Daily Archives: September 2, 2020

What You Need to Know about the Upcoming November 3 Election

Locally, City of Goleta residents will be voting for a Mayor, two City Council seats, and Measure O2020 asking “Shall the term of office of the mayor be changed from two years to four years?” Information on candidates, the measure, and general election information is available at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, every registered voter in California will receive a ballot in the mail for the upcoming election. If you are not already registered to vote by mail you DO NOT need to complete an application to receive your ballot by mail, it will automatically be sent. The first day ballots will be mailed is October 5, 2020. In-person voting will still be available, but on a limited basis. You can check the status of your voter registration here. October 19, 2020, is the last day to register to vote and you can register online here.

More information is available on the Santa Barbara County Elections Division webpage. You can also learn more about voting on the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Vote Safely, Santa Barbara County webpage.

What You Should Know:

  • Nearly 75% of the county’s registered voters are already signed up to permanently receive their ballot by mail. This means the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters is well positioned to manage this increase.
  • There will be ballot drop boxes located throughout the county to safely return your ballot directly to the Registrar of Voters. We will provide information on locations once it is finalized.
  • If you need to vote in-person, limited polling places will be available and lines may be long. Your polling location may have changed from previous years. Look up your polling location here.
  • Take advantage of early voting:
    • At the Registrar’s office (4440-A Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93110) beginning Oct. 5, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • At your assigned polling place or the Registrar’s office Saturday, Oct. 31 through Monday, Nov. 2, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • All will again be open on Election Day, Nov. 3, when the voting hours change to 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Due to COVID-19, we are encouraging all voters to vote by mail avoiding lines and to ensure that voters can exercise their right to vote in a safe, secure and accessible manner.

National Preparedness Month is Now!

“Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.” is the theme of this year’s National Preparedness Month 2020. National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

Be sure you are signed up for local emergency alerts with both Santa Barbara County (www.ReadySBC.org) and City of Goleta (http://tinyurl.com/goletaemergency).

National Preparedness Month is a good time to think about gathering supplies that will last for several days after a disaster. Make sure you have enough for everyone living in your home and don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Learn how to build a kit at www.Ready.gov/kit.

Now is also a good time to talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved. Resources for kids, teens and the whole family available at www.Ready.gov/kids.

City of Goleta Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris adds, “National Preparedness Month is a great reminder to check in on your emergency go bags and other family plans. Even a quick five minute conversation with your family and neighbors will go an incredible way towards how you handle the craziness of a disaster when it happens.”

Learn more about National Preparedness Month, and how to make sure you and your family are prepared, at https://www.ready.gov/september.

Equalitech Reopens to Provide Computer Access to Help Boost Census Participation in the Final Stretch

Equalitech has opened its doors to help people who don’t have internet access complete their census.  Every Wednesday in September from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. community members can go computer stations at Equalitech, located at the back of the Goleta Valley Community Center located at 5679 Hollister Avenue and use the internet to fill out their census.  Bilingual staff will be present to answer questions. 

The 2020 Census deadline to respond is coming up on September 30, 2020.  As of September 2, 2020, roughly 25% of Goleta households have not responded to the Census. Not getting a complete count could result in a loss of millions of dollars in State and Federal funding over the next ten years.

Equalitech Executive Director Danny Fitzgibbons said he and his bilingual staff are happy to help an important cause.  He said, “Equalitech understands that tech accessibility and literacy is more important than ever as we all try to navigate these turbulent times. The census is yet another disparity revealed by COVID-19 and we just want to do what we can to bridge the divide.”

Equalitech’s mission is to remove barriers to learning, career opportunities and life skills by expanding free access to technology and education.  Fitzgibbons, a certificated tutor for the Goleta Union School District, founded Equalitech in 2017 after he became acutely aware of the learning gap that begins to develop between students with access to technology and those without it. 

We encourage residents who have not completed their census to take advantage of this opportunity to use Equalitech computers.  Please remember to wear a mask and stay six feet apart.  COVID-19 Health Guidelines will be followed.

For those with internet access, you can complete the census online at My2020Cenus.gov phone or by calling 844-330-2020.

