Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

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.

California Coastal Commission Approves Fire Station 10 Project

The City of Goleta is pleased to report that the California Coastal Commission (CCC) approved the long-awaited Western Goleta Fire Station 10 (FS10) project at its virtual video and teleconference meeting on September 10, 2020, in a unanimous decision. CCC staff recommended that the CCC approve the City’s Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application with special conditions. 

Goleta’s Neighborhood Services & Public Safety Director Vyto Adomaitis was the lead presenter at the CCC meeting said the approval is wonderful news for Goleta. He said, “FS10 is a long awaited critical public safety facility that will enhance the levels of fire protection for our community. This is truly an incredible and historic day for our City, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the residents of Goleta whom we worked very collaboratively with to achieve the very successful outcome we had today. We also want to thank the excellent staff at the Ventura Office of the CCC for their collaboration and support. The approval of FS10 today, a project which has been talked about since 1967, 53 years, has been a breathtaking experience that none of us will ever forget. I am extremely proud of our project team and strong partnership with the Fire Department.”

Upon learning the good news, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The approval by the California Coastal Commission is another big milestone in the development of Fire Station 10. This new station will help our fire department to provide significantly better response times for fire suppression and emergency medical assistance to our residents.  It truly represents a wonderful and historic day for Goleta and reinforces the City’s strong commitment to public safety.”

View the application and summary of the staff recommendation in the agenda, found here: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda/#/2020/9

The next step is for construction documents for Fire Station 10 to be finalized for City Council authorization to go out to bid.

The Fire Station 10 project consists of the design and construction of a new three-bay, single-story fire station, approximately 11,600 square feet in size, with associated landscaping and appurtenant facilities on a City-owned parcel located at 7952 Hollister Avenue, across from the Sandpiper Golf Course.  The Goleta City Council approved the project in December 2018. However, because the subject site is in the Coastal Zone, a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) issued by the California Coastal Commission is required. The City submitted a CDP application in January 2019, and after completing additional studies requested by CCC staff, the City learned in February 2020 that the CDP application had been deemed complete.

Learn more about the Fire Station 10 Project here (rendering below).

Pictured: City of Goleta’s Neighborhood Services & Public Safety Director Vyto Adomaitis presenting Fire Station 10 item at the September 10, 2020 California Coastal Commission virtual video and teleconference meeting.

Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Grove Grant Funding Extended

The City of Goleta thankfully has more time to complete improvements to the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Grove. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 115 on September 9, 2020, extending the use of a $3.9 million grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy until June 30, 2023.

The Coastal Conservancy grant was awarded to the City in 2019 for design and implementation of the Monarch Butterfly Management Plan at the Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Open Space, a 137-acre open space area owned by the City of Goleta on the eastern edge of the Gaviota Coast.

California Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson and California Assemblymember Monique Limón were both instrumental in getting the funds included in the State’s budget bill and extended to June 30, 2023. 

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte expressed her appreciation for their support.  She said, “On behalf of Goleta, I want to express our deepest thanks to Senator Jackson and Assemblymember Limón for their stellar efforts to secure nearly $4 million to fund and implement our Habitat Management Plan. Thanks to them, generations of Goletans will enjoy safe and easy access to Ellwood Mesa, the butterfly preserve, and our beaches and ocean.”

Ellwood Mesa is one of the most important sites for overwintering monarch butterflies in California; in fact, a portion of the site is designated by The Xerces Society as “the premier Monarch site in southern California.” The butterflies arrive at Ellwood Mesa in mid-September and, as winter approaches, cluster into aggregation roosts, often called overwintering or wintering colonies. The project is needed because the monarch population is experiencing a sudden and significant decline in western North America. Monarch overwintering populations throughout California have been in steep decline for the past several years. Locally at Ellwood Mesa, monitoring indicated only 271 butterflies were present at the height of the migration this past winter, down drastically from a recent high of 47,500 butterflies in the grove during 2011-2012.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently evaluating whether the species warrants listing under the Endangered Species Act.

The grant funding specifically supports enhancement of a 75-acre portion of the Ellwood Mesa Open Space used by monarch butterflies. The project consists of implementing the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan, which identifies how the City will preserve, restore, and enhance monarch butterfly overwintering habitat. The project also includes enhancement of other wildlife habitat, education and outreach, trail improvements, signage, monitoring, research, and implementation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

City of Goleta Announces Ballot Drop Box Locations for November 3 General Election

The upcoming election is taking place on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. There will be over 30 secure Ballot Drop Boxes located throughout the County to safely return your ballot directly to the Registrar of Voters. Drop boxes will be available 24 hours a day from October 5 through 8:00 pm on Election Day, November 3. there are three locations in Goleta:

    • Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive)
    • Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue)
    • Southcoast Church (5814 Cathedral Oaks Road)

Deborah Lopez, City Clerk for the City of Goleta said, “We are encouraging all voters to vote by mail to avoid any lines and ensure that voters can exercise their right to vote in a safe, secure and accessible manner.”

Locally, City of Goleta residents will be voting for a Mayor, two City Council seats, and Measure O2020 asking “Shall the term of office of the mayor be changed from two years to four years?” Information on candidates, the measure, and general election information is available at www.cityofgoleta.org/elections.

