Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

National Census Day is April 1

Participate in National Census Day on April 1 from 2:00 – 6:30 p.m. by coming to the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue) or Equalitech at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue, Room 13B) to complete your 2020 census! For the first time, the census will be available to take online. It can also be completed over the phone or using a paper copy. Households will receive an invitation in the mail in March with instructions on how to complete the census. Both the library and Equalitech will be offering free mini-bundt cakes to the first 100 people that come to take the census at each location. Learn more about the importance of the census and what it means for Goleta at www.CityofGoleta.org/Census2020.

POSTPONED: Come to our Make Goleta Count Day Celebration on March 14

After due consideration and comprehensive discussions, the City of Goleta has decided to postpone its Make Goleta Count Day/ Haz Que Cuente Goleta (Día de Promocíon) event scheduled for this Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park. The decision was made in an abundance of precaution following California Governor Gavin Newsom’s order and Gathering Guidelines issued today from the California Department of Public Health.  We appreciate everyone who partnered with us and who was a part of spreading the word about the timely, informative and fun event we had planned.  Our hope is that we can re-schedule for a date in the future. We will be sure to keep you posted.

Households will receive an invitation in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau in mid to late March. It will have instructions on how to complete the 2020 Census online, by phone, or using a paper copy. The following items are at stake for Goleta if there is an undercount in the 2020 census:

  • District election boundaries
  • Loss of revenue for TEN years
  • Federal funding for Community Development Block Grants
  • Library funding
  • Gas tax related revenue for road repairs
  • Special funding based on population

Watch our Make Goleta Count video, which debuted at the March 3, 2020, City Council meeting.

In addition to helping our community get its fair share of federal funds, the census creates jobs, helps plan for the future, and supports public safety and emergency preparedness. Learn more about the 2020 census here.

 

2nd LEAD Goleta Community Academy Graduates

The City of Goleta is proud to congratulate 25 exceptional community members for completing the six-week LEAD Goleta Community Academy.  LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate, and Discuss. On February 12, 2020, the group completed their final class and then received their well-deserved graduation certificates as well as a City of Goleta pin.  The celebratory event was attended by the Mayor, City Councilmembers, City Manager, City Staff and family and friends of the participants.

Watch a recap of our six week LEAD Goleta Community Academy here.

The diverse group of Academy participants came from all different backgrounds and walks of life.  The group included a high school student, college students, retirees, business professionals, community activists and more. For six weeks the participants learned everything from how the City of Goleta is run and how the City came to be, to all the facets that make up a City including presentations from Finance, Public Works, Planning, Neighborhood Services & Public Safety, the City Clerk’s Office, Goleta Valley Library, City Attorney’s Office, Community Outreach and more. 

Besides getting a behind the scenes look at each of these departments, the participants also got a tour of City Hall, experienced a Mock City Council meeting and watched video ride-alongs with our Public Works Director and our Parks and Recreation Manager.

Before receiving their certificates, the graduates went around the room and expressed what they enjoyed most about the Academy.  Here are just some of the comments:

Goleta resident and mother of five, Lina Plascencia said, “This class proved to be considerably momentous and informative; more than I could have anticipated! I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in learning more about our amazing City of Goleta and the dedicated staff.”

Goleta resident Steve George said, “The LEAD class was a great introduction to the mechanics of our local government.  Few cities I have lived in have welcomed such close interaction with City Leaders as here in Goleta.  The transparency of processes and communication is commendable.  I highly recommend that everyone take the opportunity to participate in the LEAD program and to make a difference in our community.”

Life-long Goleta resident Cristi Smith said, “Every speaker was professional, well-organized, captivating and really drove home the fact that they truly care about our great community. I can rest easy knowing we have an educated and dedicated staff working for us round the clock to ensure the Goodland stays that way. I encourage everyone who has an interest in Goleta to sign up the next opportunity this course is offered.” 

Goleta resident Phil Tabyanan said, “I signed up for LEAD to learn more about Goleta leadership, the decision makers, policies, and the various departments that impact the city/community. I was moved at how accessible leadership is from the top down. I enjoyed learning about each individual department and the key players involved.  This class is an essential to understanding the who, what, when, where, why and how’s in the City of Goleta!”

Mayor Paula Perotte applauded the group for their participation and said, “I appreciate your taking time out of your busy lives to come learn about how a city is run. I hope you take this information and share it with your friends and family and that you will stay engaged.”

The City of Goleta is proud to offer this unique and enlightening experience and looks forward to our next class in the fall (Wednesdays September 9 – October 14). If you are interested in signing up, please email jshaw@cityofgoleta.org to be notified when applications are available.

Cathedral Oaks Road Crib Wall Repair Update

The City of Goleta would like to update the community on the status of the closed bike path area on Cathedral Oaks Road. The bike path was closed on January 30, 2017, following a winter storm event that eroded the slope and raised concerns over the integrity of the crib wall. A crib wall is a type of large scale retaining wall that retains an earthen slope.  The Cathedral Oaks Crib Wall is located along the down slope on the northern side of Cathedral Oaks Road.   

High intensity rainfall caused runoff to infiltrate behind the crib wall and caused extensive damage. An initial investigation led to reopening the roadway after determining it was not undermined. The bike path however remains temporarily closed.  Public Works hired a geotechnical and structural engineering design team to perform a comprehensive investigation of the crib wall. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the potential failure mechanisms related to the original crib wall design and construction. Work included drilling approximately 23 borings near the bike path.  The borings ranged between 25 feet to 80 feet below ground surface.  The work also included using ground penetrating radar, collecting and analyzing soil samples in the laboratory, and developing and providing recommended structural repair options and cost estimates.

The City is working toward completing design alternatives and preliminary cost estimates for the Cathedral Oaks Crib Wall Repair Project.

The consultant team has performed the geotechnical analysis, seismic downhole logging surveys, analyzed the soil samples collected, and reviewed the geophysical data. The structural engineering portion of the team is currently preparing design alternatives and associated preliminary cost estimates for the repairs. Once complete, Public Works will present the design options, preliminary cost estimates, and recommendation to the City Council.  Public Works will then issue a Request for Proposals to design the ultimate repair or replacement of the retaining wall system.  Actual construction timing and project funding will be determined as the final project is developed.

Open House Kick-Off for the City’s Old Town Sidewalk Project on February 13

The City of Goleta is pleased to announce that construction will soon begin on the highly anticipated Old Town Sidewalk Improvements Project (OTSW). Work is scheduled to start in late February or early March. We hope you will join us for an Open House Kick-Off event on February 13 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the sidewalk at 98 Nectarine Avenue (new location!)  to learn more about this long-awaited project. City Staff, the Construction Manager, and Contractor will be present to talk about Old Town Sidewalks and answer questions. There will also be maps and Spanish translation available.

The Old Town Sidewalk Improvements Project has been in the planning and design phase for the last three years and the City of Goleta is excited to finally bring it to construction. The project includes constructing sidewalk on at least one side of each street north of Hollister Avenue between South Fairview Avenue and Mallard Avenue and Pine Avenue south of Hollister Avenue. The new sidewalk will connect to existing sidewalk. There will also be drainage improvements, tree replacements, repaving, and the construction of 39 back-in angled parking spots on Magnolia Avenue. Watch this video to learn more.

Goleta Public Works Sr. Project Engineer James Winslow said, “This project is long overdue. The streets in Old Town are 40 to 50 feet wide and many of the streets don’t have continuous sidewalks which means residents and children are walking on the street to get to the bus stop. They are pushing their strollers and carts down the middle of the street. They are double and illegally parking thereby blocking access ramps. 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.”

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Our actions to provide sidewalks for Old Town Goleta demonstrate our commitment to promoting exercise and reducing traffic. Our City Council and staff don’t just talk the talk – we walk the walk!”

Background:
On December 17, 2019, Council awarded the construction contract to Toro Enterprises, Inc. The $3.2 million dollar construction contract is partially funded with a $2.224 million Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant the Public Works Department secured on December 7, 2016. MNS Engineers, Inc. and team have been working on the preliminary design, right-of-way, encroachments, and final design for the past two and one-half years.  Aside from working with approximately 100 property owners and tenants on encroachments, the final design incorporated direct input and feedback from the residents in Old Town, including saving four large trees, particular drainage improvements, and maximizing the travel lane and parking widths on Gato Avenue. The feedback came through community meetings, outreach events, half a dozen Council presentations, and countless hours engaging the community one-on-one and in ambassador coffee house style meetings.

There are three phases to the project which will take approximately nine months to complete.

The City knows long-term projects such as this one can be inconvenient for those that live or visit the area, and we appreciate your patience in advance.

To learn more about this project, go to https:tinyurl.com/GoletaOTSW, email sidewalks@cityofgoleta.org, or call the Construction Manager at 805.450.7949.

