Agenda Item A.5
CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
____________________________________________________________ TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Jaime A. Valdez, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Goleta Train Depot Project - Utility Easement Dedication to Goleta Water District and Budget Appropriation
RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. Adopt Resolution No. 26 - __ entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Authorizing the Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site and Finding that the Dedication is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (APN 073-050-033)”; and
B. Authorize a budget appropriation of $ 350,000 as described in the Fiscal Impacts Section.
BACKGROUND
The Goleta Train Station (also known as the Goleta Train Depot) Project involves the development and construction of a new approximatel y 8,500 -square-foot, full -service, multi-modal train station located adjacent to the existing Amtrak platform at 27 South La Patera Lane. In 2018 , the City acquired the property at 27 South La Patera Lane to construct the new train station. Also in 2018, t he City was successful in securing state funding from the Transit and Inter city Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to fund project development and construction.
In 2019, the City contracted with Anil Verma Associates , Inc. to prepare preliminary and final design and secure all entitlements for the project. The design was finalized in 2024, and o n July 16, 2024, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Construction Contract with Quincon, Inc. for the construction of the Goleta Tra in Depot Project. The project is currently nearing completion of construction.
DISCUSSION
Several utility providers, including Southern California Edison, Goleta Water District, and Goleta Sanitary District, are involved in delivering utility services to the new Goleta Train Depot. As part of construction, site improvements have been implemente d to expand utility capacity and upgrade supporting infrastructure. To secure approval from the Goleta 1 Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
Water District, the City has complied with various mandated requirements necessary to provide water service to the site. One of the final steps is for the City to grant the Goleta Water District an access easement for the construction, reconstruction, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair , replacement, removal and use of water mains and appurtenances for the fire line serving the City’s Goleta Tra in Depot. The fire line was installed as part of the construction project, and it connects the water main, running down the middle of South La Patera Lane, to the backflow preventer located within the project site. From the backflow preventer , the fire line then extends into the project site to feed various hydrants. The easement allows the Goleta Water District to enter the train depot site for the purposes stipulated in the attached easement. The easement covers the portion of the fire line within the proj ect site, from the edge of the Public Right of Way (west side of South La Patera Lane) to the backflow. The easement is on average 22 feet wide, centered over the fire line, and extends for a length of approximately 80 feet . The Resolution authorizing the easement is included as Attachment 1 along with the Legal Description and Exhibit for the easement.
On September 14, 2026, the Planning Commission, acting pursuant to Government Code Section 65402, conducted a public meeting and adopted Planning Commission Resolution No. 26 -16, finding that the location, purpose, and extent of the proposed dedication of the Easement to the Goleta Water District are in conformance with the Goleta General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, and further finding, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, that no further environmental review of the dedication is required because it falls within the scope of the Goleta Train Depot Project evaluated in the certified F inal Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (State Clearing House #2020050499).
FISCAL IMPACTS:
No additional appropriation is requested for the utility easement dedication to the Goleta Water District.
Separately, staff recommends a one-time appropriation of $350,000 from the General Fund’s unassigned fund balance to the project construction expenditure account (GL Account 101 -90-9079-57071) for additional costs needed to complete the project.
These costs were not anticipated in the existing project budget and include, but are not limited to , building commissioning, information technology infrastructure, and utility connection work.
Staff will continue to evaluate other eligible funding sources that could offset these additional project costs. Because alternative funding has n ot yet been secured, the requested appropriation assumes General Fund support. If other funding is confirmed to be available and eligible for these costs, staff will recommend appropriate budget adjustments to reduce the General Fund contribution.
The requested budget appropriation would increase the total project budget, including land acquisition, design, and construction costs, from $31,999,821 to $32,349,82 1. 2 Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to dedicate this easement to the Goleta Water District.
However, if the easement is not provided, the Goleta Water District will not provide fire water to the Goleta Train Depot site. Without fire water, the Goleta Train Depot Project cannot secure a Certificate of Occupancy.
The City Council may also decline, reduce, or defer the requested $350,000 budget appropriation. Staff would need to evaluate alternative funding sources or adjustments to the remaining work, where feasible. Insufficient funding for required project comple tion activities would delay completion and opening of the facility.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Jaime A. Valdez, Assistant City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 26 -__ entitled “ A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Authorizing the Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site and Finding that the Dedication is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (APN 073-050-033)”
Exhibit 1 to Resolution: Goleta Water District Easement (Water Mains and Appurtenances), including Exhibit “A” Legal Description and Exhibit “B” Parcel Map, APN 073-050-033, GWD Project No. 25-4875.
