Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

What is Your Favorite Goleta Business? GoodLandGoodShopping Social Media Spotlights are Back!

Let Us Know and See Who is Featured Each Week on the City’s Social Media

Our GoodLandGoodShopping social media spotlights are back! Every week we will be highlighting a different Goleta business across our platforms. Do you have a favorite store, restaurant, or go-to business that you think deserves recognition? We want to hear from you! Your recommendations will help us highlight their special offerings and the passionate people behind these locally owned businesses. 

To have your favorite business featured, please send an email to PIO@CityofGoleta.org. Include the name of the business, a brief description of why it’s special to you, and any additional details you’d like us to know.

Last year, the #GoodLandGoodShopping campaign featured more than 50 locally owned businesses. We encourage you to scroll through our social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, and X to check out all the great businesses that have been featured so far. 

Looking to discover more local businesses? Check out the City’s GoodLandGoodShopping.com online business directory! With over 900 businesses ranging from boutique stores and family-owned restaurants to professional services and apparel shops, you are bound to find what you need. GoodLandGoodShopping.com is a free, user-friendly resource that includes a map view to see where each business is located, a search feature, and filter options to easily find what you are looking for. Watch our video promo in English or Spanish to find out more.

Businesses located within the City of Goleta with a business license, are automatically included in the GoodLandGoodShopping.com directory for FREE. We encourage all businesses to take a moment and customize your free listing to gain more exposure. You can add your logo, social media links, promotions, photo galleries, and more. City staff will review and approve the listing before it is published. View a short tutorial on how to edit your business or add your business.

Thank you for shopping Goleta and supporting our local economy! 

17 Electric Vehicle Chargers Open at City Hall

Chargers Available 24 Hours a Day for Electric or Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

17 new Level 2 PowerFlex Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations are officially open at Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive) following a special celebration the morning of January 23, 2025. The attendees, which included the entire Goleta City Council, City staff, community partners, project funders, and supportive community members, were super-charged to see the green ribbon cut and a demonstration of how to use the new EV chargers. Watch a recap of the event here.

The EV chargers are open 24 hours a day to the public for any electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle and provide approximately 25 miles of charging per hour. They will be especially convenient for electric City fleet vehicles, those working at or visiting City Hall, nearby office workers, and residents in the area near Los Carneros Road.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Today is truly a momentous occasion. Here we have the largest EV charging project the City has ever undertaken at one of its facilities. It represents years of hard work and shows the City’s dedication to a cleaner and more sustainable future. This installation is what we hope will be one of many clean energy projects at our City facilities.” She added, “Just think, you can come to a Goleta City Council meeting and charge your vehicle.”

2nd District Councilmember James Kyriaco said, “Hundreds of housing units are close to Goleta City Hall consisting of both homeowners and, importantly, apartment renters – people who don’t necessarily have the easiest time having access to steady, reliable charging. Having a centrally located hub of EV chargers makes it more feasible for renters, people who are not always high-income individuals, to be able to have access to more affordable charging options. I look at this as a step towards equity and environmental justice. This is really only the beginning, but it is a big beginning. This is part of a larger strategy to be the greenest community on the South Coast.”

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Chair Laura Capps said, “This also helps the County reach its ambitious goal of 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions below 2018 levels by 2030. The more that we have reliable EV charging stations, it’s going to push people over to become an electric driver like I did 10 years ago. The one thing people don’t tell you is that it is so nice to not go to the gas station – ever. It’s cheaper, better for the planet, and it’s just easier to be an electric driver.”

Sustainability Manager Dana Murray said there are many people to thank for bringing this project to completion. “Thank you to both Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Southern California Edison (SCE) for their grants and rebates to further electric vehicles in our area. I also want to recognize our City Council and other City staff for pushing forward on getting more clean energy and clean, zero emission vehicles and supporting the infrastructure for that transition in our area. In addition, these EV chargers are running on 100% renewable energy from solar and wind – so you can park your clean air vehicle and charge it with clean electricity here at City Hall.”

Natalie Yanez, SCE’s Government Affairs Representative said, “We are so thankful to have jurisdictions like the City of Goleta partner with us though our Charge Ready Program to bring charging infrastructure to our local communities.”

Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director of Santa Barbara County APCD, said, “Transportation emissions account for a significant amount of air pollution in our County, electric is the way to go to reduce ozone forming emissions as well as greenhouse gases. You may have heard that California has a goal by the year 2035 to go completely zero emission for all passenger cars. So, we need to get a hustle on expanding the amount of infrastructure we have in our County so that it is feasible for those, once they have it, to properly charge when they are going around the community.”

Following the remarks, ACPD presented a $22,000 check awarded to the City for the project through the Clean Air Grants for Infrastructure Program.

SCE provided approximately $250,000 in infrastructural work at no cost to the City through SCE’s Charge Ready Infrastructure and Rebate Program. The City’s investment in the project is $11,000, which it aims to fund through additional rebates.

Following the speakers, staff gave a live demonstration on how to use the chargers and the associated PowerFlex app. Instructions are available in English and in Spanish.

This project is one of hopefully many more like it to come. Learn more about the City’s Sustainability Program and projects at: https://cityofgoleta.org/sustainability.


Ceremonial cutting of the ribbon


Mayor Perotte speaking at the event


Check presentation from APCD. Pictured left-to-right: Santa Barbara County Chair Laura Capps, APCD Air Quality Specialist Sydney Rouse, Sustainability Manager Dana Murray, Planning & Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof, APCD Executive Director Aeron Arlin Genet, Mayor Paula Perotte, Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3), and Sustainability Analyst Angeline Foshay


Sustainability Analyst Angeline Foshay giving a demonstration of how to use the new EV chargers at Goleta City Hall


Attendees at ribbon cutting event for new EV charging stations at City Hall

Applications Open for Old Town Goleta Pride of Place Grant

Attend Application Workshop at Goleta Community Center February 18th at 10 AM

With the new Pride of Place (POP) Grant, we hope ideas will be POPping like never before! The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the release of its Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Old Town POP Grant Program. Old Town Business owners are invited to submit their ideas on how they would enhance a sense of place and attract more customers to this historic part of the City known as the heart of Goleta. If accepted, the business owners would receive funding to implement the idea(s) submitted in the application. The application deadline is Monday, March 3, 2025. Submit your application online here or access the printable form here. An application workshop is being held at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) on Tuesday, February 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Spanish interpretation will be available.

The Goleta City Council approved the Old Town POP Grant Program in January 2025 and allocated $120,000, with an average award anticipated to range between $3,000-10,000. There is no cap to the maximum funding request, and each proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with program goals
  • Positive community impact
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Feasibility
  • Community engagement
  • Business collaboration

Paper applications are available at City Hall (130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA 93117) for pickup or you can print the application here. Please return your printed application to City Hall or email it to Shannon Kirn at skirn@cityofgoleta.org by the March 3rd deadline. Electronic applications can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/popgrant.

To learn more about this program, visit the City webpage at www.CityofGoleta.org/POPgrant. Please contact Shannon Kirn at skirn@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 562-5512 if you have any questions.

2025 Point-in-Time Count

We will soon know more about the number of people experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County thanks to a caring group of volunteers County-wide who participated in this year’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. More than 40 volunteers, including Councilmember Jennifer Smith, City staff, and a current LEAD Goleta Community Academy participant, arrived at the Goleta Community Center (GCC) bright and early (5:30 a.m.) on January 22nd to get to work counting the number of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in a given day.

The count includes people in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or Safe Havens on a single night. The count was scheduled to take place at this early time because people are more stationary and less likely to be counted twice. Volunteers were placed in different Count teams and assigned their own routes to document who is experiencing homelessness. Each homeless person was offered packs of tissues, socks, snacks and other essentials.

The PIT Count is organized by the Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care, in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SBACT). The information collected is used to plan local homeless assistance systems, justify funding, raise public awareness, and track trends that can help the county determine how to best serve the homeless population.

Please stay tuned for the results which will be released later this year.

Thank you to the volunteers and PIT organizers for collecting this important data.


Volunteers gathered at the Goleta Community Center

Pictured top right: 3rd District City Councilmember Jennifer Smith (center) with volunteers 

New Year, New Face on the Goleta City Council

Meet Councilmember Jennifer Smith

As we begin a new year, Mayor Paula Perotte remains a steady presence as did three other existing Councilmembers, but there is a new face to the Goleta City Council. Jennifer Smith was elected to represent the 3rd District. Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, previously at-large, was elected to represent District 4 and was selected by the Council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. They join already seated Councilmembers for Districts 1 and 2: Luz Reyes-Martín and James Kyriaco. This means that for the first time, all four districts in the City have council representatives. The City’s four districts were established in 2022 with elections for Districts 1 and 2 back in 2022 and Districts 3 and 4 this past November. 

Mayor Paula Perotte was re-elected by Goleta residents City-wide to serve another term. She is the City’s first directly-elected Mayor and has been elected three times now.

Here is the breakdown of the Councilmembers and area they serve. 

  • District 1: Luz Reyes- Martín
  • District 2: James Kyriaco
  • District 3: Jennifer Smith
  • District 4: Stuart Kasdin

Of course, in a tight-knit City like Goleta consisting of just 32,000 people in eight square miles, the Councilmembers aim to serve the entire City.

For more information and to see what district you live in, go to our interactive map and plug in your address.

While Councilmember Smith is new to the Council, she is no stranger to Goleta. She has lived in Goleta the past 12 years and served on the City’s Planning Commission for eight years. Like all of us, she agrees Goleta is a special place. She said, “There’s this unspoken thing that we all love about this area. You still have some of the perks that smaller cities offer, but it’s not quite as hectic and crazy as a big city.”

Jennifer Smith attended UCSB and was a student there when the City was incorporated. She went on to get her Juris Doctor from UC Davis School of Law. There, she was recognized as the Outstanding Woman Law Graduate by the National Association of Women Lawyers.

Jennifer is currently the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County. She has been active in numerous boards and committees, including the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and the California Women Lawyers.

As a Planning Commissioner she was committed to ensuring that land use proposals aligned with the community’s General Plan. Now as a Councilmember, her focus is on making sure everyone has an opportunity to be included. She said, “We come up with better solutions when we hear from different perspectives. Even if we don’t always agree on all things, I want to strive to hear from and learn from people in our community.”

Her favorite quote comes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Welcome District 3 Councilmember Jennifer Smith! We wish you the best in this new role.

You can contact Councilmember Smith at jsmith@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 961-7537.


Goleta City Council (pictured left-to-right): Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember Jennifer Smith (District 3), and Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2)


Mayor Perotte, Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdin and Councilmember Smith being sworn in at the December 17, 2024, Council meeting

Thank You Kyle

After 11 years of serving on the Goleta City Council, Kyle Richards is now a Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees member. At the last council meeting of 2024 on December 17, Richards was honored for the great impact he made on Goleta during his tenure.

Kyle first started on the City’s inaugural Parks and Recreation Commission in 2013 and then was elected to the Council in 2016. He was re-elected in 2020 and served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Richards served his last term as an at-large Councilmember.

At his last Council meeting, Richards was presented with a City Tile and a surprise video highlighting his engaging career at the City. You can watch the video here.

Councilmember Richards gratefully listened as the Council and public shared what they appreciated most about his leadership. Among the many sentiments expressed, he was applauded for his intense love for Goleta, his sincere focus on public engagement, inclusion of marginalized communities, his care for the environment, his preparation for meetings and thoughtful decision making.

Following the outpouring of appreciation, Councilmember Richards addressed the audience and said, “As I finish my term, I hope that I am leaving things better than I found them, and that I had a role in doing something good for the community. And more than anything, it is my sincere hope that I have served as a steward of the public’s faith in government: that I acted in a way that inspired trust, promoted participation, encouraged selflessness, and that ultimately furthered democracy. I encourage everyone to look for ways to be community-minded: to take actions, no matter how small they may seem, that make our community stronger.”

At the end of his remarks, Richards received a standing ovation. You can see the remarks here at the end of Item D.1.

During his tenure, Richards, an avid bicyclist has been most passionate about maintaining and improving our quality of life, through access to our library, parks, open spaces, and other amenities that make Goleta so special. He loves finding opportunities for our diverse residents to come together, share of themselves, contribute to our community, and find common ground. He’s very committed to the City’s goal of 100% fossil-free energy and supports efforts to transition to renewable resources.

While he has accomplished so much during his years of service to Goleta, some of the highlights include:

  1. Bringing the idea of the now Award-Winning LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy to Goleta
  2. Supported Creation of the Public Engagement Commission
  3. Adoption of City’s 100% renewable Energy Goals
  4. Adoption of a Strategic Energy Plan
  5. Partnership with Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and Serving on its Policy Board
  6. Installation of 17 Electric Vehicle Chargers at City Hall
  7. Creation of Future Battery Storage Project at City Hall
  8. Adoption of City’s first Recreation Needs Assessment
  9. Implementation of Homelessness Strategic Plan
  10. Serving on Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment Board
  11. Implementation of Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan
  12. Approval of Goleta Train Depot and Design Process
  13. Completion of Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park
  14. Support of Creek and Watershed Management Plan
  15. Support for Childcare Initiatives

Richards has also served on a number of boards and committees. He has lived in Goleta since 2008 and has worked at UCSB since 1997. Originally from Pennsylvania, he has a master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

We wish Kyle the best of luck in his next chapter. Thank you Kyle, for all you have done for Goleta.


Councilmember Richards giving his farewell remarks at the December 17, 2024, City Council Meeting


Councilmember Richards with his City Tile, pictured left-to-right: Mayor Pro Tempore
Stuart Kasdin (District 4), Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín (District 1), Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember Kyle Richards, City Manager Robert Nisbet, and Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2)

 

Watch Video Message from Fire Chief

Watch Timeless Video with Chief Hartwig

With the devastating fires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, it is of upmost importance that we understand the local fire risks here in Goleta and how to be prepared. Please take time out to watch this  important video message from Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig to Goleta. The interview was recorded in 2021 and is still very much relevant and timely today.

Fire Chief Hartwig was also part of a Fire Safety Community Meeting on January 28, 2025. You can view it here.

