Are you looking for a change in jobs? Consider an opportunity with the City of Goleta. The following positions are currently open:
Learn more about each position and how to apply here. Check back regularly for new listings.
The City of Goleta is pleased to welcome our newest Commissioners. Below is a brief introduction to the three appointments to the Public Engagement Commission and one appointment to the Library Advisory Commission.
Ryan Mitchell was appointed to the Public Engagement Commission for a term ending November 2029. A longtime Goleta resident of more than 20 years, Ryan moved to the area after serving in the Army and graduating from UCLA.
After recently completing the City’s LEAD Goleta program, Ryan was inspired to take a more active role in local government. He is passionate about increasing public awareness of City programs and services and hopes to help make it even easier for residents to connect with and learn about all that Goleta has to offer. In his free time, he enjoys umpiring Little League and high school baseball and staying active in the community.
Lizzie Rodriguez was appointed to the Public Engagement Commission for a term ending November 2029. A new Goleta resident and longtime Santa Barbara County community member, Lizzie brings extensive public service and community leadership experience.
She previously served nearly seven years on the City of Santa Barbara’s Fire & Police Commission, including terms as Chair and Vice Chair. Lizzie is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and meaningful civic engagement. She is particularly passionate about ensuring that all community members, especially those who have been historically underrepresented, feel heard and valued.
Adam Schaffer was appointed to the Public Engagement Commission for a term ending November 2029. Adam has called Goleta home since 2018 and was drawn by its welcoming, small-town feel. He currently oversees the publishing division of a large energy data company and brings extensive experience in audience development, product strategy, and communications.
An avid traveler, private pilot, and SCUBA diver, Adam is motivated by the opportunity to apply his professional expertise to strengthen the community. He hopes to support more robust engagement across neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, with a focus on enhancing dialogue between residents and City staff. Adam also brings a strong background in community service, having contributed to numerous boards and committees across education, nonprofit, and civic organizations.
Spencer J. Brandt was appointed to the Library Advisory Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2029. A Goleta Valley resident for over a decade, Spencer currently serves as a Community Relations Manager for Central Coast Community Energy, where he works with local governments, elected officials, and community partners across the region. He also brings nearly ten years of experience as an elected member of the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors.
Spencer is passionate about the role libraries play in providing equitable access to information, fostering community, and supporting youth engagement. He looks forward to contributing to efforts that strengthen library services, expand awareness of resources, and support the Library as a welcoming space for all.
Interested in getting involved? The City is also accepting applications for its new Public Art Review Board (PARB). Three Goleta residents with arts experience are needed to serve three-year terms and help review public art projects. Meetings are held as needed and members receive $75 per meeting. Apply by April 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Learn more about the City’s Boards and Commissions and view available vacancies at www.CityofGoleta.org/BoardsCommissions.
Congratulations to 13-year-old Tobyn Richter from Goleta Valley Junior High School for earning statewide recognition in the 2025 Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Tobyn advanced to the State level, received an Honorable Mention, and set a new milestone as the farthest anyone from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club has reached.
Every year, Lions clubs worldwide sponsor this contest to encourage young people to share their visions of peace. For 25 years, more than eight million children from nearly 100 countries have participated. This year’s theme, “Together as One,” invited students to reflect on unity, connection, and shared humanity.
For his submission, Tobyn’s artwork shows countries coming together like roots forming one strong, unified tree, illustrating how we are all connected. He encourages others to “keep pursuing the things you love doing and don’t give up on your passions.”
Tobyn has lifelong passion for art and a record of accomplishments in local projects:
Tobyn lives in Goleta with his mom, dad, older brother Kelby, Grandma Ruth, and two orange tabby cats. Tobyn looks forward to developing his art further at Dos Pueblos High School next year.
Congratulations on this achievement, Tobyn! We look forward to seeing where his creativity takes him next.
For information about year-round programs from the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, including volunteer opportunities, donations, and membership, please visit goletasantabarbaralions.org.
Owning a swimming pool or spa can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but draining or maintaining them improperly can harm our creeks, watersheds, and ocean. Pool and spa water often contain chlorine, bromine, copper, silver, algaecides, and other chemicals that are extremely toxic to aquatic life. For perspective, chlorine levels about 0.01 ppm can harm fish and wildlife, yet most pools are maintained at 2-4 ppm, hundreds of times higher. With a few simple steps, you can help protect the fish, insects, and other critters that depend on clean water.
Where should pool and spa water go?
