Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

2022 Electoral Districting Process Kicks Off – Community Input Needed

It’s an exciting time in our City as we begin the process of moving towards district elections. In fact, at the next general election, Goleta residents will vote for Councilmembers by district vs. the current at-large method. Community input will be a huge part of creating the district lines of four new Council districts within the City (the Mayor will continue to be elected “at-large” by all registered voters of the City).

The reason behind the switch to a district elections format is that the City Council adopted a resolution of intent to implement district elections by November 2022 as part of a Conditional Settlement Agreement entered into on May 16, 2017. To help facilitate the process, the City has entered into a contract with National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to provide the City with demographic analysis of census data, drawing of draft maps for proposed boundaries of districts, public outreach, professional advice, and interactive web tools related to the 2022 Electoral Districting Process. At the most recent Public Engagement Commission on February 17, 2021, the Commissioners received a presentation from City staff and NDC as a formal kickoff of the 2022 Electoral Districting Process. Read the full staff report and presentation at https://tinyurl.com/icbta061, and watch a video of the meeting here.

Please stay tuned for more information on this important process and how you can participate. This topic will be discussed again at the next Public Engagement Commission meeting on April 21, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Sign up here to receive meeting updates.

Cathedral Oaks Road Repairs Update

The Cathedral Oaks Road Pavement and Sidewalk Repair Project is underway. The project is taking place in the same area as the recently completed Cathedral Oaks Road Settlement Repair Project, on Cathedral Oaks Road between Glen Annie Road and Los Carneros Road about half a mile west of the Cathedral Oaks and Los Carneros intersection. The work consists of approximately 50 feet of sidewalk replacement, followed by approximately 200 feet of full width roadway pavement resurfacing. The project is expected to take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete.

City staff are working with the contractor to minimize impacts to the public; however, the project requires closure of half of the roadway at a time in order to complete the pavement work. Traffic control is in place and flaggers are directing two-way traffic for the one open lane. Delays are expected so please plan accordingly while construction is occurring in this area. Work takes place Monday – Friday, from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The City understands your concerns and frustrations with the condition of Cathedral Oaks Road. As with all public transportation infrastructure, Cathedral Oaks Road is an important part of our City. The roadway is critical to everything from serving as a route to schools, to providing health and recreational activities such as biking and walking.

Ultimately, the roadway is a significant part of the quality of life we all expect from living in Goleta. The City is faced with the challenge of addressing aging infrastructure citywide with limited funding and staff resources, but the City Council has prioritized improving sidewalks, roadway pavement condition, street tree health and our creeks, parks and open spaces. The City is working on several solutions for how to carefully deliver maintenance projects with available funding, while exploring alternative funding options so we can do more to improve our infrastructure.

The City of Goleta Department of Public Works augments the revenue it receives for pavement improvements by obtaining state and federal grants when possible and optimizes the use of project funds by using a computerized approach to prioritizing roadway pavement maintenance. In addition to this current repair, a citywide pavement project is in the works for this year that includes additional portions of Cathedral Oaks Road. While the segments of Cathedral Oaks Road that are included in the upcoming project are relatively small, the City’s Public Works Department is completing a larger plan for the roadway as revenue availability permits.

If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact City Construction Manager Debbie Talarico at dtalarico@cityofgoleta.org or at (609) 231-4179.

LED Street Lighting Project Update to Be Shared at Next Green Committee Meeting

Thank you to everyone who participated in the City’s LED Streetlights Pilot Study earlier this year. Staff has reviewed the numerous completed surveys and will be bringing the results to the City’s Green Committee on Wednesday, March 10, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Information will be presented on the benefits of the project, design considerations and the project’s next steps, including staff recommendation for LED fixture design standards to be used for the LED Street Lighting Project that will replace more than 1,300 High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlight fixtures throughout Goleta with new energy efficient LED streetlights. The new lights will save the City money, require less maintenance, and provide clearer lighting.

Staff have put together a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheet to assist the public in understanding the project and respond to FAQs. It is located on the project webpage here:  https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/public-works/street-lights-led.

The Energy/Green Issues Standing Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council and consists of two members of the City Council. The current members are Mayor Paula Perotte and Councilmember Kyle Richards. The Committee may consider matters relating to energy policy and green issues, including, but not limited to matters related to energy efficiency, environmental policies, carbon reduction goals at City Hall and issues of sustainability.

