Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping Project Public Hearing on June 7

Council to Consider Several Options and Wants Your Input

The Goleta City Council will hold a public hearing on the Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping Project at its upcoming meeting on June 7 at 5:30 p.m. We hope you will join us for this important update on the future of this much-anticipated project which aims to create safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access along Hollister Avenue in Old Town Goleta. The Council has several options to consider and appreciates your input.

The Interim Striping Project includes implementing parking and multi-modal improvements envisioned in the Hollister Avenue Complete Streets Corridor Plan Project, using low-cost materials (e.g., striping). These striping plans would reduce Hollister Avenue from four to two lanes to allow for improved bike lane and pedestrian movements, while enhancing parking.

The Hollister Avenue Old Town Interim Striping Project came about due to the long timeline and lack of funding needed to construct the Hollister Avenue Complete Streets Corridor Project. When completed, the Hollister Avenue Complete Streets Corridor Project will enhance safety, access and mobility for all users (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders) on Hollister Avenue between Fairview Avenue and State Route 217.

Since the approval of the CIP project in January 2021, staff has evaluated the two alternatives in the Hollister Avenue Completes Streets Corridor Plan Project as well as a third alternative that adds diagonal parking in the center of Hollister Avenue. Staff is working with a consultant on project conceptual design, environmental review, final design, and construction oversight.

At the public hearing, staff will present the three alternatives to the City Council and are recommending Alternative 3. Pending City Council direction to continue with final design, the project could be ready to construct by the end of 2022.

Community members interested in this item are encouraged to provide public comments during the public hearing in person or virtually through the Zoom webinar, by following the instructions listed on the City Council meeting agenda, available at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing by e-mailing the City Clerk at CityClerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org. Written comments will be distributed to Council and published with the staff report on the City’s Meeting and Agenda page.

The meeting can be viewed in City Council Chambers at Goleta City Hall located at 130 Cremona Drive, via Zoom (link included in the agenda), live on Goleta TV Channel 19, or live on our website at www.CityofGoleta.org/GoletaMeetings. If you miss the meeting, it is rebroadcast on Channel 19 Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and is available to watch at any time on the City website.

Pictured: Aerial photo of Hollister Avenue in Old Town

Save-the-Date for the Dam Dinner

One of Goleta’s favorite events is back! We are so excited for the return of the Annual Goleta Dam Dinner on Saturday, August 20th! It’s been three long years since we were last able to hold this event, and we hope you will mark your calendars and join us at Lake Los Carneros Dam from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for this low-key, yet incredibly special Goleta gathering.

This free community event offers live music in a beautiful outdoor setting while getting to enjoy dinner with friends and neighbors. You can bring your own picnic dinner or purchase dinner from a local food truck. Wine, beer and lemonade will be for sale. Attendees can also purchase a Dam Dinner t-shirt along with the City’s 20-Year merchandise (t-shirts, hats, totes and mugs).

The City of Goleta is putting on this event with the Goleta Valley Historical Society. Get ready for the best dam dinner you have ever had! 

High Fire Season is Here

We live in an area where there is always a concern for fire danger but now that its officially High Fire Season there is an even more urgent need to be fire ready. Please be sure you are signed up for alerts from Santa Barbara County (https://readysbc.org/) and the City of Goleta (https://tinyurl.com/GoletaEmergency).

Just in May our area had three fires that had the potential to be disastrous.  The La Patera Fire broke out on May 8, the Tajiguas Landfill Fire on May 12, and the Glen Fire on May 14. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our amazing firefighters whose swift actions quickly stopped the forward progress of the fires and kept our community safe. Aiding in its efforts was the County’s new, state of the art FireHawk helicopter. This helicopter has the capacity to carry 1,000 gallons of water — three times the amount of water held by the other helicopters in the County’s fleet. Additionally, the FireHawk is able to stay in the air for extended periods of time.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) along with allied agencies held a press conference on May 20 to announce the official beginning of High Fire Season. During this time, all burn permits issued for residential burning and hazard reduction will be suspended. In addition, the SBCFD will be increasing the number of resources (e.g., engines, dozers, crews, helicopters, etc.) responding to reported vegetation fires.

According SBCFD, the 2021/22 rainy season yielded 65% of our normal rainfall which has resulted in significantly drier fuels. Combined with dry seasonal grasses for this time of year, this poses a significant risk for ignition and growth of a vegetation fire.

SBCFD reminds the public to maintain vegetation clearance around structures, review and be familiar with your “Ready! Set! Go!” wildfire action plan and be extra cautious and aware when traveling or staying in the wildland areas of the county.

The SBCFD has begun conducting defensible space inspections. A minimum of 100 feet of defensible space is required around your home in Santa Barbara County. Engine companies will perform inspections and provide homeowners with educational material on how to comply. With the year-round threat of wildfire, the defensible space requirement is enforced at all times in Santa Barbara County. Non-compliant homeowners are subject to be cited.

The SBCFD reminds people that defensible space is the area around a structure, free of flammable plants and objects, that creates a zone in which firefighters can operate safely in order to help protect a home during a wildfire. This space is wide enough to prevent direct flame impingement and reduce the amount of radiant heat reaching the structure. The defensible space for each structure varies and depends on the type of vegetation and topography. Maintaining this defensible space is critical.

Maintaining defensible space is critical in stopping a wildfire from destroying your home. Defensible space is part of every homeowner’s responsibility.

Learn more at SBCFire.com.

Pictured: FireHawk helicopter courtesy of Mike Eliason

Thank You CERT Business Ambassadors

Goleta’s CERT Team logged more than 300 hours during the pandemic acting as Business Ambassadors to help with changing guidelines. They were honored for the service they provided to our community at the May 17 City Council meeting.

Watch this short video of the CERT Business Ambassadors in action: https://youtu.be/nU3tEiP82bU.

Way to Go CERT! #cityofgoleta #goletacert #goodlandgoodpeople

Pictured: CERT volunteers with Emergency Services Manager Michael Baris (center) outside City Council Chambers holding their certificates of appreciation and plaques.

COVID-19 Test to Treat Site in Goleta

A new Test to Treat option is now available in Goleta and Santa Maria. According to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, through Test to Treat, people will be able to get tested, and—if they are positive for COVID and eligible for treatment they may receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location.

*Note: People can continue to be tested and treated by their own health care providers who can appropriately prescribe these oral antivirals at locations where the medicines are distributed. 

Locations
  • Mini-bus at Direct Relief (6100 Wallace Becknell Road, Goleta)
    Sunday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Santa Maria Fairpark (937 Thornburg Street, Santa Maria)
    Sunday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
How Test to Treat Works for Individuals and Families

COVID-19 treatments must be started early in order to work. With the new Test to Treat initiative, eligible patients can get tested and start treatment in one visit to a participating site.

Step 1: Get Tested

You can use the web-based Test to Trea​t locator to find a participating site near you. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages. The call center is open from 8am to midnight ET, 7 days a week. In addition, the Disability Informatio​n and Access Line (DIAL) is available to help people with disabilities access services.

Step 2: Get a prescription from an on-site healthcare provider if you are at high risk of getting very sick

If you test positive for COVID-19, ask the on-site health care provider during your appointment if you are eligible for a prescription for a COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment. Bring any medications (or a list of the medications you are currently taking) with you to your appointment. 

Step 3: Get Treated

Ask the on-site or affiliated pharmacist to fill the prescription. Once your prescription has been filled, you can take your oral antiviral pills home with you to begin treatment!

How to Get COVID-19 Treatments
  • If you have symptoms, call your health care provider right away to ask about testing and if you qualify for COVID-19 treatments. 
  • Stay home and isolate away from others to avoid making them sick. 
  • If you don’t have a health care provider or don’t hear back from your provider within a few days, visit a Test to Treat location to get rapid testing and find out if treatments are right for you. 
  • If you are uninsured, get free care at an OptumServe Test to Treat location

COVID-19 treatments are not a substitute for COVID-19 vaccines. While treatments are an essential tool in the fight against COVID-19, vaccines are how we get through the pandemic. Go to MyTurn to book your appointment to find a walk-in clinic near you.

For more information, including Frequently Asked Questions, go to https://publichealthsbc.org/test-to-treat/.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The City is pleased for the opportunity to officially recognize and celebrate the many significant cultural, historical, and economic contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have made to Goleta. Mayor Perotte presented a Proclamation to long-time Goleta resident Michael Cheng at the May 17 Goleta City Council meeting proclaiming May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the City of Goleta.

The history and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are inextricably tied to the story of the United States of America and California is one of the states with the largest Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders population.

The City of Goleta issued the Proclamation in acknowledgment of the historical and cultural contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the development of the State of California and to show the City’s commitment to being a welcome and inclusive place for all.

Pictured (from left-to-right): Janice Zee, Michael Cheng, Michael Kwan and Karina Jew receiving the proclamation at the May 17 City Council meeting.

Summer Fun at Rancho La Patera & Stow House

The Goleta Valley History Society will be busy this summer with a lot of our favorite activities and something new:

  • Fiesta Ranchera: Celebrating Fiesta with the Old Spanish Days on June 16 from 5:00 -10:00 p.m. 

  • Old Fashioned 4th of July: This local favorite is returning from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and includes two bands, food trucks, tractor rides, ranch animals and other family friendly activities. 

  • Stow 150: Look for the 150th Anniversary of the Stow House with a free community event on Saturday July 16 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The day includes live music with Hoodlum Friends, tractor rides, goats, chickens, self-guided tours of the historic Stow House, and exhibits of Stow Ranch history. Bring your lawn chair. Parking is limited – carpooling and Uber/Lyft are encouraged.

  • Music at the Ranch: This popular Tuesday Night Free Summer Concert Series begins July 19 with ‘Down Mountain Lights” and continues for 5 consecutive weeks. Food trucks and cash bar serving beer and wine. Be advised, parking is again limited.

For more information please visit http://goletahistory.org/. All events take place at Rancho La Patera & Stow House located at 304 N. Los Carneros Road.

 

Two Sheriff’s Deputies Honored for Goleta Apartment Fire Response

The City of Goleta would like to congratulate two Sheriff’s deputies for receiving a prestigious H. Thomas Guerry Award May 18, 2022, in recognition of their life-saving actions responding to an apartment fire in Old Town Goleta in November of 2021. A Sheriff’s Pilot was also honored for his dedication to public service. Please see write up below from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate the three Sheriff’s employees who were among the 12 recipients honored May 18, 2022, with a prestigious H. Thomas Guerry Award. The honors were handed out at a ceremony held at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisor’s Hearing Room attended by personnel from local law enforcement agencies and local dignitaries as well as family and friends of those being recognized.

The H. Thomas Guerry Award is named after a Santa Barbara Police Department Officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1970. Every year in his memory, the Santa Barbara Citizen’s Council on Crime recognizes excellence in law enforcement in Santa Barbara County.

This year, two Sheriff’s deputies were honored with the H. Thomas Guerry Award for Valor for their courageous, swift and resolute actions under life threatening circumstances. On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at approximately 1653 hours, deputies were dispatched to assist fire personnel with a structure fire in the 100 block of Orange Avenue in Goleta, CA. After deputies were dispatched, it was reported someone was possibly trapped inside the building.

Deputies Ashley and Ellis were the first to arrive on scene. They were directed to the affected apartment by a neighbor, and they were able to see dark black smoke billowing from the apartment. The deputies made their way to the apartment and initially could not see inside due to the thick smoke.

Deputy Ellis attempted to look inside but was quickly overwhelmed by the smoke and pulled his head back outside. Deputy Ashley dropped to the ground and was able to see as there was a layer of clear air along the floor. He estimated the smoke was standing about one and a half feet off the floor and he was able to see a woman down on the floor about twenty feet inside the apartment.

Deputy Ashley held his breath and crawled along the floor making his way to the woman. When he arrived, he saw her clothing was on fire and she was unconscious. He patted the fire out on her clothing and began to pull her out of the apartment, crawling on his back and pulling her behind him.

When he was almost out of the building, Deputy Ashley took a breath and immediately felt the effects of the smoke and hot air from inside the apartment. He had difficulty breathing and started to get dizzy. Deputy Ellis stepped into the apartment and pulled both Deputy Ashley and the woman to safety outside the apartment.

Deputies Ashley and Ellis took a moment to catch their breath after coughing from smoke inhalation, then carried the woman to the street. Once at the street they rendered aid to the woman until additional personnel arrived to assist. The woman was transported to Cottage Hospital and was later transported to a hospital in Los Angeles. The woman is currently recovering from her injuries at a recovery hospital in the Los Angeles area. If it was not for the quick thinking and immediate actions of these two Sheriff’s deputies, it is doubtful that the woman would have survived the fire.

Sheriff’s Pilot Loren Courtney was honored with the H. Thomas Guerry Award for Superior Performance for his extraordinary dedication to public service and his exemplary performance. Loren is responsible for flying law enforcement, medevac, technical rescue and firefighting missions. He is tasked with maintaining proficiency in five different aircraft, each with their own capabilities. He works with four different crew chiefs, each with their own operational styles. In addition to the current fleet and crews, Loren has been instrumental in the buildout process of the unit’s new Blackhawk helicopter. Pilots at the Air Support Unit typically work a 4/10 schedule, remaining on-call between shifts for half of the two week pay period. Loren, to keep the unit fully operational, works a 5/10 schedule and remains on-call during his work week as well as during his 2 days off. He is often called back to work for callouts on his days off. Loren minimizes his vacation time, and always put the operational needs of the unit above his own personal needs.

Pictured: Deputy Ashley, Sheriff’s Pilot Loren Courtney, Deputy Ellis and Sheriff Bill Brown

Our Water Our World: Controlling Mosquitoes Around Your Home

Learn how to control mosquitoes with these tips from the City of Goleta Environmental Services Division.

Mosquitoes are insects that are usually seen as a pest to humans because they can cause bug bites or transmit diseases. However, for aquatic ecosystems, they are beneficial because mosquitoes provide food for fish and other aquatic creatures. Mosquitoes are out at any time of the day, with some only out during daylight and others only out at night.

Did You Know?

  • Only adult female mosquitoes bite humans and animals because they need blood to produce eggs
  • Adult mosquitos, both male and female, feed on plant nectar for energy
  • Mosquitofish are non-native predators of young mosquitoes, but they also feed on several threatened and endangered species, so they must never be released into a natural water body

What Can You Do?

Different methods can be used to control mosquitoes around your home such as using barriers and wearing protective clothing. Because mosquitoes can breed in any amount of standing water, the most effective method to control mosquitoes is to remove standing water around your home. If you suspect mosquitoes are breeding in your nearby storm drain, then call your mosquito and vector control district.

  • Frequently change water for standing water that cannot be avoided. If you do have standing water around your home, such as a bird bath or pet water dish, change it every 2-3 days.
  • Fix water leaks. Leaky pipes can form standing water, so make sure to fix any leaks.
  • Remove hollow objects. Properly store or remove objects around your home, such as tires, that can collect water.
  • Clean roof gutters. Roof gutters should be frequently cleaned of debris, so water does not collect due to clogged gutters.
  • Keep pools covered or filters running. Cover pools, including plastic wading pools, and hot tubs when not in use or keep your pool and hot tub filters running. 
  • Install barriers. Use screens on windows or doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
  • Wear protective clothing. Wear long pants and sleeves to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
  • Use insect repellent. Use a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended repellent and reapply insect repellent every 3-4 hours.
  • Keep light to a minimum near doors. Some mosquitoes are attracted to light, so keep outdoor light to a minimum, especially near your entry or backyard door. 
  • Properly remove yard waste. Place yard waste in the proper trash bin as some mosquitoes feed on decaying organic matter.
  • Avoid bug zappers. Bug zappers kill more beneficial and neutral insects than mosquitoes, so using a bug zapper is not recommended. 

Find more information on controlling mosquitos with eco-friendly products in our OWOW brochures in English and Spanish

The City of Goleta along with the Cities of Buellton, Carpinteria, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and the County of Santa Barbara have partnered with the OWOW organization to promote the use of less-toxic products in an effort to reduce pesticide pollution in our communities. By reducing pesticide use and the use of less-toxic products around the home, you can help reduce pesticides and other pollutants such as herbicides and fertilizers from being picked up while watering or when it rains and transported to the nearest storm drain inlet and into our waterways. The OWOW website is a great resource for finding less-toxic products to use around your home or garden.

Green Room: Best Management Practices for Mobile Car Washers

Learn how to protect our local waterways with these tips from the City of Goleta Environmental Services Division.

Did You Know?

Most people don’t know that washing their cars or vehicles can send pollutants like soaps, grease, and metals into our creeks and oceans if not done properly. Mobile car washers are in a unique position to help our residents wash their cars safely and protect our waterways. The City of Goleta aims to provide general Best Management Practices for business operations to help keep our local waterways clean and safe and maintain compliance with municipal code.

What Can Mobile Cleaners Do to Help?

Mobile cleaners can use Best Management Practices and join the City of Santa Barbara’s Clean Creeks Business Program to help us be leaders in protecting our creeks and watershed and prevent stormwater pollution in our communities.

Best Management Practice Tips

  • Do a dry clean-up before washing down. Water that has evaporated can leave pollutants behind, so grab a broom and sweep up any dirt or debris.
  • Make sure you have 100% containment. Keep wash water out of storm drain by collecting it and disposing the wash water and/or wastewater correctly and legally by discharging to the sanitary sewer or to a landscaped area.
  • Remember that wash water can’t be allowed to runoff to streets, storm drains or outside of the designated area. Disposing non-storm water into City storm drains is a violation of federal, state, and local laws.
  • Use a safer choice-certified cleaner. The US Environmental Protection Agency lists safer choice-certified products that contain ingredients that are safer for humans and the environment.
City of Santa Barbara’s Clean Creeks Business Programs

The Business Assistance Program can provide up to $1,000 in assistance to mobile cleaners to help get the tools needed to protect our local waterways. Eligible businesses must possess a City of Santa Barbara business license, have been in business for at least one year, and must become certified through the business program to receive assistance. To get certified and receive assistance, visit the City of Santa Barbara’s Clean Creeks Business Programs.

As always, be sure to check with your local wastewater authority’s discharge requirements, drought restrictions, and business license requirements in the communities where you are operating your mobile cleaning services. The City of Goleta requires a business license to operate. Find more information on Best Management Practices in our Mobile Cleaner’s Guide in English and Spanish. To ensure your business is in compliance, visit the Goleta Stormwater Program and review the website and resource links.

We Want to Promote Your Business!

Are you a mobile cleaner who has a great method in protecting our local waterways and want to share it with us? Reach out to environmentalservices@cityofgoleta.org.