Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Update on Goleta Community Center Plan

To be Presented at April 18 Council Meeting

For many years the Goleta Community Center (GCC) has been an important gathering place for our community. The City of Goleta is committed to restoring and preserving this important resource and has been working on a strategic plan for the future of the GCC that includes input from the community on how to make the facility more vibrant and welcoming.

The project began six months ago when a Working Group of eight community leaders was assembled to provide the City with guidance on the development of the strategic plan. In addition, from mid-December 2022 through mid-February 2023, the City conducted a community-wide survey, a student survey, and a service provider survey seeking public input on what potential programming, services and events residents would like to see at the GCC. The results are in, and with the help of your input from the surveys and key insights from the Working Group, the Strategic Plan for the GCC is nearly complete. The Working Group deserves a big thank you for their efforts to create an ambitious and meaningful Strategic Plan for the GCC. The Plan is now set to be presented to the City Council and adopted at a meeting on April 18, 2023. Please join us at the meeting to learn about the Plan and provide any comments or questions you may have.

District 2 Councilmember and Working Group member James Kyriaco stated “I am excited for the future of the Goleta Community Center! The GCC is such an important landmark for the Old Town business and residential community, with a rich history of providing a home for events, festivals, educational, youth and senior activities. I look forward to restoring the GCC to its rightful place as Goleta’s gathering spot in what is the cultural heart of Goleta.”

District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, who also participated in the Working Group, added “The Community Center is a beloved space, with deep roots and community connections. I have been pleased to participate in the Strategic Planning Process for the Community Center. The process has included in-depth and robust discussions about the strengths and opportunities related to the facility. Of note, the Strategic Plan includes achievable goals and strategies that will help guide the short and long term success of the Community Center.”

The Working Group participated in six meetings and workshops to develop all the elements of the Plan. The Plan establishes a vision for the GCC identifying its purpose and role in the community over the short- and long-term to ensure the programs and services at the GCC match the needs and interests of the Goleta community. The vision guides five overarching goals and outlines specific objectives and tactics to be accomplished over a 5-year span. The Plan reflects current priorities and needs identified by the Working Group and community members that set the expectations for future management of the GCC, whether it is managed by a non-profit lessee or directly by the City.

Please join us at the City Council meeting on April 18, 2023, to be part of this instrumental milestone as we celebrate this historic and beloved facility and move forward in ensuring the vitality of the Goleta Community Center for years to come.

For more information on the Goleta Community Center, please visit www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.

Historic Preservation Commission Off and Running

The City’s newest Commission – Historic Preservation – is off and running. The Commission held its first ever meeting on February 22. The Historic Preservation Commission is an important next step in implementing the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, which was enacted by the City Council in April 2022. The goal of the Ordinance is to preserve and protect resources that, once lost, cannot be replaced or replicated.

Responsibilities of this new five-member Commission include:

  • Making recommendations to the City Council regarding the designation of eligible properties as Historic Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Points of Historical Interest within the City and Mills Act requests.
  • Making recommendations to the City Council regarding the rescission of or amendment to a historic designation.
  • Reviewing and making recommendations to the Design Review Board on projects involving alterations to historic resources.
  • Reviewing historic resources surveys and making recommendations to the City Council on periodic updates to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory.
  • Making recommendations on any proposed design guidelines that may be developed by the City for project review or review of appropriate alterations or new construction within Historic Districts.
  • Acting as an advisory board to the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Board, City Manager, and all City departments on all matters related to historic preservation.

The Commission meets on the 3rd Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. You can participate by attending in-person in Goleta City Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive) or online via Zoom. You can also watch from the comfort of your home on the City website or on Goleta TV Channel 19.

Pictured: Historic Preservation Commissioners and City Staff

Women’s History Month

March is #WomensHistoryMonth and we hope you will join the City of Goleta in recognizing the contributions and achievements made throughout history by women and girls of every race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background. 

Our Mayor Paula Perotte made Goleta’s history by being the first elected Mayor for the City of Goleta in 2018. She has been leading our great city ever since. 

Make sure you visit the Goleta Valley Library in-person or check out their online catalog at https://www.goletavalleylibrary.org/ to learn more about the historical and cultural achievements of women around the world.  

Thanks to all of the women who have and continue to make history.

New Teen Programs and Opportunities at Goleta Valley Library

Teens looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon or a purposeful way to get involved should look no further than their local library this month.

At Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue), teens can register for a free crafting class to make Morse Code Bracelets on Saturday, March 18th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Bookworms in junior high and high school are invited to our first-ever Bring-Your-Own-Book Club to share and discuss what they’re currently reading with the group. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and community service opportunities will be available. Come to the first meeting on Sunday, March 26th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. to learn more!

Teen Volunteers who are interested in helping with the Tech Tutoring and Homework Help programs should complete a volunteer application and drop it off at the library. Stay tuned for more information about the 2023 Summer Reading Program teen volunteer program coming soon!

