Daily Archives: September 5, 2024

New Ordinance to Lower Speed Limits

Goleta is advancing its Vision Zero goals. The Council approved an ordinance that will lower speed limits on roadways in Goleta based on new State law. Assembly Bill (AB) 43 – Traffic Safety. AB 43, passed by the legislature in 2021 and effective as of June 30, 2024, gives local governments new authority to reduce speed limits on “safety corridors”, (streets with the highest number of serious injury and fatal collisions) and streets where conditions support high concentrations of bikes and pedestrians.

Vision Zero is a system-wide approach to traffic safety, gaining momentum in American cities, that focuses on reducing the number of traffic related fatalities and severe injuries to zero. Earlier this year, City Council adopted a resolution in support of Vision Zero strategies in Goleta.

The new lower speed limits ordinance, which is scheduled for adoption at the next City Council meeting on September 3rd, 2024, will:

  • lower enforceable speed limits on nearly all major roadways by five (5) to 10 miles per hour.
  • reduce the risk of traffic-related injuries and deaths.
  • improve comfort and safety for bikes and pedestrians, particularly children, seniors and the disabled.

Enforcement of these new speed limits will not begin until appropriate signs have been installed, likely toward the end of this year.

Read the staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/mr9wzwyw.

Goodbye Platform Holly

It is the end of an oil and gas era off the Goleta coastline. In late August, the State Lands Commission (SLC), in partnership with ExxonMobil, completed the permanent plugging and abandonment of Platform Holly’s 30 oil and gas wells, located about two miles offshore of the City of Goleta. This represents a milestone in California’s legacy of oil and gas development because these were the last remaining offshore production wells associated with a platform in state waters of the Santa Barbara Channel, the birthplace of offshore oil production. 

The SLC staff hosted the monthly South Ellwood Project interagency group meeting on September 3 to discuss Platform Holly decommissioning and remediation. All the South Ellwood Field wells are now plugged and remediated, the conductors are cut and were removed on September 4, and final plugging and abandonment is imminent. Platform hardening is also underway and includes equipment and hydrocarbon removal, installation of navigation safety devices, and disincentivizing trespassing with security gates and cameras. In all, the hydrogen sulfide risk at Platform Holly is remediated and the ability to extract oil and gas from the platform is eliminated.

There is more to come as the SLC works on an environmental document addressing the final disposition of the platform. For the latest information, go to https://www.slc.ca.gov/oil-and-gas/southellwood/.

Photo: Platform Holly courtesy of the State Lands Commission

Diaper Need Awareness Week

September 23 – 29

As the cost of living continues to rise, an increasing number of families are facing an unexpected challenge: the inability to afford enough diapers for their babies. This basic necessity, often taken for granted, has become a source of stress and hardship for many parents. According to the National Diaper Bank Network’s 2023 Diaper Check survey, 1 in 2 families in the U.S. struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their babies clean and healthy.

Fortunately, LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., a prominent child care agency that has been supporting Goleta families for over 50 years, is helping to meet diaper need in our community. 

“Since launching our Diaper Bank in 2021, we’ve provided nearly 200,000 diapers to babies in need,” said Lori Goodman, LEAP Executive Director. “This wouldn’t be possible without our incredible partners, like the City of Goleta, who help us continue this vital work.”

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “LEAP’s Diaper Bank is a great asset for our community. I am proud to support a service that strives to make things easier for families, especially as costs for basic items continues to rise.”

Diapers are one of the most requested services at LEAP, and they continue to run the only registered Diaper Bank in Santa Barbara County.

You can keep babies healthy and dry by making a gift to LEAP’s Diaper Bank! For only $25 dollars you can cover the cost of one week of diapers and wipes for a local child! All gifts, regardless of size will make a huge difference.

Or donate unopened diapers and wipes! This year LEAD has several partners collecting diapers for the community!

  • Old Town Coffee, Goleta September 23-29
  • Beit HaYeladim Preschool at Congregation B’nai B’rith September 1-30
  • Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Lompoc September 23-29

You can also sign up to be monthly diaper bank donors here: https://leapcentralcoast.org/diaper-bank/.

LEAP’s Diaper Bank remains a crucial resource for the community, supported by generous donors and partners. With your help, we can continue to provide relief to families in need and ensure every baby in our community is cared for.

City Launches Business Recognition Program

Nominate a Local Business Today!

