Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Creek & Watershed Management Plan Now Underway

Work on the City’s Creek and Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) has begun.  Consistent with guidance included in the City’s General Plan Conservation Element, the CWMP will provide a detailed approach for protecting the ecological function and water quality of Goleta’s creeks and watersheds. This foundational document will provide more information about the physical characteristics of the creek corridors and their habitats, identify places where repairs or improvements are warranted, and provide best management practices to keep the creeks vital and healthy.

On June 4, 2019, the City Council approved a contract with Dudek, an environmental planning and engineering firm, with offices throughout California, including Santa Barbara. To date, there has been a kick-off meeting with City staff, an inventory of relevant information has been compiled, and field work is planned. 

Public Outreach is a key component of the CWMP planning efforts.  A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed and public workshops are being planned. Specific outreach details are still evolving, but the City will have a table or booth with more information about the project and participation opportunities at Creek Week events (September 21-28) and the Lemon Festival (September 27 & 28).

Over the next few months, additional CWMP information will be available here on the City’s website. You can also sign up here to receive information on the Creek & Watershed Management Plan sent directly to you via email or text message.

More Energy Options Coming Soon

Community Choice Energy (CCE) is coming to Goleta! On August 20, Goleta City Council voted to join Monterey Bay Community Power, a Community Choice Energy provider serving counties from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. Community Choice Energy enables cities, counties and other authorized entities that aggregate electricity demand within their jurisdictions to purchase and/or generate electricity supplies for those residents and businesses. The day-to-day experience for the customer is the same; the difference being that the energy is purchased through the CCE.

The CCE model puts energy purchasing and pricing options into the hands of local decision-makers and allows the community to determine what type of energy mix serves its needs. This new partnership will make it easier and quicker for residents and businesses to adopt clean energy technologies while providing a competitive rate. Customers have the right to opt out of the CCE program and continue to receive service from the incumbent utility.

Joining a CCE program was a key component to the City of Goleta’s Climate Action Plan (2014) and Strategic Energy Plan (2019), and will help move the City towards its 100% renewable electricity goal and reduce local carbon emissions. Benefits of joining Monterey Bay Community Power include taking advantage of their incentive programs which will be available upon enrollment. These programs currently focus on reducing the cost of electric vehicles, developing renewable energy microgrids, building local solar projects, and increasing energy efficiency in the Central Coast region. Goleta will be enrolled in Monterey Bay Community Power starting in 2021.

Goleta’s decision to join Monterey Bay Community Power followed the County of Santa Barbara’s choice to pursue it as their Community Choice Energy provider on July 16. Other jurisdictions in the region, such as the Cities of Carpinteria, Santa Maria and Guadalupe have joined or are considering joining. Monterey Bay Community Power will likely rebrand to reflect the Central Coast communities.

Learn more about Monterey Bay Community Power here: www.mbcommunitypower.org, and stay tuned for more details. Sign up to receive news on Community Choice Energy and other sustainable topics here.

Adoption of the City’s First New Zoning Ordinance

After months of hard work and public outreach by the City of Goleta’s Planning Department, the City of Goleta is very close to having its first ever New Zoning Ordinance (NZO) adopted by the City Council! Public input began at the beginning of the year when a Revised Draft NZO was released to the public on January 31, 2019. During the spring of 2019, the City hosted nine Planning Commissioner workshops, six open houses and one joint City Council/Planning Commission workshop. Planning Department staff also met with the Design Review Board, City Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners and stakeholders to discuss specific issues and receive feedback. After this outreach effort, staff made revisions to the Revised Draft NZO, culminating in the release of the Public Hearing Draft NZO on August 14, 2019.

The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on September 9, 2019, to consider a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the New Zoning Ordinance. If the resolution is recommended, then the item is taken to City Council for deliberation. This is anticipated to happen before the end of the year. Stay tuned for details and sign up here for updates on the NZO.

The City’s current zoning ordinance was inherited from the County when we incorporated, and does not reflect the City’s General Plan, which governs land use and physical development within the City and establishes policy direction for the City’s growth. The New Zoning Ordinance revises citywide zoning regulations to implement the General Plan, updates development and design standards and permitting procedures, and helps realize the community’s vision for the future – a safe, beautiful, vibrant and livable community with a robust local economy and a sustainable relationship with the environment.

More information is available at www.GoletaZoning.com.