Learn more about what you can do to be prepared at www.SBCFire.com. Information on becoming a FireWise community can be found at https://sbfiresafecouncil.org.

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

New Electric Vehicle Chargers Installed at Goleta City Hall

Join Us for a Ribbon Cutting in January 2025

The City of Goleta is excited to bring the City Hall Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Project to life. A total of 17 Level 2 PowerFlex chargers are now available to the community at Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive) thanks to the collaboration of the City’s Sustainability Program, Southern California Edison (SCE), PowerFlex EDF Renewables, and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBAPCD).

To celebrate the completion of the EV Charging Project and the success and leadership of the City of Goleta, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Goleta City Hall in January 2025 (stay tuned for details!).

In September of 2020, the State of California issued an executive order requiring all new passenger vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035. As one of the main barriers to switching from a gas-powered vehicle to one that runs on electricity is lack of access to reliable charging, the City is committed to providing publicly available EV charging at City-owned facilities. With this recent installation, the chargers at City Hall meet Level 2 charging standards – meaning that they have 208-volt to 240-volt plugs, adding 20 to 60 miles per hour of charge.

What is the purpose of the City Hall EV Charging Project?

As the state of California rapidly transitions to electric vehicle use, it is essential that the City accommodate for and incentivize increased electrification. This project furthers our efforts to facilitate a resilient and sustainable electrical grid not fully reliant on fossil fuel use. As part of the City of Goleta’s Strategic Plan to support environmental vitality and spearhead the development of electric vehicle infrastructure, the installation of these chargers at the City Hall campus is a step in the right direction.

To learn about more projects from the City’s Sustainability Division, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/Sustainability.

 

 

 

Green Room: Waste Free Holiday Season

This year, celebrate the holiday season with an eco-friendly spirit, blending festive joy with sustainable practices. The City of Goleta encourages our community to make a collective effort to reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a healthier environment. 

Decorations: 

Opt for sustainable decor by reusing last year’s items or crafting new ornaments from recycled materials. Consider supporting local artisans or businesses that offer eco-friendly holiday decorations. When the season ends, store decorations for reuse in the coming years. 

Gifts: 

Choose thoughtful, eco-conscious gifts over material excess. Consider experiences, subscriptions, or handmade items. If purchasing, buy from local and sustainable businesses. Wrap gifts in reusable materials like fabric or recycled paper. Remember, the sentiment behind the gift matters most. 

Instead of traditional wrapping paper, consider using reusable gift bags or cloth. Support organizations and charities with a focus on sustainability. Many local initiatives provide opportunities to give back, ensuring your generosity extends beyond the holiday season. 

Food: 

Plan your holiday meals carefully to minimize food waste. Buy local, seasonal produce. Encourage guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers, and compost food scraps. Goleta’s composting programs can help turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil. Dispose of food scraps in your trash bin for sorting at the Resource Center. 

Energy: 

Illuminate your home with energy-efficient LED lights. Use a timer to reduce electricity consumption and consider solar-powered decorations for outdoor displays. Goleta promotes energy conservation to enhance the holiday glow without compromising the environment. 

Stay Informed: 

Stay informed about Goleta’s recycling programs. Separate recyclables from trash and compost organic waste. Dispose of electronic waste through designated channels, preventing harmful materials from entering landfills. 

By adopting these practices, we can collectively make a positive impact on our community and the planet. The City of Goleta wishes everyone a joyous and environmentally conscious holiday season! 

Learn more about Waste Free Goleta at www.CityofGoleta.org/WasteFreeGoleta.

Gear Up for Goleta’s E-Bike Safety Awareness Week January 20 – 26

Join Us for Proclamation at January 21st Council Meeting

While e-bikes remain a popular method of transportation, especially for youth in our community, so do concerns surrounding the safety of those driving them and those in their path. That’s why the City of Goleta is once again taking a week out in January to proclaim E-Bike Safety Awareness Week which is coming up January 20 – 26, 2025.

This is the third year the City has taken time out to raise awareness about e-bike safety. Join us for a proclamation at the January 21, 2025, City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thank you to MOVE Santa Barbara County for doing a number of e-bike safety education outreach activities at Goleta Valley Junior High, Dos Pueblos High School and San Marcos High School throughout the week.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We see more kids on e-bikes following the holiday season as many get them as holiday gifts. We want to make sure they know how to ride them and what they need to do to be safe. This also goes for those of us who encounter e-bike drivers on the road. We hope E-Bike Safety Awareness Week will provide an opportunity to educate and remind riders about rules and safety tips.”

To learn about important e-bike Safety tips, watch this video with former Community Resource Deputy Ehren Rauch. 

View a guide to safe riding for e-bikes available here.

Thank you for doing your part to make sure our e-bike riders are safe.