Daily Archives: April 2, 2021

Watch our Cathedral Oaks Road Video Message

Cathedral Oaks Road is an important part of our City. The roadway is critical to everything from serving as a route to schools, to providing health and recreational activities such as biking and walking. Ultimately, the roadway is a significant part of the quality of life we all expect from living in Goleta. The City realizes this road is in need of repair. Please take a moment to watch this video message from our Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling who discusses the pavement condition, planned paving activities and funding challenges for this important project.

The video is available to view at https://youtu.be/gWmECAypM2I. 

For more information and to read an in depth Director’s Message on Cathedral Oaks Road, go to https://tinyurl.com/CathedralOaks.

FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-related Deaths

In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was recently finalized, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide.

To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:

  • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
  • If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual.
  • An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
  • The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
  • This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.
  • Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.

In the coming weeks, a dedicated 800 number will be established to help individuals who apply. In the meantime, potential applicants are encouraged to start gathering the following documentation:

  • An official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the U. S. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19 like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient
  • Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
  • Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources.

More information regarding this assistance can be found at www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.

Consumer Alert on Reported COVID FEES Charged to Patients

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued an alert warning consumers about some healthcare providers reportedly charging patients a COVID FEE when seeking care. A COVID FEE is an additional charge, purportedly for more frequent cleaning and disinfecting, and greater use of Personal Protective Equipment, also known as “PPE,” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medi-Cal: Those enrolled in Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal are not allowed to be charged a COVID FEE. If you have Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal, alert your doctor’s or dentist’s office that they may not charge a COVID FEE to Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal patients.

If you are being charged a COVID FEE please call the California Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal Member and Provider Helpline at 1-800-541-5555 to report it or to ask questions about the fee.

Medicare: Those enrolled in Medicare may not be charged a COVID FEE. If you are being charged a COVID FEE please call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to report it or ask questions about the fee.

Private Insurance: If you have private insurance, you have the right to ask your provider why you are being charged a COVID FEE and what the COVID FEE covers. You also have the right to ask your insurer if your provider can charge you the fee under your insurance plan rules. You should also alert the California Department of Managed Health Care at 1-888-466-2219 or visit their website at https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/fileacomplaint.aspx. You can also contact the California Department of Insurance at https://www.isurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/ or at 1-800-927-4357.

Tricare: Patients enrolled in Tricare may not be charged a COVID FEE at in-network providers. It may only be appropriate to charge a COVID FEE to a Tricare member when: (1) the patient does not inform the provider ahead of time that they have Tricare, and (2) the provider sends a written notice about a COVID FEE to the patient before an appointment. For more information please visit https://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/ReportFraudAbuse.

We encourage you to take the following steps if you have already been charged a COVID FEE by your doctor or dentist:

  • Contact your health or dental insurance company and request a reimbursement.
  • If you are a Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, Tricare or Medicare Dual-Eligible patient and you have been charged a COVID FEE, please file a complaint at ‪www.oag.ca.gov/report and report which healthcare provider charged you a COVID FEE, as well as the name of your dental or health insurance company.

Read the full press release here.

Teen Bookmark Design Contest Celebrates Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Contest Running Now through April 30th at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

On April 1st the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries launched their first ever Teen Bookmark Design Contest as part of the 2021 Book to Action program. Local 7th – 12th graders are invited to design an original bookmark that answers the question: “Equity. Diversity. Inclusion. What does it mean to you?” Library staff encourage local teens to tap into their creativity and use their favorite medium to express themselves on this incredibly important topic.

Downloadable entry forms are available online and printed entry forms can be picked up at Sidewalk Service at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries on Wednesdays – Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Entries are accepted now through April 30th, and completed designs can be dropped off during Sidewalk Service hours or mailed to your branch library.

Winners will be notified in mid-May and will receive a certificate and a gift card for a free smoothie from our generous local sponsor, Blenders in the Grass. Look for copies of the winning bookmark designs posted on the library website and social media pages! Plus, printed copies will be distributed in every Sidewalk Service bag through the end of June.

The Teen Bookmark Design Contest is part of the libraries’ youth programming during the Book to Action program, which centers on George Takei’s graphic novel memoir They Called Us Enemy. Online programs for all ages will include book discussions, crafts, storytimes, film screenings, guest speakers, writers’ workshops, and even an artist visit from They Called Us Enemy illustrator Harmony Becker. Visit the Book to Action webpage for full program details.

