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Public Participation Matters! A Beginner’s Guide to Local Government Meetings

Local planning commissions, city councils, historic preservation commissions, and other public bodies make decisions every day that shape our neighborhoods, historic resources, housing, and community character — but many people don’t know how to participate effectively in those conversations.

This introductory program is designed for beginners and explores how local public participation works, where to find meetings and agendas, and the many ways community members can engage — whether speaking at a meeting, submitting written comments, or simply observing to learn the process.

The session will also discuss why public participation matters, particularly as communities navigate increasing housing pressures, preservation concerns, and changing local priorities. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how public meetings function and practical strategies for participating in a way that feels approachable and effective.

Speaker

Amber Long, M.A., Owner & Principal Architectural Historian, Long Historic Preservation Services

Amber is the founder of Long Historic Preservation Services, a Santa Barbara County–based consultancy specializing in built environment services where she is a principal architectural historian. Before founding the company in 2023, she spent 10 years working for environmental planning and cultural resources firms, as well as the County of Santa Barbara. She meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards as a historian and architectural historian and has a strong background working with the California Environmental Quality Act and Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Amber is passionate about the responsible management of historic resources and creative mitigation strategies that balance stakeholder needs. She has collaborated with state and local jurisdictions, the military, nonprofits, developers, and homeowners on projects of varying scales. Her experience includes peer review for local governments and expert witness testimony on CEQA related cultural resource issues. Amber has made presentations to planning commissions, historic landmark commissions, and boards of architectural review where she became familiar with public participation during public hearings and the importance of public comment in framing local issues. She holds a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in U.S. history from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Posted in: Free Events, Local Government, Webinars