Thank Councilmember Kyle Richards and Welcome Jennifer Smith to the City Council

We hope you will join us for the last Goleta City Council meeting of the year this Tuesday, December 17, at 5:30 p.m. (closed session begins at 4:45 p.m.) It will be a sentimental evening as it is also Councilmember Kyle Richards’ last Council meeting. We hope you will join us to show your appreciation for his 11 years of service to the City and the great impact he has made during his time here. At the meeting, Councilmember Richards will be presented with an Award of Appreciation, and you will have the opportunity to thank him in person or via Zoom. You can also submit your comments in advance of the meeting. See participation instructions below. For those who come in person, we will enjoy celebratory cupcakes, sparkling apple cider, and photo opportunities.

Councilmember Richards was on the City’s first Parks and Recreation Commission in 2013 and was first elected to the Goleta City Council in 2016. He was re-elected in 2020 and served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Councilmember Richards has lived in Goleta since 2008 and has worked at UCSB since 1997. While his career in public service has ended at the City, his next chapter includes serving as a new Trustee on the Santa Barbara City College Board of Directors.

In addition to appreciating Councilmember Richards, the last Council meeting of the year also includes the certification of election results and the Oath of Office given to Mayor Paula Perotte who was re-elected and two Councilmembers. Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, currently at an-large Councilmember, was elected to represent District 4. Jennifer Smith is Goleta’s newest City Councilmember; she was elected to represent District 3.

Following will be the selection of a Mayor Pro Tempore from among the members of the City Council.

Another special element of the night is the presentation of City Logo Tiles to three long-time employees who are retiring:

• Karen Corcoran – Human Resources Analyst (20 years)
• Carey McKinnon – Solvang Supervising Librarian (25 years)
• Cheryle Pearson – Goleta Valley Library (22 years)

There is so much to celebrate at this final meeting of the year, and we hope you will join us! 

For the complete December 17, 2024, City Council agenda and how to participate, go to: https://tinyurl.com/2rra9b9v.