Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Create a “Clean Air Room”

Stay indoors for protection from wildfire smoke; Tips for indoor air quality 

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department encourage Santa Barbara County residents to plan for poor air quality conditions caused by future wildfire smoke. Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles known as particulate matter. These particles harm the lungs and heart, and can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, and in severe instances, premature mortality. People with heart or lung disease, seniors, kids, and pregnant women are especially sensitive to smoke.

The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible when smoke is present. Take these steps to ensure your family will have safe indoor air quality.

1) Choosing & Using an Air Purifier

  • Pick a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) purifier to reduce particulate matter indoors by 90 percent. These can be purchased at hardware stores or online retailers.
  • Make sure that the device doesn’t create ozone – find a list of safe options online here.
  • HEPA purifiers come in various makes and models, suitable for different room sizes.
  • Use the purifier in a room where you spend a lot of time, like a bedroom.
    • HEPA purifiers for an average-sized bedroom cost approximately $75.
  • Check your windows and doors and make sure the room is sealed tightly so smoke from the outdoors does not get pulled inside.
  • Replace the filter as directed in the owner’s manual. Filters need to be replaced more frequently if used during a wildfire. 

2) Making Your Own Air Purifier

  • Assembling a DIY version of an air purifier can be a more affordable option, with materials costing approximately $40.
  • This DIY version has been shown to reduce harmful particulate matter indoors similarly to a HEPA purifier.
  • Here’s how to make your own:
    • Use tape to attach a 20×20 MERV-rated air filter — like what you would use for your HVAC system — to the back of a 20×20 box fan. Attaching to the back of the fan creates a better seal.
    • Use a filter with a MERV rating of 13.
    • Check the filter for the direction of the air flow, marked on the side of the filter.
  • Check your windows and doors and make sure the room is sealed tightly so smoke from the outdoors does not get pulled inside.
  • Replace the filter more frequently if used during a wildfire.
  • As needed, disassemble the box fan to wipe away any accumulated dirt.
  • For safety, follow these precautions:
    • Don’t leave the device unattended.
    • Turn off the device while sleeping.
    • When the fan is modified in this way, use the device as an air cleaner, not as fan to cool your home.

3) Minimizing Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

  • In addition to using a HEPA air purifier, follow these recommendations:
    • If advised to stay inside, keep windows and doors shut and sealed tightly.
    • If temperatures are high and there is no way to keep the home cool with windows and doors shut, consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality until conditions improve.
    • Upgrade your filter in your HVAC system to a MERV filter, with a MERV rating of at least 13. Check with your HVAC professional to see what MERV rating your HVAC system can handle to ensure proper functionality.
    • Do not smoke or burn firewood, candles, or incense in the house.
    • Use your range hood while cooking, especially when using a gas stove.
    • Consider using professional services for a blower door test to detect air leaks. This service can help you know how to properly seal your home.

During wildfires, there are various ways to stay updated on local air quality conditions:

Goleta Green Room: Close the Poop Loop

Did you know one gram of dog waste contains millions of bacteria and can lead to beach closures? Pet waste presents a serious problem in our City and County. It’s one of the largest sources of water pollution. Keep your pets healthy by picking up pet waste in your backyard before each storm and whenever you’re out and about.

The truth about pet waste:

  • Not all animal waste is created equal. Dog waste (unlike cow manure) is not fertilizer.
  • Pet waste is one of the largest sources of water pollution.
  • The US EPA classifies dog waste as a dangerous pollutant, in the same category as toxic chemicals and oil.
  • Dog waste is a common carrier of nasty things like heart worms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, parvovirus, giardia, salmonella and E. coli. 
  • Unattended pet waste washes into storm drains, polluting our creeks, rivers and the ocean with bacteria that are harmful to people, pets and marine life.
  • Dog waste needs to be tossed into the trash, even when you pick it up with biodegradable bags. Never leave it on the ground, particularly where it can be washed away by rain or ocean tides.
  • Picking up after your dog and tossing it in the trash protects our community’s health and our environment.

Thanks for all you do to keep our water and community clean!

City of Goleta Awarded for Sustainability Efforts

The Institute for Local Governments (ILG) is recognizing the City of Goleta for its numerous sustainability achievements with the 2020 Beacon Spotlight Award! The Beacon Program honors voluntary efforts by local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and adopt policies that promote sustainability.

At the League of Cities Virtual Conference later this week, the City will receive the Platinum level Spotlight Award, due to its fulfillment of the highest rank in each of ten categories that comprise ILG’s Sustainability Best Practices Framework. This entailed highlighting the City’s efforts in categories such as Green Building, Waste Reduction, Efficient Transportation, Open Space, and Community and Individual Action. To achieve this impressive feat, the City has undertaken notable projects such as the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, a Strategic Energy Plan to reach its 100% renewable energy by 2030 goal, obtaining funding for a new Goleta train station, and elimination of single-use plastics within City Hall, among many others.

The 2020 Beacon Award Ceremony will take place virtually on Thursday, October 8th at 5:00 pm. Learn more about Goleta’s Sustainability Programs here. For additional information on the Beacon Program visit the ILG website.

Pictured left-to-right: Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Moore, Mayor Paula Perotte, and CivicSpark Climate Fellow Karina Takemoto, creating a video for the virtual Beacon Award Ceremony.

San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Storm Damage Repairs Underway

A repair project for a small portion of the San Jose Creek Channel is underway. Construction began September 15, 2020, and great progress has been made. The installation of new concrete mats on to the channel bottom are now in place and being connected and secured. Work is expected to be mostly completed by mid-October 2020. A map showing the location of construction is below.

The San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Repair Project replaces 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 project will result in a permanent repair and will install new articulated concrete mats onto the channel flood consistent with the original channel replacement and fish-passage project completed in 2014. 

City of Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “When the San Jose Creek Emergency Channel Repair Project is completed, the City will have restored the improved portion of the San Jose Creek Channel to its previous design condition in 2014, which will return the facility to a condition ready to properly accommodate flood waters in the channel.”

The City awarded the project to James C. Cushman Inc. out of Santa Barbara. Bengal Engineering Inc. will be providing construction oversight for the City.

City staff will be working with the contractor to minimize impacts to the public. There are no traffic impacts anticipated resulting from the construction activities.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact City Project Manager Gerald Comati at gcomati@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 895-0255.

Pictured: New concrete mats in San Jose Creek

Fairview Avenue / US 101 Intersection Sidewalk Infill Project Update

The Fairview Avenue / US 101 Intersection Sidewalk Infill Project is wrapping up after several weeks of construction. The project will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the area by constructing new sidewalk to fill the sidewalk gap along the north side of S. Fairview Avenue leading to the signalized intersection at the northbound US 101 off-ramp.

The project also includes reconstruction of existing sidewalk necessary to conform to the existing bicycle and pedestrian ramp connecting Fairview Avenue and Calle Real. The City secured Measure A grant funding for the project and is excited to complete construction. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is the administrator of Measure A, a local transportation sales tax measure that was approved by 79% of Santa Barbara. Information on Measure A is available at www.measurea.net. The City awarded the project to Lash Construction, and MNS Engineers provided construction oversight for the City.

Striping Complete on Old Town Sidewalk Project

The new sidewalks in Old Town Goleta are now newly repaved and striped. The contractor painted the final coat on Friday, October 2. The remaining work is a few infill locations around utilities. The City’s contractor will re-mobilize to complete the remaining concrete patches once the utility companies – Southern California Edison (SCE), Frontier Communications, and Cox Communications – have relocated their utilities. The utility companies are currently anticipating to complete the work in October, but could be delayed pending utility workload and SCE priority emergency work that arises.

Thank you to everyone for your patience throughout the duration of this on-going project.  We are almost at the finish line and are pleased to report that the project is on time and under budget.

Additional project information, can be found on our City website at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaOTSW.

For questions, please contact sidewalks@cityofgoleta.org or call the Construction Inspector, Daniel Anderson, at 805.869.3727.

Background

The 9031 Old Town Sidewalk Improvement project includes constructing sidewalk on at least one side of each street north of Hollister Avenue between South Fairview Avenue and Mallard Avenue as well as on Pine Avenue south of Hollister Avenue. The new sidewalks will connect to existing sidewalk providing a continuous path of travel. There will also be drainage improvements, tree replacements, repaving, and the construction of 39 back-in angled parking spots on Magnolia Avenue (for a net increase of approximately 17 new parking spots). Watch this video to learn more about the project.

When this project is done, the safety improvements, livability and ability to recreate in Old Town will change dramatically. We are pleased the community will be able to enjoy the improvements for years to come.

Pictured: Restriping on Mandarin Avenue

Halloween Parking Restrictions will be in Effect

This year’s Halloween will be different than any in the past due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the City’s parking permit program for Halloween weekend will remain. Over the past several years, a temporary permit-only on-street parking program for residents near Isla Vista was implemented and deemed successful in dissuading partygoers from parking in the Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista and easing the impacts felt by residents. 

Parking permits are issued for the Goleta neighborhoods closest to Isla Vista: University 1 and University 2 neighborhoods, including the Cannon Green Condominium complex. The boundaries are: Cannon Green Drive to the west, Hollister Avenue to the north, Storke Road to the east and Whittier Drive to the south.

Each household will receive two passes in their mailbox by October 22. The parking permits are required to be taped to the inside of the vehicle’s driver’s side window during the restricted hours (see below). Signage will be posted on the streets in advance to remind drivers, and electronic message boards will be at several entrances to the University 1 and 2 neighborhoods. Vehicles not displaying the appropriate permit will be subject to ticketing and/or towing. Parking restrictions are for Friday and Saturday nights, when most party-goers are expected to be in the area:

  • 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2020, to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2020; and
  • 7:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2020, to 7:00 a.m. Sunday, November 1, 2020

The overnight parking restrictions will not affect those visiting Girsh Park over Halloween weekend. If you live in the area designated to receive a parking permit, and do not receive yours by October 22, please contact the City of Goleta Neighborhood Services Department at 805-961-7558 or sdawson@cityofgoleta.org to make arrangements for a replacement.

For a map of the affected area and additional information, please visit tinyurl.com/halloweenparking.

We are Here for You!

It’s important that you know the City of Goleta is here for you during this time.  The City has a dedicated team of professionals that are working hard to ensure that we are providing a high level of service to our community and that we are 100% responsive.

We have transitioned many of our operations virtually to ensure that city business is running smoothly and efficiently and that you are getting the service that you count on and expect from your City. 

Below is an update on the services available to the community and how to access them.

  • City Staff are available by e-mail or phone. Desk Reception is open during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday) by calling 805-961-7500. Messages will be forwarded to the appropriate departments.
  • To reach a City department by telephone during regular business hours, please use the directory below and calls will be routed accordingly. A full staff directory is available here. Leave a message for staff and they will respond as soon as possible.
City Hall Reception (805) 961-7500
Planning & Environmental Review Information Desk (805) 961-7543, cwalshbecker@cityofgoleta.org
Building & Safety Permits (805) 961-7552, buildinggroup@cityofgoleta.org
Building Inspection Request Line (805) 961-7550
Business Licenses – Finance Department (805) 961-7530, businesslicense@cityofgoleta.org
Public Works (805) 968-6843, llarovere@cityofgoleta.org
  • Any service requests from the public can be made by using our City Assist System. We monitor this system Monday-Friday during regular business hours. The City has a dedicated staff member who reviews the requests and ensures that they are routed to the right person and that they receive a timely response.  Report any problems or concerns on our City Assist page at http://tinyurl.com/GoletaCityAssist.
  • Public Works is conducting inspections on private development projects related to health and safety. All other inspections typically performed by Building, Planning, and Public Works are temporarily suspended.
  • Public Works continues to operate and maintain all public infrastructure and facilities.
  • The Planning and Building Counter is OPEN for virtual consultations and permit applications via email or phone.  In-person consultations at the physical Planning and Building Counter are currently not available.
  • The City can only accept and process permit application materials electronically.  Paper submittals via drop-off or mail are not currently being accepted.
  • The City is now doing virtual inspectionsvia webcam, where possible. Click here for more information.
  • The Finance Department has suspended counter service but is accepting e-mail submissions for items such as business applications.  
  • Tennis and pickleball courts are open at Evergreen Park, Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park, Berkeley Park, and Stow Canyon Open Space. Residents must comply with these regulations which follow the Santa Barbara County Public Health Order in order for the courts to remain open.
  • Stow Grove Park reservations are cancelled with no new reservations being taken at this time.
  • The Goleta Valley Community Center is CLOSED to programming indoors, and has limited programs operating outdoors, including food distribution.
  • Special Event Permits are evaluated for compliance with the current health order.
  • The Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are OPEN for Sidewalk Service. Items can be placed on hold using the BlackGold system. There will be no overdue fees for any items during this time period. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of the Library’s digital services as well, including free online resources and e-materials, such as e-books, audio books, and movies. Go to www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org to learn more.

Stay tuned for updates on parks facilities.

Pictured: City Hall Receptionist Francie Townes

Learn How to Participate in Virtual City Meetings

We want to see and hear you at our City meetings. Public participation is key to the process of shaping Goleta’s future. To make sure you understand how to participate in a virtual meeting, Deputy City Clerk David J. Cutaia is here with a short video to walk you through the steps. The same instructions apply whether it is for a City Council Meeting, Board Meeting, or a Commission Meeting.

Virtual meeting information is provided on every agenda, and can be found on the City website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. All agendas are available five days prior to the meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email the City Clerk Department at cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org.  

Click here to watch the video!

Regional Housing Needs Allocation Update for Goleta

The Goleta City Council received a presentation regarding the Regional Housing Needs Allocation and how it is expected to affect Goleta at its September 15 City Council meeting. The Housing Element is one of the State-mandated elements of local General Plans and establishes City policies and programs for maintaining and improving existing housing, addressing the needs of persons and households of all income levels and those with disabilities or other special needs, and facilitating development of new housing for anticipated future residents of all economic levels. The process by which cities are allocated a share of housing needs is the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, or RHNA. The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determines the housing need for each region for the planning period and the region apportions this housing need across local jurisdictions within the region. In Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) fulfills this role. Goleta’s current Housing Element covers the 2015-2023 planning period, which is also referred to as the “5th planning cycle”. The 6th Housing Element cycle will cover the planning period of February 2023 to February 2031. View the full staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/y3zumj9b.