Meeting Summary
Present: Martin, 2-Kyriaco, 4-Kasdin, 3-Smith, Okay
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Police Leadership Transition
- The Council honored departing Chief Frank Vasquez with a commemorative tile.
- Lieutenant Jarrett Morris was introduced as the new Chief of Police Services.
- The LEAD Academy kickoff was noted with 35 members enrolled in the six-week program.
Library Interior Design and Capital Campaign
- Staff presented interior layouts featuring ADA-compliant doors, study pods, and a reading nook.
- A $550,000 commitment from the John C. Miffin Foundation was announced alongside a fiscal sponsorship agreement.
- Staff clarified that a second-story addition and on-site food service are not feasible under current constraints.
Library ADA Safety and Building Improvement Project
- The Council approved conformed plans and adopted a CEQA categorical exemption for the project.
- The construction contract was awarded to EJS Construction Inc. for a total of $5,394,156.
- Final budget tranches were appropriated to cover ADA upgrades, restroom renovations, and safety improvements.
Sanitary District Sewer Spill Settlement
- Staff presented a proposed settlement regarding a February 2024 wastewater spill with the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
- The Council authorized city leadership to express concerns over notification delays and fine allocation at the upcoming board meeting.
- An amendment was adopted to specify that fine proceeds should be directed toward prevention and infrastructure improvement.
Transportation Advisory Structure and Public Engagement
- Staff recommended maintaining the status quo for the transportation advisory body after evaluating four options.
- The Council directed Public Works to organize a community meeting using facilitated discussion tables.
- Creation of a formal Public Engagement Commission was placed on the work plan for future consideration.
Proclamations
- Joanne Meade Young was honored with a proclamation as the 2025 Congressional Woman of the Year.
- January 19–25, 2026, was designated as E-Bike Safety Awareness Week.
- January 2026 was declared Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Public Forum
- Citizens addressed topics not on the formal agenda. Dave Roman discussed the closed footbridge at Lake Los Caneros, suggesting in-house management and partnerships with local organizations for restoration. Richard Foster addressed infrastructure backlogs and budget concerns, arguing against tax increases and recommending the elimination of pending capital projects to fund infrastructure repairs. Fred Sleeman inquired about the status of the 55+ senior designation for the University Mobile Home Residence Park; the Mayor indicated the issue is being worked on and will be scheduled for the agenda. April Reed requested the transfer of building projects from Kenwood Village to Shelby, citing safety and wildlife corridor concerns.
City Manager Updates and Announcements
- The Council acknowledged the departure of Lieutenant Frank Vasquez, who served as Chief of Police Services from August 2024 to December 2025, and presented him with a tile in appreciation. Lieutenant Jarrett Morris was introduced as the new Chief of Police Services. Council Member Reyes-Martin announced the first "Coffee and Community" event for January 31st at the Goleta Valley Library Express. The Council noted the kickoff of the LEAD Academy, a six-week class with 35 members.
Consent Calendar
- The City Clerk presented six items for approval: approval of meeting minutes and an investment transaction report; purchase of fleet vehicles; adoption of Ordinance No. 26-0005 regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs); ratification of Santa Barbara County fire code ordinances and resolutions; and a resolution for the donation and relocation of artwork to the San Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center. No items were pulled from the calendar. A motion was made and seconded to approve items A1 through A6. The motion passed.
Proclamations
- Joanne Meade Young: A proclamation honoring Joanne Meade Young as the 2025 Congressional Woman of the Year was presented and adopted.
- E-Bike Safety Awareness Week: A proclamation designating January 19–25, 2026, as E-Bike Safety Awareness Week was presented and adopted.
- Human Trafficking Awareness Month: A proclamation declaring January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month was presented and adopted.
Goleta Valley Library Interior Design and Capital Campaign
- Staff presented an update on the interior design project for the Goleta Valley Library, detailing layouts for the lobby, community hub, adult area, and children's/teen area. Key features included ADA-compliant sliding doors, study pods, and a re-dedicated "Jake Boiselle Reading Nook." Regarding the capital campaign, an agreement with the Santa Barbara Foundation for fiscal sponsorship was announced, along with a $550,000 commitment from the John C. Miffin Foundation. Council members and the public raised questions regarding furniture durability, accessibility, the safety of the tree structure, and the feasibility of a second-story addition or on-site food service. Staff clarified that a second story is not within the current grant scope and that on-site food service is not feasible without a commercial kitchen. No formal motion or vote occurred on this item.
Goleta Valley Library ADA Safety and Building Improvement Project (CIP #9130)
- General Services Director Matt Fore presented an action item to approve conformed plans, award the construction contract, appropriate the final budget tranche, and adopt a CEQA categorical exemption. The project includes ADA upgrades, restroom renovations, safety system improvements, and exterior repairs. EJS Construction Inc. was identified as the lowest responsive bidder with a base bid of $5.18 million, plus optional alternates, for a total contract amount of $5,394,156. Council members inquired about the project timeline, closure reasons, and future expansion feasibility. A motion was made and seconded to approve the plans, award the contract to EJS Construction Inc., authorize change orders and budget transfers, and adopt Resolution No. 26. The motion passed.
Goleta West Sanitary District Sewer Spill and Proposed Settlement
- Staff presented a report regarding a proposed settlement between the Goleta West Sanitary District and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board concerning a February 2024 wastewater spill. The discussion focused on a joint letter submitted by City leadership expressing concerns over public notification delays, the proposed fine amount, and the allocation of fine proceeds. Representatives from the Sanitary District accepted responsibility for the spill, clarified that no negligence was found, and discussed the need for pipeline replacement. A representative from Santa Barbara Channel Keeper testified in support of the City's concerns. A motion was made and seconded to authorize the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to represent the City at the Regional Board meeting to speak on the need for an action plan regarding pipeline safety and public notification, and to express disappointment regarding communication protocols. A friendly amendment was accepted to specify that fines should be directed toward prevention and improvement. The motion passed.
Transportation Advisory Structure Evaluation
- Staff presented a report evaluating four options for a transportation advisory body: Status Quo, an Internal Working Group, a Council Committee, or a Public Transportation Commission. Staff recommended the Status Quo option. Council members and the public discussed the merits of each option, focusing on public engagement, staff workload, and fiscal impact. No formal motion was made to adopt any of the four options during this portion of the meeting.
Public Engagement and Advisory Commission Options
- Discussion continued regarding methods to improve public engagement on transportation and capital improvement projects. The City Clerk and other speakers supported holding an interim community meeting or workshop rather than immediately establishing a formal commission. Suggestions were made to utilize a "World Cafe" style format with facilitated discussion tables. A motion was made and seconded to direct Public Works to organize a community meeting in an external space utilizing information stations and facilitated discussion tables, and to place the creation of a Public Engagement Commission on the Public Works work plan for future consideration. A friendly amendment was accepted to specify the inclusion of facilitated tables. The motion passed.
Standing Committee Reports
- No standing committee reports were presented.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.