Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Don’t Let Earthquakes Catch You Off Guard

Did You Know? Most Californians say they are very or somewhat knowledgeable about the steps they can take to prepare for a natural disaster such as an earthquake, yet 60% remain highly concerned about the potential impact of a disaster on their household. To ensure all Californians are prepared, the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently launched the “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” campaign to promote awareness of critical earthquake warning resources available at no-cost through Earthquake Warning California.

Earthquake Warning California’s “Don’t Get Caught Off Guard” campaign is a statewide education effort to help the public learn about earthquake warning tools and resources. Cal OES, in collaboration with the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners from United States Geological Survey (USGS), University of California – Berkeley (UCB), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and California Geological Survey (CGS) launched the nation’s first State Earthquake Early Warning System in October of 2019. The system uses ground motion sensors and sensors in smartphones to detect an earthquake before humans can feel it and issues a ShakeAlert® Message in real time so they can take cover before shaking happens. An earthquake warning can provide additional life-saving seconds for people to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Earthquake Warning California resources include:

  • Information about constructing an emergency plan
  • How to protect yourself and your family before, during and after an earthquake
  • Android Earthquake Alerts developed in partnership with Cal OES and USGS
  • The MyShake App — a smartphone app developed in partnership with Cal OES and UC Berkeley that can provide users with a few seconds of notification that shaking is about to occur
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) — free notifications delivered to cell phones in emergency situations.
  • Information for business sectors to plan for life-saving actions in the event of an alert, such as safely slowing mass transit systems, powering down equipment, or bringing elevators to an emergency stop.
  • Links to the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners for additional technical and system information.

When you receive a warning or feel shaking, you should take protective actions (drop to the ground, cover your head with your arms, and hold onto your neck with both hands) until shaking stops, avoiding doorways and windows.

To learn which resources are available to you and how to react, visit https://earthquake.ca.gov/.

Snap the Shore, See the Future

King Tides are the highest high tides of the year, about a foot or two higher than average high tides, which is what we expect to see during the next few decades. The California King Tides Project (a partnership of state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations) helps us visualize future sea level by observing the highest high tides of today and how those tides interact with our coastal infrastructure, recreation areas, and ecosystems.

You can participate in the California King Tides Project by safely taking photos of the King Tides on November 15-16 and December 13-15 and uploading them to the California King Tides Project website; instructions available here.

Understanding what a King Tide looks like today will help us plan for sea level rise in the future and motivate us to stop burning fossil fuels. Sharing your photos and talking about what you’ve noticed helps others understand that they’re part of a community that cares about climate change.

It’s important that we learn about and communicate the impacts of sea level rise so that we can responsibly manage our coast today and in the future. Sea level rise is caused by increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, which acts like a blanket trapping in heat that would otherwise escape. When we burn fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, or natural gas), we add more carbon dioxide, thickening this blanket and warming the planet’s atmosphere and the ocean. Sea level rises as glaciers and ice sheets melt into the ocean and because water expands in volume as it warms.

The photos you take help document current flood risk, visualize the impacts of future sea level rise, ground-truth climate change models, and serve as a living record of change for future generations. The photos may be used in presentations, exhibitions, websites, and publications; for research and planning; and by students and educators learning about our world.

Learn more about the California King Tides Project at www.coastal.ca.gov/kingtides.

Goleta Green Room: Edible Food Waste and Greenhouse Gas

The City of Goleta’s Environmental Services division would like to share our current plans to help address short-lived climate pollutants (greenhouse gases), comply with new law, and provide tips on how you can help. In 2016 a law called SB1383 was passed as a measure to help reduce methane emissions. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas much more powerful than CO2. When organic waste is sent to the landfill, its degradation emits methane gas and California alone disposed of 27 million tons of organic waste in 2017. As climate change is becoming a prominent topic, organic waste is an area of focus. But what exactly is organic waste, and what can we do about it?

Organic waste, as defined by CalRecycle, is food waste, paper, and landscaping debris/cuttings. Food waste alone accounts for around 18 to 20% of the waste stream in California. That is about 6 million tons of food going to the trash or waste stream every year! Ironically, at the same time food is going to waste, 1 in 8 people and 1 in 5 children in California are food insecure. Is there a way we can recover edible food and help tackle two different problems at once?

At City of Goleta, there are several programs being developed aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. As part of SB1383, the Edible Food Recovery program aims to take edible food that would ordinarily be thrown away and redistributes it to those in need. SB1383 applies to the commercial sector, which means it is encouraging restaurants and businesses to find ways to recycle/donate the leftover edible food that would otherwise go to the landfill. Currently, the City of Goleta is performing an assessment to identify businesses that should participate, potential recipients, program partners, and logistics.

In addition to edible food recovery, the City of Goleta, the County of Santa Barbara, and other jurisdictions are taking action to address non-edible food waste. The Santa Barbara County ReSource Center is a state-of-the art facility currently under construction, which will not only help tackle food waste, but also increase the amount of materials recycled. The Anaerobic Digester at the ReSource Center is planned to begin operation in mid-2021.  Food waste will be deposited, turned into compost, and the methane gas it emits will be converted into energy. There are also food waste bins that can be distributed by the trash hauler in order for participants to better track and dispose of their organic waste.

You can help do your part, too! The County’s website has some great information: Read about tips to reduce the amount of food you and your family waste, and learn how to start a Home Composting program. Also, make sure you know the do’s and don’ts of yard waste and the green bin.  Let’s all do our part to tackle this complex issue together!

Solarize SB Program Extended

If you have ever wanted to go solar and/or add a battery system to your home now may be the time. The Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) 2020 Solarize Santa Barbara program has been extended until November 15th, 2020. During this time, you can get solar coaching from the CEC, work with vetted installers, and access discounted prices. Apply for the program at SolarizeSB.org or call (805) 335-1810 for more information.

Solarize Santa Barbara is open to residents in Southern Santa Barbara County. The program has helped over 800 Central Coast homeowners go solar, working toward a future where 100% of the electricity that powers our homes, businesses, and cars is generated from clean, renewable, and local sources. Learn more about the Community Environmental Council at www.cecsb.org.

Clean Energy Coming to Goleta in 2021: FAQ’s and Survey

Beginning in October 2021, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) will be sourcing electricity from clean and renewable sources on behalf of all electricity customers in the City of Goleta, as well as the communities of Carpinteria and unincorporated Southern Santa Barbara County. Some communities will be enrolling as soon as January 2021.  Even though enrollment is still a year away for Goleta, we want to take time out to help educate community members about what to expect.  See frequently asked questions below and a link to a 3CE Survey in English and Spanish to provide your feedback.

Who is Central Coast Community Energy?

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is a community-owned public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. 3CE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. 3CE serves more than 400,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties.

What is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) was established in 2002 through the California Assembly as an opportunity to give residents and businesses an ability to purchase electricity from local government agencies, and gives local governments the authority to manage energy resources on behalf of their communities and customers. CCAs provide many environmental, social, and economic benefits to California communities. Central to the concept of CCA is local choice. It gives the communities themselves the power to make choices about energy resource portfolios and investments, both within and from outside their local service area. It also empowers communities to reinvest locally with programs that address economic, social, and environmental goals.

How did the City of Goleta decide to participate in 3CE?

The City of Goleta went through a comprehensive and public process to evaluate 3CE (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) as an opportunity to provide choice, local control, competitive rates and access to community reinvestment for our residents and businesses.  The City of Goleta passed the required resolution and conducted two readings of the ordinance in accordance with California Public Utilities Code Section 366.2 to request membership in 3CE as well as codify the City’s participation in the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.

What does this mean for you?

Revenue generated by 3CE stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. That means some of the money you spend on electricity bills will come back to you in the form of economic and environmental benefits for your home or business – and for your own community. Joining 3CE also allows the City of Goleta to support the City Council adopted 100% renewable energy goal by 2030 outlined in the Strategic Energy Plan. 

How does it work?

Central Coast Community Energy replaces your utility’s (SCE) role in deciding how and where your electricity is generated. SCE will continue delivering electricity and maintaining electric infrastructure along with billing. Customers still receive only one bill which now includes Central Coast Community Energy Electric Generation Charges. Account holders may choose to opt-out of 3CE electric generation service at any time. More information will be provided as the City of Goleta gets closer to enrollment.

Electricity customers have always paid for electric generation, but prior to 3CE service these costs were part of your utility’s Bundled Service charges. Now generation charges are broken out on a separate 3CE page for more transparency.

Take the Survey

Central Coast Community Energy would like to get your feedback. Please take the survey in English or Spanish.  

Stay Connected

Learn more at 3CEnergy.org/2021enrollment and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @3Cenergy.

We also encourage all community members to join the 3CE e-newsletter and board meeting notification list here.

Get Rid of Unwanted Bulky Items the Right Way

We know many people are using this time to clean up around their home and get rid of items no longer wanted. If you are trying to discard bulky items such as furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics, tires, and/or trash that doesn’t fit in your bin, then use one of the two free bulky item pick-ups per calendar year provided by MarBorg to residential customers. All you need to do is call in advance to schedule a pick-up at 805-963-1852. You can put the bulky items curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled day, and they will be removed. Click here for more information on the program.

Bulky items can also be dropped off at MarBorg’s Construction and Demolition (C&D) Facility, located at 119 N. Quarintina Street, Santa Barbara, during regular business hours, and they will be recycled for free. For more information on items that can and cannot be dropped off for free, click here.

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Celebrates 50th Birthday

The Goleta City Council issued a proclamation congratulating Peoples’ Self-Help Housing for 50 years of successfully building affordable housing and for the support of our citizens in Santa Barbara County.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I believe this organization is one of our community’s best nonprofits. As just one example of their work, we recently partnered with them to create 70 affordable housing units at the Village at Los Carneros.”

Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) was incorporated on August 6, 1970, and since that time has been serving working families, veterans, seniors, agricultural workers and special needs groups by providing affordable housing with site-based services that offer opportunities to change lives and strengthen communities on California’s central coast.

For the past fifty years, PSHH has developed more than 1,900 affordable rental units throughout San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and through compassionate property management of those neighborhoods brought safety, security and stability to all those who live there. Through their self-help program, PSHH has supported nearly 1,250 owner builders across the region who have worked together and used their ‘sweat equity’ to build wealth for their families and achieve the American dream of home ownership. PSHH have additionally supported those households with financial management opportunities such as homebuyer education, down payment assistance programs and foreclosure prevention counseling.

Through their resident services program, PSSH has supported thousands of individuals with empathetic case management and connection to community health services leading to independent and enriched living. Through its education department, PSSH has provided a bridge from home to school for students in grades K-8, and has provided mentorship for those collegebound and beyond. All of PSHH’s programs and services have continuously improved the quality of life for thousands of Central Coast families and empowered them to lead rewarding and enriched lives.

Learn more about Peoples’ Self-Help Housing at www.pshhc.org.

Pictured: Casas de los Carneros Apartments at the Village at Los Carneros

17 Years of Excellence in Financial Reporting

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce that our Finance Department was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 17th straight year. The award is for our comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The award embodies the City’s goal of demonstrating transparency and disclosure of City funds in our financial reporting so that it is easy to understand how money is received, where money is spent and overall financial position.

Goleta City Manager Michelle Greene said she is proud that our team of financial professionals is consistently able to meet the rigorous standards set by the GFOA. She said, “I am pleased to see the City of Goleta’s Finance Team recognized once again for its steadfast commitment to ensuring clear disclosure in financial reporting. This team understands the importance of breaking down the City’s financial information in an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. Their detailed and thorough work, day in and day out, is impressive and worthy of recognition.”

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. This award recognizes the City’s commitment to financial reporting and proven track record. The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Governments who want to be considered for this award must submit their report within six months of the end of the fiscal year and must satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements. The review process takes another four to six months. Learn more about the Certificate of Achievement award at www.gfoa.org/cafr. The City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report can be found here.

