Daily Archives: June 5, 2020

Adopting Sustainability in the New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic and safer at home mandate have brought their fair share of difficulties, but they are also giving us and our earth a chance to take rest and recharge. There have been reports of fewer vehicle miles traveled, improved air quality, and a drastic decrease in CO2 emissions around the world. Above all, it has proven that the world can band together to face a crisis and when each individual does their part we can make actionable change. As we slowly assimilate back into “normal” life, there are many ways that we can integrate lessons learned during quarantine that benefit our health and the planet:

  1. Ration your use of household items or transition to their reusable counterpart. Paper products and cleaning supplies have been scarce in the stores, but instead you can use smaller portions of what you have, use reusable towels, and make your own cleaning products.
  2. Promote the use of compostable to go containers and reject single-use plastics when possible. With new regulations, restaurants are forced to put food in to-go containers and more plastic bags are being used at grocery stores. If your local grocery store allows you, bag your own groceries in your reusable bag to prevent the spread of contaminants. You can also recommend compostable containers to your favorite restaurants, skip the plastic utensils, and ask for no straw with your drink.
  3. Continue working from home if possible. Many workplaces and employees have seen the benefits of remote work. On top of productivity and mental health, not going into the office removes the commute and the greenhouse gas emissions that come with it.
  4. Support local farmers and businesses. Several shops and businesses have been forced to close their doors during this time. As they reopen it is important to support the local economy and make sure these establishments can stay open. Additionally, by shopping locally you reduce the amount of emissions it takes to get your products to your house! You can find a list of local businesses that are open here and support a certified Green Business here.

Goleta’s Green Room

Do you know about the City’s Environmental Services Division? It has many programs aimed at stormwater and water protection, recycling, reuse, and reducing solid waste. The City’s new Environmental Services Coordinator, Melissa Nelson, will be sharing information monthly in the Monarch Press on the City’s programs as well as some helpful tips. This month’s topics are bulky items pickup and storm drains.

Bulky Items Pickup…Spread the Word! Leaving items on the street without contacting Marborg for collection is illegal. Luckily, Marborg provides 2 FREE bulky items pick-ups per property at your curb/driveway per year. All you need to do is call and schedule a pick-up service. Then leave your items outside for the scheduled day and MarBorg will come to collect on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Spread the word and help to keep your neighborhood and community clean! To schedule your bulky item pick-up, contact MarBorg at 805-963-1852.

Did you Know Storm Drains Flow Directly into Creeks and the Ocean? Oceans begin on your street! Contaminating storm drains can cause illness in aquatic life, wildlife, and humans. You can help to keep our waters clean by:

  • Washing cars at a commercial car wash where water is treated. Or wash your car on an unpaved surface (lawn) and do not let the water reach the street.
  • Never pour motor oil down storm drains, on the ground, or in the street. Recycle used oil by taking it to an authorized auto parts store, gas station, or hazardous waste collection center.
  • Use organic gardening techniques and avoid herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers as much as possible.
  • Pick up after your pet and dispose of pet waste in the trash.
  • Never dump chemicals down storm drains, in gutters or streets, or in creeks.
  • Reduce runoff: use permeable pavement, soil amendments, and other methods of stormwater capture.

Thanks for all you do to keep our water and community clean!

Pictured: Melissa Nelson, Environmental Services Coordinator

Public Input Requested for Future Goleta Train Depot

The City of Goleta Train Depot project is chugging along even during these challenging times. Three potential designs have been selected and now we need your help to select what design or aspects of the designs you like best.

You can provide input by reviewing the slide deck on our website featuring the design concepts, site plan, building floorplan layout and three roadway designs, and then taking our survey; both are available at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaTrainDepot. The survey will be available to take until June 19. The City held a Zoom presentation on June 3 to review and discuss the three concept designs. If you missed the meeting, you can watch a recording here.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Goleta’s new train station will be an important gateway to our city for both residents and visitors. Community participation in the design will help ensure that our station will be beautiful, safe, and functional.”

The Goleta Train Depot will be a full-service multi-modal train station next to the existing Amtrak platform on South La Patera Lane. By creating a full-service station, the City hopes to increase train ridership, improve connections to bus transit, accommodate transit service to/from the Santa Barbara Airport and UCSB, and add new bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This project will also allow accommodation for future additional train storage, supporting increased commuter rail needs.

The City of Goleta was awarded a $13 million grant for the Goleta Train Depot in partnership with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) in 2018. The City and SBCAG sought grant funds from the Transit & Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to meaningfully improve passenger experience. The project centers around the City of Goleta’s purchase of the old Direct Relief International warehouse, which allows the City to redevelop the property to create a welcoming train station for travelers to the region.

