Daily Archives: December 18, 2019

How to Drive Safely Through a Dark Traffic Signal

Traffic signals may not be working correctly during a power outage, including a planned public safety power shutoff (PSPS), and the City of Goleta wants to make sure all residents know what to do. If you come across a traffic signal with no lights, drive carefully and treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Here is a reminder of how to proceed:

  • Yield to any vehicle that is already in the intersection or arrives before you do
  • If two cars arrive at the same time, the car on the right has the right-of-way
  • Always yield to pedestrians
  • Do not be too cautious or aggressive
  • Stay calm

Watch this video by the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department for more information on how to travel safely through an uncontrolled intersection.

Thank You Public Works Department

The City of Goleta Public Works Maintenance Crew is always hard at work, but especially when there is a fire and/or rainstorm in our area. This hardworking team of eight are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to keep our streets and infrastructure safe. During the Cave Fire and following storm, they assisted with placing barricades in evacuated areas and pre-positioned barricades in flood prone areas. They checked storm drains and monitored the situation day and night. They also stocked the three sandbag stations in Goleta with new, more environmentally friendly burlap bags. This is in addition to their regular workload of maintaining the City’s parks and open spaces, filling potholes, taking care of overgrown foliage, and more. A heartfelt thank you to Goleta Public Works for all you do!

Photo: Public Works Maintenance Crew

Goleta’s Holiday Tradition Continues in Old Town

Thank you to everyone who came to Old Town Goleta for the 4th Annual Old Town Christmas Parade. Goleta Mayor and City Council members rode the parade route once again in a festive MTD electric shuttle. Thank you to MTD General Manager Jerry Estrada for generously providing the shuttle to the City. The City’s Public Works Department was also was in the holiday spirit and drove the parade route in style. Thank you to everyone who cheered us on! We are already looking forward to next year’s parade!

Photo: City of Goleta Public Works Department parade entry

Planning Manager Anne Wells Reaches 15 Years at City of Goleta

The City of Goleta is fortunate to have had the talent and dedication of Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells for 15 years now.  At the December 3, 2019, City Council meeting, Anne received her 15-year pin and volumes of praise from Planning & Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof, Mayor Paula Perotte, and City Councilmembers who thanked her for her hard work and impact over the years.  Anne said, “It has been my honor to serve this community and to work with a really exceptional staff at City Hall.  I thank you for this opportunity.”  

Congratulations Anne, and thank you for all you do to make Goleta a great place to live, work, and play!

Pictured left to right: Planning & Environmental Review Director Peter Imhof, Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells, Mayor Paula Perotte

Goleta City Manager Michelle Celebrates 15 Years with the City

Congratulations to our City Manager, Michelle Greene, who recently celebrated her 15-year anniversary with the City of Goleta. Michelle Greene, a Goleta resident herself, has been the City Manager for five and a half years. She started with the City in 2004, just two years after incorporation. She served as Administrative Services Director and Deputy City Manager before being appointed to City Manager. Her career in public service has also included time in the cities of Grover Beach, Escalon, and Manhattan Beach.

Michelle said her time in Goleta has flown by and has been incredibly meaningful. She said, “It has been an honor to serve the City of Goleta over the past 15 years. The community, City Council, and City staff make the City a wonderful place to work. Helping the organization mature as a brand-new city has been a fascinating and rewarding journey, and I can’t wait to see what Goleta can achieve over the next 15 years!”

Mayor Paula Perotte said the City has benefited from having a City Manager with Michelle’s calm demeanor and pleasant leadership style. She said, “I want to spotlight Michelle’s ability and willingness to listen to five energetic and sometimes determined “bosses” all at once, the Mayor and four council members. I am grateful that she takes the time to keep all of us working together with her and her staff for the betterment of Goleta.”

Thank you Michelle for all you have done for Goleta!

Congratulations to Goleta’s Finest

The City of Goleta is fortunate to historically have people who step up with their talent and time to help make Goleta the Goodland.  Every year, the Goleta Chamber of Commerce recognizes the best of the best at the Goleta’s Finest Community Awards.  This year, former Goleta Mayor Michael T. Bennett was honored with the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award.  The City wants to congratulate each recipient and say thank you. The 2019 recipients are:

  • Man of the Year:Peter Brown
  • Woman of the Year: Kathy O’dell
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael T. Bennett
  • Large Business of the Year: Community West Bank
  • Small Business of the Year: Anna’s Bakery
  • Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael Craig
  • Volunteer of the Year: Dacia Harwood
  • Student of the Year: Kathy Ramirez-Gijon
  • Educator of the Year: Carolyn Ross
  • Non-Profit of the Year: Girsh Park
  • Innovation Award: The AlloSphere Research Facility
  • Public Servant of the Year: Riley the Rescue Dog & Fire Captain Eric Gray

Thank you for the Goleta Chamber of Commerce for putting on this thoughtful event every year.

Photo: Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Michael T. Bennett

Standing Room Only to Honor Outgoing Community Resource Deputy Dave Valadez

A standing room only crowd turned out to the December 3, 2019, Goleta City Council meeting to honor outgoing Community Resource Deputy (CRD) Dave Valadez.  During his six years as the City of Goleta’s CRD, Senior Deputy Valadez had a tremendous impact on the City and made a number of significant contributions. 

