Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Cathedral Oaks Paving Project Has Begun

We are excited that work has begun on the Cathedral Oaks Pavement Rehabilitation Project! We know residents have been waiting a long time for this, and with the help of California Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) funds, we are able to move forward with this project. As you may recall, SB 1 was signed into law in April 2017 and provides more than $5 billion annually to make road improvements, fill potholes, repair local streets, freeways and overpasses and invest in public transportation throughout California communities. In addition to SB 1 funds, this project is being paid for by other gas tax funds and additional funds set aside in the City’s budget.

The project covers Cathedral Oaks Road from Fairview Avenue west of Carlo Drive to the San Pedro Creek Bridge, and Cathedral Oaks Road west from Los Carneros Road to the Los Carneros Bridge. Concrete and utility work will begin first, with paving anticipated to begin near Fairview Avenue in early February (weather permitting). Click here for a map of each area. The anticipated project completion date is mid-April. There will be lane closures, so please consider driving an alternate route. For questions regarding this project, please contact Marti Milan at mmilan@cityofgoleta.org or 961-7562.

Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park Opening Celebration!

Drumroll please! The City of Goleta is about to have access to a world-class 4-acre park in Old Town! Join us for the Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park opening celebration on Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.! Located at 170 S. Kellogg Avenue in Old Town, by the corner of Hollister and Kellogg Avenues, this new park has countless amenities for children and adults of all ages. Park features include a skate plaza, multi-purpose field, basketball court, handball court, concrete ping-pong tables, bocce ball court, pickleball court, Bankshot basketball court (the first of its kind on the west coast!), walking path, picnic areas, fitness nodes and more! We couldn’t be more excited and we hope you will come out and celebrate with us! There will be activity demonstrations, food, a ribbon cutting at 11:00 a.m. and more. Stay tuned for more details. Information on this exciting new park is available here.  

City of Goleta’s Homelessness Efforts

Homelessness is a nationwide problem which affects Goleta as well many other communities throughout California. On a single night in 2017, 553,742 people in the U.S. were experiencing homelessness. 65% were staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing, and 35% were staying in unsheltered locations.

Locally, according to a 2017 report by the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H), there were 99 people living on the streets in Goleta. The Federal government mandates these Point-in-Time counts occur once every other year. The number of homeless persons within Santa Barbara County has remained steady over the past six years, but there have been shifts within the County, including a 111% growth in Goleta from 2013 to 2017. There are several efforts the City is currently doing to address homelessness. Additionally, a team from the City is working with agencies and jurisdictions for a more comprehensive and collaborative approach for this difficult issue and exploring grant opportunities to fund potential new approaches to homelessness.

The City provides financial support to homelessness prevention efforts and services undertaken by nonprofit agencies through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, City Grant Program funding, and Support to Other Agencies funding representing $137,060 in contributions over the past five years which include the provision of transitional housing at the Salvation Army, emergency shelter during extreme weather conditions at the Freedom Warming Centers, emergency housing for homeless families at Transition House, the Safe Parking Shelter and Rapid Re-Housing Services provided through the New Beginnings Counseling Center, landlord liaison programming to assist people transitioning out of homelessness to rent affordable units, and support to the former Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H). Also in 2018, the City provided grant funds to support to the Interfaith Initiative of Santa Barbara County, which provides free showers to the homeless through Showers of Blessing.

Goleta’s Community Resource Deputy (CRD) Dave Valadez is also an important law enforcement asset to addressing issues surrounding homelessness in Goleta. CRD Valadez oversees the Goleta Restorative Policing Program, which connects homeless individuals with the services they need and is a member of the Sheriff’s Office Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) which addresses issues between the homeless and law enforcement. CRD Valadez is coordinating weekly efforts to conduct regular patrols, monitoring and timely clean-up of homeless encampments in response to citizen complaints all over the City. CRD Valadez also partners with other organizations and has started a Business Watch, Creek Watch and Park Watch where residents can contact him directly to let him know about a homeless individual or encampment. Finally, CRD Valadez is also coordinating homeless encampment clean-up efforts with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) in areas along the 101 Freeway Corridor. CRD Valadez can be contacted directly regarding homelessness issues by sending him an email (dvaladez@cityofgoleta.org), or calling him at work (805-968-3878) or on his cell phone (805-319-9773).

New Play Equipment at Winchester II Park

The City’s 2015 Recreation Needs Assessment identified a handful of local parks as needing playground improvements. Over the last two years, the City has received feedback through public meetings and surveys that indicates the residents in these affected neighborhoods want improved and expanded play areas at these parks. At the February 19, 2019, City Council meeting, Council will be deciding on the upgrades to make at Winchester II Park (on Calle Real and Jenna Drive), and if so, where to place the new equipment. It is important for City Council to hear your thoughts on new playground equipment at this park. Come to the meeting on February 19 at City Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B), or email City Council at citycouncil@cityofgoleta.org. The Council meeting agenda and staff report will be available at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaMeetings on February 14. Additional information on upgrades to the local parks identified in the 2015 Recreation Need Assessment can be found here.

Help the City Finalize our New Zoning Ordinance

The City has released a draft of its New Zoning Ordinance (NZO) that revises citywide zoning regulations to implement the General Plan, updates development and design standards and permitting procedures, and helps realize the community’s vision for the future – a safe, beautiful, vibrant and livable community with a robust local economy and a sustainable relationship with the environment. Zoning is what helps a city keep its character. It controls where and how development occurs through regulations such as building setbacks, height, and lot size. It helps define how properties are used, what new buildings look like, and how much development can occur in our community. It protects recreational areas and allows for more open spaces in the neighborhood.

Residents are encouraged to review the New Zoning Ordinance at www.goletazoning.com and submit public comment to the City Clerk at dlopez@cityofgoleta.org. The City is hosting open houses and public workshops for residents to learn more and ask questions. Please see the schedule below. All events will be hosted at Goleta City Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B). Open houses are family-friendly so feel free to bring your children. 

Open Houses

City staff will be present during Open Houses to review the New Zoning Ordinance with the public. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

  • Monday, February 4, 2019, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Monday, February 4, 2019, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
  • Thursday, February 7, 2019, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
  • Saturday, February 9, 2019, 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Joint City Council / Planning Commission Workshop

  • Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 6:00 pm
    • Topics: NZO Organization and Review of Supporting Materials

Planning Commission Workshops

  • Tuesday, February 26, 2019, 6:00 pm
    • Topic: Guiding Policies and Regulations
  • Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 6:00 pm
    • Topic: Review Authorities and Permit Procedures Part I
  • Tuesday, March 12, 6:00 pm
    • Topic: Permit Procedures Part II

Additional Planning Commission Workshops will be announced shortly. Visit www.goletazoning.com for more information and to access project documents. For the latest updates on the New Zoning Ordinance, sign up here.

Fire is Everyone’s Fight – Holiday Fire Safety

While many of us enjoy decorating for the winter holidays, these decorations can increase the risk of having a home fire. One in every four Christmas tree fires is caused by a heat source too close to the tree. More than one in three home decoration fires are started by candles. The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. With the holidays around the corner, our next set of home fire prevention tips is on holiday fire safety:

  • Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
  • Turn off all your holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.
  • Water your Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily.
  • Keep your tree at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles and heat vents.
  • Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
  • If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.

Learn more about fire prevention from the U.S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention. 

Ride the Candy Cane Train at Goleta Depot!

The South Coast Railroad Museum will have its 27th Annual Candy Cane Train through December 23, 2018. The Museum is located at 300 N. Los Carneros Road and open Fridays – Sundays, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The last train ride is at 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $5 for both children and adults, and include a ride on the museum’s festively decorated miniature train and special holiday treats. Santa Claus will be visiting the weekends of December 14 – 16 and 21 – 23. For more information follow the South Coast Railroad Museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoletaDepot. 

New Grants for the Goleta Valley Library

The Goleta Valley Library has been hard at work with great programming and working on obtaining grants that serve our community. We are excited to share that with the Student Success Initiative Grant, every child in the Goleta Valley Library service district will get a library card! The library will be working with each school individually to help students get their cards. In other grant news, Goleta Valley Library is one of only ten libraries in California to receive the Libraries Helping Immigrants Grant. This is a one-year grant that helps immigrants find services and work toward achieving citizenship. Services have begun being provided at the Library and out in the community. Lastly, with the Harwood Public Engagement Grant, Library staff will be speaking with different groups throughout the community to find out what they want from the Goleta Valley Library and how to best serve them.

For all the latest updates, follow the Library on Facebook (@GoletaValleyLibrary).

Holiday Traffic Safety Tips

The holiday season has finally arrived!  While this time of year brings together friends and family, it also brings additional hazards and distractions on our roadways.  Whether you are setting out on a road trip to visit family, or just braving the roads for some last minute shopping, the Goleta Police Department encourages everyone to consider the following safety tips:

  • When the roads are wet, slow down and maintain a greater distance from the car in front of you.  Rain can mix with oil on the road to make for a very slippery surface.
  • This is also a good time to inspect your vehicle.  Take a walk around your car and make sure all your lights and windshield wipers are working.  You should also check that your tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread.
  • Unfortunately, this time of year also brings out opportunistic thieves.  When your vehicle is unattended make sure it is locked and any valuables or gifts are kept out of sight.
  • With the hustle and bustle of the season, it can be all too easy to not get enough rest.  Fatigue can negatively impact your motor skills, slowing down your reaction time while driving.  In fact, studies have shown that the dangers of driving while drowsy are comparable to driving while intoxicated.  Make every effort to get enough sleep and avoid driving if you feel fatigued.
  • Never drink and drive!  Tis the season for family gatherings and holiday parties.  If you think you may be drinking at these gatherings, plan ahead and designate a sober driver or call a taxi.
  • Finally, enjoy the season!  The holidays are a wonderful time to spend with friends, coworkers and family.  A few extra precautions can keep your holidays merry and your new year happy!

Be Water Wise

Santa Barbara County remains in a drought emergency despite Governor Brown lifting the drought State of Emergency in April 2018 for most parts of California. Residents all over the state worked hard to conserve water and it has now become a way of life. Lake Cachuma is below 33%. It is critical we continue conserving water and finding new ways to do so. One way to save water is to transform your landscape to a more water wise garden. It is important to put in plants that do not need a lot of water and are climate appropriate. Santa Barbara County’s water conservation website, www.waterwisesb.org, has a lot of great information. Learn about sustainable landscaping, schedule a free water check-up for your home (or business) and learn more about where your water comes from along with other water facts. You may also be eligible for a Landscape Rebate Program by making your yard or garden more water wise.