Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta City Council Encourages You to Protect. Respect. Wear a Mask.

The City of Goleta is pleased to participate in a countywide Protect. Respect. Wear a Mask campaign. Each member of the Goleta City Council is featured (see images below), along with other County leaders, with a personal quote on why they choose to wear a face covering. 

The #ProtectRespectSBC campaign started in North County and now community leaders across Santa Barbara County have joined to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and show their support of local economic opening efforts.  To learn more go to www.protectrespect.org.  

The campaign falls perfectly in line with the City of Goleta’s #reCOVERgoleta campaign. Thank you for helping us spread the word about the importance of wearing a face covering to protect each other and help our community recover.


Pictured: Mayor Paula Perotte

Pictured: Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards (left) and Councilmember Roger Aceves (right)

Pictured: Councilmember Stuart Kasdin (left) and Councilmember James Kyriaco (right)

Beach Safety Tips

Beach Stars

Summer is here and that means that the beach is a popular destination.  We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place with access to so many scenic beach spots.  However, even while visiting the beach it is very important that you are vigilant about public health safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Here are some important beach safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • If the beach is crowded when you arrive, please consider an alternate activity.
  • Stay home if you don’t feel well.
  • Do not gather at the beach with people you don’t live with.
  • Stay a minimum of six feet apart from others at the beach both in and outside the water.
  • Don’t share items such as food, equipment, toys and supplies with people you don’t live with.
  • Wear a face covering when coming into contact with people who don’t live with. 
  • You do not need to wear face coverings in the water because they can be difficult to breathe through when they are wet.  

Bottom line, enjoy the beach this summer but please be safe and keep these tips in mind. 

What to Expect on the November 3rd Municipal Election Ballot

Election season is underway and the Goleta City Council adopted a resolution approving a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2020. For the first time ever, this election will be conducted by mail-in ballot only.  On this year’s ballot, voters will be electing a Mayor and two City Council seats. Voters will also be asked to decide whether the Mayor’s term of office should stay at two years or increase to four years. The City Council decided not to move forward with a 1% sales tax increase measure on the November ballot.

The candidate filing period for the Mayor and the two City Council seats will be from July 13, 2020, through August 7, 2020. However, the candidate filing period may be extended to August 12, 2020, for persons other than the incumbents should an incumbent who is eligible to file elect not to file nomination papers. No incumbent may file during the extended candidate filing period.

If no one, or only one person is nominated for an elective office, appointment to the elective office may be made as prescribed by Section 10229, Elections Code of the State of California.

Eligible candidates must be registered voters residing within the boundaries of the City of Goleta. Nomination papers may be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk located at: City of Goleta, 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117. An appointment is mandatory to ensure safety and accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, can be reached at 805-961-7505 or via email at dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

For more information on the upcoming election go to our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections.

City of Goleta to Support Small Businesses Through Loan and Grant Assistance Programs

As part of its first steps towards economic recovery, Goleta City Council approved two new programs targeted to help Goleta’s business community during these challenging economic times. While the programs are not live yet, small businesses located in the city of Goleta will have the opportunity to apply for either a loan up to $20,000 or a grant up to $10,000. Once the programs begin accepting applications, the City will share on its various outreach platforms. If you would like to be added to an email interest list, please email Dominique Samario at dsamario@cityofgoleta.org.

For more information about the two business support programs, you can read the report that was presented to City Council on July 7, 2020, here.

Pictured: July 7, 2020, virtual City Council meeting

City Awards 36 Nonprofits Funds Through its Goleta City Grant and CDBG Programs

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020-2021 City Grant Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Since 2014, the City Council has authorized up to $100,000 annually for grant funding. This year, the City will support the largest amount of grant funds ever, awarding a combined $113,000 to 36 nonprofits between the two grant programs and then allocating an additional $20,000 to spend on nonprofit organizational support, such as grant writing workshops, and for events taking place throughout the year that were not planned at the time of the grant application period. The City will also include funding for the Juneteenth Santa Barbara event.

The Goleta City Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 each for non-profit organizations involved in providing public services, educational and cultural activities such as music, art, dance, and recreation, and Goleta-oriented special events and regional projects that enhance and support the quality of life in Goleta. However, due to changing community needs caused by the current public health pandemic, the Grant Funding Review Committee honed its focus for this grant cycle. The focus was to support essential services that met the requirements of the City Grant program. In addition, the Committee considered other programs that were certain (using best-known knowledge) to take place in the upcoming fiscal year. The Committee expressed how difficult finalizing award recommendations was given the extreme need at this time. Staff appreciates their careful deliberation and thoughtfulness throughout the process.

The City Council’s Grant Funding Review Standing Committee reviews both CDBG and Goleta City Grant applications and is composed of Mayor Paula Perotte and Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards as well as two Goleta citizens. This year the citizen advisors are Marian Cohen and Arlene Raphael. The City would like to thank the Committee for their dedication to the City’s grant programs.

For more information on the City’s grant programs, please visit www.tinyurl.com/goletagrant.

Pictured: July 7, 2020, virtual City Council meeting

Make Goleta Count Census Caravan Coming Your Way

The City of Goleta will lead a 2020 Census Car Caravan THIS Saturday, July 11, from 11:00 a.m. – Noon. More than one dozen vehicles will participate in the caravan, including Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Bcarbara County Supervisors Gregg Hart and Joan Hartmann, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte & City Councilmembers, Joni Maiden of the Santa Barbara County Complete Count Committee, Ana Maria Lugo, California Census Lead Partner Specialist, Josefa Rios of the Santa Barbara Promotores Network and City of Goleta staff.

The caravan will begin at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue), driving through Goleta neighborhoods, and end at Dos Pueblos High School (7266 Alameda Avenue). In addition to neighborhoods, the caravan will be driving by the Fairview Shopping Center, Stow Grove Park, Storke Plaza, Camino Real Marketplace, Ellwood Mesa Parking Lot and more. View the route map and flyer at www.CityofGoleta.org/Census2020. Also available in Spanish at www.CityofGoleta.org/Censo2020.  We encourage you to come out and cheer on the caravan!  Honk, cheer, clap, but keep in mind the caravan will keep moving in order to observe social distancing protocols.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “During a time when our outreach opportunities are restricted due to social distancing guidelines, the Census Caravan is a fun way for us to spread the message. It is important that EVERYONE is counted this census in order to ensure we get our fair share of state and federal funding.”

According to the 2020 Self Response Rate Map, as of today, July 7, 2020, 71.4% of Goleta Households have completed their census. We have until October 31st to reach the remaining 29.6% of households who still haven’t responded.  We need your help to achieve 100% participation.  Please check in with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and encourage them to be counted!

This is the first year you can fill out your census on-line at My2020Cenus.gov. If you did not respond to a postcard invitation to participate on-line, you should have received a paper copy of the census in the mail. The census is easy to fill out, follow the instructions and answer 9 simple questions – it takes no time at all. You can also complete your census by phone at 844-330-2020. U.S. Census workers will be doing in person visits to households who have not yet responded.

When filling out your census, please remember to count everyone in your household even if they are not family members. Also, don’t forget to count children even if they are babies.  It’s estimated that one in 10 children under age five were missed in the last census.  That is more than two million uncounted children. Also, it’s important to know that the 2020 Census is confidential and your personal information, by law, can’t be shared.

Emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic are precisely why the government needs accurate 2020 Census Data. Your response to the census shapes decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next ten years. The following items are at stake for Goleta if there is an undercount in the 2020 Census:

  • Loss of revenue for TEN years
  • Federal funding for Community Development Block Grants
  • Library funding
  • Gas tax related revenue for road repairs
  • Special funding based on population
  • District election boundaries

Watch our Make Goleta Count video here. Learn more about the 2020 Census on the City’s census webpage and on Santa Barbara County’s census website. Information in Spanish is also available on the City website and Santa Barbara County website. The City of Goleta is proud to be a part of the Complete Count Committee which is working together to make sure EVERYONE counts in Santa Barbara County.

We hope to see you on Saturday! 

FREE SB Summer Cinema at the Drive-In

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the return of the FREE outdoor summer film series SB Summer Cinema with Game On! Grit, Grace & Glory – Movies Under the Stars in Your Cars, a six-week series of seven family-friendly, feel-good flicks about overcoming the odds, Wednesday evenings from July 15 through Aug. 19 at 8:30 p.m. at the West Wind Drive-In (907 S. Kellogg Avenue, Goleta). This year’s lineup includes: A League of Their Own, The Karate Kid, a 42 and Field of Dreams “double header,” Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, Pelé and Friday Night Lights. 

First come, first served: Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Arrive early to enjoy food trucks, concessions and entertainment from your car! A unique pairing of local food trucks will rotate each week, starting with Dave’s Dogs and McConnell’s Ice Cream to kick off the series on July 15 with A League of Their Own. Offerings to follow include Santa Barbara Woodfire Catering, Big Truck Foods, Santa Barbara Food Connection, Mony’s and more, to be announced each week before the film!

Movies can capture every emotion of good ole summertime, and what better way to watch than with your loved ones outside under the Santa Barbara stars? Usher in those summer vibes with feel-good family-friendly films about overcoming the odds – with just enough nostalgia to knock it outta the park. Whether it’s through believing in yourself, being part of a team, supporting the underdog or coming back from being down, these inspiring sports films remind us that when the going gets tough, we can achieve incredible things.

“We are delighted to be able to bring back SB Summer Cinema – with a twist!” says Celesta M. Billeci, A&L’s Miller McCune Executive Director. “Especially this year, it was important to us to find a way to bring the community together for a free, fun-filled night of entertainment where all are welcome. We are getting creative, carrying on this beloved tradition in a way that considers everyone’s well-being. So this year, it’s movies under the stars, in our cars! Arts & Lectures is grateful to Montecito Bank & Trust for partnering again to make this series possible.”

“Montecito Bank & Trust is excited to bring the community together in a safe, socially distanced manner to enjoy one of the most anticipated summer traditions of the year, the UCSB Arts & Lectures Free Summer Film Series!” MB&T’s Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis says. “This year’s Game On! Grit, Grace & Glory – Under the Stars in Your Cars sport-inspired films will allow viewers a chance to appreciate the value of comaradery and teamwork, both on and off the screen, and serve as a friendly reminder that we are in this together!”

Filmgoers are asked to respect the safety of fellow attendees: Please wear masks and maintain a distance of six feet from others. UCSB Arts & Lectures continues to prioritize the health and comfort of our community. We are keeping a close eye on developments locally in Santa Barbara and beyond, including updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and UC Santa Barbara, among others. We are following, and will continue to follow, guidelines and recommendations from these and other trusted authorities. As we take additional steps to promote our community’s health and well-being, we encourage everyone to follow CDC and other health organization recommendations.

Game On! Grit, Grace & Glory – Movies Under the Stars in Your Cars is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures. Premier Sponsor: Montecito Bank & Trust. Presented in association with the City of Goleta, UCSB Athletics, Carpinteria Movies in the Park and the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture. Special thanks to KLITE 101.7 FM, Santa Barbara Independent, Voice Magazine and DJ Darla Bea.

Updated Library Sidewalk Service Hours

Sidewalk Service at the Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries is changing hours of service. Starting on July 15, 2020, Sidewalk Service will be available Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (instead of Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:30 to 5:30 p.m.)  The change was made for more efficient use of staff resources for both online and curbside services during the hours with the highest demand.

After several months of being closed due to COVID-19, on June 16, the Goleta Valley, Buellton and Solvang Libraries opened for Sidewalk Service and book returns. It has been wonderful to see the many patrons taking advantage of the ability to borrow library materials again. It is important to note that in order to receive sidewalk service and place holds you must have a library card issued by Goleta Valley, Buellton or Solvang Libraries.  To get a library card, go to your local branch during Sidewalk Service hours with verification of your address. You can also get one online at the Black Gold eCard Registration webpage that allows you access to all of the library’s downloadable services.

Please keep in mind that, all visitors must comply with social distancing rules. To receive service, everyone must wear a face covering and line up six feet apart on the sidewalk leading up to the library’s front walkway. Library staff will be following public health safety guidelines as well, wearing face coverings and gloves, and an apron if they are emptying the book drops. Please be respectful of other patrons and do not come if you are feeling ill.

If you notice that material you returned in the book drops are still on your record, don’t worry Library Staff are still checking in items and there may be a delay before the items are reflected on your account.  No fines will be charged.  The return process is more lengthy due to the need to quarantine materials for a week.

Books can be placed on hold with Black Gold from any of the three library branches only for pick-up at your local branch. The full Black Gold service between seven tri-county jurisdictions will not resume until later this year. After logging into Black Gold, select your library branch in order to see the options available to you. Watch this video for a tutorial on how to place a hold.

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

Face Covering Dos and Don’ts Video Message

Watch the City’s new safety video featuring our Emergency Services Coordinator, Michael Baris, which aims to clear up some confusion about how and when to wear face coverings.  The video is followed with a Spanish version that is narrated by Natalia Rios, an Emergency Services aide.  In addition to information about face coverings, the video also includes other important COVID-19 safety tips.  We hope you will take time out to watch and share the video with others. 

View the video here: https://youtu.be/Er0RkyJo8Fs.

Pictured: Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris

Old Town Sidewalk Project Moves into Phase 4 of 5

Having just wrapped up Phase 3, out of 5 Phases total, the Old Town Sidewalk Project is now more than half-way complete, and is ahead of the original schedule.  The contractor, Toro Construction, has now moved into Phase 4 of the work, which includes construction of sidewalks on Pine Avenue, a portion of Tecolote Avenue, Nectarine Avenue, and the remaining segment on Orange Avenue.  Utility relocations and upgrades are also being performed in some areas, so you may see utility work underway in the project areas as well. 

Phase 4 work will be underway through July, and then Phase 5 segments will start late July or early August. Phase 5 sidewalk improvements will include the rest of Tecolote and Nectarine Avenues, completing the sidewalk segments north of Hollister Avenue.

After the concrete sidewalk installation is complete through all the 5 Phases, the roadway segments in each of the areas will be finished with a new asphalt overlay surface throughout the project.  This final asphalt surface work will likely come in late August, with final striping and finishing touches estimated to wrap up in September.

Feedback from the neighbors in the completed areas has been very positive, and the new sidewalks and access ramps are already getting plenty of use! Learn more about the Old Town Sidewalk Project at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaOTSW.

Background
The 9031 Old Town Sidewalk Improvement project includes constructing sidewalk on at least one side of each street north of Hollister Avenue between South Fairview Avenue and Mallard Avenue as well as on Pine Avenue south of Hollister Avenue. The new sidewalks will connect to existing sidewalk providing a continuous path of travel. There will also be drainage improvements, tree replacements, repaving, and the construction of 39 back-in angled parking spots on Magnolia Avenue (for a net increase of approximately 17 new parking spots). Watch this video to learn more about the project.

When this project is done, the safety improvements, livability and ability to recreate in Old Town will change dramatically. We are pleased the community will be able to enjoy the improvements for years to come.