Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Successful Second Coffee and Community Event

Watch Video Slide Show

City of Goleta residents care about their community as was evidenced by the great turnout on July 15, 2023, for the City’s second neighborhood Coffee and Community (Café y Comunidad) event. More than 60 people gathered at the Goleta Valley Library for coffee and conversation. Check out our video slideshow to see photos from the memorable morning.

This bilingual event with live Spanish interpretation was a great opportunity for neighbors in the 1st District and beyond to meet each other and share their thoughts, ideas and concerns with Mayor Paula Perotte, 1st District City Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín and a cross-section of Goleta City staff.

Attendees enjoyed coffee, champurrado (chocolate flavored drink) and fresh pan dulce (breakfast pastries) thanks to Cristino’s Bakery. Councilmember Reyes-Martín welcomed everyone and addressed some topics she knew would be of interest to residents in District 1, such as the City’s first inclusive playground to be installed at Stow Grove Park, the condition of Cathedral Oaks Road, the City’s new Plastic Reduction Ordinance and the upcoming Beautify Goleta event this Saturday, July 22.

Mayor Perotte also welcomed attendees and encouraged them to stay connected with the City and to feel free to reach out any time. City staff from various departments answered questions from the public on a wide range of topics. In addition to the group Q&A time, community members also had time to ask their questions directly to the Mayor, Councilmember Reyes-Martín and attending staff. 

It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning. Thanks to everyone who participated!

The City held the first Coffee and Community (Café y Comunidad) on January 21 in Old Town with Mayor Perotte and District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco. The City plans to hold the next one in October. Stay tuned for details. For questions, call or email the City’s Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez at (805) 562-5500 or mmartinez@cityofgoleta.org.

Pictured above: Mayor Paula Perotte and District 1 City Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín


Councilmember Reyes-Martín speaking to a community member


Coffee & Community (Café y Comunidad) Audience


Owner of Cristino’s Bakery Lorena Casas holding up pan dulce (breakfast pastries)


City of Goleta Staff and Council from left to right: Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling, Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover, General Services Director Matthew Fore, Environmental Services Manager Melissa Nelson, 1st District Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, Sustainability Manager Dana Murray, Mayor Paula Perotte, Goleta Valley Library Supervising Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo, and Director of Neighborhood Services Jaime Valdez

Beautify Goleta Volunteers Clean Up More than 240 Pounds of Trash

Almost 3,000 Pounds of Bulky Items Collected at Drop Off Location

More than 40 community members took time out of their Saturday morning on July 22, 2023, to pick up trash around Winchester II Open Space (located at Calle Real and Jenna Drive). In all, 248 pounds was collected during the clean-up event. Some volunteers showed up with family members, others on their own or with a group. We were especially pleased to see kids participating this time and wearing our new youth-sized Beautify Goleta t-shirts.

Beautify Goleta is made up of individuals and organizations who show leadership in their community by helping captain events, and volunteers who spend their free time helping to clean up their neighborhoods and keep them beautiful. This event had many new and repeat volunteers, and was captained by former City Councilmember Roger Aceves, who founded the program in 2016. The Evening time Goleta Rotary Club, who has been one of the program’s biggest supporters, brought numerous volunteers, as they have for every event this year. The City was pleased to also welcome Home Depot, who not only brought volunteers for the event, but donated cleanup supplies to the program. Dedicated captains and volunteers are what make this program successful, and the City is seeking more! Please sign up here if you are interested in hosting or volunteering for future events.

Besides the satisfaction of giving back to their community, volunteers were also shown appreciation with waste-free themed prize giveaways. Prizes included stainless steel bento boxes, insulated lunch boxes, Plastic Free Goleta reusable cutlery sets, and more. These new giveaways highlight easy changes each of us can make to have a waste-free packed lunch and avoid single-use plastics.

The free Bulky Item Drop Off portion of the Beautify Goleta event was successful as well. There were more than 30 vehicle drop offs at Goleta City Hall for an estimated total of 2,967 pounds of bulky items collected. Learn more about Beautify Goleta’s Cleanup Data online. Thank you to MarBorg Industries, Big Green Cleaning, and the Caltrans Clean California program for their ongoing support! 

To find out about future Beautify Goleta events go to www.cityofgoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta.


Group photo at Winchester II Park


Home Depot volunteers ready to pick up trash


Roger Aceves with volunteers at Winchester II Park


Bulky Item Drop Off event

 

Library Hosts Creek Week Art Contest

All Ages and Skill Levels Invited to Participate

We want to see your creativity! In honor of Creek Week (September 23-30) the Goleta Valley Library is hosting the Second Annual Creek Week Art Contest. Community members are invited to submit original artwork inspired by our creeks, watersheds, and ocean using this year’s theme, “Goleta the Goodland, Thriving Habitats.” Artwork may be submitted at the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue) September 1 – 8, during regular business hours.

The Art Contest is open to all ages and skill levels and will have three categories: adults (18 +), teens (7th-12th grade), and children (6th grade and below).

Artwork will remain on display for the community to enjoy September 11 through October 1. Mayor Paula Perotte will judge the artwork and award a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place along with Honorable Mention for each category. Winners will be announced at a reception on September 27th which all of the participants, along with community members, are invited to attend. Stay tuned for more information.

Details:

  • Participants may only submit one piece of art. 
  • All artwork that represents the theme “Goleta the Goodland, Thriving Habitats” will be accepted.
  • Art must be original, completed solely by the participant. 
  • All mediums allowed (photography, painting, drawing, collage, etc.). 
  • Artwork is not required to be framed but must have the participants name and category on the back. 
  • Art must be no larger than 42 inches any direction (including frame) and have a way to be hung on the wall. 
  • The art will be scored on relevance to the theme, overall appearance, and originality. 

For any questions, please contact Library staff member Sharon Nigh at snigh@cityofgoleta.org.

Thank You Parks Team!

The City of Goleta has an amazing team of people working in our Parks and Recreation Division and Parks and Open Space Division, and we want to show our gratitude for all they do. July 21 was Parks and Recreation Staff Appreciation Day, a nationwide celebration to recognize and thank all the dedicated professionals who build strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. Our team works together to deliver high-quality experiences and keep our parks and open spaces clean, safe, welcoming, inclusive and ready to use. Please join us in thanking them for the great benefit they provide to our community all year long!


City of Goleta Parks and Recreation and Parks and Open Space Divisions (not all pictured)

Splash Pad Project Delayed

New Projected Opening in Spring of 2024

The much-anticipated Splash Pad Project at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park has been delayed due to the ongoing challenges of supply chain demands. Construction was set to begin with an anticipated completion date in mid-October when the project team was notified of a manufacturing delay that would significantly impact the completion of the Splash Pad.  To avoid portions of the popular park and valuable parking needlessly closed this summer with little to no construction happening, the decision was made to take down the project fence and resume the project operation at the end of October.

City of Goleta’s Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer stated, “Pausing the project allows our Goleta families to enjoy the park this summer. We know that this news is disappointing for all of us and how eager our residents are to have this long-awaited splash pad and other park improvements.  We look forward to delivering the project as soon as possible and for the time that we can celebrate opening day.”

Once the project is complete, the Splash Pad will nestle between the basketball court and one of the picnic shelters. Other park improvements include additional fencing for basketball and pickleball, shade structures over the picnic areas by the soccer field and more. The basketball court will also be resurfaced.

The good news is the delay is not impacting the construction of the City’s first Community Garden project at nearby Armitos Park or the extension of the Multi-Purpose path which are both underway.  The garden will be constructed in the undeveloped area of the park, south of the playground. The design includes raised garden plots, a picnic area with a pizza oven, a gathering/education area, tool sheds and more. The playground will also receive a refresh that includes the addition of swings, sand features, music elements and a new play structure.  The multi-purpose path adjacent to Jonny D Wallis Neighborhood Park will be extended to Armitos Avenue. 

