Daily Archives: October 2, 2020

Thank You Vance!

The City of Goleta has lost a dedicated employee and a big personality.  After 16 years of service to the City of Goleta, Building Technician Vance Johnson decided it was time to turn the page.  Vance was with the City almost since its inception.  He was hired to do Code Enforcement in 2004 and in 2007 transitioned to working as a Building Technician.  In 2010 he was hired by Willdan, which provides Building and Safety services to the City under contract, a job he continued to do until his last day on October 1, 2020.

In addition to being an expert in his craft, Vance was also a colorful character with a gregarious personality who was known to bring a smile to the faces of those he encountered.

Director of Planning and Environmental Services, Peter Imhoff said, “For some 16 years, Vance Johnson has been the bedrock of the City’s Building Division and the public face of the City’s building counter. He has helped countless Goleta residents through the building permit process, always friendly and upbeat along the way. We will miss his offbeat humor and steady, reassuring presence.”

City Manager Michelle Greene said, “It’s hard to imagine the City without Vance. He always had a friendly word for everyone he interacted with and managed to make us all smile even on the most difficult days. He was a fixture at our public counter from the beginning, and it won’t be the same without him.”

Besides his institutional knowledge, City Staff will also miss the legendary dishes he cooked up at employee events including his famous Potato Dish!

Vance says he too will miss both the people he worked with and the people he helped during the course of his work. He said, “I loved coming to work every day, Goleta is a special place.  The small-town vibe is my favorite thing about Goleta.” 

Vance’s motto he lives by, “Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Thank you, Vance, for all you have done for the City of Goleta.  We wish you the very best in your next chapter of life. 

Go Online for This Year’s Old-Time Fiddlers’ Festival

Fiddle Fanatics, get ready, your favorite event of the year is here! The Goleta Valley Historical Society Presents the 49th Annual Santa Barbara Old-Time Fiddlers’ Festival Close-to-Home Edition on Sunday, October 11, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is taking place virtually this year. There will be performances, workshops, and a contest! Scheduled performers include: Paul Brown, Nokosee Fields & Ryan Nickerson, Rafe Stefanini, Clelia Stefanini & Eric Frey, Tricia Spencer & Howard Rains, The Horsenecks, Travis Stuart, and SLO County Stumblers. Workshop topics include: Old-Time Fiddle, Banjo & Song, Folk Art Illustration, Mandolin and Old-Time Guitar. There is also an online-contest where participants submit a video of themselves playing old-time music. More information on the Fiddler’s Festival is available at http://fiddlersfestival.org.

Severe Fire and Weather Safety

The U.S. Fire Administration wants to remind everyone that severe weather can happen at any time, in any part of the country. It’s important to be prepared for a severe weather event and to know the risks:

  • Lightning can cause house fires. So, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Portable generators stay outside. Only use the extension cords made for generator use.
  • Check your gas lines and make sure there are no leaks.
  • If an appliance gets wet, have it inspected by an electrician.
  • Move any debris away from electric lines and transformers.
  • Damaged and downed powerlines are not only a fire hazard, but an electrocution risk. Contact the electrical company or fire department if you see a downed or sparking line.
  • Like downed lines, exposed wiring is a fire hazard and an electrocution risk. Have an electrician inspect any exposed electrical outlets or wiring.

Learn more tips on severe weather fire safety from the U.S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/severe_weather.html.

Pictured: Portable generator located outside of the house.

Almost 4,000 Pounds of Trash Collected during Coastal Clean-Up Month!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Coastal Clean-Up Month which protects our coasts by cleaning up neighborhoods and natural areas. Due to COVID-19, this annual event was different than previous years. Coastal Clean-Up occurred throughout the month of September in local neighborhoods and using technology to collaborate instead of the usual large gatherings at sites throughout the County on a single day. The City of Goleta partnered on the event with the County of Santa Barbara, local jurisdictions, and Explore Ecology who was the event coordinator. Explore Ecology shared the final numbers, but they only represent the people that reported them, so we know there were lots more volunteers and trash picked up!

  • Total Clean-Up Events: 151
  • Total Volunteers: 771
  • Total Trash Collected: 3,889 pounds; 16,605 pieces
  • Top pieces found: 2,796 plastic pieces; 2,710 cigarette butts; 1,950 food wrappers

Graphic courtesy of Explore Ecology

Goleta Valley Library Now Offering Grab-N-Go Bags

Pick Up a Bag of Paperbacks for Children, Teens and Adults

The Goleta Valley Library is thrilled to offer an additional way for patrons to enjoy reading material with a new Grab-N-Go service available during Sidewalk Service hours. Patrons can stop by the library on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and request a bag of paperbacks from the staff member at the Sidewalk Service station outside the library entrance. Library staff will bring your prepackaged bag of books to the table located outside the library’s main doors.

