Daily Archives: September 30, 2022

Over 10,000 Pounds of Trash Collected in Goleta

There is no doubt that Goleta cares about keeping its city clean and beautiful. Goleta community members showed up big time for the September 17th Coastal Cleanup Day and Bulky Item Drop Off on September 17th. The events kicked off SB Creek Week and were once again a great success. In all, the combined events resulted in more than 10,000 pounds of trash collected in Goleta alone.

City of Goleta Environmental Services Specialist Dan Rowell said, “The increased participation we see every year just goes to show how much our community cares about our creeks, watersheds, and the ocean. It was incredible to see so many people out on a Saturday morning either picking up trash from beaches or creeks, or bringing unwanted items to our bulky item drop off. Thanks to everyone who helps keep Goleta clean and beautiful!”

This year, Goleta had three Coastal Cleanup Day locations where 122 Volunteers collected 2,618 lbs of trash!  Here is the breakdown:

  • Haskell’s Beach (led by site captain Meghan Leon with Ritz-Carlton Bacara)
    • 65 Volunteers
    • 337 lbs of Trash Collected
  • San Jose Creek (led by Brian Trautwein with the Environmental Defense Center)
    • 25 Volunteers
    • 2,152 lbs of Trash Collected
  • Ellwood Bluffs and Beach (led by resident Al Souma)
    • 32 Volunteers
    • 129 lbs of Trash Collected

Equally exciting, for our final Bulky Items Drop Off event this year at Cannon Green Drive and Phelps Road, there were more vehicle drop offs than ever before (68!) and as a result more than 7,500 pounds of trash was collected.

Thank you to Explore Ecology for coordinating Coastal Cleanup Day across Santa Barbara County and to all of those who volunteered. We are also very thankful for our partners at MarBorg Industries and Big Green Cleaning for their ongoing support.


Volunteers with San Jose Creek site captain Brian Trautwein (Environmental Defense Center)


Volunteers with Haskell’s Beach site captain Meghan Leon (Ritz-Carlton Bacara)


Resident dropping off items at Beautify Goleta’s Bulky Item Collection Event at Cannon Green Drive and Phelps Road

Street Sweeping Program Update for Eastern Goleta

New Routes and Schedule began October 3

The Eastern portion of Goleta began experiencing new street sweeping routes and an updated schedule pm Monday, October 3. All information about Street Sweeping in Goleta can be found on the City’s website at www.CityOfGoleta.org/StreetSweeping.

Please note that the street sweeping program for Western Goleta is managed by the Goleta West Sanitary District. The routes and schedule remain unchanged. View the map and calendar for Western Goleta at https://goletawest.org/street-sweeping.

Eastern Goleta Only

New Schedule Began October 3rd, 2022

  • To better address trash and other debris on streets, the new Street Sweeping schedule will only include one side of the street on each sweeping day.

New Voluntary Parking Restrictions

  • To allow the street sweeper to more effectively clean your street, please move vehicles, trash cans, basketball hoops, mobile homes, large vans, boats, trailers, and other obstructions on your street sweeping days. The City appreciates your effort to helping keep Goleta clean and beautiful.

Resources

Contact Us

Please reach out to the Environmental Services Division at EnvironmentalServices@CityOfGoleta.org with any questions or comments.

View a larger map and schedule here

Halloween Parking Enforcement Returns

As Halloween is right around the corner, the City of Goleta will once again enforce the annual Halloween parking restrictions in coordination with the Isla Vista and University of California, Santa Barbara communities, who will also have restrictions this year.

Over the past several years, a temporary permit-only on-street parking program for residents near Isla Vista was implemented and deemed successful in dissuading partygoers from parking in the Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista and easing the impacts felt by residents. 

Parking permits are issued for the Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista: University 1 and University 2 neighborhoods, including the Cannon Green Condominium complex. The boundaries are: Cannon Green Drive to the west, Hollister Avenue to the north, Storke Road to the east and Whittier Drive to the south. This area is comprised of an estimated 1,250 dwelling units representing approximately 4,000 residents.