The preferred method is to discharge dechlorinated water onto a landscaped area. Plants and soil act as natural filters and help prevent from reaching storm drains and creeks. This option works well as long as:
If landscaping isn’t an option, the next best choice is the sanitary sewer system. Contact your local sanitary district first to make sure the discharge won’t cause problems downstream.
Discharging to the storm drain should only happen when all other options are not possible, and only when:
How to Dechlorinate Pool Water
Dechlorination takes time, so plan ahead.
Sunlight will gradually reduce chlorine levels as long as no new chlorine is added. Remove chlorine sources from the pool and filtration systems and allow about four days of sunshine before testing and draining.
Check with your pool supply store or maintenance professional for options such as sodium thiosulfate. Read instructions carefully. Determine your pool’s volume and current chlorine level to calculate the correct dose. For example, a 20,000-gallon pool with 2 ppm chlorine requires 450 grams of dechlorinator. Mix the product in a bucket of warm water and distribute it evenly throughout the pool. Allow the water to cycle through the filtration system twice before re-testing and draining.
Disposing of Filter Rinsewater and Backwash
Filter rinsewater and backwash contain concentrated pollutants and must never be discharged to streets, storm drains, or creeks.
General Pool and Spa Maintenance Tips
For more great tips to help prevent storm drain pollution and protect creeks and the ocean, check out our Homeowner’s Guide in English and Spanish.
The City of Goleta, in partnership with the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, is excited to bring back the Meet Me in Old Town Goleta block party series for its third year—now with an all‑new location and a World CupTM twist!
This year, the event moves to the heart of Old Town on Pine Avenue, creating a classic block‑party atmosphere with expanded space, more activities, and two Wednesday block parties in a row, timed to coincide with FIFA World CupTM matches.
Event Dates:
Location: Pine Avenue between Hollister Ave. and Gaviota St. (near the Community West bank parking lot)
Event Highlights:
More details coming soon—mark your calendar!
Mark your calendars for the next Coffee & Community / Café y Comunidad event of the year! The City of Goleta invites community members to join District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín and Mayor Paula Perotte on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Lighthouse Coffee (5696 Calle Real).
This event is a great opportunity to enjoy a relaxed morning while connecting with neighbors, City staff, and your elected representative. Whether you have a question, an idea, or simply want to stay informed about what’s happening in your community, Coffee & Community provides an open and welcoming space for conversation.
Coffee & Community events are hosted throughout the year in each of the City’s four districts and are designed to make it easy for residents to engage directly with City leadership. This informal setting encourages meaningful dialogue about local issues, neighborhood priorities, and the future of Goleta—all over a cup of coffee.
Additional event details will be shared as the date approaches. Spanish interpretation will be available.
We encourage you to bring a friend, meet someone new, and enjoy a morning focused on community connection in the Good Land.
To find out what district you are in, visit the City’s Know Your District interactive map. Community members are welcome to attend any Coffee & Community event, regardless of district.
We look forward to seeing you at Lighthouse Coffee on May 16!
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Goleta Police Department wants to remind drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and hands on the wheel. Distractions like checking a phone, using the in-dash touchscreen or car phone app, adjusting the radio, or eating can have devastating consequences.
According to the 2025 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 71.4% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving, caused by texting or checking a phone, was their biggest safety concern. In 2023, there were 158 people killed in distracted driving crashes in California, a 6.8 percent increase from the previous year. The numbers are likely underreported because law enforcement officers may not always be able to determine if distraction was a factor in a crash.
The Goleta Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.
Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle, even when stopped at a red light. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving can result in a fine, and if a driver violates the hands-free law a second time within 36 months of a previous conviction for the same offense, an additional point will be added to their record.
Follow these simple steps to stay focused and protect everyone on the road:
Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department provides police services for the City of Goleta.
The City of Goleta’s partnership with Partners in Housing Solutions (PHS) is delivering results for people experiencing homelessness in the City of Goleta. Recognizing the severe shortage of affordable housing in the region, the City partnered with PHS last year to assist 25 households experiencing homelessness. Together, the two agencies committed to combining local resources, coordinated case management, and landlord partnerships to create pathways to stability for Goleta residents.
One such success story is Katie, a working mother of two young children who was living in her car in Goleta in fall 2025. Despite maintaining full-time employment, she faced repeated rental denials due to credit challenges and prior rental history. She earned too much to qualify for many public assistance programs but not enough to meet traditional rental screening requirements — a reality many working families encounter in today’s housing market.
