Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

New Date for BioBlitz

The City of Goleta’s BioBlitz has been postponed from March 9 due to impacts from the February storms. Stay tuned for a new date.

What is a BioBlitz? It’s a fun and educational event to explore and document the incredible biodiversity around us. The goal is to identify and record as many plants, animals, fungi, and other species as possible in a single day.

The BioBlitz is a great opportunity to participate in a point-in-time inventory of biodiversity at the Butterfly Grove, hosted by the City of Goleta’s Parks and Open Space Division and UC Santa Barbara’s Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration. This hands-on experience promises an engaging and educational opportunity for community members of all ages to connect with nature and foster a deeper understanding of environmental conservation. The public is encouraged to participate in the long-term stewardship at Ellwood Mesa. The BioBlitz is a chance for people who care about the natural world to get connected and give back.

Stay connected to learn about the new date.

Coffee with Co-Response March 6

Meet Crisis Intervention Co-Response Teams from 9am – 11am at Camino Real Marketplace

Community members in Goleta are in for a treat as the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Behavioral Wellness, has organized a special edition of Coffee with a Cop. This FREE event on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Goleta Marketplace Starbucks, aims to shed light on the innovative Mental Health Co-Response Teams.

The role of law enforcement in mental health crises has evolved over the years, recognizing the need for a compassionate and specialized response. Mental Health Co-Response Teams bridge the gap between law enforcement and mental health services, facilitating a more effective and empathetic approach to crisis situations. The creation of these Co-Response Teams is a significant step forward in providing comprehensive care for individuals in crisis situations. 

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet the members of these Co-Response Teams and learn more about their work. This event serves as a platform for community members to gain insight into the challenges faced by law enforcement officers and mental health professionals when responding to mental health crises.

Make sure you mark your calendars for THIS Wednesday, March 6, 2024, and make your way on over to the Goleta Marketplace Starbucks between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Join the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Behavioral Wellness, and fellow community members for a cup of coffee and an enriching conversation about the innovative work of the Mental Health Co-Response Teams.

Goleta Neighbors Connect at Coffee & Community Event

Close to 40 Residents Gathered at Brandon School

Getting time to connect in an informal setting and ask questions is what our Coffee and Community events are all about. The last one was held on February 3, 2024, at Brandon School. It was also a great opportunity to celebrate the City’s 22nd birthday (February 2, 2024).  

This was the fourth Coffee and Community event. The gatherings are held in different parts of the City in hopes of reaching different neighborhoods to address their particular questions and concerns. The attendees enjoyed coffee and birthday cake. Children who attended with their parents participated in the celebration by making birthday cards for the City. Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember Kyle Richards, City Manager Robert Nisbet and a group of City staff from a variety of departments were in attendance as were Santa Barbara County Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann. Spanish interpretation was provided.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Our staff and I were so pleased for this opportunity to learn from and respond to Goleta residents’ comments and questions regarding our city’s operations and strategies.” 

Councilmember Kyle Richards said, “I am always glad to hear from our residents regarding their concerns about the City and their neighborhoods. Saturday’s ‘Coffee & Community’ at Brandon School was a great opportunity to engage with neighbors and share information about how our Council and staff are working on their behalf.”

During the event, City staff answered questions about housing, road conditions, parks and open space, upcoming projects and other topics of interest to the neighborhood.

A big thanks to Brandon Principal Sheryl Miller for helping set up the event and make sure it ran smoothly, and to Anna’s Bakery in Goleta for making delicious birthday cake for all to enjoy. 

Thanks to everyone who attended and participated.

Pictured above: Mayor Perotte and Councilmember Kyle Richards with City Staff


Child drawing a birthday card for the City


Mayor Paula Perotte speaking to the audience

E-Bike Safety Awareness

The use of e-bikes is skyrocketing and so is the need for riders to understand how to operate them safely. That’s why the City expanded its first E-bike Safety Awareness Day in January 2023 to a week-long event this past January 2024. The goal is to bring an important topic of concern to the forefront, provide education and ultimately prevent accidents and injuries from occurring. Every E-bike rider should watch this important newly released E-bike safety video with our Community Resource Deputy Ehren Rauch who rides an e-bike at work and in his personal life. Watch the video here.

