Daily Archives: May 1, 2017

New Technology Center Opens in Goleta!

The Goleta Valley Tech Center is now open! Started by local non-profit EqualiTech, the Tech Center was implemented to bridge the digital divide of those in Goleta and Santa Barbara with access to technology and those without. Located in room 5A at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue), the Tech Center provides free computer access, free Wi-Fi and wireless printing. It is open to the public Tuesday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Look for more information on a grand opening celebration scheduled for May 18. 

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites and the Zika Virus

With summer approaching, mosquito season is beginning and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD) wants to remind everyone to take precautions from disease and infections spread by mosquitos, such as the Zika virus.

The Zika virus primarily spreads through bites from infected mosquitos. The type of mosquito carrying the virus has not been found in Santa Barbara County.  Of the 5,200 cases of the disease that have been reported in the US between January 1, 2015, and April 12, 2017, most (94%) were in travelers returning from affected areas. As of April 14, 2017, 533 confirmed infections, all travel-related, have been found in California, including several in Santa Barbara County. Although there is currently no risk of contracting the disease from infected mosquitos in Santa Barbara County, the SBCHD reminds everyone to remain cautious and protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Many infected persons will not show any symptoms, or only mild symptoms, such as fever, rash, headache, joint pain, eye redness, and muscle aches. There is no specific treatment available, and symptoms resolve on their own in a few days to a week. The greatest concern is for unborn babies when the mother is infected during pregnancy.

To learn more about the Zika virus and how to protect yourself, go to http://cosb.countyofsb.org/zika_Virus/.

Goleta’s Next Two Year Budget

As the City’s current two year budget cycle comes to an end on June 30, 2017, the City
Council and City Staff are working to create a new two-year budget that uses taxpayer dollars for the greatest benefit of the community. The values and priorities of the City outlined in the Strategic Plan are the driving forces for budget creation.  The Council will hold budget meetings throughout May and the public is encouraged to participate. Meetings can be found here: http://www.cityofgoleta.org/community/events-calendar. The final budget adoption will occur by June 30th in order to meet state requirements.

City Looking for Your Input on Play Equipment at Four Local Parks

The City of Goleta is improving some neighborhood playgrounds and would like to get feedback from residents. The focus for this project will be on the following parks: Winchester I, Winchester II, Andamar and Berkeley (Emerald Terrace).  A meeting will be held for neighbors of these parks to discuss the planned improvements and share their thoughts on the types of play equipment they would like to see at their local park.

Berkeley & Andamar Neighborhood Parks
Monday, May 22nd, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: Goleta Branch Library, 500 North Fairview Avenue

Winchester I & Winchester II Neighborhood Parks
Wednesday, May 24th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: Brandon Elementary School, 195 Brandon Drive

San Miguel Park and Santa Barbara Shores Park will be receiving improvements soon as well. More information to come as it gets closer.

For any questions, please contact JoAnne Plummer, Parks and Recreation Manager at (805) 562-5505 or jplummer@cityofgoleta.org.

Sidewalk Improvements Around the Corner

The City is working to improve the sidewalk situation, or lack thereof, in Old Town. Some sections of sidewalk on the east side of Magnolia Avenue, south of Hollister Avenue to Gaviota Street, have deteriorated while other sections are missing.

The Magnolia Sidewalk Infill Project includes replacing deteriorated or missing sidewalk on the east and west sides of Magnolia Avenue from Hollister Avenue south to Gaviota Street. The project will improve walking paths, sight distance at the intersections for drivers, drainage along Magnolia Avenue, and driveway access.

This project has been approved by City Council and is going out to bid. Construction is expected to begin this summer and take 30 working days.

Hollister Class I Bike Path Kicks Off Construction

The long-awaited Hollister Class I Bike Path will begin construction in May 2017 and is scheduled to take about six months. The Bike Path is intended to provide a way for many school children living south of Hollister Avenue to safely bike to Ellwood School. It runs from Pacific Oaks Drive west to Ellwood School. Existing sidewalks will be replaced and new street trees will be planted. Hollister Avenue will still have four lanes of travel with a center left turn lane.

