Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

City of Goleta Settlement Agreement with UCSB

The City of Goleta (“City”) and the Regents of the University of California (“UC Regents”) reached a settlement on a lawsuit that the City brought in 2021 alleging that the University of California, Santa Barbara (“UCSB”) was not building student and faculty housing as provided for in UCSB’s 2010 Long Range Development Plan (“LRDP”). The City alleged that the UC Regents were not meeting the terms of a 2010 settlement agreement that addressed UCSB’s growth, thereby negatively impacting the City and its residents.

In the current settlement agreement, which was approved by a majority of the City Council, UCSB commits to constructing an additional 3,500 student beds by September 1, 2029, and will pursue the housing projects originally outlined in the 2010 LRDP. This commitment meets the City’s primary goal of the lawsuit, which was to ensure that UCSB was on track to build the necessary units within a set timeframe. UCSB will build housing at the Facilities Management site on the northwestern corner of the main campus and at the East Campus Infill and Redevelopment site.

Both entities can now move past litigation, which can be costly and unpredictable. In March 2022, three months after the City filed its lawsuit, the legal landscape changed. In a similar case involving the University of California, Berkeley (“UC Berkeley”), the trial court ordered UC Berkeley to cap its enrollment due to noncompliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. UC Berkeley quickly appealed this decision to the California Supreme Court, which decided not to take the appeal. However, about two weeks later, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 118 (“SB 118”), a new law that eliminated all existing University of California enrollment caps by court order.

The impact of SB 118 on the City’s lawsuit was to render the City’s requested remedy of capping enrollment to be highly implausible to be ordered by the court. The City’s other remedy was monetary. To this end, the City negotiated $2.3 million to be paid by UCSB towards two important capital improvement projects, namely the Goleta Train Depot and San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path, both of which will also benefit UCSB students and faculty.

The City looks forward to working with UCSB to fulfill its plans to provide campus housing and being a good neighbor and partner in other regional issues.

Cathedral Oaks Road Detour

A detour is in place for Cathedral Oaks Road around the closure between Calle Real and Winchester Circle. The detour will route drivers down Calle Real and Winchester Canyon Road to the opposite end of the closed road section. The detour is shown in the map below.

The City closed Cathedral Oaks Road on February 4, 2024, between Winchester Circle and Calle Real. Heavy rains and storm runoff have heavily damaged both the slopes and the 40-foot high crib walls supporting Cathedral Oaks Road and the adjacent bike path. A Crib Wall is a type of large-scale retaining wall that retains an earthen slope. This damage raised concerns over the integrity of the roadway and thus prompted the closure of this portion of Cathedral Oaks Road.

Initial inspections have been completed by the City’s engineers. Pending a determination of the extent of damage, costs of repair, and available funding, this portion of Cathedral Oaks Road will remain closed until deemed safe for traffic. The City is in the process of hiring an engineering firm to design the reconstruction of the slope and new retaining walls. City staff understand the value of opening this portion of Cathedral Oaks and are dedicated to delivering repairs as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience as the City addresses this costly and complex project.   

Project updates can be found here.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Project Manager Michael Winnewisser at (805) 690-5120 or mwinnewisser@cityofgoleta.org.

Project Connect Groundbreaking

Watch Video Recap

Project Connect is officially off and running following a groundbreaking ceremony held on March 18th in Old Town Goleta. The milestone event was held near the intersection of Hollister Avenue and the southbound Highway 217 onramp, a location that will be impacted by the future realignment of Hollister Avenue. The groundbreaking ceremony brought together local leaders, stakeholders and community members for this historic moment. Watch a video recap here. Project Connect is the largest capital improvement project in the history of the City and will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions, and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.

The event began with a welcome from City of Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet who emceed the event and introduced the speakers which included Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Meg Henry Caltrans District 5 Project Manager, Marjie Kirn with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps and 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and Goleta Assistant Public Works Director Nina Buelna. Each expressed the magnitude and impact this project will have not just for Goleta but for the region. 

Councilmember James Kyriaco said, “This project has something for everyone. A better pedestrian experience, a safer bicycling experience, more parking and another east-west route for vehicles. It finishes flood control efforts many years in the works and includes much needed accessibility improvements to help people get from one side of the street to the other.”

“Today marks a promising achievement for the City of Goleta. This is your commitment to progress and community wellbeing. It’s more than a collaboration, it is a shared vision involving local, state and federal partnerships. We are excited to see the completion of this project and a safer and more accessible transportation network for all,” said Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Executive Director Marjie Kirn.

U.S. Congressman and Goleta resident Salud Carbajal added, “This is a great example of what can happen when the city, county, state and federal government all work together in true partnership. This is a fantastic project for Goleta residents. It will improve our commutes, protect our pedestrians and improve connectivity in our neighborhoods.”

“Project Connect is about fostering connectivity, enhancing safety and the sense of community. This project is a major investment to help make Old Town what it was meant to be, the heart and soul of Goleta,” said Supervisor Joan Hartmann.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “There will be a lot going on during construction and it is really important that we all remember to shop local and support the Old Town businesses during this multi-year project.”

Following their comments, the speakers took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking and photo opportunity.

Assistant Goleta Public Works Director Nina Buelna concluded the event by saying, “The contractor will be working along Hollister Avenue, Ekwill Street and Fowler Road for the next few years. The City of Goleta will work to keep our residents, travelers and businesses informed about all of the changes. We recognize this is an impactful project and we appreciate your patience.”

To stay updated on project milestones, construction, traffic impacts, and other important Project Connect information, go to the City’s website at www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.

For additional information or questions, please contact: Connect@CityofGoleta.org or 805-690-5116.

About Project Connect:
Construction is underway on the multi-year project that will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions, and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.

This comprehensive project includes:

  • Hollister Avenue Bridge & Roundabout Project – Construction of two roundabouts at the Hollister Ave./State Route 217 ramp intersection to improve traffic flow. Additionally, a new bridge will be built over San Jose Creek to achieve 100-year storm flow capacity.
  • Ekwill Street & Fowler Road Extension Projects – Improve east-west circulation north and south of Hollister Avenue, providing direct connections to portions of Old Town Goleta and the Santa Barbara Airport.
  • Hollister Old Town Interim Striping Project – Striping and pavement improvements, timed parking restrictions and traffic signal upgrades that will increase safety, accessibility, and mobility for all users on Hollister Avenue between Kellogg Avenue and Fairview Avenue.

Project Connect is predominantly funded by the Highway Bridge Program, State Transportation Improvement Program and local City funding.


Project Connect Groundbreaking Speakers Pose with Shovels – pictured left-to-right: Meg Henry Caltrans District 5 Project Manager, Councilmember Kyle Richards, Mayor Paula Perotte, Congressman Salud Carbajal, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Santa Barbara County Supervisors Joan Hartmann (District 3) and Laura Capps (District 2) and Marjie Kirn with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments


Audience at Project Connect Groundbreaking Ceremony


City Manager Robert Nisbet Emceeing the Groundbreaking Ceremony


Nina Buelna, City of Goleta Assistant Public Works Director, Speaking at Groundbreaking


Crowd at Project Connect Groundbreaking Ceremony

Goleta Community Center Reopening Ribbon Cutting April 4

The ribbon cutting celebration has passed – watch a video recap here and read our press release at https://tinyurl.com/2ub6n9bp.

The Goleta Community Center (GCC) Reopening Ribbon Cutting celebration is almost here. Get ready to join us on April 4th at 10:00 a.m. on the historic steps of the GCC (5679 Hollister Avenue) for this special community event. Spanish interpretation will be available. We can’t wait to officially mark the reopening of this beloved community hub which has been closed for more than a year due to seismic retrofitting. The auditorium and dining room have been closed since 2021. We encourage everyone with connections to this beloved facility to join us for this important milestone.

Here is what to expect. Come hear about the history of this almost 100-year-old facility, what it took to get to this point, and exciting plans ahead for the GCC. Speakers include Mayor Paula Perotte, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and the City’s Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer. Following comments, there will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and photo opportunities. Stay after to take a look inside and check out the 2nd Annual Senior Expo taking place.

The Senior Expo is a free community event from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on April 4th. For more information on how to attend or participate, contact JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.

For additional info on the GCC and how to book the facility, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.

Background:
Originally built in 1927, the building located at 5679 Hollister Avenue was once a school. The City acquired the building from the Goleta Union School District in 2013. The Goleta Community Center was managed by the non-profit group the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) for decades. When it was determined that the building needed seismic and accessibility upgrades, the City assumed management of the building in January 2023 and used the construction time to gather input from the community and put together a Strategic Plan for the GCC. You can view the plan here.

The City is grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funding 75% of the Seismic Retrofit Project. Thanks to federal Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Carbajal, additional Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades are planned in the coming years to make the building accessible for all users.

We hope to see you at the GCC on April 4th! 

Beautify Goleta to Celebrate Earth Day

Join Us for a Special Event on April 20

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by helping to Beautify Goleta. Back by popular demand, the City is holding a Beautify Goleta Earth Day event on Saturday April 20th. There will be a community cleanup at Bella Vista Park (intersection of Padova Drive and Placer Drive) from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (note longer time!). The community cleanup will be led by Spotlight Captain the Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara. Beautify Goleta will be featuring a limited edition “Earth Day 2024” volunteer t-shirt for participants (as supplies last). The event will also have a food truck and Waste Free Goleta & Go Green Goleta themed prize giveaways for event participants. 

