From: Dustin Hoiseth <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2023 11:57 AM
To: Paula Perotte; Stuart Kasdin; Luz Reyes-Martin; James Kyriaco; Kyle Richards; City Clerk Group Cc: Kristen Miller
Subject: Public Comment - June 27 City Council Meeting: Item B.1 - Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan
Attachments: 2023_6_27_SBSCChamber_GoletaEconDevPlan_GoletaCityCouncil.pdf; GoletaEconDevPlan_BergR.pdf; GoletaEconDevPlan_CoxCommunications.pdf; GoletaEconDevPlan_GavankarSpdf.pdf; GoletaEconDevPlan_WebbS.pdf
Hello Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers,
Please see the Chamber's public comment regarding tomorrow's Special City Council meeting and the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan.
I have also included public comment letters from several representatives from Goleta and the South Coast, who asked me to submit their comments as part of the Chamber's submission. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Dear Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce would like to express our support for the final draft of the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan This plan reflects the hard work and participation of both City staff and several of Goleta’s major economic development stakeholders, including the Chamber. We believe this plan sets a strong foundation for collaboration with the City for the betterment of Goleta’s economy.
We would like to emphasize the dedication, passion, and commitment shown by City Staff, Coraggio Group, the Core Planning Team, the Advisory Committee, the Economic Development and Revitalization Committee, and other public participants during this process. All these efforts have led to an impressively proactive plan, and by approving this plan and directing City staff to prioritize the imperatives, objectives, and strategies within the Council will be positioning the City of Goleta for the best economic outcomes in its future.
While there are many aspects of this plan we are impressed with, the Chamber is particularly excited to see that the plan outlines a commitment from the City to “Improve City Government support of local businesses and relationships with economic development stakeholders,” and measuring the success of this imperative through increased business retention rates, an increased number of new businesses locating in Goleta, and increased resident and business community sentiment of Goleta as a place to do business. The Chamber is committed to our mission of supporting local businesses and doing so through a strengthened relationship with our local governments, and we are glad to see the City’s plan reflecting similar values.
As an organization which has the privilege to work closely with the many impressive high tech and manufacturing companies located in Goleta, the Chamber is very excited by the plans inclusion of an imperative to “Amplify the reputation of Goleta as a world‐class center of innovation and technology.” Goleta truly is a hidden gem in terms of its value as a center of innovation and technology, and the benefits to the city Goleta that will come through spreading this message both locally and beyond are immense. The Chamber is already doing work in this area through our TechTopia campaign, and we would be happy to collaborate with the City on continued efforts. 1 We would also like to comment on the the imperative to “Enhance the experience of Goleta for both residents and visitors by leveraging Old Town’s unique historical and cultural identity and investing in district placemaking.” One of the Chamber’s four pillars of our policy focus is on the vitality of downtowns throughout the South Coast. Because of this we support the plan’s focus on enhan
cing Old Town for both residents and visitors. However, we understand that this is something that must be done carefully in order to balance the needs of all Old Town stakeholders. For this reason, we look forward to seeing how the strategies under this section of the plan are fleshed out to more specific and targeted efforts during the plan’s i
mplementation. This may include strategies proposed in past discussions like exploring further options for additional parking in Old Town, offering a storefront program, and removing barriers to conversions where there is a change of use.
The Chamber also supports the other three initiatives not yet called out in this letter, “Improve access to economic opportunity by increasing the availability of livable‐wage jobs and enhancing support for local BIPOC and women‐owned small businesses and entrepreneurs,” “Position Goleta as a local leader of high‐quality, innovative affordable child‐care and housing so
lutions,” and “Promote and advocate for smart investments in essential community infrastructure.” Childcare, Energy, and Housing are also part of the Chamber’s four pillars of our policy focus and are included in the plan across these various initiatives. These are all great initiatives for the City to move forward with in the Economic Development Strategic Plan. The important details will be in the implementation, and the Chamber is dedicated to collaborating with the City to meet the goals laid out in these important initiatives.
Please support the collaborative work of City staff and economic development stakeholders by approving this innovative and proactive plan for the future of Goleta’s economic development. Thank you for your support of local businesses and our economy.
Sincerely,
Kristen Miller
President & CEO
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ DUSTIN HOISETH | Public Policy Manager
SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(805) 967-2500 | [email protected]
2 805.967.2500 | www.SBSCChamber.com
Mailing Address: 5662 Calle Real #204, Goleta, CA
Visitor Center: 120 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
June 26, 2023
Mayor Perotte and City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
RE: Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan
Dear Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce would like to express our support for the final draft of the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan This plan reflects the hard work and participation of both City staff and several of Goleta’s major economic development stakeholders, including the Chamber.
We believe this plan sets a strong foundation for collaboration with the City for the betterment of Goleta’s economy.
