Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

#VaccinateGoleta Update

If you have not yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to do so.  As of July 1, 2021, 67% of eligible Santa Barbara County residents are vaccinated and 58.7% are fully vaccinated. Please do your part and get vaccinated to better protect the entire community.

It’s even more important to get vaccinated given new cases of the Delta variant that have been found in Santa Barbara County. The Delta variant is labeled as a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is known to have increased transmissibility.

“These [Delta variant] cases serve as a reminder that even as our progress continues towards the end, our community is still in a pandemic, shared Van Do-Reynoso, County Public Health Director. “We have a tried and true method of preventing severe illness and hospitalization from the COVID-19 Delta variant, and that is getting vaccinated.  If you are eligible and have not yet been vaccinated, we urge you to get your first shot as soon as possible.”

Everyone ages 12+ years of age is eligible (minors are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine). For information on walk-in Community Vaccination Clinics, or how to make an appointment at a local pharmacy, please visit https://publichealthsbc.org/vaccine/.

If you haven’t already, watch this short video from the Goleta City Council on the importance of getting vaccinated. #VaccinateGoleta

Goleta Train Depot Design Review Board Input on July 13

The Goleta Design Review Board will conduct an Advisory review and offer comments on design-related issues for the Goleta Train Depot project located at 27 South La Patera Lane. The Design Review Board (DRB) Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, July 13 at 3:00 p.m. A link to participate will be available in the agenda within 72 hours of the meeting; the agenda can be accessed on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. View the Notice of Public Hearing here.

Project Description (City request for DRB Advisory Input):

This is a request for Advisory review. This is a City of Goleta project which does not require formal review or approval by the DRB. However, this is an important Gateway project for the community and City staff is interested in soliciting DRB’s input for a third time.

The property includes an existing 39,800-square foot warehouse structure with an associated parking lot, outdoor storage area, and vehicle yard on an approximately 2.5-acre parcel. The existing warehouse structure covers approximately 50 percent of the overall site and is situated in the middle of the northern middle side of the project site. The City is replacing the existing warehouse structure, built in 1967, with a new approximately 9,000 square foot Goleta Train Depot structure.

The project would involve demolition of the existing warehouse structure and construction of a new train depot building. Other components of the project include a parking lot and a passenger drop-off area, outdoor waiting areas, bike storage, signage, outdoor lighting, and landscaping.

After demolition, a new Goleta Train Depot (“GTD”) building and required associated amenities for the Depot would be constructed. These amenities would be located both within the project site as well as within the City-owned right-of-way adjacent to and leading to the site. The proposed Depot structure would provide a permanent, enclosed, and safe structure for Amtrak passengers to use as they wait to board or after they disembark from trains.

Environmental Review (In-process):

The City will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and circulate this document for public review, and the City Council will review all aspects of the project including the adequacy of the proposed EIR at the time the first action is taken on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project. Staff is requesting input on the design concept at this stage (35% conceptual drawings) in the project review process.

Additional Information:

Please contact Jaime Valdez, Goleta Train Depot Project Manager, at (805) 961-7568, or via email at jvaldez@cityofgoleta.org for more information on this project. Comments on this project may be emailed to the project planner by 5:00 p.m. the day before the hearing date.

Learn more about the Goleta Train Depot project at www.tinyurl.com/GoletaTrainDepot.


Pictured: Goleta Train Depot rendering

Help Us Draw Goleta on August 2nd for District Elections

Mark your calendars for the City’s next in-person District Elections workshop on Monday, August 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B). This third and final workshop will also serve as the first of four official public hearings as required by state law.

With district elections, the City of Goleta will be divided into four districts, and voters in each district will elect a City Council member who lives in their own district. The mayor will continue to be elected by voters across Goleta. Public input is a critical part of the process to draw the initial district lines. We encourage you to be a part of this special civic engagement experience and help literally shape the future of Goleta during this historic process.

The City of Goleta hosted its first in-person workshop since the onset of pandemic restrictions on June 26 at the Goleta Union School District Boardroom at 401 N. Fairview Avenue. More than 30 people turned out to learn about the City’s move to district elections and ask questions. The workshop educated the public on the process, showcased the demographics of the City, and demonstrated how to use the paper and online mapping tools to help equip community members to draw their own proposed boundaries. A recording of the June 26 meeting is available to watch here.

Another way the community can participate is by visiting the City’s district elections website, www.DrawGoleta.org, where you can learn more about the process, view a Story Map that provides interesting demographic and geographic information about Goleta, see upcoming hearing dates and deadlines, and draw and submit your own district boundary map using various paper and online tools.

Regardless of whether you choose to submit a map, we also want to hear from you on what communities of interest might exist within Goleta. A community of interest is a group of people with common interests who live close together and would benefit from being kept together in a single district. If you know of a community of interest, please email it to Goleta City Clerk Deborah Lopez at dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

For additional questions, contact cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org or call 805-961-7505.

Thank you for your interest and participation. See you on August 2nd!

Pictured: Synergy Computing, Inc CEO Scott Phillips, City of Goleta Deputy City Clerk Liana Campos, National Demographics Corporation Consultant Daniel Phillips, City of Goleta Clerk Deborah Lopez, and National Demographics Corporation Consultant Justin Levitt pose for photo outside of the GUSD boardroom following the District Elections Workshop

 

Free Crisis Counseling for Parents & Caregivers

It’s not easy being a parent or caregiver, especially during these challenging times. That’s why United Parents is offering FREE Crisis Counseling sessions to the people who are caring for the next generation. United Parents/CalHope is a non-profit organization funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and run by California Department of Health Care Services. The goal is to assist individuals, families, and communities recovering from the effects of COVID-19. To do this, the group provides free emotional and crisis support sessions for up to six contacts by phone, videoconferencing, smart device and/or computer chat. Along with emotional support, resources and support group sessions are also offered. If you are a parent or caregiver in need of support, please call (888) 384-1120 Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. There are also support groups via Zoom every Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. (English) and Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (Spanish).

Tips to Manage Stress:

  • Take a break from the news if it’s causing you to feel overwhelmed.
  • Maintain social contact by phone, text, or email with those who support you.
  • Treat your body kindly: eat healthy foods, avoid excessive alcohol, and exercise as you are able.
  • Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.

For more information visit https://www.calhope.org/.

Goleta City Grants Awarded

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021-2022 City Grant Program funding. Since 2014, the City Council has authorized up to $100,000 annually for grant funding. This year, the City granted $89,500 to 29 nonprofits allocated an additional $11,500 to spend on events taking place throughout the year that were not planned at the time of the grant application period. The City included funding for the Juneteenth Santa Barbara event, Food From The Heart, Goleta Education Foundation, Isla Vista Youth Projects, and many other worthy organizations.

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. The Committee kept last year’s focus on essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic 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 Goleta City Grant applications and is composed of Mayor Paula Perotte and Mayor Pro Tempore James Kyriaco as well as two Goleta citizens. This year the citizen advisors are Eileen Monahan and Luz Reyes-Martin. 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: Youth Mental Health Education Program (Mental Health Association in Santa Barbara County)

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief

Do you need help with rent or utilities? You may be eligible for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.

Financial assistance is available from the State of California for income eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have past due rent or utilities, or who need help with upcoming rent or utilities.

Both renters and landlords are encouraged to apply.

Assistance is available for unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020, as well as for future rent.

Assistance is also available for unpaid utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, or for future utility payments, which will both be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months, and paid directly to the utility provider.

Assistance from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program does not count as earned income and will not affect eligibility for any other state benefit assistance programs. All applicant information is kept private and will not be shared. Income eligible applicants may qualify regardless of immigration status and will not be required to show proof of citizenship.

How do I apply?

To check eligibility and apply, visit HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122.

For in-language assistance, to get help with eligibility requirements or filling out an application, schedule an appointment with a local organization near you by calling 833-687-0967.

Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Records

The California Department of Public Health and California Department of Technology announced a new Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record for Californians, available at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov. The tool is a convenient option for Californians who received a COVID-19 vaccination to access their record from the state’s immunization registry systems.

“While CDPH recommends that vaccinated Californians keep their paper CDC card in a safe and secure place, we recognize that some people might prefer an electronic version,” said California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan. “And if one of the state’s nearly 20 million vaccinated Californians misplaces their paper card, the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record provides a convenient backup.”

California’s Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record follows national standards for security and privacy, is built by the state, and provides Californians a way to view and save their vaccine record.

The Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record is easy to use: a person enters their name, date of birth, and an email or mobile phone number associated with their vaccine record. After creating a 4-digit PIN, the user receives a link to their vaccine record that will open upon re-entry of the PIN.

The record shows the same information as the paper CDC vaccine card: name, date of birth, date of vaccinations, and vaccine manufacturer. It also includes a QR code that makes these same details readable by a QR scanner. Once the digital record is received, individuals are encouraged to screenshot the information and save it to their phone files or camera roll.

For more information about the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, visit covid19.ca.gov. Californians can correct or update their immunization record at cdph.ca.gov/covidvaccinerecord.

When Do You Need Your Mask?

California may be fully open, but face coverings are still required in some settings per CDC guidelines. Please read the full masking guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

Everyone Must Wear a Mask on Public Transportation and in Other Limited Settings
Everyone must wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose on public transportation (airports, planes, trains, buses, stations, etc.). Masks are also required for everyone working/attending/living in healthcare settings (including long term care facilities), k-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings, state and local correctional facilities and detention centers, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers.

Fully Vaccinated1 People May Go Unmasked in Most Settings2
Fully vaccinated Californians may go unmasked in most settings, except on public transportation and the places listed above. (Workers must follow Cal/OSHA rules.)

People Who Are NOT Fully Vaccinated…
Must wear masks in all indoor public settings (such as, but not limited to, the grocery store and the movie theatre) and should wear masks in outdoor crowded settings when that region is experiencing high covid transmission.

Businesses and Venues May Ask for Vaccination Status and May Also Require Masks
Businesses, venue operators or hosts may require all patrons to wear masks, or may implement vaccine verification (which can include self-attestation of vaccination status). (Doing so would not violate HIPAA rules.)

People Cannot Be Denied Service for Wearing a Mask No business or venue may deny service to a person who chooses to wear a mask.

Some People Are Exempt from Mask Wearing
Children younger than two years old and people with certain medical conditions are not required to wear a mask. Please read our full masking guidance for more details.

For more information on when to where face coverings, view the California Department of Public Health Face Coverings Q&A here.

1Someone is considered fully vaccinated two weeks or more after their second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or two weeks after receiving the single dose J&J vaccine.

2Local health jurisdictions may impose stricter criteria. In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the CalOSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

California is Open, With Some Restrictions

As of June 15, California retired its Blueprint for a Safer Economy.1 California’s economy is now fully open. Restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters, and most everyday places are operating as normal – with no capacity limits or physical distancing required.2 However, everyone is still required to follow masking guidelines in select settings. Some restrictions also still exist for large events.

Masking is Still Required In Some Settings

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is still required to wear masks on public transportation (buses, trains, planes, etc.) and some other places (like hospitals and shelters)3 per CDC guidelines.

People who are not fully vaccinated must still wear masks in all indoor public settings (such as, but not limited to, the grocery store and the movie theater) and should wear masks in outdoor crowded settings when that region is experiencing high covid transmission.

Fully vaccinated4 people may go unmasked in most settings (except public transportation and places like hospitals and shelters). Workers must follow Cal/OSHA rules.

Read our full masking guidance.

Large Events are Subject to Some Restrictions

Some public health measures are still in place for large, or mega events, which include 5,000+ people indoors or 10,000+ outdoors. Think concerts, sporting events, festivals, and conventions. Mega events are high risk for spreading covid-19 because they attract people from around the world, and people gather in crowds. Indoor mega event attendees will be required to confirm proof of vaccination or negative covid-19 status to attend. Outdoor mega event attendees will be strongly encouraged to do so.

What’s Next

California will keep a close eye on covid-19 vaccination and infection rates over the summer and will review these guidelines by September 1, 2021. Learn more here.

1See the full Beyond the Blueprint guidance. Read the Beyond the Blueprint Q&A.

2Local health jurisdictions may impose stricter criteria. In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the CalOSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

3This includes K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings, healthcare settings (including long term care facilities), state and local correctional facilities and detention centers, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers.

4Someone is considered fully vaccinated two weeks or more after their second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or two weeks after receiving the single dose J&J vaccine.

Fire Chief Video Message to Goleta Community

We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place, but like most California cities, Goleta is susceptible to fires. We want to make sure our community members understand the risks and are prepared. We want to remind everyone to please take time out to watch this important video message we previously shared from Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig to Goleta residents.

Make sure to sign up for alerts from Santa Barbara County at https://readysbc.org/ and City of Goleta information at http://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency.

Pictured: Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig