Author Archives: Valerie Kushnerov

Goleta Council Appoints Michelle Greene as City Manager

Goleta has a familiar face in the City Manager’s office.  Michelle Greene has been appointed as the City Manager.  She has been serving as the interim City Manager since May.

“Ms. Greene is the right person to lead our organization forward.  She is a long-time Goleta resident who is respected within the community, by her colleagues, and by the City’s employees,” said Mayor Michael T. Bennett. “We were pleased to find an excellent candidate in our own ranks given the highly qualified pool of individuals who applied.”

A nationwide search for a City Manager was conducted by Bob Murray and Associates and more than 70 candidates applied for the position.  The City Council interviewed the most qualified candidates, and following a second round of interviews, authorized the Mayor and City Attorney to negotiate an agreement for employment with their preferred candidate.

Ms. Greene has been with the City for the last ten years.  She started out as a Management Analyst and demonstrated her value to the organization, rising to the positions of Administrative Services Director and later Deputy City Manager before filling the Interim City Manager post.  In the twelve years prior to coming to Goleta, Ms. Greene held a number of public offices, including the City Clerk/Personnel Manager in Grover Beach and the Assistant City Manager in Escalon.

Ms. Greene graduated from the University of California Berkeley before beginning course work on a Masters of Public Policy through the University of Southern California.

She has guided the City in the development of some of its most important policies and programs and assured that the organization is moving forward on a sound footing. Her experience within the City has afforded Ms. Greene the perspective necessary for an organizational vision which will effectively implement the policy vision of the City Council.

Congratulations Michelle!

Whooping Cough Resource Kit

We’ve seen a recent outbreak of Whooping Cough in our community and wanted to offer this important information from the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be spread by coughing. People with pertussis have severe coughing attacks that can last for months. Infants too young for vaccination are at greatest risk for life-threatening cases of pertussis. Over 9,000 cases of pertussis were reported in California during 2010, the most in over 60 years, including 10 infant deaths. Consistent with a peak in incidence every 3-5 years, CDPH has declared a whooping cough epidemic in May of 2014. Pertussis is widespread throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Make sure that you have been vaccinated against whooping cough. Booster doses are needed throughout life, because protection against whooping cough after vaccination or disease wanes over time.
• Pregnant Women are recommended to receive Tdap (whooping cough booster) during their third trimester of each pregnancy, even if they got it before pregnancy. The protection that expectant moms receives from Tdap also passes to their baby in the womb. This helps protect babies during the most vulnerable period, until they are old enough to get their first whooping cough vaccination at 6–8 weeks of age
• Infants can start the childhood whooping cough vaccine series, DTaP, as early as 6 weeks of age. Even one dose of DTaP may offer some protection against fatal whooping cough disease in infants. Young children need five doses of DTaP by kindergarten (ages 4-6)
• Students in 7th grade in California need to have met the requirement for a Tdap booster – see http://shotsforschool.org.
• Adults are also recommended to receive a Tdap booster, especially if they are in contact with infants or are health care workers, but most adults have not yet received Tdap.
• Whooping cough vaccination recommendations of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) are http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html.

For the latest information on whooping cough in the state of California, visit the CDPH Pertussis Summary Reports page.   For the latest information on whooping cough in Santa Barbara County, visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Epidemiology page. How Well-Vaccinated Is Your Child’s Child Care Facility/School? Child care facilities with low vaccination rates are at increased risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Some children are allowed by California law to skip immunizations if a parent submits a personal beliefs exemption (PBE) or medical exemption (PME) at enrollment. Other children, may be admitted to child care on the ‘condition’ they complete remaining vaccinations when due. Often there is no follow-up and these children remain under-vaccinated. To lookup vaccination rates at your child care/ school, click below:

Child Care/Preschool | Kindergarten | 7th Grade

Resources For the Public
• Pertussis Disease Questions and Answers (CDC)
• Immunizations for a Health Pregnancy Brochure | Spanish
• Whooping Cough: What You Need to Know | Spanish
• Protect Yourself and Your Baby | Spanish
• Whooping Cough: Vaccinate to Protect (11X17) poster | Spanish | Chinese (CDC)

For Childcare and Schools
• Pertussis Disease Questions and Answers (CDC)
• Keep Our School Healthy flyer
• Protect Against Flu and Whooping Cough poster | Spanish
• Preteen brochure | Spanish
• Preteen poster | Spanish

Media and Web
• CDPH Pertussis Radio PSA | Spanish
• Silence the Sounds of Pertussis: Audio and Video PSAs featuring actress Keri Russell
• Sounds of Pertussis video produced by March of Dimes
• Spanish TV PSA featuring a mother who lost her son to pertussis
• Protect Babies from Whooping Cough Infographic
• Pertussis Publication and Materials

What Are Goleta’s Recreational Needs?