Deputy Rauch said, “Every day we have interactions that involve e-bikes and we often find that riders are not familiar with the laws that pertain to e-bikes. It’s important that anyone operating an e-bike understand they must follow the same traffic rules as vehicles.”

At the reading of the proclamation at the Goleta City Council Meeting on January 16, Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Electric bicycles are heavier and faster than standard bicycles and, without the proper safety education and training, e-bike riders have a higher risk of becoming severely injured or killed in a crash.”

The State of California has e-bike safety laws in place that regulate who and where each type of e-bike can lawfully be ridden and that riders 17 years of age and under must always wear a helmet. Of course, it is strongly recommended that e-bike riders of all ages wear a helmet.

“Practicing bike safety precautions, especially wearing a helmet, is essential to preventing or minimizing injury, regardless of age,” said Lauren Sutherlin, Trauma Nurse Coordinator at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. “Given the higher speeds associated with e-bikes, a properly fitting helmet significantly reduces the risk of serious head and brain injuries in the case of a fall or collision.”

According to the California Highway Patrol, there were more than 9,600 bicycle-involved crashes in California in 2022, 225 of which involved an e-bike (an increase over 80 the prior year) and four of which resulted in fatal injuries.

CHP has an on-line safety course available online at www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Bike-and-Ped-Safety.

The City partnered with MOVE Santa Barbara County, Goleta Police, CHP and Cottage Hospital to hand out more than 100 helmets to e-bike riders at Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta Valley Junior High (at lunch and after school) and at a Community E-bike Skills Class and Ride held on January 27. 

Mayor Perotte enjoyed being at the event and handing out free helmets, bike lights, wheel reflectors, and many other bike safety items.

Thanks to everyone who was a part of making E-bike Safety Awareness Week in the City of Goleta a big success. 


Mayor Paula Perotte presenting the proclamation to Kim Stanley-Zimmerman with MOVE Santa Barbara County at the January 16, 2024, City Council Meeting


Representatives from the City of Goleta, MOVE Santa Barbara County, Goleta Police, CHP and Cottage Hospital passing out helmets and lights at Dos Pueblos High School on January 17, 2024


DP students checking out the free helmet distribution


Kim Stanley-Zimmerman making sure a student’s helmet fits properly at the Goleta Valley Junior High School distribution on January 18, 2024


Smiling participants after completing the Community E-Bike Skills Class & Ride on January 27 at Goleta Valley Junior High School

Pictured above: Mayor Perotte with two participants from the Community E-Bike Skills Class & Ride

Thank You Point-In Time Count Volunteers

Thanks to a great group of “early risers”, Santa Barbara County has a better idea of the number of people experiencing homelessness. Close to 400 volunteers throughout Santa Barbara County gathered before the sun rose on January 24, 2024, for the Point in Time Count. Approximately 40 of those volunteers met at Goleta City Hall. They were given instructions, then divided into 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 count is scheduled to take place early in the morning because people are more stationary and less likely to be counted twice.

The PIT Count is an annual count required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of sheltered (emergency shelter, transitional housing, or Safe Havens) and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January.  The data gathered shows so much more than how many people are homeless in Santa Barbara County – we also learn more about who is homeless and why. Information from the PIT Count 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.

Thank you to the dedicated individuals that volunteered to help complete the PIT Count for 2024!


Volunteers gathered at Goleta City Hall

Pictured top right: Landon Ranck, Operations Manager of SB ACT, City of Goleta Homelessness Services Coordinator Chuck Flacks, Katherine Soto-Vasquez from the County of Santa Barbara and City of Goleta Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez

 

Record-Breaking Beautify Goleta Event

First Event of the Year brings More than 100 Vehicles and Over 15,000 Pounds of Bulky Items

The first Beautify Goleta Bulky Item Drop-Off event of the year brought a record turnout and chart-topping results. 103 vehicles dropped off 15,604 pounds of bulky items to the drop-off location in Western Goleta. (That is almost double the amount of the previous record of 68 vehicles participating and almost 9,000 pounds collected.)

