Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Thank You to Our Amazing Public Works Department

May 17-23, 2020, is National Public Works Week and a great opportunity to thank our talented Public Works Department. This group of 25 dedicated employees are responsible for the City’s infrastructure, parks and open spaces, street maintenance, storm water management, solid waste and environmental services, and engineering. Learn more about each division here, and watch this video where Public Works Director and City Engineer Charlie Ebeling gives an overview of the department.

The City of Goleta’s Public Works department works hard year-round to improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Goleta. Every time you travel on a city street, take a stroll on the sidewalk, or spend some time at one of the many parks and opens spaces in our City, you are surrounded by the services provided by the Public Works department.  From constructing, cleaning, repairing, and maintaining city streets and sidewalks to creating and maintaining the parks and open spaces, Public Works is all around you.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Public Works department has kept up the highest level of service while many have transferred to working remote. The Maintenance Crew is continuing their essential work in the community. In doing so, the Public Works Department has implemented a number of safety precautions for the protection and the safety of its Maintenance Crew and the community.

City of Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “Public Safety includes operating and maintaining public infrastructure and facilities such as roadways, bridges, traffic signals, storm drain systems and many other public facilities. Public Works staff is grateful for the opportunity to provide these types of services to the Public and we take pride in the positive impacts Public Works has when the City’s infrastructure operates in a safe and efficient manner for the Public.”

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.

Thank you, Public Works Department, for all you do for the community and adjusting in order to continue serving the community in these uncertain times.

Caltrans Seeking Public Comment Regarding Two Separate Bridge Replacement Projects

Caltrans is requesting feedback on two project which impact the City of Goleta. The public comment period is open regarding the environmental documents for two separate Caltrans Bridge Replacement Projects.  The first project location is on Highway 217 crossing over San Jose Creek and the second project location is on Highway 101 crossing over San Jose Creek.  The bridge projects are in the vicinity, and will be coordinated with, the City of Goleta’s CIP Project No. 9006 San Jose Creek Bike Path Project.

Caltrans is requesting feedback for both of these bridge projects, comments are due by May 27, 2020.  There will be no public meetings due to the COVID-19 Stay at Home order.  Website links to both projects are listed below and residents are encouraged to visit the websites for detailed project information.

State Route 217 San Jose Creek Bridge Replacement Project

The project would replace the existing State Route 217 bridge over San Jose Creek with a wider one that would provide standard lane and shoulder widths and a standard 10-foot-wide separated bicycle and pedestrian path on the northbound side (Atascadero Creek Trail).

Learn more about the project and view the Initial Study with a Proposed Mitigative Negative Declaration here.

San Jose Creek Bridge Replacement on US Route 101

The project will replace the existing northbound and southbound San Jose Creek bridges on U.S. 101 with a new single-span bridge.  

Learn more about the project and view the Initial Study with a Proposed Negative Declaration and Environmental Assessment here.

Again, responses for both locations are due by May 27, 2020. Written comments can be submitted 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.

More information on Caltrans District 5 is available at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5.

Old Town Sidewalk Project Wraps-Up Phase One

The City of Goleta is pleased to report that the Old Town Sidewalk Improvement Project is wrapping up the first of five phases of construction with the sidewalk completion of the blocks of Orange and Magnolia Avenues north of Mandarin and Armitos Avenues. The sidewalks, curb, and gutter have been installed and residents are already using them in this current time of stay at home orders.

The final paving work and construction of the angled parking area was just completed for Magnolia Avenue. This will add much desired and needed parking for Old Town. The final grinding and paving on Orange and Armitos Avenues will be done at the end of overall construction for seamless pavement.

The next phase (Phase 2) is anticipated to be a staggered start. Work recently began on S. Fairview Avenue, and work on the block of Aguila Avenue is anticipated to start once soils are dry and the base paving is completed on Armitos Avenue. Work on Mandarin Avenue between Orange and Magnolia Avenues is anticipated to start next week. Construction for Phase 2 is anticipated to take 4-6 weeks before beginning Phase 3.

We continue to ask for your patience in dealing with the closed streets, construction noise, and disruptions to your lives while we bring you these much needed safety improvements. We are thankful to have Filippin Engineering performing the construction management and inspection, and to Toro Enterprises performing the construction work. Through the current process the teams have revised their health and safety protocols to implement safer work practices. These new practices allow the City and teams to continue to bring our community the much needed sidewalk safety improvements while keeping the community and the contractors safe during this pandemic.

We will continue to provide updates on the project at tinyurl.com/GoletaOTSW, including an estimated schedule of work for the current and future phases. Please feel free to email sidewalks@cityofgoleta.org, or call the Construction Manager at 805.450.7949, with any questions you may have.