In addition to the community cleanup, Beautify Goleta will also host a FREE Bulky Item Drop Off event from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Brandon School (195 Brandon Drive). Any drop-offs before or after the event will not be accepted. No electronics, medicine or hazardous waste will be accepted. You are encouraged to arrive early. The event will close early if capacity is reached before 1:00 p.m.

Thanks to the 32 amazing volunteers who participated in the Beautify Goleta spring event on Saturday morning, March 16, in Old Town. Together they collected 257 pounds of trash that otherwise would have made its way into our creeks and waterways. Types of trash picked up included bottles and cans, cigarette butts, and plastic container lids. Thanks also to the more than 40 residents who dropped off bulky items at the drop off location. In all, 6,790 pounds were collected. Popular items were old furniture, mattresses, yard waste, and chairs. Check out Beautify Goleta’s progress on our Impact Dashboard.

A big thank you to our March 16 Team Captains Community West Bank and the Goleta Rotary Club. Beautify Goleta is a year-round program to clean up trash and collect bulky items throughout the City. It is only possible with the help of Captains and volunteers. Sign up to participate in future events at www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta and learn more by watching this video.

We will see you on Saturday, April 20th for Goleta’s Earth Day clean-up event!

Photos below from March 16 Beautify Goleta event.


Volunteers and Captains with the trash they collected


City Team with Captains: pictured left-to-right: Roger Aceves (Captain – Goleta Rotary Club) Dan Rowell (City of Goleta Environmental Services), Lauren Quan (City of Goleta Environmental Services), Melissa Nelson (City of Goleta Environmental Services), Marty Plourd (Captain – Community West Bank) and Houria Amirkhani (Captain – Community West Bank)


Volunteers Roman Baratiak and Katherine Emery from the Santa Barbara Audubon Society


Residents dropping off bulky items at the Goleta Community Center

Free Digital Skills Training Classes Start Next Week

In today’s technology-driven landscape, it is essential to have fundamental digital skills.  That’s why the City of Goleta is pleased to partner with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) to offer two FREE training courses to Santa Barbara County residents to support accessible access to digital education and economic empowerment opportunities. Here are the two classes that start next week, so don’t hesitate, spread the word and sign up today!

  1. New to Tech Computer Basics – A 6-week course that teaches adult learners essential computer skills needed to succeed in an increasingly digital world:
    • March 12 – April 16 Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00-8:00 PM
  2. Get Your Small Business Online – A 9-week course that teaches business owners and entrepreneurs essential digital skills needed to get online:
    • March 13 – May 8 Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 PM

Learn more about the classes and register at https://www.digital-upskilling.edcollaborative.com/. Additional cohorts are beginning in spring and summer 2024.

EDC actively encourages other regions and organizations throughout California to explore the potential of adopting and expanding similar programs. For organizations interested in replicating the success of these courses, EDC invites inquiries at upskill@edcollaborative.com to access comprehensive class replication toolkits. These toolkits include detailed instructor guides and program evaluation and administration tools, ensuring seamless and effective implementation.

EDC extends its gratitude to the City of Goleta, Central Coast Community Energy, Broadband Consortium of the Pacific Coast, American GI Forum Education Foundation and Women’s Economic Ventures for their pivotal roles in expanding digital upskilling opportunities across the Central Coast.

About Economic Development Collaborative 

A private nonprofit, the Economic Development Collaborative was founded in 1996 with funding from the County of Ventura, the 10 cities in the county and key private-sector companies to provide a pathway to business growth, economic prosperity and high quality of life for all.

About the Digital Upskilling Training Program

Originating in Ventura County, EDC’s Digital Upskilling Training Program is a NO-COST short-term training program that will increase the digital skills of job seekers, current workers, and small business operators. The initiative seeks to expand participants’ opportunities and earning power by providing them with much-needed digital skills training to help both individuals and employers grow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Expo on April 4

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Goleta Community Center

Calling all seniors! The City of Goleta is hosting its 2nd Annual Senior Expo, a FREE community event designed specifically for seniors in our community! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn, connect, and discover various resources available to enhance your health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
The Senior Expo will take place on Thursday, April 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to Goleta, we welcome you to join us for a day filled with valuable information and engaging activities.

At the event, community members will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from various organizations specializing in health and wellness, social services and more. Whether you’re looking for support groups, transportation options, or recreational activities, you’ll find valuable resources to help you stay connected, engaged, and fulfilled. This is your chance to ask questions, gather information, and explore the services and programs that could benefit you or your loved ones.

For more information about the Senior Expo, please contact JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.

Also happening at the same time is the Goleta Community Center Reopening Ribbon Cutting. Join us on the footsteps of the historic building at 10:00 a.m. as we commemorate the reopening of the beloved gathering spot.

We’ll see you there!

