Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

April is Fair Housing Month

It’s Fair Housing Month in the City of Goleta. On Tuesday, April 2, the City will issue a proclamation celebrating the 56th Anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act. The Act prohibits discrimination concerning the sale, rental and finance of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status.

By honoring Fair Housing Month, Goleta’s City Council is celebrating a more than 20- year partnership with the City of Santa Barbara’s Rental Housing Mediation Program (SBRHMP) which provides education, eviction prevention, and mediation of rental housing disputes. The SBRHMP has served Goleta tenants and landlords in an effort to ensure fairness, equity, and housing preservation in our community. To contact the Rental Housing Mediation Program, call (805) 564-5420.

City of Goleta Homelessness Services Coordinator Chuck Flacks said, “We are working to end homelessness on all fronts. The RHMP is a valued partner who helps us maintain housing for people who often find it hard to live in Goleta’s expensive market.”

View the City of Goleta’s proclamation here and tune in to the meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Goleta Community State of the City April 10

Check Out Ten Reasons Why You Should Be There

The Goleta Community State of the City is just around the corner on Wednesday, April 10, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the newly reopened Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). This is a must attend event for anyone who cares about Goleta. Spanish interpretation will be available. Here are ten reasons why you should go:

  1. Mingle with the Mayor and City Councilmembers, Community Leaders and fellow Goletans.
  2. Hear the Mayor’s State of the City Address (a reflection on all that we have accomplished this past year, challenges we are facing and exciting projects ahead).
  3. Receive an update on the City’s finances from City Manager Robert Nisbet.
  4. Submit a question for the popular Q&A session with the Mayor and Department Directors.
  5. Check out more than 15 City tables to learn about all that is happening in Goleta and meet City staff across all departments.
  6. Check out the newly reopened Goleta Community Center.
  7. Watch the Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Band perform in the gazebo before the doors open at 4:00 p.m. and listen to talented musician Andrew Manos play inside during the event.
  8. Enjoy charcuterie cups and fresh baked cookies.
  9. Take photos with the City of Goleta backdrop and be forever a part of the 2024 event memories.
  10. Last, but not least, because you LOVE Goleta and care about what is happening now and in the future.

Timeline of Events

  • 4:00 p.m. – The Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Band will be performing from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
  • 5:00 p.m. – Doors open to visit our City information tables and the mingling begins.
  • 6:00 p.m. – The main event starts with presentations from the Mayor and City Manager.

If you don’t see a spot in the front or side parking areas, there is additional parking behind the building.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Goleta Community State of the City! Make sure to bring your family and friends.

Then on Friday April 12, the South Coast Chamber of Commerce is holding its State of the City from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (633 E. Cabrillo Blvd in Santa Barbara).

The Mayor of Goleta and City Manager will be presenting at this event as will those same representatives from Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into upcoming projects, economic development, and community initiatives shaping the South Coast.

Registration is open. Read the full press release from the Chamber for more information.

Go Green Goleta Campaign Kicks Off Earth Month

Watch Video for Steps YOU can Take to Go Green

Just in time for Earth Month, the City of Goleta is thrilled to unveil its new campaign – Go Green Goleta/Vamos Verde Goleta. It’s not just a slogan, it’s a genuine call to action to encourage all of us to take steps, both big and small, to protect our Goleta now and for the future. The tag line for the campaign says it all, “Our Tomorrow is Today.” The City of Goleta is taking steps to protect our environment including six programs in the Go Green Goleta umbrella.  This campaign aims to not only educate you about these programs but to motivate you to take action in your everyday life to make a difference. Watch our new Go Green Goleta video with tips from City staff at https://youtu.be/hwhvBbw_C0o. It is also available in Spanish here: https://youtu.be/4dUsr15g4pc.

City of Goleta Environmental Specialist Dan Rowell said, “Go Green Goleta emphasizes that little drops of water make the mighty ocean. This is a timeless saying that reminds us that even seemingly small efforts, when multiplied across a community of individuals, can lead to substantial positive impacts. By making conscious choices to reduce waste, conserve energy, adopt sustainable practices, we all contribute to a healthier planet for generations to come. Thank you for joining Go Green Goleta’s collective effort to preserve our beautiful Earth, because Our Tomorrow is Today.”

Here are the six Go Green Goleta programs:

  • Plastic Free
  • Healthy Habitats
  • One Water
  • Waste Free
  • Electrify
  • Clean Green Spaces

Learn more about these programs at www.GoGreenGoleta.org.

As part of the Go Green Goleta/Vamos Verde Goleta campaign, you will see light post banners featuring these programs and A-Frame signs around town. 

Be sure and come to the Goleta Community State of the City on April 10th beginning at 5:00 p.m. to visit our Go Green Goleta table and pick up some merchandise with our new Go Green Goleta logo in English and Spanish.

The Go Green Goleta team will also be at a special Earth Day celebration happening on Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Bella Vista Park (intersection of Padova Drive and Placer Drive). Stay tuned for more details.

Thank you for taking time to learn about and support our Go Green Goleta efforts. Together, we can ensure that Goleta remains the best place to live, work and play.


City staff (pictured left-to-right): Environmental Specialist Dan Rowell, Sustainability Management Analyst Angeline Foshay, Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson and Environmental Services Manager Melissa Nelson


Light post banners around town


A-frame signs throughout Goleta

Water Supply for Emergencies

We all know that water is important. It’s good to drink, wash your hands and body with, clean dishes, and more. So how much should you have in your home for emergencies?

One (1) gallon per family member per day of preparedness you want, and City of Goleta recommends having three (3) days’ worth of supplies. So let’s do the math:

If you have four family members, then we recommend having twelve (12) gallons of water in storage for an emergency (1 gallon of water x 4 family members x 3 days). And don’t forget your pets! Remember them as you count your family members.

Water does have a shelf life, so get new water as time passes. Purchase a new gallon of water then drink the old one before its time is up.

Lastly, you don’t need to rush to prepare. You can be prepared in just a few months by adding one gallon of water to your weekly grocery trip.

For more information on creating and storing an emergency water supply, click here.  

Rescued Barn Owl Takes Flight

A happy update to a story we had in the March edition of the Monarch Press. A beautiful barn owl that had been caught in a tree and entangled by fishing wire has been successfully released back into the wild.

The barn owl was found dangling 60ft in the air from a palm tree branch after being trapped in fishing wire. Goleta Public Works staff members Jorge Flores and Joel Rubio, with the City’s recently acquired Boom Lift, were able to aid Santa Barbara County in safely rescuing and untangling the owl.

Unfortunately, the bird was suffering from capture myopathy and its condition did not look good. However, thanks to the diligent care of staff at the Ojai Raptor Center the owl’s health improved to the point where it was ready to be set free.

On Saturday, March 9, Mayor Pro Tempore Luz Reyes-Martin, Mayor Perotte, and a few other lucky witnesses were able to view the exciting moment as the barn owl took flight once more into the beautiful Goleta sky.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in this successful rescue and release. The return of the Barn Owl to its natural habitat would not have been possible without you.

Please let this heartwarming ending serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Photo credit: The Independent

Job Openings with Team Goleta

The City of Goleta is always looking for awesome people to join our team. If you are looking for a great place to work, we are hiring. The following positions are currently open or coming soon:

  • Public Works Supervisor
  • Recreation Technician (part-time)
  • Senior Engineer – coming soon

Learn more about each position and how to apply here. Check back regularly for new opportunities.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Throughout April, the Goleta Police Department will be focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant Noel Rivas said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.”

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach. Also, remember that using your cell phone while stopped at a red light is not allowed.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department provides police services for the City of Goleta.

Remembering Jean Blois

Goleta lost a local legend. Former Mayor and Councilmember Jean Blois passed away at the age of 96 on March 22, 2024. She was a true trailblazer for the City and an important part of our history. Jean was one of four women on Goleta’s first five-member City Council and served as Mayor in 2005 and 2007 before leaving the Council in December 2008.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “I appreciate all that Jean did as a part of that intrepid new Council to help this new city face and overcome many challenges that come with being a ‘start up’.”