Make sure you are registered to vote! You can check the status of your voter registration here. If you are not already registered, October 19, 2020, is the last day to register to vote and you can register online at registertovote.ca.gov. Paper applications may be available at most U.S. Post Offices, Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Offices or the Department of Motor Vehicles.  To verify voter registration status or update registration information, such as an address or party affiliation, go to www.sbcvote.com.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, every registered voter in California will receive a ballot in the mail for the upcoming election. If you are not already registered to vote by mail you DO NOT need to complete an application to receive your ballot by mail, it will automatically be sent. Ballots were mailed out to registered voters last week. If you do not receive your ballot by October 12, contact the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office at (805) 568-2200.

Voters may mail their ballot with no postage required, postmarked by Election Day, November 3. The Postal Service advises voters to mail their ballots no later than October 27 to reach the elections office in time to be counted.

In-person voting will still be available, but on a limited basis. Santa Barbara County Elections is staffing approximately 35 in-person voting sites over four days for those who would like additional services including language assistance or a replacement ballot. These sites will be open October 31 through Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Facial coverings will be required and voters should expect a socially distanced waiting line. Voters have been assigned to polling place locations that will be listed on the back cover of the voter’s County Voter Information Guide. Beginning October 5, voters can also use the Sample Ballot and Polling Place Look-Up tool at SBCVote.com.

For information about becoming a poll worker at one of these sites, please call
(805) 568-2200 or click here. Take advantage of early in-person voting:

  • At the Registrar’s office (4440-A Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93110) beginning October 5, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • At your assigned polling place Saturday, October 31 through Sunday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Monday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • All will again be open on Election Day, November 3, when the voting hours change to 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

More information is available on the Santa Barbara County Elections Division webpage. You can also learn more about voting on the Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Vote Safely, Santa Barbara County webpage.

Due to COVID-19, we are encouraging all voters to vote by mail avoiding lines and to ensure that voters can exercise their right to vote in a safe, secure and accessible manner.

The Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters Office wants to help make the voting process as easy as possible. For questions or assistance, please call (805) 568-2200.

Public Health Officials Urge Residents to Get a Flu Shot

Free drive-up flu shots available October 8 & 9 at San Marcos High School

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department reminds residents that it is time to get a flu shot.  Significant flu activity can begin as early as October, last as late as May, and typically peaks in February.  Although getting a flu shot every year is recommended, this season, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, getting a flu vaccine is especially important to protect yourself, your family, and community from flu.  Equally important is that flu vaccination helps save limited medical resources necessary for the care of COVID-19 patients. Just like wearing a mask, getting a flu shot is an easy and safe action we can take to stay healthy during this pandemic.

To highlight the importance of influenza vaccination for all community members, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Director, Van Do-Reynoso, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor, Greg Hart, recently joined together to get their flu shots.

Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available, and should continue throughout the flu season.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can take about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early. Health experts across the country recommend that everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant women, get a flu vaccine. Medical providers are taking every precaution to keep you safe, wherever you plan to get vaccinated.

Getting a flu vaccine is more convenient than ever before and is the single best way to prevent the flu. Vaccines are available from your regular health care provider as well as retail pharmacies. Many employers, schools, colleges, and universities also offer them.

Free drive-up flu shots are available October 8 and 9 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at San Marcos High School (4750 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara). There are also locations in Lompoc and Santa Maria. No appointment is needed. Please wear a face covering or mask, remain in your car, complete a short form and get your vaccination. Available for anyone ages 2 and up. No insurance or identification needed. For more information visit https://countyofsb.org/phd/.

Find other locations offering the vaccine by visiting www.VaccineFinder.org.

Flu shots are covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare and by most insurance plans. Find more information about the flu and flu vaccine at www.cdc.gov/flu.

Pictured: County Supervisor, Gregg Hart, Chair of the Board and Director, Van Do-Reynoso get vaccinated against seasonal influenza (flu).

State Testing Availability Opens to Entire Community

The State-run COVID-19 testing site at the Goleta Valley Community Center continues to be a convenient location for Goleta community members. It is open Thursday – Monday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. by appointment only.

Over the past four months, the state-run COVID-19 testing sites’ utilization has fluctuated based on the need of the community. These testing sites have seen lower utilization rates over the past few weeks which has left sites with open availability for testing. While we continue to emphasize the importance of those in higher risk environments receiving testing, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is now encouraging all community members to be tested.

The importance of getting tested for COVID-19 has never been greater. The positivity rate and case rate, two of the most vital measures in determining our County’s allowance to move to the red tier, are dependent on having robust testing. When a county does not meet the State’s standard for testing, it can be penalized with increased positivity rate and case rate. In an effort to achieve widespread testing, community members can in turn help Santa Barbara County protect the health and safety of our neighbors while fulfilling requirements to progress in reopening.

“We are again opening up the state-run testing sites for all community members. Testing turnaround times have greatly improved thanks to state and local efforts and we are now seeing an average turnaround time for results of under 72 hours” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Public Health Director. “Detecting COVID-19 remains crucial to stopping the spread of this virus and one of the best tools we have to do just that is testing.”

State-run testing sites are located in Santa Maria, Buellton, and Goleta. Appointments can be made by visiting https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123 for those with no internet access. Testing is by appointment only. 

Pictured: Goleta testing site – Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue)