Animal services launches collaboration to Promote pet identification ahead of the 4th of July

With the upcoming 4th of July festivities just around the corner, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is proud to announce a critical campaign highlighting the significance of microchips and identification for pets. In collaboration with partners across the county, we are offering 30 days of free microchipping aimed at safeguarding our beloved furry companions during this historically challenging time.

The 4th of July holiday is a time of celebration, but unfortunately, it also brings an increased risk of pets becoming lost or separated from their owners. More pets are reported missing during this period than any other time of the year. The loud fireworks, unfamiliar surroundings, and general commotion can cause distress and anxiety, leading to panicked pets attempting to escape and find safety.

To address this issue and ensure the safe return of our cherished companions, SBCAS is partnering with CARE4Paws, ASAP, BUNS, SB Humane, and others, to offer 30-days of free microchips across the County. “Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of microchipping and identification for pets, particularly as we approach the 4th of July,” said Sarah Aguilar, Animal Services Director. “By offering free microchips, we hope to equip as many pets as possible with this vital tool to ensure their safe return in the event they become lost or separated from their families.”

Throughout the entire month of June, pet owners can take advantage of this initiative by visiting any SBCAS shelter, BUNS or ASAP Cats during regular business hours, or taking advantage of one of the 44 mobile clinics near you. Additionally, SB Humane will be offering free microchips daily at the Santa Maria location with pre-scheduled appointments.

SBCAS is committed to the well-being and safety of pets in our community, and this collaboration is a testament to that dedication. By working together, we can make a significant impact in reducing the number of lost pets and reuniting them with their families during this potentially tumultuous period.

For more information on this initiative and to find the nearest participating location, please visit https://www.countyofsb.org/3872/July-4th-Preparation. Together, let’s ensure a safe and joyous 4th of July for all our furry friends.

One of the City’s long-time community partners has a new name! At a special community briefing on May 10th, the Isla Vista Youth Projects officially launched its new organization name and logo: LEAP – Learn, Engage, Advocate, Partner. 

Chuck Flacks, Chair of LEAP’s Board of Directors and the City of Goleta’s Homelessness Services Coordinator, led the event with Lori Lander Goodman, Executive Director of LEAP. “LEAP represents who we are and the work we’ve been doing for over 50 years” said Lori Goodman, “we are excited to continue to provide a solid foundation for our community to LEAP into the future they envision for themselves.”

Councilmembers James Kyriaco and Luz Reyes-Martín  joined Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards to present an official Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the City of Goleta to LEAP.

LEAP Central Coast has been a committed community partner for the City with 60% of the families they serve residing in Goleta.

The City of Goleta congratulates LEAP on its new name change and logo and wishes the organization continued success!

Read the full press release from LEAP here: https://tinyurl.com/yj8hbevy.

Pictured at top: LEAP Executive Director Lori Goodman with the new logo

Pictured left-to-right: Chuck Flacks, Chair of LEAP’s Board of Directors and the City of Goleta’s Homelessness Services Coordinator, Mayor Pro Tempore, Kyle Richards, LEAP Board Member Angie Swanson-Kyriaco, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, and LEAP Board Member Eileen Monahan

GridStor, a developer, owner, and operator of battery energy storage systems, is writing the next chapter of Santa Barbara’s clean energy transition with cranes installing 44 emission-free batteries at the company’s new 25,000-square foot facility on a 2.6-acre commercial/industrial lot on Cortona Drive in Goleta, California. Once online, the 60 MW / 160 MWh lithium-ion battery facility will be the biggest in Santa Barbara County, capable of powering over 30,000 households through the hours of the day when electric infrastructure is most stressed, in just the latest step towards realizing California’s goal to decarbonize its economy.

GridStor builds large-scale battery systems that connect directly into the power grid, providing critical infrastructure for reliable energy as the grid increasingly incorporates intermittent wind and solar power sources. The company strategically sites battery storage projects close to where demand is greatest to maximize delivery from renewable resources. This approach also helps build more resilient communities in the face of threats posed by climate change and severe weather.

“Climate change is the single greatest common challenge facing every one of us today, and with the opening of this facility we’re very excited to be meeting the moment for America’s demand for a clean and reliable electrical grid while also providing benefits to communities in Santa Barbara County,” said Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor. “All of us depend every day on a reliable electric system, and as we keep adding wind and solar energy to the grid, battery energy storage projects like our facility in Goleta will provide essential assistance to maintain that reliability at all hours of the day and in all conditions.”

As the second and largest battery in Santa Barbara County, GridStor’s Goleta facility will bring a range of environmental, financial, and security benefits to the region. Santa Barbara County generates very little of its own power and is served by only a few high-voltage lines that carry energy from far-flung sources. At the same time, the region is highly susceptible to natural disasters like wildfires, mudslides, and earthquakes, all of which can threaten power infrastructure and plunge communities into darkness. In addition to enabling more clean energy that reduces pollution from the region’s electricity grid, GridStor’s batteries will be capable of storing enough power to supply the equivalent of all of Goleta’s residential customers for up to four hours in the event of a blackout. This provides Santa Barbara County residents another option for local reliability and reduces dependence on the highly polluting Ellwood Generating Station, a gas-powered peaker plant, and other fossil power sources.

