Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Weigh In on the Future of Goleta’s Creeks & Watersheds at Feb. 26 Workshop

Join us for the first workshop of the new year on the City’s Creek and Watershed Management Plan (CWMP): February 26, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Because our creeks are such an integral part of the Goleta landscape and provide important habitat and drainage functions, the City would like your input on how our creeks and watersheds should be cared for into the future. This workshop will focus on the work City staff and the consultant team have done over the past few months. The public will be able to hear and provide feedback on the technical details of field surveys performed, the outline and background information for the CWMP, and the remaining work to be done. The workshop format will include a presentation and ample opportunities for the community to ask questions and share insights for the development of the CWMP; Spanish interpretation will be available.

The City of Goleta is fortunate to have a dozen creeks that run through our community. Not only are these creeks available for us to enjoy, but they also are home to a number of special-status species including frogs and fish. In addition, our creeks drain the Valley and the foothills into the Ocean and play an important role in addressing flooding. Learn more about the project and sign up for project updates at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaCWMP.

City Provides Community Update on Efforts to Create First Homelessness Strategic Plan and Requests Feedback

The City of Goleta continues to move forward on its path to create the City’s first-ever Homelessness Strategic Plan. City Staff invite you to join us for a community meeting on February 19, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center located at 5679 Hollister Avenue. The event will serve as an opportunity for the community to get an update on efforts being taken to create the Homelessness Strategic Plan and to hear directly from City staff regarding possible strategies to address homelessness in Goleta. Each attendee will also be asked to prioritize their preferred solutions and share which options they would not support at this time. For a flyer please click here for English. Haga clic aquí para obtener un folleto en español. Spanish interpretation will be available at the meeting.

Community input is an essential part of the City of Goleta’s effort to develop a comprehensive Homelessness Strategic Plan. The City encourages community members to participate in this process so the options presented to City Council reflect the needs and desires of its constituents. In addition to public meetings, the City released a survey in December of 2019 to directly hear from those with input on homelessness in our region. Staff are still taking responses to this survey through February 9, 2020. We hope to get as much participation as possible with input from residents, businesses, service providers, and those who are or who have experienced homelessness.

The survey can be found online in both English and Spanish at the following links:

The Community Open House held December 11, 2019, and survey are elements of a larger effort to address homelessness, which has included stakeholder meetings, best practice discussions with communities nationwide, and years of partnership supporting regional homelessness efforts. City Council and staff believe having a strategic plan will provide important direction and clarity around needs, service gaps, and priorities in order to make effective and strategic funding decisions that serve both the existing homeless population, as well as those at risk of becoming homeless. With the goal of being adopted in the summer of 2020, the Homelessness Strategic Plan will help guide and coordinate efforts to prevent and address homelessness within the City of Goleta.

We appreciate the community’s involvement and input in this process thus far and look forward to continued engagement during this important effort. For more information, please contact Dominique Samario, Management Analyst for the City of Goleta, at dsamario@cityofgoleta.org or 805-690-5126.
Learn more about Goleta’s Homelessness Strategic Plan at tinyurl.com/GoletaHomelessnessPlan.

Photo: December 2019 Community Open House on Homelessness

New Zoning Ordinance Close to Council Adoption

The City’s New Zoning Ordinance (NZO) is at the finish line. After years of hard work and community input, it will return to City Council for adoption consideration at the February 18, 2020, public hearing. Once adopted, this will be a milestone for Goleta. The NZO will replace the City’s existing zoning regulations, which were inherited from the County at the time of incorporation, in their entirety. The proposed NZO provides rules and regulations for land use and development on private property within the city. The purpose of the New Zoning Ordinance is to implement the General Plan and to protect and promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare. More information about the project can be found at www.GoletaZoning.com.

The City is Looking for New Board and Commission Members

Are you looking for a new way to get involved in your community? The City of Goleta is looking for a variety of people to serve on three of our Boards and Commissions: Design Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County. Two current Councilmembers served on City Commissions before running for Council. This is a great opportunity for those that want to put their skills to good use, for those interested in making a difference in Goleta, and for those who want to be move involved with the City.

Applications for all open Boards and Commissions may be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/goletaboards-commissions. Additional information can be provided by emailing cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org. The deadline to apply is January 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Community members with an eye for design may be interested in applying for the Design Review Board (DRB). This seven-member body encourages development that uses the best professional design practices to enhance the visual aesthetics of the community and prevent poor quality of design. Vacancies are for two (2) Professionally Licensed Landscape Architects or Landscape Contractors, one (1) Licensed Architect, and one (1) At-large Member (must reside within City Limits). Members are appointed to a three-year term. The DRB meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the position is compensated $50 per meeting.

Residents who spend time in the City’s parks and open space may be interested in our Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta.  There are two vacancies: one (1) Student Commissioner (age 15 or older) and one (1) Commissioner; applicants must reside within City limits. The Parks and Recreation Commission meets every two months on the first Wednesday of every even month. The Parks and Recreation Commission members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting.  The Student Commissioner may choose to waive his/her compensation and receive community service credit instead.

The Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County consists of eight members, five of which are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and three of which are appointed by the City Councils of the member cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara according to the provisions of the “Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Law” under the California Health and Safety Code Section 2022.

The City of Goleta is currently accepting applications from residents who are interested in serving on this Board. The District’s Board of Trustees meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. to discuss District business and authorize fiscal and operational activity. More information is available at http://www.mvmdistrict.com/governance.html.

The City of Goleta encourages resident involvement through participation on a variety of Boards and Commissions. Through your engagement, you have a way to contribute to the quality of life in the community you live, work or play.

How to Drive Safely Through a Dark Traffic Signal

Traffic signals may not be working correctly during a power outage, including a planned public safety power shutoff (PSPS), and the City of Goleta wants to make sure all residents know what to do. If you come across a traffic signal with no lights, drive carefully and treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Here is a reminder of how to proceed:

  • Yield to any vehicle that is already in the intersection or arrives before you do
  • If two cars arrive at the same time, the car on the right has the right-of-way
  • Always yield to pedestrians
  • Do not be too cautious or aggressive
  • Stay calm

Watch this video by the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department for more information on how to travel safely through an uncontrolled intersection.

Thank You Public Works Department

The City of Goleta Public Works Maintenance Crew is always hard at work, but especially when there is a fire and/or rainstorm in our area. This hardworking team of eight are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep our streets and infrastructure safe. During the Cave Fire and following storm, they assisted with placing barricades in evacuated areas and pre-positioned barricades in flood prone areas. They checked storm drains and monitored the situation day and night. They also stocked the three sandbag stations in Goleta with new, more environmentally friendly burlap bags. This is in addition to their regular workload of maintaining the City’s parks and open spaces, filling potholes, taking care of overgrown foliage, and more. A heartfelt thank you to Goleta Public Works for all you do!

Photo: Public Works Maintenance Crew

Goleta’s Holiday Tradition Continues in Old Town

Thank you to everyone who came to Old Town Goleta for the 4th Annual Old Town Christmas Parade. Goleta Mayor and City Council members rode the parade route once again in a festive MTD electric shuttle. Thank you to MTD General Manager Jerry Estrada for generously providing the shuttle to the City. The City’s Public Works Department was also was in the holiday spirit and drove the parade route in style. Thank you to everyone who cheered us on! We are already looking forward to next year’s parade!

Photo: City of Goleta Public Works Department parade entry

Planning Manager Anne Wells Reaches 15 Years at City of Goleta

The City of Goleta is fortunate to have had the talent and dedication of Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells for 15 years now.  At the December 3, 2019, City Council meeting, Anne received her 15-year pin and volumes of praise from Planning & Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof, Mayor Paula Perotte, and City Councilmembers who thanked her for her hard work and impact over the years.  Anne said, “It has been my honor to serve this community and to work with a really exceptional staff at City Hall.  I thank you for this opportunity.”  

Congratulations Anne, and thank you for all you do to make Goleta a great place to live, work, and play!

Pictured left to right: Planning & Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof, Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells, Mayor Paula Perotte

Goleta City Manager Michelle Celebrates 15 Years with the City

Congratulations to our City Manager, Michelle Greene, who recently celebrated her 15-year anniversary with the City of Goleta. Michelle Greene, a Goleta resident herself, has been the City Manager for five and a half years. She started with the City in 2004, just two years after incorporation. She served as Administrative Services Director and Deputy City Manager before being appointed to City Manager. Her career in public service has also included time in the cities of Grover Beach, Escalon, and Manhattan Beach.

Michelle said her time in Goleta has flown by and has been incredibly meaningful. She said, “It has been an honor to serve the City of Goleta over the past 15 years. The community, City Council, and City staff make the City a wonderful place to work. Helping the organization mature as a brand-new city has been a fascinating and rewarding journey, and I can’t wait to see what Goleta can achieve over the next 15 years!”

Mayor Paula Perotte said the City has benefited from having a City Manager with Michelle’s calm demeanor and pleasant leadership style. She said, “I want to spotlight Michelle’s ability and willingness to listen to five energetic and sometimes determined “bosses” all at once, the Mayor and four council members. I am grateful that she takes the time to keep all of us working together with her and her staff for the betterment of Goleta.”

Thank you Michelle for all you have done for Goleta!

Congratulations to Goleta’s Finest

The City of Goleta is fortunate to historically have people who step up with their talent and time to help make Goleta the Goodland.  Every year, the Goleta Chamber of Commerce recognizes the best of the best at the Goleta’s Finest Community Awards.  This year, former Goleta Mayor Michael T. Bennett was honored with the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award.  The City wants to congratulate each recipient and say thank you. The 2019 recipients are:

  • Man of the Year:Peter Brown
  • Woman of the Year: Kathy O’dell
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael T. Bennett
  • Large Business of the Year: Community West Bank
  • Small Business of the Year: Anna’s Bakery
  • Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael Craig
  • Volunteer of the Year: Dacia Harwood
  • Student of the Year: Kathy Ramirez-Gijon
  • Educator of the Year: Carolyn Ross
  • Non-Profit of the Year: Girsh Park
  • Innovation Award: The AlloSphere Research Facility
  • Public Servant of the Year: Riley the Rescue Dog & Fire Captain Eric Gray

Thank you for the Goleta Chamber of Commerce for putting on this thoughtful event every year.

Photo: Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Michael T. Bennett