1 From: Brian Trautwein <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:18 PM
To: Paula Perotte; Kyle Richards; Stuart Kasdin; James Kyriaco; [email protected] Cc: City Clerk Group
Subject: City Manager Department Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Work Program Good Afternoon Mayor Perotte, Mayor Pro‐Tem Richards, and Councilmembers, The City Manager Department Fiscal Year 2023‐24 Annual Work Program Workshop is slated for today.
We want to take this opportunity to remind Councilmembers how important Goleta’s creeks and watersheds are to City residents.
Creeks and watersheds provide clean water for our aquifers and beaches, serve as recreational and educational amenities, and offer places for people and families quiet areas within our City to experience nature. Creeks and watersheds serve as habitat for a multitude of wildlife, birds, and fish, including the southern California steelhead which is one of the most endangered species of fish in America, red‐legged frogs, and other imperiled wild animals. They act as important wildlife corridors connecting the Los Padres Forest with the Goleta Slough, Devereux Slough, coastal open spaces, including the Ellwood Mesa, and beaches. Creeks and watersheds carry flood waters safety to the ocean. They also create scenic backdrops for our beautiful and City. Goleta’s streams flow through and unite diverse neighborhoods, bringing people from all walks of life together.
That is why protecting creeks and watersheds, including implementation of the Creek and Watershed Management Plan ranks so high as a priority for all City residents.
Please keep this in mind as you conduct the City Manager Department Fiscal Year 2023‐24 Annual Work Program Workshop today and when you consider City priorities and departmental budgets.
Thank you,
BRIAN TRAUTWEIN (he, him, his)
Senior Analyst / Watershed Program Director
Environmental Defense Center
(805)963-1622 ext. 108
www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org
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2 Concerns RE: City Manager Department Annual Work Program. Page - 1
DAVID GAUGHEN
7456 Evergreen Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Telephone: (805) 985 – 7229
Email: [email protected]
March 09, 2023
To: The Mayor and Council Members
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
Subj: Concerns RE: Agenda Item “A.1 23-106 City Manager Department Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Work Program,” meeting date March 09, 2023
Ref. (1) Workshop Report for Agenda Item “A.1 23- 106 City Manager Department Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Annual Work Program,” meeting date March 09, 2023
(2) Workshop Report for Agenda Item “A.2 23-098 General Services Department Priority Setting Workshop – Fiscal Year 2023/24 Annual Work Program,” meeting date March 09, 2023 (3) Workshop Report for Agenda Item “A .3 23-129 Neighborhood Services Department FY 2023- 24 Annual Work Program,” meeting date March 09, 2023
Dear Madam Mayor and Council Members:
City of Goleta Voters who voted in favor of Measure B2022 were under the distinct impression that they were voting for the items presented in: A) The “Arguments in Favor of Measure B2022, (see screenshot below),” B) The “Rebuttal to the Arguments against Measure B2022 (see screenshot below),” and C) City of Goleta’s Website RE: Measure B (see https://www.cityofgoleta.org/your-city/city-clerk/election- 2022/measure-b2022 and below):
Concerns RE: City Manager Department Annual Work Program. Page - 2
“Funding from Measure B could be used to:
• Pave streets, remove potholes, and improve traffic safety • Address homelessness
• Clean and maintain public areas
• Repair and upgrade aging local infrastructure
• Clean and maintain local creeks and coastal waters
• Support public safety programs and maintain 911 response • Conserve water by increasing use of recycled water to irrigate parks and fields • Improve access to affordable housing
• Maintain services for low-income senior citizens and other residents in need • Support local businesses and help them retain the workforce to fill jobs • Support and expand afterschool programs and affordable early childhood/childcare programs.”
However, per Ref. 1, the Staff Workshop report lists the following top three priorities (see screenshot presented below) in particular with no mention in the above arguments and City website of funding for the “Economic Development Strategic Plan.” Additionally, Ref. 1 identifies: a) “The Economic Development Program involves creation and implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan and staffing the Economic Development and Revitalization Committee (see page 10),” b) Complete the community driven Economic Development Strategic Plan and presented it to Council by June 2023 (see page 13), and c) “Oversee the implementation of the objectives identified in the Economic Development Strategic Plan in coordination with Neighborhood Services and Finance.
April 2023 (see page 15).”
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Concerns RE: City Manager Department Annual Work Program. Page - 3 Screenshot of Ref.1, Page 3.
Furthermore, Public Comments Received in favor of Measure B2022 at the June 14, 2022 City Council meeting primarily centered on employing Measure B revenues to: 1) Support the maintenance of parks and open spaces, and 2) Support the maintenance of creeks and watersheds. Additionally, I clearly remember watching a City Video of the Director of Public Works speaking on the absent and much needed funding to support our pavement rejuvenation program which is another key component as to why Measure B passed. Plus, the facts presented above equally apply to Ref. 2 and Ref. 3.
As such, why was the Economic Development Strategic Plan (the “Plan”) not a part of any City arguments or responses in favor of Measure B, and it appears the Plan is an unknown entity as well as a work in-progress scheduled for completion in June 2023. Why is developing the Plan a top three priority? Hopefully the Plan will contain funding for all of the items listed in the City’s Measure B arguments, responses, and website, specifically funding for the long awaited maintenance of the City’s infrastructure.
In short, City of Goleta voters who supported Measure B voted in favor of this Measure based upon the available information disclosed by the City in advance of voting. At first glance, it most certainly appears that the City has a completely new priority, the Economic Development Strategic Plan, with economic expansion and increased City Staffing as a part of the new Measure B funding goals without the promise to properly fund the maintenance of: 1) Goleta’s existing infrastructure, 2) Parks and open spaces, and 3) Creeks and watersheds.
Respectfully,
David Gaughen