There was a steady line of cars dropping off items at the intersection of Mathilda Drive and Strehle Lane throughout the duration of the four-hour event on Saturday, January 27th. People were eager to start the new year getting rid of large unwanted items from their garage, backyard and house/apartment. The most popular items were large pieces of damaged furniture and old mattresses.

City of Goleta Environmental Services Specialist Dan Rowell said, “It’s great to see how excited our community is for our Beautify Goleta events. The unprecedented turnout we had on Saturday demonstrates just how much the program has grown since it began in 2016 and the importance of these services for the community. The events also wouldn’t be what they are today without our amazing partners at MarBorg Industries, Big Green Cleaning, Solid Waste Solutions, and the Caltrans Clean California program.” 

If you missed it, don’t worry there are more Beautify Goleta bulky item drop-off events and community-wide cleanup opportunities coming up. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details.

  • February 2024: First-ever Beautify Goleta Self-Guided Cleanup Month (additional information available at www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta).
  • March 16, 2024: “Spring Into Action”
  • April 20, 2024: “Earth Day” 
  • July 20, 2024: “Put A Smile On Your Place” 
  • September 21, 2024: “Coastal Cleanup Day” 

Thanks to Community West Bank and the Goleta Rotary Club for taking on the role of Team Captains for the upcoming March 16th Beautify Goleta event. The City is recruiting Team Captains. We need you! Captains can be clubs, businesses, community groups, or individuals who help keep a group of volunteers organized on event day. Captains are an essential part of Beautify Goleta and a great opportunity to highlight your group as Captains are regularly recognized in City press releases, the Monarch Press e-newsletter, and other social media campaigns. Please email us about being a Captain today! Send your email to EnvironmentalServices@CityOfGoleta.org.

For more information on Beautify Goleta, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta.


Dan Rowell, City of Goleta Environmental Services Specialist, helping place bulky items in the dumpster


Vehicle dropping off bulky items at the Beautify Goleta event on January 27

Applications for the City’s First Community Garden Now Available

Priority Given to City of Goleta Residents for 50 Plots Available at Armitos Park

The City of Goleta is now accepting applications to reserve a garden plot at the soon-to-be completed Armitos Park Community Garden! Located at Armitos Avenue and S. Kellogg Avenue in Old Town there are 50 garden plots available (10 large and 40 small). Priority will be given to City of Goleta residents, and if there are more than 50 applications submitted, plots will be awarded based on a lottery system. Residents must turn in the application packet by Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to be considered. The application, along with rules, regulations, waiver, release form, and code of conduct are available on the City’s website: www.CityofGoleta.org/ArmitosPark. You can also email your completed application to communitygarden@cityofgoleta.org, or mail it to City of Goleta, Attention: Community Garden, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta CA 93117.

Please note, only one plot will be granted to each applicant during this process. After the initial lottery system for resident priority has been completed, remaining plots will be available on a first come first served basis. The cost for a garden plot is $120/year with a $25 refundable security deposit. The annual rate can be paid in one lump sum, quarterly or monthly installments. Fees are due at the time of application, except for the initial lottery process. For those participating in the lottery, fees will be due within three days of plot confirmation.

The Community Garden is located in the undeveloped area of Armitos park, south of the playground. In addition to the 50 garden plots, there will be a picnic area with a pizza oven, a gathering/education area, tool sheds and more. Construction is expected to be completed in early spring.

The project includes a new playground for 5–12 year-olds, with the addition of swings, sand features and music elements. Once open, the San Jose Creek Multi-Purpose Path adjacent to Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park will extend to Armitos Avenue, connecting the two parks and providing more connectivity throughout Goleta. A Splash Pad is currently under construction at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park with hopes of opening in time for summer.

For questions related to the project or the application process, please contact JoAnne Plummer, Parks and Recreation Manager at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 562-5505.


Raised pollinator garden in the shape of a butterfly at Armitos Park. It will be filled with plants that attract pollinators.


Armitos Park Sign

Show Goleta Businesses Your Love

Shop GoodLandGoodShopping.com

Show our Goleta business your love this Valentine’s Day and beyond. Before buying your loved one a gift online, think local and go to the City’s online business directory, www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com, featuring more than 800 businesses. Check out if the item or service you are looking for is available from a Goleta business and support local instead. From restaurants to the thrift store down the street to a favorite gift shop, Goleta has it all and these local merchants appreciate your loyalty.

