Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Funding Received for Ekwill-Fowler Project

The City of Goleta is pleased to share that the California Transportation Commission recently allocated $11.4 million of State Transportation Improvement Program funding to construct the Ekwill Street and Fowler Road Extensions Project (Ekwill-Fowler Project). This is the largest capital improvement project to date for the City, and it has been in the planning development stage for many years. This revenue, along with other City funding, allows the City to now advertise for construction bids, which the City anticipates occurring in late spring of this year.

The Ekwill-Fowler Project will construct a new road, the Ekwill Street extension, across Old Town Goleta from Kellogg Avenue to Fairview Avenue. It also extends existing South Street (and renames it Fowler Road) to Technology Drive. The new streets will have one travel lane in each direction, Class II bike lanes, sidewalks and landscaped parkways will extend along both roadways. In addition, the project will construct intersection capacity improvements (roundabouts) at the Pine Avenue intersection with Ekwill Street and at the Hollister Avenue and State Route 217 ramp intersections.

City of Goleta Public Works Director, Charlie Ebeling said, “The City has been working diligently over the last fifteen years to complete the project development and property acquisition phases of this very complex project and get the project ready for construction. The California Transportation Commission allocation represents a critical funding milestone towards the objective of starting construction in 2023.”

“Congratulations to the City of Goleta on their recent $11.4 million allocation by the California Transportation Commission for the Ekwill Street and Fowler Road Extensions Project,” said Marjie Kirn, Executive Director of SBCAG. “This significant investment in infrastructure by the state not only helps to improve safety on roads and bridges but will also enhance access for pedestrians and bicycles in the area. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this investment in our community which has allowed for this much anticipated project with the City of Goleta to move forward.”

At the February 21, 2023, City Council meeting, Council awarded a professional services agreement to provide construction management for the project. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or fall 2023.

Learn more about the Ekwill-Fowler Project here. For questions, contact the contract Project Manager, Gerald Comati, at gcomati@com3consulting.com.


Rendering of Hollister Avenue roundabouts at Route 217 interchange

Community State of the City – Save the Date

Join Us from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge

We hope you will join us for the City’s biggest night of the year! The 6th Annual Goleta Community State of the City is on Monday, April 10, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (150 N. Kellogg Avenue). If you care about Goleta, this is a must-attend free community event with simultaneous Spanish interpretation and light refreshments offered. You will leave the event well-informed about what the City has accomplished recently and what the future holds. Come see firsthand why the City of Goleta is a great place to Live, Work and Play, the theme of this year’s State of the City.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The Goleta Community State of the City is the perfect occasion to learn what the City is all about and to connect with other community members. City Council members and staff will show you highlights of the past year and share our vision for the future. This is also a great opportunity to bring your questions for the popular Q and A panel portion of the evening.”

Here is a timeline for the event:

  • 5:00 p.m. – Doors open: mingle with Council, staff, stakeholders and fellow Goletans, check out City information tables, take photos, light refreshments available.
  • 6:00 p.m. – Formal program begins and includes the City Manager’s City Financial Update, the Mayor’s State of the City Address, and a live Q&A session with City Directors as the finale.

We can’t wait to connect with you at the 2023 Goleta Community State of the City! Thank you to the Elks Lodge for having us back once again.

SB County Awarded $16 Million for Public Transportation Projects

State funding helps to transform travel in the region ensuring completion of Goleta Train Depot Project and bolsters infrastructure resiliency in Santa Barbara County, north of Gaviota State Beach 

California State Transportation Agency recently announced $2.5 billion to fund 16 ongoing public transportation projects statewide to expand transit and passenger rail service. Projects in Santa Barbara county received $16 million from the first of two rounds of funding announcements in the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

The $16 million for projects in Santa Barbara county were awarded to Santa Barbara County Association of Governments in partnership with the City of Goleta to complete the Goleta Train Depot Project, and Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency to address bluff erosion north of Gaviota State Beach.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments made a push for more funding for regional public transit and intercity rail from the state legislature that led to historic investments from state to help support vital projects in the region.

“The state of California is making significant investments to bring much-need resources that strengthen infrastructure across the state to improve transportation options and enhance mobility throughout the state,” said Senator Monique Limón. “This marks a historic moment that the state has been able to provide additional investments to support existing projects and I look forward to celebrating the completion of the Goleta Train Depot Project.”

