June 20, 2022
Mayor Paula Perotte
City Councilmembers
City of Goleta
BY EMAIL: City Clerk [email protected]
Re: City Budget and Sales Tax Revenue Priorities: Creek and Watershed Protection and Restoration
Dear Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
The undersigned members of the Watershed Alliance support prioritization of the City’s watersheds and creeks as critically important community resources. Goleta’s creeks and watersheds recharge our aquifers, filter stormwater, nurture fish and wildlife, offer recreational opportunities including trails, outdoor labs for students, and accessible areas to appreciate nature.
Ninety-two percent of residents in the City’s survey prioritize creeks.
June 20, 2022
Goleta’s Creeks and Watersheds
The City made a significant investment by preparing the Creek and Watershed Management Plan (“CWMP”) in 2020. However, the City lacks implementation funding.
Goleta’s sales tax measure could implement the CWMP fulfilling the commitment made upon Council adoption.
We recommend twenty percent (two million dollars) of the increased sales tax revenue be allocated to implement the CWMP. For comparison, the City of Santa Barbara’s Creeks Program receives two million dollars per year from the transient occupancy tax to manage three major creeks. Goleta has twelve creeks. The sales tax increase could provide matching funds for grants to protect and restore our treasured creeks and open natural spaces in our watersheds. Local contractors would restore our creeks, increasing fire safety, enhancing ecotourism, and replenishing valuable natural resources.
Please prioritize our important creeks and watersheds to benefit our community, residents, economy, and quality of life.
Thank you,
Linda Krop, Chief Counsel
Environmental Defense Center
Catherine Mullin, Conservation Chair
Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter
Sigrid Wright, CEO
Community Environmental Council
Lindsay Johnson, Executive Director
Explore Ecology
Hillary Hauser, Executive Director
Heal the Ocean
Ken Owen, Executive Director
Channel Islands Restoration
Benjamin Pitterle, Science and Policy Director
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
Katherine Emery, Ph.D., Executive Director
Santa Barbara Audubon Society
Dan McCarter, President
Urban Creeks Council
June 20, 2022
Goleta’s Creeks and Watersheds
Conor McMahon, President
Goleta Coast Audubon
Doug Kern, Executive Director
Gaviota Coast Conservancy
Jeff Kuyper, Executive Director
Los Padres ForestWatch
Mark Morey, Chair
Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter
Luke J. Svetland, President and CEO
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History & Sea Center
Vicki Allen, VP Communications
League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara
Ken Hough, Executive Director
SBCAN
Russell Marlow, South Coast Region Program Manager
California Trout
Nathan Irwin, Executive Director
Illuminate Conservation
Marell Brooks, President
Citizens Planning Association
Doug Campbell, Executive Director
Coastal Ranches Conservancy
Anannya Deshmukh, Chair
UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund
From: C. Dave G <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 12:44 PM
To: City Clerk Group <[email protected]>
Cc: Dave G <[email protected]>
Subject: Please Vote “NO” (i.e., REJECT) Agenda Item D.1 22-203, Letter C. Resolution No.22-__ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California Calling for the Placement of a General Tax Measure on the Ballot for the November 8, 2022...
When a considerable number of Goleta residents are absolutely broke and can no longer afford rent as combined with maxed out credit card debt, increasing credit card interest rates, a most certain recession, out of control food and fuel prices, overall inflation, and the beginning stages of a statewide drought, the Mayor and Council Members must Reject this resolution until local economic conditions significantly improve.
In support of the above, I have reviewed the June 14, 2022 workshop video, and unfortunately it appears the greatest portion of this tax, if approved, will go towards rehabilitation of City street pavements with its’ apparent 1.5 – 2 or so year time lag to award paving contracts after receipt of funding. However, Staff suggested, partial funding can be, I believe, from the gas tax, Senate Bill (SB) 1 Funds, and other special funds. Additionally, if sections of City streets are determined unsafe as a result of a low Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and the unsafe sections are blocked off with traffic redirected until adequate funds are available, I believe financially stressed residents will be more than happy to comply with new traffic patterns just to remain living in Goleta. Furthermore, if these residents become homeless and remain living in Goleta, they’re still eligible to Vote in the November election to reject this measure. Hopefully, in the near future, a new, less expensive green building material will emerge to replace the rejuvenation of expensive asphaltic concrete pavements. On a related side note, I would be more than willing to support a local tax on owners of Electric Vehicles to assist in paying for the rejuvenation of City pavements.
As such, please Reject this resolution since it will financially harm a considerable portion of the City’s population as well as inadequately fund (if at all once lumped into the general fund) the specific funding needs that the public specifically requested.
My name is C. Dave Gaughen, email address of [email protected], phone number of (805) 275-6457, and currently I do not plan on speaking on this agenda item.
Thank you for your time - respectfully,
C. Dave Gaughen