Book to Action is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Book to Action 2021 Kicks off at Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries

Community reading program explores equity, diversity and inclusion through George Takei’s “They Called Us Enemy”

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries have launched their third annual Book to Action program, which centers around the themes of equity, diversity and inclusion found in George Takei’s stunning autobiographical memoir They Called Us Enemy. Community members throughout the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valleys are invited to read this compelling book together and participate in engaging online programming that will honor this story and celebrate inclusion for all.

They Called Us Enemy uses the powerful format of graphic novel storytelling to bring to life George Takei’s childhood experiences as a Japanese American who was forced from his home into an internment camp during World War II. His story of courage and the challenges faced by his family spotlights issues of racism and injustice that remain at the forefront of global conversations today.

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are providing three options to read this memoir. Free copies of the book are available while supplies last at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang Libraries during Sidewalk Service on Wednesdays – Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Copies are also available to borrow through the library catalog and as a free, instant-download eBook in English and Spanish from Hoopla, one of the library’s popular streaming and download services.

While reading this incredible true story, community members are invited to participate in a number of enriching online programs for all ages from March through July 2021. Programming kicked off March 31 with the beloved children’s craft The Kindness Rocks Project and will be followed in April by the Teen Bookmark Design Contest, where teens can design an original bookmark that celebrates what equity means to them. The Book to Action program also features inclusive storytimes and cultural craft workshops that will provide engaging, age-appropriate opportunities for the whole family to participate in. A full schedule is available here.

The slate of programs lined up for Book to Action 2021 includes an online artist visit from They Called Us Enemy illustrator Harmony Becker, who will join us on May 22nd to discuss her experiences developing the spectacular illustrations for George Takei’s memoir. The libraries are also honored to host several guest speakers from the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition, who will share their firsthand and family accounts of incarceration at detention centers across the country. Online book discussions for adults and teens will foster conversations about They Called Us Enemy, and Writer’s Workshop and Poetry Club programs will explore how writers use their craft to highlight injustice. Online film screenings of the documentaries And Then They Came for Us and Children of Internment will be followed by participatory discussions.

All Book to Action programs will be held online. For more information and a schedule of virtual events, visit the Book to Action page on our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library/information/book-to-action.

Book to Action is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Please Slow Down, Our Kids Are Back In School

Now that many students are back in school after being on Zoom classes for the past year, the Goleta Police Department, in conjunction with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), reminds you to Please Slow Down. 

We hope to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding, which has been a top traffic safety issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It’s clear that there have been immediate changes in driver behavior with more drivers speeding, some at excessive and extremely dangerous speeds,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “This trend is alarming. We should be focused on protecting lives and the simple action of following speed limits helps keep ourselves and others safe.” 

Goleta Union School District has six schools (Brandon, Ellwood, Kellogg, La Patera, Goleta Valley Jr High and Dos Pueblos High School) within the Goleta City limits. Not only are our kids walking to school, but they are riding their bicycles, scooters and skateboards. It’s imperative, that we slow down and watch for their safety.

The Goleta City Police Department will have traffic deputies working the areas of schools and neighborhoods on a rotating basis. Sgt. Noel Rivas says, “We’d love to meet you, but not during an enforcement stop. We ask you to drive responsibly.”

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.

Platform Holly and Piers 421 Town Hall Recording Available

Nearly 100 people attended the State Lands Commission and City of Goleta virtual Town Hall. The Town Hall included an update on the Platform Holly and 421 Piers/Wells abandonment and decommissioning progress. Mayor Perotte introduced the Town Hall and State Lands Commission Project Lead Jeff Planck discussed the significant progress made in 2020 to abandon the wells at piers 421 and on Platform Holly. This was an especially significant undertaking during the pandemic. The meeting wrapped up with the State Lands Commission answering questions from attendees. For those that missed the Town Hall, a recording is available here.

Green Room: Easy to Use Household Hazardous Waste Programs

The Environmental Services Division would like to share some of the programs available to help you dispose of Household Hazardous Waste the right way, so we can protect our environment. The City of Goleta, MarBorg & the County of Santa Barbara have some easily accessible options to help you dispose of this type of material properly.

  • Batteries: MarBorg has a residential curbside battery collection. Place common household batteries (9v or less) in a clear zip top bag ON TOP of your recycling cart or in your apartment’s orange battery bucket.
  • Sharps: If you need a sharps container, you can request one from MarBorg for a FREE safe mail back disposal container. Call MarBorg to learn more: 805-963-1852.
  • Medicine: If you need to dispose of medicines, you can take them to any of your local CVS pharmacies.
  • Other Household Hazardous Waste: Below are some common items and where you can take them. Store all items in secure containers with tight fitting lids, place upright in a box for transport and do not mix any liquids together. Note: you can only bring 15 gallons (liquids) or 125 pounds total of material. There are two convenient options:

MarBorg Recycling Center (20 David Love Place)
Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  

  • Electronic Waste (computers, monitors, radios, etc.; anything with a plug)
  • Fluorescent light Bulbs
  • Antifreeze
  • Batteries
  • Cell Phones
  • Oil (petroleum based: motor oil, hydraulic oil, etc.)
  • Paint (Oil and water based)

UCSB-Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building 565, Mesa Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93106)
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Limit: 15 gallons or 125 pounds per household/month

  • Paints & Stains
  • Thinners & Solvents
  • Automotive Fluids & Filters
  • Pesticides & Fertilizers
  • Cleaners
  • Batteries
  • Aerosols
  • Glues
  • Corrosives
  • Fluorescent Lighting
  • Smoke alarms/Carbon monoxide detectors

If you have any questions regarding disposal of hazardous waste, please contact us at environmentalservices@cityofgoleta.org

Thanks for protecting our environment by disposing of hazardous waste the right way!

Take Action this Earth Day

Earth Day is coming up soon on April 22nd and there are lots of ways you can participate. This year has come with a lot of unprecedented challenges but has given us an opportunity to spend more time outside and shown us that people can come together to make an immense impact. As Jane Goodall once said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the Earth around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Earth Day stands as a reminder to all of us to be good stewards of the planet we all share, that our individual action can lead to an immense impact, and that the time for action is now. If you’d like to get more involved this Earth Day, you can participate in one of the following events or plan your own:

  • The Community Environmental Council’s Earth Day Festival dedicated to inspiration, community building, and climate action will be a free, virtual event this year. Running from April 22 – April 24, 2021, the celebration will feature three days of conversations with climate leaders, musical performances, art contests, and inspirational speakers. April 22nd will be devoted to Youth Leadership, April 23rd to Business Leadership, and April 24th to Community Leadership. Please find more information and a schedule of events here.
  • On Earth Day, April 22, global activists, international leaders, and influencers will come together for the second-annual multi-hour Earth Day Live. The three days of climate action begin on April 20th with the global youth climate summit led by Earth Uprising, in collaboration with My Future My Voice, OneMillionOfUs and hundreds of youth climate activists. The global youth summit will consist of panels, speeches, discussions, and special messages with today’s youth climate activists including Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Villaseñor, and Licypriya Kangujam. The four-hour digital summit will address the progress that has been made on their main issues of concern, including the creation of green jobs, climate literacy, civic skill training, environmental justice, biodiversity protection and sustainable agriculture. Find out how to get involved here.

Send photos to PIO@cityofgoleta.org, to show us how you celebrate Earth Day. #GoodLandGoodPeople

First Electric Vehicle ARC™ Coming to Goleta City Hall

Goleta City Hall will soon be the home of Santa Barbara County’s first EV ARC™ 2020 (EV ARC). The purchase is part of the City’s commitment to being a green and sustainable community. The EV ARC is a transportable, 100% off-grid solar-powered EV charger that can also serve as a mobile emergency preparedness and energy resiliency asset. The unit fits in a standard parking space and, being grid-independent, requires no construction, trenching or electrical circuit work, allowing for fast deployment in minutes. The City of Goleta is the first organization in Santa Barbara County looking to deploy this type of equipment.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte remarked, “Our city has made providing safe, reliable, affordable energy alternatives a priority for our community. This is another important step on our path to sustainable energy that also helps combat climate change.” 

Peter Imhof, Director, Department of Planning and Environmental Review, said, “We are excited to see the City take this step to support the transition to electric vehicles in line with its sustainable energy and climate goals. This solar-powered charging unit will offer flexible electric vehicle charging available to both City employees and members of the public.”

“The City of Goleta is fortunate to be able to use grant funds from the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and the California Office of Emergency Services to purchase the EV ARC, requiring no cash outlay by the City for the equipment,” said Cindy Moore, Sustainability Coordinator. The equipment not only supports the City’s 100% Renewable Energy goal but is also a resiliency asset that will operate during grid interruptions, providing zero emission EV charging and emergency preparedness in one product.”

The EV ARC from BEAM Global, a San Diego-based company, is expected to be delivered to City Hall by early summer. More information on how the public can access the new EV charging station will be forthcoming.

The EV ARC is one of many ways the City is striving to meet its goal of 100% Renewable Energy by 2030. The City will be enrolling in Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) in October 2021 in an effort to support clean energy at competitive rates and participate in innovative energy programs that facilitate the electrification of the transportation and built environments. This year the City also anticipates moving forward with a solar photovoltaic project and EV charging stations at City Hall. Learn more about what the City of Goleta is doing here.