The City is grateful to have interviewed her as part of the 20 Year Reflections video and will forever cherish her memories of how Goleta got its start 22 years ago. Watch a short clip here.

Among Jean’s many passionate pursuits, she fought to protect the pristine Ellwood Mesa from development.

Before being elected to the new Goleta City Council, Jean was very active in our city in other ways. She served on the Goleta School District Board from 1970-1983 and the Goleta Water District from 1990-2002. She was a part of numerous other organizations, and most recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce in 2022.

Jean was a proud graduate of the University of California at Berkeley (Cal) where she graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. She met her husband Bob Blois while at Cal. They married and eventually made their way to Goleta where they founded Blois Construction and raised their five sons. They were married for almost 55 years before Bob passed away in 2004.

To learn more about her story and her many accomplishments, read her obituary in Noozhawk: https://www.noozhawk.com/jean-w-blois-of-goleta-1927-2024/.

Jean will be forever remembered for her love and commitment to Goleta.

Textile Recycling Workshop on April 9

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center

What do leading textile manufacturers, plastic pollution researchers, and alpacas have in common? They will all be at the Santa Barbara Textile Recycling Workshop! You are invited to attend on Tuesday, April 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a day filled with learning and exploration on all things TEXTILES! The event will take place at the Goleta Community Center, 5679 Hollister Avenue. Please contact info@calpsc.org to RSVP.

The Santa Barbara Textile Recycling Workshop is hosted by the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) and the Santa Barbara Regional Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ), funded by CalRecycle. Industry leaders stepped up to co-fund, including UC Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, Toad & Co, Mission Linen, Looptworks, Viavi Solutions, and other clothing brands who want guests to get a full experience from the workshop.

You are welcome to join at your convenience and stay as long as you can. The workshop will include keynote speakers, demonstrations, and endless opportunities to learn about the world of textiles and why reducing textile waste is so critical. The workshop aims to expand responsible textile recovery in Santa Barbara County by exploring partnerships, feedstocks, and local service opportunities for textile reuse, repair, recycling, and green design.

Speakers and exhibits will include the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, Southern California Fibershed, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, Toad and Co., and well known upcyclers and recyclers.

Santa Barbara County is unique in the fact that it is home to some of the biggest fashion brands, wool producers, environmental researchers, and a community that really cares about their waste. This workshop will highlight all of these great facets and more. Santa Barbara County is in a key position to garner the momentum needed to tackle the textile waste crisis.

MTD to Solicit Input on Proposed Service Changes

Santa Barbara MTD is hosting a set of public outreach meetings this April, and is inviting the public to take a brief survey giving feedback on proposed service changes to local bus service. These meetings are held annually in the spring to receive input on the proposed changes that would go into effect on August 19, 2024.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11th at 6:00 p.m. in Goleta City Hall Council Chambers (130 Cremona Drive). Spanish/English interpretation will be provided at this and future meetings.

Proposed changes include:

  • Service extended until 9:00 p.m. on Line 15x (SBCC/UCSB Express)
  • Increased frequency on Line 27 (Isla Vista Shuttle)

In addition to these proposed changes, MTD will be launching temporary summer service for a new Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle circulator in Santa Barbara. Members of the public can learn more about this service at the outreach meetings.

MTD invites the public to learn more and to give feedback via an online survey that explains all the proposed changes at www.sbmtd.gov/servicechanges. The survey is available in English and Spanish.

In addition to the April 11th meeting in Goleta, community meetings will be held at the following locations and times:

  • Tuesday, April 16th at 6:00 p.m.
    Carpinteria Library (5141 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria)
  • Thursday, April 18th at 12:00 p.m.
    Santa Barbara City College, Room A161 (721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara)
  • Wednesday, April 24th at 6:00 p.m.
    Virtual Meeting Zoom Webinar – click here to register

A presentation on the proposed changes will also be given at the April 23rd meeting of the Isla Vista Community Services District Board of Directors. The meeting begins at 6:00pm.

For questions on proposed service changes, the public may contact Santa Barbara MTD at 805-963-3364 or email info@sbmtd.gov.