As we enjoy our sun-filled weather in Goleta, we want to remind everyone to help keep our beloved pets cool during rising temperatures and do not fall prey to heat stroke. Heat strokes can happen when our pets are left in confined spaces with little or no ventilation. They can happen anywhere – even when taking our animals friends on walks during a semi-hot day.

Thanks to Santa Barbara County Animal Services for providing the following information:

Tips to care for your dog in the summer:

• Never leave a dog in a hot car. Heatstroke can occur within minutes.
• Schedule early morning walks before the day gets too hot.
• Check pavement temperatures to avoid dogs burning their paws.
• Ensure pets have access to shade, ventilation, and water while outside.
• Keep dogs inside or in a shaded area if temperature is higher than 80 degrees with humidity at 90 percent.
• Trim hair short to ventilate skin. – Remember. dogs don’t sweat.

Overweight, elderly, and dogs with short noses are heat sensitive. Take extra precautions if you know your dog may be at risk.

Beware of signs of heat stroke:

• Uncontrollable panting and drooling
• Depression, lethargy, or agitation,
• Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness or sudden collapse.
• Higher Heart Rate and Body Temperature

Summer can be a picnic if you follow these simple tips and remember: “Hot dogs belong on the grill, not in your car!”

On-Road, Off-Road, Marine, Agricultural, and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Projects Qualify

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is accepting applications for the 2022 Clean Air Grants Program July 25 through August 31. A record amount of funding (approximately $3.8 million) is available for voluntary Clean Air Grant projects this year — twice as much funding as was available last year.

APCD will prioritize applications proposing zero-emission or near-zero emission technology projects, along with projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities, as defined by this map: https://webmaps.arb.ca.gov/PriorityPopulations/.

Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits looking to replace old equipment with newer, cleaner technology, or transition to zero-emission or near-zero emission vehicles, equipment, and/or fueling infrastructure, are encouraged to apply. Successful projects will be eligible to receive a grant within a range from $10,000 to $250,000. Emission reductions from the project must be surplus to any rule or regulation. Examples of eligible projects include:

• On-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicles:
  • Heavy-duty trucks and buses
  • School buses
  • Solid waste collection vehicles
  • Transit fleet vehicles, including urban buses
  • Public agency and utility vehicles
  • Emergency vehicles
• Alternative Fueling Infrastructure
• Off-Road Equipment:
  • Tractors
  • Forklifts
  • Loaders and dozers
  • Excavators
  • Agricultural utility vehicles
• Marine Vessels (regulated and non-regulated commercial vessels)
• Agricultural Engines

Over the past 34 years, APCD has collaborated with local operators and awarded more than $50 million to various engine replacement projects throughout Santa Barbara County. These projects have eliminated several thousand tons of smog-forming pollution and particulate matter, both of which harm human health. Here are some testimonials from previous recipients:

“We are proud of the fact that we have been able through this Grant Program to be able to upgrade our tractors over the past few years. Without this program, we would have continued to repair our old tractors and not replace them with much cleaner-running, energy-efficient tractors. This has also had a positive effect with the morale of our employees.” – Plantel Nurseries (Santa Maria)

“Access to grant funds are crucial for small businesses like mine, looking to upgrade to best available technology in order to reduce emissions. Especially because we carry the public, health and safety are our priority. Having the newest equipment ensures reduced mechanical issues and easier access to parts.” – Stardust Sportfishing (Santa Barbara Harbor)

“I enjoy hearing from previous Clean Air Grant recipients about how transitioning to newer, cleaner technology has benefited their operations while improving our air quality,” said Aeron Arlin Genet, APCD Director. “I strongly encourage all interested companies and organizations to apply.”

For more information, visit the Grants webpage.

One of Goleta’s gem locations is the stunning Lake Los Carneros. Now there is a newly released 7-minute short film, Birds of Lake Carneros, shot at this special location available to view. The Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS) and filmmaker Michael Love recently released the short film which is rich in bird conservation, local history, and ecology.

The film can be viewed here: https://santabarbaraaudubon.org/learning-resources/.

