Daily Archives: January 1, 2014

Strategic Plan Cover

Goleta’s Top 10 for 13

Goleta has a number of accomplishments to celebrate and we wanted to highlight our top ten for 2013.

1 – The Council adopted a new Strategic Plan which includes the following goals:

  • Ensure Financial Stability
  • Support Economic Vitality
  • Strengthen Infrastructure
  • Return Old Town to be the Vital Center of Goleta
  • Maintain a Safe Community
  • Preserve and Enhance Quality of Life

2 – The City remained financially stable.  This year the Council adopted a two-year budget that provides for numerous projects and expands staff and resources.  The City’s revenues have increased with the change in the revenue neutrality structure and the passage of Measure H (the increase in the City’s bed tax).  The City was also recognized for the 10th year in a row for its Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), and once again finished the year “in the black.”

3 – Grant Funding. City staff sought out a number of grants to help supplement the funding options for the City’s projects.  Some of the grants received in 2013 included:

  • Pedestrian Improvement Grant $180,000
  • Bike/Pedestrian Projects $400,000
  • Office of Traffic & Safety Grant for DUI Enforcement $68,000
  • Community Development Block Grant Funds $225,000

4 – Public safety continues to be a priority in Goleta.  The City received two signification recognitions this year: Goleta was named the 95th safest city in the US  and the 22nd safest city in California. The Council also allocated funding for a fourth motorcycle officer and was able to purchase four new motorcycles.

5 – Emergency Preparedness has been a focus over the last several years with the Goleta Prepare Now initiative.  In the last year the City has expanded the Community Emergency Response Team training opportunities and now has access to a new Emergency Communications Trailer through a partnership with MarBorg and Price Management.

6 – Litigation. The City successfully defended itself in lawsuits on Westar and the Monarch mobilehome park.

7 – Love of Goleta. Goletans really seem to love this community and we saw this through the Love of Goleta events in March.  Over 200 people participated in the community luncheon and workshop led by Peter Kageyama and several fun ideas came out of this evening.  The Dam Dinner in August brought together over 200 people for an informal dinner at the Lake Los Carneros Dam. The event was so successful that another one is being planned for August 23, 2014.  Follow the page on Facebook.

8 – A number of public improvements were moved along this year.  Roadway improvements were made at Hollister and Los Carneros  and on western Hollister Avenue near Ellwood School.  The Santa Marguerita Pedestrian Improvements  and the Los Carneros Overhead projects have been awarded.  The Patterson Avenue Infill Project has been awarded and will be constructed shortly.

9 – The Goleta Entrepreneurial Magnet (GEM), a coalition of the City, the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce and UCSB, made substantial progress this year in hiring Doug Lynch as the executive director and launching a website.   The City Council also supported the concept for funding for three years and GEM is close to signing a lease for incubator space in Old Town.

10 – The Council approved a feasibility study for relocating City Hall to the existing Goleta Valley Community Center site.  Meanwhile interior improvements were made to the existing Council Chambers to improve the audio and visual experience for those in attendance and watching City meetings on TV and the web.

We are grateful for the achievements of 2013 and look forward to a great 2014.

 

 

Fighting for Goleta’s Tax Dollars

Lawmakers in the state capitol have repeatedly taken revenue from local government to balance state budgets over the past decade. These raids on local dollars have resulted in lower levels of services for communities throughout the State and Goleta is no different. While we have weathered these shifts, the State’s action to eliminate redevelopment agencies created a significant financial burden that demands the city re-examine the revenue structure envisioned during our incorporation.

As a condition of Goleta’s incorporation, the City of Goleta and the County of Santa Barbara were required to enter into a tax-sharing agreement called a Revenue Neutrality Agreement (RNA).  Governed by State Law, RNAs are designed to protect counties from completely losing the revenue that becomes part of the tax base for the new City.  The agreements provide a smoothing effect over a number of years to help the County transition from its reliance on those monies while the city matures its tax base to pay for its own resident’s needs.

Because they are intended to help the city and county through a transitional time, neutrality agreements generally sunset after a fixed number of years. But the agreement for Goleta is an exception in that a significant amount of local taxes are taken by the County of Santa Barbara in perpetuity. Approximately $5 million per year – or 20% of the cities entire budget – leaves Goleta and passes through to County administrators.

While the perpetual nature of this agreement with the county is unfortunate for Goleta residents, the agreement did anticipate the need to reexamine the financial arrangement if structural changes if structural changes to Goleta’s financing were to occur – which it has as a result of the state’s elimination of redevelopment funding.

The City Council will be considering the opportunity to educate the community on the current agreement and investigating ways to encourage the County of Santa Barbara to come back to the negotiating table to establish a more reasonable agreement.

