GVAA Celebrates 60 Years of “Bringing Art to the Community”

March 28, 2023

The Goleta Valley Art Association (GVAA) celebrated 60 years of “Bringing Art to the Community” with a special luncheon on Saturday, March 11, at the Glen Annie Golf Club. More than 50 local artists and guests attended, highlighted by a presentation of a proclamation honoring the anniversary presented by Goleta Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards.

The program portion of the event featured highlights of the organizations past 60 years, including its founding by a small group of artists in 1963, led by Warren Fuller, who mounted their first showing at a bank in Goleta. Douglass Parshall was elected as the first president that year.

GVAA president Elizabeth U. Flanagan said, “We are delighted to be able to gather with fellow members and friends in the community for our first annual luncheon since 2019 to celebrate 60 years of fulfilling our mission to bring art to the community.” Flanagan is one of 46 to serve as president over the organizations 60 years. Flanagan began her service as president in 2017.

The organization’s first meeting place was the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce office with 16 members. More recently, the organization has had showings at the Goleta Valley Library (GVL), Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library, La Cumbre Plaza, Camino Real Marketplace and various galleries in Santa Barbara. Show sponsors have included Art Essentials, Limousine Link, Voice Magazine, La Cumbre Plaza and Camino Real Marketplace.

With a current membership of more than 200 local artists, GVAA maintained its activity during the first years of the pandemic by presenting shows and sales on their website, www.thegoletavalleyartassociation.org.

For many years prior to the pandemic, members of GVAA provided after-school art instruction to students in the Goleta Union School District. As the community continues to return to this type of pre-pandemic activity, members are hoping to resume their volunteer roles in providing this important instruction to young people in the community.

GVAA resumed in-person shows in 2022 at both libraries. A current exhibition/sale is at the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Ave) April 1 – 26. Library/show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

A unique activity of the GVAA is a critique presented by the juror of each show providing specific professional guidance to each artist.

“These critiques, provided through the generosity of our jurors, amount to nothing less than master classes with some of the best artists in our region,” stated Terre Martin Sanitate, vice president who oversees the organization of the exhibitions. “They are an invaluable resource for GVAA members.”

For more information about the organization and how to join, visit www.thegoletavalleyartassociation.org.

Pictured above: Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards presenting the proclamation to GVAA President Elizabeth Flanagan

GVAA Celebration

GVAA Board Members

Celebrate Earth Day with Beautify Goleta on April 22

March 28, 2023

Over 4,000 Pounds of Trash Collected at March Beautify Goleta Event

Save the date for the City’s next Beautify Goleta on April 22 to coincide with “Earth Day.” We hope you will volunteer for this community wide clean-up event. The Spotlight area is Stow Grove Park and surrounding neighborhoods, but you can volunteer to help beautify Goleta anywhere throughout the City. A special thanks to our Spotlight Captains Goleta Rotary Club and Community West Bank.

Beautify Goleta will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22. All volunteers will get to take home a “Plastic Free Goleta” reusable utensil kit. The Spotlight area includes a bulky item pick-up from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. where nearby residents can drop off large items they no longer want.

Our last Beautify Goleta event on March 25 was very successful with over 4,000 pounds of trash collected! Forty-eight volunteers collected 257 pounds of trash as part of the community cleanup. Volunteers collected a wide range of items including bottles, cans, bottle caps, cigarettes, plastic bags, straws, wrappers, and take out containers.

The Bulky Item Drop Off event was in Old Town at the Community West Bank Parking lot (5827 Hollister Avenue). There were 14 vehicle drop offs, resulting in 3,857 pounds of bulky items being collected.

A special thank you to our Beautify Goleta Captains including Amanda Cobb with Habitat Santa Barbara, Jerry Lucera with Waypoint Church, and City of Goleta Public Engagement Commissioner Susan Klein-Rothschild. We also want to thank our partners at MarBorg Industries, Big Green Cleaning, and the Caltrans Clean California program for their ongoing support.

Please help us make the April 22^nd Earth Day event even better and volunteer with us! The City is also looking for more Captains. Captains can be clubs, businesses, community groups, or individuals that help keep a group of volunteers organized on event day. For more information on being a Captain please email EnvironmentalServices@CityOfGoleta.org. To learn more about Beautify Goleta and sign up to volunteer on April 22, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta.

Spotlight Captain Amanda Cobb with Habitat Santa Barbara gets Goleta Rotary Club volunteers ready for action; photo courtesy of Habitat Santa Barbara

Help Us get a Clean California Grant to Beautify Old Town

March 28, 2023

Take Our Survey by April 14 to Provide Feedback

The City of Goleta needs your help in obtaining a Clean California Local Grant. The City would use the grant funds for projects to reduce trash and pollution and beautify Old Town Goleta. We are seeking community input on the types of projects the City should do if we receive the grant, such as adding additional free bulky item picks up, planting drought tolerant plants, putting up art installations, and more. Tell us your preferences by completing our survey by Friday, April 14, 2023.

Survey in English: surveymonkey.com/r/93X9F9Q
Survey in Spanish: surveymonkey.com/r/NFBP5PJ

Caltrans developed the Clean California Local Grant Program to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers. Through the combination of adding beautification measures and art in public spaces along with the removal of litter and debris, this effort will enhance communities and improve spaces for walking and recreation.

The goals of the Clean California Local Grant Program are to:

Reduce the amount of waste and debris within public rights-of-way, pathways, parks, transit centers, and other public spaces.
Enhance, rehabilitate, restore, or install measures to beautify and improve public spaces and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Enhance public health, cultural connection, and community placemaking by improving public spaces for walking and recreation.
Advance equity for underserved communities.

After the survey closes, the City will submit a grant application to Caltrans. We will be notified if we receive the funds in the fall.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Provide Input on the City’s CDBG Action Plan

March 28, 2023

Public Review Period is Open now through April 17th

Every year the City of Goleta looks forward to helping those in our community in need using funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Draft Action Plan outlines the City’s strategy for pursuing the overall goals of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide decent housing; to establish and maintain a suitable living environment; and to expand economic revitalization opportunities. The Action Plan also contains identifiable benchmarks for measuring progress through goals, objectives and community development strategies to meet the City’s housing needs and to provide services to the low-income, homeless and special needs populations within the City. The Draft 2023-2024 Action Plan also sets forth funding allocations for the 2023-2024 planning period. The review period provides an opportunity for the public to offer their views and recommendations to the City on the subject of CDBG funded housing and community development related activities. The draft Action Plan can be viewed here. For more information on the CDBG program, go to www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/neighborhood-services/grants/.

Comments on the draft Action Plan are being accepted during a 30-day public review period which began on March 17, 2023, and will end on April 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Comments should be submitted to: City of Goleta, Neighborhood Services Department, Attn: Shanna Dawson, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA 93117 or emailed to sdawson@cityofgoleta.org.

About the Community Development Block Grant

On an annual basis the City receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the CDBG program which is intended to be used to assist low-income citizens, people experiencing homelessness, youth and seniors with essential services such as medical and dental care, food security, counseling, homelessness assistance and prevention, case management and other needs.

The City also uses the majority of its CDBG allocation on capital projects that will benefit low- to moderate-income people and the disabled. Projects have included renovating City facilities and parks to meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) access standards, install sidewalks in areas where they are lacking, and adding crosswalks.

Lake Los Carneros Full

March 28, 2023

Winter Rains Fill Goleta’s Largest Freshwater Lake

For the first time in more than a decade, Lake Los Carneros is full thanks to over 28 inches of rainfall this winter in Goleta. The most recent storms added enough water to fill the lake to its maximum capacity. The lake level reached an engineered overflow pipe on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The last time this occurred was during the 2011-2012 winter season.

According to Goleta’s Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson, a full Lake Los Carneros is good for wildlife habitat. He said, “Migratory birds, aquatic invertebrates, fish, and other wildlife benefit from this treasured wetland. Wetland habitats at Lake Los Carneros depend on winter rains and the prolonged drought was taking its toll on wildlife that don’t fare as well when water levels are low. It is great to see Lake Los Carneros at maximum capacity once again.”

Goleta’s Parks and Open Space Division staff are monitoring water levels and keeping the overflow pipe clear of debris. A controlled release of water to downstream wetlands is being conducted to lower the lake level below the popular walking path at the southern edge of Lake Los Carneros. City staff are aiming to keep the lake as full as possible heading into the summer.

If you want to see Lake Los Carneros for yourself, it can be accessed on foot from La Patera Lane or via the Stow House entrance off Los Carneros Road. Please remember dogs are required to be on leash at all times and feeding wildlife is strongly discouraged. To learn more about the wildlife that call Lake Los Carneros home, please enjoy The Birds of Lake Los Carneros, a short documentary film made by Michael Love and Elliot Lowndes for the Santa Barbara Audubon Society: https://tinyurl.com/ynuc8atp.

Lake Los Carneros taken on March 21, 2023

Caltrans Bridge Replacement Project

March 28, 2023

To begin on Highway 217 in April

A bridge replacement project on Highway 217 above San Jose Creek in Goleta, just north of the entrance to the University of California Santa Barbara is scheduled to begin construction in mid-April.

Construction will occur during the daytime and overnight hours.

The traveling public can expect traffic delays as well as closures of the Sandspit Road on and off-ramps, periodic lane closures and full highway closures with exact dates and times to be determined.

According to nearby traffic volume stations, upwards of 5,200 vehicles travel the bridges every day.

The existing four-lane highway bridge was constructed in 1963. The new bridges have been designed to current standards and flood elevations.

Bridge construction is expected to be complete in Summer 2025. A follow up plant establishment project will be complete in Fall 2027.

US 101 San Jose Creek Bridge

A second project will begin this Summer on the US 101 San Jose Creek Bridge just north of Hwy. 217. The northbound and southbound bridges will be demolished and replaced in separate phases, keeping traffic open but with fewer lanes. Caltrans will release more information on this project when details are certain.

Travelers should allow extra time to reach their destinations because of these projects which will improve infrastructure in the area.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter: @CaltransD5, Facebook: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) & Instagram: @Caltrans_D5.

Easy to Find and Watch City Meetings

March 28, 2023

Watching City meetings is easier than ever before with our mobile-friendly refreshed website! You can click on “Meetings & Agendas” in the main navigation or the “City Meetings” call-to-action button – both front and center on our homepage www.CityofGoleta.org. And now, we’ve given our Meetings & Agendas page a new look too! All Council, Board, and Commission meetings are grouped by year to make it easier to find what you are looking for. Upcoming meetings are still listed at the top of the page. Check it out now at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas.

2023 Homelessness Count Preliminary Results

March 28, 2023

Point in Time Count results show a decrease of 3.7% in the number of people experiencing homelessness

Preliminary results of the 2023 Point in Time (PIT) Count of persons experiencing homelessness were released on March 16, 2023. Conducted on January 25, 2023, by the Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care (Continuum of Care), the Count is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and serves as a snapshot of homelessness in the county on a single night.

Countywide, 1,887 persons were counted representing a decrease of 3.7% in the number of persons experiencing homelessness. The count includes 1,202 persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness and 685 persons living in emergency shelters or transitional housing. More than 77% of persons surveyed during the count reported losing housing while living in Santa Barbara County.

Year	Sheltered	Unsheltered	Total Persons Counted Experiencing Homelessness
2019	670	1,133	1,803
2020	674	1,223	1,897
2022	595	1,367	1,962
2023	685	1,202	1,887

The County Board of Supervisors, Continuum of Care and cities adopted a Community Action Plan to Address Homelessness in 2021. The Community Action Plan outlines key strategies and action steps. Following adoption, 140 shelter beds and over 800 opportunities for permanent housing have been added to the homelessness response system. 1,050 persons transitioned out of homelessness into permanent housing despite soaring rents and an extremely low rental vacancy rate in 2022. This significant achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of dedicated service providers. The county has made significant investments in shelter, housing and services including resolving 154 encampments.

Contributing to this success was the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program. HUD provided a total of 272 long-term rental subsidy vouchers to the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara and the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara. The two housing authorities worked with the Continuum of Care and the County of Santa Barbara to successfully lease up all vouchers ending homelessness for hundreds of local families and individuals. Local program implementation has received national recognition for the efficient utilization of this valuable permanent housing resource.

The table below provides total count data by city or area for the past three counts.

City/Area	2023 Total	2022 Total	2020 Total
Carpinteria	23	21	39
Goleta	136	91	166
Santa Barbara	787	822	914
Isla Vista	88	112	69
Unincorporated South	73	76	61

Lompoc	233	290	211
Buellton/Solvang/Santa Ynez Valley	20	12	2
Santa Maria	472	457	382
Guadalupe	8	2	3
Unincorporated North	47	79	50
Totals	1,887	1,962	1,897

This year’s point in time count identified the distribution of the population experiencing homelessness as 59% in south county (1,107 persons) and 41% in mid and north county (780 persons). The homeless population decreased over all, but increased in Carpinteria, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez Valley and Guadalupe.

The Continuum of Care and County of Santa Barbara recruited more than 400 volunteers to assist at 5:00 a.m. to canvas 89 census tracts across the county. The methodology is in alignment with national best practices, relies on geographic coverage, and has remained consistent since 2019. A mobile application from Simtech Solutions provided real-time data to logistics centers from volunteers out canvasing and counting.

The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care promotes community-wide planning and strategic use of resources and programs targeted to people experiencing homelessness. The County of Santa Barbara serves as the lead agency and Administrative Entity for the Continuum of Care. The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care Board will receive the complete 2023 Point in Time Count report and presentation on May 4, 2023 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.

State Comments on Goleta’s Adopted Housing Element

March 28, 2023

The State of California’s Housing and Community Development Department provided comments on Goleta’s adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element to the City on March 20, 2023. The State’s letter notes that the City’s adopted Housing Element addresses most statutory requirements and includes requests for additional information, analysis and revisions to align the document more closely with the requirements of State housing law.

Goleta’s Housing Element is important because it establishes City policies and programs for maintaining and improving existing housing and plans for how to accommodate the City’s share of the region’s housing needs as identified by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. The City’s careful planning work included extensive public outreach and resulted in adoption of its Housing Element on time to meet the State’s February 15, 2023, deadline. In addressing the City’s housing needs, the adopted Housing Element prioritizes urban infill and containing sprawl, encouraging mixed use, walkability, and transit/alternative transportation connectivity in line with good planning principles and the State’s policy priorities to combat climate change. The adopted Housing Element continues the City’s approach to date to deliver much needed housing – over 1,300 new units over the last 8-year cycle.

City staff will work collaboratively with the State on the revisions in the coming weeks. Assessing our housing inventory and fair housing requirements will continue to be a focus. Revisions proposed to the Housing Element to address the State’s comments will return to the Planning Commission and City Council at a future date for consideration and adoption and provide more opportunities for public input.

To learn more about the Housing Element Update Project and review the State’s comment letter, visit the project page on our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/housingelement.

Heritage Ridge Residential Project Approved

March 28, 2023

More affordable housing is in Goleta’s future. After nine years of planning and consideration, the Goleta City Council approved the Heritage Ridge residential project at its March 7, 2023, meeting. The 332-unit apartment project, which includes 102 affordable housing units, is the third and final phase of the adjacent Willow Springs residential development and will be located on the north side of Camino Vista Drive adjacent to Los Carneros Road.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “There is such a tremendous need for affordable housing right now and we are so pleased that the Heritage Ridge project will give more people the opportunity to live where they work which will ultimately increase their quality of life. Less time commuting means more time to enjoy your community.”

There will be 102 affordable rental units for both seniors and families, with two manager units, and 228 market-rate rental units (total 332 units). The project also includes a two-acre public park designed with a variety of amenities to serve the recreational needs of residents and business employees in the surrounding neighborhoods, which could include people of all ages and families with young children. The park will include a playground, Chumash cultural area, walking path with exercise equipment, a multi-use turf area and a nature habitat area.

In 2019, Redtail Multifamily Land Development, LLC (“Redtail”) took over the Project from the Towbes Group. The project went through many steps to get to this point including input from the Design Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission before coming to City Council.

This Project will complete the Central Hollister Corridor housing plan outlined in General Plan Land Use Policy LU 8 and will provide affordable and market rate housing in keeping with both Land Use and Housing Element policies. The recently adopted Housing Element 6^th Cycle update also includes this location as a site suitable for residential development.

The staff report can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/mut2uhwf. To watch the meeting go to https://tinyurl.com/6sud3pyn.

Pictured above: City Council meeting discussing Heritage Ridge; Pictured below: Heritage Ridge rendering