Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Your Input is Requested

The community is invited to provide input on its experience with the Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Department at the City of Goleta at a meeting on March 8. The City hired Citygate Associates, LLC, to conduct an organizational and operational review of the PER Department with the strategic objective of enhancing organizational operations for current and future needs.

Citygate will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Goleta City Council Chambers located at 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B.  The purpose of this meeting is for customers and stakeholders to provide feedback on their experiences and perceptions of the PER Department to the consultants.

All five divisions of the PER Department are included in this review: Current Planning, Advance Planning, Building and Safety, Planning Commission/Design Review Board and Sustainability. No PER staff will be participating in the meetings so the public can speak freely.   Discussions about specific projects and/or proposals for ordinance changes will be redirected to a more appropriate venue.

If you cannot attend the meeting but want to provide feedback, please email Jane Chambers with Citygate Associates, LLC, at jchambers@citygateassociates.com by March 8th.

Drought in Santa Barbara County Enters Sixth Year

The recent winter storms resulted in a welcome capture of rain needed for replenishing reservoirs, creeks, rivers and groundwater supplies in Santa Barbara County. However, it was a drop in the bucket. To demonstrate, Cachuma Lake would need 55 inches of rain to fall in a short amount of time to lift us out of emergency drought conditions

Northern California has fared better from this winter’s storms, so as California emerges from a record-breaking drought, Santa Barbara County remains one of only two counties still experiencing exceptional drought. We are in the middle of the wet season, which typically runs from October through March, but there’s no guarantee that Mother Nature will cooperate. In 2015, officials were prepared for an El Niño wet season that didn’t materialize. Since October 2016 through January 24, 2017, however, we received more than 13 inches of rain, or 171 percent of normal. And yet, we remain in a drought.

In Northern California, recent rains sent rivers over their banks, filled reservoirs and reduced or eliminated the severity of the drought for 98 percent of the state. Locally, Cachuma Lake rose a few feet but still sits at only 11 percent of capacity, and groundwater basins throughout the county are showing signs of stress. The severe drought conditions that persist in the county continue to threaten our region’s ability to maintain public health and safety for residents as we enter the sixth year of exceptional drought.

Although water providers across the county have done much to diversify and secure their water supply sources over the past 30 years, this drought has made clear the need to further develop drought resilient local water sources, while simultaneously enhancing and securing existing supply sources and infrastructure. To this end, water agencies from across the county have been meeting together and with state water officials to develop a unified regional plan to improve the ability of Santa Barbara County to get through the current, ongoing drought emergency, and proactively plan for the next drought.

In December 2015, the County’s Water Resources Division completed the Long Term Water Supply Alternatives Report, a study of local water supply options available now and into the future. To read the executive summary, go to http://bit.ly/2jkvdvG.

What Can You Do?
While new, expanded, and rebuilt water programs and infrastructure projects are under consideration, we can all continue to conserve water, integrate water use efficiencies and be water wise. To learn more about the many actions each of us can take to reduce water use during these extraordinarily dry times, go to www.WaterWiseSB.org. While not all actions apply to everyone, learn some of the most common things you can do to save water.

You can also learn more about where your water comes from. Residents in Goleta are served by Goleta Water District. Learn more at www.goletawater.com. Thank you for doing your part to protect our local supplies.

Information provided courtesy of the County of Santa Barbara.

City Closes Cathedral Oaks Road Between Winchester Canyon Road and Calle Real

The City has closed Cathedral Oaks Road between Winchester Canyon Road and Calle Real over concerns about the integrity of the crib walls — the walls which hold up the road.  Cathedral Oaks Road and the bike path from Winchester Canyon Road to Calle Real are closed until further notice.  Access to Winchester Circle from Cathedral Oaks is only available to residents of Winchester Commons.  For your safety, please observe all posted detours.

The recent storms have caused voids or pockets to appear along the north side of the crib wall and have caused a section of the wall to bulge outward slightly.  The City has brought in specialty engineers to assess the soil movement and wall condition.  The City is also conducting geotechnical work to determine the options for repair or replacement of the wall.

Again, for the safety of yourself and those around you, please do not access Cathedral Oaks Road between Winchester Canyon and Calle Real until the detours are lifted.

Damage to Signal Traffic Pole at Maravilla Causes Delays

Recently, a vehicle crashed into and knocked down the traffic signal pole at Calle Real and Maravilla (the entrance to Maravilla). This destroyed the vehicle detection camera as well as the wiring for the traffic signal.  A temporary pole has been installed to keep traffic moving on Calle Real, however it will take three months to get the new signal pole with vehicle detection camera installed due to manufacturing time.

The vehicle detection camera is the device that allows the signal to “detect” when a vehicle is waiting to turn left or right out of Maravilla and temporarily stops traffic on Calle Real. Without this detection camera the signal pole continuously cycles through to give a green light to every direction causing drivers to become frustrated because they are getting red lights to stop at Calle Real when there are no vehicles leaving from Maravilla.

The City is asking for your patience and to obey all traffic laws while we get this item ordered and installed.

What Was That Smell?

Last October, some residents in the western end of the City of Goleta and the County of Santa Barbara experienced a strong-smelling odor.  Beginning in the early morning of October 9, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department received a number of calls about a strong smell in western Goleta.  By evening, the source had been identified as an agricultural water well drilling in process outside of Goleta city limits. The well, on Ellwood Canyon Drive, is about 1.8 miles from the initial report which came from a resident of The Hideaways.  The drilling had hit a pocket of hydrogen sulfide, H2S, releasing a rotten egg smell into the air. The smell was then carried by the wind into western Goleta.

