Daily Archives: November 8, 2021

City of Goleta Continues Homelessness Efforts

The City of Goleta is proactively addressing homelessness. In April 2021, the Goleta City Council formally adopted the City’s first Homelessness Strategic Plan. To kick-off implementation of this Plan, the City Council recently allocated over $550,000 with the goal of getting 50 people out of hazardous encampments and into housing.  To facilitate this effort, the City is working with the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SB ACT), a local nonprofit guiding homelessness strategic efforts, and CityNet, a statewide leader in homeless outreach and housing placement. Together, these organizations will work to address street-level homelessness through outreach, case management, housing navigation, and more. The primary goal is to relocate people from dangerous fire-prone encampment areas and sensitive habitat areas into permanent housing. The CityNet contract includes ongoing reservation of five hotel rooms for bridge housing while more permanent accommodations are found.

“I have been personally working on this issue for many years,” noted City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, “For the first time, we have a significant amount of new federal funding that gives us the financial resources to make a real difference in the mission of getting people off the streets and into more stable, permanent housing. This funding, along with a significant contribution from the City’s General Fund, allows us to bring on organizations like SB ACT and CityNet which, along with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, and the County’s Department of Behavioral Wellness, gives us a real chance to make a difference.”

The City’s Neighborhood Services Department prepared the Homelessness Strategic Plan and is working closely with the Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson of the Public Works Department and Community Resource Deputy Ben Sandu of the Sheriff’s Office to address encampments.

“We are taking advantage of City investments in transitional housing at PATH and the Hedges House of Hope in Isla Vista,” remarked Jaime Valdez, Interim Director of Neighborhood Services, “People living in encampments along the railroad tracks and highway are not just endangering themselves, but the community when they have open fires and have nowhere to go to the bathroom or shower.”

During the past several months, the City addressed numerous encampments at Ellwood Mesa, the public open space that includes the Monarch Butterfly Grove, Ellwood Beach, and acres of sensitive habitat.  Five encampment residents at Ellwood Mesa were relocated to transitional housing at the Hedges House of Hope and over 4,500 pounds of trash from eight separate abandoned encampments was removed. 

George Thomson, City Parks and Open Space Manager notes, “Reporting encampments to the City is the first step to ensure encampment residents transition to permanent housing.  With the help of the community reporting encampments, the impacts to residents and the environment can be minimized.”  

Report an encampment using City Assist here.

Each week, SB ACT coordinates a team of stakeholders that includes City staff, Mayor Perotte, and representatives of CityNet, County Behavioral Wellness, CalTrans, Union Pacific Railroad, the South Coast Chamber of Commerce, and others to discuss specific steps to moving people off the streets. In the past month, the collaboration has already been responsible for relocating four people out of encampments and into more stable housing. Once encampment residents have been housed, the City works with Caltrans and UPRR to clean-up and clear the area of all trash and waste.  

Mayor Perotte said, “This is only the first step of our comprehensive strategy to address homelessness here.  I’m sure that we will learn a lot and we will build upon our successes.”

Board and Commission Applications Now Open

Applications due by November 24, 2021

Are you looking for a meaningful way to get involved in your community? The City of Goleta is looking for community members to #JoinTeamGoleta by serving on the Planning Commission, Public Engagement Commission, or Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County.

City Clerk Deborah Lopez said, “We have a very active community and serving on a Board or Commission is a great way to give back. It provides an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process for Goleta and work with staff at the City or County level.”

The Planning Commission sits as a decision-making body on land use issues for the City and consists of five members who each serve a four-year term. Their role is to review and take appropriate action on discretionary development applications and to make recommendations to the City Council regarding any proposed legislative actions, including the General Plan and its implementation, as required by law. The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month starting at 6:00 p.m. Compensation is $100 per meeting. There will be one vacancy. To be eligible, applicants must reside within City limits and be a qualified elector.

Those interested in looking for opportunities and ways to increase public engagement in City government are encouraged to apply to serve on the Public Engagement Commission. To be considered, you must be a resident of the City of Goleta and not employed by the City. There will be four vacancies. The Commission has six regularly scheduled meetings per year and Commissioners are compensated $50 per meeting. Currently, the Public Engagement Commission is assisting with the district mapping process to determine district lines for the City’s first District Elections in November of 2022.

The Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County consists of eight members, five of which are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and three of which are appointed by the City Council of the member cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara. The City of Goleta is currently accepting applications for one vacancy from residents who are interested in serving on this Board. The District’s Board of Trustees meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. to discuss District business and authorize fiscal and operational activity.

Interested applicants must submit an application by Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. for consideration.

For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/goletaboards-commissions or e-mail cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

Meet Mariposa!

Goleta’s one-of-a-kind Monarch Butterfly climbing structure has a name! Mariposa is the newest addition at Berkeley Park, which is currently undergoing a playground renovation. Thank you to everyone who participated in the naming process. Stay tuned for information on a ribbon cutting at Berkeley Park. We can’t wait to see the community enjoying the new climbing structure and other playground equipment!

 

Meet the City’s First Spanish Engagement Specialist

Goleta Valley Library Technician Marcos Martinez to Take on New Role

City of Goleta is pleased to announce the hiring of the City’s first-ever Spanish Engagement Specialist. Marcos Martinez, who has been working as a Goleta Valley Library Technician for the past three years, is now also working part-time with the City’s Community Relations team doing Spanish outreach.

City of Goleta Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover said, “Marcos has a sincere desire to help us grow our Spanish Engagement in the City of Goleta and we are so excited to see the impact he will make. He has already been doing timely Spanish translation of press releases and other City outreach this past year and is in a perfect position to help us expand our communication efforts.”

Marcos grew up in San Diego and moved to Santa Barbara ten years ago to attend UCSB. He double majored in Global Studies and Chicano Studies. Currently, he is finishing a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. At the Goleta Valley Library, Marcos coordinates After School Homework Help, the Tech Tutoring Program, the Spanish Book Club and Bilingual Storytimes.

Marcos said, “Everything I have achieved, I owe to the love and support of my parents. As native Spanish-speakers, it was the tools and resources that local government agencies provided to them that paved the way to where I am today. The ability to give back to those that gave so much to me and my family is something I truly cherish. I am excited to build deeper connections with families in the community and see how we can better engage and serve our Spanish community in the same life-changing manner that my family received. I am proud to work for the City of Goleta, a place that supports the growth, development, and empowerment of all members of our community.”

Marcos is now the primary point of contact for all Spanish inquiries for the City. You can either find him at the Goleta Valley Library, Goleta City Hall, or out in the community. Please feel free to email him at mmartinez@cityofgoleta.org or espanol@cityofgoleta.org. To reach Marcos by phone, call (805) 562-5500.

3CE Enrollment Off to a Strong Start

Attend a Webinar to Learn More

Enrollment continues for residential and commercial electricity users with our new electricity provider, Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE). We want to take a moment to thank our community, who has demonstrated great leadership and commitment to clean energy by maintaining an over 97% enrollment retention rate of the eligible load. Our community’s enthusiasm for sustainability and a greener Goleta both informs and inspires us to continue pushing the envelope for reducing citywide carbon emissions and improving our City’s sustainability. Once again, we thank you for investing in a greener Goleta!

If you’re new to CCCE’s enrollment and rollout, please watch our video and hear directly from Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember Kyle Richards on the benefits and what to expect. The video is also available in Spanish here. We hope this video helps answer questions and encourages Goleta community members to get excited about the multiple environmental and economic benefits of this transition.

Haven’t received your postcards in the mail yet? As a reminder, all Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers will be receiving their first postcard this November with details regarding the CCCE enrollment. Enrollment for customers with residential or commercial solar installations will begin in January 2022.

CCCE is continuing to host outreach and education events. Please join CCCE in the upcoming public forum webinars to learn more about CCCE service and what enrollment means for your household or business.

Upcoming Events & Webinars:

If you have questions, you can contact a local customer service Energy Advisor: 888-909-6227, or contact Central Coast Community Energy Customer Service at SouthSupport@CCCE.org, or visit CCCEnergy.org/2021-enrollment.

Solar Photovoltaic Project Approved

A solar photovoltaic system is coming to Goleta City Hall! On October 19th, the Council approved the project making it the City’s first solar installation for municipal facilities. The decision also marks the beginning of City efforts to expand solar energy proliferation and improve local energy resilience. The 210kW project, financed through a hybrid power purchase agreement, will be microgrid-ready, include carport shade structures fitted with solar panels, and be wired for future installment of EV charging stations.

“This is a real exciting time to be here in Goleta and to see the fruition of so many things that we’ve put in motion, and now they’re finally coming together,” Councilman Kyle Richards said at the meeting. “The photovoltaic array at City Hall is one thing, but we’re also looking at battery storage and a microgrid and EV charging stations, so there’s more to come, but this is such a great step along the way.”

The solar project will be located at the back of City Hall (130 Cremona Drive) near the entrance to City Council chambers and will consist of two rows of photovoltaic shade structures over City Hall parking spaces. While the installation will still be tied to the energy grid, eventually, the City intends to procure battery storage and install a microgrid, which would allow City Hall to continue operations in the event of a power outage without having to fully rely upon the City’s backup diesel generator. In the near future, the City plans to install EV charging stations in the same parking lot that will be available for public use, improving community access to EV charging.

Paired with Goleta’s enrollment in Central Coast Community Energy, this project will significantly assist the City in working towards its 100% renewable energy goal by 2030, and its interim goal of 50% renewable energy goal for municipal facilities by 2025. The solar installation will help implement the Council adopted Strategic Energy Plan, will provide budget certainty, and will help reduce electricity bills at City Hall by offsetting the majority of the building’s electricity usage, saving tax-payer dollars. In addition, the project will significantly reduce the City’s carbon footprint and lay the groundwork for improved energy resilience for City facilities.

The project is anticipated to break ground sometime in December 2021 – January 2022. We encourage our community to learn more about the benefits of renewable energy and why our City is committed to meeting its 2030 goal.

View the complete staff report at https://tinyurl.com/38fwebkj.

Pictured above: City Hall Solar PV Site Plan

Electric Vehicle Home Charging Safety Tips

The U.S. Fire Administration wants to keep communities safe from fire and electric shock related to charging electric vehicles (EVs). There are two types of home charging, Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 uses the charger included with the EV. These chargers are plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet. Level 2 charging uses a charger that is sold separately from the EV and allows for faster charging times. They are plugged into a 240-volt outlet. Read on for safety tips.

Before buying an EV, have a qualified electrician install:

  • A new, dedicated circuit for your EV charging device. Older home wiring may not be suitable for use with EV supply equipment.
  • A Level 2 charging device (if that is your preferred charging method).

When you charge an EV

  • Follow manufacturer’s guidelines when charging your vehicle. Check with your local dealer if you need additional information.
  • Purchase a charging device that is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
  • Plug Level 1 EV chargers directly into an outlet designed to handle the amperage of the charging device. Never use a multiplug adapter or extension cord.
  • Install a residual current device with the charging unit. It will turn off the power if a fault is detected and help prevent a fire.
  • Place all charging device components out of reach of children when not in use.
  • Maintain the components of your charging station according to the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines. Signs of excessive wear may indicate a potential shock hazard. Never use an EV charger with obvious signs of damage.
  • Cover the EV charging station outlet to stop water from entering. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure it is safe to charge your EV in wet conditions.

Download the safety tips handout here.

Goleta Deploys the First EV ARC™ 2020 Charger in the County

The City of Goleta received and set up Santa Barbara County’s first EV ARC™ 2020 (EV ARC) which is available for the public to use to charge their electric vehicles, acting on its commitment to building 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, now occupying a single standard parking space and being grid-independent, required no construction, trenching or electrical circuit work, allowing for fast deployment.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte remarked, “We are excited to have taken this first step of many in providing our community with access to clean, reliable energy and supporting the transition to electric vehicles. We are looking forward to continuing the momentum in addressing climate change and creating a more sustainable, green Goleta.” 

Fully funded by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District 2020 Clean Air Grants Infrastructure and the California Office of Emergency Services Public Safety Power Shutoff Resiliency Programs, the City of Goleta’s EV ARC unit is equipped with a ChargePoint™ Dual Port charger and can power up to 265 miles of electric driving in a single day. The EV ARC system generates and stores its own clean electricity and delivers that electricity to power EVs, day or night, and during inclement weather and power outages.

The EV ARC from BEAM Global is now online in Goleta City Hall’s parking lot (130 Cremona Drive) and is available for public use at no cost to the user. Community members are now welcome and able to charge their electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles using the EV ARC at any time day or night, free of charge with a ChargePoint™ account. There are two charging plugs, and users can park on or next to the EV ARC unit to charge their vehicle.

The new electric vehicle charging station is one of many ways the City is striving to meet its goal of 100% Renewable Energy by 2030 and expanding EV charging access. The City is currently enrolling in Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) this 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 will move forward with a solar photovoltaic project and additional EV charging stations at City Hall. Learn more about what we are doing here.

Pictured: EV ARC™ 2020 by BEAM Global newly installed in the Goleta City Hall parking lot and charging a car.

City Initiates Lawsuit Against UCSB

The Goleta City Council has directed its attorneys to file a lawsuit against UCSB for failing to provide student housing for its burgeoning student population. The announcement was made at a public City meeting on Friday, November 5th.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte stated, “I am disappointed that it has come to this because the City of Goleta has always had a good relationship with UCSB. However, the failure of UCSB to meet its obligations under the 2010 Long Range Development Plan Settlement Agreement to provide housing has made us reach a breaking point.”

In 2010, the City of Goleta, County of Santa Barbara, and UCSB entered into the 2010 University of California, Santa Barbara Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) Mitigation Implementation and Settlement Agreement, which can be viewed here. The Agreement settled a dispute over the impacts of UCSB’s 2010 LRDP, which proposed a significant increase in student enrollment, with UCSB promising to build campus housing to mitigate this growth.

UCSB has breached the Settlement Agreement since 2015 by failing to provide sufficient housing for its students. This has had negative repercussions on the City, the most recent being UCSB’s placement of students in hotels in the City, depriving the City of critical tax revenues that are the mainstay of the City’s budget. UCSB students also take up housing in the City of Goleta, thereby decreasing housing supply and increasing housing costs for Goleta’s workforce, such as nurses, teachers, and public safety officers, who are forced to live elsewhere and have to commute to work in the City. Increased enrollment at UCSB also generates a greater demand on Goleta’s public resources and services. There is no foreseeable end in sight for these negative impacts on Goleta.

“UCSB’s currently proposed student housing project, Munger Hall, a 4,500-unit dorm, has recently received harsh scrutiny in the national press. In light of this, we, at the City, are concerned that there may be no certainty as to whether the needed student housing will be built in a reasonable time frame,” Mayor Perotte also said after Friday’s meeting.

After a decade of UCSB’s failure to satisfy its obligations and the negative repercussions on the City, the City has determined that it is necessary to file a lawsuit in order to preserve its rights and require UCSB to finally take meaningful responsibility for the impacts it has created.