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City Council — April 21, 2026

City Council — April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 April 21, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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  3. VerifiedReviewed and corrected by a person.

Present: 1-Reyes-Martín, Keriakou, 4-Kasdin, 3-Smith, Parodi

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

Senior Center Thermal Comfort

  • A speaker requested improvements to temperature control at the Community Center to address cold conditions for seniors.
  • The council noted the issue regarding open door policies and heating limitations affecting residents over age 70.
  • No immediate action was taken, but the concern was recorded for future discussion before the fall season.

Stowe Grove Park Play Equipment

  • The council authorized the purchase of universal play equipment to ensure readiness prior to construction.
  • Staff confirmed that design renderings are available online and in the meeting packet for public review.

2026 Pavement Projects

  • The council authorized advertising for bids on residential resurfacing and arterial pavement projects.
  • Staff presented maps detailing project locations and discussed using additive alternates to maximize funding efficiency.
  • Unfunded projects will be re-evaluated in future cycles based on funding availability and economies of scale.

Goleta Train Station Policies

  • The council adopted policies and procedures to prepare for the upcoming opening of the train station.
  • Council members acknowledged the milestone and thanked the funding partners involved in the project.

Earth Month Proclamation

  • The council declared April 2026 as Earth Month to highlight sustainability and the "Go Green Goleta" initiative.
  • Representatives from local conservation groups accepted the proclamation and noted recent volunteer cleanup successes.

National Donate Life Month Proclamation

  • The council recognized April 2026 as National Donate Life Month to encourage organ donor registration.
  • Representatives from Donate Life California shared personal stories and invited the council to an upcoming event.

Fair Housing Month Proclamation

  • The council declared April 2026 as Fair Housing Month to commemorate the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
  • Representatives from the Rental Housing Mediation Program detailed their volunteer services in resolving landlord-tenant disputes.

CDBG Plan Amendment

  • The council approved shifting CDBG funding from public services to capital improvements, specifically for ADA projects at the Pickleball Courts.
  • Staff confirmed that General Fund resources will backfill public service grants to maintain support for vulnerable populations.
  • The City Manager was designated as the certifying officer for the required environmental reviews.

User Fees and Charges Adjustment

  • The council adopted a resolution approving a 3.2% CPI increase for most user fees for fiscal year 2026-27.
  • Specific adjustments included new fees for driveway repairs, public art, and teen books, while some departments saw no increase.
  • The historic preservation designation fee was reduced to encourage participation in the program.

Pine Avenue Zoning Amendment

  • The council approved a General Plan Amendment to change the land use designation from General Commercial to Business Park.
  • The zoning map ordinance amendment was introduced for first reading to align with existing General Plan designations.
  • Staff confirmed the project is exempt from CEQA and will not create non-conformities for current uses.

Encroachment Permits Ordinance

  • The council approved an ordinance establishing a pavement cut moratorium on streets with a Pavement Condition Index above 80.
  • Staff clarified that the ordinance applies to all public streets, including cul-de-sacs, with exceptions for emergencies.
  • The measure aims to prevent patchwork repairs and coordinate utility work with upcoming regional development.

Closed Session

  • A report from a prior closed session indicated no reportable action was taken.

Full summary

Meeting Overview

  • The Goleta City Council convened on April 21, 2026. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, confirming the presence of all council members and the Mayor. A report from a prior closed session indicated no reportable action. Interpretation services in Spanish were made available.

Public Forum

  • One speaker, Charles Hughes, addressed the council regarding the Senior Center. He highlighted the importance of social interaction and exercise for seniors, noting that the current Community Center location has drawbacks, specifically regarding temperature control. He reported that the facility often remains too cold for seniors over age 70 due to policies keeping doors open and heating issues, and requested a discussion on improving thermal comfort before the next fall season.

City Manager Report

  • The City Manager acknowledged the recent "State of the City" event and announced upcoming community events: a "Street Talk" transportation open house and the annual Senior Expo. Staff reported that over 500 residents responded to a pre-event survey regarding transportation and circulation, with results to be incorporated into the annual work plan.

Consent Calendar

  • The Consent Calendar included six items:
  • Item A1: Acceptance of the February 2026 investment transaction report.
  • Item A2: Single audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
  • Item A3: Authorization to purchase universal play equipment at Stowe Grove Park. Council members discussed the milestone of purchasing the equipment in advance of construction to ensure readiness. Staff noted that renderings are available online and in the packet.
  • Item A4: Authorization to advertise for bids for the 2026 residential resurfacing and arterial pavement projects. Staff presented maps detailing the 2026 arterial pavement project (including portions of Cayo Real, Cathedral Oaks, and Fairview) and residential cape seal projects. Discussions focused on the bidding timeline, with contract awards expected in early 2027, and the use of additive alternates to maximize funding efficiency. Staff confirmed that projects not funded in the current cycle would be re-evaluated based on future funding availability and economies of scale.
  • Item A6: Adoption of Goleta train station policies and procedures. Council members acknowledged this as a milestone in preparing for the station's opening and thanked funding partners.
  • No public speakers addressed the consent items. A motion was made and seconded to approve the entire Consent Calendar. The motion passed unanimously.

Presentations and Proclamations

  • Item B1 (Earth Month): Council Member Reyes-Martin presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Earth Month in Goleta. The proclamation highlighted the city's commitment to sustainability, the "Go Green Goleta" initiative, and the importance of native species and green infrastructure. Representatives from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County accepted the proclamation, noting the Botanic Garden's centennial and the Land Trust's conservation work. Staff also reported on the success of the recent "Beautify Goleta" Earth Day event, which involved 62 volunteers removing over 380 pounds of trash and 54 vehicles dropping off over 8,000 pounds of bulky items.
  • Item B2 (National Donate Life Month): The Mayor presented a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as National Donate Life Month. The proclamation cited statistics on organ transplant waiting lists and encouraged residents to register as donors. Representatives from Donate Life California accepted the proclamation, sharing personal stories of organ donation and inviting the council to an upcoming run/walk event.
  • Item B3 (Fair Housing Month): Council Member Keriakou presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Fair Housing Month. The proclamation commemorated the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and recognized the city's partnership with the City of Santa Barbara's Rental Housing Mediation Program. Representatives from the Rental Housing Mediation Program accepted the proclamation, detailing their volunteer-based mediation services and success in resolving landlord-tenant disputes without court intervention.

Public Hearing: CDBG Consolidated Plan and Action Plan (Item C1)

  • The council held a public hearing on a substantial amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Staff presented a recommendation to shift CDBG funding from public services to capital improvements for the remaining years of the plan. Specifically, 80% of the funds were proposed for ADA projects at the Goleta Valley Center Pickleball Courts, with the remainder for planning and administration. Staff clarified that while CDBG funds would be redirected to capital projects, the city intended to backfill public service grants using General Fund resources to maintain support for youth, seniors, and residents with special needs. Council members discussed the rationale, noting the restrictions on federal funds and the need to coordinate with the City Grant program. No public testimony was received. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendations, including adopting the plans and designating the City Manager as the certifying officer for environmental reviews. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Hearing: User Fees and Charges (Item C2)

  • The council held a public hearing on the annual adjustment for user fees and charges for fiscal year 2026-27. Staff presented a fee schedule reflecting a 3.2% CPI increase for most fees, with specific adjustments for various departments:
  • Finance/Admin: Updates to business license categories and new fees for hearing requests and single-day vendor permits.
  • Neighborhood Services: No CPI increase to encourage use; a new fee for NEPA environmental reviews.
  • Community Center: No CPI increase; a new Sunday package fee to encourage events.
  • Library: No CPI increase to support the relocation to Library Express; a new fee structure for teen books.
  • Planning: New fees for Local Environmental Plans (LEP) and a public art fee (waived for city-owned projects).
  • Public Works: No CPI increase for encroachment permits; new fees for driveway replacements and sidewalk/curb repairs to better capture costs; elimination of the trench fee in favor of categorized replacement fees.
  • Building: New fees for plan duplication and doubled code enforcement violation fees.
  • Historic Preservation: A reduction in the designation fee to encourage participation.
  • Train Station: New room rental and equipment fees.
  • Council members discussed the historic preservation fee reduction and the structure of the public art fee. No public testimony was received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution approving the fiscal year 2026-27 user fees and charges. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Hearing: General Plan and Zoning Amendment (Item C3)

  • The council held a public hearing regarding a proposed General Plan Amendment and Zoning Map Ordinance Amendment for properties at 421, 425, and 445 Pine Avenue (Goleta Business Park). Staff presented a request to change the land use designation from General Commercial (CG) to Business Park (BP) to align the zoning with the existing General Plan designation and the surrounding business park. Staff noted the project is exempt from CEQA. Council members confirmed the change would not disrupt current uses or create non-conformities. No public testimony was received. A motion was made and seconded to approve the General Plan Amendment, adopt the Notice of Exemption, and introduce the Ordinance Amendment for first reading. The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion Item: Encroachment Permits Ordinance (Item D1)

  • The council discussed an ordinance amending Chapter 12 of the Goleta Municipal Code to update requirements and procedures for encroachment permits. Staff presented the ordinance, which includes a "pavement cut moratorium" prohibiting cuts on streets with a Pavement Condition Index greater than 80 or those repaved within the last five years, with exceptions for emergencies. The goal is to protect city infrastructure investments and coordinate utility work. Public speakers Dr. Ingeborg Cox and Vic Cox raised concerns regarding the speed of the process, the definition of "director," the lack of specific mention of cul-de-sacs, restrictions on staging for tree removal, and liability for repairs due to natural events. Staff clarified that the ordinance applies to all public streets, including cul-de-sacs, and that staging is permitted during working hours but not overnight. Staff also confirmed that stop work orders are issued in writing and that emergency work is permitted with subsequent coordination for repairs. Council members expressed support for the moratorium to prevent "patchwork" repairs on newly paved streets and to coordinate with upcoming regional development. A motion was made and seconded to approve the ordinance and find it exempt from CEQA. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Comments

  • Council members announced upcoming attendance at the Cal Cities conference in Sacramento. A request was made for a future staff update on the historic preservation ordinance. Council Member Keriakou highlighted an upcoming commuter rail employer forum and thanked the organization LEAP for their recent family fiesta.

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned.