Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Winter Fire Safety Tips

It’s that time of year when the temperatures drop to a bitter low. During the winter months, we tend to spend more time at home with our family and loved ones, so what better way to protect them than by making sure your home is protected from any fire hazards. Santa Barbara County Fire Department has provided the tips below:

Have Your Furnace Checked
Although this is something that many people believe they can do themselves, it is often safer to invest in hiring a professional to come and inspect your furnace annually. It’s always better to know when something is not working properly than to have it abruptly break down in those cold winter months when you need heat the most.

Check Your Chimneys and Vents
Fireplaces can produce creosote which has the capability of igniting. If your family lights the fireplace often, you most likely need an annual chimney inspection to make sure that there are no hazards capable of starting a fire. It’s important to always remember that when burning wood, use dry, seasoned wood which produces more flame with less smoke.

Test Your Smoke Alarms
You always want to double check that your batteries are fresh and will last you through the winter. Smoke detectors are required in the following locations:

  1. the hallway outside the bedrooms
  2. in each bedroom
  3. on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor

Always Cover Your Fireplace with a Screen
Either a metal screen or tempered glass will suffice to protect any sparks from leaving the fireplace. Still, you always want to make sure to keep kids and pets at least three feet away from a burning fireplace.

Beware of Lit Candles
Although candles can set the mood for a relaxing and calming evening, they can be easily knocked over by kids or pets. Only light candles when you are alert and able to watch them, blowing them out whenever you intend to leave the room.

Beware of Space Heaters
These devices require a good amount of space to be used without any fire hazards. Just like fireplaces, children and pets should not sit closer than three feet in front of a space heater. Avoid placing heaters near curtains, tablecloths or other flapping fabrics. Always make sure your space heater has an automatic shut off switch, which forces the heater to shut-off as soon as it reaches a dangerously high heat level.

The U.S. Fire Administration is also offering Holiday Fire Safety Tips:

The winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.

Following a few simple tips can help make your holidays fire-safe:

  • Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is a fire hazard. Trees too close to a heat source cause 1 in every 4 winter fires.
  • Make sure you are using the right lights. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
  • Choose holiday decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
  • Keep lit candles away from decorations and things that can burn. More than 1/3 of home decoration fires are started by candles.  Consider using flameless candles, they look very similar and are safer.
  • Blow out lit candles and turn off all light strings and decorations when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Make sure your decorations don’t block windows and doors.

Renewable Energy 101

The City of Goleta wants to share information with its’ residents on renewable energy in preparation for the October 2021 launch of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), a community choice aggregator. Other neighboring cities will begin the enrollment process in early 2021. This will be the first in a series of articles focused on energy related topics.

Goleta City Council adopted an ambitious goal in 2017 to reach 100% renewable energy by 2030. Shortly after, California passed a 2018 bill committing the State to a goal of reaching 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045. There are many benefits to using renewable energy resources, but what is it exactly? And why is it important?

Since around 1900 the US has been dependent on fossil fuels, like petroleum, natural gas, and coal. These resources have a finite supply and damage the environment by releasing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when they are burned. By contrast, renewable energy, often referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes that are replenished at a rate that is equal to or faster than how quickly they are consumed. Innovative technologies and equipment have been developing and improving over the past few decades to harness these natural resources. 

What It Is

This sustainable form of energy is usually sourced from solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, or geothermal:

  • Solar – From 2007 to 2017 the world’s total installed energy capacity from Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels increased 4,300%. Solar PV devices, or solar cells, change sunlight directly into electricity, while concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors to concentrate the sun’s heat, deriving thermal energy instead.
  • Wind – Wind, which accounted for a little more than 6% of US generation in 2018, has become the least expensive energy source in many parts of the country. Wind farms capture the energy of wind flow by using turbines and converting it into electricity.
  • Hydroelectric – Hydropower is the world’s biggest source of renewable energy by far. This relies on water — typically fast-moving water in a large river or rapidly descending water from a high point — and converts the force of that water into electricity by spinning a generator’s turbine blades.
  • Biomass – Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals, and includes crops, waste wood, and trees. When biomass is burned, the chemical energy is released as heat and can generate electricity with a steam turbine. This flexible energy source can be used to fuel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity.
  • Geothermal – This method has been used for thousands of years in some countries for cooking and heating. Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth’s internal heat. This heat can be captured and used to produce energy by using the steam that comes from the heated water pumping below the surface, which then rises to the top and can be used to operate a turbine.

Why It Is Important

There are several positive impacts of clean energy, and as the industry grows and technology develops, these processes are becoming more efficient and cost effective. First and foremost, these resources naturally replenish in time, which makes them a smart and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and provides us with energy security. Additionally, increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By reducing the pollutants in our atmosphere we are not only improving the environment, but also improving public health. The air and water pollution emitted by coal and natural gas plants is linked with breathing problems, neurological damage, heart attacks, cancer, among other health problems. Finally, the growth of this industry supports the economy and creates jobs. In 2018, the wind energy industry directly employed over 110,000 full-time equivalent employees and the solar industry employed more than 240,000 people.

Although the renewable energy industry is rapidly expanding, in 2019 only 11% of the US energy supply came from renewable energy, while 37% came from petroleum, 32% from natural gas, and 11% from coal. Goleta has taken initiative towards transitioning to renewable energy sources through the City Council adopted 100% renewable energy goal, the adoption of a Strategic Energy Plan, and in joining a Community Choice Energy aggregator. To find out more about Goleta’s sustainability efforts you can visit the City’s Sustainability & Climate Adaptation webpage here.

Green Room: Winter is Coming – Remember, Only Rain Down the Drain!

The City of Goleta Environmental Services Division would like to share some tips to help protect our watersheds during the rainy season. As winter approaches, let’s stop water pollution and keep our storm drains and creeks clean! Winter rains produce stormwater runoff which is rain that does not soak into the ground and flows over land and other surfaces. Stormwater runoff can carry trash and pollutants into storm drains, which flow directly to creeks, rivers, and the ocean without any treatment. The trash and chemicals in the runoff pose a threat to wildlife and water quality.

Remember “only rain down the drain.”

If you observe stormwater concerns such as trash, illegal dumping, or any fluid with a visible sheen, odor, or color entering the storm drain within the City of Goleta, report water pollution to the Storm Water Hotline at (805) 961-7570.

Here are some great ways to keep storm drains clear of trash and pollutants:

  • Keep garbage and recycling cans tightly covered to prevent litter from being blown away during storms.
  • Take your car to a commercial car wash prior to the first rains.
  • Do not drain or pour any automotive fluid onto the street or into a storm drain.
  • Sweep dirt out of curbs and into landscaping to prevent it from entering storm drains.
  • Adjust your sprinklers to prevent over-watering and prevent water from draining onto paved surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks.
  • Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers before a rain event or within:
    • 5 feet of pavement
    • 25 feet of a storm drain
    • 50 feet of a water body
  • Compost leaves and yard clippings.
  • Always pick up after your pet.

Thank you for all you do to help protect the ocean and our creeks!

  •  

Green Room: How to Stay Green During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and we wanted to provide you with some tips to stay green this season.

Recycle Gift Wrapping

The Holidays bring joy to all but unfortunately, along with joy comes an excess of waste, so here are some tips on recycling, reusing, and reducing this coming Holiday season. Most people don’t know that most wrapping paper is, in fact, recyclable. As long as there are no metallic foil or glitter incorporated in the wrapping paper and you remove any excess tape, your wrapping paper is more than ready to be recycled. Gift bags can also be recycled, but you have to make sure that they are matte and not glossy. The gift bags cannot contain any metallic foil or glitter also, but if they are plain gift bags, they are acceptable for your recycling.

Reusing Gift Wrapping

Reusing is also a great way to lower your waste. Most gift wrap cannot be reused, but bows, ribbon, tinsel, tissue, and gift bags are all easily re-useable, and by reusing, you could cut out a lot of your unnecessary waste. Reusing doesn’t have to be strict on gift wrap either; you can reuse cookie cutters and other things you’re not using by turning them into decorations such as ornaments or other tree decorations. Another way to cut down on your waste is wrapping presents in newspaper, comics, or magazines. These ideas can help your holiday look more original while at the same time, being earth-friendly.

Reducing Energy

Reducing waste is always a good goal to have but another way to have an extra green holiday is by reducing energy waste. Replace your old outdoor and tree lights with LED lights. LED lights can use up to 76% less energy than old-style lights. They last longer and are cool to the touch, which makes them even safer.

Recycling your Tree

Proper disposing of your tree is an excellent way to stay green this holiday season.  Please remove the stand, light, ornaments and tinsel.  Cut any trees over 6’ tall in half and place tree curbside on the green waste collection day.  If you live in an apartment complex, put tree next to the trash bin.  Learn more about MarBorg’s Christmas Tree disposal program here. They also share how to dispose of other holiday items like lights, wreaths, and tinsel. Please remember it’s never okay to burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace. 

Input Requested on the City’s First Historic and Cultural Resource Preservation Ordinance

The City of Goleta is asking for your input on Goleta’s first-ever Historic and Cultural Resource Preservation Ordinance. Having Historic Preservation standards and process has been a goal of the City since the General Plan adoption in 2006. The purpose of this Ordinance is for the recognition and preservation of resources that reflect the cultural, historical, and architectural heritage of Goleta. Adoption of the Ordinance will provide the City with a process by which to designate historic resources, have regulations regarding changes to such resources, and have tools to encourage preservation.    

The first of several hearings regarding the proposed provisions will occur at tonight’s December 14 Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will start discussing the Historic Resource provisions and the proposed Historic Inventory List and will continue the hearing to January 25, 2021 to discuss Cultural Resource provisions.

Public participation is important to know if what is drafted is an appropriate reflection of what the community wants. The Ordinance is available to review here: https://tinyurl.com/yxuag7vq. Please send your feedback or questions to Current Planning Manager Lisa Prasse at lprasse@cityofgoleta.org. Sign up for updates on this topic here and learn more about the City’s Historic Preservation Program at www.cityofgoleta.org/projects-programs/historic-preservation.

What does the Ordinance mean for you?

The general public most likely will not be impacted as there are only a handful of sites (approximately 60 out of 11,000 + in the City) that have been identified as being eligible for designation as a historic resource. 

As proposed in the draft regulations, properties that are already listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources or were previously designated by the County of Santa Barbara as a historic landmark would automatically be designated as a Goleta historic landmark.  All other individual properties that are identified as potentially eligible for designation would be placed on an inventory list and would have to undergo the designation process to be formally designated. 

The Ordinance also proposes the establishment of a Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The HPC would be an advisory body to the City Council regarding designation of historic properties and Mills Act contracts.  The HPC would also be an advisory body to the Design Review Board regarding proposed exterior modifications to designated Historic Structures through the normal design review process.

Pictured: Stow House (1885)

New Play Equipment Coming to Goleta Parks

Four neighborhood parks in Goleta will be getting new play equipment after City Council authorized staff to move ahead with getting bids for the construction and installation of the equipment.

All four renovations have expanded or adjusted the recreational opportunities at each park location:

  • Andamar Park will expand the play equipment by adding features for children ages 2 – 5 years old in addition to new equipment for the 5 – 12-year-olds. There are two access points from the public right-of-way, but the ADA accessibility path will come from Andamar Way. There is current vehicle access on Andamar Way that will be removed, and the length will be expanded to meet the necessary grade to be ADA accessible with a walkway towards the playground. Open green grass space for picnics, running and playing will remain.

  • Berkeley Park has two separate play areas, one for children 2 – 5 years old and one for older children. The area for 2 – 5-year-olds will have a climbable butterfly and a bouncy riding structure. The area that had swings removed will be expanded slightly to accommodate the fall zones for the climbing structure. One of the two existing walkways is ADA Accessible, and signs will be installed as part of this project.

  • Winchester 1 Park had swings at the top of the hill that have been removed. Four pieces of fitness equipment will be tucked into the lower/east corner of the park, under the trees. This placement maximizes the enjoyment of the green grass at this location.

  • Winchester 2 Park will have the swings replaced and expanded as well as play features for 5 – 12-year-olds and 2 – 5-year-olds. This playground will also include a picnic table to replace the existing ones and benches that will be placed under a shade structure. The ADA walkway will extend from Calle Real to the playground and will be identified as an accessible route. This location will also have the broken backstop replaced and have the four-foot chain link fencing removed and replaced with six-foot vinyl coated steel chain link fencing. Changing the fence will address the concerns expressed by residents about balls heading into the busy road. Lastly, to address the flow of water draining into the yards of the neighbors on Warwick Drive, a small berm will be created with concrete curbing to direct the water towards the natural flow of the park.

Installation of the play equipment is expected to be complete in late spring/early summer of 2021. View the complete staff report with park diagrams at https://tinyurl.com/yxakpmrg.

Pictured: Winchester II Park

Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park Recognized as 2019 Project of the Year

The City of Goleta is pleased to report that our newest park is the recipient of a great honor.  On November 12, 2020, the American Public Works Association (APWA) California Central Coast Chapter recognized Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park located at 170 S. Kellogg Avenue in Old Town Goleta as the 2019 Project of the Year for structures in the 2 to 5 million project cost range.  At the virtual awards ceremony attended by City Staff from Public Works and the Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Departments, the City was praised for the design, the planning process, the incorporation of the mid-block crosswalk, the unique amenities, and the overall project.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “It is fantastic to see Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park recognized as Project of the Year! The park is an asset to the community, and it is a great feeling to have it recognized by the APWA Central Coast Chapter.”

City of Goleta Director of Neighborhood Services and Public Safety, Vyto Adomaitis said, “Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park is a wonderful community park that can be enjoyed by visitors of all age groups and is a reflection of the close collaboration and outreach between the City and the residents of Old Town in the design and layout of the park. Our excellent staff at the City and our construction management team, Filippin Engineering, did a truly outstanding job in delivering this long-awaited and beloved project on time and under budget.”

The project was nominated in 2019, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards ceremony and announcement of winners was delayed until November 2020.

Each year, APWA presents the Public Works Projects of the Year awards to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects, recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the contractor, the consultant, and their cooperative achievements. The award takes into consideration – use of good construction management techniques, safety performance during construction, community relations efforts, demonstrated awareness for the need to protect the environment during the project, unusual accomplishments under adverse conditions, use of alternative materials, practices of funding and commitment to sustainability. An award-winning project demonstrates each of these categories.

Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park opened in March of 2019 and features a multi-purpose field, basketball court, handball court, concrete ping-pong table, bocce ball court, pickleball court, perimeter walking path, fitness nodes with exercise equipment, picnic areas, skateboard plaza and coming soon, a splash pad. The splash pad is currently in the design phase and construction is set for mid-late 2021.

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson’s Distinguished Career Honored

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson may have left office, but her lasting impact on the City of Goleta remains. Before her last day in office on November 30, the City had the opportunity to say thank you. At the November 17 Goleta City Council meeting, the City honored Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson with a proclamation acknowledging her distinguished career and dedication to the City’s beloved Ellwood Mesa. The City recognized Senator Jackson for her many contributions, inspired leadership, and unwavering dedication to preserving the Ellwood Mesa as a living legacy for the residents of Goleta and visitors from around the world.

Senator Jackson said, “It has been an honor to represent the City of Goleta and its enduring natural treasures, including the Ellwood Mesa Butterfly Grove, in the California Legislature. I have long admired the magnificent monarch butterfly, so I was proud to help secure critical funding to restore such an important monarch habitat in our state. I am grateful and humbled by the recognition of my efforts to preserve this beloved community landmark for generations to come.”

Mayor Paula Perotte was grateful to have the opportunity to show the City’s appreciation. She noted that “helping Goleta preserve Ellwood Mesa is just one of many ways Senator Jackson has represented the City of Goleta. From capping derelict oil wells to securing funding for important projects, Senator Jackson has made a positive and lasting impact on the City of Goleta. I hope she knows how important her work has been for Goleta residents. We are deeply appreciative, and we wish Senator Jackson the best in her next adventures.”

Senator Jackson faithfully served California’s 19th Senate District and California’s 37th Assembly District, which include the City of Goleta, as Senator from 2012 to 2020, and prior to that as Assemblymember from 1998 to 2004. During this time Senator Jackson worked diligently to fund and preserve the Ellwood Mesa, a treasured open space on the Gaviota Coast. Her ongoing efforts and advocacy were integral to the establishment of this area as an open space for all to enjoy for generations to come.

In 2018 Senator Jackson’s efforts led to the City of Goleta receiving $3.9 million in state funding for the Ellwood Mesa Habitat Management Plan and Restoration. In September of 2020, with the State of California facing a major budget deficit due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Senator Jackson secured  an extension of the $3.9 million in grant funds until June 30, 2023, to ensure adequate time for the City of Goleta to plan and implement the expenditure of these funds.

The City thanks Senator Jackson for her service and wishes her the best in all future endeavors.

Pictured: Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson receiving her proclamation at the November 17, 2020, virtual Goleta City Council meeting. Top row left-to-right: Councilmember James Kyriaco, Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards, and Mayor Paula Perotte; Bottom row left-to-right: Councilmember Roger Aceves, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

Goleta’s First Creek and Watershed Management Plan Adopted

The City of Goleta has its first ever Creek and Watershed Management Plan (CWMP).  After extensive public comment at the November 17 Council meeting, the Goleta City Council unanimously adopted the plan. Staff has made sure to involve the public through all stages. There were three public workshops from February – November 2020, Technical Advisory Committee meetings, and the public was asked to review the draft CWMP prior to last night’s Council meeting.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte applauded the adoption of the plan. She said, “Having a thorough Creek and Watershed Management Plan in place is important for the City because it ensures that our beloved creeks are protected and maintained for future generations to enjoy.”

City of Goleta Advance Planning Manager Anne Wells said, “Goleta’s creeks are dynamic systems, host to plants and wildlife species that define Goleta’s natural resources. The CWMP reflects a citywide vision worthy of our abundant creek resources. We look forward to implementing the CWMP and realizing this vision in the years to come.”

The Creek and Watershed Management Plan includes detailed information on the dozen creeks that run through our community, identifies impairments to these creeks, and outlines programs and specific future actions to address identified impairments. It also outlines best practices to provide habitat for fish and wildlife, accommodate wildlife movement corridors, convey stormwater runoff and floodwaters, and furnish open space and passive recreational areas for City residents. 

Learn more about Creek and Watershed Management Plan at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaCWMP.

Pictured: photo is of Bell Creek near Haskell’s Beach looking north towards the foothills.

San Jose Creek Channel Repair Project Complete

The City of Goleta is pleased to report that the repair project for a small portion of the San Jose Creek Channel is complete in advance of winter storms. The completion of this project represents an important milestone in restoring the damaged portion of the San Jose Creek. The repaired portion of the channel is now ready to accommodate winter storm creek flows.

City of Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “Public Works staff did a great job ensuring the repairs were completed prior this year’s rainy season. The repairs were also important to complete prior to the upcoming project to extend channel improvements to Hollister Avenue. The channel improvements extension will be part of the Hollister Avenue/San Jose Creek roadway bridge replacement project that is scheduled to begin in 2021.”

The San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Repair Project, which started construction in September 2020, replaced a portion of the existing channel floor that was damaged in winter storms in 2017 and was temporarily repaired at the end of 2017. The repair project, performed by James C. Cushman Inc. out of Santa Barbara, resulted in a permanent repair with the installation of new articulated concrete mats onto the channel floor consistent with the original channel replacement and fish-passage project completed in 2014. 

The project resulted in minimal impact to the community since the work occurred within the San Jose Creek Channel.

Pictured: Completed San Jose Creek Channel Repair Project