Multiple agencies throughout Santa Barbara County were alerted of the incident and worked to identify the source of the smell.  Air Pollution Control District (APCD) was named as the lead agency.  Other responding agencies included Santa Barbara County Fire Department (which also serves as the City of Goleta Fire Department), Santa Barbara County Public Health/Environmental Health Department, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the City of Goleta. Venoco also cooperated as the Ellwood Onshore Facility (EOF) was also considered a potential source.

During the incident, it became apparent that information was not being shared in a timely manner across the multiple agencies and public messaging was not timely, consistent and clear.

As a result of this incident, the agencies jointly developed a plan to better respond to similar situations in the future.  Some planned actions include improving after-hours monitoring, ensuring that other involved agencies receive timely information.  To improve the response for future incidents, OEM has developed a flow chart for reporting H2S odors to ensure that all affected agencies and jurisdictions are notified in a timely manner.  Additional agency improvements include: better communication with the public during and after the incident; updating Venoco’s notification requirements; purchasing additional H2S detection equipment for County Fire and APCD; providing H2S education to well drillers; and considering new requirements for water well applicants. The Santa Barbara County Department of Environmental Health is also taking a closer look at its permit process to strengthen it to protect the community.

Due to the drought, agriculture users in the area are increasingly relying on private well water for irrigation and need to drill deeper than in the past. This makes them more likely to encounter groundwater containing sulfur compounds such as H2S.

For more information, click here to read the City of Goleta Staff Report that includes the after action report. You can also watch the City Council session from January 17 here.  To be sure you are kept apprised of emergency situations in the City, text GOLETA EMERGENCY to 468311 or register here: http://tinyurl.com/goletasubscriptions.

We Need You!

Are you passionate about the City of Goleta? Then join one of our boards or commissions. The deadline to apply for the Design Review Board and Public Tree Advisory Commission has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2017.

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.

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.

Click here to fill out an online application. For questions contact Deborah Lopez, City Clerk, at (805) 961-7505 or dlopez@cityofgoleta.org.

Bicycle Projects Update

The City is working on a number of bicycle projects.

Solar powered LED lighting was recently installed along a 1,750 foot portion of the Maria Ygnacio Bike Trail, resulting in the entire trail now being lit.

The Ward Drive Class II Bike Lanes project will provide bicycle access along Ward Drive from Hollister Avenue to the Atascadero Creek/Obern Trail, providing access to UCSB and Isla Vista. It is currently out to bid. The City anticipates awarding the project on February 21 with construction beginning in April 2017. The estimated completion date is July 2017.

The Hollister Class 1 Bike Path will create a way for the many school children living south of Hollister Avenue to safely bike to Ellwood School.  This project is currently out to bid with work set to begin in late spring 2017.  In an effort to not disrupt the daily commute of Ellwood School students traveling to and from school, construction impacting the sidewalk along the south side of Hollister Avenue will begin in summer when school is out.

The San Jose Creek Bike Path Southern Extent will construct a Class I/Class II bike path adjacent to San Jose Creek, from Hollister Avenue to the Atascadero Creek Class I Bike Path at Goleta Beach.  This project will provide a commuter bike route and recreational access from Old Town Goleta to UCSB and Goleta Beach.  The City is currently working with Caltrans and the County of Santa Barbara on the preliminary engineering phase of the project.

To keep up to date, subscribe to our Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects email list at http://tinyurl.com/goletasubscriptions.

What’s On Your Parkway?

A parkway is the strip of land located between the street and the sidewalk and is owned by the City.  As homeowners, there are things you can and cannot do with the parkway in front of your home. You are welcome to add shrubs, flowers, and other non-permanent decorative items (i.e. loose rocks, non-mortared bricks).  You are not permitted to install anything permanent such as concrete.

Please keep in mind that the City must be able to access this area at all times.  All trees in the parkway are owned and maintained by the City.  Only the City or its contractors may remove, plant, or trim trees in the parkway without a City permit.  For questions about obtaining a permit to remove, plant or trim trees, or general questions about acceptable uses of the parkway, please contact the City at 961-7500.

A Smart Thermostat Saves You Money

Now is the time to get a smart thermostat if you don’t already have one. They save energy, are easy to use, and help you heat or cool your home to be the perfect temperature when you return. In addition, Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas have a rebate program going on now through 12/31/2017 for new or existing smart thermostats where customers can receive a $125 bill credit. To qualify, enroll your smart thermostat in the Save Power Days Program funded by SCE and SoGalGas. SCE customers who are not also SoCalGas customers can still receive a $75 credit. Participate in program events such as using less energy during peak hours by cooling or heating your home ahead of time and earn up to an additional $60 per year in bill credits. Learn more at https://pages.email.sce.com/SCESmartBonus/.

Be Prepared in a Disaster – Become CERTified!

Do you want to be better prepared to help during a disaster? Then join the City of Goleta as we kick-off our next CERT Training class.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Goleta CERT Training Class:
February 8 – April 5, 2017
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Goleta Valley Community Center
5679 Hollister Avenue
*Participants must attend all eight classes.

For those that have already taken the basic CERT training class, but want to learn more, sign up for our Advanced CERT Training on Traffic & Crowd Control Management. This class will be held Saturday, February 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Goleta City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive, Suite B.).

To sign up for either course contact Anthony Rodriguez at arodriguez@cityofgoleta.org or 805-961-7571.

Photo: San Marcos High School’s first graduating teen CERT class, January 2017.