District Attorney Joyce Dudley, Sheriff Bill Brown, and Fire Chief Mark Hartwig held a joint press conference on public safety on April 7, 2020. A video of the entire press conference is available to watch at https://youtu.be/8rqlKElFZ-c.

District Attorney Joyce Dudley emphasized the importance of coming together as a community to watch out for our most vulnerable. DA Dudley believes people are experiencing elevated levels of in-home abuse: Domestic Violence, Spousal Rape, Child Abuse, Elder Abuse and Animal Abuse and encouraged those victims or witnesses to call 911. In situations where they cannot call 911, she urged them to call a District Attorney Victim/Witness Advocate at 805-568-2400.

The District Attorney also stated that at this time, she believes the above in-home crimes are being grossly under-reported and that vulnerable members of our community’s lives are at stake.

Ms. Dudley emphasized that now, more than ever, family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and even strangers must pay attention and report any concerns they have to their local law enforcement agency. DA Dudley added that community members should not hesitate to call 911 if they SEE, HEAR or SENSE that a vulnerable member of the community needs medical or legal help. Additionally, DA Dudley emphasized how important it is for pharmacists, grocery store personnel, package and mail deliverers and gas station attendants to realize that they may be someone’s only chance of avoiding continuous abuse. Ms. Dudley assured the community that this is local law enforcement agencies countywide highest priority and the only chance they have to respond is if a caring person calls 911.

The City of Goleta contracts with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for police services. To reach the non-emergency dispatch line, call 805-683-2724.

We know this is a stressful time. Review these important tips from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department on how to take care of your mental health during this crisis.

• Practicing mindfulness and relaxation exercises
• Stay connected by phone and electronically
• Keep current connections strong
• Stay informed through reliable sources
• Limit your screen time
• Eat healthy and drink plenty of water
• Call elderly and house-bound friends and neighbors to see how they are feeling. Bring them meals and special treats, being mindful of their vulnerability and susceptibility.
• Play board games with your kids
• Read to your children and have them read to you
• Take on a home project, paint that wall that you have been thinking about
• Work in the garden
• Have push-up contests or do yoga together
• Make special meals and involve the whole family, eat healthy!
• Get outside – go for walks, runs, and hikes (maintain social distancing)

We are wired to be socially connected. Doing so safely requires diligence and creativity. Keeping a positive and informed perspective that we will get through this, together, is critical to reducing the emotional impacts and continuing to create resiliency.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “It’s important that we stay connected and support one another. Call and check on people who are on your mind to let them know you are thinking of them. We are fortunate to live in a tight-knit community that looks out for each other.”

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Santa Barbara County Community Wellness Team at https://sbccwt.org/ or (805) 364-2750. View their flyer here.

The City of Goleta is fortunate to have beautiful outdoor spaces that are providing places for our community members to get much needed mental and physical breaks. during the Stay at Home Order.  However, it’s important that our community practice social distancing even while using the City’s trails and open spaces.

Please follow important guidelines from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) below and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

• Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
• Follow the CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
• Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains.
• While on trails, warn other users of your presence as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
• Observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.
• Consult local and state ordinances and guidelines for the most up to date recommendations on park and trail use.

Outdoor areas are needed now more than ever to help us get through this time. We are asking everyone do their part to use these areas in a way that respects each other and follows public health guidance. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, people are being asked to stay at home to prevent the spread of the disease. If you need to leave your home for an essential service or to get some fresh air, you are being asked to socially distance. This means keeping at least six feet of space between yourself and anyone you do not live with; not gathering in groups; and staying out of crowded places and away from mass gatherings. Click here for more information on social distancing from the CDC.

The current recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Additional information from the CDC, including how to make your own face mask, is available here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have put together tips on protecting yourself from COVID-19. The best thing you can do at this time is to follow their guidelines.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your Face in particular your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for more information on the coronavirus.