The City of Goleta has been working on a recreation needs assessment to determine current needs in the community and identify future needs. We have held two workshops and engaged the community in a telephone and electronic survey.

There will be one last community workshop where the results of the community outreach will be presented. At this workshop you will provide your input on how to prioritize the needs that have been identified. These community priorities will be included in the assessment and presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission and Goleta City Council. Your feedback at this stage is important!

Join us for this final workshop:

Wednesday December 3, 2014
6-8 PM
Goleta Valley Community Center
5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta CA

A light dinner will be served, so your RSVP is appreciated!
Register here.

Spanish translation will be available

For more information or to RSVP, contact Luz Reyes-Martin at 961-7558 or lreyesmartin@cityofgoleta.org.

City Receives Helen Putnam Award for Goleta Prepare Now

The California League of Cities presented the Goleta City Council with the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for the City’s Goleta Prepare Now Program.  The Goleta Prepare Now program is designed to increase the level of overall awareness and emergency preparedness for residents, visitors and local businesses.

“The League is proud to recognize the Goleta Prepare Now Program as the 2014 Helen Putnam Award of Excellence recipient in the category of public safety.  This award recognizes outstanding achievements by California’s cities and Goleta is certainly deserving of this recognition,” said David Mullinax, Regional Public Affairs Manager for the California League of Cities who presented the award at the City Council meeting.

Mayor Michael T. Bennett said, “We are honored to receive this prestigious award and appreciate the work of our dedicated staff.  Because of their efforts, we now have a greater number of residents who are prepared to help in the event of an emergency.”

The City Council has placed a high priority on emergency preparedness and this is achieved through bilingual public education, the provision of emergency preparedness materials and the training of volunteers as well as continuing training opportunities and outreach for program graduates. This is Goleta’s second Helen Putnam Award. The first was received in 2005 for the City’s role in preserving the Ellwood Mesa.

For more information, please contact Luz Reyes-Martin, Management Analyst in the City’s Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Department, at 961-7558 or lreyesmartin@cityofgoleta.org.

Neighborhood Safety in Goleta During Isla Vista Halloween

Next week on October 7, the Goleta City Council will consider a temporary off-street-only parking program for Halloween weekend because of the impacts of Isla Vista Halloween on the City’s neighborhoods, particularly those which are adjacent to Isla Vista.  This off-street-only parking would be for the neighborhoods known as University 1 and University 2 between Cannon Green Drive
and Storke Road and from Hollister Avenue to the southern City limits along Whittier Drive.  (A map of the area is below.)  For those residents with more vehicles than can fit in their driveways, specially permitted parking would be available overnight though a partnership with Girsh Park and Camino Real Marketplace.

The staff report prepared for the item will be available on the City’s website after Thursday, October 2 at 5 p.m.  Please submit any comments to the City Council by emailing citycouncil@cityofgoleta.org or calling the individual council members at 961-7500 in advance of Tuesday’s 1:30 p.m. meeting.

Also be sure to mark your calendars for the City’s annual community meeting on neighborhood safety during Halloween weekend.  This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 16 from 6-7 p.m. in Goleta City Council Chambers located at 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B.  Law enforcement and City staff will be on hand to discuss the actions and activities the City is taking to prepare and address neighborhood concerns.  Should the pilot parking program be enacted, staff will also be available to answer any questions.

For more information, please contact the Neighborhood Services Department at 961-7556.

Parking-Restriction-Area

Click to view full map

 

 

 

Long-Awaited Traffic Improvements Underway in Western Goleta

Years in the making, construction of traffic improvement projects in the vicinity of Storke Road and Hollister Avenue are finally underway.  Some of these projects are funded by the City of Goleta through the Goleta Transportation Improvement Program (GTIP) since the projects are part of the City’s General Plan. Others are the result of conditions of approval required for new development in the area. All major private development projects contribute to public infrastructure improvements to mitigate the impacts of the development on existing infrastructure per the General Plan.

Over the next two years there will be significant changes to this area’s traffic circulation, improvements that should improve the existing conditions.  Let’s look at these projects individually.

