1 From: Robert Bernstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2025 7:37 PM
To: City Clerk Group
Subject: Transportation and Circulation Standing Committee on April 15 Agenda? Clerk: Can you please let me know this was received and will be forwarded to the City Council members? ===
To Goleta City Council via City Clerk
Regarding: TransportaƟon and CirculaƟon Standing CommiƩee Agenda Item D.1 We are very pleased to see that the City of Goleta would like to create a TransportaƟon and CirculaƟon standing commiƩee. In the past, maƩers of transportaƟon safety have been debated case by case with no larger view of how all of the pieces fit together.
In parƟcular, safe bicycle lanes and paths exist in disjoint secƟons, with no larger connecƟvity.
Major projects such as roundabouts have been scheduled with no input from the community on how they will impact pedestrians and bicyclists.
A TransportaƟon and CirculaƟon standing commiƩee will allow all affected parƟes to be informed of such projects and to offer their experƟse.
We very much hope that the City Council will approve the creaƟon of this commiƩee. And we hope the City Council will develop a plan for who will be on the commiƩee and how the CommiƩee's informaƟon will be used in the planning process. Thank you!
Robert Bernstein
7100 Georgetown Road
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 364-2522 (H)
[email protected]
Testimony Regarding Goleta City Council's Agenda Item D.1 April 15, 2025 By Goleta Resident George Relles
I am submitting this testimony in support of The City of Goleta forming a Transportation and Circulation (T&C) Standing Committee. I do so with the understanding that Council’s approval would lead to working out the details later, such as membership of this committee, its staffing, its charter and purview.
REASONS FOR FORMING SUCH A COMMITTEE
Ensuring Public Safety: Circulation in all forms, motorized and unmotorized vehicles, pedestrian, and all other such as skateboards and scooters provide convenience, but also pose significant and sometimes deadly risks. There are constant changes on our horizon, including the coming new Goleta train station, the proliferation of electric cars and buses, as well as ebikes etc.
• As new and varying forms of transportation proliferate, encouraging some forms of circulation over others provide a potential for significant reductions in accidents.
• And as they proliferate and share common passageways, such as roads, sidewalks and intersections, it is more important than ever to plan to reduce the risks of their interactions.
Maximizing Public Participation:
• It’s important to involve Goleta’s residents and businesses in decisions regarding transportation and circulation.
• City Council meetings on Goleta’s T&C are insufficient for many reasons. They are not set up for residents to show up and initiate concerns, the way a committee could be. And they do not occur at regular intervals.
• The same can be said for the occasional workshop that are set up from time to time for a T&C related matter. While workshops should continue, a T&C committee would be helpful in identifying when they are needed and provide input on how to maximize their effectiveness.
Addressing the Need for Good Integration of T&C Related Issues • T&C matters are always interrelated. Increasing bicycle transportation will have an impact not just on roads but also on crosswalks, parking, “last mile” requirements to make bus and train travel practical, regulations such as requiring bike helmets, and so much more. A T&C committee can be effective in ensuring that such related issues are considered.
• Goleta is also part of a larger South Coast California, T&C system. A T&C committee could also maximize integration with other jurisdictions such as UCSB, City of Santa Barbara, the Airport, as well as travel from afar, such as north SB County and Ventura County. Such integration would include maximizing opportunities to work with regional groups such as MTD, SBCAG and the Airport Commission.
Assisting in Priority Setting
• The budget for T&C related items is quite large, exceeded only by budgets for Policing and for staff salaries. The T&C related budget far exceeds the budget for so many other already existing (and very worthy) committees, such as Tree Advisory and Library committees.
• A T&C committee could help provide input to City Council on what T&C opportunities and needs exist. Such analysis could be very helpful to council when Council reviews its budget decisions and adjustments.
Supporting Our Economy and Commerce:
• A T&C committee could help understand and address the needs of local businesses.
• Goleta’s economy depends on convenient and safe T&C in ways too numerous to mention. And a vibrant local economy drives Goleta revenue. • An increasing part of Goleta’s economy depends on visitors who come here as an adjunct to visiting the City of Santa Barbara, or to enjoy Goleta’s attractions such as the butterfly preserve, our shoreline, hiking trails, and more.
CONCLUSION
The success of other already-existing Goleta Committees suggests that much can be gained by having “forums” where complex subjects can be more fully explored and discussed before they advance to council. If we can have committees for topics less related to safety and on topics of lower budgets, why would we not have a committee for T&C, just as other jurisdictions do already?
For all the above reasons, the council should give direction to staff to return soon with some alternative formation and procedure options for Council’s and the public’s consideration.