Whether a business has one employee or 499, it provides important resources and employment opportunities for local residents. Please help support our local economy. 

And if you are a Goleta business, please go to the website and customize your listing for free (businesses must be located within the City of Goleta and have a business license to be included). The listings include business name, address, phone number, website, and hours but we encourage you to enhance it by adding your logo, social media links, promotions, photo galleries, and more. City staff will review and approve the listing before it is published.

Thanks for shopping local Goleta!

Burglary Prevention Tips

With an increase in burglaries on the South Coast, specifically Hope Ranch, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office offers the following suggestions to deter residents from being targeted:

  • Install a Security System: A monitored security system can deter burglars and alert authorities in case of a break-in. Activate alarm systems when leaving the house. Even if you only plan on being away for a brief period.
    • Alarm systems should consist of door sensors, window sensors and glass break sensors for all windows and doors on the first and second stories of the house. Notify your alarm company and Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805)-683-2724 of gate codes that will be needed to access your property and contact information for responsible parties.
    • Replace batteries in alarms and cameras as needed.

  • Security Lighting: Well-lit exteriors make it difficult for burglars to approach unseen. Install motion sensor lights around entrances. Leave indoor lights and/or televisions on during the evening hours to give the appearance the house is occupied.

  • Secure Doors and Windows: Use solid core or metal doors and reinforce windows with security film or laminated glass. Close and lock all windows and doors when leaving the house.

  • Secure Valuables: Keep valuable items out of sight from windows, and consider a home safe for important documents and jewelry. Personal safes have been specifically targeted during these burglaries. Consider permanently securing safes, storing valuables in heavy, well-constructed safes, safe deposit boxes or other secure locations.

  • Get to Know Your Neighbors: Building strong relationships with neighbors can lead to a more vigilant and supportive community. Be a good neighbor and report suspicious vehicles or individuals immediately by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805) 683-2724. Pay particular attention to vehicles that drive slowly up and down residential streets, vehicles parked on a street with the engine on and headlights off, and vehicles parked adjacent to hiking trails during hours that are not consistent with hiking.

By implementing these burglary prevention tips, you can reduce the risk of a break-in and enhance the safety of your home.

The City of Goleta would like to remind Goleta business owners and community members that the City’s Community Resource Deputy (CRD) is available to provide free assessments to Goleta businesses to help deter burglaries. Goleta business owners can book an appointment with CRD Ehren Rauch to receive an onsite inspection and personalized tips. Deputy Rauch will come to your business and provide tips on what the business can do to improve employee safety and prepare against burglaries and robberies in this free assessment. To schedule a free assessment with CRD Rauch, please call (805) 968-3878 or email goletapd@sbsheriff.org.

Verify Your Voter Registration

Deadline to register to vote for Primary Election is February 20, 2024

California voters will vote in March, but now is the time to verify and update your voter registration.

In California, the deadline to register to vote for any election is 15 days before Election Day.

The upcoming Primary Presidential Election is on March 5, 2024, and the deadline to register to vote for this election is February 20, 2024.  

For information on how to register to vote go to https://www.countyofsb.org/1139/Register-to-Vote.

If you miss the 15-day deadline to register to vote, you can register conditionally and vote a ballot at any Polling Place or Elections Office in Santa Barbara County. Please check election specific information for locations and dates. A conditional voter fills out a provisional ballot that is counted once their eligibility is confirmed.

“Voting should not be complicated, and in most instances, is simple,” says Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Joe Holland, “The Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office is here to help.”

It is easy to register to vote and to verify that your voter registration is valid.  You can apply to register to vote right now by filling out an online application.  A voter must be a citizen of the United States and be at least 18 years of age on election day.  Applications can be found at most post offices and can be returned, postage-free, to the Santa Barbara County Elections Office.  In addition, voters can register online, verify their voter registration, and update their residential and mailing address by visiting www.sbcvote.com or www.registertovote.ca.gov. 

Additional questions can also be answered by calling the Elections office at 800-722-8683.