3 ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 26 -__ entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Authorizing the Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site and Finding that the Dedication is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (APN 073-050- 033)”
Exhibit 1 to Resolution: Goleta Water District Easement (Water Mains and Appurtenances), including Exhibit “A” Legal Description and Exhibit “B” Parcel Map, APN 073-050-033, GWD Project No. 25-4875.
4 Resolution. No. 26-__ The Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site
RESOLUTION NO. 26-____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GOLETA,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE DEDICATION OF AN EASEMENT TO THE
GOLETA WATER DISTRICT FOR WATER MAINS AND APPURTENANCES
SERVING THE GOLETA TRAIN DEPOT SITE AND FINDING THAT THE
DEDICATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (APN 073-050-033)
WHEREAS the City of Goleta (“City”) is undertaking the development and construction of the Goleta Train Depot Project (Project), an approximately 8,500-square- foot, full-service, multi-modal train station located at 27 South La Patera Lane, adjacent to the existing Amtrak platform, on real property owned by the City and identified as Assessor's Parcel Number 073-050-033 (the “Property”); and WHEREAS in order for water services to be provided to the Project, the City must grant an easement to the Goleta Water District (“District”) to service a fire line located on the Property, and such servicing will not interfere with the City’s functions in the same area (“Easement”); and
WHEREAS on September 14, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Goleta, acting pursuant to Government Code Section 65402, conducted a public meeting and adopted Planning Commission Resolution No. 26-16, finding and reporting to the City Council that the location, purpose, and extent of the proposed dedication of the Easement to the District are in conformance with the Goleta General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, and further finding, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 a nd CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, that no further environmental review of the dedication is required because it falls within the scope of the Project evaluated in the certified FEIR (SCH #2020050499); and
WHEREAS the City Council has reviewed and considere d the Planning Commission's report and findings, the September 14, 2026, Planning Commission staff report, the October 6, 2026, City Council staff report, and the entire administrative record, and concurs with the Planning Commission's findings; and WHEREAS all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF GOLETA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. The City Council hereby finds and determines that foregoing recitals, which are incorporated herein by reference, are true and correct. 5 Resolution. No. 26-__ The Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site
SECTION 2. CEQA COMPLIANCE. Based upon its review of the entire record before it, the City Council hereby finds and determines that no further environmental review of the Easement dedication is required pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, because the dedication is part of and within the scope of the Goleta Train Depot Project evaluated in the certified Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH #20200504 99) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program . The Resolution would not:
1. Constitute a substantial change with respect to the circumstances under which the project is administered that will require major revisions of the Goleta Train Depot Project Fin al Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH #2020050499) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of the previously identified significant effects;
2. Constitute a substantial change with respect to the circumstances under which the project is administered that will require major revisions of the certified Goleta Train Depot EIR (SCH #2020050499) due to the inv olvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of the previously identified significant effects; and
3. Involve new information of substantial importance that was not known and could not have been known with the ex ercise of reasonable diligence at the time the Goleta Train Depot Project Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH #2020050499) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program was certified that shows any of the following: (a) the project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the certified Goleta Train Depot Project Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH #2020050499) ; (b) significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the certified Goleta Train Depot Project Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH #2020050499); (c) mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or (d) mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed in the certified Goleta Train Depot Project Final Environmental Imp act Report (FEIR) (SCH #2020050499) would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative.
Thus, the Resolution would not require preparation of subsequent environmental documentation.
Staff is directed to file a Notice of Exemption.
SECTION 3. APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION OF DEDICATION. The City Council hereby approves and authorizes the dedication to the Goleta Water District of an easement for the construction, reconstruction, installation, inspection, maintenance, 6 Resolution. No. 26-__ The Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site
repair, replacement, removal, and use of water mains and appurtenances, together with a right -of-way and rights of ingress and egress, over, under, across, and through the Easement Area, as more particularly described in Exhibit “A” and depicted in Exhibit “B” to the Easement (Goleta Water District Project No. 25 -4875), attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 4. AUTHORIZATION OF CITY MANAGER. The City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Easement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1, an d any and all other documents necessary or convenient to effectuate the dedication approved herein, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
SECTION 5. RECORDATION. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause the executed Easement to be recorded in the Official Records of the County of Santa Barbara, no recordation fee being required pursuant to Government Code Section 6103.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
SECTION 7. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of October 2026.