We would like to emphasize the dedication, passion, and commitment shown by City Staff, Coraggio Group, the Core Planning Team, the Advisory Committee, the Economic Development and Revitalization Committee, and other public participants during this process. All these efforts have led to an impressively proactive plan, and by approving this plan and directing City staff to prioritize the imperatives, objectives, and strategies within the Council will be positioning the City of Goleta for the best economic outcomes in its future.
While there are many aspects of this plan we are impressed with, the Chamber is particularly excited to see that the plan outlines a commitment from the City to “Improve City Government support of local businesses and relationships with economic development stakeholders,” and measuring the success of this imperative through increased business retention rates, an increased number of new businesses locating in Goleta, and increased resident and business community sentiment of Goleta as a place to do business. The Chamber is committed to our mission of supporting local businesses and doing so through a strengthened relationship with our local governments, and we are glad to see the City’s plan reflecting similar values.
As an organization which has the privilege to work closely with the many impressive high tech and manufacturing companies located in Goleta, the Chamber is very excited by the plans inclusion of an imperative to “Amplify the reputation of Goleta as a world-class center of innovation and technology.” Goleta truly is a hidden gem in terms of its value as a center of innovation and technology, and the benefits to the city Goleta that will come through spreading this message both locally and beyond are immense. The Chamber is already doing work in this area through our TechTopia campaign, and we would be happy to collaborate with the City on continued efforts.
We would also like to comment on the the imperative to “Enhance the experience of Goleta for both residents and visitors by leveraging Old Town’s unique historical and cultural identity and investing in district placemaking.” One of the Chamber’s four pillars of our policy focus is on the vitality of downtowns throughout the South Coast. Because of this we support the plan’s focus on enhancing Old Town for both residents and visitors. However, we understand that this is something that must be done carefully in order to balance the needs of all Old Town stakeholders. For this reason, we look forward to seeing how the 3 805.967.2500 | www.SBSCChamber.com
Mailing Address: 5662 Calle Real #204, Goleta, CA
Visitor Center: 120 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
strategies under this section of the plan are fleshed out to more specific and targeted efforts during the plan’s implementation. This may include strategies proposed in past discussions like exploring further options for additional parking in Old Town, offering a storefront program, and removing barriers to conversions where there is a change of use.
The Chamber also supports the other three initiatives not yet called out in this letter, “Improve access to economic opportunity by increasing the availability of livable-wage jobs and enhancing support for local BIPOC and women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs,” “Position Goleta as a local leader of high- quality, innovative affordable child-care and housing solutions,” and “Promote and advocate for smart investments in essential community infrastructure.” Childcare, Energy, and Housing are also part of the Chamber’s four pillars of our policy focus and are included in the plan across these various initiatives. These are all great initiatives for the City to move forward with in the Economic Development Strategic Plan. The important details will be in the implementation, and the Chamber is dedicated to collaborating with the City to meet the goals laid out in these important initiatives.
Please support the collaborative work of City staff and economic development stakeholders by approving this innovative and proactive plan for the future of Goleta’s economic development. Thank you for your support of local businesses and our economy.
Sincerely,
Kristen Miller
President & CEO
Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
4 5
June 19, 2023
Mayor Perotte and City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
RE: Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan
Dear Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
On behalf of Cox Communications (Cox), I would like to express our support for the final draft of the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan. The plan before you reflects the hard work and participation of both City staff and several of the City of Goleta’s major economic development stakeholders and sets a strong foundation for collaboration with the City for the betterment of Goleta’s economy. Goleta is the epicenter of Cox’s service area across the South Coast, housing both our administrative building and our state-of-the-art critical facility, powering homes and businesses across our community.
By approving this plan and directing City staff to prioritize the imperatives, objectives, and strategies within, the Council will be taking impressive proactive action to position the City of Goleta for the best economic outcomes in its future.
Cox is particularly excited to see that the plan outlines a commitment from the City to “Improve City Government support of local businesses and relationships with economic development stakeholders,” and measuring the success of this imperative through increased business retention rates, an increased number of new businesses locating in Goleta, and increased resident and business community sentiment of Goleta as a place to do business.
As a leading internet service provider providing up to 2 Gigabit broadband to residents and up to 100 Gigabit broadband to commercial accounts, we are thrilled this plan includes a focus on broadband adoption for traditionally underserved populations. Cox has a proven track record of when it comes to bridging the digital divide by partnering with multiple community organizations like the United Boys & Girls Club and Goleta Union School District, in addition to providing our lost cost affordable programs such as Connect2Compete and ConnectAssist. At Cox, we would welcome any additional opportunity to discuss potential public-private partnerships to help close the digital divide in Goleta.
Please support the collaborative work of City staff and economic development stakeholders by approving this innovative and proactive plan for the future of Goleta’s economic development. Thank you for your support of our local businesses and economy.