Hollister Village (Retail Plaza and Apartment Complex)

Hollister Avenue and S. Glen Annie Road improvements will include:
• A new entrance to Hollister Village with a traffic signal will be added directly across from
the northern entrance to the Camino Real Marketplace.  The street will be called Village Way. (image 1)
• A traffic signal at South Glen Annie Road and Hollister Avenue. (image 1)

 

Traffic Improvements_Image1

Image 1

• An eastbound left hand turn lane into Village Way. (image 2)
• A westbound right hand turn pocket into Village Way. (image 2)

Traffic Improvements_Image2

Image 2

• An extension of the existing eastbound left turn lanes on Hollister Avenue to northbound Storke
Road. (image 3)
• A bus stop and pick up/drop off pocket on the north side of Hollister Avenue. (image 3)

Traffic Improvements_Image3

Image 3

While the onsite project has been underway for months, roadwork along Hollister Avenue has recently begun, including a new sidewalk, curb and gutter and landscaping between South Glen Annie Road and Santa Felicia Drive.  This phase also includes new sidewalk, curb and gutter and additional parking on South Glen Annie Road.

This work is expected to take about 14 weeks and will include occasional night work for slurry seal and paving.  Construction is expected to conclude in November.

Storke Road improvements will include:
• Widening and restriping of Storke Road to provide a third northbound through lane from Hollister
Avenue to the U.S. 101 southbound onramp. (image 4)

Traffic Improvements_Image4

Image 4

• Right-turn capacity and bike lane improvements at the Storke Road/U.S. 101 southbound ramps
intersection. (image 5)

Traffic Improvements_Image5

Image 5

GTIP Project

The remaining project will be funded through GTIP and will include a new westbound through lane on Hollister Avenue from Storke Road to the Hollister Village Entrance.  This will allow the southbound right turn lane from Storke Road onto westbound Hollister Avenue to be a “free” movement.  This will be a two-phased project. (image 6)

Traffic Improvements_Image6

Image 6

 

Goleta Water District Declares Stage II Water Shortage Emergency

On September 9, 2014, the Goleta Water District Board of Directors declared a Stage II Water Shortage Emergency and established mandatory water use restrictions necessary to cut water use by 25% district-wide.  Even with customer investment in a diverse water supply portfolio and careful management, the declaration was triggered by a 16% reduction in the District’s projected 12 month supply following three years of intense drought.  The declaration is also necessary to comply with recently adopted State Emergency Regulations that place mandatory restrictions on outdoor watering.

To comply with the voter approved SAFE Water Supplies Ordinance, adopted in a 1991 ballot initiative, the Board of Directors voted to prohibit the approval of applications for new or additional potable water connections, effective October 1, 2014. SAFE requires this action when water delivery from Lake Cachuma is reduced below 100%.

As over half of all water used in the Goleta Valley is outdoors, mandatory water use restrictions primarily target outdoor use.

Watering landscaping is restricted to no more than two times per week during early morning or late evening hours.  Residential properties using fixed (i.e. installed sprinkler systems) may water Wednesdays and Saturdays, before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Businesses using fixed irrigation systems may water Tuesdays and Fridays, before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.  Manual watering is allowed between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., but no more than twice a week.  Wasting water is against the law, including watering that results in runoff off of the property, and allowing water to escape from plumbing breaks for more than 48 hours. Water features such as fountains can only be used on residential properties, or if they are home to aquatic life, and must recirculate.

Hoses used for any purpose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Direct application of water to sidewalks, pavements, open ground, or other hard surfaced area, as well as washing buildings, dwellings or other structures, is generally prohibited. Vehicles and boats may only be washed at commercial car washing facilities or with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.

Restaurants are prohibited from serving water unless requested by the patron. Hotels, motels, and other lodging are encouraged to post water shortage notices and water conservation tips, and refrain from daily linen washing unless specifically requested by the patron.  Gyms, athletic clubs, public pools, and other similar establishments are encouraged to post water shortage notices at their facilities and promote shortened showers.  Residents are encouraged to use pool covers, which reduce water loss associated with evaporation.  Rebates for pool covers will be available while supplies last.

The District is working with agricultural customers using water to irrigate commercial crops, including nurseries, to encourage conservation activities that minimize crop loss such as avoiding watering during daylight hours and using efficient irrigation systems.

Repeated violations will be penalized with fines ranging from $100 up to $500.  However, the District is focusing on educating customers about the new Stage II Water Shortage Restrictions and initial infractions will receive a warning and written notice so that the customer can correct the problem.  After a warning and written notice a $100 fine will be issued, with repeat violations receiving escalating fines.  Customers seeking an exception must complete a written application, and include the specific regulation for which the exception is requested, the reason for the request, and supporting documentation that demonstrates the need for an exception. Information on how to request an exception, or appeal a fine can be found by clicking here.

