Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta Train Depot Survey Results Revealed at Upcoming City Council Meeting

The City is looking forward to having a new full-service Train Depot in Goleta, replacing the current Amtrak platform on South La Patera Lane. The community has made their individual voices heard on the project with more than 1,100 people completing the survey indicating which aspects of the three designs (“Schooner,” “Traditional,” and “Sunrise”) they like best. In addition, approximately 30 people attended the community meeting via Zoom with City staff and consultants to learn more about the project and ask questions. We know the community is curious about the results, and they will be announced at an upcoming City Council meeting, along with feedback from the community meeting and other comments received.

For further information regarding this project, please contact Mr. Jaime Valdez, Principal Project Manager, at 805-961-7568 or jvaldez@cityofgoleta.org. Learn more about the Goleta Train Depot at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaTrainDepot.

Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month

In honor of Parks & Recreation Month this July, the City of Goleta encourages residents to explore the many wonderful outdoor Parks and Recreation opportunities available in Goleta from hiking and biking to picnics and planting gardens. To assist our community members, the City has put together a fun-filled calendar of outdoor activities for residents to do throughout the month. View the full calendar in English and Spanish here.

In addition to exploring some of Goleta’s great parks and engaging in activities with your families, community members are encouraged to learn something new this summer. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, free clinics will not be offered as part of this year’s Parks and Recreation month calendar. However, anyone who would like to learn how to play bocce, pickleball, disc golf, or ping pong, can let the City know, and as soon as there are enough people interested we will conduct a free, safe, and socially distant clinic. To participate, please contact our office by phone or email at 805-961-7554 or sdawson@cityofgoleta.org.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Now more than ever it is so important to encourage children and adults alike to be active outdoors. Goleta has so many outdoor opportunities – parks, bike paths, beaches, open spaces, and more. We hope residents will take the time this July to create lasting memories outside with your families and friends. Please remember to wear face coverings and physically distance while outdoors and in public spaces.”

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) started celebrating Parks and Recreation Month in 1985. Parks and Recreation month highlights the vital and powerful role local parks and recreation play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities across the country.  For any questions, please contact Parks and Recreation Manager, JoAnne Plummer at 805-562-5505 or jplummer@cityofgoleta.org.

Improvements to US 101 Northbound Offramp at Glen Annie/Storke Road

Caltrans District 5 and the City of Goleta are working cooperatively to improve conditions at the US Highway 101 northbound off-ramp at Glen Annie/Storke Road in Goleta. This location has experienced a higher level of vehicular traffic during peak hours resulting in delays and congestion which can extend to the beginning of the US 101 off-ramp.

Caltrans traffic engineers recently collected vehicular data and inspected the ramp. Their work suggested that improvements to the ramp such as trimming vegetation for sight distance and installing a recommended speed sign of 45 mph would help alleviate the congestion along the long off-ramp.  Caltrans will continue to monitor the off-ramp to determine if any further improvements are necessary. 

Caltrans, the City of Goleta and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), the transportation planning agency for this region, are also looking at future solutions and funding to address congestion along US 101 west of Fairview Avenue. This collaboration is intended to find long-term solutions to the operational efficiency of the Glen Annie/Storke Road northbound off-ramp and US 101 in the Goleta area.       

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We appreciate Caltrans working with Goleta to assure the safety of people using this key off ramp. We are glad that additional solutions are being considered for implementation in the near future.” 

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.

For traffic updates in Santa Barbara County, motorists may call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or visit their website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

Rental Assistance for Goleta Residents

During these challenging times when many people have been negatively impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Goleta is partnering with the County of Santa Barbara to dedicate its annual HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds to provide rental assistance for Goleta residents.

The City receives funding each year from the federal government to support housing programs and typically the money is pooled with other cities and the County of Santa Barbara to support larger regional projects. This year, City staff requested the funds be used to support residents through an emergency rental assistance program due to the dire need for many in our community during this time.

While the funds are very limited, the City appreciates the County’s support in matching Goleta’s annual HOME allocation, doubling the pot of rental assistance funds to more than $150,000.

The HOME rental assistance program is now open and accepting applications. To qualify, you must live within Goleta city limits; have had your income reduced directly due to the impacts of COVID-19; currently be renting your primary residence; have an income at or below 60% of the area median income ($71,400 for a family of four). Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for those who qualify. For more information, and to answer a brief list of pre-screening questions to see if you qualify, please contact Dominique Samario at 805-690-5126 or dsamario@cityofgoleta.org.

Multiple Business Sectors Ordered to Close due to COVID-19

Santa Barbara County Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg has issued a Health Officer Order mandating the closure of multiple business sectors that promote the mixing of populations beyond households and create environments where physical distancing and wearing face coverings is difficult.  This guidance is effective at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020 and will continue until 5:00 p.m. on July 26, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.

At the direction of the California Department of Public Health and by mandate of the health officer order the following business sectors must close:

  • Nightclubs, including private social clubs; and
  • Indoor operations of Dine-in restaurants, Wineries and Tasting Rooms,
  • Indoor operations of Family Entertainment Centers, Movie Theaters, Zoos and Museums, and Cardrooms

Outdoor operations of the above listed sectors may remain open with strict physical distancing protocols in place.

Bars, breweries, pubs, and brewpubs were ordered to close, but have been permitted to reopen with the following guidelines:

  • Outdoor seating/service only
  • Alcohol can only be sold in the same transaction as a meal
  • Businesses in these categories must follow the dine-in restaurant guidance
  • Venue that do not offer sit-down dine-in meals must offer curbside sales only, and no on-site alcohol consumption

The full Health Officer Order can be found here.  For more information about COVID-19 and the response locally, please visit www.publichealthsbc.org or call the County Call Center at 1-833-688-5551.

City of Goleta Launches #reCOVERgoleta Campaign

In an effort to stress the importance of wearing face coverings to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the City of Goleta is launching the #reCOVERgoleta campaign.  The goal of the #reCOVERgoleta slogan is to capture the need to consistently wear face coverings to protect each other and allow our community to safely get back to business.  The campaign supports the orders issued by the Goleta City Council, Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer, and Governor of California, in regards to face covering requirements.

A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease and that the use of face coverings, combined with physical distancing, staying home when you feel sick and frequent hand washing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings are required when you are not at home. This includes indoors at all businesses and outdoors when waiting for service or interacting with anyone you don’t live with.

As part of the #reCOVERgoleta campaign the City will be putting up signs throughout the community and is encouraging businesses to post signs as well.  We also ask that residents and businesses promote the #reCOVERgoleta hashtag and graphic/flyers on their social media channels to help spread the word. View our #reCOVERgoleta flyer in English and Spanish.

The City is also releasing a new safety video featuring our Emergency ServicesCoordinator, 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.  Click here to view the video. 

The City is in the process of creating a #GoodLandGoodPeople face covering for Goleta residents to wear to show support of their City and each other.  We will let you know when they are available.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Thank you Goleta, for continuing to look out for each other and for doing what is needed to get us through this challenging time. Wearing a face covering is critical to helping us move forward.  Thanks for helping us #reCOVERgoleta.”

For more information, consult the State Guidance for Face Coverings  or go to the California Department of Public Health’s Guidance web page.  For more information about reopening California and what individuals can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California. For the latest information on COVID-19 and Santa Barbara County, visit the Public Health portal at https://publichealthsbc.org/.

Council Condemns Police Brutality and Declares Racism Public Health Emergency

At a special virtual Goleta City Council meeting, Council unanimously approved a resolution condemning police brutality and declaring racism a public health emergency. View the resolution here.

The City of Goleta has a proud record of proclaiming its commitment to inclusivity, diversity and equity. The City Council has expressed a commitment to making Goleta a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for everyone, and to promoting free thought and speech, while condemning racism and police brutality, hate speech, bigotry, violence and prejudice. However, with the recent tragedy against George Floyd and others, and the ensuing activism, advocacy and protests that have developed across the country, several councilmembers requested a resolution be drafted for their consideration.

This is an important issue for the public as well. Sixty-eight people sent in public comments to the City Clerk’s office, two people called in and spoke, and 12 people opted to have their comments read into the record during the City Council meeting.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Today’s meeting was an important first step in addressing our current law enforcement challenges, but this resolution is only a first step. Our Council remains committed to assuring that all residents receive fair and equitable treatment, that police receive the proper training and equipment, and that all Sheriff personnel are held accountable for their policies and practices. It was very important to me to have had Sheriff Brown as part of today’s meeting and for it to serve as a stepping stone for a more open dialogue between the Council and Sheriff’s office. The issues we are dealing with are national issues, and I see our Sheriff and police as being leaders.”

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services, so it was important for the City Council to have Sheriff Bill Brown as part of the meeting. He was able to provide information and answer questions from Council.

Sheriff Brown said, “I hope that the information provided gives you the following assurances: that we in the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office take your concerns seriously; that we are continuously working to insure that our organization provides the best possible protection and service to everyone in our community; and, that we endeavor to do so in a fair, unbiased and just manner.” He added, “Our organization doesn’t always get things right, but we strive to treat people the right way. We operate transparently, hold ourselves accountable, and we continuously seek to improve.”

If you missed the meeting, you can watch it anytime on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings.

Pictured: Special Virutal Goleta City Council Meeting on June 8, 2020

Goleta Valley Library Announces Curbside Pick-Up to Begin June 16

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce that beginning Tuesday, June 16, 2020 the Goleta Valley Library will be offering sidewalk service out front at 500 N. Fairview Avenue. Library patrons will be able to place holds for any items currently at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries.  As of June 16, returns can also be made in the book drops. Large item Library of Things should be returned at the table at the entrance to the library.

Library Director Allison Gray said, “After two and a half months of being closed and using that time to provide a number of unique virtual services, we are excited to focus our attention back to providing physical services.  We know it has been difficult to not have access to our materials, and now community members will be able to borrow whatever they need from our three branches.”

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. A library staff member will make sure everything is ready for you, and then send you to the front door of the library to pick-up your items. Curbside service will be available Tuesdays – Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Please be respectful of other patrons and do not come if you are feeling ill.

Black Gold service, which ships books between library locations throughout seven tri-county jurisdictions, will not resume until later this year. You are still able to log-on to Black Gold and place holds on items you wish to check-out that are at one of our three library locations. Patrons will be contacted by library staff when the items are ready for pick-up, and can then schedule an appointment to pick-up the items using a new app soon to be available at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Now that that sidewalk service is available, the Library will no longer be mailing Craft Kits.  They will be available for pick up at the branches starting on June 16.  The free Craft kits are only available for patrons of the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries. Each month children can receive two craft kits. Once you request a kit online, two will automatically be prepared for you each month, for each child registered. Sign-up here. For some of the craft kits, you will need to provide items such as glue, crayons, etc… These kits are yours to keep. Please remember that some of these kits have quite small pieces so younger children should be monitored at all times.

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