Meeting Summary
Present: 1-Reyes-Martín, Cariocco, 4-Kasdin, 3-Smith, Parodi
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
Older Americans Month Proclamation
- The Council approved a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Older Americans Month.
- The Parks and Recreation Manager accepted the proclamation on behalf of the city's senior population.
- No public comment was received during the consideration of this item.
Professional Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation
- The Council approved a proclamation designating the week of May 4 through May 9, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
- The item acknowledged the essential role of municipal clerks in local government operations.
- No public comment was received regarding this proclamation.
Johnny D. Wallace Park Splash Pad Operations and Contract Amendment
- Staff presented operational details for the new splash pad, including a six-day weekly schedule and safety protocols.
- Estimated first-year operating costs were projected between $195,000 and $235,000.
- The Council authorized an amendment to the cleaning services contract to include splash pad maintenance and emergency response.
- The contract amendment increases the total not-to-exceed amount to $1,466,213.33 with a termination date of June 30, 2027.
Hollister Avenue Interim Striping Project Update
- Staff reported that the project has reduced traffic volumes, collisions, and vehicle speeds while increasing parking occupancy.
- Public testimony was divided, with some residents citing safety improvements and others noting traffic shifts to side streets.
- Council members discussed specific operational details regarding U-turns, signage, and delivery truck access.
- The item was received for information with no formal motion taken, pending further monitoring and community meetings.
Public Works Annual Work Program (Fiscal Year 2026-27)
- The Director presented the work program highlighting staffing needs and community priorities identified through the "Street Talk" survey.
- Discussion focused on the potential creation of a Transportation and Circulation Committee or Commission.
- The Council adopted the work program with an amendment to include the transportation advisory structure contingent on staff capacity.
- Staff noted that adding new initiatives requires prioritizing them against existing funded work items.
Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance Amendments
- Staff presented proposed amendments including new definitions, a 120-night annual limit for non-hosted units, and a "three strikes" policy.
- The proposal includes prohibitions on non-hosted licenses for properties with recent no-fault evictions or corporate ownership.
- Administrative changes require utility data verification and expanded property search tool access across hosting platforms.
- The Council passed a motion to introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance Number 26, finding the action exempt from CEQA.
Closed Session
- A closed session item was read into the record with no reportable action.
Full summary
Consent Agenda
- The City Clerk presented the consent agenda, which included the approval of meeting minutes for March 17, April 7, and April 21, 2026; acceptance of the March 2026 check register and investment transaction report; a Deferred Compensation Plan update and the establishment of a 401A Defined Contribution Retirement Plan; the second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending encroachment permit requirements; amendments to professional services agreements with West Coast Arborist Inc. for tree maintenance; and the adoption of a zoning map ordinance amendment for properties at 421, 425, and 445 Pine Avenue, changing the designation from General Commercial to Business Park. No items were pulled from the agenda. A motion was made and seconded to approve the entire consent agenda. The motion passed.
Proclamation: Older Americans Month
- The Council considered a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Older Americans Month. The Parks and Recreation Manager accepted the proclamation on behalf of the city's senior population, acknowledging their contributions and highlighting senior programming. No public comment was received. The item was approved.
Proclamation: Professional Municipal Clerks Week
- The Council considered a proclamation recognizing the week of May 4 through May 9, 2026, as the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week. The proclamation acknowledged the role of municipal clerks in local government. No public comment was received. The item was approved.
Johnny D. Wallace Park Splash Pad Operations and Contract Amendment
- Public Works staff presented details regarding the new splash pad, the city's first aquatic facility. The presentation covered the design, including 34 jets, safety flooring, and a water recirculation system utilizing chlorine, UV light, and filtration. Staff outlined a proposed opening schedule for May 21st at 3:00 p.m., with regular operations running six days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Labor Day, with Wednesdays closed for maintenance. Operational protocols included daily water chemistry checks, floor cleaning, and emergency procedures for contamination events requiring a minimum 12-hour shutdown. Anticipated first-year operating costs were estimated between $195,000 and $235,000. Council members discussed the project's benefits, unanticipated startup costs, and safety surfaces. Questions were raised regarding filter maintenance requirements and safety hazards related to wet surfaces. Staff confirmed that filters require complete replacement rather than cleaning. A motion was made to receive the presentation on the proposed operation schedule and estimated costs, and to authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to General Services Agreement No. 2022-112 with Rich and Famous Inc. (DBA Big Green Cleaning Company). The amendment increases the agreement amount by $45,000 to include splash pad maintenance and emergency response services, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $1,466,213.33 with a termination date of June 30, 2027. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Hollister Avenue Interim Striping Project Update
- Staff presented data regarding the interim striping project on Hollister Avenue between Fairview and Kinman, which was approved in 2021 and completed in July 2024. The presentation highlighted that the project is meeting its goals: traffic volumes decreased from approximately 18,500 to 16,500 vehicles daily; collisions dropped from 12 pre-project to 4 in the current year; prevailing speeds decreased by 3 to 4 mph; and bicycle and pedestrian activity increased. Parking occupancy increased to over 80% in some areas following the addition of 19 spaces and a 90-minute parking restriction. Staff noted that while collision data is positive, a longer timeframe (3–5 years) is preferred before declaring a definitive win. Public testimony was divided; some residents supported the project citing improved safety, while others argued that sales tax revenue had declined, traffic had shifted to residential side streets, and that the data presentation was misleading regarding fatalities. Staff reported receiving 121 public inquiries between May and November 2024, with interest peaking in July and declining thereafter. Between March 2025 and March 2026, 10 inquiries were received, primarily concerning angled parking, with additional requests for ADA-accessible parking and Spanish signage. Council members discussed the project's impact on pedestrian safety, delivery truck operations, signage clarity, and the legality of U-turns. Staff clarified that left turns are restricted at Orange but not Magnolia, and confirmed that U-turns are permitted at the signaled location at Kidman but not in non-intersection pull-out areas. Staff outlined next steps, including monitoring traffic conditions, meeting with concerned citizens, considering modifications aligned with project goals, and reporting back to the City Council. The item was received for information; no formal motion was taken.
Public Works Annual Work Program (Fiscal Year 2026-27)
- The Public Works Director presented the Annual Work Program for Fiscal Year 2026-27, outlining staffing, workload, and priorities across seven divisions. The presentation included updates on the "Street Talk" public engagement event, which gathered over 600 survey responses regarding transportation and pavement needs. Key findings identified pavement conditions, safety, and traffic speeds as primary community concerns. The presentation also covered the Environmental Service Division's compliance efforts and the identification of work items extending beyond current staffing and funding capacity. Council members discussed the work plan in the context of the potential creation of a Transportation and Circulation Committee or Commission. Discussion focused on the distinction between an advisory committee and a commission, the associated staff time and costs, and the need to balance new initiatives with existing work program items. Council members expressed a desire to ensure the structure would be educational for the public regarding budget constraints and prioritization. It was determined that adding the initiative to the work program would require prioritizing it against other items or deferring it. A motion was made to adopt the Annual Work Program for Fiscal Year 2026-27 with an amendment to include the transportation advisory structure on a list contingent upon staff capacity. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Ordinance Amendments
- Staff presented proposed amendments to the City's Short-Term Vacation Rental regulations and administrative changes. The presentation highlighted findings from a 2025 study indicating that STVRs represent 0.4% of the city's housing stock and are not currently a significant driver of the housing shortage, but recommended continued monitoring to prevent encroachment on long-term housing stock. Public testimony included arguments that current regulations prevent housing production regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and that over-regulating STVRs would undermine property investments. Other commenters supported stricter regulations to protect long-term housing stock and neighborhood quality of life.
- Proposed ordinance amendments included:
- New definitions for "hosted" and "non-hosted" STVRs and "primary residence."
- Prohibitions on non-hosted licenses for properties with no-fault evictions in the last 24 months.
- A 24-month waiting period for non-hosted licenses on properties purchased within the last 24 months.
- A "three strikes" policy resulting in a 24-month license suspension for repeated violations.
- A limit of 120 cumulative non-hosted nights per calendar year.
- A prohibition on corporate-owned housing for STVR licensing.
- Proposed administrative changes included updating application forms to require statements regarding evictions, property deeds, and structural alterations; requesting utility usage data to verify compliance; and expanding property search tool access to all hosting platforms beyond Airbnb. Staff also noted plans to finalize Good Neighbor Guidelines and require business licenses for midterm rentals (31–90 days). The project was declared exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Council members discussed the definitions of hosted versus non-hosted rentals, the 120-day limit for non-hosted units, and enforcement mechanisms regarding eviction statements and corporate ownership. Questions were raised about the distinction between primary residence and presence during rental periods, and the balance between preventing speculation and allowing residents supplemental income. Staff explained the rationale for selecting specific licensing thresholds to provide flexibility while remaining below half a year. Staff also confirmed that the city documents housing production, including ADUs, in its General Plan annual report and is currently exceeding planned ADU production targets. A motion was made to introduce and conduct a first reading by title only of Ordinance Number 26, amending Chapter 5.08 of the Goleta Municipal Code regarding short-term vacation rentals, and finding the action exempt from CEQA. The motion included errata clarifications distributed prior to the meeting. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Other Items
- Lake Los Carneros: Council members inquired about the timeline for a conceptual plan to facilitate fundraising efforts.
- Pavement Costs: Discussion occurred regarding the accelerating costs of pavement and the distinction between CIP and non-CIP funding categories.
- Environmental Services: Questions were raised regarding the status of the former director of environmental services and the Creek and Watershed project.
- Closed Session: A closed session item was read into the record with no reportable action.
- Council Comments: Council members provided comments regarding recent finance committee meetings, attendance at the Cal Cities conference, and advocacy efforts on issues including e-bikes, senior mobile home parks, and affordable housing. The meeting was adjourned.