Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Vote in the November Election!

Make your voice heard in the November General Municipal Election! If you haven’t already, be sure to vote – this is your chance to have a say on a local and national level.

What’s On the Goleta Ballot

This is another historic election for the City of Goleta – do you know what district you live in? The City is divided into four districts and registered voters in Districts 3 and 4 will be voting for a Councilmember in their District for the first time. Voters in Districts 1 and 2 elected a Councilmember from their Districts in 2022. No matter which of the four districts you live in, ALL Goleta residents will vote on the Mayor’s seat (elected at-large) and on a City sponsored ballot measure (G2024).

If you don’t already know, find out what district you live in by putting your address in the interactive map at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap.

Take a moment to learn more about the upcoming General Municipal Election in Goleta by watching this short video from veteran City Clerk Deborah Lopez. The video is also available in Spanish featuring the City’s Spanish Engagement Specialist.

For Goleta-related election information, please visit our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections. 

Ballot Return Options

Once the ballot is voted and the envelope is signed, the voter has several options for returning the ballot so that it can be counted.

  • Voters may choose to return their voted ballot by utilizing the United States Postal Service, no postage necessary. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5.
  • The Elections Office provides several drop boxes located throughout Santa Barbara County that are available 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5. To avoid concerns about postal delivery delays, voters are encouraged to utilize a drop box to return their ballot. There are two ballot drop box locations in the City of Goleta. A list of all drop box locations can be found here.
    • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive)
    • Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Ave)
  • Each of the three Elections Offices in Santa Barbara County also accepts voted ballots and can help with a full range of voter services including the option to vote in person, if a voter chooses.
  • Voters may also choose to return a voted ballot to a polling location on Election Day, November 5.

The Santa Barbara County Elections Office can be reached at www.sbcvote.com or by calling 800-722-8683.

You can track your ballot through the State of California’s “Where’s My Ballot” program.

Results

Election results are available after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on election night, November 5. On election night and during the canvas period, follow Santa Barbara County’s semi-official results at https://www.countyofsb.org/3294/Election-Results. Statewide results can be found on the California Secretary of State’s website https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/. Vote by mail and provisional ballots will continue to be processed through the canvas period, or the 30 days following the election, and the County and State will continue to post updated results during that timeframe. Results for the City of Goleta are expected to be certified at the December 17, 2024, City Council Meeting.

Goleta's District Elections Map
Goleta’s District Map


City Clerk Deborah Lopez at a ballot box in front of Goleta City Hall

Meetings at a Glance – November 2024

Keep updated with what is happening at the City of Goleta by attending or watching our Council, Board, Commission and/or Standing Committee meetings. Meetings are held at Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive) and many can also be participated in via Zoom. Most meetings are also available to watch on Goleta TV Channel 19 and the City’s website.

View the calendar on our website. Please note, meetings can be added and cancelled. For the most up-to-date information, check the website.

Here’s what is coming up:

Positions Open with #TeamGoleta

Are you looking for a fulfilling career giving back to your community? Then check out the below job opportunities with the City of Goleta:

  • Emergency Services Coordinator
  • Planning Commission Clerk
  • Project Manager (General Services)
  • Supervising Library Technician (Solvang)

Learn more about each position and how to apply here. Check back regularly for new opportunities.

Help Restore Ellwood Mesa’s Monarch Butterfly Habitat

The City of Goleta and our restoration partners are calling for volunteers to help us restore critical habitat at Ellwood Mesa. The monarch butterfly grove at Ellwood Mesa is one of the most significant winter sites for migrating monarchs in the Western United States, but the grove has suffered damage over many years of drought and severe winter storms. Together we will plant thousands of trees and native plants to provide vital shelter and food for these iconic butterflies.

Upcoming Events

Tree Planting and Restoration with Your Children’s Trees
Saturdays in November: 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us as we prepare, plant, and care for 1200 new eucalyptus, 800 native trees, and several thousand flowering shrubs and wetland plants. Sign up for details.

Field Training for the Western Monarch Count
Sunday, November 17, 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Western Monarch Count regional coordinators Charis van der Heide and Kim Zembik are hosting a monarch counting field training on November 17th at 8:30-10:30 am. Meet at the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, Coronado Dr, Goleta, CA 93117 (view map) and walk to the Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove. Please RSVP to kzsembik@gmail.com. Learn more about Xerces Society Western Monarch Count.

Tree Planting and Restoration with the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade
Saturday, December 7, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us as we transform a damaged ecosystem into a beautiful habitat restoration area for the butterflies and the whole community to enjoy together. Volunteers will meet at the Ellwood Mesa Beach Parking Lot (view map) and then walk to the volunteer staging area. We will have introductions, coffee and doughnuts and then we will head out into the butterfly preserve to plant trees! Sign up at Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.