If you would like some Make Goleta Count swag, come on by the Camino Real Farmers Market on Sunday, September 13, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Look for the large California Census digital truck parked at the Camino Real Marketplace.  Again, COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

Learn more about the 2020 Census at www.CityofGoleta.org/Census2020. The City of Goleta is proud to be a part of the Complete Count Committee which is working together to make sure EVERYONE counts in Santa Barbara County.

Pictured: Equalitech Executive Director Danny Fitzgibbons and Staff Member Teresa Melgoza standing out front of the newly re-opened Goleta Valley Tech Center to help with internet access in the final month of the 2020 Census.

Local Beaches and Sperling Parking Lot at Ellwood Mesa Closed for Labor Day Weekend

In response to a new Santa Barbara County Public Health Order, the City of Goleta is closing the Sperling Parking Lot at Ellwood Mesa located at the 7700 block of Hollister Avenue over the Labor Day weekend.  The parking lot will be closed starting Saturday, September 5 at 12:01 a.m. through Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 a.m. The order is in alignment with what other agencies are doing regionally to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pursuant to an August 26th Health Officer Order, all Santa Barbara County beaches will be temporarily closed for stationary activities. Only immediate access to and from the ocean for water sports or beach access for active physical activity will be permitted. This Order is effective beginning on Friday, September 4, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and continuing until Monday, September 7, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

The following restrictions apply for the duration of the Health Officer Order:

  • Sitting, lying, standing, sunbathing, sight-seeing, picnicking, and all other non-exercise, passive, or sedentary activities on beach parkways are prohibited.
  • Items for sitting or lying on the beach are prohibited for use or possession on beaches, such as umbrellas, shade structures, tents, barbeque grills, sand or beach toys, coolers and beach chairs.

Full details regarding these restrictions can be found in the Health Officer Order.

Disease transmission rates have been consistently improving in the last few weeks, yet this metric still remains above the threshold outlined by the California Department of Public Health for being removed from the County Monitoring List.

“Reduced disease transmission is critical in the fight against COVID-19. We anticipate a high volume of visitors at our beaches during the Labor Day weekend, which will impede the practice of safe and necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County,” said Dr. Henning Ansorg. “Our community has remained diligent in their efforts and now is the time to protect all the positive outcomes we have accomplished.”

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Goleta City Council Approves Outside Operations for Family Entertainment Centers

Goleta City Councilmembers voted to approve a resolution at their September 1 meeting amending the Emergency Expanded Restaurant Dining and Other Uses Program (Program) to allow family entertainment centers to operate outdoors and allow the use of shade structures for outdoor operations.

Under the recent State and County health orders, family entertainment centers must keep indoor services and attractions closed, except outdoor operations, while complying with state and local requirements to protect against COVID-19. Family entertainment centers, as well as many other businesses, have been impacted by state and local closure orders and are struggling to financially recover. This order is intended to allow these businesses to safely re-open by moving their operations outdoors, under the scope of the Program, and allows for those businesses to contribute to the City’s economic growth and recovery as well as their own. The approved Resolution also addresses allowing shade structures as part of the Program as long as they meet certain standards outlined in the staff report (available here: https://tinyurl.com/yxlbz4yp).

The City’s Emergency Expanded Restaurant Dining and Other Uses Program was approved by Council on June 2, 2020, and allows for the expansion of dining and use areas temporarily to open-air spaces and parking lots on private property where certain requirements are met. Expanded outdoor dining and use areas are intended to allow Goleta restaurants and specified uses to re-open safely, ensuring safe and adequate pedestrian and vehicle circulation while simultaneously meeting physical distancing and public health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This Program temporarily suspends City zoning and/or land use permit provisions applicable to business premises or restaurant dining areas that are in conflict with the expanded dining or use areas allowed by this Program.

For more information, please contact the Planning and Environmental Review Zoning Counter at (805) 961-7543.