Sincerely,
Kirsten McLaughlin
Market Vice President
Cox Communications
6 805.967.2500 | www.SBSCChamber.com
Mailing Address: 5662 Calle Real #204, Goleta, CA
Visitor Center: 120 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
June 20, 2023
Mayor Perotte and City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
RE: Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan
Dear Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
My name is Sheetal Gavankar. I writing this note as one of the Founding and Board members of the Technology and Manufacturing Committee, which discusses the challenges and barriers faced by the South Coast technology and manufacturing companies, including those in Goleta. I would like to express my support for the final draft of the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan. The plan you have before you reflects the hard work and participation of both City staff and several of the City of Goleta’s major economic development stakeholders and sets a strong foundation for collaboration with the City for the betterment of Goleta’s economy.
By approving this plan and directing City staff to prioritize the imperatives, objectives, and strategies within, the Council will be taking impressive proactive action to position the City of Goleta for the best economic outcomes in its future.
I am particularly excited to see that the plan outlines a commitment from the City to “Improve City Government support of local businesses and relationships with economic development stakeholders,” and measuring the success of this imperative through increased business retention rates, an increased number of new businesses locating in Goleta, and increased resident and business community sentiment of Goleta as a place to do business.
Please support the collaborative work of City staff and economic development stakeholders by approving this innovative and proactive plan for the future of Goleta’s economic development. Thank you for your support of our local businesses and economy.
Sincerely,
Sheetal Gavankar, PhD
Associate Dean
UCSB Professional and Continuing Education
*The views expressed in this letter are personal, and do not represent those of University of California 7 June 20, 2023
M
ayor Perotte and City Council
City of Goleta
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
R
E: Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan
D
ear Mayor Perotte and Councilmembers:
My
name is Shawn Webb with Bega North America. As a Business Representative in the region, I would like to express my support for the final draft of the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan. The plan you have before you reflects the hard work and participation of both City staff and several of the City of Goleta’s major economic development stakeholders and sets a strong foundation for collaboration with the City for the betterment of Goleta’s economy.
By
approving this plan and directing City staff to prioritize the imperatives, objectives, and strategies within, the Council will be taking impressive proactive action to position the City of Goleta for the best economic outcomes in its future.
A
s a Business Representative I am particularly excited to see that the plan outlines a commitment from the City to “Improve City Government support of local businesses and relationships with economic development stakeholders,” and measuring the success of this imperative through increased business retention rates, an increased number of new businesses locating in Goleta, and increased resident and business community sentiment of Goleta and the South Coast as a place to do business.
A
dditionally, as a representative of the tech and manufacturing committee that discusses the challenges and barriers faced by the South Coast technology and manufacturing companies, including those in Goleta, I am excited by the plans inclusion of an imperative to “Amplify the reputation of Goleta as a world-class center of innovation and technology.” The South Coast region, including Goleta, truly is a hidden gem in terms of its value as a center of innovation and technology, and the benefits to the city of Goleta and the entire South Coast region that will come through spreading this message both locally and beyond are immense. The City is an important partner in these efforts and I am glad to see the commitment to participate included in the plan.
P
lease support the collaborative work of City staff and economic development stakeholders by approving this innovative and proactive plan for the future of Goleta’s economic development. Thank you for your support of our local businesses and economy.
S
incerely,
S
hawn Webb
Vice President of Operations
Bega North America
8 From: Kirsten Zimmer Deshler <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 4:49 PM
To: Paula Perotte <[email protected]>; Kyle Richards <[email protected]>; Stuart Kasdin <[email protected]>; James Kyriaco <[email protected]>; Luz Reyes-Martin <[email protected]>
Cc: Robert Nisbet <[email protected]>; Ryan Kintz <[email protected]> Subject: University Support for Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Mayor and Members of the Goleta City Council,
In anticipation of tonight's City Council meeting, I'd like to express the university's strong support for the City of Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan. Normally I would attend the meeting to express this support in person or via Zoom; however, the Isla Vista Community Services District, of which I am a member, meets at the same time. UCSB Governmental Relations Assistant Director Kimberly Young will represent the university at tonight's meeting to express support for the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
I would like to commend your staff and consultant in the development of the Goleta Economic Development Strategic Plan. Both John Longbrake and I participated in several work group meetings and we found the quality of the data, the analyses, materials and presentations absolutely excellent. The process was collaborative and productive. It is no small thing to bring in a variety of stakeholders to create a plan that reflects various segments of the community; but the Goleta team did that successfully.
We look forward to working in partnership with the City of Goleta on this and other issues.
With appreciation,
Kirsten
Kirsten Z. Deshler (she/her)
Director
Governmental Relations
Office: (805) 893 -4588
Mobile: (805) 455 -9995
Email: [email protected]