The Austrian National Soccer Team will be setting up its team base camp in Goleta in June and training at UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament this summer.

The Goleta City Council held a special meeting on January 12, 2026, and approved a Team Base Camp Host Agreement but did not officially find out what team it would be until it was announced on Friday January 30^th by the Austrain Consulate General in Los Angeles via its social media accounts. The Consulate said, “We can’t wait for June and the boys to arrive — the team of the General Consulate will be cheering them on! Geh ma’s an!”

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The City of Goleta is thrilled to welcome Team Austria, along with its delegations, media and fans to our beautiful home. We are excited to show them all what makes our city so special and to showcase Goleta and our region on a global stage. We encourage our community to help make this a world-class experience and embrace these visitors with the hospitality that our region is known for.”

UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dr. Dennis Assanis said, “UC Santa Barbara is honored to welcome the Austrian National Team to Harder Stadium. Their decision to train here for the upcoming World Cup is a testament to the welcoming spirit of our campus and the great City of Goleta, as well as our outstanding soccer facilities.”

Kathy Janega-Dykes, President/CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, the area’s destination marketing organization, said, “Hosting an international team will deliver meaningful economic benefits, supporting local businesses, hospitality jobs and vital tax revenue for community services. Just as important, this opportunity allows our community to come together on a global stage and helps position the Santa Barbara South Coast to successfully host future high-profile national and international events with lasting community benefit.”

As part of the agreement for being a Team Base Camp Host, the City of Goleta will help provide secure transportation between where the team stays and where it trains.  

Stakeholders are hoping to work with the Austrian Football Association to provide opportunities for community involvement. 

According to the Santa Barbara Independent, “The Austrian team finished with a 6-1-1 record in World Cup qualifying matches last year, and the team punched its ticket to the World Cup with a 1-1 tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a match played in Vienna, Austria, on November 18. The Austrian team will arrive in early June, and train for a few days in Goleta before travelling to Santa Clara to face Jordan in the first game of the group stage on June 16. After that, the team will return to Goleta to train before its next two matches in Dallas on June 22 and Kansas City on June 27.”

The City will provide more information including opportunities for community participation as details become available.

Platform Holly Decommissioning Project: Notice of Preparation; Public Comments Accepted Until March 6

The California State Lands Commission (Commission) has released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) (State Clearinghouse No. 2026010775) for the Platform Holly Decommissioning Project. The Commission prepared the NOP to solicit public, tribal, and agency comments, in writing or verbally at the February 19 scoping meeting, on the scope and content of the environmental analysis and mitigation measures to include in the Draft Environmental Impact Report.

Commission Staff will accept public comments until March 6, 2026. Commission Staff will host two public scoping meetings on February 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive). The meetings will be held in person and virtually through Zoom. Links to the Zoom meetings will be available on the CLSC website as soon as possible. 

The Notice of Preparation and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting | Notificación de Preparación de un Borrador de Informe de Impacto Ambiental Y Aviso de Reunión Pública para Definir El Alcance can be found at: www.slc.ca.gov/content-types/platform-holly-decommissioning-project.

If you have any questions, please contact Senior Environmental Scientist, Christine Day, at CEQA.comments@slc.ca.gov.

Pictured: Platform Holly

A message from the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department:

Due to the recent storms, Santa Barbara County closed a section of the east end of Goleta Beach County Park beginning on January 28, 2026. Schedule updates with closure information and dates is available at the County Parks Department website (www.sbparks.org). Site preparation began on Wednesday, January 28, and sediment hauling started Monday, February 2. Work will continue until the storm response is complete. Operations will occur on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Operations are estimated to continue through March 2026 but may be accelerated or delayed depending on inclement weather.

On Friday, January 9, the County of Santa Barbara proclaimed a local emergency in response to the storms that occurred between December 23, 2025, and January 3, 2026.

The January – February 2026 beach operations involve sediment from the Goleta Slough watersheds only. The flood-control channels surrounding the Santa Barbara Airport, Old Town Goleta, and parts of the Eastern Goleta Valley have accumulated excess sediment due to winter storms. The channels and basins are designed to capture sediment and floodwaters to protect the community; however, the sediment must be removed to regain flood control protection. Goleta Beach is the designated transport site for the sediment to be re-purposed and placed along the shoreline to increase beach width and buffer the Park from wave impacts. 