The paperbacks, which are not checked out to patrons’ accounts and have no due date, may be returned whenever readers are finished with them. Library staff is very excited to offer a variety of genres for different interests, with adult and teen bags separated by genre and children’s bags separated by reading level.

The following Grab-N-Go options are currently available for pickup at Goleta Valley Library:

Adult

  • Mystery/Thriller
  • Romance/Historical
  • Assortment (Fiction/Nonfiction)

Teen

  • Realistic Fiction
  • Fantasy

Children

  • Picture Books (Pre-K and below)
  • Beginning Reader (Grades K-1)
  • In-Between (Grades 2-3)
  • Chapter Books (Grades 4-6) – Realistic Fiction or Fantasy

Safety Guidelines for Pickup

Please note that all visitors to the library must comply with social distancing rules. To receive service, everyone must wear a face covering and line up six feet apart on the sidewalk leading up to the library’s front walkway. Library staff follow public health safety guidelines, wearing face coverings and gloves, and an apron if they are emptying the book drops. Please be respectful of other patrons and do not come to the library if you are feeling ill. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

We hope you enjoy all of the materials you borrow from the library! Visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org for updates and information regarding library services, operations, and programming. If you have questions, please contact the library via email at goletavalleylibrary@cityofgoleta.org or by telephone at (805) 964-7878.

Create a “Clean Air Room”

Stay indoors for protection from wildfire smoke; Tips for indoor air quality 

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to plan for poor air quality conditions caused by future wildfire smoke. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles known as particulate matter. These particles harm the lungs and heart, and can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, and in severe instances, premature mortality. People with heart or lung disease, seniors, kids, and pregnant women are especially sensitive to smoke.

The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible when smoke is present. Take these steps to ensure your family will have safe indoor air quality.

1) Choosing & Using an Air Purifier

  • Pick a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) purifier to reduce particulate matter indoors by 90 percent. These can be purchased at hardware stores or online retailers.
  • Make sure that the device doesn’t create ozone – find a list of safe options online here.
  • HEPA purifiers come in various makes and models, suitable for different room sizes.
  • Use the purifier in a room where you spend a lot of time, like a bedroom.
    • HEPA purifiers for an average-sized bedroom cost approximately $75.
  • Check your windows and doors and make sure the room is sealed tightly so smoke from the outdoors does not get pulled inside.
  • Replace the filter as directed in the owner’s manual. Filters need to be replaced more frequently if used during a wildfire. 

2) Making Your Own Air Purifier

  • Assembling a DIY version of an air purifier can be a more affordable option, with materials costing approximately $40.
  • This DIY version has been shown to reduce harmful particulate matter indoors similarly to a HEPA purifier.
  • Here’s how to make your own:
    • Use tape to attach a 20×20 MERV-rated air filter — like what you would use for your HVAC system — to the back of a 20×20 box fan. Attaching to the back of the fan creates a better seal.
    • Use a filter with a MERV rating of 13.
    • Check the filter for the direction of the air flow, marked on the side of the filter.
  • Check your windows and doors and make sure the room is sealed tightly so smoke from the outdoors does not get pulled inside.
  • Replace the filter more frequently if used during a wildfire.
  • As needed, disassemble the box fan to wipe away any accumulated dirt.
  • For safety, follow these precautions:
    • Don’t leave the device unattended.
    • Turn off the device while sleeping.
    • When the fan is modified in this way, use the device as an air cleaner, not as fan to cool your home.

3) Minimizing Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

  • In addition to using a HEPA air purifier, follow these recommendations:
    • If advised to stay inside, keep windows and doors shut and sealed tightly.
    • If temperatures are high and there is no way to keep the home cool with windows and doors shut, consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality until conditions improve.
    • Upgrade your filter in your HVAC system to a MERV filter, with a MERV rating of at least 13. Check with your HVAC professional to see what MERV rating your HVAC system can handle to ensure proper functionality.
    • Do not smoke or burn firewood, candles, or incense in the house.
    • Use your range hood while cooking, especially when using a gas stove.
    • Consider using professional services for a blower door test to detect air leaks. This service can help you know how to properly seal your home.

