Daily Archives: October 6, 2022

Coffee with a Cop Day Recap

Thank you to McDonald’s at Camino Real Marketplace for hosting Coffee with a Cop on October 5. We appreciate the opportunity for community members to get a chance to meet members of the Goleta Police Department serving the Good Land, including Chief of Police Services, Lt. Rich Brittingham. 

National Coffee with a Cop Day began as part of Community Policing Week in 2016 and now continues each year on the first Wednesday in October furthering efforts nationwide to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. Thanks to everyone who came.

A special thanks to Dave Peterson, owner of the McDonald’s at the Camino Real Marketplace for stopping by and giving everyone at the event a free cup of coffee. #GoodLandGoodPeople

Pictured below: Photos from October 5 event

 

 

Pavement Rehabilitation Project to Begin Construction Soon

Backlog of Deferred Roadway Maintenance Remains

Pavement Rehabilitation work is scheduled to take place this fall in the Cannon Green Neighborhood, the Covington Neighborhood, a portion of Cathedral Oaks Road from Evergreen Drive to Alameda Avenue and Armstrong Road from Reed Court to Mills Way. The work is all part of the 2022-2023 Pavement Rehabilitation Project and is expected to take six months to complete.  We will keep you posted on construction dates as soon as we receive them and appreciate your patience.

Construction will begin with concrete work, that consists of the reconstruction of cross gutters and spandrels, adjacent curb ramps to meet ADA standards, and miscellaneous concrete repairs. This work will be followed by asphalt roadway work, then striping and signage.

Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “While we are pleased to have more work being done to improve our City streets, we are well aware that there is so much more that needs to be done. The City has a backlog of deferred roadway pavement maintenance. It has been many years since the City has been able to fully fund its pavement program.  With the backlog as well as the recent significant increase in the cost of construction, it gets harder and harder to maintain the City’s pavement condition goals.”

One of the biggest concerns for residents remains the condition of Cathedral Oaks Road.  Due to funding limitations, there is only budget to pave limited segments of Cathedral Oaks each year.

The City constructs an Annual Pavement Rehabilitation Project as part of its Pavement Management Program (PMP). Following the PMP ensures the most efficient use of available funding for maintaining the City’s roadway network. The PMP consists of tracking the condition of the pavement and based on the condition, developing periodic pavement maintenance activities and projects. Pavement maintenance ranges from pothole repair and crack sealing to slurry seals, overlays, and reconstructions. The PMP is also a critical planning tool that assists staff in establishing a list of priority roadways to be included in the City’s annual pavement rehabilitation projects. In addition to the PMP recommendations, the paving priority list is developed based on public input and staff’s experience and understanding of the roadways.

If you have any questions on the Annual Pavement Projects, please contact Debbie Talarico, Contract Project Manager, at dtalarico@cityofgoleta.org.

Goleta Holiday Parade on December 3rd

Sponsorship, Volunteer, and Participants Requested to Light Up Old Town Goleta

The Goleta Lions Club is pleased to announce the return of the annual Goleta Holiday Parade to kick off the 2022 Holiday Season in Old Town on Saturday, December 3rd starting at 6:00 p.m. Now organizers of The Santa Cruz Market 5th Annual Goleta Holiday Parade Presented by Fuel Depot are looking for volunteers, event participants and sponsors to ensure the parade is a great success. 

As City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte shares, the parade is an important part of Goleta’s community spirit and a special event every year. She said, “The Holiday Parade has become a much-anticipated tradition in Goleta, and this year could be the best one yet. The parade will feature local schools, nonprofits, youth sport teams, friends, families, and other wonderful organizations.”

The parade gives all members of the community the opportunity to come together and celebrate the spirit of the holidays as well as indulge in good old fashioned, hometown fun. No matter your age, the event is sure to put the holiday twinkle in your eye. This year’s route will have participants traveling from Orange Avenue to Kinman Avenue and, while excitement builds for this festive parade, volunteers and sponsors are still needed to ensure its success. 

A variety of sponsorship levels are available, including North Pole Sponsorships ($3000), Regal Stars Diamond Sponsorships ($2500), Reindeer Sponsorships ($1500), or Candy Cane Sponsorships ($1000), in addition to other levels. All sponsorship dollars will fund parade expenses and local youth projects. Volunteers can visit the parade website to sign up and offer help day-of or leading up to the event.