Summer Free Food Distribution

Goleta Union School District’s (GUSD) free meal distribution continues for anyone 18 and under for the duration of the summer break. Free food is available daily Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at El Camino, Ellwood, La Patera, Isla Vista, and Goleta Valley Community Center (in the back). Starting June 8th, frozen entrees will be sent home that can be heated up or thawed and served; instructions will be provided. There will be limited ability to heat up entrees for those unable to do so at home (a microwave will be on-site). GUSD will continue to have free & extra fresh produce throughout the month of June as they were able to secure funding for this program. Follow GUSD on Instagram (@gusdfood) for updates and information on what is being provided.  

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is also continuing to provide groceries and fresh produce at specific locations around the County, including Goleta. View the complete list here. The food at these sites is prepared and distributed in a way that utilizes social distancing and follows CDC recommendations.  Many locations offer a drive-thru option to minimize contact, and others are scheduling food pick-up appointments for individuals to prevent crowds. You may be asked to wear provided hygienic gloves. No documentation/registration required. Everyone is welcome. For more information visit FoodbankSBC.org.

Please DIAL 211 for after-hours support, senior home delivery or other questions.  Or visit the County of Santa Barbara’s 211 website.

Pictured: GUSD meal service from Instagram @gusdfood

City Assist is Here for You: Staff Spotlight on Shanna Dawson

You are the eyes and ears of Goleta. If you see a problem or concern out in the community, you can report it to us through our online tool, City Assist. Types of problems or concerns include abandoned vehicles, broken or fallen tree limbs, elevated sidewalks, construction work without permit, and many more. By using City Assist, the City is able to track the most common problems and concerns and make sure everyone receives a response.

You may not know this, but the City is fortunate to have a staff member who is dedicated to making sure that your request or concern is handled appropriately. Shanna Dawson in the Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Department oversees City Assist. She reviews requests as they come in, ensures that they are routed to the correct department and staff person, and monitors the length of time it takes to close a case. City Assist is monitored Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and is constantly evolving to meet the City’s needs. A new request type of “COVID-19” was created to allow citizens to report non-compliance with masks or social distancing, ask questions about opening certain businesses or recreational facilities, and to communicate with our City Council on suggestions for a safe transition to opening back up. Submit a problem or concern to City Assist at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaCityAssist.

Shanna was hired by the City in 2019 to take on this first-time position. The City created the position to ensure that its residents are receiving timely responses to concerns and questions.  Shanna comes to Goleta from Texas and is doing a great job for us. Be sure and say thanks to Shanna if you get a chance in your City Assist correspondence.

Pictured: Shanna Dawson, who manages City Assist

COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant Funds

The City is doing what it can to help non-profits and residents recover from the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19. The City will receive an additional $132,676 allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under the federal CARES Act specifically to help address needs created by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Regular CDBG funds are awarded every year and traditionally go to local non-profits serving low-income residents, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness in Goleta. Council approved the City using these new additional funds to provide Goleta-specific assistance to nonprofits and residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds will be distributed through a partnership with the established COVID-19 Joint Response Effort led by the Santa Barbara Foundation, Hutton Parker Foundation, and United Way of Santa Barbara County with no funds going towards their administration costs. This partnership will allow for quick and efficient assistance to both nonprofits serving Goleta residents and also individual Goleta residents facing hardship due to COVID-19, requiring only one application for assistance, preventing duplication of support, and encouraging a regional approach. Read the full staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/yd46sbu4.

Goleta Adjusts Budget to Account for Loss of Funding

The City of Goleta, like cities everywhere, is dealing with a devastating blow to revenue we count on to run operations and provide a high level of service to our community. The City has had to adjust both its remaining Fiscal Year 2019/20 budget and the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020/21 budget.

In response to the financial impacts of COVID-19, the City Council approved a resolution to amend the City of Goleta’s operating and capital improvement project (CIP) budget for fiscal year 2019/20. Staff presented the proposed budget adjustments at the May 19 City Council meeting to help bridge the revenue shortfalls the City will incur due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which include receiving less sales tax and transient occupancy tax. Expenditure reductions that will lead to operational savings include reducing non-essential service budget line items, delaying projects that have not yet started, and implementing a hiring freeze for staff vacancies to achieve salary and benefit savings as part of the City’s cost containment plan. Read the full staff report with detailed information on the budget here: https://tinyurl.com/y92aeukb.

A budget workshop was also held following the resolution to provide the City Council the opportunity to review the revised Operating and Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2020/21, as well as the revised Five-Year Forecast for the General Fund. The report recommends adjustments to the original adopted budget as it relates to the financial impacts and economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The staff report is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ybsojc4u.

Don’t Forget Your Face Covering

Face coverings are now a part of our daily life. They have the potential to slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the spread of respiratory droplets. To protect the community, the County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D. issued Health Officer Order No. 2020-10 which requires the use of face coverings for those over age 13 in the following situations:

  • When inside of or in line to enter any and all businesses.
  • When using public transportation, a private car service, or a ride-sharing vehicle. Drivers must wear a face covering while driving or operating vehicles regardless of whether a member of the public is in the vehicle.
  • All businesses must require employees, contractors, owners, and volunteers to wear a face covering at the workplace and at off-site work locations.

Exceptions, guidelines and information relative to this order can be found in the full Health officer Order located here.

Prior to the health order, the City of Goleta passed a resolution that requires face coverings be worn by both employees and patrons at restaurants, essential businesses, and all businesses allowed to reopen. Face coverings include any fabric coverings, such as cloth masks, scarves and bandanas that cover the nose and mouth.

Santa Barbara MTD and Santa Barbara Airport are covered by the Public Health Order, but had previously begun requiring face coverings, among other initiatives, to protect the safety of passengers and employees.

The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade and SB Mask Makers are sewing cloth face coverings, and providing them for free, to help protect critical service workers and at-risk community members. Critical service workers include nurses, agricultural workers, disaster feeding plan volunteers, County Public Health workers, homeless shelter workers, grocery store checkers, and others.  If you or your agency is in need of masks, you can request them here: https://sbbucketbrigade.org/request-face-coverings-for-critical-service-agencies-here/.

After you sign up, a Bucket Brigade team member will get in touch within 48 hours to discuss you or your agency’s face covering needs. Signing up does not guarantee that you will receive face coverings, but – if your request meets the at-risk or critical service criteria – you will be put into the queue for available face coverings.

The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade is also looking for volunteers to help sew masks, deliver and pick up goods, and more. Learn more here: https://sbbucketbrigade.org/make-masks-save-lives/.

Pictured: Lisa Bradbury Liles, Goleta resident, delivering 400 cloth face coverings to Isla Vista Youth Projects

Community-Based COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is available in Santa Barbara County at community-based testing sites by appointment only and in healthcare settings. For more information on COVID-19, please visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department website at https://publichealthsbc.org/.

About Community-Based Testing

Santa Barbara County, The State of California and OptumServe are in partnership to increase testing for COVID-19 in our county. Testing is by appointment only.  Insurance information will be collected when you register, but no co-pay required. If you do not have insurance, the State of California will pay for your test.  Please bring your identification, if you have one.

Everyone is eligible to apply for screening. Once screened, testing order will be prioritized for people with symptoms, such as a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Additional prioritization will be offered to populations of higher risk, including: First Responders and Health Care Professionals.

Testing sites will be operational five (5) days per week from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Days and times for appointments will be adjusted based on community need.

Community-Based Testing Locations

Community based testing site locations will be available throughout the county. Testing will be by appointment only.

Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Fairpark 937 Thornburg Street, Santa Maria, CA, 93458

Santa Barbara:
Earl Warren Showgrounds 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Solvang:
1745 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Request a Community-Based Testing Appointment

If you need help making an appointment, please contact the Santa Barbara County Call Center at 1 (833) 688-5551 Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. –5:30 p.m.

Other Testing Options:
Please contact your Primary Care Provider to inquire about additional testing option.

Santa Barbara County RISE Guide

Santa Barbara County is taking steps to reopening society and our economy within the framework of Governor Newsom’s Resilience Roadmap. To support implementation of the roadmap for phased reopening, a localized supplemental guide has been produced – the Santa Barbara County RISE Guide (Reopening In Safe Environment). The RISE Guide was developed by medical experts and supported by feedback from all sectors of the community to create a science-based framework for residents, businesses and organizations by which to reopen in a phased manner, while prioritizing public health and protecting our most vulnerable populations.

The RISE Guide outlines the steps for reopening that can be safely taken in our community, balanced with the importance of resuming individual and economic activities as the COVID-19 epidemic evolves. The reopening approach is broken down into four phases, each with public health criteria for moving to and from phases:

  • Stage 1: Safety & Preparedness
  • Stage 2: Lower Risk Workplaces
  • Stage 3: Higher Risk Workplaces
  • Stage 4: End of Stay-at-Home Order

The RISE Guide is available at https://recoverysbc.org/the-rise-guide/. You can also visit ReadySBC.org for great information to help businesses and residents in the recovery phase.

The County of Santa Barbara has formed the RISE Ambassador Team to conduct outreach, business check-ins and confirm that safety standards and operating restrictions are being followed by business operators and patrons. 

Comprised of members from the Community Wellness Team, RISE Ambassadors help local businesses through providing education, resources and support to help with understanding the guidelines for reopening and ensuring the public enjoys a safe re-opening of businesses. The Community Wellness Team is a collaboration of local agencies working together to support wellness of our community in Santa Barbara County.

Bilingual Ambassadors are available countywide and supplied with literature for businesses and customers on ideas and ways to remain in compliance, and helpful reminders of how to protect one another by wearing face coverings, and by following protocols for physical distancing and personal hygiene. 

To request assistance from a RISE Ambassador, please call the County Call Center at (888) 633-5551 or the Community Wellness Team at (805) 364-2750.