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments was awarded $5.6 million for the Goleta Train Depot project. The award was leveraged by a $1 million local contribution from the City of Goleta. In 2018, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments received $13 million in state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant for the Goleta Train Depot project. This is the first time since the state program began in 2015 it has provided supplemental funding for existing projects to be completed.

“The Goleta Train Depot project is a landmark project for our community and now one-step closer to completion with the $5.6 million in funding from the state,” said Marjie Kirn, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. “We look forward to celebrating the start of construction with the City of Goleta later this year.”

The Goleta Train Depot Project is to construct new multi-modal train station at the existing AMTRAK platform on South La Patera Lane in Goleta with the intent to increase rail ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through the completion of a full-service station, the project will improve connections to bus transit, accommodate transit service to/from the Santa Barbara Airport and the University of California, Santa Barbara, add new bicycle and pedestrian facilities and allow accommodation for potential additional train storage to support increased passenger rail service.

With the help of the $10.4 million state investment, the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is improving coastal resiliency through slope stabilization efforts in Santa Barbara County as part of a Corridor Hardening Improvement Program. Together with Union Pacific Railroad, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency will work toward repairs in areas north of Gaviota State Beach.

The Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program has provided more than $9.1 billion in funding to nearly 100 projects since 2015, funded primarily from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Cap-and-Trade program proceeds, and the General Fund.

A complete list of the recipients can be found here.


Goleta Train Depot rendering

Cox Charities to Award $20,000 in Grants

Local nonprofits with programs focused on K-12 STEM education, conservation and sustainability, and military and veterans are encouraged to apply for a Cox Charities Community Grant through March 17. A total of $20,000 is available for nonprofits serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, or Goleta populations.   

The grants are part of Cox Charities’ statewide Community Grants program, which is awarding $320,000 total to nonprofits in Cox’s California markets (San Diego, Orange County, Palos Verdes, and Santa Barbara).  

To apply for a Cox Charities Community Grant, organizations must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; 
  • Be located in or provide services in a Cox Communications service area in California; 
  • Align with one or more of Cox Charities’ focus areas. 

To apply, visit www.coxcharitiesca.org/communitygrants. Recipients will be announced in May.  

A charitable foundation funded by employee donations that are matched by the company, Cox Charities enables employees to support its communities by awarding grants to nonprofits focused on youth and education, conservation and sustainability, and military and veterans. Cox Charities has awarded more than $500,000 across California in the past three years. Previous local grantees include PathPoint, SEE International, and the Santa Barbara Zoo. A volunteer advisory board of Cox employees oversees Cox Charities and its giving programs.

County Releases Draft 2030 Climate Action Plan

Public can provide comment and attend March 7 online workshop

The County of Santa Barbara’s Community Services Department has released the draft 2030 Climate Action Plan (CAP) for public comment and it is available online at countyofsb.org/oneclimate. The CAP aims to improve quality of life and prioritize social equity by outlining actions the County and community can take to make walking and biking safer, preserve and enhance open spaces, make buildings more efficient, improve air quality and enhance energy resilience.

There is a virtual workshop on March 7 that provides the community with an opportunity to view the draft CAP and engage with staff. Two in-person workshops were held on March 1, 2023, in both Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

The workshops are an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts, points of concern and local knowledge. 

Online Workshop
March 7, 2023
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Virtual Workshop via Zoom (Register to receive zoom link)

Spanish translation will be available at the workshops.
Registration and information for all events can be found at countyofsb.org/oneclimate.   

Currently, there is no end date for the public comment period. The County will release a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) following the draft CAP, which will also have its own set public comment period. Once the EIR public comment period is set, the County will announce the public comment end date for the CAP.

Council Responds to County’s Draft Housing Element

Council Urges County to Allow More Time for Public Participation and to Address Concerns

The Goleta City Council is urging the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to join the City in addressing housing issues together before submitting its Housing Element to the State. At a Special City Council meeting on February 27, 2023, the Mayor and Council authorized sending a comment letter requesting that the County allow more time to address a list of significant concerns, to consider suggested solutions and for more meaningful public input.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said, “The ramifications of the County’s Housing Element are massive and require careful thought, analysis, and extensive outreach, none of which can occur in the rushed timeline provided.  Let’s slow down and do this together.”

After a two-year process, the County recently released its Draft Housing Element on January 30, 2023 with a deadline of March 1, 2023 to provide public comment.  While the plan impacts a number of jurisdictions, it calls for thousands of new units along the City of Goleta’s borders.  This plan to convert land zoned for agriculture located outside the urban/rural limit line will have dramatic impacts on the City and its residents, from transportation issues to housing services.  The proposed housing developments include 1,436 units on the Glenn Annie Golf Course and 2,834 units on the South Patterson Ag block south of Hollister between S. Patterson and Ward Drive, both agriculturally zoned lands. 

Among its recommendations outlined in the comment letter, the Council requests that the County use a more equitable approach such as to prioritize infill on underutilized commercial and other property in the urban area and modify the proposed housing sites it has listed. The City also requests that the County Housing Element include stronger programs committed to preserving new housing for the local workforce with necessary services included.

View the City Council letter here. The County’s Housing Element is available at: https://www.countyofsb.org/3177/Housing-Element-Update.

Piers 421

Piers Removed at Haskell’s Beach

The State Lands Commission, in collaboration with the City of Goleta, has removed the last two oil pier and caisson structures in the state located at Haskell’s Beach in Goleta.

This milestone decommissioning project marks the end of oil production in the Ellwood Oil Field, production that started in the late 1920s and continued into the 1990s. At one time, the shoreline was marked by 13 piers as well as a welter of oil storage and processing facilities immediately onshore. Now the final two piers and caissons are gone, restoring full coastal access and eliminating public safety and environmental threats.

“Removal of the last two oil piers in the state is a defining moment for the region and for California,” said Lieutenant Governor and State Lands Commission Chair Eleni Kounalakis. “Their removal moves us one step closer to a future free of fossil fuels and restores access to a beautiful coastline for the community of Goleta.”

The two structures, known as PRC 421-1 and 421-2, were installed in 1929 and 1930 for the purpose of oil and gas development of the Ellwood Oil Field. After Venoco filed for bankruptcy in 2017, the South Ellwood leases reverted to the State and the Commission  embarked on the decommissioning project. The deteriorating piers and caissons represented a physical coastal obstruction, a potential public safety hazard, and a potential environmental hazard because of the presence of hydrocarbon-impacted soil and fill within the pier caissons.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte said: “This is a significant accomplishment. Indeed, old oil and gas infrastructure, piers, and wells are leaving our coastal waters for good. The State Lands Commission partnership with the City of Goleta was key to this restoration effort. Our community and the environment are safer because of these decommissioning efforts and for this, we can be proud.”
 
The work to remove the two oil piers and caissons began in August, 2022. The Commission prepared an Environmental Impact Report and secured permits for this project in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies. More information can be found at: www.slc.ca.gov/ceqa/prc-421-decommissioning-project.

The Commission is actively working to decommission several other offshore oil and gas production facilities in the Santa Barbara Channel.


Pre-decommissioning PRC 421. Photo taken in 2010.


Drone photo of the piers taken in 2018.


Post decommissioning PRC 421. Photo taken February 2023.

LEAD Goleta Now Accepting Applications

Apply Now to Participate, Space is Limited

After a three-year hiatus, the City of Goleta is excited to bring back our popular LEAD Goleta Community Academy. LEAD stands for Learn, Empower, Advocate and Discuss. This free, interactive, and eye-opening six-week program is designed to help community members better understand the role that local government plays so that they can effectively participate, share that knowledge with others and possibly even consider a future role in city governance.

This will be the third LEAD Goleta the City has held, and for the first time, it will be offered as a bilingual program with simultaneous Spanish interpretation.

The spring LEAD Goleta Community Academy will run for six consecutive weeks every Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. starting on April 20, 2023, and ending on May 25, 2023, with a celebratory graduation ceremony. Most classes will be held in City Hall Council Chambers located at 130 Cremona Drive, but some may be held out in the community.

Each class is interactive and features different key City departments giving a behind the scenes view of how the City of Goleta is run. Attendees will learn everything from how roads are maintained to what goes in to creating the City’s budget. Throughout the program, participants will be exposed to the role of local government.

To get an idea of what you will experience in this academy, watch a recap here of our last LEAD Goleta Community Academy held in January & February 2020.

There are only 30 spots in the LEAD Goleta Community Academy and they fill up fast, so apply today! Priority is given to Goleta residents, but LEAD Goleta is open to any resident of Santa Barbara County. We strongly encourage students to apply. Participants must be able to attend all six classes in order to be considered. Don’t wait, apply here. To access the application in Spanish, click here.

The City of Goleta is proud to offer this unique and enlightening experience and looks forward to meeting our Goleta LEAD Academy class this spring. To apply, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/LEADGoleta.