 

Goleta Community Center Reopening Ribbon Cutting

Join Us on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Goleta’s favorite gathering spot is opening once again and we want you to be a part of celebrating this joyful occasion. Join us on Thursday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m. for a ribbon cutting to commemorate the reopening of the Goleta Community Center (GCC) which has been closed for more than a year to seismically retrofit the facility. The auditorium and dining room have been closed since 2021. The ceremony will take place on the footsteps of this historic building which is nearing one-hundred years of age.

The event will be attended by U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann, City of Goleta Mayor Perotte, Goleta City Councilmembers and other community leaders and stakeholders.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We hope anyone and everyone who has a connection to our beloved Goleta Community Center and understands the important role it plays in keeping our community connected will come celebrate with us.”

Following comments from those associated with the project, there will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and then a time to tour the facility and learn more about forthcoming programming and rental opportunities. There will also be some free giveaways with the new GCC logo for those who attend while supplies last.

While there is still work to be done to prepare the building to be fully open, the City will be accepting applications from groups looking to book the facility after April 1, 2024.  Go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.

The City is grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funding 75% of the Seismic Retrofit Project. Thanks to federal Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Carbajal, additional Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades are planned in the coming years to make the building accessible for all users.

Background:

Originally built in 1927, the building located at 5679 Hollister Avenue was once a schoolhouse. The City acquired the building from the Goleta Union School District in 2013. The Goleta Community Center was managed by the non-profit group the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) for decades. When it was determined that the building needed seismic and accessibility upgrades, the City assumed management of the building in January 2023 and used the construction time to gather input from the community and put together a Strategic Plan for the GCC. You can view the plan here.

The City is excited to see this beloved community hub fully open soon and bustling with activity. We hope to see you on April 4th for the ribbon cutting.

Owl Rescue

Goleta Public Works Maintenance Workers are accustomed to being called out on the weekend for various issues, especially during storms, but this is the first time Jorge Flores and Joel Rubio were involved in an animal rescue.

Susie Clothier, a photographer and Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network volunteer, happened to be at Lake Los Carneros taking photos on Saturday morning, February 17, when she witnessed visitors talking about a barn owl who was dangling from a fishing line in a palm tree at Stow House approximately 60 feet off the ground.  Clothier sprung into action and notified Santa Barbara County firefighters at Fire Station 14 next to the Stow House. Unfortunately, their fire truck ladder was not able to reach the bird but as luck would have it, the City of Goleta had just purchased and received a Boom Lift which could.

That’s when Santa Barbara County Firefighters called Flores and Rubio who responded to the scene in a City truck with the Boom Lift. While muddy conditions near the owl’s location posed a challenge causing the City truck to get stuck, the collaborative team of SB County Fire, Goleta Public Works, and SB Wildlife Care Network worked together to push the truck back on solid ground.

With Joel Rubio operating the Boom Lift from the ground, Jorge Flores and Santa Barbara County Firefighter Shaun Bahne were elevated to reach the owl. Carefully and with patience, they were able to cover the owl with a blanket and remove the fishing line that had entangled the owl.

While they never expected such a call, Flores and Rubio were grateful for the opportunity to respond and provide assistance in this unique situation.

“The Public Works guys are really the heroes,” Firefighter Shaun Bahne said. “Without that lift, we wouldn’t have been able to reach the owl.”

Clothier drove the owl to the Ojai Raptor Center where it is currently being cared for. While it survived the ordeal, it is being treated for capture myopathy.  This occurs from stress enzymes that attack the bird’s muscles. We really hope this beautiful creature makes a full recovery and is able to take flight again soon.


SB County Firefighter Shaun Bahne with the owl


Group photo of those involved in the owl’s rescue

Winter Reading Program Wrap-Up

The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries would like to congratulate our community on a successful 2024 Winter Reading Program! Over the course of seven weeks, a total of 1,525 books were read by children, teens, and adults: participants in grades 6 and under read 920 books, while the teen category in grades 7-12 logged 58 titles, and adults finished 547 altogether.

This fun annual program celebrates starting your new year off strong with some great books and brings with it the many important benefits of reading, from expanding vocabulary to encouraging relaxation to fostering empathy. Participants share a brief review of each book they read in order to be entered into the program’s weekly prize drawings. You can check out some of our favorite reviews from this year here.

Our sincere gratitude goes to the generous community sponsors whose prize donations provided incentives to keep our patrons reading strong throughout the program! Thank you to Beauty Salon V, Blenders in the Grass, The Book Loft, Brick Barn Winery, Enjoy Cupcakes, Fairview Barbers, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley, The Habit, Miner’s Ace Hardware, ONEder Child, Peasant’s Deli & Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s.

Although the Winter Reading Program has ended, there are many fantastic titles that await on the library shelves! We look forward to seeing you all year long at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries.