Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Business Recognition Program
- Staff presented the annual award to Rachel with Fitness for community enrichment and longevity.
- The Mayor recognized the recipient as a successful woman-owned enterprise serving seniors.
- No public comment was received regarding this item.
Project Connect Update
- Staff reported that approximately two-thirds of the infrastructure project is complete with a spring 2027 finish date.
- Discussion focused on upcoming roundabout operations, safety measures, and public education plans.
- Public comment urged adherence to accessibility guidelines and suggested phased implementation.
- This item was informational only with no motion or vote taken.
Cathedral Oaks Road and Crib Wall Replacement
- Staff outlined a two-phase plan involving pavement improvements and a nine-month road closure for wall replacement.
- Council members discussed detour impacts on traffic and confirmed bike path reconstruction on the north side.
- A motion was made and passed to authorize advertising for construction bids for both phases.
Five-Year Forecast and Budget Priorities
- Finance staff presented a forecast showing expenditures exceeding revenues by fiscal year 2029 under current assumptions.
- The Council acknowledged full funding for the "Big Six" capital projects and discussed pavement maintenance shortfalls.
- Consensus was reached to continue the deferment of affordable housing funds without a formal motion.
- Staff noted capacity constraints in Advanced Planning and delays in federal grant signing for San Jose Creek.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The meeting was called to order on February 3, 2026. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a roll call confirmed the presence of all council members and the Mayor. The availability of Spanish interpretation services was announced.
Public Forum
- The public forum was opened for comments on matters not on the agenda.
- Robin Cederlof expressed concern regarding the relocation of a Chumash art piece to San Ynez and the lack of local facilities in Goleta to discuss Chumash history. She suggested dedicating a room at the Goleta Community Center to local history and incorporating Chumash elements into future projects, such as the golf course redesign.
- Bill Woodbridge discussed the City of Santa Barbara's resolution to freeze rents, highlighting the impact of rising rents on seniors. He urged the council to adopt a similar resolution to prevent displacement.
- Alejandro Gonzalez and James Poku were called to speak; however, their comments were not fully transcribed or were interrupted.
- The Mayor noted that responses to public forum comments could not be provided as the topics were not on the agenda.
Announcements
- Councilmember Kasdan announced that the City of Goleta celebrated its 24th anniversary of cityhood on February 2, 2026, and noted that planning for the 25th anniversary is underway. He also mentioned the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Goleta Community Center.
- Councilmember Kiriakou made a brief comment regarding the monarch butterfly and the anniversary.
Consent Calendar
- The City Clerk presented the consent calendar, which included:
- Approval of the City Council meeting minutes from January 20, 2026.
- Acceptance of the November 2025 check register.
- Agreement with DUDEC for stormwater services.
- Amendment number two to agreement number 2025-046 with M&S Engineers Inc. for the 2025 arterial pavement project.
- Agreement for the Goleta 4th of July drone show light vendor and acceptance of a donation of funds exceeding $10,000 for the event.
- No items were pulled from the consent calendar, and no public speakers requested to address this item. A motion was made to approve the consent calendar and was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Business Recognition Program (Item B1)
- Staff presented an update on the Business Recognition Program, approved in 2024 to highlight exceptional local businesses based on longevity, economic development, sustainability, and community enrichment. Rachel with Fitness was presented with the City of Goleta Business Recognition Award. The Mayor cited the business's success as a woman-owned enterprise and its dedication to enriching the lives of seniors and residents. The recipient accepted the award. No public speakers addressed this item.
Project Connect Update (Item B2)
- Staff provided an update on Project Connect, a combined transportation and infrastructure project in Old Town Goleta involving the former Echols Street and Fowler Road extensions and the Hollister Avenue bridge replacement.
- Status: Approximately two-thirds of the project is complete. Major milestones include the completion of the Hollister Avenue Bridge, drainage improvements, and the reconstruction of the Orange Avenue parking lot.
- Remaining Work: Construction of roundabouts at Hollister Avenue and State Route 217 ramps, Fowler Road improvements, street lighting, final roadway treatments, and San Jose Creek Channel improvements. Completion is anticipated in spring 2027.
- Budget: The total construction contract is approximately $62.7 million. An additional $8.8 million was authorized for change orders; approximately $4 million has been spent to date.
- Discussion: Council members and staff discussed operational details of the upcoming roundabouts, including lane configurations, signage, and safety measures for pedestrians and bicyclists. Staff confirmed plans for a media blitz, instructional videos, and outreach to local schools.
- Public Comment: Barry Remes (MOVE Santa Barbara County) commended the project progress and urged adherence to PROAG guidelines for accessible pedestrian crossings, recommended graphic wayfinding signage, and suggested a phased implementation approach. Ashley Martinez-Lopez made a comment regarding rent issues, which was unrelated to the agenda item.
- This item was a presentation only; no motion was made or vote taken.
Cathedral Oaks Road and Crib Wall Replacement Project (Item C1)
- Staff presented an update on the Cathedral Oaks Road and Crib Wall Replacement Project, split into two phases.
- Phase 1: Pavement improvements on Winchester Canyon Road and Calle Real to prepare detour routes.
- Phase 2: Demolition and replacement of failing curb walls with soldier pile soil retaining walls, regrading, and a new multipurpose path. This phase requires the closure of Cathedral Oaks Road between Winchester Circle and Calle Real.
- Timeline: Phase 1 is expected to go to bid in spring 2026, and Phase 2 in summer 2026. Construction is anticipated to be completed by late 2027. Phase 1 is estimated to take one to two months, while Phase 2 is projected to require a nine-month to one-year closure.
- Discussion: Council members and staff discussed the impact of detour traffic on intersections near Caltrans freeway exits and bike path connectivity. Staff confirmed coordination with Caltrans and noted that the existing fenced-off bike path will be reopened and reconstructed on the north side, though no new bike lanes are being added on the south side due to infrastructure constraints. Plans for an open house to inform the public about detours and schedules were outlined.
- Public Comment: Barry Remus encouraged Public Works to prioritize safety for bicyclists and pedestrians during the detour, particularly at the Caltrans intersection. Another speaker attempted to address an unrelated matter regarding rent, which was ruled out of order.
- A motion was made to authorize staff to advertise a notice inviting construction bids for the Cathedral Oaks Road and crib wall project, Phases 1 and 2. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Five-Year Forecast and Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget Priority Setting Workshop
- Luke Rios, City Finance Director, presented a preliminary review of the five-year general fund forecast and funding priorities.
- Financial Outlook: The city remains fiscally stable but constrained. Expenditures are projected to exceed revenues by fiscal year 2029 under current assumptions. Key revenue sources include property tax, sales tax, transaction use tax (Measure B), and transient occupancy tax. Major cost drivers include the sheriff's office contract and rising construction costs.
- Priorities: Staff highlighted the "Big Six" priority Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), including Project Connect, the Cathedral Oaks crib wall repair, the Goleta Valley Library, the San Jose Creek fish passage modification, and the Shelby Agreement. A one-time fund balance of $7.1 million was identified to support these projects. The unassigned fund balance is projected to enter negative territory by fiscal year 2029, requiring the use of the contingency reserve.
- Pavement Program: Discussion focused on the increase in pavement maintenance costs from approximately $6 million to $18 million in recent years. Staff attributed this to factors including above-average rainfall and new ADA-compliant access ramp requirements. The current forecast assumes $6 million in annual funding, which falls short of the amount needed to meet original targets.
- Reserves and Deferred Maintenance: Council members discussed the city's reserve policy, which targets four months of operating expenses. Staff clarified that reserves are not an ongoing source of funding and that drawing down the reserve would require a five-year replenishment plan. Concerns were raised regarding the growing gap between funding and the costs of deferred maintenance for facilities such as the train depot, library, and community center.
- Specific Projects:
- San Jose Creek: The associated $11 million RCP grant from the Federal Highway Administration has not yet been signed due to federal delays. Council members discussed reallocating general fund dollars currently suspended for this project toward pavement maintenance once the grant status is confirmed.
- Train Depot: Site-specific improvements are fully funded, while broader sidewalk and road improvements have been extricated as a separate project to seek additional grant funding.
- Advanced Planning: The Advanced Planning department currently lacks the capacity to undertake proposed discretionary projects, such as the Equistreet extension rezone and the La Patera specific plan. A request was made to include options to increase department capacity in the budget evaluation.
- Library: The partnership with the County resulted in a modest increase in per capita funding for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
- Affordable Housing: Significant deed-restricted affordable housing units are expected to come online in the near future.
- Decisions:
- Affordable Housing Fund Deferment: Staff recommended continuing the deferment of affordable housing funds. The Council concurred with this recommendation via consensus; no formal motion was made.
- Overall Funding Priorities: The Council acknowledged the staff's presentation of funding priorities, including full funding for the "Big Six" projects and adjustments to splash pad operations. No formal motion was made; the Council expressed general agreement with the direction of the budget priorities.
- Public Comment: The City Attorney reminded attendees that public comment was limited to the five-year forecast and budget priority setting. No public speakers were present or requested to speak on this item.
Councilmember Reports
- Councilmembers provided informational reports on recent activities, including the Beacon erosion project, a US Women's Soccer Team match at UCSB, a press conference regarding ICE activities, and an athletic roundtable luncheon. No motions or votes were taken.
City Clerk Reports
- The City Clerk provided updates on two community events: the annual "Coffee and Community" event at the Goleta Valley Library Express, where inquiries regarding immigration were prominent, and a press conference at the county courthouse concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. No motions were made, seconded, or voted upon.
Committee Meeting Announcements
- Announcements were made regarding upcoming meetings for the Public Safety and Emergency Committee and the Homelessness Issues Standing Committee. No motions were made, seconded, or voted upon.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. No motions were made, seconded, or voted upon regarding the adjournment.