First Ever Spanish Book Club for Grades 3-6

We hope you will join us for our first ever Spanish Book Club for children in grades 3 – 6 at the Goleta Valley Library! This new book club is aimed at Spanish-speaking children who would like to improve their Spanish reading and comprehension skills. Each book will be covered over three meetings where students will get to practice their Spanish vocabulary as they discuss what they’ve read and theorize what will come next in the book. The book club will help children improve their Spanish language skills by:

  • Deepening their appreciation and understanding of Spanish-language text
  • Extending their thinking to process and interpret different perspectives and opinions of their peers
  • Expanding their ability to express ideas orally using academic language
  • Providing an authentic context for applying norms for listening and speaking

The Spanish Book Club meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month at 3:00 p.m. at the Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue). Space is limited and registration is required in person at the library or by calling 964-7878.

The Adult Winter Reading Club is Back!

From now through February 28, 2020, the Adult Winter Reading Club is happening at Goleta Valley Library. Patrons are encouraged to read or listen to as many books (including magazines and periodicals) as they can over this time period and be entered into a weekly raffle to win prizes. While filling out your raffle ticket, check out the Library’s “Did You Know” display, showcasing the many services offered by the Goleta Valley Library. Prizes are donated by our very generous local businesses. Sign up to participate in person at the library.

Goleta Valley Library Partners with UCSB Reads

The City of Goleta is proud to partner for the very first time with the established and influential UCSB Reads program.  Tomorrow, Saturday, February 8 at 1:00 p.m. the Goleta Valley Library, in collaboration with the UCSB Library, will host a panel discussion with UCSB faculty researchers about the 2020 UCSB Reads selection “Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore” by Elizabeth Rush. The discussion will be followed by a sure-to-be spirited Question and Answer session. This free event will be held at the Goleta Valley Library located at 500 N. Fairview Avenue.

The UCSB Reads program brings together the UCSB campus and local communities each year for a dialogue about important topical issues while reading a common book. This year’s book is about climate change and rising sea levels. Panelists include: Sarah Anderson (Bren School, Political Science), Ed Keller (Earth Science), Eckart Meiburg (Mechanical Engineering), Monique Myers (Marine Science Institute) and Andrew Plantinga (Bren School, Economics).

“I am so excited that, for the first time, Goleta is a community partner in the UCSB Reads program, one that has promoted so much thoughtful discourse throughout the community,” said Goleta Valley Library Director Allison Gray.  She added, “We look forward to a lively discussion.”

Copies of “Rising” are available for borrowing at the Goleta Valley Library. View a flyer for the event here.

Hashtag Tiny Library Comes to Goleta

Art and libraries collide with the newest installation outside of Goleta Valley Library. A Tiny Library in the form of a bright yellow hashtag is now in front of the Goleta Valley Library located at 500 N. Fairview thanks to a partnership with the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture. The hashtag will remain on the front lawn of the library through April 30, 2020, and library staff will stock it with books for all ages. These books are free to the public, and individuals are also encouraged to leave books to donate to other readers.

Library Director Allison Gray said “I am delighted to have this eye-catching, creative library available for our community members to enjoy. This is a unique opportunity for those without a library card to have access to free books. We encourage anyone who doesn’t yet have a library card to come take a look at the hashtag and then come inside and get a Goleta Valley library card.”

The Tiny Libraries exhibit, by artist Douglas Lochner, is the result of a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture and the City of Santa Barbara. It consists of six bright, life-sized, functional art “libraries” in the shape of punctuation marks. The City of Goleta worked with the County Office of Arts & Culture to bring the hashtag to Goleta; the other five punctuation marks will be placed throughout the County. All six were originally on State Street.

More information about the Tiny Libraries program is available at www.sbac.ca.gov/tinylibraries.

Goleta Valley Library Annual Report

The numbers are in for the Goleta Valley Library Fiscal Year 2018/19 and the results are eye-opening. The statistics show the library is thriving with an increased number of people using the facility, resources and programs. This is in part due to the variety of ways people can access books (hard copy or digital), the wonderful programming available to community members, and the creativity of offering something like the “Library of Things” to patrons.

Over a quarter of a million people visited the library during the more than 15,000 hours it was open, which averages to about 740 visitors per day. Those library users borrowed well over half a million (605,000) physical items from the Goleta Valley Library and downloaded over 75,000 items. Library staff conducted more than 600 programs for all ages, with a total attendance of over 21,000 people! View the full 2018/19 Goleta Valley Library Annual Report here.

What do all of these numbers mean? The Goleta Valley Library is an extremely busy, vibrant, multifaceted organization that goes out of its way to meet the needs of its community. Check out this Library Use Calculator to see how much money you saved in your last trip to the library.

Learn more about the Goleta Valley Library and upcoming events at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org, and sign up for the monthly e-newsletter, The Reading Corner, here. For the latest information, follow the Library on Facebook (@GoletaValley Library) and Instagram (goletavalleylibrary).