The City of Goleta has taken a number of steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

On March 14, 2020, the City Manager declared a local emergency and at the following City Council meeting on March 17, 2020, Council ratified the City Manager’s local emergency proclamation. The Governor issued a Stay at Home order on March 19, 2020.

Emergency Orders

The Order required the immediate closure of restaurants and bars, with the exception of take-out orders, the closure of gyms, bowling alleys, movie theatres and arcades.

The emergency declaration and subsequent action by the City established the following:

• Access to play structures and exercise equipment in all City parks, beaches and open space is prohibited.
• The skatepark at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park at 170 S. Kellogg Avenue is closed as well.  
• Group picnic sites are closed.
• Basketball, pickleball, volleyball and tennis courts are closed.

Fees Imposed for Violations of City’s Emergency Order

At the City’s first virtual City Council meeting on April 7, 2020, the City Council approved imposing fees for people who willfully violate the City’s Emergency Order. The standard penalties would apply including:

• $100 per occurrence for the first violation
• $200 per occurrence for the second violation
• $500 for each subsequent violation
• If a misdemeanor is pursued it would be punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed six months

Moratorium on Evictions

The City passed a resolution prohibiting commercial and residential evictions due to COVID-19 on March 17 and on March 27 the Governor issued a similar order. On April 7, the City Council approved increasing the fees for violations of the eviction prohibitions. 

The City order imposes a higher financial cost to disregarding the City’s orders to deter landlords from evicting a tenant who cannot pay rent due to loss of income due to COVID-19.

The first violation would be subject to a $5,000 fine, second violation within one year of the first violation would be subject to a $7,500 fine, and subsequent violation within one year of the first violation would be subject to a $10,000 fine. For more details on City’s eviction prohibitions and associated fines go to our website at www.cityofgoleta.org/covid19.

Transient Occupancy Tax Deferment 

The City also passed a measure to help provide some relief to the City’s hotel industry which is experiencing a sharp decline in business with low occupancy rates.  On April 7, the City Council agreed to allow hotels, motels and short-term vacation rental operators within its jurisdiction, upon written request, to defer payment of the transient occupancy tax (TOT) for two months.

The City Council granted the first deferral of payment of the TOT for the months of March and April 2020 and required payment to be made by June 30, 2020. The City Manager is authorized to grant subsequent deferrals at two month increments if the local emergency is still in place. The City’s TOT rate is equivalent to 12% of the cost of a room per night and is a tax imposed upon visitors.

Even though City Hall physically may be closed, it’s important to know that City staff are still working remotely and are committed to continuing to provide exceptional service to our residents and businesses.

• 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.
• 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 Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are CLOSED. This includes the book drop; the due date for all checked out items is May 4. There will be no overdue fees for any items during this time period. Community members are encouraged to go to www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org for ways to keep busy at home for all ages, and to take advantage of free online resources and e-materials, such as e-books, audio books, and movies. 
• The Planning and Building Counter is CLOSED for in-person consultations, but the public can communicate with staff via email or phone. The City can only accept and process materials electronically. 

• • For Planning & Environmental Review, please call (805) 961-7543 or email cwalshbeck@cityofgoleta.org
  • For Building & Safety Permits, please call (805) 961-7552 or email buildinggroup@cityofgoleta.org

• The City is now doing virtual inspections where possible.
• 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.
• The Finance Department has suspended counter service but is accepting e-mail submissions for items such as business applications. 
• The Goleta Community Center is CLOSED to programming with the exception of food distribution.
• Stow Grove Park reservations are cancelled with no new reservations through April 30^th.
• Special Event Permits issued for the months of March and April are being cancelled and no new permits are being issued through April 30^th.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte recently shared her thoughts and some important information in this short video message. 

Click here to view the video.

We plan to do more of these video messages so you can hear directly from the Mayor as we get through this crisis.  If you would like to hear her address any issue or topic in particular, please let us know.  Send an e-mail to PIO@cityofgoleta.org.