Are you looking for a new way to get involved in your community? The City of Goleta is looking for a variety of people to serve on three of our Boards and Commissions: Design Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County. Two current Councilmembers served on City Commissions before running for Council. This is a great opportunity for those that want to put their skills to good use, for those interested in making a difference in Goleta, and for those who want to be move involved with the City.

Applications for all open Boards and Commissions may be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/goletaboards-commissions. Additional information can be provided by emailing cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org. The deadline to apply is January 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Community members with an eye for design may be interested in applying for the Design Review Board (DRB). This seven-member body encourages development that uses the best professional design practices to enhance the visual aesthetics of the community and prevent poor quality of design. Vacancies are for two (2) Professionally Licensed Landscape Architects or Landscape Contractors, one (1) Licensed Architect, and one (1) At-large Member (must reside within City Limits). Members are appointed to a three-year term. The DRB meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and the position is compensated $50 per meeting.

Residents who spend time in the City’s parks and open space may be interested in our Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta.  There are two vacancies: one (1) Student Commissioner (age 15 or older) and one (1) Commissioner; applicants must reside within City limits. The Parks and Recreation Commission meets every two months on the first Wednesday of every even month. The Parks and Recreation Commission members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting.  The Student Commissioner may choose to waive his/her compensation and receive community service credit instead.

The Mosquito and Vector Management District Board of Santa Barbara County consists of eight members, five of which are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and three of which are appointed by the City Councils of the member cities of Carpinteria, Goleta, and Santa Barbara according to the provisions of the “Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Law” under the California Health and Safety Code Section 2022.

The City of Goleta is currently accepting applications from residents who are interested in serving on this Board. The District’s Board of Trustees meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. to discuss District business and authorize fiscal and operational activity. More information is available at http://www.mvmdistrict.com/governance.html.

The City of Goleta encourages resident involvement through participation on a variety of Boards and Commissions. Through your engagement, you have a way to contribute to the quality of life in the community you live, work or play.

Congratulations to our City Manager, Michelle Greene, who recently celebrated her 15-year anniversary with the City of Goleta. Michelle Greene, a Goleta resident herself, has been the City Manager for five and a half years. She started with the City in 2004, just two years after incorporation. She served as Administrative Services Director and Deputy City Manager before being appointed to City Manager. Her career in public service has also included time in the cities of Grover Beach, Escalon, and Manhattan Beach.

Michelle said her time in Goleta has flown by and has been incredibly meaningful. She said, “It has been an honor to serve the City of Goleta over the past 15 years. The community, City Council, and City staff make the City a wonderful place to work. Helping the organization mature as a brand-new city has been a fascinating and rewarding journey, and I can’t wait to see what Goleta can achieve over the next 15 years!”

Mayor Paula Perotte said the City has benefited from having a City Manager with Michelle’s calm demeanor and pleasant leadership style. She said, “I want to spotlight Michelle’s ability and willingness to listen to five energetic and sometimes determined “bosses” all at once, the Mayor and four council members. I am grateful that she takes the time to keep all of us working together with her and her staff for the betterment of Goleta.”

Thank you Michelle for all you have done for Goleta!

A standing room only crowd turned out to the December 3, 2019, Goleta City Council meeting to honor outgoing Community Resource Deputy (CRD) Dave Valadez.  During his six years as the City of Goleta’s CRD, Senior Deputy Valadez had a tremendous impact on the City and made a number of significant contributions. 

As a token of gratitude for his outstanding service to Goleta, Mayor Paula Perotte presented Sr. Deputy Valadez with a City tile.  City Staff, Sheriff’s colleagues, community members and Sheriff’s Explorers, a group Sr. Deputy Valadez leads, filled the Council Chambers to show their support and appreciation.

Mayor Perotte said while he accomplished so much during his time in Goleta, “I especially appreciated how you treated people without homes with dignity and respect.”

City of Goleta Director of Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Vyto Adomaitis said Sr. Deputy Valadez has a lot to be proud of for what he accomplished during his time in Goleta.  He said, “Thank you seems so little to say for all you have done for Goleta but thank you for your service, for your friendship and for your leadership.”

Senior Deputy Valadez said, “I was honored to have this assignment from day one.  I was very proud to be one small part of your team. What I was able to accomplish I could not have done without my family and leadership from my chain of command.  Thanks also to the Volunteers and Sheriff’s Explorers who helped me serve the City.”

During his time with the City, Community Resource Deputy, Dave Valadez was involved in a number of projects and assignments including the following:

• City of Goleta Restorative Policing Program (GRPP)
• UPRR Corridor Task Force City of Goleta Representative
• City of Goleta Business Watch Program
• City of Goleta Neighborhood Watch Program
• City of Goleta Active Shooter Response Training Program
• Goleta Union School District School Resource Deputy
• SBSO/City of Goleta Authority Letter Program
• SBSO City of Goleta/South County Citizen’s Academy
• SBSO/City of Goleta Explorers Program
• SBSO/City of Goleta Sheriff’s Volunteer Team
• City of Goleta City Council Security Detail
• SBSO/City of Goleta Marketplace Substation Management
• City of Goleta Safe Parking Program Liaison
• Executive Council Member for the Goleta Boys and Girls Club
• City of Goleta Specialized Patrols and Investigations
• South Coast Task Force for Youth Safety City of Goleta Representative
• SBSO/City of Goleta Restorative Court Liaison

Sr. Deputy Valadez was also involved in many Community Outreach Events including the Lemon Festival, Goleta Old Town Parade, 4^th of July, Calle Real Center Halloween Celebration, PEP Touch-A-Truck, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and at local preschools and senior centers.

Thank you Sr. Deputy Valdez for pouring your heart into your role as the Community Resource Deputy.  You will be missed.  Best of luck in your new assignment with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office as a Background Investigator.

The Sheriff’s Office is in the process of selecting a new Community Resource Deputy for the City of Goleta.  We look forward to introducing this CRD to the community in the new year.

Photo: Dave Valadez Receiving his City Tile (pictured left to right: Director of Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Vyto Adomaitis, Community Resource Deputy Dave Valadez, Mayor Paula Perotte)