BILL NUMBER: AB 3	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Williams

                        DECEMBER 1, 2014

   An act relating to local government.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 3, as introduced, Williams. Isla Vista Community Services
District.
   Existing law authorizes the formation of the Isla Vista College
Community Services District within the unincorporated area of Santa
Barbara County known as Isla Vista for the performance of various
services, including, but not limited, to public parks, police
protection, and transportation facilities.
   This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to clarify
and establish the necessary authority for the creation of the Isla
Vista Community Services District within the unincorporated area of
Santa Barbara County, and would make legislative findings and
declarations relating to that intent.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) The Isla Vista community encompasses a population of over
20,000 residents situated within an area comprising of less than one
square mile of land in Santa Barbara County. It is adjacent to the
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus and its student
population. Including university property, the area totals about
1,500 acres. Isla Vista represents one of the largest urban
communities in California not governed as a city.
   (2) Isla Vista faces various challenges in local governance. As a
university town, Isla Vista must accommodate the service needs
associated with its transient student population and a predominantly
renter-oriented community. Isla Vista's situation is complicated by
its unincorporated status, which limits its local participation in
managing public services and providing needed public improvements,
such as increased lighting, sidewalk and street improvements, and
housing code enforcement.
   (3) As an unincorporated area, various county agencies provide
services to the residents and businesses of Isla Vista. Since these
agencies must provide services throughout the whole county, Isla
Vista must compete for attention and funding for the services they
need. Isla Vista is represented at the county level by one of five
supervisors and is situated in the largest and most diverse
geographic district in the county. The Isla Vista Recreation and Park
District is the only local district providing limited services
exclusively to Isla Vista.
   (4) There have been multiple attempts at achieving cityhood for
Isla Vista, however, insufficient tax revenue prevents cityhood from
being a viable solution. In 2003, the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
found that establishing a community services district would be the
best governance option to expand and improve services to Isla Vista.
   (5) Over the last year, the Isla Vista community has been faced
with many challenges due to tragic events, including two violent
sexual assaults, a riot, and a mass shooting that has brought focus
to the unique needs of Isla Vista that can only be addressed by
direct, local governance. Following these events, a local coalition
was formed to determine the best direction for Isla Vista
self-governance and the community services district has garnered much
local support.
   (6) Additionally, following these events, many trustees on the UC
Santa Barbara Foundation Board expressed a strong desire to support
the chancellor and the university in efforts to create change in Isla
Vista, to ensure a safer and more enhanced community for students.
The UC Santa Barbara Foundation Trustees' Advisory Committee on Isla
Vista Strategies was formed to analyze the conditions and dynamics of
Isla Vista and develop mid- and long-term recommendations to
establish a viable, safe, and supportive environment. Among their
recommendations is that the State of California create a Community
Services District/Municipal Improvement District in Isla Vista with
potential powers of infrastructure, utilities, garbage, police
services, parks, recreation, cultural facilities, fire, security, and
roads.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that
will clarify and establish the necessary authority for the creation
of the Isla Vista Community Services District within the
unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County.