Daily Archives: October 1, 2024

Watch Project Connect Video Update

Learn Latest on Construction Progress

Six months into construction of the largest capital improvement project in Goleta’s history, the City has released a video update. Check it out in English here and Spanish here to see what’s been accomplished so far, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming next!

In the video, there’s important information about Project Connect, including the new Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping layout, emergency vehicle access, and free public parking in Old Town. Plus, find out why the projects are being done all at once and where you can go for updates, questions, or feedback.

Interim Public Works Director Nina Buelna said, “We’re deep in the construction phase, and we know that can mean delays. But we truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this important time. When all is said and done, this project will create a safer and better transportation network for everyone—no matter what your mode of travel is.”

Construction Update:

Completed: Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping

Happening Now: Hollister Avenue Bridge Replacement over San Jose Creek

Future Construction: Two Roundabouts on Hollister Avenue and the extension of Ekwill Street and Fowler Road

Project Connect will take several years to complete with a targeted completion of spring 2027. The City plans to provide video updates throughout the construction process.

For more information go to CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect or contact the Project Connect outreach team at Connect@cityofgoleta.org or call 805-690-5116.

Help Shape Goleta’s First Environmental Justice Policies

Take Survey and Attend Community Open House on October 9th

The City of Goleta is preparing General Plan Updates and needs your help getting feedback on its first-ever Environmental Justice policies. Environmental Justice policies are about making sure everyone has equal access to clean air, water, land, and other resources. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Please take a moment to complete a brief survey to share your ideas on Environmental Justice (the survey will remain open until October 18th).
  • Attend an Open House on October 9th anytime 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue) where you can learn more about Environmental Justice policies, the role the policies will play in Goleta, provide input, and speak directly with City staff.

Responses to the survey and input from the Open House will help shape the City’s Environmental Justice goals and policies as we look to create a more safe, healthy, and equitable Goleta for all to enjoy. New goals, policies, and objectives will seek to address pollution and its effects on all neighborhoods, with an emphasis on areas of the City most negatively affected by environmental burdens and associated health risks. These new goals will also promote civic engagement in public decision-making and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of vulnerable communities.

For more information go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GeneralPlanUpdates or contact the City’s Advance Planning Division at (805) 961-7548 or GeneralPlanUpdates@cityofgoleta.org.

Goleta’s November Election

Know Your District!

This is another historic election for the City of Goleta – do you know what district you live in? The City is divided into four districts and registered voters in Districts 3 and 4 will have the opportunity to elect City Councilmembers from the District in which they live in this election. Voters in Districts 1 and 2 elected a Councilmember from their Districts in 2022. The Mayor’s seat continues to be elected at-large and is also on the November 2024 ballot.

If you don’t already know, find out what district you live in by putting your address in the interactive map at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaInteractiveMap.

Take a moment to learn more about the upcoming General Municipal Election in Goleta by watching this short video from veteran City Clerk Deborah Lopez. The video is also available in Spanish featuring the City’s Spanish Engagement Specialist.

No matter which of the four districts you live in, ALL Goleta residents will vote on the Mayor’s seat and on a City sponsored ballot measure (G2024).

Measure G2012 Agricultural Land Initiative Extension Measure.
Shall the measure be adopted extending the term of Measure “G2012” (“Heritage Farmlands Initiative”), requiring a majority vote of the people to redesignate or change the intensity of use for agricultural parcels within the City of Goleta of ten or more acres, by twenty additional years upon the expiration of the term of Measure “G2012” and to take effect on December 31, 2032?

Make sure you are registered to vote! Check your registration or register now at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

There are two ballot drop box locations in Goleta, for all locations in the County, click here.

  • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive)
  • Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Ave)

For Goleta-related election information, please visit our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections. 


Watch video on the upcoming election with Goleta City Clerk Deborah Lopez

Goleta's District Elections Map
Find out which district you live in with our interactive map 

Ballots for Upcoming Election Delivered in October

All registered voters in California will receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot in the mail by early October

The Santa Barbara County Elections Office announced today that official Vote-by-Mail ballots and voting materials will be delivered to the United States Post Office by October 7th.  Registered voters are asked to check their mailboxes for their ballot and related voter information guides which should reach them within the next 5-10 days.

The vote-by-mail packet will contain several items:

  • The voter’s official ballot
  • Instructions for voting and returning the ballot
  • A ballot return envelope with a unique barcode that allows the Elections Office to verify the signature of the voter on the envelope with the voter’s registration record.  This may be the signature on the voter registration card submitted by the voter or the signature on the voter’s driver’s license if they registered to vote at the DMV.  It is important that the voter verifies that their name is printed on the envelope (the ballot doesn’t belong to another person living at the same address), signs the envelope, and encloses the ballot in the return envelope.

If a voter receives a ballot for a person who is no longer living at the address, please:

  • Mark the box on the bottom left corner of the outgoing envelope and return the packet to a mail carrier

OR

  • Write “No longer at this address” on the outside envelope and return it to a mail carrier 

Ballots may be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day, November 5), returned in person to one of three election offices (locations listed below), to any polling place on Election Day, or an official ballot drop boxes located throughout the County.

A list of polling places and official drop box locations can be found at www.sbcvote.com.

Voters can sign up to track their ballot at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

Voters can check their registration status, look up their polling place, and find their ballot’s status by using the look-up tool at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov or calling the Elections Office at 800-722-8683.

Register online at registertovote.ca.gov/ or request a registration form by calling 800-722-8683.  Voter registration forms are available at local DMV offices, post offices and public libraries.

Santa Barbara County Elections Offices are located at:

  • Santa Barbara Elections Main Office (4440-A Calle Real) Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Santa Maria Elections Branch Office (511 Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 134) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning October 5 and on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Lompoc Elections Branch Office (401 E. Cypress, Suite 102) – 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning October 29 on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa Barbara County Elections can be reached at sbcvote.com or by calling 800-722-8683.