Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Goleta Public Works Puts Safety First

The City of Goleta Department of Public Works is taking a number of precautions for their protection and the safety of the community as they continue essential work during this crisis.  Public Works has implemented several policies based on direction from the State of California and the Nation Centers for Disease Control in addition to normal OSHA Guidelines.  In addition to the normal personal protective equipment such as steel toe boots and high visibility vests, the City of Goleta Maintenance Workers are wearing masks at all times and gloves when necessary.

Additionally, the City work trucks have been equipped with hand washing stations.  The Department of Public Works has also established protocols for wiping down equipment with disinfectant wipes when the equipment is used by different Maintenance Workers and at the end of the day.  As a further step, the Department of Public Work has established a second Corporate Yard and have based a second group of Maintenance Workers at that yard.  That group will operate independently and not interact with the Maintenance Workers at the primary Corporate Yard.  Ultimately, in conformance with the State of California Governor’s Orders, the Department of Public Works will continue to perform important maintenance work that addresses Public Safety.  The Maintenance Workers and all Public Works staff will continue to meet all safety regulations with safety being the highest priority.

Goleta Receives Grant to Improve Public Safety Power Shutoff Preparedness

SCE will be continuing critical work for Public Safety Power Shutoffs during the Stay at Home Order and outages may impact Goleta residents and businesses.  SCE will notify impacted residents 7 to 10 days in advance of a scheduled outage. Learn more here.

The City of Goleta has been selected by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to receive funding through its Public Safety Power Shutoffs Resiliency Grant Program. The City will receive $100,945 which will support efforts across multiple departments including Neighborhood Services & Public Safety, Public Works, and Planning and Environmental Review.  The funds will be used for: the hook-up of the City’s generator to the second floor of City Hall; traffic signal backup battery systems for City roads; and consulting costs to determine the viability of solar power and battery energy storage at City facilities.

Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are a relatively new idea first introduced in the summer of 2019 by utility companies to be able to shut off power when high risk weather could start a wildfire. PSPS have the potential to lead to multi-day power outages in areas during periods of extremely hot, dry, and/or windy weather. A PSPS outage will last as long as the potentially dangerous weather conditions exist, plus the amount of time it takes for power company workers to inspect and repair their equipment in the affected area(s). Learn more Public Safety Power Shutoffs and how you can prepare here.

COVID-19 Information and Resources

The City of Goleta has put together a page on our website dedicated to COVID-19 information and resources (local and national): www.cityofgoleta.org/covid19. The page is being kept updated as new resources and information become available. On the webpage you can find out about City services and closures, as well as updates from other local agencies including MTD, Southern California Edison (SCE), SoCalGas, Cox Communications, and MarBorg. There are also resources for businesses and employees.

Stay Connected to Information:

LED Streetlights Coming to Goleta

The City of Goleta is looking forward to updating all of the streetlights within City limits to Light-Emitting Diode (LED). As of March 4, 2020, the City has acquired 1,330 of approximately 1,500 streetlights from Southern California Edison (SCE). Now that the City has acquired the streetlights, the Department of Public Works can apply for funding through an energy efficient loan program to convert High Pressure Sodium (HPS) light fixtures with LED fixtures. The improved lighting will help conserve energy and reduce streetlight maintenance efforts and costs.

To report a street light out, please go to City Assist and select “Street Light Out”. For other streetlight repair issues, please report the problem at the emergency repair link: https://www.tankolighting.com/goleta

The City is anticipating to begin converting the streetlights to LED fixtures at the end of this year after going through a public input phase to assess various LED lights. Public input will take place during a pilot study, where a specific neighborhood/area in Goleta will have their existing HPS lights converted to various types of LED lights. Staff will take this input and assess the different types of lights themselves before ultimately deciding on which manufacturer to buy the LED fixtures from, and which style of light suits the City best.

Stay tuned for more information and learn more on the project page.

Public Comment Period to Begin for San Jose Creek Bridge Replacement Project

Caltrans District 5 will accept public comments on a proposal to replace the San Jose Creek Bridge on US Highway 101 near the Junction with State Route 217 in the City of Goleta. 

This bridge replacement will ensure the reliability of the highway and would be designed as a single-span that would meet current bridge standards.  This project would also include a standard bicycle pedestrian path on the northbound side of State Route 217.

 This project will not offer the opportunity for a public meeting due to COVID-19. The Initial Study with a Proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Assessment is online at the Caltrans District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5.