_______________________________
Paula Perotte, Mayor, City of Goleta
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Deborah S. Lopez, City Clerk, City of Goleta
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
Isaac Rosen, City Attorney, City of Goleta
7 Resolution. No. 26-__ The Dedication of an Easement to the Goleta Water District for Water Mains and Appurtenances Serving the Goleta Train Depot Site
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing City Council Resolution No. 26-___ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta at a regular meeting held on the _____ __ day of __________ 2026, by the following roll call vote of the Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
(SEAL)
___________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
8 Exhibit 1
RECORDING REQUESTED BY:
GOLETA WATER DISTRICT
When Recorded, Mail to:
Goleta Water District
4699 Hollister Avenue
Goleta, California 93110-1999
No Recordation fee is required per Gov. Code 6103
THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR RECORDER ONLY
(GOV. CODE 27361.6)
.
Transfer Tax = 0
PROJECT NAME: Goleta Train Depot
GRANTOR: City of Goleta
EASEMENT
(Water Mains and Appurtenances)
CITY OF GOLETA (“GRANTOR”) does hereby grant to the GOLETA WATER DISTRICT, a County Water District, an easement for the construction, reconstruction, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, removal and use of water mains and appurtenances together with a right-of-way for them within a strip or parcel of land or along a route as described in Exhibit “A” and further described and illustrated in Exhibit “B” both attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and also ingress to and egress from said easement, over, and across the lands of GRANTOR situated in the County of Santa Barbara, State of California, described as follows:
APN 073-050-033.
Further, GRANTOR shall not erect or construct any building or other structure place additional fill, drill or operate any well or allow any other utility pipe, fixture or appurtenance to be located within the easement route, strip or parcel except upon permission of the GOLETA WATER DISTRICT.
Grantor further grants to GOLETA WATER DISTRICT the right from time to time to trim or to cut down and clear away any and all trees and brush now or hereafter along the easement route or within the easement strip or parcel and shall have no obligation to replace or repair such landscaping.
Further, the provisions of this Easement shall inure to the benefit of and bind the successors and assigns of the respective parties.
DATED this 6th day of October 2026.
Signature
Print Name, Title
Attach Notary’s Acknowledgment Form
GWD Project No. : 25-4875
Easement 092018
9 EXHIBIT “A”
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
GOLETA WATER DISTRICT EASEMENT
A portion of land in the City of Goleta, County of Santa Barbara, State of California, being a portion of Parcel A of Parcel Map No. 10484, as shown on the map recorded in Book 1, Page 63 of Parcel Maps in the office of the County Recorder of said County, more particularly described as follows:
Commencing at the most easterly corner of said Parcel A; thence, along the easterly line of said Parcel A, North 9°50’05” West 105.52 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence,
1) Continuing along said easterly line, North 9°50’05” West 20.06 feet; thence,
2) South 75°37’32” West 37.22 feet; thence,
3) South 33°25’16” West 19.65 feet; thence,
4) South 83°58’39” West 19.64 feet; thence,
5) South 5°46’31” East 17.34 feet; thence,
6) South 53°50’08” East 12.72 feet; thence,
7) North 84°13’51” East 20.01 feet; thence,
8) North 33°24’20” East 30.22 feet; thence,
9) North 75°37’32” East, 21.96 feet to the Point of Beginning.
Containing and area 1,786 square feet, more or less.
This real property description was prepared by me, or under my direction, in conformance with the Professional Land Surveyor’s Act.
Signature: Date: 4/17/2026
Frederick Joseph Tice, PLS
10 LA PATERA LANE
PARCEL A
PM No. 10484
BOOK 1 PAGE 63
PARCEL B
PM No. 10484
BOOK 1 PAGE 63
30' 30'
POC
POB
S75°37'32"W
37.22'
S33°25'16"W19.65'S83°58'39"W
19.64'
S5°46'31"E
17.34'
S53°50'08"E12.72'
N84°13'51"E
20.01'
N33°24'20"E
30.22'
N75°37'32"E
21.96'
N9°50'05"W
20.06'N9°50'05"W 105.52'
CIGOL.190063.00 * 2026-04-17_GWD FW ESMT.dwg * 4/23/2026 * JY * E-FILE N
EXHIBIT "B"
GOLETA WATER DISTRICT EASEMENT
CITY OF GOLETA TRAIN STATION
PARCEL A OF PARCEL MAP No. 10484
BOOK 1 PAGE 63 OF PARCEL MAPS
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA
LEGEND
POB: POINT OF BEGINNING
POC: POINT OF COMMENCEMENT
1,786 SQ FT±
ST
Frederick Joseph Tice
E FOROF LCA I
No. 7585
TA AIN
11