LEAD Goleta January and February 2020 Class Graduation

Goleta Valley Library Celebrates 50 Years at Fairview

Join Us Saturday, March 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. for Special Event

For the past 50 years, patrons of all ages have been coming to the Goleta Valley Library (GVL) at 500 N. Fairview Avenue in Goleta. The Goleta Valley Library serves the City of Goleta and the County’s surrounding unincorporated areas including Isla Vista, “Noleta”, and Hope Ranch. To celebrate this meaningful milestone, the City of Goleta is inviting YOU to come celebrate with us on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at this treasured location which has meant so much to our community for the past five decades. It’s also a great opportunity to thank long-time Library Director Allison Gray who is retiring at the end of March. Watch this video invitation in English (https://youtu.be/ejYrgOc4gHw) and Spanish (https://youtu.be/R41dx-PKkwY).

Here is what you have to look forward to:

  • Family friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt
  • Music by library staff member Nicole Lvoff
  • Birthday toast and special tributes at 3:00 p.m.
  • Signature frame signing
  • Photo station
  • “My Favorite Thing about the Goleta Valley Library” Activity
  • Goleta Valley Library “Celebrating 50 Years” commemorative bookmark

Bring your favorite GVL memories and you are welcome to wear the color gray in honor of Allison Gray for her 36 years of library service including the past 15 years in Goleta.

About the Goleta Valley Library:
Built in 1972, this 15,000 square foot facility was originally constructed and owned by the County of Santa Barbara, and operated by the City of Santa Barbara under a contract with the County. When the City of Goleta was incorporated in 2002, it took over ownership of the building. In 2017, the Goleta Valley Library received state designation as a municipal library and in 2018 the City of Goleta took over management of the GVL. In 2019, the City of Goleta also took over management of the Solvang and Buellton libraries.  Approximately 26 staff members work at the Goleta Valley Library site and the Library Bookvan. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the library circulated approximately 600,000 items each year and had more than 250,000 visitors. The numbers are steadily increasing as patrons feel more comfortable returning to the library in person. In fiscal year 2021-22 more than 130,000 e-materials were downloaded from the library’s website. For the latest update on the Goleta Valley Library watch the Library Director’s presentation to the Goleta City Council on March 7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. The agenda will be available at www.cityofgoleta.org/meetings-agendas at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

We can’t wait to see you at 500 N. Fairview on March 11 and hear what you love about the GVL.

Goleta Valley Library Then and Now


Pictured: Mayor Paula Perotte and Library Director Allison Gray outside of the Goleta Valley Library

Green Room: The Ocean Begins On Your Street

The City of Goleta Environmental Services Division would like to share some tips to help protect our watersheds. This month we are discussing the importance of storm drain markers and trash capture technologies and how they help to protect our local waterbodies.  

What are Storm Drain Markers? 

The ocean is closer than you think! Storm drain markers indicate the location of stormwater drainage systems and catch basins that lead to waterbodies and waterways, including rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, and bays that eventually drain to the ocean. Storm drain markers are intended to educate the public to not leave trash, chemicals and other harsh pollutants in or near storm drains that could otherwise pose a threat to wildlife and water quality. Remember, only rain down the drain! 

While our community strives to prevent trash and pollution from entering the storm drain system, pollution still exists, and trash remains an issue in our local watersheds. Therefore, the City of Goleta is committed to the goal of full trash capture and plans to install full trash capture devices in storm drains throughout the city. Sources of trash include littering and dumping. Types of trash that are particularly problematic in the oceans and creeks include cigarette butts, paper, fast food containers, plastic grocery bags, cans and microplastics. Each of these contribute to the large amounts of trash worldwide that has made it into the ocean, often referred to as “the plastic ocean.” Additionally, these plastics can harm wildlife through ingestion, entanglement, and the dispersal of invasive species. 


City of Goleta full trash capture

How Can You Make A Difference?  

You can help prevent storm drain pollution and protect creeks and the ocean by following these great tips in our brochure, “The Ocean Begins on Your Street” in English and Spanish. 

Community members can also be a part of the solution by getting involved with the Beautify Goleta Volunteer Program. Beautify Goleta hosts Saturday morning cleanup events in neighborhoods throughout the City, generally every other month. Please sign up today and check out our next event details by visiting www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta. We hope you can be a part of the #BeautifyGoleta team of volunteers. If you have any questions, email EnvironmentalServices@CityOfGoleta.org.