We appreciate our Goleta Public Works Department so much and are pleased for any opportunity to recognize the great work this team does. May was 15 – 21 was National Public Works Week and the City of Goleta took the opportunity to express its sincere and heartfelt appreciation for our hard-working and dedicated Public Works Department. The Goleta City Council recognized our stand-out Public Works Team with a Proclamation at its May 17, 2022, meeting. (Pictured: Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling holding the Public Works Week Proclamation at the meeting. Standing behind left-to-right: Councilmember Roger Aceves, Councilmember James Kyriaco, Mayor Paula Perotte, and Mayor Pro Tempore Stuart Kasdin.)

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Thanks to our incredible Goleta Public Works Team who provide the Goleta community with essential services. We truly appreciate your dedication to the work that you do and your continued ability to adjust during the pandemic.”

Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling accepted the Proclamation on behalf of his team. He said, “Public Works staff is incredible. We have an amazing team that has worked very hard this last year to deliver projects and services to the residents and visitors of the City of Goleta. This year’s Public Works Week theme of “Ready & Resilient” couldn’t be more fitting. Our staff is remarkably responsive to the needs and requests of the community, and they’ve continued to persevere through many challenges. I appreciate this opportunity to recognize staff for their commitment to their work and for their many accomplishments throughout the year.”

The Goleta Public Works Department is responsible for so many aspects of our daily life, including the City’s infrastructure, street maintenance, parks and open spaces, storm water management, solid waste and environmental services, and engineering. Over the past year, the Public Works Department has added four new staff members and is looking to fill several positions to help continue to provide key services and implement important programs and projects in our City. Learn more about the Public Works Department here and view available job openings at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/goletaca.

The Public Works Department has had many achievements over the past year, including the following:

• Continued paving projects for various citywide roadways including segments of Cathedral Oaks Road.
• Replaced approximately 1,400 old streetlights with new energy efficient LED lights making it better for the environment, providing clearer lighting, and saving the City money.
• Installed four Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons and two Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons throughout the City.
• Launched a City-wide Edible Food Recovery Program and Commercial Food Scraps Recycling Program.
• Completed construction of the Dearborn/Armitos ADA Improvements Project.

Upcoming Public Works projects include:

• Continued implementation of the Ellwood Monarch Butterfly Management Plan.
• New programs for Solid Waste Reduction.
• Continued implementation of the Creek and Watershed Management Program.
• Hollister Avenue Interim Striping Project will improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle safety in the corridor, and increase outdoor business and dining space.
• Hollister Avenue Bridge Project will replace the existing bridge and complete the channel widening south of the bridge thereby allowing greater flood water conveyance capacity.
• Ekwill and Fowler Road Extensions Project will construct major improvements which will greatly enhance circulation in Old Town for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
• Design for the 20-million-dollar San Jose Creek Bike Path Project.
• Develop a Safe Routes to School Program.

Even though Public Works Week is over, we can still celebrate our Goleta Public Works Team. Feel free to send a note to PIO@cityofgoleta.org and we will pass it along. We know your messages will put a smile on their faces!

City of Goleta Public Works Maintenance Crew