Public Works Week may be over, but the work they do is year-round. The City’s Public Works Department held a family-friendly event on May 21 at the Camino Real Marketplace as an opportunity for community members to connect with Public Works staff. Additionally, the City Council issued a proclamation at the May 20 meeting declaring May 18-24, 2025 as Public Works Week.
Public Works Director Nina Buelna accepted the Proclamation and read a poem she wrote about her department. You can watch it here and read it below.
In Goleta, Public Works rolls with a crew full of might,
Fixing what’s broken—from morning to night.
With seven divisions and thirty-three pros on a mission,
We tackle the work with skill and precision.
From trees to creeks, from parks to drains,
We power the signals and clear clogged lanes.
Streetlights are glowing, our roads stay maintained—
We hustle all day, through sunshine and rain.
Transportation & Development Engineering leads the way,
Blending safety and service in the public right-of-way.
With engineers skilled and responsibilities wide,
They build, review, and enforce with pride.
Street Maintenance keeps our infrastructure right,
From patching roads and fixing sidewalks, to signals and lights.
They stripe the roads and answer each call—
No job too small, they handle it all.
CIP pushes out the project delivery process every time,
Making sure all of our projects fall in line.
With construction management sharp and prime,
The job gets done on budget and time
No task too complex, no deadline too rough—
With our engineers, we’re more than enough.
Environmental Services protects our creeks and more,
Managing permits and zero waste at the core.
They lead with care to keep Goleta clean and true,
Ensuring a greener future for me and for you.
Parks & Open Space protects what we love,
From wild trails to habitats treasured above.
They maintain our parks, serene and bright—
Preserving nature with all their might.
Administration is our steady hand,
Guiding the ship with every plan.
They manage our budgets, our people, our pace—
And keep every project in its place.
12,000 trees? We’ve pruned every limb.
85 street centerline miles? We keep them prim.
Creeks and coastline, gutters and signs—
All in a week’s work, and still done on time!
Storm drains and bridges, all in our care,
We maintain it all with grace and great flair.
So here’s to the team who clears every jam,
Who answers the call, no matter the plan.
Public Works rocks—it’s easy to see,
We’re the heart of Goleta, from A down to Z.
Thank you, Public Works, for all the important work you do in making Goleta a great place to live, work and play!
Photo of Public Works staff with City Council at May 20 Council Meeting