The District is requesting the help of the public in reporting violations of Stage II restrictions, instances of water waste, and suspected cases of water theft.  Members of the public who witness unauthorized use of water are encouraged to contact the District immediately at (805)964-6761 with the date, time, and location (address) of the incident.  Photos are encouraged and will help the District identify the individual and impose penalties.

In the coming months the District will launch several water conservation incentive and rebate programs, including rebates for water wise landscape installation, high efficiency toilets, and other water efficient activities.  Customers are encouraged to contact the District for additional information on the Stage II Water Shortage restrictions, rebate programs, water saving tips, and any other questions either by calling (805)879-4643, or visiting the website at www.goletawater.com.

Ten Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Monarchs

1. Monarch butterflies that migrate to Goleta come from the western Rocky Mountains.

2. The monarchs that spend their winter at Ellwood have never been to Goleta. They are five generations removed from last year’s visitors.

3. Migrating monarchs can fly at speeds up to 50km/hr.

4. Migrating monarchs live up to 9 months. Monarchs that don’t migrate live two to five weeks.

5. Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. Eating milkweed makes monarch caterpillars and butterflies poisonous.

6. Wild monarchs lay 300-400 eggs in their lifetime.

7. Male monarchs have a dot on each of their hind wings. This is a pheromone sac that helps them attract a mate.

8. Ellwood Main Monarch Aggregation Site is one of the largest overwintering sites in California.

9. Last year there were over 27,000 monarchs at Ellwood Main.

10. You can see large clusters of monarchs at Ellwood Main each winter from November to February.

Since 2007, the City of Goleta has trained docents to enhance the visitor experience at Ellwood Main, and lead field trips for school and community groups. You can find docents at Ellwood Main viewing platform on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., November through February.  For more information visit www.GoletaButterflyGrove.com.

What Are Goleta’s Recreational Needs?

The City of Goleta needs your help in answering that question as it kicks off the Recreation Needs Assessment.  This study will analyze current recreation offerings and identify current and future needs in Goleta.

The City held its first Recreation Needs Assessment  workshop on Wednesday, September 24 at the Goleta Valley Community Center. Attendees provided their input on what makes Goleta a great place to live for recreation, what challenges we face, and how the City can enhance recreation in the community. We look forward to hearing more from our residents at the upcoming workshops!

Community participation is critical to ensure findings are reflective of the needs of the City’s diverse community. Both active and passive recreation will be considered as will recreation opportunities for all age groups.  This study will result in recommendations that will guide the efforts of the City for years to come.

Join us for the upcoming community workshops:

Wednesday, October 22, 2014
6-8 p.m.
Brandon Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
195 Brandon Drive
Goleta, CA 93117

A light dinner (sandwiches, chips, fruit and drinks) will be provided so your RSVP is important.  Register here.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 **please note the new date.
6-8 p.m.
Goleta Valley Community Center
5679 Hollister Avenue
Goleta, CA 93117

Your input is needed to help identify the current uses and needs and anticipate the future needs for recreation in our community.

Spanish translation will be available and light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Luz Reyes-Martin at 961-7558 or lreyesmartin@cityofgoleta.org.

 

Three Feet for Bicycle Safety

A new law has passed that will give cyclists more room for safety on the road. Governor Jerry Brown signed the Three Feet for Safety Act. AB 1371 that went into effect on September 16, 2014. The new law requires motorist to give at least three feet clearance to bicyclists when passing from behind, and is expected to reduce car-bicycle accidents by reminding drivers to give bicyclists more safe space when passing.  The Three Feet for Safety law requires that motorists either give cyclists a three feet buffer or slow down to the point to ensure safety and pass when the cyclist will not be endangered when traffic or roadway conditions prevent giving three feet when passing.

Here are some additional tips that will help keep both motorists and cyclists safe:

Safety Tips for Motorists

• Slow down near bicyclists
• Pay attention and avoid driving distractions
• Look for bicyclists before opening your car door
• Be aware of oncoming bicyclists when making a left turn
• Check your blind spot for bicyclists before turning right

Safety Tips for Bicyclists

• Ride with the flow of traffic, not against it
• Ride with a white front light at night
• Be visible. Don’t hug the curb and ride in a straight line
• Stop at red lights and stop signs
• Ride 3-5 feet to the left of parked cars to avoid opening doors
• Be predictable and use hand signals

Drivers who zoom by cyclists will be fined a $35 penalty. If an accident were to occur,
fines can start at $220.

Please remember to always practice safety and remember to share the road!

To learn more about bike and pedestrian safety, please visit AAA.com/safetytips.