To participate, please register in advance for the Energy / Green Issues Standing Committee Meeting:

An agenda will be available closer to the meeting date and can be found found here.

If you have any questions regarding the LED Street Lighting Project please contact the Project Manager, Michael Winnewisser, at (805) 690-5120, or via email at mwinnewisser@cityofgoleta.org.

Pictured: Photo of one of the LED Streetlights installed for the pilot study.

Goleta’s Old Town Sidewalk Project Wins 2021 Project of the Year

The City of Goleta was announced winner of the American Society of Civil Engineers Santa Barbara-Ventura Branch’s (ASCE SBV) 2021 Project of the Year award for its Old Town Sidewalk Improvements Project. 

James Winslow, Senior Project Manager, said “On behalf of the entire team, we are thrilled to receive the 2021 Project of the Year award from the ASCE Santa Barbara/Ventura Branch. The award really goes, however, to the people in the City of Goleta – especially the residents and community members in Old Town – who participated in the community engagement process, worked through the design details, and bore the brunt of the construction dust, noise, and inconvenience. We are all grateful for our City Council’s leadership in prioritizing the project, supporting staff in applying for a $2.224 million grant to help fund the work, and as numerous residents have expressed, ‘finally giving Old Town some love and attention.’ It feels satisfying to walk the new sidewalks in Old Town and know we had a little part in the improvements.”

“What we loved most was the community involvement this project undertook,” said Stephanie Hassoldt Soldo, current president of the ASCE SBV branch. “The City of Goleta went above and beyond what we see in typical civil engineering projects, with a public outreach that was extensive and demonstrative of a true community partnership.” 

The comprehensive public outreach effort included engaging over 100 residents, property owners, and interested parties to secure Temporary Construction Easements (TCEs) to remove private encroachments within the City right-of-way and construct the improvements without taking any private property. The public outreach (pre-COVID) included door-to-door conversations, establishing a project specific ambassadors program with coffee-hour style meetings and project discussions, multiple community workshops at the community center, design charrettes, community coffee-hours with the local school officials and residents at the neighborhood park, multiple mailings and postcards in both English and Spanish, specific methods to engage the Spanish speaking community, a dedicated project specific webpage, multiple videos, targeted media coverage, and a celebratory, well-attended pre-construction open house in the neighborhood.

The project, which was completed in 2020 on time and under budget, improves the safety and livability for residents in one of the area’s most disadvantaged communities by providing a continuous sidewalk path of travel on 10 residential streets in Old Town Goleta. The work included constructing sidewalks for several residential streets in the neighborhood north of Hollister Avenue between South Fairview Avenue and Mallard Avenue, as well as on Pine Avenue south of Hollister Avenue. Additionally, the project improved drainage, reconstructed driveways, constructed ADA curb ramps, replaced or relocated trees and repaved streets. After a request from the community and direction from City Council, 39 back-in angled parking spots were added on Magnolia Avenue.

Watch our video on the completion of this project here: youtube.com/watch?v=gjQNVeQ3RgM&t

Key personnel involved from the City of Goleta included James Winslow, P.E., Teresa Lopes, P.E. and James Campero, P.E.

State Aid and Payment Protection Program Update

The City of Goleta is sharing this information from the Economic Development Collaborative

State Aid for Businesses, Individuals and Families

Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom reached an agreement on a package of immediate actions that will speed needed relief to individuals, families and businesses facing significant economic hardship from the COVID-19 Recession. The items detailed below are a part of the Immediate Action Agreement. Please note that many details on how these resources will be rolled out are still being developed.

Immediate Action Agreement

Immediate Relief for Small Businesses Quadrupled

  • The agreement conforms California tax law to new federal tax treatment for loans provided through the Paycheck Protection Plan, allowing companies to deduct up to $150,000 in expenses covered by the PPP loan. All businesses that took out loans of $150,000 or less would be able to maximize their deduction for state purposes. Larger firms that took out higher loans would still be subject to the same ceiling of $150,000 in deductibility.
  • The agreement provides up to 25K for small businesses. (Details are still forthcoming).

Direct Relief to Individuals and Families

  • For those earning less than 30K a year a $600 stimulus check will be given after 2020 taxes have been filed.
  • A $600 one-time payment will be given to taxpayers with Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs) who were precluded from receiving the $1,200 per person federal payments issues last spring and the more recent $600 federal payments. The agreement would provide the $600 payments to households with ITINs and income below $75,000.
  • A $600 one-time grant will be given to households enrolled in the CalWORKS program and recipients of SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).

Fee Waivers for Most Impacted Licensees

  • The agreement provides for two years of fee license fee relief for those seeking renewal through the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
  • The agreement also reflects fee relief for individuals and businesses (barbering and cosmetology) licensed through the Department of Consumer Affairs.

More Resources for Critical Child Care

  • The agreement will provide stipends of $525 per enrolled child for all state-subsidized child care and preschool providers. The new federal resources will extend care for children of essential workers through June of 2022, and funds increased access to subsidized child care-who are not currently served in the system – through June of 2022.

Additional aid for individuals and families can be found in the full press release HERE.

Important Updates to the Payment Protection Program

On Monday February 22nd, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration and the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced steps the agency is taking with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to further promote equitable relief for America’s mom-and-pop businesses.

Please review the following changes to the Paycheck Protection Program:

  1. On February 24th, 2021, the SBA began establishing a 14-day exclusive PPP loan application period for business and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees.
  2. The SBA will allow sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants.
  3. The agency will eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal.
  4. Also, the SBA will eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP.
  5. Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.

Please Call if You Need Assistance

The EDC SBDC call team and financial advisors are available to answer questions and help you navigate today’s complex financial environment. The Economic Development Collaborative hosts the Small Business Development Center and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Signing up as a client takes just a few minutes and provides you lifetime access to all of our no-cost services. 

Get started today with our no-cost consulting by calling 805.409.9159 (ENGLISH) or 805.309.5874 (SPANISH). Learn more about the Economic Development Collaborative at https://edcollaborative.com.

County of Santa Barbara Rental and Utility Grants

The County of Santa Barbara is offering Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance through United Way of Santa Barbara County to eligible County of Santa Barbara residents that have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and can demonstrate the need for support. This Emergency Rent Assistance Program is intended to prevent homelessness by providing rent and utility assistance to residents.

Qualifying households may apply for a three (3) month subsidy of:

  • Rent assistance up to $6,000 to be paid directly to the owners or managers of the rental units on behalf of all tenants in the applicant’s household.
  • Utility assistance to be paid directly to the utility company on behalf of the applicant.

If awarded, qualifying households will also be eligible to thereafter re-apply for an additional three (3) months of assistance, up to a total of 15 months.

There are strict eligibility requirements for this funding opportunity, please review at https://www.unitedwaysb.org/rent.   

Click here to complete the application. The application is also available in Spanish here.

If you need assistance filling out this application or have questions, please call United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) during the following office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9:00am and 2:00pm. Staff is working virtually and will return all calls and emails within 72 hours (Monday – Friday). For assistance, please call (805) 965-8591 or email info@unitedwaysb.org.

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Available

The City of Goleta is now providing rental assistance funds through the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County, to qualified City of Goleta residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. job loss, reduction in wages, etc.). Upon application approval, applicants may receive up to $5,000 or up to 3 months of current and/or past-due rental expenses, whichever is less. Once approved, assistance payments to applicants will be paid directly to landlords.

ELIGIBILITY / DOCUMENTATION

  • Must provide proof of residency in the City of Goleta
  • Household income must be 80% or below the area median income (AMI)
  • Must demonstrate loss of income related to COVID-19, with eligibility starting last year on March 13, 2020, and must provide:
    • Documentation of past 2 months of income for the entire household
    • Proof of lease or rental agreement

Additional documentation may be required during the review process. To apply, go to https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/SANTABARBARACOUNTYCA/participant.

If you need assistance or have questions, contact the Housing Authority at 805-735-8351 or email Questions@hasbarco.org.

Goleta Small Businesses Grant Program Reopens

The Santa Barbara Better Together (SBBT) Fund Small Business Grant Program is open for a third time in support of small businesses in the City of Goleta. With an additional $66,500 to go towards the Fund, the City of Goleta in partnership with Santa Barbara Better Together Fund and the Santa Barbara Foundation has opened the grant program with the deadline for businesses to submit an application by Monday, March 8, 2021. A maximum of $10,000 is available per grant to qualifying small businesses located within the City of Goleta.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “In these difficult times, I am pleased that the City Council was able to approve additional funds to continue supporting the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund Grant Program. Now is the time to support our local businesses, and we appreciate the help of organizations like the Santa Barbara Foundation to make these grants possible.”

Grants are available to small businesses located within the City of Goleta as they reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19. Please review the SBBT Small Business Grant Program guidelines for further details.

Learn more in English.

Para aprender más en Español haga clic aquí.

“We are thrilled to be the purveyor of support to small businesses who are facing ongoing challenges with COVID-19,” said Jessica Sanchez, Director of Donor Services at the Santa Barbara Foundation. “It has been an honor to work creatively with the City of Goleta, Santa Barbara Better Together Fund, and our team at the Foundation for a third time to get relief to small businesses.”

The Santa Barbara Better Together Fund (SBBT) was set up at the Santa Barbara Foundation as a committee advised fund in March of 2020 and the fund is helping local businesses survive these uncertain times which, in turn, will help sustain our community.

The Santa Barbara Better Together Fund is advised by representatives from Deckers Brands, LinkedIn, Santa Barbara Foundation, local businesses and business advocates. Distribution of the funds are voted on by the committee members.

The Santa Barbara Better Together Fund has provided grant programs for small businesses throughout Santa Barbara County. Support has gone to small businesses in unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County, City of Carpinteria, City of Santa Maria, and the City of Santa Barbara.

Community members are welcome to donate to the Santa Barbara Better Together Fund at SBFoundation.org/give-now/give-to-sb-better-together-fund/.

Goleta’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan

Preparing Goleta to reopen safely and get back to business

Since the beginning of this pandemic, the City has taken steps to help address the economic challenges many local businesses, non-profits, and individuals are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For a comprehensive look at what actions have been taken, check out the City’s newly adopted Economic Recovery Plan. The document is designed to be a resource to the community not only to summarize the City’s support to the community, but it also presents additional solutions the City is exploring to address the ongoing economic challenges the Community will face as the pandemic continues.

The Plan includes:

  • Plan Goal
  • Financial Assistance
  • Support for Commercial and Residential Tenants
  • Collaboration with Regional Partners
  • Communications, Marketing Tools and Resources
  • Business-Friendly Policies
  • Continuing Development Projects
  • Santa Barbara County RISE Guide for reopening
  • Economic Development Strategic Plan

Click here to view the Economic Recovery Plan. 

Schools Prepare to Re-Open: Need for Testing Remains

After almost one year of remote learning, many local students will have the option to return to school. With the red tier within reach, adjusted case rates and positivity rates trending downwards, Santa Barbara County has reached the level that permits TK through 6th grade with approved safety plans to return to in-person learning.

Goleta Union School District is reopening elementary schools on March 8, 2021. If local metrics continue to trend downward, secondary schools would have the ability to re-open as well. The need for more testing could improve weekly adjusted case rate leading to further reopening and will help move our County into the Red Tier and beyond.

The step forward for TK-6 requires close watch of the safety guidelines for children. Parents and schools will need to ensure many things including daily screening of kids, keeping them home when not feeling well, limiting gathering with people outside of their households, maintaining social distancing outside of their home, wearing face coverings, and following isolation and quarantine guidance when a family member or close contact tests positive.

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg states, “COVID-19 is largely transmitted in the community and not in a TK-6 school setting. When everyone does their part to follow the safety guidelines and protocols, our children can return to school in a safe environment for themselves and for school staff.”

New State guidelines regarding youth and adult sports has been released. High and Medium contact sports can resume in the red tier or in the purple tier if the case rate is below 14. Santa Barbara County is close to reaching that goal and testing is encouraged to help us get there.

Community testing sites are available throughout the county. Many sites are open until 7:00 p.m., allow walk-ins, and have no wait times. Turnaround times for tests have also decreased.  More information on testing locations can be found here: https://publichealthsbc.org/testing/.