Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

First Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Ordinance

Council Also Approves Historic Resources Inventory and Goleta Historic Landmark Designations

After more than five years of planning, meetings and workshops, the City of Goleta finally has its Historic Preservation and Archaeological and Tribal Cultural Regulations and its first Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) and Goleta Landmark Designated Sites and Structures. The Goleta City Council unanimously approved the HPO following a public hearing at the April 5, 2022, City Council meeting; its first in-person/virtual hybrid meeting since July of 2021. The decision to approve the Historic Preservation and Archaeological and Tribal Cultural Ordinance is an important milestone for the City celebrating its 20th year.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “In adopting this ordinance, we are celebrating and recognizing Goleta’s history and prehistory, some of the things that make our city so special. We are very excited to get these protections in place!”

City of Goleta Planning and Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof said, “A big thank you to all who have been involved in or contributed to the process of developing this ordinance over the last several years. The adoption of this ordinance recognizes Goleta’s important historical and cultural resources, their unique contribution to the identity of the city and the importance of protecting them.”

Current Planning Manager Lisa Prasse added, “I am very grateful to all of the community members and the Chumash Tribal community members who gave of their time, talents, insights, and stories to shape the regulations. The newly adopted Regulations and the HRI reflect the values of the community and the importance of preservation of both historical structures, sites, objects and precious Archaeological and Tribal Cultural resources; the latter which have often been overlooked and disregarded. Working on this project for the last six years has been one of the highlights in my career.”

The goal of the Historic Preservation Ordinance is to preserve and protect resources that, once lost, cannot be replaced or replicated. Late last year (November 8, 2021), the Planning Commission reviewed the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the designation Resolution and recommended adoption of both the Ordinance and the Resolution. In recommending adoption, the Planning Commission sought to balance the need to protect sensitive, buried archaeological and cultural resources with the burden on property owners. It considered this issue carefully with input from a range of stakeholders, including Goleta residents, archaeologists and historians, and Chumash Tribal representatives. 

The ordinance:

  • Creates a Historic Preservation Commission.
  • Creates historic designation categories and establish a process to designate properties as a historic resource based on eligibility criteria.
  • Establishes regulations and processes regarding alterations to designated properties, recission of designations, demolition, maintenance requirements, and Mills Act incentives to maintain designated historic resources.
  • Establishes processes and criteria when any earth-disturbing activities in native soils (i.e., previous not graded or disturbed soils) are proposed. The purpose is to check for subsurface archaeological or tribal cultural resources in order to preserve and protect these resources. A list of project types and circumstances that would be exempt from the requirements is included.
  • Establishes development standards that would apply to earth-disturbing activities in case subsurface archaeological or tribal cultural resources are found during construction.
  • Adds thirty-four definitions related to Historic Preservation and Archaeological and Tribal Cultural Resources to the Goleta Municipal Code.
  • Makes other changes to various portions of the Goleta Municipal Code to reflect the requirements of Chapters 17.33 and 17.43 for consistency in City regulations.

The Resolution adopts the Historic Context Statement and designates seven (7) structures as Goleta Landmarks and place a total of 29 structures (including the 7 proposed to be Goleta Landmarks) on the inaugural Historic Resources Inventory (HRI). It is expected that the HRI will be expanded over time.

The Historic Preservation Ordinance includes regulations that may affect some property owners, especially property owners of designated Historic Resources. The regulations regarding Archaeological and/or Tribal Cultural Resources could potentially affect any property owners who are contemplating work involving earth-disturbing activities (i.e., trenching for utilities, digging for new foundations, etc.). The goal of the proposed regulations is to foster preservation while allowing development to occur.

The second reading was held April 19, 2022.

To learn more about this project please visit www.HistoricGoleta.org.

Goleta City staff present to City Council at Historic Preservation Ordinance public hearing on April 5, 2022.

Thanks to Our Fabulous City Clerk Team

The City of Goleta wants to take this opportunity to commend our wonderful Goleta City Clerk Division during the 53rd Anniversary of Municipal Clerks Week which runs from May 1st through May 7th. At the May 3, 2022, City Council meeting, the Goleta City Council issued a Proclamation to honor the City’s flexible, resilient, and dedicated City Clerk Division.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We are so incredibly grateful for our talented City Clerks team. Their attention to detail is outstanding, and the work they do is truly exceptional. We could not function without this team.”

The City of Goleta is fortunate to have a veteran City Clerk. Deborah Lopez has been with the City almost since the beginning, she celebrated her 19th anniversary on May 5. Deputy City Clerks include Liana Campos and David Cutaia. If you want to brighten their day and let them know what a great job they are doing, send an email to CityClerkGroup@cityofgoleta.org.

The City Clerk Division serves as the information center on functions of local government and provides a professional link between community members, local governing bodies, and agencies of government at all levels. The Division is also the Historian of the Records, taking care of the entire recorded history of the City.

The Division has many duties and responsibilities, including attending all City Council meetings and maintaining a record of the proceedings, ordinances, resolutions, written contracts, and official bonds; serving as the election official for the City of Goleta; overseeing Boards, Commissions and Committees; and much more.

The City Clerk Division has been exceptionally busy the past couple of years overseeing more than 160 virtual meetings. The team also oversaw a public engagement and electoral district drawing process for the City’s historic move to District Elections this November. The group was also in charge of coordinating the Council Chamber Audio Visual equipment upgrade and implemented the online NetFile system for Form 700 filings by staff and elected and appointed officials.

Learn more about the City Clerk Division at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/city-clerk/.

Pictured: City Clerk Deborah Lopez and Deputy City Clerk Liana Campos receiving their proclamation from Mayor Paula Perotte; Pictured top to bottom: City Clerk Deborah Lopez, Deputy City Clerk David Cutaia and Deputy City Clerk Liana Campos

Council Chambers Equipment Upgrade

The City of Goleta Council Chambers has upgraded equipment and the timing couldn’t be better.  The installation was completed in time for the return to in-person Council meetings on April 5 after more than 160 virtual city meetings. The new equipment was much needed as it had been more than 10 years since any upgrades were made to Council Chambers and close to 15 years since the last update to our audio/visual equipment.

Some of the improvements that were made in the Goleta Council Chamber include:

  • Four Panasonic PTZ cameras to provide optimal coverage of the entire Council Chambers
  • Panasonic camera controller within the broadcast control room
  • A 98” Ultra HD LCD display screen providing excellent viewing from every angle
  • A 55″ Samsung display added in the overflow conference room

Our Audio Video Room (“Master Control Room”) has been updated with new equipment making it state-of-the-art. As a result of the equipment replacement, community members will have a high-definition experience when watching meetings on the City’s website (www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings). There will be limited improvement to the broadcast quality on the Cox Communications Goleta TV Channel 19 because it is not a designated HD Channel.

Another upgrade is to the dais. The City added seven 7” touch panels as part of our custom programmed voting system. Each touch-panel includes voting functions for the Council, Board members, and Commissioners. Once all votes have been placed, the voting results will display within the Chamber on the City website and Channel 19. The touch panels also populates a queue in chronological order for those that have requested to speak.

We hope you enjoy the improved experience watching Council meetings whether you are viewing in-person or on the City website.


New 98” Ultra HD LCD display screen


New 7″ touch panel on the dais

 
Updated equipment for our Audio Video Room 

Participate in a Council Meeting In-Person or Virtually

It’s never been easier to attend a Goleta City Council meeting which are held the first and third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. You can attend/participate in person by going to Council Chambers located at 130 Cremona Drive or join virtually via zoom (the link is posted in the agenda). The City hopes to maximize public participation by providing both options. 

Over the course of the pandemic, the City’s City Council, Board, and Commission meetings transitioned to a fully virtual platform. Since March of 2020, the City held more than 160 virtual City meetings! With COVID-19 restrictions loosening, the City was able to welcome the public back for in-person Council meetings on April 5, 2022.

You can watch live or recorded meetings on the City of Goleta website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings and on Goleta TV Channel 19.

Submit comments ahead of time by emailing cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

The City also has numerous Board and Commission meetings which will be moving to the hybrid model. The Planning Commission is the next to transition on May 9, 2022. To see upcoming City meetings, please go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. 

We hope to see you at a City meeting soon!

Community State of the City Recap

Available to Watch Now!

We are so pleased with the great turnout of community members and stakeholders for our 5th Annual Goleta Community State of the City held on April 13 at the Elks Lodge. More than one hundred people turned out and it was truly a memorable event

To see firsthand, watch a recording anytime on the City’s website at www.CityofGoleta.org/SOC or on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/xX1nWQvJUuI. You can also watch a short highlight video and view photos from the event.

Here is how the night went:

Community members and Goleta stakeholders started filing in when doors opened at 5:00 p.m. to mingle with Council and staff, check out City information tables, take photos and purchase 20 Year City of Goleta birthday memorabilia.

The event was emceed by Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover who welcomed everyone back in person for the event which was held virtually in 2021 and cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. On behalf of the City, she also expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the Elks Lodge for generously hosting the event this year back at the location where it was held from 2009 – 2012. 

The main part of the program was the Mayor’s 2022 State of the City Address. During her speech Mayor Paula Perotte spoke about the City’s recent accomplishments and challenges ahead. She said, “It is not enough for the state of our city to be strong today. It must be strong in preparing for the future. When you think about it, much of our city’s infrastructure and processes are rooted in the 20th century. While we are grateful for the public buildings, transportation infrastructure and parks we inherited from the last century, we are working hard to move them into the 21st century.” To see Mayor Perotte’s entire speech, go to https://youtu.be/-KxcMzQhWYo.

Following the State of the City Address, City Manager Michelle Greene provided an update on the City’s finances. During her presentation she said, “As of today, revenue recovery has begun in earnest and the City’s financial outlook is improving after the initial shock of the pandemic-related downturn.” She added, “But while the financial forecast looks brighter, we face challenges in keeping up with the City’s aging infrastructure. While the City weathered the downturn, it came at a cost of deferring capital and maintenance projects. Substantial investment in infrastructure is required to keep up with the needs of the community.” Watch Michelle Greene’s entire speech at https://youtu.be/aSFyV64v9uU.

During the final segment of the program, City staff answered questions submitted from the audience on various topics ranging from affordable housing to future construction plans.

We again want to thank everyone who attended and helped to make this event one to remember.

 
Mayor Paula Perotte giving her 2022 State of the City Address


City Manager Michelle Greene giving the City’s Financial Update


Q&A session of the event with City staff and Mayor Perotte


City Council and dignitaries

 

In-Person Programming Resumes at Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

After more than two years, your local libraries are transitioning back to in-person events, while retaining some online programming for patron convenience. We hope to see you soon in whatever format works best for you!

In-Person Programs

Wiggly Wednesdays – Goleta Valley Library
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Join us for Storytime on Wiggly Wednesdays with Miss Nicole! Best for ages 15 months-5 years old. We’ll do a short story, songs, a dance party, and bubbles. Bring your blanket and join us on the lawn (located behind the Children’s Patio). In the event of rain or cold weather, we’ll be in the Multipurpose Room.

Homework Help – Goleta Valley Library
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Kindergarten – 8th grade students can now receive free, one-on-one help with their homework after school at the library. Service is provided on a drop-in basis, so no appointment is needed ahead of time. Our background-checked volunteer homework coaches are excited to help our local students finish the school year with success.

Tech Tutoring – Goleta Valley Library
Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Are you looking for more information about GVL’s online resources? Do you need assistance with your electronic or mobile device? Simply fill out this form and one of our friendly staff will reach out to meet your needs. You will be contacted by a staff member to schedule a 30-minute in-person appointment at the library.

Succulent Swap – Goleta Valley Library
Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Bring your “pest-free” succulent cuttings to share and exchange with other succulent lovers! Event will be held outdoors on the library patio.

Lego Make and Take Away – Goleta Valley Library
Saturday, April 30th from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Create fun Lego structures and keep whatever you create! For children ages 12 and under.

Mystery Book Club – Goleta Valley Library
Tuesday, April 26th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Our Mystery Book Club will be meeting to discuss Attica Locke’s Heaven, My Home. Email Craig to enroll in the club.

New Seed Day! – Buellton Library
Wednesday, April 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Find a variety of plants to grow at our New Seed Day, on every first Wednesday of the month. Building on the success of our community supported seed library, we are giving out an exclusive run of new seeds once a month. The supplies are limited, so come early, and while you’re here, share your gardening experiences with us and other patrons. No registration required, just ask staff at the desk for the new seed envelope.

Outdoor Storytime – Solvang Library
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Join us on Solvang Library’s back patio for songs, stories and fun for children ages 1-5 and their parents/caregivers.  Space is limited, so please sign up each week on the library’s website.

The Investors’ Roundtable – Solvang Library
Saturday, April 9th at 3:00 p.m.
This group welcomes both novice and veteran investors.  The April topic will include 3M Corporation, as well as a look at recent markets.  Please register here.  Note that at this indoor meeting, unvaccinated patrons will be requested to wear masks.

B.Y.O. Book Group – Solvang Library
April 12th at 6:00 p.m.
Our B.Y.O. Book Group is meeting once again at Casa Cassara Winery’s Solvang tasting room! The April title is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. This title is instantly available as either an e-book or e-audiobook on Hoopla.  Those who want to “bring their own” are welcome to read, and share, any title set in Appalachia or America in the 1930’s! Register online to reserve a seat.

Book Club for Kids – Solvang Library
Our Book Club will continue to meet online, but on April 30th at 3pm there will be an additional in-person meeting, just for fun!  This is a group for ages 8-12. April’s book is The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich.  Sign up here for the online meetings, April 13th and 27th;  and here for the in-person meeting on April 30th.

Passive Programs

Annual Children’s Bookmark Contest – Goleta Valley Library
April 1st – 30th
Stop by the library to pick up a Bookmark Contest entry form! This year’s theme is “Dive into a Good Book.” Let your creativity run wild as you design the bookmark of your dreams! Open to children ages 12 and under. Winners will be announced mid-May and will be recognized on the library website and social media, and will receive a certificate and a prize. Winning bookmarks will be distributed to the public.

Craft Kits for Kids and Teens – Goleta Valley Library
Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Stop by the library to pick up a free craft kit, while supplies last! Baskets of crafts are available in the children’s area and in the Teen Corner. One craft per family per visit, please.

Online Programs

Buellton Bookworms Book Club – Buellton Library
Friday, April 15th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Join in the conversation via Zoom with our monthly book club! This month we will be talking about This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. You can request a copy online through the Goleta Valley Library website or stop by the Buellton Library and ask at the circulation desk for a copy. Registration is not required, and you can join in and meet others using the link posted here.

For more information on programs and services at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Goleta’s Sustainability Manager Cindy Moore to Retire

The City of Goleta’s second-longest tenured staff member, Sustainability Manager Cindy Moore, recently announced her retirement. Her last day with the City will be April 15, 2022, just two months shy of 19 full years of service. Cindy is one of a handful of staff who have been with Goleta almost since it incorporated in 2002.

Cindy began working for the City as a Senior Planner in the Planning Department in 2003. Previously she was a Planner III at the County of Santa Barbara. In 2012 she launched the Sustainability Program, a new division for the Planning Department. Her work in the Sustainability Program includes focusing on increasing the City’s resiliency in the face of climate change and attaining the City’s adopted 100% Renewable Energy Goal by 2030.

Cindy said, “It was an exciting and rare opportunity to be offered the chance to join a newly incorporated City back in 2003 and it has been my privilege to serve the Goleta community over the years and be a part of the growth and evolution of the City organization, especially the launch of the City’s Sustainability Program.”

Highlights of Cindy’s tenure include:

  • Oversaw adoption of the City’s first Reach Code in 2010, setting forth increased minimum energy efficiency standards for new construction.
  • Oversaw development and adoption of the City’s Green Building Program and Green Building Policy, requiring the LEED Silver Standard for new City-owned buildings (2012).
  • Achieved a 3-STAR Community Rating from STAR Communities for the City’s national leadership in sustainability (2017) and subsequent LEED City designation in 2018.
  • Green Business Program certification for City Hall.
  • Recognized with the Platinum Level Beacon Award for Sustainability Best Practices from the Institute for Local Government.
  • Oversaw LED lighting upgrades at the GVCC, Library and City Hall.
  • Oversaw adoption of the City’s 100% Renewable Energy Goal.
  • Oversaw development and adoption of the City’s Strategic Energy Plan and supporting document “Reaching 100%: An Overview of Goleta’s Strategic Energy Plan.”
  • Completion of a City Hall Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Feasibility Assessment.
  • Oversaw approval and implementation of the City’s first solar PV project at City Hall.
  • Completion of the Regional Community Choice Energy Feasibility Study and Council approval to join the Central Coast Community Energy Community Choice Energy JPA, with successful enrollment in 2021.
  • Adoption of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit Streamlining Ordinance.
  • Oversaw development of a Community Bike Share Pilot survey.
  • Awarded funds from the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) Clean Air Grants Infrastructure Program for procurement of an off-grid, solar-powered dual port electric vehicle charging station at City Hall.
  • Obtained approval to participate in Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Program to install free electric vehicle charging infrastructure at City Hall.
  • Obtained $215K in competitive grant funding from the APCD for electric vehicle fast charging stations at the Goleta Community Center.

City Manager Michelle Greene said, “Cindy Moore has been an invaluable resource during her distinguished tenure with the City. Whether serving as a Senior Planner, Sustainability Coordinator or Sustainability Manager, Cindy brought a high level of professionalism and expertise to the job, and left her mark as the creator of the City’s Sustainability Program. Her foundational work set the City on a path to achieve great things, and we are very thankful for her contributions to a greener, cleaner future for Goleta.”

Director of Planning and Environmental Review Peter Imhof said, “Cindy Moore’s exceptional leadership of the City’s sustainability efforts over many years has set the City of Goleta squarely on a path toward greater sustainability and resulted in much tangible, measurable progress toward a greener, healthier future. Cindy can rightly be proud of all she has accomplished for the City. It has been a privilege to know and work together with Cindy and I wish her all the best for whatever the future may hold.”

Cindy, we wish you the best of luck as you begin this new chapter! Thank you for everything you have done for Goleta.

Cindy Moore at the Policy Board meeting when the City of Goleta joined Central Coast Community Energy (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) with (from left-to-right): CivicSpark Fellow Karina Takemoto, Councilmember Kyle Richards, Mayor Paula Perotte and Director of Planning and Environmental Review Peter Imhof.

Cindy Moore at a South County Energy Efficiency Partnership Annual Luncheon with regional partners April Price, Energy Portfolio Manager, County of Santa Barbara; Alelia Parenteau, Acting Sustainability & Resilience Director, City of Santa Barbara; Peter Imhof, Director of Planning & Environmental Review, City of Goleta; and Erin Maker, Environmental Program Manager, City of Carpinteria.

Be Part of the Stow Grove Park Master Planning Process

The City of Goleta is currently in the process of developing a Stow Grove Park Master Plan Design and community input is a key component. We are excited to bring the community together to talk about one of our most treasured outdoor spaces. The City will be holding an in-person public meeting in April (date coming soon) to allow the community the opportunity to express their desires, passion and concerns to the team. Sign up to receive emails about the project at https://tinyurl.com/326jfe7b and be notified about the meeting. 

This process will allow the City to gain an understanding of what the community desires in this park. We are working with a consultant who will utilize the information gathered at public meetings, as well as past and future surveys, and will develop a conceptual plan for consideration. Once the plan has been chosen, the City will have the opportunity to construct the entire renovation project at once, or break the park project into phases and construct each phase as funding allows.  

Background

In 2020, the City of Goleta reached out to residents to hear their thoughts on Stow Grove Park and what types of improvements they would like to see. As the results unfolded, it was determined that the best approach for improvements would be to develop a Master Plan Design.

In December of 2021, the City Council awarded a professional services contract to KTUA design firm to develop the conceptual design for the Master Plan and facilitate the public outreach process.  Efforts are currently underway as the consultant team is gathering survey and inventory data on the park facility. The team is utilizing the information from the previous survey and is developing a new survey that will build upon the data already collected.

Any questions about the project can be directed to the Parks and Recreation Manager, JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org. 

Meet Our New Design Review Board Member

The City is pleased to welcome James (Jim) King as our newest member of the Design Review Board. Jim is a native of Boston and lived for a number of years in Manhattan where he worked for The New York Times as an advertising sales representative. He is a graduate of Tufts University (BS in psychology) and Harvard School of Public Health’s Management Development Program in Health. He held numerous positions on the east coast before moving to Stockton, CA, where he worked for Health Plan of San Joaquin and the San Joaquin Business Journal.

As a Goleta community member, Jim is looking forward to his new role. He said, “I have tried to give back, in some way, to every city I have ever lived in, either by participating in the political community, serving on the board of a non-profit or actually being employed by a charitable organization. I feel that serving on the Design Review Board will provide me with that type of opportunity, and that both I and the City of Goleta could benefit from my participation. I really appreciate everything this city has to offer and I look forward to serving Goleta in this capacity.”

The Design Review Board is a seven-member body that encourages development using the best professional design practices to enhance the visual aesthetics of the community and prevent poor quality of design.

Join us in welcoming Jim to the Design Review Board. Learn more about the City’s Boards and Commissions here.

Put Down the Phone and Just Drive: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and 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.

“Holding your phone and using it while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal,” Sergeant Noel Rivas said. “For the safety of your family and others on the road, put the phone away and focus on driving.”

According to the 2021 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly three out of every four drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2019, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued nearly 20,000 citations during the month of April to drivers for hands-free cell phone law violations.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, using an app, or while stopped at a red light. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

If you have an important phone call, text, email, or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before starting the car, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.