“Clean energy storage projects like this one help move the City of Goleta toward its renewable energy goals and enhance our energy resilience,” said Paula Perotte, Mayor of Goleta. “The addition of GridStor’s storage batteries to our grid brings closer the day that we will no longer need to rely locally on a gas-powered peaker plant.”

California currently generates abundant clean power from solar and wind, but still relies on polluting natural gas-fired power plants when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine or when transmission infrastructure becomes overtaxed. Batteries such as GridStor’s, which provide system reliability under a contract with the public utility Southern California Edison, ensure sustained operations and maximum utilization of clean energy while simultaneously reducing reliance upon natural gas power plants.

The Goleta batteries come at a critical time for California’s transition to clean energy, as the State of California works toward a carbon-free electricity system by 2045. The California Energy Commission projects that 49,000 MW of battery storage will be needed to meet the State’s decarbonization goals. GridStor’s project is a direct contribution to the State’s resource goals of 11,000 MW of new battery storage by 2026. The Goleta facility is expected to come online in the fall of 2023, at a time when resources to provide electric reliability are much needed across California; in a decision just three months ago, the California Public Utilities Commission determined an additional 4,000 MW of capacity is needed by 2027 to support the power system’s mid-term reliability.

In this case, the Goleta location will support the 900 MW of wind and solar power operating in the region and support the further build out of the planned 7,500 MW of additional renewables there over the next decade – expanding the company’s ability to deliver energy to the Greater Los Angeles area. The large size and strategic location of the facility will contribute to meeting these system reliability needs, and initiates GridStor as a major player in the California energy storage market as the state’s transition to clean energy continues.

Watch the Video Recap

The City of Goleta is proud to announce the completion of its first bilingual LEAD Goleta Academy. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate, and Discuss. For six weeks, 29 participants, including seven Spanish speakers, learned about how the City of Goleta is run. This is the 3rd LEAD Goleta Academy the City has held, but the first time the program included Spanish interpretation and translated materials. On Wednesday evening, May 24, 2023, the group completed its final class which included participants receiving a graduation certificate and a City of Goleta pin from the Mayor and City Council. The graduation ceremony ended with celebratory LEAD cupcakes and sparkling apple cider. Watch a video recap here: https://youtu.be/z83yZHJ4He0, and to see photos go to https://photos.app.goo.gl/hEEQbG9Xdoozvqf96.

Mayor Paula Perotte applauded the group for their participation and said, “We appreciate you taking time out of your busy lives to come learn about our local government. I hope you will take what you learned and share it with your neighbors, friends, and loved ones, and consider being on a Board or Commission, running for City Council, and staying engaged.”

The class learned a lot, including the story of how the City came to be and all the facets that make up a City. There were presentations from Finance, Public Works, Sustainability, Environmental Services, Planning, Neighborhood Services, the City Clerk’s Office, Goleta Valley Library, City Attorney’s Office, Emergency Services, Goleta Police, Community Outreach, and more.  Besides getting a behind the scenes look at each of these departments, the participants also participated in a Mock City Council meeting and took tours of City Hall and the Goleta Valley Library.

The diverse group of LEAD Goleta participants came from all different backgrounds and walks of life but had one thing in common, a love for Goleta and wanting to learn about how they can make their community a better place. The group included high school and college students, retirees, business professionals, a sorority house mother, an author, community partners and overall Goleta enthusiasts. All were drawn to participate for different reasons.

Before receiving their certificates, the graduates went around the room and expressed what they enjoyed most about the Academy. Here are just some of the comments:

Melissa Villa who played the role of Mayor in our Mock Council and is a mother of three said, “The experience has been so informative, engaging, and wonderful. It really has opened doors for me in ways in which I can be involved and show up as an advocate for the community.”

Lynn Darnton who played the role of City Manager in the Mock Council meeting and is President of her Homeowners Association, said, “This was an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the City and all of the ins and outs. It was great to meet so many people who work at the City, learn about the what they do and how to contact them. By the end of the course, you really understand the City.”

A huge thank you to our Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez and to our Spanish interpreters Viviana Marsano and Hugo Santos for making this first bilingual LEAD Goleta Community Academy possible. We are looking forward to the next class. A date has not yet been determined. If you are interested in signing up, please email jshaw@cityofgoleta.org to be notified when applications are available.

Pictured at top: Kelly Hoover, Community Relations Manager, and Marcos Martinez, Spanish Engagement Specialist, holding celebratory cupcakes spelling out LEAD

LEAD Goleta 2023 graduating class with Councilmembers and City staff

Bilingual participants with District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín and Spanish Engagement Specialist Marcos Martinez

Mock City Council meeting participants

Participants outside Council Chambers after a tour of City Hall