Pictured: Zodo’s parking lot

Goleta Business Ambassadors Visit More Than One Hundred Local Businesses During On-Going Pandemic

A group of Goleta Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members are busy in their new role as Goleta Business Ambassadors.  Typically, the volunteer organization trains to prepare and respond to emergencies, but due to the on-going pandemic, CERT pivoted to help out in a different way.  Since August, the trained team members have been visiting local businesses to provide support, answer questions, and ensure that Goleta businesses understand the laws and guidelines surrounding re-opening and conducting business safely during the COVID-19 crisis.  So far, they have visited more than one hundred businesses.

City of Goleta Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris said the Goleta Business Ambassadors are pleased to help in this way and support the County’s RISE Ambassador effort. He said, “Recovery from a disaster is difficult and causes so much stress.  And then add in the ever-changing laws of how to operate your business – it becomes overwhelming.  The City knows these troubles are occurring, which is why we want the CERT Ambassadors out in the community to point you in the right direction.”

CERT Team Member/Goleta Business Ambassador Cecilia Herrera said, “I feel helpful participating as a business ambassador volunteer because these new regulations can be stressful but us going to offer our help to the owners or managers makes it easier to comply and less confusing.”

The group has also been passing out #reCOVERgoleta signage for businesses to post in their front windows indicating the City’s face covering requirement when outside of the home.

Before businesses can reopen in Santa Barbara County, they are required to review state and local guidance, complete a COVID-19 Prevention Plan, and self-certify that they can open safely; all of which can be found at https://recoverysbc.org/reopen-your-business/.

For more information, contact Emergency Services Coordinator Michael Baris at cert@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 690-5119.  Learn more about the Goleta CERT program at http://tinyurl.com/GoletaCERT.  

Pictured: Goleta Business Ambassadors (CERT Team Members) Peter Omoregie, Cecilia Herrera and Viridiana Victoria meet in front of the Goleta Valley Community Center before heading out to meet with businesses.

New Health Order Allowing Some Indoor Businesses to Reopen

Santa Barbara County Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg has issued a Health Officer Order in response to the States new four-tiered color-coded reopening framework (pictured). Santa Barbara County is classified as Tier One, “purple” – the highest risk tier. The new framework allows for some previously closed sectors to reopen indoor services with modifications. This Order is effective August 31 at 5 p.m. and continues until 5 p.m. on September 29, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.

As required by the Health Officer Order the following sectors may open indoor operations with modifications and adherence to the Health Officer Order and State provided guidance located here.

  • Hair salons and barbershops
  • Indoor occupancy is limited to 25% capacity. Common areas and food court dining areas must remain closed. Food court food facilities may remain open for off-site consumption (take-out or delivery).
  • Libraries limited to 25% occupancy capacity
  • Retail limited to 25% occupancy capacity

Additionally, the following businesses and activities must continue to keep physical locations closed:

  • In-person higher education including technical schools, colleges, universities, adult education, and trade schools. Indoor lectures are prohibited.  Courses offered in specialized indoor settings (e.g. labs, studios, arts), whose design imposes substantial physical distancing on participants are permitted when following the Stated issued guidance.  Distance learning is allowed;
  • Parties and Receptions. Outdoor wedding ceremonies (religious or non-religious) are permitted so long as the State guidance for Places of Worship is followed.  Indoor ceremonies are not allowed at this time.  Receptions for weddings are not allowed.
  • Rodeos and public equestrian events.
  • Organized sports and team sports including adult, amateur (non-professional) team sports, and indoor and drills, except professional sports without a live audience. (Intramural &Youth sports training and conditioning are allowed when following State guidelines.)

Gatherings are not allowed whether small or large. Gatherings are defined as an event or convening that brings together people from different households in a single room or space at the same time in any indoor or outdoor space whether public or private. Gathering exemptions include:

  • While in a work setting which is allowed while maintaining physical distancing;
  • Outdoor recreational activities while maintaining six feet distance from others. Examples include walking, cycling, jogging and hiking;
  • Congregate living situations including dormitories and homeless encampments;
  • Outdoor worship services, wedding ceremonies, outdoor cultural ceremonies or outdoor protests, when physical distancing of six feet is maintained.

More information can be found on COVID-19 and the response locally at www.publichealthsbc.org or call 211 for further assistance.