The County follows environmental regulations to manage and protect wildlife and habitat during these beach operations. In the long term, this sand and cobble placement helps protect the Park from further sediment loss and erosion. The 2023 operation helped build up six more acres of beach to the Park’s western end. With the additional sand, the Santa Barbara County Community Services Department has installed volleyball nets on the beach for the first time since 2013. These operations are conducted through Flood Control District maintenance permits and coordination with state and federal agencies.

Sediment samples have been collected for processing. Further sediment samples and ocean water samples will be tested during operations. Weekly reports with information on sampling results are sent to regulatory agencies and will be posted on www.countyofsb.org/beachops.

All Park visitors and members of the public traveling along the Obern Trail should practice safety and yield to trucks and other heavy equipment in the area.

For questions, contact Lael Wageneck, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department Public Information Officer at lwageneck@countyofsb.org.

The City of Goleta is looking for new people to join our team! If you are looking for a fulfilling job where you can give back to your community, we encourage you to apply!

• Human Resources Analyst – new!
• Community Center Event Monitor / Building Attendant

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

The City of Goleta is excited to welcome new and returning members to its Commissions. Three vacancies and one re-appointment were approved in December 2025 for the Historic Preservation Commission, Library Advisory Commission, and Public Engagement Commission.

Thank you to everyone who applied, and congratulations to those selected! Our Commissioners bring a wide range of professional experience, lived perspective, and a shared commitment to public service. Below is a brief introduction to each new and returning Commissioner and what inspired them to serve the Goodland.

Historic Preservation Commission

Heather McDaniel McDevitt was re-appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission for a portion of a term ending July 31, 2029. Heather has served on the Commission since February 2023 and currently serves as Chair, following her term as Vice Chair from 2023–2024.

A Registered Professional Archaeologist and Practice Director for a cultural resources and environmental planning firm, Heather brings nearly 20 years of professional experience in archaeology, architectural history, historic preservation, CEQA/NEPA compliance, and tribal consultation. Her work has included more than 2,000 cultural resources investigations across Southern California, the U.S., and internationally.

Heather says she is passionate about preserving both the tangible and intangible elements of Goleta’s history. She is committed to ethical public service, informed decision-making, and helping implement the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance while advising City staff, the Design Review Board, and City Council on projects impacting historic resources.

Arielle Goodson was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission for a portion of a term ending July 31, 2029. Arielle is currently a student at Santa Barbara City College studying political science and brings a strong interest in historic preservation, architecture, cultural geography, and community planning.

Arielle says she is deeply committed to learning and contributing meaningfully to Goleta’s preservation efforts. She values inclusive preservation practices that honor Indigenous, immigrant, and long-standing community histories, and believes preservation plays a vital role in shaping equitable and thoughtful development.

Arielle looks forward to serving as a bridge between the community, City staff, and City Council. She is eager to support public education, civic engagement, and policies informed by historical insight to help preserve Goleta’s unique character for future generations.

Library Advisory Commission

Sarah Penna was appointed to the Library Advisory Commission for a term ending July 31, 2029. Sarah is an entrepreneurial executive with extensive experience in media, technology, creator platforms, marketing, and community engagement.

Sarah is the co-owner and Head of Marketing for Flock White Doves, a Santa Barbara-based small business, and currently volunteers as the local group Co-Lead for the Santa Barbara Chapter of Moms Demand Action. Her background includes senior leadership roles at companies such as Patreon, Orca, AwesomenessTV, and Big Frame, where she helped build teams, scale platforms, and foster meaningful audience connections.

Through her professional and volunteer experience, Sarah brings an understanding of storytelling, access, and community building. She says she is excited to support the Library as a vital, inclusive resource that fosters learning, creativity, and connection for all Goleta residents.

Public Engagement Commission

Noah Guillen was appointed as a Youth Member of the Public Engagement Commission for a term ending November 30, 2027. A lifelong Goleta resident, Noah is passionate about giving back to the community that has shaped him.

Noah brings experience from serving in his school’s student government, including multiple terms as student body president. Through this work, he developed hands-on experience in outreach, collaboration, and encouraging participation from his peers.

In addition to his leadership roles, Noah has volunteered with the Bucket Brigade, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. He says he looks forward to representing youth perspectives and helping ensure community engagement efforts reflect voices from all generations as Goleta continues to grow and evolve.

Interested in getting involved? Learn more about the City’s Boards and Commissions and view available vacancies at www.CityofGoleta.org/BoardsCommissions. Your voice and experience can help make a difference in Goleta.