In addition to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Finance Department has a number of responsibilities. Their primary function is to ensure the financial integrity of the City of Goleta by providing superior financial services, maintaining the public trust, and promoting governmental efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. The department is responsible for the maintenance of an effective financial accounting system, which accurately reflects the financial operations of the City and offers a framework for financial planning and analysis. The Finance Department also oversees and handles the investment program for the City and functions as the City’s purchasing department. The primary goal is providing accurate, reliable, and timely financial information for City Council, City Manager, City staff, and outside requests using professional standards.

More information on the City’s Finance Department is available at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/finance.

Long-time Motor Unit Deputy Honored and New Deputy Welcomed

Goleta City Council presented Deputy John DeLeon with a City Tile in appreciation of his 13 plus years of service to the Goleta Motor Unit at the October 20 Council meeting.  Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy DeLeon left his City of Goleta Police Department assignment on September 6, 2020 after being promoted to a Coroner’s Bureau Detective position. 

At the City Council meeting, City of Goleta Director of Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Director Vyto Adomaitis congratulated Deputy DeLeon on his new assignment and expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the important work he has provided to the City of Goleta.  He said, “We are extremely pleased with Deputy John DeLeon’s service to the City in the Motors Unit, his work in the community, with our schools, kids and residents has been excellent for the over 13 years he has been assigned to this unit.   He has helped carry out the high priority of the City Council’s emphasis on traffic safety for our community and he is a great example of the dedicated men and women of the Sheriff’s Office serving the City of Goleta. We will miss John but wish him the very best in his new assignment.”

Following the presentation of the City Tile, the City Council welcomed DeLeon’s replacement on the Goleta Motor Unit, Deputy Matt Dawson, a long-time law enforcement professional and Goleta resident.  Deputy Dawson was born and raised in Santa Barbara County and has lived in the City of Goleta for the past 30 years.  Prior to being hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 2015, Deputy Dawson worked as a California Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer for 15 years.  His most recent assignment was working as a Bailiff for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. 

Goleta City Manager Michelle Greene said Deputy Dawson is a great addition.  She said, “Deputy Dawson brings significant experience and expertise in the area of traffic safety and is invested in our community. We are fortunate to have him on our team of safety professionals.” 

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is contracted to provide law enforcement services to the City of Goleta.

Office of Traffic Safety Awards Two Grants to Goleta

City of Goleta is pleased to announce that we received a $40,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that focuses on the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Our goal is that education will change poor behaviors and make our roads safer,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “This funding will help ensure the safety of those out biking or walking.”

Grant funds will be used for a variety of activities promoting bicyclist and pedestrian safety:

  • Education workshops geared toward youth and older adults.
  • Education on the importance of safety equipment that improves visibility such as reflective armbands, bicycle headlights and taillights.
  • Community walks and bicycle safety courses.
  • Bicycle helmet inspections.
  • Distribution of bicycle helmets to those in need following education presentations.

“We are excited to begin working on programs with this grant money,” said City of Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling. “We will work with the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST) to provide education to the community focusing on school-aged children in the Goleta Union School District. Some of the activities will also include family members and caregivers. Educational programming options being considered include online classroom education, small group, and neighborhood focused in-person activities. Anything in person will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.”

The grant program runs from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The City also received a $78,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to be used by the Goleta Police Department for its efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on Goleta roads.

“These are trying times, and now more than ever, it is important that we are at the forefront of traffic safety,” Sergeant John Maxwell, who leads the Goleta Police Department’s Traffic Unit, said. “This funding allows us to educate and enhance the safety of all residents.”

The one-year grant is for the 2021 federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021.

The grant will fund a variety of traffic safety programs, including:

  • Patrols with emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.
  • Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
  • Patrols with emphasis on education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.
  • Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of primary causes of crashes: excess speed, failure to yield, failure to stop at stop signs/signals, improper turning/lane changes.
  • Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
  • Collaborative efforts with neighboring agencies on traffic safety priorities.
  • Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

“Through education and behavior changes, we hope to create an environment that is safe and equitable for all road users in our community,” Sergeant Maxwell said.

Funding for this program was also provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services.