Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Public Input Requested on City’s CDBG Annual Action Plan

Public Review Period Open Now through May 2nd

Every year the City of Goleta looks forward to helping those in our community in need using funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Draft Action Plan outlines the City’s strategy for pursuing the overall goals of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide decent housing; to establish and maintain a suitable living environment; and to expand economic revitalization opportunities. The Action Plan also contains identifiable benchmarks for measuring progress through goals, objectives and community development strategies to meet the City’s housing needs and to provide services to the low-income, homeless and special needs populations within the City. The Draft 2022-2023 Action Plan also sets forth funding allocations for the 2022-2023 planning period.

Comments on the Draft Action Plan are being accepted during a 30-day public review period beginning on April 1, 2022, and ending May 2, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. The review period provides an opportunity for the public to offer their views and recommendations to the City on the subject of CDBG funded housing and community development related activities. The Draft Action Plan can be viewed here.

Comments should be submitted to: City of Goleta, Neighborhood Services Department, Attn: Shanna Dawson, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA 93117 or emailed to sdawson@cityofgoleta.org.

About the Community Development Block Grant

On an annual basis the City receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the CDBG program which is intended to be used to assist low-income citizens, people experiencing homelessness, youth and seniors with essential services such as medical and dental care, food security, counseling, homelessness assistance and prevention, case management and other needs.

The City also uses the majority of its CDBG allocation on capital projects that will benefit low- to moderate-income people and the disabled. Projects have included renovating City facilities and parks to meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) access standards, installing sidewalks in areas where they are lacking, and adding crosswalks.

City of Goleta Meetings Move to an In-Person/Virtual Hybrid Model

Begins April 5 with the Goleta City Council Meeting

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce that it will be offering in-person/virtual hybrid meetings starting with the April 5, 2022, City Council meeting. 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 we have held more than 160 virtual City meetings! With COVID-19 restrictions loosening, the City is eager to welcome the public back to in-person meetings but understands that some people may still prefer the option and convenience of participating virtually.

Following Public Health guidelines masks are not currently required but are recommended. Masking requirements are subject to change in response to changing public health guidance.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I am looking forward to holding our meetings in-person again. It has been two long years and I am eager to get back to welcoming the community to City Council Chambers and having more in-person interaction with the public.”

City Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. There are multiple ways to participate:

  • Attend in person beginning April 5. City Council meetings take place in Council Chambers at Goleta City Hall located at 130 Cremona Drive.
  • Participate virtually via Zoom. A link can be found in each meeting’s agenda.
  • 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. To see upcoming City meetings, please go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. 

The City recently replaced the audio-visual equipment in Council Chambers. Community members who attend in-person will have the added benefit of watching presentations on a newly installed large 98” display screen. Those participating virtually via the Internet will have a high-definition experience when watching meetings on the City’s website. There will be limited improvement to the television broadcast quality on the Cox Communications Goleta TV Channel 19 because it is not a designated HD Channel.

Pictured: Goleta City Council, standing left to right: Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin, Councilmember James Kyriaco and Councilmember Kyle Richards; seated left to right: Councilmember Roger Aceves and Mayor Paula Perotte

Goleta Police Department Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation

The Goleta Police Department Traffic Unit issued 22 traffic citations for a variety of violations made by drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians during a safety operation on March 29, 2022. In addition, four subjects were issued warnings and one vehicle was towed.

The citations were for various vehicle code violations where bicyclists or pedestrians made unsafe choices and the drivers were issued citations for infractions that were unsafe to bicycles or pedestrians.

“Safety is a shared responsibility, with drivers holding the greatest responsibility to keep other road users safe,” Sergeant Noel Rivas of the Goleta Police Department said. “We hope this operation serves as a reminder to everyone to practice due care and to look out for one another.”

The Goleta Police Department offer steps drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash.

