Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Grant Applications Available Soon!

The City of Goleta has $100,000 in grant money for local organizations and groups benefitting City residents and the community.  There are two different types of grants available: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Goleta City Grant Programs.  The application process for both begins on December 15, 2016 and closes January 19, 2017.

The City Council has set aside approximately $77,000 in General Fund monies for the Goleta City Grant Program.  Recipients of this grant may receive up to $3,500. These grants are typically awarded to applicants sponsoring projects that benefit Goleta residents and the community.  They are for organizations involved in educational and cultural activities, such as music, art, dance, and recreation as well as Goleta-oriented special events and regional projects that enhance and support the quality of life in Goleta.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) fund services to non-profits for low income residents and the homeless.  CDBG funds are dispersed and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which strictly regulates the use of funds.  This year the City received $23,465 to distribute for Goleta CDBG grants.

Grant applications for both programs will be accepted from December 15, 2016 – January 19, 2017.  The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore, and two Goleta residents appointed by the Mayor make up the committee that evaluates the applications and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The Council then awards the grants at a meeting in the spring. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help your non-profit or community group.

Applications are available here beginning December 15.

Photo: 2015-16 grant recipient Little Star Pony

Put Your Skills to Good Use in the Community

Applications are now being accepted for those interested in joining one of the City’s Boards or Commissions. The following have vacancies available: Design Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Public Tree Advisory Commission.  Please see below for information on each board or commission. The deadline to submit an application is 5:00 p.m. on January 10, 2017.  Click here to fill out an online application. For questions contact Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, at (805) 961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

Design Review Board Vacancies
The Design Review Board (DRB) is a seven-member body whose responsibility is to encourage development exemplifying the best professional design practices in order to enhance the visual quality of the environment and prevent poor quality of design. The DRB has one vacancy for a professionally licensed architect and one vacancy for a licensed Landscape Architect or Landscape Contractor. To be eligible to apply, candidates must be a qualified elector.  Members of the DRB 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.

Parks and Recreation Commission Vacancies
The Parks and Recreation Commission discusses the needs, opportunities and current offerings of parks and recreation activities, and advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta. Composed of seven members, the Parks and Recreation Commission has three vacancies available. Two members will be appointed to a four year term and one member will be appointed to a two year term ending February 2019. The Commission holds six regular meetings per year and may hold additional meetings as needed. Members are compensated at $50 per meeting. To be eligible to apply, candidates must reside within Goleta City limits.

Public Tree Advisory Commission Vacancies
The Public Tree Advisory Commission provides advice to staff and the City Council in developing plans and goals for the Goleta Urban Forest, represents the interests of the community and informs the community of the Urban Forestry program as directed by the City Council. Two appointments will be made to the Public Tree Advisory Commission. To be eligible to apply, candidates must reside within Goleta City limits and should have an interest in and/or experience in urban forestry or landscaping. Commissioners are appointed by the City Council and serve four year terms which expire at the first regular meeting of the first February following the expiration of the current term of office of the City Councilmember who appointed the Commission member. The Commission holds meetings on an as-needed basis and members are compensated at the rate of $50 per meeting.

Planning Commission Vacancies
The Planning Commission is a five-member advisory body with responsibility for the orderly development of the City and administration of the zoning and subdivision ordinances.  The Planning Commission conducts at least one regular meeting on the second Monday of each month. Commission members are compensated at the rate of $100 per public hearing, meeting or workshop, and may receive a one-time stipend of $200 to assist in defraying personal expenses associated with training for the position.

Three appointments will be made to the Planning Commission in 2017.  To be eligible to apply, candidates must reside within Goleta City limits and be a qualified elector.  Two members of the Commission will be appointed to a four year term which expires at the first regular meeting in February 2021, following the expiration of the current term of office of the City Councilmember who appointed the Commission member. One member of the Commission will be appointed to a term ending February 2019.

The Votes are In

Stuart Kasdin and Kyle Richards are the City of Goleta’s two newest Councilmembers. They received the most votes in November’s election and began their four-year terms this December. They join Roger Aceves, Michael Bennett and Paula Perotte. Councilmember Paula Perotte was selected by the City Council to serve as Mayor from December 2016 – December 2017, and Stuart Kasdin was selected as Mayor Pro Tempore.

In November’s election Goleta residents also decided that they wanted to vote for the Mayor instead of having the City Council decide. The directly-elected Mayor will serve a term of two years. This will take effect in the November 2018 election.

How to Use the New HAWK

We want to clarify any confusion there is about using the new High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) on Hollister Avenue in front of the Goleta Valley Community Center.  Check out our two videos showing a pedestrian crossing the street (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9O31htLwH4, https://youtu.be/BZ-3X7bxnCk) and these step-by-step instructions for drivers and pedestrians. Want to see more?  Check out this video from our friends in Tempe, Arizona.

Driver Instructions:

This is the order in which the lights cycle:

  • Flashing yellow lights = slow down
  • Solid yellow lights = prepare to stop
  • Flashing red lights = stop, proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear
  • Solid red lights = STOP, there are pedestrians in the crosswalk
  • Flashing red lights = stop, proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear
  • No lights = proceed if clear

Pedestrian Instructions:

  • Push the button to cross the street. If you don’t push the button, cars won’t know you are waiting to cross the street.
  • Cross the street once the walk signal appears.
  • Stay in the crosswalk.

Celebrate Old Town

There have been a lot of projects happening in Old Town, and the City of Goleta was excited to celebrate the completion of three of these pedestrian safety improvement projects on December 1.  The Goleta Valley Community Center Path Lighting project saw the installation of path lights installed from Hollister Avenue to the back of the property where the Boys & Girls Club facility is located.  Existing fencing was removed and a new concrete sidewalk replaced the front half of the sidewalk.  The Hollister Avenue High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) is a pedestrian activated lighted crosswalk in front of the GVCC which replaced the previously existing yellow flashing beacons.  The Signal Improvements at Orange Avenue include a new pedestrian activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) over travel lanes on Hollister Avenue at Orange Avenue.  The beacons will provide an additional visual cue to alert motorists when a pedestrian is crossing the street.

The City and community also celebrated the addition of public parking in Old Town.  The City made an agreement with Community West Bank to provide 18 public parking spaces for use by patrons of Old Town businesses during daylight hours.

Learn more about our projects in Old Town by signing up for email and text notifications here: http://tinyurl.com/goletasubscriptions.

Be the First to Know

Don’t miss out on important information from the City of Goleta – subscribe to receive email or text notifications today. With close to 40 topics to choose from, you will always be well informed on the subjects that interest you.  Subscribe to as many categories as you want, including Emergency Notifications, Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects, Goleta Valley Community Center, Old Town Updates, Planning & Environmental Review and City Council Meetings. If you are already a subscriber, please check for new topics to subscribe to.  You can also keep up to date by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@goletapio).

Santa Barbara County’s Aware & Prepare is another good way to stay informed.  This system allows you to get up-to-the-minute information about severe weather, road closures, and much more.

Storm Preparation

With our recent rain, and the hope of more, sandbags are now available at no cost. They can be picked up at Fire Station 11 (on Storke – just south of Santa Felicia, across from the main post office), Fire Station 14 (on La Patera next to the Stow House Museum lot), and the Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Please take only what you need. Consider bringing empty trash bags to keep your car or truck from getting dirty (please do not use empty sandbags for this purpose).

2016 Goleta’s Finest Awards Winners Named

Please put your hands together for this year’s Goleta’s Finest award recipients. These 13 honorees have gone above and beyond in their contributions to our local community. The ceremony will be held November 19, 2016, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Bacara Resort & Spa (8301 Hollister Avenue). Visit www.goletachamber.com for more information on this 67 year-old tradition.

2016 Award Recipients:

  • Woman of the Year: Marsha Bailey
  • Man of the Year: Jim Farr
  • Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael McDonald (Zizzo’s Coffee and Brew Pub)
  • Large Business of the Year: The Towbes Group
  • Small Business of the Year: M. Special Brewing Company
  • Old Town Business of the Year: Prestigious Auto Body
  • Hospitality Business of the Year: Glen Annie Golf Club
  • Large Non-Profit of the Year: Ice in Paradise
  • Small Non-Profit of the Year: Food from the Heart
  • Volunteer of the Year: Teri Coffee McDuffie
  • Educator of the Year: Ina Ettenberg
  • Student of the Year: Ruby Gans
  • Special Recognition: UCSB College of Engineering 50th Anniversary

The 2016 Goleta’s Finest awards ceremony is presented by the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please contact the Chamber at (805) 967-2500 ext. 4, or cortney@goletavalley.com.

Photo: 2015 Goleta’s Finest Award Recipients. Photo by Jay Farbman Photography.

Explore Goleta’s Hidden Treasure

It’s almost butterfly season in Goleta and we thought you might enjoy knowing a little more about this local gem.

What is the migration pattern of the Monarch Butterfly we see at the Goleta Butterfly Grove?
Monarch Butterflies that migrate to the California coast come from west of the Rocky Mountains to escape the freezing temperatures. They stay mid-November to mid-February and then begin their return journey. On the return trip the females lay up to 400 eggs on milkweed plants and those offspring will continue migrating north. Four or five generations occur over the summer while the monarchs cover the range of milkweed plants up to Canada. Come fall the migration begins again.

What brings the Monarch Butterfly to the Goleta Butterfly Grove?
The eucalyptus trees we have in the Goleta Butterfly Grove create the specific microclimate characteristics that the Monarch Butterflies require to survive the winter months. The thick border of trees offers the sheltered trees in the center protection from the wind and storms. Openings in the canopy allow for some sun exposure, but not too much that the butterflies get too warm and active. The butterflies also require close proximity to water and nectar sources which they can find at or near the Butterfly Grove.

When should people visit the Butterfly Grove?
The Monarchs typically stay mid-November to mid-February, with the population peaking near the end of December. They are most active in February, when they mate before leaving the Grove. If you come in the morning or on cooler days, you will see the monarchs staying in clusters. If you prefer to see them more active, come on a warmer day or in the afternoon when they tend to be flying and puddling (gathering water and minerals from the soil) in and around the Grove.

What else should I know?
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars to help see this amazing phenomenon. Natural trails and rough terrain make it difficult to access by wheelchair. Please don’t visit the Grove when it’s raining or when the ground is muddy from a recent storm. Docents can be found at the Goleta Butterfly Grove on weekends from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. mid-November through mid-February (weather permitting). They are available to answer questions and provide information about the Monarch Butterflies and our treasured Grove.

Have more butterfly-related questions? Get in touch with Ines Hernandez, the Monarch Butterfly Docent Coordinator, at ihernandez@cityofgoleta.org or (805) 961-7571.

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Be part of a new tradition in Old Town – the Old Town Christmas Parade sponsored by the Old Town Community Association! Join your friends, family, neighbors and local businesses for the inaugural event taking place Saturday, December 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Don’t miss the tree lighting, activities and chance to meet Santa Claus at the Goleta Valley Community Center. For more information contact  the Old Town Community Association at oldtowncommunityassociation@gmail.com or click here.

On the evening of the parade there will be road closures along Hollister Avenue.  They will start on Orange Avenue at 4pm.   Hollister Avenue between Fairview Avenue and South Kellogg Avenue will be closed from 5-9 pm so please plan accordingly and follow all marked detour routes.

Parade Map:

old-town-christmas-parade-map