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce the launch of its new Business Recognition Program. The Program is designed to highlight exceptional Goleta businesses throughout the year for special achievements or other unique contributions to the City such as economic development, prosperity, sustainability or resilience, or other activities fostering continuous community enrichment.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “This is a great program to be able to recognize and support the businesses that are doing fantastic work and to honor their successes in the community.”

Nominations are open to the community and self-nominations are accepted. To nominate a local business, complete the online form. Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and awards will be given out on a quarterly basis. Awardees will be selected by City of Goleta staff in consultation with the Greater Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.

To be nominated, business must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Located in Goleta city limits.
  2. Hold a valid City Business License (if applicable). Don’t have one? Apply here!
  3. In good standing with the City (i.e. no outstanding taxes or fees).

Businesses can only receive the award once.

A nominee must demonstrate accomplishments relating to one or more of the following areas:

  • Longevity in the City
  • Business Growth
  • Environmental Sustainability Leadership
  • Community Enrichment/Supporter
  • Industry Innovator
  • Minority-or Women-Owned

Selected businesses will be recognized at a future City Council meeting, included in the City’s monthly e-newsletter The Monarch Press, and featured on the City’s social media channels (@cityofgoleta).

Businesses that are within City limits and have a Goleta business license are also eligible to be listed in the City’s online business directory, GoodLandGoodShopping.com. View a short tutorial on how to edit your business or add your business. For questions or assistance please email PIO@cityofgoleta.org.

To learn more about the City’s Business Recognition Program, and to nominate a local business, click here.

Spotlight on Old Town Open for Business

The City of Goleta’s Old Town Open for Business (OTOB) campaign continues to shine a spotlight on the great businesses in Old Town that are at the heart of our community. The OTOB campaign has featured over 25 businesses in Old Town Goleta so far. Project Connect construction continues, and so does the need to show our businesses support.

By continuing to shop local, community members make a significant impact on our local economy and support the businesses that make Goleta one of a kind. The OTOB campaign has highlighted the unique charm and character of the many diverse Old Town businesses and merchants. From cozy cafes to family-owned boutiques, authentic cuisine, and specialty services, there’s something for everyone in Old Town!

The best part? Our OTOB campaign is ongoing on all our social media platforms (@CityofGoleta)! Are you a business owner in Old Town? Have a go-to spot for delicious pastries or fantastic handmade goods? The City of Goleta wants to know! Send us an email with the name of the business to PIO@CityofGoleta.org.

Let’s keep shopping local Goleta! And make sure you follow us on all of our social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram) as we continue to feature more great local Goleta businesses and merchants.

 

Project Connect Update

The City’s largest Capital Improvement Project, Project Connect, is well underway. A traffic pattern change occurred at the end of August on Hollister Avenue. Traffic lanes between the southbound Highway 217 offramp and Kellogg Avenue have been adjusted to accommodate a safe working space for construction of the new Hollister Avenue Bridge over San Jose Creek. 

Traffic has been shifted to the south side of Hollister Avenue and reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. Construction crews will be working in the northside Hollister Avenue lanes. This work and the associated traffic shift are scheduled for approximately six months.

We urge everyone to exercise extra caution when near the construction site. Please adhere to all traffic control measures and posted detour signs. Utilize the designated temporary pedestrian walkway to ensure your safety and that of others. Your cooperation helps us complete this essential project efficiently and safely. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

If you haven’t already, learn more about the project and what to expect by watching our video in English or Spanish. The video is narrated by Interim Goleta Public Works Director Nina Buelna in English and the Project Connect Manager Melissa Angeles in Spanish. Both hope you will take time to watch and understand the purpose of this multi-year project and how it will mean a better future for Goleta.

About Project Connect:

Project Connect is a multi-year project that will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions, and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.

The large-scale construction project includes the Ekwill Street & Fowler Road Extensions, Hollister Avenue Bridge Replacement Project, two new roundabouts on Hollister Avenue at the Highway 217 interchange, the Hollister Avenue Interim Striping Project, and San Jose Creek flood control capacity improvements. Project completion is anticipated in 2026 when drivers and pedestrians will have increased east-west access across Old Town Goleta.

The City understands that projects such as this can be inconvenient, and we appreciate your patience.

For additional information or questions, please email Connect@CityofGoleta.org, call 805-690-5116 or visit www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.