Author Archives: Jaime Shaw

Cathedral Oaks Road Crib Wall Winterization Project Completed

The City of Goleta’s Winterization Project for the Cathedral Oaks Road Crib Wall is complete. A Crib Wall is a type of large-scale retaining wall that retains an earthen slope. The bike path in the area has been closed for several years following a winter storm event that eroded the slope and raised concerns over the integrity of the Crib Wall.

The minor temporary maintenance was done to improve and protect the slopes near the Crib Wall locations on Cathedral Oaks Road north of Calle Real. This project will help protect and stabilize the current conditions of the slopes at the Crib Walls from the winter weather and protect the area from further erosion and degradation.

This brief up-keep activity is a short-term maintenance effort aimed to protect and stabilize the current conditions from further degradation while the long-term Crib Wall repair and embankment rehabilitation project develops. 

The long-term project for repairing the Crib Wall includes the selection of the engineering design team, final design of the project, and then a public bidding period to select a contractor for the larger repair project.

The design phase will likely last approximately 18 months. Following the Design phase, the Construction phase will address the long-term repairs to the embankment and the Class I Bike Path rehabilitation.

For any additional questions on the recent maintenance project, contact the City’s contract project construction manager, Matt Davis of DCME, at 805-450-7949 or matt@dcme.email. For inquiries on the long-term Crib Wall repair/rehab design and construction program, please contact Michael Winnewisser, City of Goleta Assistant Engineer, at 805-690-5120 or mwinnewisser@cityofgoleta.org.  

Pictured: Work from this week’s Cathedral Oaks Road Crib Wall Winterization Project

Utility Work for the Ekwill Street & Fowler Road Extensions and Hollister Avenue Bridge Projects to Begin

The City of Goleta is excited to finally be getting closer to delivering projects that have been in the planning development stage for many years. The Ekwill Street & Fowler Road Extensions and Hollister Avenue Bridge Relocation Projects when completed will provide new east west access across Goleta Old Town, two roundabouts on Hollister Avenue at the interchange with State Route 217, and complete flood control capacity and fish-passage improvements in the San Jose Creek Channel.

In preparation of the multi-faceted project, Goleta Water District will begin utility relocation work to move facilities that are in conflict with the future City capital improvement projects. Construction work is scheduled to begin the second week of January and continue through the end of March 2023. Work will take place on S. Fairview Avenue, the future Ekwill Street, South Street (future Fowler Road), School Bus Lane, Hollister Avenue and Dearborn Place. There will be traffic impacts on Hollister Avenue between State Route 217 and S. Kellogg Avenue for approximately four weeks beginning January 9, 2023. Alternating eastbound and westbound lane closures will be necessary to facilitate the relocation work. Construction work will take place between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Motorists are reminded to please drive cautiously through the work zones and are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible.

Learn more about these projects on the City website. For the Ekwill Street and Fowler Road Extensions Project click here, and for the Hollister Avenue Bridge Project click here. For questions on the upcoming utility work, please contact Tierra Contracting Inc. at 805-964-8747.


Relocation Map

GoodLandGoodShopping Spotlight Series and Prize Drawing

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and our #GoodLandGoodShopping program is continuing to highlight an assortment of local businesses from all around the Goodland.

To promote www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com businesses, the City is highlighting each of our GoodLandGoodShopping vendors on our social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) through the holiday season. Each spotlight will include a great holiday gift idea from that business.

From restaurant to spas, markets and bazaars, there are plenty of options to choose from for your holiday shopping needs! As an incentive to visit the diverse group of merchants featured on the site, if you register to have an account on GoodLandGoodShopping.com by December 31st you will automatically be entered to win a $100 gift card to a #GoodlandGoodShopping vendor of your choice.

Time is running out for holiday shoppers to find gift ideas and holiday goodies. You can never go wrong by shopping local. Browse local business and services in the Goleta area here and have personalized gift cards emailed or texted to recipients from several dozen stores, services, and professional practices.

If you are a Goleta business and haven’t signed up to be a part of GoodLandGoodShopping.com, it’s not too late. All you need to do is go to https://www.goodlandgoodshopping.com/signup and follow the simple steps.

Remember, small businesses are the fabric of our community and when they thrive, we all thrive. For every dollar spent on local businesses, approximately 67 cents stay in the local community.