During wildfires, there are various ways to stay updated on local air quality conditions:

Goleta Green Room: Close the Poop Loop

Did you know one gram of dog waste contains millions of bacteria and can lead to beach closures? Pet waste presents a serious problem in our City and County. It’s one of the largest sources of water pollution. Keep your pets healthy by picking up pet waste in your backyard before each storm and whenever you’re out and about.

The truth about pet waste:

  • Not all animal waste is created equal. Dog waste (unlike cow manure) is not fertilizer.
  • Pet waste is one of the largest sources of water pollution.
  • The US EPA classifies dog waste as a dangerous pollutant, in the same category as toxic chemicals and oil.
  • Dog waste is a common carrier of nasty things like heart worms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, parvovirus, giardia, salmonella and E. coli. 
  • Unattended pet waste washes into storm drains, polluting our creeks, rivers and the ocean with bacteria that are harmful to people, pets and marine life.
  • Dog waste needs to be tossed into the trash, even when you pick it up with biodegradable bags. Never leave it on the ground, particularly where it can be washed away by rain or ocean tides.
  • Picking up after your dog and tossing it in the trash protects our community’s health and our environment.

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

City of Goleta Awarded for Sustainability Efforts

The Institute for Local Governments (ILG) is recognizing the City of Goleta for its numerous sustainability achievements with the 2020 Beacon Spotlight Award! The Beacon Program honors voluntary efforts by local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and adopt policies that promote sustainability.

At the League of Cities Virtual Conference later this week, the City will receive the Platinum level Spotlight Award, due to its fulfillment of the highest rank in each of ten categories that comprise ILG’s Sustainability Best Practices Framework. This entailed highlighting the City’s efforts in categories such as Green Building, Waste Reduction, Efficient Transportation, Open Space, and Community and Individual Action. To achieve this impressive feat, the City has undertaken notable projects such as the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, a Strategic Energy Plan to reach its 100% renewable energy by 2030 goal, obtaining funding for a new Goleta train station, and elimination of single-use plastics within City Hall, among many others.

The 2020 Beacon Award Ceremony will take place virtually on Thursday, October 8th at 5:00 pm. Learn more about Goleta’s Sustainability Programs here. For additional information on the Beacon Program visit the ILG website.

Pictured left-to-right: Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Moore, Mayor Paula Perotte, and CivicSpark Climate Fellow Karina Takemoto, creating a video for the virtual Beacon Award Ceremony.

San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Storm Damage Repairs Underway

A repair project for a small portion of the San Jose Creek Channel is underway. Construction began September 15, 2020, and great progress has been made. The installation of new concrete mats on to the channel bottom are now in place and being connected and secured. Work is expected to be mostly completed by mid-October 2020. A map showing the location of construction is below.

The San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Repair Project replaces a portion of the existing channel floor that was damaged in winter storms in 2017 and was temporarily repaired at the end of 2017. The project will result in a permanent repair and will install new articulated concrete mats onto the channel flood consistent with the original channel replacement and fish-passage project completed in 2014. 

City of Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “When the San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Repair Project is completed, the City will have restored the improved portion of the San Jose Creek Channel to its previous design condition in 2014, which will return the facility to a condition ready to properly accommodate flood waters in the channel.”

The City awarded the project to James C. Cushman Inc. out of Santa Barbara. Bengal Engineering Inc. will be providing construction oversight for the City.

City staff will be working with the contractor to minimize impacts to the public. There are no traffic impacts anticipated resulting from the construction activities.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact City Project Manager Gerald Comati at gcomati@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 895-0255.

Pictured: New concrete mats in San Jose Creek

Fairview Avenue / US 101 Intersection Sidewalk Infill Project Update

The Fairview Avenue / US 101 Intersection Sidewalk Infill Project is wrapping up after several weeks of construction. The project will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the area by constructing new sidewalk to fill the sidewalk gap along the north side of S. Fairview Avenue leading to the signalized intersection at the northbound US 101 off-ramp.

The project also includes reconstruction of existing sidewalk necessary to conform to the existing bicycle and pedestrian ramp connecting Fairview Avenue and Calle Real. The City secured Measure A grant funding for the project and is excited to complete construction. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is the administrator of Measure A, a local transportation sales tax measure that was approved by 79% of Santa Barbara. Information on Measure A is available at www.measurea.net. The City awarded the project to Lash Construction, and MNS Engineers provided construction oversight for the City.