Thank you again for your continued patience during our construction activities.

Ways to Volunteer

Goleta is a caring community, and there has never been a time that we need each more than now. Check on your neighbors, specifically the most vulnerable, to see if they need help. You may be able to pick up groceries for them or set them up with technology. Please remember to follow social distancing guidelines. You can also keep in touch with family and friends through text messages and video chat.

The County of Santa Barbara is in search of community members who would like to utilize their wisdom and talents by volunteering for various COVID-19 related projects. Volunteer assignments will be based on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of each individual volunteer and may include supporting emergency shelters, food distribution call centers, alternative care sites or other emerging needs. 

Community members interested in volunteering can sign up by completing the Volunteer Registration Form found on the Santa Barbara County Public Health portal and emailing the completed form to EOCLogistics@santabarbaraca.gov or by contacting the Santa Barbara City CERT Spontaneous Volunteer Center, Monday through Friday from 10am – 2pm @ (805) 564-5780 to sign-up over the telephone.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations are also being accepted. Learn more here: https://publichealthsbc.org/volunteering-and-donations/.

Additional volunteer opportunities available in Goleta include:

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is working to ensure the nutritional health of all residents of Santa Barbara County as our community battles COVID-19. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available, including:

  • Help assemble pre-packed bags of food to be distributed to our community.
  • Help manage and receive disaster related inquiries from community members by phone. Bilingual volunteers are preferred.
  • Pick up donated food and bread from local grocery stores. 
  • Assist with the packing and distribution of food at our new SAFE Food Net distribution sites.
  • Able and willing to make face masks at home and drop them off at warehouse locations. Masks should meet CDC requirements and be in a plastic bag when dropped off.

Learn more and create a volunteer account at https://foodbanksbc.org/give-help/volunteer/.

United Boys & Girls Clubs
United Boys and Girls Clubs are a Food Bank Distribution site during this time. They could use volunteers to help bag canned goods. The Goleta location (5701 Hollister Ave) has two shifts: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

If you can help, please contact Tina Ballue at tballue@unitedbg.org or Kate Newbury at knewbury@foodbanksbc.org.

Bucket Brigade

Donate blood
Urgent shortage: donors needed. If you are healthy and able please consider donating blood now. As this disease continues to spread there will be significantly less people able to donate.

Statewide Opportunities
California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new website (https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/) where Californians can sign up to lend a helping hand during the pandemic through organizations like Red Cross, United Way and the California Food Banks Association. Other opportunities to volunteer include tutoring, fielding 211 calls, making face coverings, volunteering at shelters, calling to check in on seniors, translating and helping with tax prep.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month falls at a time when many of us can use some extra support. The stress and anxiety of COVID-19 has put a new kind of pressure on us. It’s more important than ever that we take care of our emotional well-being during this time. If you or someone you know needs help, Santa Barbara County’s Behavioral Wellness has services that can help and a 24 hour hotline: 888-868-1649.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has put together the following strategies for coping with isolation:

  • Practicing mindfulness and relaxation exercises
  • Stay connected by phone and electronically
  • Keep current connections strong
  • Stay informed through reliable sources
  • Limit your screen time
  • Eat healthy and drink plenty of water
  • Call elderly and house-bound friends and neighbors to see how they are feeling. Bring them meals and special treats, being mindful of their vulnerability and susceptibility.
  • Play board games with your kids
  • Read to your children and have them read to you
  • Take on a home project, paint that wall that you have been thinking about
  • Work in the garden
  • Have push-up contests or do yoga together
  • Make special meals and involve the whole family, eat healthy!
  • Order in meals from favorite restaurants that you don’t think normally do takeout
  • Get outside – go for walks, runs, and hikes (maintain social distancing)
  • Assign someone at work as your Morale Officer to focus on your team’s wellness

Learn more at https://publichealthsbc.org/emotional-wellness/.

Keep Sending us Your #GoodLandGoodPeople Photos

Thank you to everyone who has sent us photos for our #GoodLandGoodPeople campaign! We have received so many fantastic pictures of all the great things people are doing to help one another and stay sane during the COVID-19 pandemic and Stay at Home order. Please continue to 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 the great photos we have already shared and to see what’s next. Feel free to share your photos on your social media accounts as well and use the hashtag #GoodLandGoodPeople.

Thanks for helping us spread some happiness and humor to keep us all going! 

Support Goleta To Go Campaign with Photos

The City of Goleta is receiving a great response to our newly launched Goleta to Go campaign. The goal is to rally support for our local restaurants during this COVID-19 crisis and Stay at Home Order by encouraging locals to order takeout or delivery from the more than 70 Goleta restaurants listed on our website. The City is taking this campaign a step further by asking community members to take a photo of themselves or their family getting takeout or delivery from a Goleta restaurant and sending it to us with a mention of their favorite menu item.  We will share the post on our Facebook (@CityofGoleta) and Instagram (@cityofgoleta) accounts. 