The film celebrates local and migrating birds at Lake Los Carneros, raises awareness about the importance of this open space for providing critical habitat to avifauna and other wildlife, and inspires community environmental stewardship and nature conservation. 

Movie footage includes iconic shots of hummingbirds, predators, and new chicks, as well as other important wildlife around the lake. Guest appearances in the film include SBAS Board Field Trips Chair Peter Thompson leading a group and City of Goleta Councilmember Stuart Kasdin birding with local students at the lake.

Lake Los Carneros is owned and managed by the City of Goleta.

About Santa Barbara Audubon Society
Founded in 1963, SBAS’s mission is to protect area birdlife and habitat and connect people with birds through education, conservation and science. SBAS strengthens people’s connection to birds through outreach, local presentations and birding events, promotes avifauna protections through meetings with agency decision-makers, public comments, and conservation letters, and advances knowledge about birdlife through community and research-based science. To learn more about SBAS and how you may join and help our local birds, please visit https://santabarbaraaudubon.org.

Available Now at the Goleta Valley Historical Society Museum Store

If you want to show off your love for Goleta, NOW is your chance by purchasing a limited-edition City of Goleta 20-Year logo t-shirt and/or coffee mug while supplies last. This specialty merchandise, custom made to commemorate the City of Goleta’s 20th Birthday, is also a great gift for anyone you know who loves the Good Land.  

Thanks to the Goleta Valley Historical Society (GVHS) for selling the 20-year gear at its Museum Store located at 304 N. Los Carneros Road. Store hours are Saturday and Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and by appointment. T-Shirts are $25 and mugs are $10. 

Once the merchandise is sold, there are no plans to purchase more, so we encourage you to get your gear before its gone.  

The shirts and mugs will also be available to purchase at special events including the popular Tuesday night concert series “Music at the Ranch” (now through August 16 from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.) and the Dam Dinner on August 20 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. You can learn more about GVHS and its upcoming events at https://goletahistory.org/.

We are excited to see you with the 20-year merchandise. Send a photo of you and your Goleta merch to PIO@cityofgoleta.org for a chance to be featured on our Facebook (@cityofgoleta) and Instagram (@cityofgoleta) accounts! #happybirthdaygoleta

Pictured above and below: 20-year mugs and t-shirts

City also receives its first Special Capital Recognition

The City of Goleta is proud to announce that it has received its third Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the City’s two-year budget plan, fiscal years 2021/22 and 2022/23. The City first received this award in 2018 for fiscal years 2017/18 and 2018/19, and again in 2020 for fiscal years 2019/20 and 2020/21. Alongside this prestigious award, the City of Goleta also received its first Special Capital Recognition which requires three outstanding ratings on the capital program from the reviewers.

The award is now the third consecutive award since the City of Goleta has prepared and submitted their entry in accordance with GFOA standards. Finance Director Luke Rioux and a support team of dedicated staff members continue to put together a comprehensive budget plan that increases transparency and allows community members to easily see how money comes into our City and how it is spent.

Luke said, “This is a great accomplishment for our team, and especially the special recognition for capital budgeting. It reflects the many hours of effort and hard work that goes into budget development and producing a well-organized budget document our City can take pride in. This award is a tribute to all of staff’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to improve Goleta’s budget document. We appreciate City Council’s support and expectation of only the highest standards in budget preparation. It is an honor to share this award with Council and City staff.”

The Distinguished Budget Award and the first Special Capital Recognition represents a summation of the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the Award, recipients must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation, and the budget must serve as a: policy document; financial plan; operations guide; and communications device. View the City’s Two-Year Budget Plan for FY 2021/22 & 2022/23 here. To learn more about the award, please visit www.gfoa.org.

The primary function of the City’s Finance Department is to ensure the financial integrity of the City by providing superior financial services, maintaining public trust, and promoting governmental efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in a transparent and easy to understand manner. Finance maintains an effective financial accounting system that accurately reflects the financial operations of the City and offers a framework for both financial planning and analysis. The department provides accurate, reliable, and timely financial information for City Council, City Manager, City staff, and outside requests using the highest-level of professional standards.

More information on the City’s Finance Department, including objectives and accomplishments, is available at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/finance.