Daily Archives: July 6, 2020

Improvements to US 101 Northbound Offramp at Glen Annie/Storke Road

Caltrans District 5 and the City of Goleta are working cooperatively to improve conditions at the US Highway 101 northbound off-ramp at Glen Annie/Storke Road in Goleta. This location has experienced a higher level of vehicular traffic during peak hours resulting in delays and congestion which can extend to the beginning of the US 101 off-ramp.

Caltrans traffic engineers recently collected vehicular data and inspected the ramp. Their work suggested that improvements to the ramp such as trimming vegetation for sight distance and installing a recommended speed sign of 45 mph would help alleviate the congestion along the long off-ramp.  Caltrans will continue to monitor the off-ramp to determine if any further improvements are necessary. 

Caltrans, the City of Goleta and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), the transportation planning agency for this region, are also looking at future solutions and funding to address congestion along US 101 west of Fairview Avenue. This collaboration is intended to find long-term solutions to the operational efficiency of the Glen Annie/Storke Road northbound off-ramp and US 101 in the Goleta area.       

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We appreciate Caltrans working with Goleta to assure the safety of people using this key off ramp. We are glad that additional solutions are being considered for implementation in the near future.” 

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.

For traffic updates in Santa Barbara County, motorists may call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or visit their website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5

Rental Assistance for Goleta Residents

During these challenging times when many people have been negatively impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Goleta is partnering with the County of Santa Barbara to dedicate its annual HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds to provide rental assistance for Goleta residents.

The City receives funding each year from the federal government to support housing programs and typically the money is pooled with other cities and the County of Santa Barbara to support larger regional projects. This year, City staff requested the funds be used to support residents through an emergency rental assistance program due to the dire need for many in our community during this time.

While the funds are very limited, the City appreciates the County’s support in matching Goleta’s annual HOME allocation, doubling the pot of rental assistance funds to more than $150,000.

The HOME rental assistance program is now open and accepting applications. To qualify, you must live within Goleta city limits; have had your income reduced directly due to the impacts of COVID-19; currently be renting your primary residence; have an income at or below 60% of the area median income ($71,400 for a family of four). Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for those who qualify. For more information, and to answer a brief list of pre-screening questions to see if you qualify, please contact Dominique Samario at 805-690-5126 or dsamario@cityofgoleta.org.

Multiple Business Sectors Ordered to Close due to COVID-19

Santa Barbara County Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg has issued a Health Officer Order mandating the closure of multiple business sectors that promote the mixing of populations beyond households and create environments where physical distancing and wearing face coverings is difficult.  This guidance is effective at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020 and will continue until 5:00 p.m. on July 26, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.

At the direction of the California Department of Public Health and by mandate of the health officer order the following business sectors must close:

  • Nightclubs, including private social clubs; and
  • Indoor operations of Dine-in restaurants, Wineries and Tasting Rooms,
  • Indoor operations of Family Entertainment Centers, Movie Theaters, Zoos and Museums, and Cardrooms

Outdoor operations of the above listed sectors may remain open with strict physical distancing protocols in place.

Bars, breweries, pubs, and brewpubs were ordered to close, but have been permitted to reopen with the following guidelines:

  • Outdoor seating/service only
  • Alcohol can only be sold in the same transaction as a meal
  • Businesses in these categories must follow the dine-in restaurant guidance
  • Venue that do not offer sit-down dine-in meals must offer curbside sales only, and no on-site alcohol consumption

The full Health Officer Order can be found here.  For more information about COVID-19 and the response locally, please visit www.publichealthsbc.org or call the County Call Center at 1-833-688-5551.

City of Goleta Launches #reCOVERgoleta Campaign

In an effort to stress the importance of wearing face coverings to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the City of Goleta is launching the #reCOVERgoleta campaign.  The goal of the #reCOVERgoleta slogan is to capture the need to consistently wear face coverings to protect each other and allow our community to safely get back to business.  The campaign supports the orders issued by the Goleta City Council, Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer, and Governor of California, in regards to face covering requirements.

A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease and that the use of face coverings, combined with physical distancing, staying home when you feel sick and frequent hand washing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings are required when you are not at home. This includes indoors at all businesses and outdoors when waiting for service or interacting with anyone you don’t live with.

As part of the #reCOVERgoleta campaign the City will be putting up signs throughout the community and is encouraging businesses to post signs as well.  We also ask that residents and businesses promote the #reCOVERgoleta hashtag and graphic/flyers on their social media channels to help spread the word. View our #reCOVERgoleta flyer in English and Spanish.

The City is also releasing a new safety video featuring our Emergency ServicesCoordinator, Michael Baris, which aims to clear up some confusion about how and when to wear face coverings.  The video is followed with a Spanish version that is narrated by Natalia Rios, an Emergency Services aide.  In addition to information about face coverings, the video also includes other important COVID-19 safety tips.  We hope you will take time out to watch and share the video with others.  Click here to view the video. 

The City is in the process of creating a #GoodLandGoodPeople face covering for Goleta residents to wear to show support of their City and each other.  We will let you know when they are available.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Thank you Goleta, for continuing to look out for each other and for doing what is needed to get us through this challenging time. Wearing a face covering is critical to helping us move forward.  Thanks for helping us #reCOVERgoleta.”

For more information, consult the State Guidance for Face Coverings  or go to the California Department of Public Health’s Guidance web page.  For more information about reopening California and what individuals can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California. For the latest information on COVID-19 and Santa Barbara County, visit the Public Health portal at https://publichealthsbc.org/.

Council Condemns Police Brutality and Declares Racism Public Health Emergency

At a special virtual Goleta City Council meeting, Council unanimously approved a resolution condemning police brutality and declaring racism a public health emergency. View the resolution here.

The City of Goleta has a proud record of proclaiming its commitment to inclusivity, diversity and equity. The City Council has expressed a commitment to making Goleta a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for everyone, and to promoting free thought and speech, while condemning racism and police brutality, hate speech, bigotry, violence and prejudice. However, with the recent tragedy against George Floyd and others, and the ensuing activism, advocacy and protests that have developed across the country, several councilmembers requested a resolution be drafted for their consideration.

This is an important issue for the public as well. Sixty-eight people sent in public comments to the City Clerk’s office, two people called in and spoke, and 12 people opted to have their comments read into the record during the City Council meeting.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Today’s meeting was an important first step in addressing our current law enforcement challenges, but this resolution is only a first step. Our Council remains committed to assuring that all residents receive fair and equitable treatment, that police receive the proper training and equipment, and that all Sheriff personnel are held accountable for their policies and practices. It was very important to me to have had Sheriff Brown as part of today’s meeting and for it to serve as a stepping stone for a more open dialogue between the Council and Sheriff’s office. The issues we are dealing with are national issues, and I see our Sheriff and police as being leaders.”

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services, so it was important for the City Council to have Sheriff Bill Brown as part of the meeting. He was able to provide information and answer questions from Council.

Sheriff Brown said, “I hope that the information provided gives you the following assurances: that we in the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office take your concerns seriously; that we are continuously working to insure that our organization provides the best possible protection and service to everyone in our community; and, that we endeavor to do so in a fair, unbiased and just manner.” He added, “Our organization doesn’t always get things right, but we strive to treat people the right way. We operate transparently, hold ourselves accountable, and we continuously seek to improve.”

If you missed the meeting, you can watch it anytime on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings.

Pictured: Special Virutal Goleta City Council Meeting on June 8, 2020