Learn more about programs and events at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Party

Celebrating Literacy at Goleta Valley Library

The Goleta Valley Library held a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation party on Saturday, February 25th, to recognize the wonderful accomplishment of the young readers who finished reading (and being read to) 1,000 books before they entered kindergarten. More than 60 people attended the party, which was complete with a special storytime of I Am Invited to a Party! by Mo Willems, a certificate ceremony, a bubble dance party, and a magical balloon drop finale! After the party, families who were new to the program had a chance to register their children and pick up their first reading log to get started. The next party will be held on September 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Readers who had completed the program received a special goody bag that contained books provided by the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, who received a grant from First 5 Santa Barbara County to provide new hardbound books for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. We extend our sincerest thanks to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library and First 5 Santa Barbara County for their support of our readers.

About the Program
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy program popular at libraries across the country. It encourages parents and caregivers to read to their children, which helps prepare them for school readiness and lifelong success by building a strong foundation for later reading and writing.

At the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, the program is open to all families whose children are below kindergarten age. To get started, stop by the library to pick up your first reading log. As you read to your child, mark off a circle for each book you read. You can mark off a circle for each time you read the same book, too, as repetition is an important part of learning to read. When you’re finished, you and your child can bring the completed log back to the library to receive a prize and your next reading log!

Once you have completed all ten logs and read 1,000 books, we will contact you with an invitation to our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation party.

The friendly librarians at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are excited to offer this program to support literacy in the community. Logs are available in English and Spanish at the Goleta Valley Library, Isla Vista Bookvan, Buellton Library, and Solvang Library. Stop by your local branch and ask for your first log at the front desk. To pick up your reading log at the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan, please check the Bookvan page of our website for hours and locations.

Program materials and prizes at Goleta Valley Library are generously sponsored by the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library. To learn more or to become a Friend, visit https://www.friendsofthegoletavalleylibrary.org/.

Prizes at Solvang Library are sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley. To learn more or become a Friend, go to: https://friendssyvlibrary.org/.

Councilmembers and Employees Recognized for Milestone Years of Service

The City of Goleta is fortunate to have a dedicated group of Councilmembers and staff working together to ensure Goleta remains the best place to live, work and play, now and into the future. On March 2, a group of approximately 30 people were recognized for their milestone years of service to the City of Goleta. Mayor Paula Perotte had the honor of pinning those who have reached five, 10 and 15 years of service and Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards passed out certificates. Among the recipients was Mayor Perotte herself who received her ten year service pin. Mayor Pro Tempore Richards and Councilmember Stuart Kasdin received their five year pins. 

Mayor Perotte said, “It’s been several years since we have had the opportunity to gather and get back to our tradition of recognizing those with milestone years of service to the City. This is important because we couldn’t do anything as a City without the great work that all of you do day in and day out to keep our City moving forward in a positive direction.”  

The City of Goleta is always looking for great people to join our team. Go to www.governmentjobs.com/careers/goletaca to see what career opportunities we have.  #TeamGoleta

Pictured above: Mayor Perotte pinning Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez, who celebrated 15 years with the City


Five-year pin recipients


10-year pin recipients


15-year pin recipients

Reporting Storm Damage to the City

It has been a busy Winter Storm Season. We thank our amazing Goleta Public Works Team for all of its prevention and cleanup efforts and we also thank our attentive community members for helping keep our community safe. You are an important aspect of communication for us, especially following a storm, to let us know if there are any problems that the City needs to respond to.

At the March 7 City Council meeting, Public Works staff will provide an update on the January storm damage to the City Council. The significant rainfall we had on January 9, 2023, caused flooding, damage to public rights-of-way, downed trees blocking sidewalks and streets, road closures, and disruption of public services. The storm prompted the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Goleta to declare a local emergency.

In the aftermath of the storm, City staff, along with consultants, have been assessing the damage to City property and infrastructure in order to make repairs and apply for any federal funding.

While several locations had storm damage, three of the largest were:

  • Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park (170 S. Kellogg Ave in Old Town): There is an estimated 5.5-foot diameter sinkhole that is 36-inches deep. Granite Construction will be doing repairs in the coming weeks.
  • Ellwood Mesa Bluffs: The trail was eroded by the storm. Repair to the slope will begin after the rainy season for stability of equipment.
  • San Rossano Drive and Padova Drive Drain: There is a 36-inch-deep sinkhole near the curb drain inlet. Public Works staff has taken preventive measures by fencing off the damaged locations for public safety. A contractor will be secured soon to do repairs on the damaged area.

With another storm recently occurring in late February, and the possibility of more this season, staff will be monitoring the locations with damage, as well as checking for any new damage. We appreciate the public notifying us as well about problems in the City right-of-way so we can address those issues. Please use our online reporting system, City Assist, at www.CityofGoleta.org/CityAssist.

Funding Received for Ekwill-Fowler Project

The City of Goleta is pleased to share that the California Transportation Commission recently allocated $11.4 million of State Transportation Improvement Program funding to construct the Ekwill Street and Fowler Road Extensions Project (Ekwill-Fowler Project). This is the largest capital improvement project to date for the City, and it has been in the planning development stage for many years. This revenue, along with other City funding, allows the City to now advertise for construction bids, which the City anticipates occurring in late spring of this year.

