plant operations and Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversight, and finally, public feedback time.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the presenters and panelists who shared their expertise and perspectives, as well as the many County staff members and partners who helped organize and facilitate this successful event. Your time, professionalism, and commitment to public engagement made the evening possible.

If you missed the forum you can read the studies shared by John Parsons of MIT and David Wells Roland-Holst of Berkeley, and watch the recorded forum HERE.

I recently joined Dean Eric Sauers for a tour of A.T. Still University’s new San Luis Obispo campus at the former MINDBODY campus. ATSU will bring graduate-level health sciences education and clinical training to our community, helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals right here on the Central Coast. Thank you, Dean Sauers, for the tour and a look at what’s ahead!

It was exciting to get an up-close look at the BETA Technologies ALIA CX300 during its recent stop at the SLO County Airport. This all-electric aircraft offers a glimpse at how aviation technology continues to evolve.  Thank you to our SBP staff and the BETA Technologies team for the opportunity to check out the aircraft and learn more about the future of electric aviation!

I enjoyed spending an evening with neighbors at De Vaul Park for the 2026 De Tolosa Ranch National Night Out. It was a great opportunity for families and young people to connect with the law enforcement officers and first responders who serve our community, including SLO Police, SLO Fire, the SLO County Sheriff’s Office, CHP, and San Luis Ambulance.   Thank you to the De Tolosa Ranch HOA for the invitation and for bringing neighbors and our public safety partners together!

The following is a list of important dates; and community meetings or board meetings the Supervisor may be attending. Links provided for more information.

September 1st - BOS Meeting 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers - DESAL Plan Feasibility Study.

September 1st - 227 Community Meeting - Octagon Barn, SLO

September 2nd - Regional Transit Authority 9am-12-noon, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers.

September 7th - Labor Day - County Office Closed

September 9th - South County Chambers Rise and Shine 8-9am, South County Regional Center 

September 9th - Avila Beach CBID 10am-12-noon

September 10th - Avila Beach Office Hours 1:30-3:30 at the Avila Community Center

September 12th - Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Meeting, 10am Reach out to the commission on their website for more details. 

https://www.slowomen.org/

September 14th - Avila Valley Advisory Council Board Meeting 6-8pm, held on zoom.

September 16th and 17th - Annual 3CE Meeting - Seaside CA 

September 16th 6-8pm CenCal Board of Directors Meeting, Santa Maria Inn

September 17th - Local Agency Formation Commission 9am-12-noon, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers.

September 23rd - Air Polution Control District 9-12-noon

September 23rd - First 5 of San Luis Obispo County - 3-5pm, SLO County Office of Ed

September 29th - BOS Meeting 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers - Final Budget Adoption, State Legislative Update, Parks Master Plan Report.

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