Each household will receive two passes in their mailbox by October 20. The parking permits are required to be taped to the inside of the vehicle’s driver’s side window during the restricted hours (see below). Signage will be posted on the streets in advance to remind drivers, and electronic message boards will be at several entrances to the University 1 and 2 neighborhoods. Vehicles not displaying the appropriate permit will be subject to ticketing and/or towing. Parking restrictions are for Friday and Saturday nights when most party-goers are expected to be in the area:

  • 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2022, to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022; and
  • 7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2022, to 7:00 a.m. Sunday, October 30, 2022

The overnight parking restrictions will not affect those visiting Girsh Park over Halloween weekend. If you live in the area designated to receive a parking permit, and do not receive yours by October 20, please contact the City of Goleta Neighborhood Services Department at 805.961.7554 or lmendoza-vera@cityofgoleta.org to make arrangements for a replacement.

For additional information, please visit https://www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/neighborhood-services/neighborhood-services/temporary-parking-restrictions.

Students Wanted for City of Goleta Commissions

Openings on Parks & Recreation and Public Engagement Commissions

Local students may be wondering what extra-curricular activities they can participate in this school year. The City of Goleta has a special opportunity for two local students to gain experience by serving on a City Commission. The City is currently accepting applications for one Student representative position on the Parks and Recreation Commission and one Youth representative opening on the Public Engagement Commission. This is a unique opportunity to get involved in local government at a young age and make a difference. Applications are now being accepted at https://cityofgoleta.org/goletameetings. The deadline to apply is October 13, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

To be eligible, applicants must be City of Goleta residents between the ages of 15-21 (Public Engagement Commission) or a student 15 years or older (Parks and Recreation Commission). Both Commissions are comprised of seven-members and have regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year.

The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta, including the acquisition, development, maintenance, and improvement of the City’s public parks, recreational services, and open spaces. Members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting; the student commissioner may choose to waive their compensation to receive community service credit.

The Public Engagement Commission (PEC) is charged with looking for opportunities and ways to increase public engagement in City government. The PEC has provided recommendations to City Council on moving to evening-only meetings, directly electing the Mayor, and district elections. The Commission will continue to advise Council on ways to improve public outreach and increase public engagement. Members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting.

Applications may be submitted online at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/boardscommissions by October 13, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. For additional information, please email cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.

Pictured: Parks and Recreation Student Commissioner Nora Kelly participating in a meeting; she served from July 2018 – February 2020.

Balloon Regulations

It may seem like released balloons just disappear into the sky, but balloons must always come down to earth, and their impacts to the environment cannot be overstated. According to data from the Ocean Conservancy, balloons are the most common form of floating marine garbage within 200 miles of American shorelines, and they are the third most dangerous debris item, as they are often mistaken for food by wildlife. For example, a rubber balloon in the ocean can look much like a jellyfish to a sea turtle. When ingested, a balloon can block an animal’s digestive track, often resulting in starvation. A 2019 study  found that balloons are a are 32 times more likely to kill seabirds than ingested hard plastics. In addition, balloon ribbons can impact wildlife by entangling animals, resulting in injury or death. Rubber balloons can exist in the environment for about four years before breaking down; however, mylar balloons will outlast us all on earth.

Mylar balloons, also known as metal or foil balloons, also cause power outages and fires when they encounter power lines, posing a direct threat to our community. More than 1,000 power outages each year in Southern California are a result of Mylar balloons colliding with power lines. Preventing these impacts is our responsibility as a community. Goleta is reducing marine debris and litter by regulating balloons, as part of the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The City’s new balloon regulations encompass a few areas:

  • Prohibits the release of balloons in the City (mylar or latex)
  • Restricts the use of Mylar and foil balloons in outdoor spaces like beaches and parks to prevent accidental releases
  • Bans the sale and distribution of mylar/foil balloons within the City

Knowing the impacts of balloons, we have the opportunity to celebrate differently. There are many ways to decorate for celebrations that don’t have such a negative impact on wildlife and the environment. Although rubber/latex balloons are still permitted for sale and use in Goleta, a greener alternative is utilizing reusable vinyl balloons that can be stored and used again. Parties can be decorated with bunting, banners, paperchains, garlands, or paper streamers to make any space festive and colorful. Paper flowers, pinwheels, kites, and bubbles are also excellent options and are popular with kids.

As a City, we’re proud to be taking steps to eliminate plastic waste in our environment by reducing the prevalence of harmful items that can harm our local sea birds, marine mammals, and other wildlife that make the Santa Barbara Channel their home.

The effective date for Goleta’s balloon regulations is June 1, 2023. The City will be working on education and outreach efforts leading up to next summer. Read the full ordinance here. Learn more about the City’s recent plastic reduction policies here.

Images below from Ocean Conservancy