In preparation for the operation of the Community Garden, the Parks and Recreation Commission had its final review of the garden procedures at its regular July 12th meeting and the documents will be finalized at a future City Council meeting.  Applications for garden plots are expected to be available to the public in September of this year.  Stay tuned for more details on how to secure a garden plot for you and/or your family.  For questions on either project, please contact JoAnne Plummer, Parks and Recreation Manager/Project Manager at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.

We look forward to having both first time Goleta projects open to our community soon and appreciate your patience as we work to get them completed as soon as possible.

State Funding Received for First Inclusive Playground

Playground to be Located at Stow Grove Park

A universal playground is in the City of Goleta’s future thanks in large part to two local legislators. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a budget in July which included providing $750,000 in State funding to go towards the City’s first inclusive playground to be located at the historic Stow Grove Park. Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Senator Monique Limón requested the funding after meeting with Mayor Paula Perotte, City Councilmembers Stuart Kasdin and James Kyriaco, and City staff at the League of California Cities City Leaders Summit in Sacramento in April 2023. While the design for the playground is yet to begin, the community can expect a park that serves the ‘whole child’ – physical, social/emotional, sensory, cognitive and communication.

Assemblymember Gregg Hart said, “We are very fortunate to have high quality parks and open spaces in our community. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure funding for the Stow Grove Park playground project. Once built, this new playground will be enjoyed by our local youth and families for many years to come.”

“I am grateful that Assemblymember Gregg Hart championed this funding in the Assembly for this community project,” said Senator Monique Limón. “Investing in our recreational and open spaces is an important step to ensuring all of our community members have places to enjoy the beauty of our district.” 

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We can’t wait to see children of all abilities playing together and enjoying this beautiful historic park that is a treasured location in our City. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Assemblymember Hart and Senator Limón for prioritizing funding for this project and recognizing the importance of providing a safe, fun place for all children to play and develop new skills.”

The playground is part of a larger plan to revamp Stow Grove Park which has been a public park since 1920 and was deeded to the County in 1964. The City of Goleta assumed ownership of the park from the County of Santa Barbara upon incorporation in 2002. The Stow Grove Park Master Plan is currently going through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. Once that is complete, the Draft Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) will be made available for review. As soon as the IS-MND is final and adopted, the project will move into the design phase, including the design of the universal playground.

The park currently has a variety of play features, in three different spaces. The City’s Stow Grove Park Draft Master Plan combines these three separate spaces into one large play space that will be able to accommodate a variety of play elements. Fundamentally, inclusively designed play environments are a statement about a community’s social values and every child’s right to play. The goal is to innovate play experiences and provide quality outdoor play for people of all ages and abilities which develop the whole child, the whole environment, and ultimately, benefit the whole community. 

Stay tuned for updates as plans for the inclusive playground are developed. For more information on the Stow Grove Master Plan visit our website here. For questions, contact our Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org. 

We can’t wait to have this important resource available in our community.


Governor Newsom signing the bill into law

Buena Tierra Opening Fall 2023

Housing Assessments at Showers of Blessings Site on Thursdays from 11am to 1pm

This fall, 59 people living on the streets or in shelters will have a new home at Buena Tierra, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara’s (HASBARCO) Permanent Supportive Housing development located in Old Town Goleta. The Housing Authority is accepting applications through Santa Barbara County’s Coordinated Entry System. The Coordinated Entry System verifies eligibility for housing programs and assists in matching persons experiencing homelessness to housing and services. To make it easier for potential applicants, a site is open in Goleta where people can go in person and start the housing assessment process. The site is located at the Showers of Blessings center at St. Athanasius Church (300 S. Sumida Gardens) on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said “We are heartened to learn that this October the transformation of the former Super 8 Hotel into Buena Tierra will be complete. We are also pleased that people experiencing homelessness in Goleta can access a Coordinated Entry System site to be connected to services.”

Buena Tierra is located at 6021 Hollister Avenue and is a 60-unit permanent supportive housing development for people experiencing chronic homelessness, homelessness and homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. It will include one unit to house an onsite property manager, plus five existing units that will be converted to community space in which a robust offering of services will be provided.

  • Thirty-six units are reserved for persons experiencing chronic homelessness. Chronic homelessness is defined as an individual with a permanent disability and has been homeless for at least 12 months.
  • Fifteen units are reserved for youth (persons ages 18-24) that are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

For more information on the Coordinated Entry System and housing process for Buena Tierra or other housing opportunities, please call a Housing Specialist at 805-519-1302 to speak to someone in English, or 805-518-2679 to speak to someone in Spanish. For more information on the Coordinated Entry System, go to https://www.countyofsb.org/447/Coordinated-Entry-System.

To learn more about the City of Goleta’s response to homelessness, contact Chuck Flacks, Homelessness Services Coordinator, at cflacks@cityofgoleta.org.

Background

Buena Tierra will be run by the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara, which received almost $19 million in State Funding for the project. The funding, announced on April 13, 2022, by Governor Gavin Newsom, is a part of $70 million in State awards for six new Homekey projects throughout California.

This state funding includes rental subsidy and operating costs. Generous additional funding has been reserved for this development by the County of Santa Barbara and City of Goleta. Under recent State law (AB 140 and AB 2162), supportive housing projects funded through the Homekey program are automatically deemed consistent and in conformity with local General Plan and zoning requirements and allowed by right as a permitted use.

Plastic Free Goleta Lunch & Learn

Thursday, August 3 at Noon via Zoom

Learn more about Plastic Free Goleta with a virtual Lunch & Learn this Thursday, August 3 at noon. This is a great way for you to have your questions answered about the City’s new plastic pollution reduction policy and hear directly from the City’s Sustainability Division. The Lunch & Learn will start with a short presentation outlining Plastic Free Goleta followed by a Q&A session with attendees. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the City’s new policy and how you can help make a difference in protecting our environment. Register today at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaLunchLearn to join the conversation! The Zoom link is provided after registering.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Plastic Free Goleta! The presentation will provide an overview of the comprehensive plastic pollution reduction policy which includes regulations to reduce the sale and distribution of: 

  • Disposable single-use plastic cutlery and straws 
  • Polystyrene foodware  
  • Polystyrene packing materials and coolers 
  • Polystyrene egg cartons, meat trays, and produce trays 
  • Mylar® or foil balloons and the release of any balloons

Since the June 1, 2023, compliance deadline, City staff has visited more than 30 businesses to answer questions and check on progress. Together, we have already made a huge difference in keeping single-use plastics, polystyrene, and Mylar® balloons out of our environment, protecting our waterways and wildlife. The more community members we have following these guidelines, the bigger the impact we can make. Let’s all do our part to reduce plastic pollution and keep making healthy, sustainable choices for our environment.   

To learn more about Goleta’s plastics initiatives and to read the full ordinance, please visit www.cityofgoleta.org/PlasticFreeGoleta.

The Dam Dinner is Almost Here

New Longer Time 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Los Carneros Dam

We hope you are getting as excited as we are about Goleta’s Dam Dinner which is coming up later this month on August 19 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. This annual free community event takes place the last Saturday in summer before school starts at the scenic Lake Los Carneros Dam. For those who have been before, you know how simple yet special this event is. For those who have never been, we hope you will join us for this fun and casual community gathering with friends and neighbors. Watch our video invite in English (https://youtu.be/0ERI5zReyLU) or Spanish (https://youtu.be/0q5zcYgOJxU).

Here’s what to expect. Everyone sits together at tables and chairs set up by the dam with beautiful views of Lake Los Carneros and the mountains. Listen to live music from local bluegrass group the Salt Martians. Bring your own picnic dinner or purchase food from AR Catering and refreshing popsicles from Dave’s Drip House. Kids will enjoy face-painting and cornhole. Dam Dinner 2023 t-shirts will be available for purchase.

As a reminder, the City has a plastic reduction ordinance in place, and we ask you to please not bring single-use plastics. As a free gift to you, attendees will receive a reusable travel utensil set to use and keep courtesy of the City’s Sustainability Division. Learn more about Plastic Free Goleta here: www.cityofgoleta.org/plasticfreegoleta.

You can enter the Dam Dinner off N. La Patera Lane or Stow House at 304 N. Los Carneros Road. Wear walking shoes and bring a jacket in case it gets windy.

Please do not bring pets, service animals are allowed.

Goleta’s Dam Dinner is organized by the City of Goleta and Goleta Valley Historical Society with special thanks to Big Hammer Lures, Creekside Restaurant & Bar, Devereux, MarBorg and Santa Cruz Market.

We hope to see you on August 19th at the Dam.


The Salt Martians taking a break from playing at the 2022 Dam Dinner
City staff at last year’s Dam Dinner

Don’t Drink and Drive this Holiday Weekend

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk driving crashes. The United States Department of Transportation reports that every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes; that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic deaths, a 14% increase from 2020. 

The United States Department of Transportation also notes that from 2017 to 2021, 1,460 drivers were killed in motor vehicle crashes. 38% of the drivers who died during those years were alcohol-impaired, while 44% were drunk and ages 21-34. Our County is no different; County of Santa Barbara District Attorney John Savrnoch shared 2,334 DUI total cases for 2022, a significant increase from 2021 (see graph below). Over the years, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and unsafe driving have increased in our region.

Local leaders are sharing this vital information before the long holiday weekend to prevent these types of accidents and DUIs and help save lives.

“We are here at Cathedral Oaks Road and North Kellogg Avenue, an area that community members have unofficially called the “DUI corridor, as this street and this community has seen an inexcusable amount of DUI violations and, even worse drunk driving crashes and fatalities,” said County Supervisor Laura Capps who hosted the press event on Thursday, June 29. “Although we are at this location, it does happen around our region. I almost lost my dad in 1996 when a drunk driver struck my parents on Highway 154.”   

Laura Capps, Second District Supervisor; Paula Perotte, City of Goleta Mayor; John Savrnoch, Santa Barbara County District Attorney; Craig Bonner, Santa Barbara County Undersheriff; and Victoria Placencia, Program Specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tri-Counties, along with Eeron Vela, a local community member who helped pulled two people out of an under the influence crash, held a press event on Thursday, June 29 at Cathedral Oaks and North Kellogg Avenue to warn community members about the dangers of driving under the influences, which can have deadly consequences. 

 

“Driving under the influence is a horrific violent act,” shared District Attorney Savrnoch. “This is a neighborhood, and there is no excuse for this crime. If you are driving under the influence, you are inches away from killing someone. Please make a safety plan before celebrating. Plans made under the influence are bad plans.” 

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte shared a personal note as her son-in-law serves in the Sheriff’s Department. She mentioned, “Driving Under the Influence poses several threats to law enforcement. These threats can be categorized into two main areas: direct threats to the safety of law enforcement officers and indirect threats to the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.” 

Undersheriff Craig Bonner stressed how completely preventable. He notes, “Proactive, zero-tolerance enforcement of drunk-driving laws in conjunction with educational campaigns by MADD, law enforcement, and other entities have been major factors in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s – when over 20,000 people were dying yearly. But we still have a long way to go, as every death and every life-altering injury is too many. Unlike the 1980’s we have so many tools and resources, Lyft, Uber, taxi and designated drivers, that DUIs are completely preventable.”

 

MADD program specialist, Victoria Placencia, shared local resources that their organization provides. “MADD Victim Services is here to provide you with emotional support and assistance in various ways after a drunk or drugged driving crash, all at no cost to victims and survivors. If you, or someone you love, has been a victim of this crime, you can contact MADD Victim Advocate, 24 hours a day, at our victim helpline at 1-877-MAD-HELP (1-877-623-3435).”


Supervisor Capps closed out the press event, thanking local leaders and acknowledging the good work of local community member Eeron Vela – a father of five who woke up to a car fire on Cathedral Oaks and risked his life to pull out both young persons in the car – the most recent DUI crash on Cathedral Oaks. 

 

Leaders noted, “Please celebrate responsibly and do not drive under the influence this long holiday weekend.”

Pictured left-to-right: MADD program specialist Victoria Placencia, Undersheriff Craig Bonner, Second District Supervisor Laura Capps, Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and County of Santa Barbara District Attorney John Savrnoch