As a token of gratitude for his outstanding service to Goleta, Mayor Paula Perotte presented Sr. Deputy Valadez with a City tile.  City Staff, Sheriff’s colleagues, community members and Sheriff’s Explorers, a group Sr. Deputy Valadez leads, filled the Council Chambers to show their support and appreciation.

Mayor Perotte said while he accomplished so much during his time in Goleta, “I especially appreciated how you treated people without homes with dignity and respect.”

City of Goleta Director of Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Vyto Adomaitis said Sr. Deputy Valadez has a lot to be proud of for what he accomplished during his time in Goleta.  He said, “Thank you seems so little to say for all you have done for Goleta but thank you for your service, for your friendship and for your leadership.”

Senior Deputy Valadez said, “I was honored to have this assignment from day one.  I was very proud to be one small part of your team. What I was able to accomplish I could not have done without my family and leadership from my chain of command.  Thanks also to the Volunteers and Sheriff’s Explorers who helped me serve the City.”

During his time with the City, Community Resource Deputy, Dave Valadez was involved in a number of projects and assignments including the following:

  • City of Goleta Restorative Policing Program (GRPP)
  • UPRR Corridor Task Force City of Goleta Representative
  • City of Goleta Business Watch Program
  • City of Goleta Neighborhood Watch Program
  • City of Goleta Active Shooter Response Training Program
  • Goleta Union School District School Resource Deputy
  • SBSO/City of Goleta Authority Letter Program
  • SBSO City of Goleta/South County Citizen’s Academy
  • SBSO/City of Goleta Explorers Program
  • SBSO/City of Goleta Sheriff’s Volunteer Team
  • City of Goleta City Council Security Detail
  • SBSO/City of Goleta Marketplace Substation Management
  • City of Goleta Safe Parking Program Liaison
  • Executive Council Member for the Goleta Boys and Girls Club
  • City of Goleta Specialized Patrols and Investigations
  • South Coast Task Force for Youth Safety City of Goleta Representative
  • SBSO/City of Goleta Restorative Court Liaison

Sr. Deputy Valadez was also involved in many Community Outreach Events including the Lemon Festival, Goleta Old Town Parade, 4th of July, Calle Real Center Halloween Celebration, PEP Touch-A-Truck, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and at local preschools and senior centers.

Thank you Sr. Deputy Valdez for pouring your heart into your role as the Community Resource Deputy.  You will be missed.  Best of luck in your new assignment with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office as a Background Investigator.

The Sheriff’s Office is in the process of selecting a new Community Resource Deputy for the City of Goleta.  We look forward to introducing this CRD to the community in the new year.

Photo: Dave Valadez Receiving his City Tile (pictured left to right: Director of Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Vyto Adomaitis, Community Resource Deputy Dave Valadez, Mayor Paula Perotte)

Safety Corner: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this Holiday Season

The Goleta Police Department urges everyone attending holiday parties and gatherings where alcohol may be involved to use a designated sober driver. From December 13 to New Year’s, the Goleta Police Department will have more officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“Unfortunately, this time of year is when we see more people driving impaired,” said Sgt. John Maxwell. “There is no excuse for driving after drinking or using drugs that impair. There are many ways to get home safely without driving.”

The Goleta Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol; prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

Those who are hosting a holiday party should offer non-alcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor how people are getting home. If someone has been drinking and tries to leave, offer to have them stay the night or take ride-share home.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services.

Countdown to Census 2020 – Let’s Make Goleta Count

In March, households will receive an invitation to complete the 2020 Census online (paper copies will be available as well). The City is encouraging everyone to respond in order to “Make Goleta Count.” The responses provided in 2020 will affect local funding and services for the next 10 years. They will also play a role as we move to district elections in 2022. Show others that you will take part in the 2020 Census, come to City Hall (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B) during regular business hours to pick up your free “Make Goleta Count” sticker (available in English and Spanish). City Hall business hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Learn more about the Census at the following websites:

Tis the Season to Recycle

MarBorg will be collecting Christmas trees free of charge after the holidays. All you have to do is bring your tree to the curbside on your greenwaste collection day (if you do not have greenwaste service, bring it to the curbside on your trash collection day). Christmas trees can also be dropped off for free through January 12, 2020, at MarBorg’s Santa Barbara facility (119 North Quarantina Street) or at the South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station (4430 Calle Real in Santa Barbara). Please remove all tree stands, lights, tinsel and ornaments. Any trees taller than six feet must be cut down to fit in MarBorg’s trucks. 

In addition to recycling your Christmas tree, here are tips to help you reduce your waste this holiday season:

  • Get creative with your wrapping paper by reusing things like maps, the Sunday comics, and posters.
  • About 40% of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. This year, switch to reusable batteries.
  • Consider giving an experience instead of an object. The gift of your time (cooking, babysitting, gardening) a charitable donation, or tickets to an event are all great gift ideas that require little to no packaging.
  • Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags.
  • And when the holidays are over, remember that wrapping paper, greeting cards, tissue paper, and cardboard boxes can all be recycled in your blue recycle carts!

Learn more at www.marborg.com.