The Ekwill-Fowler Project will construct a new road, the Ekwill Street extension, across Old Town Goleta from Kellogg Avenue to Fairview Avenue. It also extends existing South Street (and renames it Fowler Road) to Technology Drive. The new streets will have one travel lane in each direction, Class II bike lanes, sidewalks and landscaped parkways will extend along both roadways. In addition, the project will construct intersection capacity improvements (roundabouts) at the Pine Avenue intersection with Ekwill Street and at the Hollister Avenue and State Route 217 ramp intersections.

City of Goleta Public Works Director, Charlie Ebeling said, “The City has been working diligently over the last fifteen years to complete the project development and property acquisition phases of this very complex project and get the project ready for construction. The California Transportation Commission allocation represents a critical funding milestone towards the objective of starting construction in 2023.”

“Congratulations to the City of Goleta on their recent $11.4 million allocation by the California Transportation Commission for the Ekwill Street and Fowler Road Extensions Project,” said Marjie Kirn, Executive Director of SBCAG. “This significant investment in infrastructure by the state not only helps to improve safety on roads and bridges but will also enhance access for pedestrians and bicycles in the area. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment in our community which has allowed for this much anticipated project with the City of Goleta to move forward.”

At the February 21, 2023, City Council meeting, Council awarded a professional services agreement to provide construction management for the project. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or fall 2023.

Learn more about the Ekwill-Fowler Project here. For questions, contact the contract Project Manager, Gerald Comati, at gcomati@com3consulting.com.


Rendering of Hollister Avenue roundabouts at Route 217 interchange

Community State of the City – Save the Date

Join Us from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge

We hope you will join us for the City’s biggest night of the year! The 6th Annual Goleta Community State of the City is on Monday, April 10, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (150 N. Kellogg Avenue). If you care about Goleta, this is a must-attend free community event with simultaneous Spanish interpretation and light refreshments offered. You will leave the event well-informed about what the City has accomplished recently and what the future holds. Come see firsthand why the City of Goleta is a great place to Live, Work and Play, the theme of this year’s State of the City.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The Goleta Community State of the City is the perfect occasion to learn what the City is all about and to connect with other community members. City Council members and staff will show you highlights of the past year and share our vision for the future. This is also a great opportunity to bring your questions for the popular Q and A panel portion of the evening.”

Here is a timeline for the event:

  • 5:00 p.m. – Doors open: mingle with Council, staff, stakeholders and fellow Goletans, check out City information tables, take photos, light refreshments available.
  • 6:00 p.m. – Formal program begins and includes the City Manager’s City Financial Update, the Mayor’s State of the City Address, and a live Q&A session with City Directors as the finale.

We can’t wait to connect with you at the 2023 Goleta Community State of the City! Thank you to the Elks Lodge for having us back once again.

SB County Awarded $16 Million for Public Transportation Projects

State funding helps to transform travel in the region ensuring completion of Goleta Train Depot Project and bolsters infrastructure resiliency in Santa Barbara County, north of Gaviota State Beach 

California State Transportation Agency recently announced $2.5 billion to fund 16 ongoing public transportation projects statewide to expand transit and passenger rail service. Projects in Santa Barbara county received $16 million from the first of two rounds of funding announcements in the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

The $16 million for projects in Santa Barbara county were awarded to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments in partnership with the City of Goleta to complete the Goleta Train Depot Project, and Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency to address bluff erosion north of Gaviota State Beach.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments made a push for more funding for regional public transit and intercity rail from the state legislature that led to historic investments from state to help support vital projects in the region.

“The state of California is making significant investments to bring much-need resources that strengthen infrastructure across the state to improve transportation options and enhance mobility throughout the state,” said Senator Monique Limón. “This marks a historic moment that the state has been able to provide additional investments to support existing projects and I look forward to celebrating the completion of the Goleta Train Depot Project.”

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments was awarded $5.6 million for the Goleta Train Depot project. The award was leveraged by a $1 million local contribution from the City of Goleta. In 2018, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments received $13 million in state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant for the Goleta Train Depot project. This is the first time since the state program began in 2015 it has provided supplemental funding for existing projects to be completed.

“The Goleta Train Depot project is a landmark project for our community and now one-step closer to completion with the $5.6 million in funding from the state,” said Marjie Kirn, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. “We look forward to celebrating the start of construction with the City of Goleta later this year.”

The Goleta Train Depot Project is to construct new multi-modal train station at the existing AMTRAK platform on South La Patera Lane in Goleta with the intent to increase rail ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through the completion of a full-service station, the project will improve connections to bus transit, accommodate transit service to/from the Santa Barbara Airport and the University of California, Santa Barbara, add new bicycle and pedestrian facilities and allow accommodation for potential additional train storage to support increased passenger rail service.

With the help of the $10.4 million state investment, the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is improving coastal resiliency through slope stabilization efforts in Santa Barbara County as part of a Corridor Hardening Improvement Program. Together with Union Pacific Railroad, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency will work toward repairs in areas north of Gaviota State Beach.

The Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program has provided more than $9.1 billion in funding to nearly 100 projects since 2015, funded primarily from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Cap-and-Trade program proceeds, and the General Fund.

A complete list of the recipients can be found here.


Goleta Train Depot rendering