Please send your photo and short caption to PIO@cityofgoleta.org and be sure and use the hashtag #GoletaToGo.  While it may be tempting to just show photos of the delicious food you are ordering, we would prefer photos of people in them as well! 

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said “During this COVID-19 crisis our local restaurants are so grateful for all the support they receive whenever possible. And eating out, whether at your favorite restaurant or trying a new one, can also help provide a sense of normalcy.” 

We are continually updating our Goleta to Go list of restaurants open for takeout or delivery on our website at www.CityofGoleta.org/COVID19. If you see any restaurants located within the City of Goleta not listed, please email us at PIO@cityofgoleta.org and we will make sure and add them!

Restaurants (including coffee shops, breweries, and wineries) currently open for take-out or delivery in Goleta:

  • Alphie’s Restaurant
  • Altimirano’s Mexican Grill
  • Anna’s Bakery
  • Beachside Bar- Café
  • Ca’ Dario Cucina Italiana
  • Cajun Kitchen
  • California Coast Naturals
  • CalTaco
  • Captain Fatty’s Brewery
  • Chili’s
  • China King
  • Chipotle
  • Choppa Poke
  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
  • Country Meat Market & Catering
  • Cristino’s Bakery
  • Dave’s Dogs Grill
  • Domingo’s Café
  • Draughtsman Aleworks
  • El Sitio Restaurant
  • French Press
  • Goleta Red Distilling Co.
  • Goleta Sushi House
  • The Habit Burger Grill
  • Hollister Brewing Co.
  • Home Plate Grill
  • Itsuki
  • Jane
  • Jersey Mikes
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken
  • Kyle’s Kitchen
  • La Hacienda
  • L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
  • Lemon & Coriander
  • Los Agaves
  • Los Arroyos
  • Masala Spice
  • M. Special Brewing Company
  • McDonald’s
  • Meun Fan Thai Cafe
  • Natural Cafe
  • Neighbor Tim’s BBQ
  • Nikka Ramen
  • Noodle City
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes
  • Nugget Bar & Grill
  • Old Town Coffee
  • On the Alley
  • Panda Express
  • PANINO
  • Pattaya
  • Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant
  • Phamous Café
  • Pho Bistro
  • Pickles & Swiss
  • Pollofino
  • Rusty’s Pizza
  • Saigon Noodle House
  • SAMsARA Wine Co
  • Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch
  • South Coast Deli
  • Spudnuts Donuts
  • Starbucks (Albertsons location)
  • Subway
  • Sushi-Ai
  • Sushi Teri
  • Taco Bell
  • Three Pickles Deli
  • Woodstock’s Pizza
  • Yogurtland
  • Zizzo’s Coffee
  • Zodo’s

For a list of Santa Barbara County restaurants open for business go to Noozhawk or The Restaurant Guy. You can also view the Santa Barbara News-Press COVID-19 restaurant guide here. KEYT has an online directory of all businesses still open, click here to search it. 

Thank you for helping to support local restaurants!  We can’t wait to see your photos!

Updates Approved to City’s Urgency Ordinance on Evictions

The City of Goleta is doing what it can to help protect residents and businesses who are suffering financial hardships due to COVID-19. At its April 21, 2020, virtual City Council meeting, Council approved an urgency ordinance to further refine the City’s previous orders against residential and commercial evictions. Of note is the increase of the repayment period from 6 months to 12 months for residential tenancies. It also prevents landlords from imposing penalties, interest, and late fees to deferred rental payments on both residential and commercial evictions. The ordinance consolidates all of the City’s previous orders into one place.

The ordinance goes a step further by protecting residents from residential and commercial foreclosures. A mortgagee would be prohibited from foreclosing upon a mortgagor who cannot make a mortgage payment due to lost income caused by COVID-19 and sets the parameters of repayment to be 6 months after the local emergency is over. 

Also, as a way to provide some financial relief to businesses, the City Council approved the deferral of business license fees until 60 days after the local emergency is lifted.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The City wants to do what we can, where we can, to help residents and businesses who due to circumstances beyond their control have been dealt a devastating financial blow.” 

Face Coverings Required at Essential Businesses

The City of Goleta requires face coverings be worn by both employees and patrons at restaurants, essential businesses, and all businesses allowed to reopen. The City passed a resolution at the May 5 City Council meeting. Face coverings include any fabric coverings, such as cloth masks, scarves and bandanas that cover the nose and mouth. This resolution is effective immediately.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Wearing a face covering is one of the key steps necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The relatively minor sacrifice is worth it if it saves lives and accelerates our economic recovery.”

The resolution requires essential businesses to prohibit the entry of any person not wearing a face covering and encourages businesses to sell face covers to patrons who do not have one. Workers are required to wash or sanitize their reusable face covering at least once a day and to discard any single use face coverings in a trash receptacle. All essential businesses must provide the face coverings for their workers and ensure access to clean, sanitary restrooms and the necessary cleansing products to observe hand sanitation as recommended and required by Santa Barbara County Health Orders. The City will utilize public education efforts to obtain voluntary compliance. The intent of this resolution is not to be punitive but to serve as a protective measure for workers, patrons, and the larger community. Essential businesses that do not adhere to this resolution after the City has tried to work with them may be subject to immediate business license suspension and mandatory closure for the duration of the resolution.  To learn more about the resolution please go to the full staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/y7jyq6fm.

This requirement for a face cover is applicable to all essential businesses and businesses that are allowed to be open in the future. A current list can be found in Public Health Officer Order 2020-8 (https://tinyurl.com/ydcjq6tn), but this is subject to change.

Prior to this resolution, the Goleta Chamber of Commerce partnered with local companies and the City of Goleta to launch Masks4Biz and provide the frontline staff of Goleta businesses with standard paper masks. With this community initiative, the Chamber hopes to support the health of essential workers, flatten the curve, and reduce the spread of COVID-19. The goal of Masks4Biz is to gift Goleta businesses with their first round of masks in recognition of their community dedication, and offer to help procure additional masks if needed. Visit the Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Resource page for more info.

Face coverings and other safety measures are also required by the City of Goleta at construction sites to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include: (1) handwashing facilities or hand sanitizer at entrances to construction projects; (2) shared tools and equipment shall be regularly sanitized; (3) signage shall be posted at entrances to construction projects or common areas where work is occurring instructing workers of social distancing  and sanitation requirements; (4) face coverings shall be worn by all persons present at the construction site; (5) workers shall not gather in groups larger than three during breaks and shall maintain a six-foot distance; (6) high risk areas shall be identified and controlled so social distancing is maintained; and (7) interactions when picking up or delivering equipment or materials shall be minimized to allow social distancing. View the full emergency order here.

Shopping Tips from the California Grocers Association

We owe a debt of gratitude to our dedicated grocery workers who are working extra hours, away from their families to ensure our grocery stores are stocked and we have what we need.  

Widespread uncertainty has caused consumers to buy more than they need during this naturally stressful time.  But Californians can be confident that grocery stores will remain open and that food and essential supplies remain plentiful.

Buy Smart. Don’t Overfill Your Cart.

Next time you go shopping please buy only what you need for a week. There is no need to over buy. This will help stores catch up with the increased demand.

Here are tips to help ensure a safe shopping experience for everyone:

  1. Only visit the grocery store when it’s essential, and then buy only what you need for one week, or a little more.  Be creative with what you have on hand before going to the store and don’t overbuy. There is enough for all if we keep shopping patterns normal.
  2. Wash or disinfect your re-usable grocery bags after each use. For your safety, some grocers ask that you bag your groceries if using reusable bags, while others have decided to temporarily not allow reusable bags to be brought into their stores.
  3. Help reduce store crowding. Don’t bring extra people on your visit to the store if at all possible.
  4. Practice social distancing within the store. The CDC guideline is 6-feet – the safe distance to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. An average grocery cart is 3-feet long, so keep a distance of two grocery carts between you and others.
  5. Inspect produce with your eyes, not your hands. To avoid unnecessary handling of fruits and vegetables use a produce bag to make your selection.
  6. Avoid unnecessary handling of all items in store. Try not to pick up cans or boxes or other products unless you plan to buy. Let your eyes guide your choice.
  7. Don’t crowd the checkstand.
    • Keep your distance from the person in front of you. As a courtesy, some grocers have marked the floors in and around the checkout area to assist you in keeping a safe distance.
    • Wait until the customer in front of you has finished collecting their groceries before unloading your groceries at the checkstand.
  8. Treat grocery employees with kindness. They are working hard to provide everyone with safe access to the food and supplies they need. Be patient as they go about their work including additional cleaning protocols and consider acknowledging them with a big “thank you”.
  9. Be aware of your store’s special hours or procedures. Many grocers are offering special shopping hours exclusively for seniors or other vulnerable populations. Check out your store’s website or call in advance.
  10. Allow for extra time. Some stores are queuing customers outside their main entrance to reduce crowding within the store.

Learn more at https://enoughforallca.com/.