Current sponsors include:

  • North Pole Sponsors: Fuel Depot and Santa Cruz Market
  • Reindeer Sponsors: American Riviera Bank, Mechanics Bank, Rockin’ Double RC Ranch/Robin and Reid Cederlof
  • Candy Cane Sponsors: Community West Bank

Visit www.goletaholidayparade.org for more information about sponsorship opportunities, volunteer positions, and participant information.

Pictured: Goleta City Council at last year’s holiday parade

Hollister Ave Old Town Interim Striping Project Special Council Meeting

Join Us October 27 In-Person, Participate Via Zoom or Watch Live Broadcast

The City of Goleta is holding a Special City Council meeting on the Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping Project on October 27, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Join us for this important discussion on traffic conditions in Old Town, how the Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping Project addresses area traffic issues and whether to move the project into the final design and construction phases. There are many ways you can participate. Join us in person at the Goleta Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive), via Zoom or Watch Live on www.cityofgoleta.org or Goleta TV Channel 19.

At a well-attended community workshop held at the Goleta Community Center on September 30th, the City presented information on traffic volumes, speeds and safety. Staff also presented the plan created to address parking, speed, and safety concerns in Old Town, which includes:

  • One vehicle and bike lane in each direction
  • A non-traversable painted median
  • Back-in angled 90-minute parking along the north side of the street
  • Parallel 90-minute parking along the south side of the street
  • Traffic signal equipment and timing upgrades

Meeting participants asked questions and provided input. Based on the turnout at the workshop and the positive feedback received, the City plans to expedite the project by converting the second planned community meeting into a Special City Council hearing. The City Council hearing will continue to be a forum for members of the public to receive project information and to voice their opinions. After public discussion, City Council will direct staff on how to continue with the project. Combining the community meeting and City Council hearing could potentially save months in the project schedule, if approved by the City Council.

For more information on this project, please visit: https://cityofgoleta.org/hollisterinterimstriping.

Instructions on how to participate in the Special Council Meeting will be available in the agenda. The agenda is posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings.

Pictured: Hollister Ave in Old Town

Know Your Goleta Ballot

There is a lot for Goleta voters to consider this upcoming election on November 8, 2022. Not only is it the City’s first By-District election, but there are also two ballot measures. Measure B2022 is for a 1% Sales and Transaction Use tax and Measure C2022 is for a Flavored Tobacco Ban Ordinance. 

To help voters know what to expect on the Goleta November 2022 Election, the City sent a Know Your Goleta Ballot mailer to all registered voters. To view it, click here. For more information on the upcoming election, visit the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/Elections.

Important Dates:

  • October 11: Registered voters should receive a ballot on or around this date
  • October 24: The last day to register to vote in this election; register now at https://www.registertovote.ca.gov/
  • November 8: Election Day

Drop Box Locations:

There will be over 30 secure Ballot Drop Boxes located throughout the County to safely return your ballot directly to the Registrar of Voters. The drop boxes are open for 24 hours beginning 29 days before a federal or state election through 8:00 pm on Election night. There will be two locations in Goleta:

  • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive)
  • Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) – at end of parking lot in front of building

An interactive map of the Ballot Drop Box locations in the County is available here.

Wildfire Preparedness Expo October 14 & 15

Event held at the Direct Relief Building in Goleta

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department would like to invite the community to attend the second 2022 Wildfire Preparedness Exposition October 14-15, 2022.

Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council in partnership with the UCSB Wildfire Prevention and Policy Lecture Series is hosting the Exposition. The Event will be held at the Direct Relief building, 6100 Wallace Becknell Road in Goleta. There will be family friendly exhibits, activities, presentations, and will feature a panel of speakers.

Friday October 14th, 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Opening Reception with Speakers and Exhibits. “Why Have Humans Lost Control of Wildfire in the Western United States?” Keynote Speaker Dr. Park Williams.

Saturday October 15th, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Speakers, Exhibits, Activities & Food. Come see your local firefighters, engines, bulldozers, hand-crew, and helicopter.

This event is funded by a Fire Prevention Grant and is part of the Regional Wildfire Mitigation Program (RWMP).