For questions about GoodLandGoodShopping.com and how to participate, email websupport@giftbar.com or call 866-989-5580. If you have questions for the City, email Kelly Hoover at PIO@cityofgoleta.org. And remember to follow us on social media (@cityofgoleta) for holiday gift ideas!

What Do You Want to See at the GCC?

Take a Survey to Share Your Vision on the Future of the Goleta Community Center

The City of Goleta needs your help to decide the future of our beloved and historic Goleta Community Center. This almost one hundred-year-old building located in the heart of Old Town at 5679 Hollister Avenue has been a long-standing and important gathering spot in our city. While it goes through renovations, the City is coming up with a plan to make it a center that truly serves the interests of our vibrant community. Please take a moment and complete a brief anonymous survey in English or Spanish by January 13th and let us know what types of programs, services and events you would like to see at the GCC. Here is a video in English and Spanish announcing the release of the survey.

The City of Goleta is committed to restoring and preserving this important resource and will soon be embarking on a critical renovation project which includes much-needed seismic and accessibility improvements. While construction is underway, the City will be working on a vision and a strategic plan for the future of the GCC, which will include input from community members and stakeholders on how to better utilize the facility and make it a more inviting gathering place in the future.

For more information on the Goleta Community Center, please visit www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.

Background:
The City of Goleta acquired the Community Center in 2013. The building once served as the Goleta Union elementary school, but the school was closed in 1976 because it did not meet minimum seismic requirements for a school. For the next several decades it was run by a non-profit organization known as the Goleta Valley Community Center. The City of Goleta will assume management of the Goleta Community Center (GCC) on January 1, 2023.

Give Back to Goleta in 2023 by Serving on a Board or Commission

Submit Your Application by January 6, 2023

Looking for a way to give back to Goleta in 2023? NOW is the time to apply to serve on a City of Goleta Board or Commission. The City has vacancies on the Design Review Board, Library Advisory Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Public Tree Advisory Commission. It’s a great way to use your talent and time to make a difference and help shape the future of Goleta.

Here is what the positions entail:

The Design Review Board (DRB) is a seven-member body that encourages development that uses the best professional design practices to enhance the visual aesthetics of the community and prevent poor quality of design. There are three (3) vacancies, one (1) for a Licensed Landscape Professional, one (1) for a Licensed Architect, and one (1) for an Alternate. Members are appointed to a 3-year term. The DRB meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 3:00 p.m., and members are compensated $50 per meeting.

The Library Advisory Commission is a five-member body that aims to increase citizen participation in library issues by analyzing the library’s needs, considering goals, anticipating future needs and problems, acting as a liaison, and helping to develop consensus for advisement to the Goleta Library Board of Trustees. There is one (1) vacancy for a Commissioner in the Unincorporated Library Area; members are appointed to a 3-year term. Eligible applicants must live in the Unincorporated Service Area of the Goleta Valley. Meetings are held the first Monday of the month, and members are compensated $50 per meeting.

The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the City Council on all issues related to parks and recreational opportunities in Goleta, including the acquisition, development, maintenance, and improvement of the City’s public parks, recreational services, and open spaces. This seven-member body has three (3) vacancies. Commissioners are appointed to a 4-year term. Eligible applicants must live in the City of Goleta. The Commission holds six regular meetings and may hold additional meetings as needed; members are compensated $50 per meeting.

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. There are three (3) vacancies on this five-member body. Each Commissioner serves a 4-year term. Eligible applicants must live in the City of Goleta. The Commission holds six regular meetings and may hold additional meetings as needed; members are compensated $50 per meeting.

The Planning Commission acts as a decision-making body on land use issues for the City and consists of five members who each serve a 4-year term. Their role is to review and take appropriate action on discretionary development applications and to make recommendations to the City Council regarding any proposed legislative actions, including the General Plan and its implementation, as required by law. There are two (2) vacancies. This Commission meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., members are compensated $100 per meeting.

Applications for all open Board and Commission vacancies may be submitted online at https://www.cityofgoleta.org/boardscommissions. Applications are due by January 6, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Thank you for considering this important role in your community. For additional information, please email cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org

Inspiring Goleta Resident Roke Fukumura Turns 100!

An inspiring Goleta recently turned one hundred years old. Ryiokio “Roke” Fukumura celebrated his centennial birthday with a big 100th Birthday Bash at the Tri-County Produce warehouse. At the celebration, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte presented the long-time Goleta Resident with a proclamation to acknowledge this special milestone.

Roke has called Goleta “home” since 1963 – nearly 60 years ago! Roke was literally born in the produce business, delivered by a midwife on a farm on the Santa Barbara Mesa in 1922, and was one of six children. A lifelong sports aficionado, as a student at Santa Barbara High School, he set records in track and starred in baseball as a shortstop for the Dons in the 1941 CIF Championship year.  

“I was 5-foot-2½ inches — but as short as I was, I was pretty fast” “They said, ‘Hey, they brought a water boy in here!’” Roke recalled. “I thought to myself, ‘Let me go out there and show them a little bit.’”

Life changed abruptly for Roke, when less than seven months later Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. He and his family wound up spending the last three years of World War II at an internment camp in Poston, Arizona. He tried to enlist in the U.S. Army but didn’t pass the physical exam. Santa Barbara High’s record holder in the 50-yard dash was rejected, ironically enough, because of a congenital bone growth in his leg. After the war, Roke’s family returned to Santa Barbara and in 1950 was hired by Tri-County Produce. 

Amazingly, Roke STILL clocks 30 hours a week at Tri-County Produce! “He unloads the trucks, he stocks the shelves … He can still lift a 50-pound sack of onions,” said John Dixon, Tri-County’s general manager. “He’s obviously not as fast as he was 10 years ago, but just the fact that he’s here is amazing in itself. They don’t make them like him anymore.” 

“I’ve enjoyed serving the public” says Roke, “I’ve met many wonderful people that commend us. Tri-County Produce is a very wonderful place to be and I love it.” 

Happy Birthday Roke! We wish you health and joy. Thank you for making Goleta your home and for your love and passion for making your community a better place! ✨️

To read more about Roke’s incredible life, you can read his story on Noozhawk.

#goodlandgoodpeople

Goleta’s Finest 2022 Winners Announced

Awards Gala will be held December 17 at 5:30pm

The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, from Goleta to Carpinteria, is excited to announce the 2022 Goleta’s Finest Award Winners. Goleta’s Finest is a 72-year-old tradition honoring remarkable individuals whose contributions have enhanced the Goleta community.

“The Goleta community has a rich history of volunteerism and philanthropy, and we are eager to honor those individuals and organizations who have made such remarkable impacts in the community,” said Kristen Miller, President & CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.

The 2022 award recipients will be honored at a formal celebration on December 17, 5:30-9:00 PM, at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Bacara (8301 Hollister Avenue). The evening will include dinner followed by the awards ceremony.

The 2022 Goleta’s Finest Award Recipients are:

Woman of the Year: Sachi Thompson is a woman leader in tech, a community champion, an empathetic and effective manager, and an inspiration to her team of professionals.

Man of the Year: Brian Borgatello and his family have lived in Goleta for decades. Brian is President of MarBorg Industries, a multi-generational family business on the South Coast since 1937, with nearly 500 employees.

Lifetime Achievement Recognition: Jean Blois has spent a lifetime giving back to her community. Endless hours, expertise, advocacy, investment, volunteerism, philanthropy, and her big heart, have made Goleta a better place.

Educator of the Year: Dare Holdren, a San Marcos High School graduate and member of its Athletics Hall of Fame, has spent more than 20 years in different capacities within the Santa Barbara Unified School district.

Students of the Year: Founders of the Youth Makers Market, sisters Aaliyah and Bella Rubio identified a unique way for youth to learn about working and being an entrepreneur.

Volunteer of the Year: Jack Turney is a member of the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (GVCH) Foundation Board and has been involved with Cottage Health for 18 years serving over 5,111 hours of service as a volunteer.

Innovator of the Year: Santa Barbara County Co-Response Team; Two local agencies have come together to solve an intense community problem and their innovation and dedication have made a big difference in the Goleta community. The Sheriff’s department partnered with the County Behavioral Sciences Unit to create what is called “co-response” so that when an emergency call is made for assistance from someone in the community, and there is evidence of a mental health crisis involved, a specially trained deputy and a mental health case worker respond together on the scene to address the situation.

Non-Profit Organization of the Year: For more than 30 years, the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network has been saving and helping wild animals from all over Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Special Recognition Award: The Goleta Lemon Festival’s successful return this past September for its 29th year would not have been possible without the return of the Lemon Festival Volunteer Committee.

Way to go Goleta! #GoodLandGoodPeople

Purchase your ticket to the event https://sbscchamber.com/event/goletas-finest/.

This is it: Take Our Stow Grove Park Master Plan Final Survey

Survey Open till December 18

The City of Goleta is continuing the process on the Stow Grove Park Master Plan, and we need your input! Stow Grove Park, located at 580 N. La Patera Lane, is a beloved destination for local residents and visitors to Goleta. Take the survey now in English OR Spanish. The survey will remain open through Sunday, December 18.

We’re excited about the community’s involvement with the Stow Grove Master Plan so far. Your input is important to us as we continue this amazing journey to re-envision how the park can better serve the community while protecting and enhancing the natural resources and the character of the park that the community treasures.

This survey is designed for those who were not able to participate in the public workshop held this past Saturday, December 3rd at La Patera School. The information presented in this survey consists of all materials presented at that workshop including draft alternatives, maps and image boards featuring desired amenities, features, and general ideas to help the project team navigate through the master planning process.

The project team will use the data collected from this survey, former surveys, and the workshops to develop a final draft master plan to be presented at the final public workshop in January 2023. This workshop is currently scheduled to take place in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The workshop will be a hybrid meeting, allowing people to participate in-person or virtually.

If you have questions about the project, please contact the Project Manager, JoAnne Plummer, at 805-562-5505 or jplummer@cityofgoleta.org. Learn more about the project at www.CityofGoleta.org/StowGrovePark.

Santa Barbara Airport Presentation at Special Goleta City Council Meeting

The Goleta City Council and community members now have a better understanding of upcoming Santa Barbara Airport projects and how the airport plans to address aircraft noise complaints. There was a great turnout for a Special Goleta City Council Meeting with the Santa Barbara Airport on Wednesday, December 7. It was a great opportunity for the Council and community members to hear about plans to expand the terminal, the parking structure project, the Southfield redevelopment project, and an update to the 2017 Master Plan. In addition to the updates, community members packed the room to hear about the Airport’s aircraft noise program.

The conversation was led by new Airport Director, Christ Hastert and 20 people signed up to speak and provide feedback to the Council and Airport staff.

Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers inquired as to what real solutions can be applied to the noise problem and respond to community concerns. Some of the requests made to the Airport include: 

  • Add a Goleta City Council-appointed voting member to the Airport Commission. 
  • Develop and implement a concrete plan addressing noise complaints.  
  • Inform the Goleta City Council and public about progress. 
  • Incentivize airline flight path compliance. 
  • Get all 4 airlines serving SBA on a proprietary approach (now only 3). 
  • Address noise issues and compliance at the time SBA negotiates with new airlines.  
  • Discourage flying older, louder planes early in the morning. 
  • Gathering data on particulate emissions. 
  • SBA should prepare a document that outlines plan and show actions being taken.  
  • Make sure all decisionmakers are in the room.  Consider a Joint City of Goleta and City of SB Council meeting. 

Hastert recently moved his family to the area and is happy to call Goleta home. We appreciate the Santa Barbara Airport’s willingness to listen and be  attentive to Goleta’s needs. We look forward to future collaboration and partnership with SBA.

If you missed it, you can watch the meeting here.


Airport Director, Christ Hastert


Airport Meeting December 7, 2022

Goleta 20-Year Merchandise Makes a Great Holiday Gift

Are you looking for a unique gift for family and friends this holiday season? Consider picking up a limited-edition City of Goleta 20-Year logo t-shirt and/or coffee mug while supplies last. This specialty merchandise was custom made to commemorate the City of Goleta’s 20th birthday.

Thanks to the Goleta Valley Historical Society (GVHS) for selling the 20-year gear at its Museum Store located at 304 N. Los Carneros Road. Store hours are Saturday and Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and by appointment. T-Shirts are $25 and mugs are $10. 

Once the merchandise is sold, there are no plans to purchase more, so we encourage you to get your gear before its gone.  

If you are looking for other local gifts, check out www.GoodLandGoodShopping.com to purchase a digital gift card from one of Goleta’s many awesome businesses.

Pictured above and below: 20-year mugs and t-shirts