 Written comments can be submitted beginning Monday, April 13 through Wednesday, May 27 to Caltrans, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401, Attn: Senior Environmental Planner Matt Fowler. Comments can also be emailed to Matt Fowler at matt.fowler@dot.ca.gov or by calling (805) 542-4603.

For traffic updates on other state highways on the Central Coast motorists can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the District 5 website.

Make Goleta Count! Complete Your Census Online and Share our Video

Goleta residents are doing a great job responding to the Census. More than half of all Goleta households (57.1%) have filled out their Census. As of April 11, our self-response rate is higher than the California average of 47.8%, and the national average of 47.5%.  However, in order to get our fair share of federal funds for the next 10 years we need 100% participation.

Please help Make Goleta Count and fill out your census, it’s easier than ever before and only takes a few minutes to complete. For the first time, the census is available online at My2020Census.gov.

Please watch and share our Make Goleta Count video.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I am so proud of our community for Making Goleta Count! In these uncertain times, it may not feel like there is much we can do, but completing your census will make a difference. Census funding includes vital services such as public health, and for the foreseeable future, it is likely that Federal, and State governments will be distributing emergency funding in proportion to our population.”

The census creates jobs, helps plan for the future, and supports public safety and emergency preparedness. 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

Community members should have received an invitation in the mail from the U.S. Census with instructions to complete their census online at My2020Census.gov, over the phone, or by mail. Anyone who does not respond will have a paper questionnaire mailed to them this week.

Please remember when filling out your Census to count everyone in your household even if they are not family members. It’s important to know that the 2020 Census is confidential and your personal information, by law, can’t be shared.

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. 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. 

Let’s go Goleta! Let’s continue to see our self-response rates climb.  We will continue to keep you updated on how Goleta is doing.  We appreciate your help in encouraging your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to Make Goleta Count in the 2020 Census.

Show Us Your Photos! #GoodLandGoodPeople

We are so lucky to live in such a supportive community filled with good people.  Everywhere you look there are people stepping up to help friends, neighbors and strangers, and coming up with creative ways to stay positive, sane, and entertained during this crisis.

The City wants to know how you, our Goleta community, is getting through the COVID-19 crisis. Please share your #GoodLandGoodPeople images with us. We are looking for three types of photos:

  • Creative ways you and your family are working/schooling/playing/staying busy during the Stay at Home Order.
  • People in our Goleta community we can pay tribute to for helping others during this time. This includes medical professionals, grocery store workers, first responders and more.
  • Uplifting images from our community that will make us smile.

To participate, email your photo and a brief description/caption to PIO@CityofGoleta.org. Follow us on Facebook (@CityofGoleta) and Instagram (@CityofGoleta) to see what photos we share.  Thanks for helping us spread some happiness and humor to keep us all going! 

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Now more than ever, we need positive connections to each other. The #GoodLandGoodPeople photo campaign is an excellent way for us to celebrate all the good that is going on in our community during this most difficult chapter. I can’t wait to see all the photos on Goleta’s social media channels.”

Thanks for sending in your photos and remember to share on your social media as well and use the hashtag #GoodLandGoodPeople.

Pictured: National Guards making a home delivery. The photo is courtesy of USANG Captain Jason Sweeney.

Goleta Valley Library Helps Keep People Busy at Home

Even though the Goleta Valley library system may be closed, staff are committed to coming up with innovative ways to keep library services available to the community. Be sure and check out “Ideas to Keep Busy at Home for all Ages,” is available on the Goleta Valley Library website and will be updated regularly.

“We have compiled a long list of great websites to keep everyone occupied in productive and fun ways,” said Library Director Allison Gray. “You will find fantastic sites on all types of topics for you and your family. Help the Library of Congress transcribe historical documents. See famous Fiona the Hippo show off for the cameras. Find out how to sew face masks for Cottage Hospital.”

The links are broken down into categories making it easy to find activities you and your family are interested in. Categories include (in alphabetical order): Activities for Adults, Children’s Authors and Stories, Children’s Home Education, Craft Programs, Family Websites, Story Times in English and Spanish, and Teen Corner. View the complete list here.

Gray added, “You can take trips to incredible places, learn a new language, cook with your kids, listen to library story times, make fun crafts, battle boredom, and enhance your brain.”

While the Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are currently closed to the public, online material is always available. Library card holders also have access to:

  • New: hoopla Bonus Borrows Collection: More than 1,000 top titles offered FREE to libraries through April 30, 2020, in the form of eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and TV for children and adults. This is in addition to hoopla Digital, which provides free access to 750,000 digital items.
  • E-library: Download e-books, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, graphic novels, and magazines
  • Kanopy: A new free streaming service where you can watch up to 10 movies per month
  • The New York Times: Read this newspaper online from anywhere
  • Brainfuse HelpNow!: Live, online tutoring available daily from 1:00 – 10:00 p.m.