While most of the construction will occur during summer, keeping school children safe is a top priority. The Project will include a comprehensive and safe traffic control plan to ensure safety and to minimize the impact to the local residents, students, school, motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information, click here.

We will be sending regular updates on this project. To sign up to receive them via email or text, please go to http://tinyurl.com/goletasubscriptions.

Do You Know About Public Works?

The work of the Public Works Department can be found throughout a community. They provide services from constructing, cleaning, repairing, and maintaining city streets and sidewalks to creating and maintaining the urban forest, parks and open spaces. Public Works also administers the Capital Improvement Program that creates needed infrastructure within the community. Learn more at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/public-works.

In celebration of National Public Works Week, join us in celebrating the hard work of the Public Works Department on Thursday, May 25, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Camino Real Marketplace Famers’ Market (7004 Market Place Drive). Several other agencies including Goleta Water District, Goleta Sanitary District, Goleta West Sanitary District, MarBorg and Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (SBMTD) will also be participating.

Bring the whole family and meet with representatives from each agency to learn more about what they do and upcoming projects.

Grab Your Gear

As part of CycleMAYnia, please join us on May 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. for a Walking and Biking Tour of Old Town Goleta. Participants should meet at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Share your ideas, concerns and visions for the future of walking and biking in Old Town. The walking group will travel 1 – 1.5 miles throughout Old Town and bicyclists will cover 4 – 5 miles. View the flyer in English or Spanish for more information and what to bring.

You’re Invited to Goleta’s State of the City

2017 is an exciting year for the City of Goleta. Join us in celebrating the City’s 15th birthday at the State of the City event to learn more about Goleta’s accomplishments, projects, and finances from Mayor Paula Perotte and City Manager Michelle Greene. Enjoy the “My Goleta” video and a presentation on housing. Taking place on Wednesday, May 31 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue), this event is free and open to the public. Spanish translation is available.

The City will also be celebrating its 10th Annual State of the City sponsored by the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce on May 12. Both events will be rebroadcast on Goleta TV (channel 19/104.148) and will also be posted on the City’s website at www.cityofgoleta.org.  A broadcast schedule will be available after the event. To RSVP for Goleta’s State of the City on May 31 go to https://goletasotc2017.eventbrite.com. Your advance RSVP allows us provide the correct amount of seating and snacks for attendees. Thank you for your help.

New H2S Detector Purchased to Help Determine Source of Odors

In response to last year’s search for the mysterious release of hydrogen sulfide in western Goleta, the City of Goleta purchased a highly-sensitive H2S monitor for Fire Station 11 that will help first responders more quickly locate future sources of these potentially dangerous odors. For a recap of last October’s Hydrogen Sulfide incident, please read our Monarch Press article “What was that Smell?”

The new Jerome J605 H2S Detector is significantly more sensitive — over 6,000 times — at detecting Hydrogen Sulfide than what is currently used by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, enabling firefighters to locate and address potential problems faster. The detector will be located at Fire Station 11 in western Goleta, and will be available for use countywide.  According to the fire department, the majority of nuisance odor complaints in Santa Barbara County occur in the western Goleta area. In 2015 county fire responded to 175 calls to investigate suspicious odors or steam, with 116 of those calls coming from Goleta, and 69 from western Goleta.

The detector was funded by the City of Goleta’s Public Safety Fund, which is funded entirely by Camino Real LLC (owner of Camino Real Marketplace). Camino Real LLC has contributed over $1,050,000 for Goleta public safety efforts since 2008. Contributions are used for funding public safety needs: operations and equipment purchases, public education and emergency preparedness effort, community emergency response training and certification, public outreach and communication – emergency notifications systems and/or other community projects mutually desired and agreed upon by Camino Real LLC and the City.