PHS provided both immediate and longer-term support, helping Katie secure safe short-term arrangements while searching for permanent housing. When local rents proved unattainable, PHS worked creatively to identify more affordable options in mid-county communities, ensuring Katie remained connected to her children’s school and essential support networks.
By layering City of Goleta and partner resources, PHS was able to cover upfront costs and provide short-term financial stability. Katie was also enrolled in PHS’ Mariposa Family Housing Program to strengthen her transition into permanent housing.
Through PHS’s trusted property manager network, a unit became available and Katie was approved. Within a week, Katie and her children moved into their new home.
“This is exactly why partnerships matter,” said Chuck Flacks, Homelessness Services Coordinator for the City of Goleta. “Katie was working hard and doing everything she could for her children. What she needed wasn’t motivation — it was a system willing to work with her. Through the relationship with Partners in Housing Solutions and their expertise in property owner relationships, we were able to remove the barriers that kept her from housing. This is how we turn opportunity into lasting stability for local families.”
Through thoughtful investment in prevention, rapid rehousing, and trusted partnerships, the City is helping neighbors move from uncertainty to stability — one family at a time.
For those interested in getting more information or supporting the work, please contact Chuck Flacks, City of Goleta Homelessness Services Coordinator, at cflacks@cityofgoleta.gov.
More than 400 residents in Old Town now have a way to keep indoor air clean in the event of a wildfire. On Saturday, March 14th the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) distributed 400 air purifiers at the Goleta Community Center as part of its Clean Air Rooms Program. The air purifiers were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one per household, and proof of address was required to participate. Air purifiers help keep create a “clean air room” — keeping indoor air clean when wildfire smoke is affecting air quality.
For a limited time and only while supplies last, Old Town Goleta residents — as defined by this State of California map — can fill out an online application to have a free air purifier shipped directly to their home. Those who submit an online application will also have to provide proof of address, and the devices remain limited to one per address, including addresses that participated in the March 14 event. The air purifiers available via the online application process will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and quantities are very limited. That online application is available here.
At the event, more than 50 community members also test-drove electric cars from local dealerships. Organized by the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) and co-sponsored by the Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (a program administered by APCD) and the Community Environmental Council, it was also a great opportunity to learn about DCAP incentives. DCAP provides up to $12,000 toward the purchase or lease of a new or used electric- or plug-in hybrid vehicle for income-qualified participants, with priority given to residents of low-income or disadvantaged communities.
Thanks to everyone who turned out to the APCD event including City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and 3rd District Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann.
Resources & Information about Air Purifiers & “Clean Air Rooms”
Air purifiers can be purchased at local stores or online retailers, and come in various makes and models, suitable for different room sizes. An air purifier for a small bedroom typically costs approximately $100.
If you are considering purchasing an air purifier, here are some features to look for:
APCD has a webpage dedicated to information about setting up your own “clean air room,” with bilingual infographics and videos that focus on 1) how to choose and use an air purifier; 2) how to create a do-it-yourself (DIY) air filtration device that works similarly at a lesser cost; and 3) how to minimize common sources of indoor air pollution during wildfires.
APCD provides many resources on its website for checking and understanding Santa Barbara County air quality conditions. APCD also provides a rolling 24 hours’ worth of air quality readings for every monitoring station in the county, as well as daily forecasts: www.OurAir.org/todays-air-quality.
APCD Executive Director Aeron Arlin Genet, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and APCD staff with a community member at the GCC air purifier distribution event.
Additional photos from the event below:
The Goleta Valley Library has partnered with UCSB Reads for a special Community Poetry Reading as part of National Poetry Month. Taking place on Wednesday, April 22 from 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. at UCSB Library, the event will kick off with a reading by current Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin and UCSB Professor Emerita Shirley Geok-Lin Lim. Afterward, other participants will read their selected poems to the audience.
If you are interested in sharing a poem, register and submit your poem by April 13th with this form that includes your name and the title and author of the published poem you’d like to read. All genres and styles are welcome. You are also welcome to submit original work. Participants will be confirmed and notified by April 15th. Whether you’re sharing a published work or something you’ve written yourself, we encourage a diverse range of voices and styles.
Inspired by UCSB Reads and this year’s selection, Crying in H Mart, the event highlights poetry as a creative practice that, like memoir, allows personal stories to take form through creative expression and be shared with others.
This event is free and open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members. The event may be photographed or recorded.
UCSB Reads, a program of the UCSB Library, brings the campus and Santa Barbara communities together each year for dialogue about important topical issues while reading a common book.
We hope to see you at UCSB Library on April 22!