Pedestrians:

  • Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.
  • Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
  • Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
  • Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
  • Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers:

  • Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
  • Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
  • Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists:

  • Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
  • Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
  • Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
  • If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
  • Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

The Goleta Police Department will be holding another bicycle and pedestrian safety operation on a later date to be determined.

Funding for this program is 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.

Organics Recycling in Santa Barbara County

What’s the story with our yard waste and food scraps?

By now you must have heard the good news that Santa Barbara County businesses and residents are recycling green waste and food waste! Fortunately, the County’s long-standing organics recycling programs and new ReSource Center will ensure that our community achieves and exceeds compliance with new statewide requirements.

Commercial and residential waste that is thrown into a trash cart or bin in Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Solvang, and the unincorporated areas of the Cuyama Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, and South Coast is processed at the County Public Works Department’s newly opened ReSource Center. Recyclable materials are recovered and sold, and organics (including food waste) are separated from trash and transformed into compost and energy – enough energy to power up to 3,000 homes per year. With this new facility, approximately 60% of additional waste from our trash cans is diverted from the landfill, bringing our region’s diversion rate to above 85% while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This means that residents who live or work in these areas do not need to change how they manage waste to meet the new requirements.

In addition to the ReSource Center, the County offers other ways for the community to recover and recycle organics:

  • Yard waste collection: Continue putting your grass clippings, leaves, and yard trimmings in your green bin. Please do not mix food scraps with your yard waste, as it interferes with the production of mulch. Visit LessIsMore.org/mulch to learn more about the County’s Mulch Program.
  • Backyard composting: The County’s Backyard Composting Program makes it easy to compost where you live. Visit LessIsMore.org/compost to access a free “Composting ABC’s” booklet and learn about the discounted composting bin program. Within months, you can create your own on-site compost for your garden.
  • Commercial food scraps collection and processing: The County’s Commercial Food Scraps Collection Program is available to large food scraps generators, such as schools, restaurants, and grocery stores. The collected food scraps are processed at the ReSource Center, increasing the overall quality of the finished compost.

As a reminder, for those living in the ReSource Center “wasteshed,” there’s no change in how you need to manage your waste. Residents should continue using their green waste, recycling, and trash containers in the same way they always have. Please contact the County Public Works Department with any questions at (805) 882-3600 or recycling@countyofsb.org.

Photo: Organic material is laid out in rows to dry at the ReSource Center’s Compost Management Unit at the Tajiguas Landfill. (credit: Lael Wageneck – Santa Barbara County Public Works)

Goleta’s First Historic Preservation Ordinance Returns to Council on April 5

The City’s first ever Historic Preservation Ordinance and Historic Resources Inventory and Landmark Designation Resolution will take center stage at the April 5, 2022, Goleta City Council meeting.

The issue was discussed at the December 7, 2021, Public Hearing, but before acting on the Historic Preservation Ordinance, City Council directed staff to provide additional information which will be discussed at the upcoming April 5 meeting.

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 recommended adoption.

The proposed 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.

In recommending adoption of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, 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. 

For more information click here and to learn more about the project go to www.HistoricGoleta.org.

Pictured: Historic photo of the Stow House

Goleta Residents Share Priorities for City Services

More than 500 residents have completed the Goleta’s Next 20 survey, sharing their priorities as the City is working to address current needs and plan for the future. Essential city services, community programs and infrastructure needs are among those items listed in the survey. Residents who have not participated to date are encouraged to do so online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GoletaNext20. The survey is also available in Spanish at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Siguientes20Goleta. Survey results will be shared next month.

Goleta Community Center Welcomes Back Returning and New Users  

The Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) is happy to announce the reopening of the Goleta Community Center for the return of former and new users! While we still do not have use of the Auditorium and Dining Hall, the classrooms have all been upgraded with new paint, window blinds and are ready for reservations. The classrooms can accommodate smaller groups of up to 25 people. Several groups have already returned and are settling in quite nicely. The bus pass machine is again available Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

“It’s been two long lonely difficult years for our seniors,” said Charlie Johnson, Acting General Manager for the Goleta Valley Community Center, “They’ve been kept away from the Center due to the pandemic, however, spring is here and with that change it’s time to be optimistic and get back to a normal way of life.” 

The Senior Center and Lounge had a soft reopening on February 22, and in the past month things have begun to return to a more normal operation. The Tai Chi classes and Line Dance have both returned to the Center and our Swing a Long Band has been performing regularly on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“It’s so good to have our seniors back here reconnecting with one another and now to see our former nonprofits return, it a good sign that we’ve turned the corner and are optimistic about a vibrant future,” said Charlie. 

The main GVCC office is staffed daily Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The GVCC hours of operation will change as room reservation begin to increase. Reservations can be made by calling the main business number 805-967-1237. Questions about our Senior Program activities can be directed to Claudia Ricardo our Senior Program Coordinator and Reservation Specialist.

We offer a discount to other charitable nonprofits that bring their programing to the Community Center. The GVCC is the heart and cultural center of Old Town Goleta. We also encourage pickleball players to come play here. We are centrally located with good parking and easy access to Old Town eateries. We are also in the process of upgrading our courts with a new playing surface, new nets, windscreens and lots of open play time. Come join in the fun, all are welcome.

For more information on the Goleta Valley Community Center please visit https://www.thegvcc.org/.

We look forward to seeing you at the Center!

Pictured: Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration at the GVCC Senior Program 2022

Join Us for Goleta’s Community State of the City on April 13

Watch Mayor Perotte’s Video Message Invitation Outlining Event

Goleta’s biggest night of the year is almost here! We hope you will join us on Wednesday, April 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for Goleta’s 5th Annual Community State of the City. The free community event will be held at the Elks Lodge (150 N. Kellogg Avenue). Spanish interpretation will be available.

Watch this video message with Mayor Perotte inviting you to attend and what to expect. The video is also available in Spanish featuring the City’s Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez.

The full program of events includes:

  • From 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. there is an informal Meet and Greet with Mayor Paula Perotte, City Councilmembers and City staff. We also encourage you to check out our information stations.  
  • Submit a question to be answered during the Q&A portion of the program.
  • Don’t miss out on our special limited-edition 20 Year City of Goleta 20 items, including hats, t-shirts, totes and mugs for sale.
  • Program begins promptly at 6:00 p.m.:
    • Mayor Perotte gives the 2022 State of the City Address
    • City Manager Michelle Greene provides an update on the City’s Finances
    • Q&A session with Mayor Perotte and Department Directors

We hope you will bring your questions and join us for this important night for the City!

Reminder to Tell Us Your Concerns About Housing in Goleta

Survey Open Through April 15

As part of the Housing Element update, the City is asking the public to provide input on housing patterns, concerns and needs in our community. If you have not filled out our survey on this issue, please take a few minutes to do so now. The survey will remain open until April 15, 2022, and is available in English at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GoletaHousing or in Spanish at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ViviendasenGoleta. Thank you to the over 450 people that have already responded and to those that attended our Old Town Virtual Stakeholders Meeting or Planning Commission Workshop on the topic.

The survey is an important part of the City’s effort to update our Housing Element for the 6th housing cycle (2023-2031) as part of state law. The Housing Element update will include an analysis of housing needs, resources, and constraints, and articulates the City’s official policies and objectives for the development, preservation, and improvement of housing for all economic segments of the community.

More information on the Housing Element update project can be found here. Thank you in advance for your valuable input. 

Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries

In light of the recent time change, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

To save lives and prevent needless injuries, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department has joined the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when changing clocks to daylight savings time.

The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. A working smoke alarm can give your family the extra seconds you need to get out of a home fire safely.

In addition, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department recommends testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.

Photo courtesy of the National Fire Protection Agency