For more information, visit the websites of the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council and the Regional Wildfire Mitigation Program. See you there!

 

Calling All Jedi! Celebrate Star Wars Reads Month at Goleta Valley Library

October 15th Jedi Party to feature characters, crafts, prizes and more!

This October, Goleta Valley Library is celebrating one of its favorite annual traditions: Star Wars Reads Month! This month-long celebration of literacy encourages readers and Star Wars fans to celebrate the stories that bring their beloved characters to life. Younglings and Padawans are invited to a Jedi Party on Saturday, October 15th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. to meet real-life clone troopers, a tie reserve pilot, a Jawa, and a Jedi Librarian! Young fans can explore the make-your-own-lightsaber station, themed crafts, fun games, fabulous prizes, and much more.

Plus, Jedi of all ages are invited to stop by the library all month long to check out Star Wars books, graphic novels, and movies from our displays for children, adults, and teens. While you are here, enjoy the most fantastic decorations in the galaxy! The library is currently bedecked with life-size droids, giant light sabers, and vibrant posters featuring your favorite heroes and villains from the Star Wars universe.

We look forward to celebrating this special month with you!

Character meet-and-greets are generously provided by the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion groups:

The 501st Legion is an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating Star Wars through the creation and use of quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the Star Wars universe. The Legion promotes interest in Star Wars and facilitates the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributes to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.

The Rebel Legion is a Star Wars based costuming fan club. The Rebel Legion’s members create and wear costumes of the hero characters from the Star Wars saga, which includes but is not limited to the films, comics, books, games, and television shows based on the Star Wars saga. The Rebel Legion gives back to the community through works of charity and volunteerism.

Goleta Valley Library would like to thank the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library for their year-round support of our community programs.

Explore GoletaValleyLibrary.org for up-to-date information about our services, programs, and events.


Goleta Valley Library decorated for Star Wars Reads Month

United Boys & Girls Club Members Receive Gold Cards

Congratulations to the nearly three dozen United Boys & Girls Club Goleta members who were recognized at the October 4, 2022, Goleta City Council meeting. In addition to receiving a special certificate of recognition, these United Boys & Girls Club members were also awarded with a special Gold Card that celebrates their impeccable attendance record, having reached an incredible 105 days of attendance in the program. Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County CEO Michael Baker joined Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember Roger Aceves in handing out the special certificates and gold cards to the children as proud parents joyfully watched. Heartfelt applauses and excited whispers of “We get to meet the Mayor!” filled the room as participants proudly took home their awards.

National studies show that kids who make it to the 105 day attendance mark in one calendar year are twice as likely to graduate high school on time and twice as likely to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Gold Card gives the kids special privileges at the club and recognition by the City of Goleta.

Congratulations to all of the Gold Card recipients, Goleta is proud of you!

United Boys & Girls Club Gold Card recipients with the Goleta City Council

United Boys & Girls Club Gold Card recipients with their certificates of recognition

 

San Jose Creek Bike Path Project Moves to Next Phase

The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project is on to the next phase following Council’s approval of the environmental document (Mitigated Negative Declaration) at its October 4, 2022, meeting. More than 15 speakers turned out to the Special Council Meeting to voice their support for the project and a petition with more than 700 signatures urging councilmembers to approve it in time to meet grant deadlines was submitted. With Council’s approval, the project has now reached the end of the environmental review and conceptual design phase. Now the project will move to the design phase which includes permitting, design, and right of way.

At the meeting, staff provided additional information regarding the impact to the trees and the riparian habitat in the project corridor. The information included the results of an arborist lead tree survey. Staff also provided additional information regarding the overall project costs. 

To view the meeting go to https://goleta.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1777.

The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project is an important component of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan as it will provide a critical connection between existing bike routes north of U.S. 101 and the Atascadero Creek Bike Path to the south. It will connect bike routes north of Calle Real all the way to the Coast Route, that connects to Goleta Beach, UCSB, and into Santa Barbara. This is a complex project that has involved close coordination with various agencies including Caltrans and the County of Santa Barbara. A project map is available here.

The public can review the final environmental document here for the project. The project will be going to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) at its December meeting to request allocation of Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding for the design and right of way phase. 

For more information contact Teresa Lopes (Tlopes@cityofgoleta.org) Or visit our project webpage for more information.