State Lands Considers Venoco Project

The California State Lands Commission (CSLC) is reviewing an application by Venoco, for the recommissioning of the oil well located on what is commonly referred to as the 421 Piers adjacent to the Ellwood area of Goleta. Venoco holds a lease from CSLC for these wells and oil field, which have been inactive and shut-in since an oil spill in 1994. The PRC 421 Recommissioning Project (Project)proposes to resume oil and gas production of PRC 421

The project includes the following components:

  • Well 421-2 would be recommissioned using an existing pier (Pier 421-2) located on Haskell’s Beach adjacent to and partially within the City of Goleta;
  • Water and gas from crude oil emulsion extracted from Well 421-2 would be separated at the existing Ellwood Onshore Facility (EOF) in the City of Goleta;
  • A second well (Well 421-1), which is located on an adjacent pier (Pier 421-1), would be decommissioned and removed;
  • An oil transport line and electrical/communication cables are required to support recommissioning and would connect the Pier 421-2 with the EOF.
  • The estimated productive life of PRC 421 is a minimum of 20 years

The Revised Draft EIR was in circulation over the past several months.  City staff submitted a public comment letter on the EIR.  CSLC held a public hearing in early December and accepted written public comment through December 20.  CSLC now has the option to consider and respond to comments, hold a duly noticed public hearing and consider whether or not to certify the EIR, or request further study, alternatives and/or mitigation measures. If the EIR is certified, CSLC may consider approval of the project.

The CSLC has exclusive jurisdiction over approval of the project.  The City has no independent authority to grant or deny permission to resume oil and gas processing on the Piers or to certify or decline to certify the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  If Venoco receives the CSLC-required approvals for this project, the City will be required to process related permits for the portions of the project that take place within the City’s jurisdiction.

For more information on the project visit the CSLC internet website at www.slc.ca.gov (under the “Information” tab and “CEQA Updates” link).

Substation Opening

Generous Donation By Camino Real Marketplace Funds Goleta Public Safety and Emergency Services

The Goleta City Council authorized an agreement with the Camino Real Marketplace to create a Public Safety Fund, which will be funded by a $625,000 donation from the Camino Real Marketplace payable over the next five years.  This generous gift from Camino Real Marketplace will be used for public safety needs such as operations and equipment purchases, public education, and emergency preparedness.

The Marketplace has been donating office space next to the movie theater and funding since 2008.  This Marketplace Substation is used by Goleta Patrol Officers and houses the Community Services Bureau, DARE program and Explorers Training.  It is also the primary office for Goleta’s Community Resource Deputy, who oversees neighborhood and business watch.

The City of Goleta commends Mark Linehan and Camino Real Marketplace for its extraordinary efforts in continuing to make Goleta a safe place to live through this innovative partnership.

 

Capital Improvement Projects Update for the New Year

2014 starts off with a bang as a number of capital improvement projects will be kicking off over the next six weeks.  Here’s an update:

Los Carneros Overhead Bridge Replacement Project – This project will replace the Los Carneros overhead bridge. The Council awarded a contract to Granite Construction on December 17 and the project will break ground this spring (weather permitting).

Pedestrian Improvements at Cathedral Oaks at Santa Marguerita – The project will construct solar powered pedestrian activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to provide an additional visual alert to motorists when a pedestrian wishes to cross the street. In addition to the flashing beacons, the project will also include removing the dedicated turn lane from westbound Cathedral Oaks Road to northbound Santa Marguerita Avenue, providing curb extensions at the crosswalk and install a  pedestrian refuge in the median, which will be widened to accommodate the refuge. The project will take approximately 15 working days to complete and will begin this week.

Las Vegas San Pedro Culvert Project – This Caltrans project will replace the culverts that carry Las Vegas and San Pedro Creeks under Calle Real and Highway 101 near Fairview Avenue.  While the project is underway, the Fairview northbound on-ramp is expected to be closed for 12-18 months, and the Fairview southbound on-ramp is expected to be closed for six months.  Caltrans expects to break ground in March.  The City will be working closely with Caltrans to distribute information about the project.

San Jose Creek Project – Work inside the creek has been completed and roadway improvements on South Kellogg Avenue are underway.  The project is expected to finish up this spring.

Patterson Avenue Sidewalk Infill Project – After a competitive bidding process, a construction contract was awarded to DPM Construction on December 3rd. Construction is expected to begin this month to create curb, gutter and sidewalk on the north side of Patterson Avenue between Debbie Street and Hollister Avenue.

Old Town Crosswalk Enhancements – The City Council will hear a presentation and have a discussion on proposed crosswalk enhancements on Hollister Avenue across from the Goleta Valley Community Center and on Orange Avenue at their February 4 council meeting.  The City was recently awarded $180,000 from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) in a highly-competitive grant process.  This money will provide the funding for this important project.  Look for the Council agenda and staff report for February 4 on the City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org.  (Information will be posted by 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 30.)

