Daily Archives: July 1, 2021

Goleta City Hall Public Counters Open for In-Person Service

The City of Goleta, in compliance with Santa Barbara County health guidelines, has resumed in-person front desk reception and public counter service at City Hall at 130 Cremona Drive. At this time, all visitors must wear a face covering inside the building and maintain social distancing.  

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We have received great feedback about the customer service we provided remotely during the closure, and we will continue to offer this convenience; but we know that some people prefer in-person connections and we are so pleased to be able to serve our community in-person again.”

The front reception desk at City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Community members can come anytime during business hours or make an appointment to stop by. 

For public counter service in the City’s Planning Department, walk-ins are welcome during counter hours, but appointments are highly encouraged and will be given priority as occupancy will be limited. 

The Building and Safety Counter and the Planning and Zoning Counter are open for in-person consultation by appointment throughout the week and without an appointment on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Virtual appointments and consultation by telephone or email continue to be available throughout the week during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. and (Zoning only) Fridays 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Permit applications may be submitted electronically through the City’s Permit Tracking System Public Portal on the City’s website here: www.cityofgoleta.org/i-want-to/apply-for/permits.

New self-service computer kiosks with access to both Permit Tracking System Public Portal and the general “City Assist” citizen service request system are available for your convenience at the City’s  public counters during normal counter hours.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our counter staff via the contact information listed below:

We look forward to seeing you! 

Electric Vehicle Charger Rebates Coming Soon

Register today for the July 15 webinar

The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) is bringing electric vehicle charger incentives to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties in late July. Businesses, commercial properties, multifamily residences, and local government facilities will be eligible to apply for incentives for the purchase and installation of new electric vehicle infrastructure.

The program is funded by a combination of local funds and California Energy Commission funds. In Santa Barbara County, nearly $5 million will be available to fund a mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers. Eligible applicants may receive up to $80,000 per DC fast charger and up to $6,000 per Level 2 connector.

The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and rebates are expected to go quickly. In many areas of California where the program has already been implemented, the millions in funds have been claimed within hours of the program launch. With the launch date quickly approaching, join an upcoming webinar to learn how to apply for a new rebate to help cover EV charging equipment and installation costs. All interested parties are encouraged to start working with eligible vendors to prepare application materials.

Mark your calendar with these important dates:

  • June 30: Registration opens for Project Requirements Webinar
  • July 15: Project Requirements Webinar (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
  • July 27: Launch Date

The July 15 virtual workshop will allow interested parties to gain guidance on the application process and requirements ahead of the July 27 launch date. Registration for the webinar opened on June 30: register here.

For more information about program requirements, view the project website here. If you are a prospective applicant and have questions, please attend the July­­ 15 webinar and feel free to contact Alex Economou, who is an Air Quality Specialist for APCD and also serves as the Coordinator for the Central Coa­­­­­­­­­­­­st Clean Cities Coalition: (805) 961-8894.

New Annual Turfgrass Maintenance Program Underway in City Parks

The City’s Parks and Open Space Division rolled out a new turfgrass maintenance program this year that is aimed at improving turf health and drought resistance. With summer in full swing, turfgrass plays an increasingly important role for providing fun recreation space. The City manages over 15-acres of irrigated grass in 16 developed parks and improving these areas is a key focus for maintenance staff. Starting in the spring, specialized equipment was used to remove years of built-up dead grass that inhibited new, healthy growth. Known as dethatching, this process allows air and water to get into the rootzone by removing the thick layer of dead grass at the soil surface. Following dethatching, another type of machine is used to punch holes in the soil to a depth of 4-5-inches. This reduces the amount of soil compaction and further encourages air and water to reach the grass roots. Aerifying the root zone creates healthier grass that can tolerate reduced irrigation and common plant diseases.

Focusing on the turfgrass rootzone is important for developing healthy growth aboveground. Roots also need nutrients to produce lush, thick growth, and Parks staff feed the turf with an organic, slow-release fertilizer. City parks are now fertilized in the spring and fall, with special attention to ensure the correct amount of nutrients are applied and no runoff flows into our creeks and waterways. City staff also replaced 60 irrigation heads throughout our turfgrass to ensure better coverage and reduce the amount of wasted water. This summer, staff will be focusing on gopher control to further improve field safety and playing conditions.

For questions or concerns about park maintenance, please contact George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager at gthomson@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 961-7578.   

Pictured: “Armstrong Park – new turfgrass maintenance program focuses on plant health and water efficiency.”

Footbridge at Lake Los Carneros to Remain Closed

The City’s Public Works Department, in coordination with an independent civil engineering firm, completed a structural assessment of the pedestrian footbridge at Lake Los Carneros and will be presenting the findings to City Council at a future meeting. The key findings of the bridge evaluation include:

  • The bridge should be closed for all operational and service usage.
  • The existing bridge should be demolished and removed.
  • The bridge should be replaced, instead of repaired, due to the extent of deterioration of its supporting elements and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for accessibility.

The bridge replacement cost and timeline are not yet determined. Public Works Department staff will provide the City Council with a recommended capital improvement project and project delivery process to remove the bridge and begin the redesign and permitting phases. The bridge evaluation report is available here. 

For questions or concerns, please contact George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager at gthomson@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 961-7578. 

Pictured: “An independent civil engineering firm inspects the support posts for the Lake Los Carneros pedestrian bridge.”