Join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Join the City for an exciting afternoon on October 2, 2019, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m! Everyone is invited to attend the family-friendly ribbon cutting ceremony for the multi-purpose athletic field behind the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) and next to the Boys & Girls Club. There will be activity stations, information booths, and speeches from Mayor Paula Perotte, the Project Team, and stakeholders. View the flyer here.

The City broke ground on this project on June 19, and we can’t wait for people to begin using it! The project includes new turf with gopher mesh for the field, new irrigation, a walking path, and a fitness station. This new recreation space is a great addition for the entire community, the hundreds of children who attend the Goleta Boys & Girls Club each day, and those who use the Goleta Valley Community Center.

If You See Something, Say Something

Lieutenant Brian Thielst of the Goleta Valley Patrol Bureau / Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office has the following message:

As the Chief of Police for the City of Goleta, I would like to communicate an important message to our residents and visitors. These are trying times we live in, and Law Enforcement, through the strong partnership with the community, needs your help in keeping the community safe. As you live your daily lives, stay more alert and if you see something, say something, so we can possibly stop or prevent a violent act before it starts. The more eyes watching and the more alert everyone is, the safer our community will be. Whether you are out at the supermarket or at a community event, if something makes you feel uncomfortable please contact the police department immediately at (805) 683-2724.

Potential for Power Outages

Over the summer, we told you about Southern California Edison’s (SCE) plan to shut off power when high risk weather could potentially start a wildfire. Known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs or PSPS, these outages could lead to 3-5 days without power for Goleta residents and anyone within the SCE service area. In case SCE declares a PSPS and turns off the power this fire season, be prepared at home and talk with your family or roommates about what to do in an emergency. Here are some helpful resources to get you started:

Register for emergency alerts from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) at www.ReadySBC.org. To receive emergency information from the City of Goleta, go to https://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency, text Goleta Emergency to 468311, or call 805-961-7508.

New City Council Meeting Start Times!

Beginning October 1, 2019, Goleta City Council meetings will start at 5:30 p.m., with closed session taking place at 4:00 p.m. It is hoped that later meeting times will allow more people to participate. Meetings will continue to be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. There are several ways to watch a meeting:

  • Come in person to City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B)
  • Live or at any time on the City’s website (https://tinyurl.com/GoletaMeetings)
  • Channel 19 live, or rebroadcast on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to get involved with local government and attend City Council meetings. Check the City Calendar beforehand to confirm the meeting date. Find out ahead of time what is on the agenda – sign up here to receive City Council agendas sent to you via email or text message.

Picnic in the Park Kids Lunch Program

Do you know about Picnic in the Park? It’s Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s free summer lunch program for kids. The program is offered at multiple locations throughout the County for children 18 and under, including Goleta’s Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park (170 S. Kellogg Avenue). Lunch is available Monday – Friday from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. through August 16. In addition to lunch, the program includes activities, games, and nutrition education. Learn more here.

Make Your Own Upcycled Art at a GVCC Workshop

The Goleta Valley Community Center is hosting Upcycle Art Day for families on Thursdays July 11 and August 8 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kids of all ages will be able to create their own upcycled piece of art just by bringing an empty egg carton, cereal box, or can. The GVCC will supply additional materials. The workshops are free and will take place outside by the beautiful new El Corazón de Goleta mural. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Stay for lunch afterward provided by the Santa Barbara Unified School District Mobil Café, free for kids 18 and under and $4.00 for adults. Click here to view the flyer.

It’s Time for the Seventh Annual Goleta Dam Dinner

We look forward to this event every year, and we hope you do too! Goleta’s Annual Dam Dinner is always the Saturday before school begins, so join us on August 17 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam. This casual community event is a great way to meet new people, see old friends, and have a fun-filled evening. The Salt Martians will be back as the musical guest, and Neighbor Tim’s BBQ returns as well as an option to purchase dinner (you can also bring your own food). We encourage everyone to bring a dessert to share. Beer, wine, and our popular Dam Dinner t-shirts will be sold at the event. There will also be activities for kids such as face painting, coloring, and corn hole. Parking is available in the Stow House/South Coast Railroad Museum parking lot or along La Patera Lane.

Please register in advance so we can plan for enough tables and chairs. View the flyer here for more information. Keep in touch by liking us on Facebook (@DamDinner) and use #BestDamDinner.