A number of other projects are moving forward and are listed on our city website at www.cityofgoleta.org.

Goleta Named in Top 50 Safest Cities in California

The City of Goleta has once again been recognized as a safe City. SafeWise (www.safewise.com) released its “50 Safest Cities in California” report and Goleta ranked #22. SafeWise used the most recent FBI crime data and other ranking factors, like unique safety initiatives and security programs implemented within the past few years to compile the list From the hundreds of cities in California, the list was narrowed to the top 50 and assigned rankings according to how the city met the criteria.

This is the second time this year the City of Goleta has been recognized as a safe community. Last February Neighborhood Scout ranked Goleta 95 in the top 100 Safest Cities in the United States. Their report can be found here: http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/goleta/crime/.

To view the SafeWise list of 50 Safest Cities click here: http://www.safewise.com/blog/50-safest-cities-california/

Old Town Park_Skate Plaza

Old Town Park Moving Forward

Development of the future neighborhood park on Kellogg Avenue in Old Town continues to make progress. In October a public workshop was held at the Goleta Valley Community Center on design of the skateboard plaza component. Approximately 30 people turned out to provide input on its design.

Preparation of construction drawings is now underway and City staff will soon be requesting proposals for playground equipment and other individual park features. The City continues to work with the State of California to resolve the ownership status of the site since title was held by the City’s former Redevelopment Agency. Assuming ownership of the property is resolved by then, City staff hopes to begin construction in summer 2014.

Learn more here.

Valadez Welcomed As New Community Resource Deputy

The Goleta City Council welcomed Senior Deputy Dave Valadez as Goleta’s new Community Resource Deputy in November. In this position he oversees neighborhood watch, business watch and works collaboratively with citizens and other agencies.

Valadez has lived in Goleta since 1986 and has been with the Sheriff’s Office for seven years. He replaces Senior Deputy Greg Sorenson who was promoted and has been assigned to Goleta Patrol as a Supervisor.

His office is located at the Marketplace Substation in Camino Real and you can reach him at 805-968-3878.

Planning Projects Move Ahead

A number of projects are under review by the City’s Planning and Environmental Review Department.  Here’s a brief overview of some of the projects.

APPROVED PROJECTS

Islamic Center – In December, the City Council unanimously approved the Islamic Center at the northeast corner of Calle Real and Los Carneros.  This project includes a new 7,572 square foot two-story building and 42 parking spaces.

Cabrillo Business Park –The first four buildings of the business park at the corner of Los Carneros and Hollister Avenue will be ready by early 2014 for the new worldwide headquarters of Deckers Outdoor Corporation.

Westar – This mixed-use project on Hollister Avenue across from Camino Real Marketplace will be named Hollister Village. It includes 266 market-rate apartments and a retail center and is currently under construction.  For more information visit HollisterVillage.com.

Rincon Palms Hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) – In early November, the Council approved this project located at the northeast corner of Storke Road and Hollister Avenue.  The hotel includes 138 guest rooms, a restaurant, roof top lounge area, and meeting rooms.  No timetable for construction has been established as of yet.

PROJECTS IN PROCESS

Villages at Los Carneros – The project includes plans for 465 residences on approximately 43 acres, comprised of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, four-plexes, townhomes, condominium flats, and apartments. Seventy of the 465 residences would be affordable residential apartment units. The Environmental Impact Report for this project was released for public review on December 4, 2013, for a sixty day comment period, ending on February 3, 2014. A public hearing on the adequacy of the DEIR will be held by the City on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Goleta City Hall, 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA. Contact Kathy Allen, Senior Planner, at 961-7545 or KAllen@cityofgoleta.org for more information or to be added to the interested parties list.

Marriott Residence Inn – This proposed project is for a new 118-room Marriott Residence Inn at 6300-6370 Hollister Avenue. The Environmental Impact Report for this project was re-released for public review on December 3, 2013, for a sixty day comment period, ending on February 3, 2014.  You can find the document on the City’s website. For more information or to be added to the interested parties list, please contact Natasha Campbell at 962-0030 or ncampbell@cityofgoleta.org.

 

 

Green Building Program Guide Now Available

The City Council demonstrated its commitment to sustainability when it adopted a largely voluntary Green Building Program. Effective since January 1, 2013, the program includes access to free resources and has recently released a new Green Building Program Guide. The Guide includes information about green building best practices, the building performance assessment process, questions to ask your design and building professional, as well as utility rebates and financing options. To obtain a free copy of the guide and learn more about the program including incentives, please contact Cindy Moore, Sustainability Coordinator at cmoore@cityofgoleta.org.

Whole House Diagram