More Info

Learn more about the restoration project at CityofGoleta.org/ellwood and follow active projects and volunteer activities at CityofGoleta.org/ellwood-now.


Volunteers at Ellwood (photo credit: Melissa Fontaine)

City Accepting Applications for Preapproved ADU Plans

Submission Deadline November 18th and Design Review Board Hearing December 10th

The City of Goleta is accepting submissions from design professionals for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans to be considered for preapproval. This is in accordance with Assembly Bill No. 1332 which requires each local agency to develop a program for the preapproval of ADU plans by January 1, 2025.

An ADU is an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. ADUs include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as a single-unit or multi-family dwelling.

At this time, the City is accepting plans for detached ADUs that meet size and height restrictions per Goleta Municipal Code (GMC) §17.41.030(D)(1)(b) to be preapproved. The detached plans will need to be between 250 and 800 square feet in floor area and the height can be no greater than 16’ or up to 18’ or 20’, if located within one half-mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor.

Design professionals interested in submitting detached ADU plans for consideration should submit one PDF with floor plans, elevations, and square footage meeting the City’s “Floor Area” definition per GMC §17.03.070, and indicating the maximum building height to scale on the plans. Plans will be accepted via email. Please send plans to: PreapprovedADU@cityofgoleta.org.

Submissions will be accepted until November 18th at noon. There are two fees for design professionals seeking preapproval. The first is for Design Review, which is $1,734. The second fee will be for Building Plan review, which is based on valuation of the project including the market rate for labor and materials.

City of Goleta’s Design Review Board (DRB) will hold a hearing on December 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. to review submissions of ADU plans for inclusion in the City’s Preapproved ADU Program. The meeting will be held in person at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive) and via the Zoom platform. A link can be found in the agenda, posted at least 72 hours in advance at http://cityofgoleta.org/goletameetings. The public may also view the meeting on the City’s website or Goleta TV Channel 19.

For community members interested in using one of the preapproved ADU plans, once available, this program allows proposed ADUs to move through the review process quickly and efficiently. The preapproved plans will be made available to view on the Planning and Environmental Review webpage, once approved. Site-specific information will be required for each location and homeowners will have to contact the design professional for costs associated with the use of the preapproved plans and the preparation of the required site plan and other documents (e.g., soils reports, etc.) and building permitting.

Following the Design Review Board hearing on December 10, 2024, the approved ADU plans will then move on to Building Permit plan review to ensure the plans meet the current triennial Building Standard Code rulemaking cycle. The preapproved ADU plans will be available on the Planning and Environmental Review page on the City’s website (www.CityofGoleta.org). 

Please direct any questions and/or comments to Kathy Allen, Supervising Senior Planner, at kallen@cityofgoleta.org or Christina McGuire, Associate Planner, at cmcguire@cityofgoleta.org.

Apply Now for Award-Winning LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy

Six-Week Course Begins January 16, 2025

The City of Goleta’s award-winning LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy is now taking applications for its January/February 2025 class. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss. LEAD Goleta recently received the prestigious Cal Cities 2024 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the category of Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement. Learn more here. Space is limited so don’t wait to apply for this six-week bilingual class which provides a unique up-close look at how local government works. Priority is given to Goleta residents, but the program is open to any resident of Santa Barbara County. We strongly encourage high school and college students to apply.

Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn how the City is run, in a small, intimate setting of 30 participants. You will walk away from the experience more connected to the City with a deeper understanding of how to get involved in shaping the future of Goleta – whether it’s staying informed, volunteering, applying for a Board or Commission, or even running for City Council.

Watch our short video promo to see why you should apply. The promo is also available in Spanish.

You can also watch this video recap of the January/February 2024 LEAD Goleta Bilingual Academy and learn first-hand why this program is so special.

The LEAD Goleta Academy begins on January 16, 2025, and takes place Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. for six consecutive weeks. You must be able to attend all six classes to participate. The course ends on February 20, 2025, with a celebratory graduation ceremony. Most classes will be held in City Hall Council Chambers located at 130 Cremona Drive with the exception of two classes that will be at the Goleta Valley Library and Goleta Community Center.

This will be the third time that LEAD Goleta will be offered in Spanish, and the fifth overall Community Academy.

We can’t wait to meet the next LEAD Goleta Bilingual Community Academy class in January. For more information and to apply, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/LEADGoleta.


LEAD Goleta January/February 2024 Graduating Class

November Observances

As we step into November, the City of Goleta wants to highlight some of the cultural observances that this month brings. It’s a time to not only enjoy the changing seasons but also to celebrate the diverse traditions that make our community unique.

Native American Heritage Month: This month is dedicated to recognizing the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, and honoring their traditions, languages, and stories. Native American Heritage Month officially began in November 1990 when President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”

Diwali (Friday, November 1): Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. It is a five-day festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It’s a major religious holiday for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and is celebrated by more than a billion people across faiths. 

Veterans Day: Celebrated annually on November 11, Veteran’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces. The day originated in 1954, when Congress passed a bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 28): Celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of the month, families and friends gather around the dinner table in a moment to reflect on gratitude and appreciation. On October 3, 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. President Roosevelt signed a resolution on December 26, 1941, establishing the fourth Thursday in November as the Federal Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Whether through shared meals, community events, or acts of service, let’s embrace the spirit of November and foster a welcoming atmosphere for all in Goleta.

NatureTrack Film Festival Winners

Festival Included More Than 80 Films from Across the Globe

It’s a wrap! The NatureTrack Film Festival celebrated the beauty of nature and the art of filmmaking the weekend of October 11 – 13. The Festival was held in Goleta for the 2nd year in a row, and the first time at the Camino Real Marketplace.

This year, the Festival included more than 80 films highlighting nature and adventure from more than 30 countries. The Festival closed with a party to announce the winners:

🎬 Best Feature Film: “Animal Pride” directed by Rio Mitchell

🎬 Best Short Film: “L’età Sperimentale” directed by Marco Zingaretti

🎬 Best Student Film: “Against the Herd” directed by Jaxon Derow

🎬 Dan Conoway – Kids Connecting with Nature Award: “Two Point Four” directed by Natasha Brooks

🎬 Audience Award: “Ploverize” directed by Alex Spell, Vivian Chou, Rigo Gomez, Hope Macias, LiLi Young

🎬 Honorable Mention: “Hunt for the Oldest DNA” directed by Niobe Thompson

🎬 Honorable Mention: “Giants Rising” directed by Lisa Landers

🎬 Honorable Mention: “Tule” directed by Jocelyn Garcia

We want to congratulate all the talented filmmakers who were a part of the Festival, many who traveled long distances to be here, and the incredible films that received awards.

A big thank you to the entire NatureTrack Film Festival team and volunteers for their hard work in bringing this cinematic celebration of nature to Goleta.

If you missed it, make sure to get this must-see event on your calendar when the dates for next year are announced! For more info, please visit: https://www.naturetrackfilmfestival.org/.


Best Feature Film: “Animal Pride” directed by Rio Mitchell


Best Short Film: “L’età Sperimentale” directed by Marco Zingaretti


Best Student Film: “Against the Herd” directed by Jaxon Derow


Audience Award: “Ploverize” directed by Alex Spell, Vivian Chou, Rigo Gomez, Hope Macias, LiLi Young


Honorable Mention: “Tule” directed by Jocelyn Garcia

Congrats to the Dos Pueblos High School Mock Trial Team!

The Goleta City Council recognized the Dos Pueblos High School Mock Trial Team at its October 15th meeting. The Team won the competitive Empire Philadelphia Constitutional Classic championship in September.

This triumph marks the Chargers’ third Empire title, adding to its previous victories at the Empire World Championship in 2015 and the Empire Spring League Championship in 2023.

The Dos Pueblos Mock Trial Team has won 11 out of the last 14 Santa Barbara County championships and have also placed in the top 10 at the last three State championships.

The Varsity Mock Trial team is made up of team captains Lara, William Parisse and Jonathan Yang, along with team members Alexis Demboski, Amirsam Jabbari, Ariel Li, David Beck, Ethan Gardiner, Luna Avolio, Milena Rodriguez, Mitchell Maskrey, Riley Minne, and Sophia Merritt.

The team is coached by teacher advisor Hannah Krieshok and attorney coaches Christine Voss, Lisa Rothstein, and Lina Somait.

DP Mock Trial alums Cindy Diaz, Maxfield Steele, Edo Barel, and Jacob Molina also pitched in to help coach.

The teamwork and talent of the Dos Pueblos Mock Trial Team has shone brightly on the national stage – we can’t wait to see what these amazing students do next.


Dos Pueblos High School Mock Trial Team receiving their proclamation from the Goleta City Council

City Tile for Goleta’s Emergency Services Coordinator

The Goleta City Council recognized Michael Baris at its October 15, 2024, meeting with a City Tile in recognition of his six-years of service to the City. During his tenure, Michael served as a liaison between residents, city administration, and county government to prepare and respond to emergency situations. He also oversaw the City of Goleta’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program and played a key role in shaping critical documents such as the City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Debris Flow Removal Annex, and Multi-Day Power Outage (PSPS) Plan. His time at the City included work on various committees and collaborations, including the Santa Barbara County Emergency Managers, Santa Barbara County Aware and Prepare, Santa Barbara County CERT Collaborative, and Santa Barbara County Listos.

While he is excited to start a new chapter, he enjoyed all the relationships he built in Goleta. Michael said, “I am going the miss the residents most of all. The personal conversations I would have with the great people here in our town always made the work worth it.”

Thank you, Michael, for all you have done for the City and best of luck as you embark on becoming a fictional writer.