If you don’t have a Goleta Valley or Santa Ynez Valley Library card, you can still get one that allows you access to downloadable services by going to the Black Gold eCard Registration webpage.

The libraries will also continue to offer personalized reading lists. Fill out this form, providing information on the type of books you like and don’t like, and a staff member will put together a reading list for you. Patrons can also order books or audiobooks not owned by the library for home delivery by filling out a Zip Books request form.

Library staff are available to answer questions via email at goletavalleylibrary@cityofgoleta.org.

Stay up to date on library news at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org and on Facebook (@GoletaValleyLibrary).

Thank you for your continued support of our libraries and your cooperation as we get through this evolving health crisis.

Support Goleta Restaurants

This is an especially difficult time for our local businesses, including restaurants. Following state and local orders to no longer offer on-site dining, restaurants have turned to take-out and delivery, and are now allowed to sell alcohol to go. Show our restaurants some support by ordering take out or buying a gift card to use later. 

For a list of Santa Barbara County restaurants open for biz go to Noozhawk or The Restaurant Guy.  KEYT also has an online directory of all businesses still open, click here to search it.

Thanks to Noozhawk for helping us compile a list of Goleta restaurants open for takeout/delivery.  We can add to this list for any Goleta restaurants we missed (send e-mail to PIO@cityofgoleta.org).

Restaurants in Goleta currently open for take-out or delivery (pictured: Los Arroyos providing takeout to customers):

  • Alphie’s Restaurant
  • Beachside Bar-Cafe
  • Ca’ Dario Cucina Italiana
  • California Coast Naturals
  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Country Catering Company, Meat Market & Deli
  • Dave’s Dogs Grill
  • Domingo’s Cafe
  • El Sitio Restaurant
  • Home Plate Grill
  • Jersey Mikes
  • Kyle’s Kitchen
  • L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
  • Lemon & Coriander
  • Los Agaves Restaurant
  • McDonald’s
  • Mesa Burger
  • Natural Cafe
  • Neighbor Tim’s BBQ
  • Noodle City
  • On The Alley
  • PANINO
  • Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant
  • Phamous Cafe
  • Pho Bistro
  • Pickles & Swiss
  • Saigon Noodle House
  • SAMsARA Wine Co
  • Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch
  • South Coast Del
  • Subway
  • Sushi-Ai
  • Three Picikles Deli
  • Woodstock’s Pizza
  • Yogurtland

City of Goleta Moves to Virtual Inspections

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Goleta has transitioned to electronic permit application and plan submittals and is now conducting virtual inspections as an alternative to on site-inspections. These changes are allowing the City to continue to safely provide all basic permitting and inspection services during this health emergency in support of construction projects, including housing projects, recognized as “essential” and allowed to continue to work under the Governor’s March 19 Stay at Home order. 

The City has been interested in promoting electronic submittals and pursuing remote inspections for some time and kicked the plan into high gear when social distancing rules required the City to re-think in-person inspections due to COVID-19 transmission concerns.

City of Goleta Planning and Environmental Services Director Peter Imhof said, “As the Planning and Environmental Review Department strives to continue to provide basic permitting and inspection services during this public health crisis, we are excited to implement these new remote and paperless technologies. They will continue to provide enhanced customer service and greater operating efficiencies long after this crisis is over.”

City Planning and Building staff also remain available during regular business hours for remote consultation on permitting requirements and inspections by phone or email. Electronic plans may be submitted via email by email, if less than 50MB in size or, for larger file sizes, by ftp site.  Please contact the Current Planning Division at (805) 961-7543 or cwalshbeck@cityofgoleta.org and the Building & Safety Division at 805-961-7552 or at buildinggroup@cityofgoleta.org with email submittals and for directions on accessing the ftp site.

Remote inspections will occur using camera-equipped phones or tablets and widely available video conferencing apps, including Facetime, Google Duo and GoToMeeting, which allow the contractor onsite to show completed work to Building Inspectors remotely. Please be aware that based on the size and/or complexity of the project, it may not be possible to complete all inspections via Remote Video Inspection. Onsite inspections may take place safely while observing social distancing guidelines.

To schedule your Building and Safety inspection, email your request to building.inspector@cityofgoleta.org or call (805) 961-7550 at least 24 hours in advance.

For more information and instructions on what is needed to conduct a virtual inspection, please go to the City’s Planning and Environmental Department webpage.