Author: Lea Boyd

In response to recent federal immigration activity, the Carpinteria City Council unanimously approved the following statement above during a special meeting held on July 10.

The City of Carpinteria offers this statement to reiterate our unwavering commitment to being a “Community for All” that will continue to support a safe and welcoming community for all of our residents, regardless of immigration status. Earlier this year, the Carpinteria City Council unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming our commitment to the California Values Act, which limits local cooperation with immigration authorities. Since then, federal immigration enforcement agents often masked and, in some documented cases, lacking visible identification have conducted raid operations in public spaces and workplaces throughout the Southern California community, including in the City of Carpinteria. These raids have generated fear and negatively affected the health, safety, and daily lives of those in our community. As authorized by law and as enshrined in the system of checks and balances of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the City of Carpinteria commits to protecting the rights, liberties, and freedoms of all people within the City’s jurisdiction and will continue to uphold these principles to ensure that all people can engage with City services without fear of local enforcement actions based solely on immigration status.

For additional information about the special council meeting, and to view a recording of meeting, please visit our agenda website. For a listing of nonprofits that offer immigration support and resources, please our webpage here.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold a special meeting to consider potential City response and support strategies related to federal immigration activity and community impact. The meeting will take place on Thursday, July 10 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

Members of the public may attend the meeting in person or view it live at https://carpinteriaca.gov/, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar.

Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments will be provided in the agenda, which will be available on the City’s website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings/ by July 9 at 5 p.m.

Summer is here, and that means World’s Safest Bingo is back!

Join friends or make new ones at this free Bingo game held weekly on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Linden Beach.  Sponsored by the Carpinteria Community Library, World’s Safest Bingo is fun for all ages.

At its next regular meeting, the Carpinteria Planning Commission will consider approval of a Development Plan and a Coastal Development Permit to construct a new multi-use trail that would be located adjacent to Franklin Creek and extend from Carpinteria Avenue to Seventh Street.

The meeting will be held on Monday, July 7 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Members of the public may attend in person or view the meeting live at https://carpinteriaca.gov/, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar.

The following topics are highlights of the agenda. Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://bit.ly/4lEURuC. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to commissioners.

The 2025-26 Community Services Grant Program application cycle is now open and applications must be submitted by July 31, 2025. The Carpinteria City Council has officially approved a $150,000 allocation for the grant program to support local nonprofit organizations in their efforts to serve the residents of Carpinteria. Grants for 2025-26 will range in size from $1,000 to $30,000.

To be eligible, applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provide services that directly benefit the residents of Carpinteria and maintain a valid City of Carpinteria business license.

How to apply: The grant application is available at https://bit.ly/44tlwTV and the program overview is available at https://bit.ly/3IpaUy2. If you have any questions related to the application process, we are happy to assist. Please contact Ryan Benson at (805) 755-4417.

Mark your calendars for the National Night Out event in Carpinteria on Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Linden Field. This nationwide annual campaign focuses on strengthening police-community partnerships and fostering neighborhood spirit to help create safer, more connected communities. At the Carpinteria National Night Out, you’ll have an opportunity to interact with public agencies and organizations who work to keep our community healthy and safe. There will be hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations at the family-friendly event! Join us for an evening of community building and fun.

A complete draft of the City’s updated Coastal Land Use Plan/General Plan is available now for the public to review! The draft can be found on the City’s website at https://bit.ly/4jT0S5x.

Please share your thoughts at the General Plan Community Workshop on Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. This workshop is an opportunity to learn more about the CLUP/GP, ask questions, and provide in-person comments regarding the draft document. Food will be provided!

There are several additional ways for the public to contribute ideas and opinions before the plan is finalized. Comments on the draft document can be made by emailing GPUpdate@CarpinteriaCA.gov or dropping off or mailing comments to City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. The public comment period for this draft ends Aug. 8, 2025.

For more information, call  Principal Planner Mindy Fogg at (805) 755-4408 or email GPUpdate@CarpinteriaCA.gov.

Beginning July 1, 2025, smoking will be prohibited in multi-unit housing in Carpinteria. This includes apartments, condominium buildings, senior and assisted living facilities, and long-term health care facilities. Mobile homes and ADUs are not included in these new regulations.

If you are a property owner, property manager or Homeowners’ Associations (HOA) of an affected property, you are required to notify current and prospective residents of the smoking prohibition and post “no smoking” signage on the property on or before July 1.

More details on the new regulations and the notifications required of property owners, managers or HOAs can be found at  https://bit.ly/43XElyn Questions? Contact Code Compliance at (805) 755-4418 or DavidH@CarpinteriaCA.gov.

Calling all local nonprofits! Mark your calendars for the opening of the City of Carpinteria’s Community Services Support Grant (CSSG) application window on July 1!

This grant program supports organizations that uplift our community through vital services, innovative programs and inclusive events. Grants range in size from $1,000 to $30,000 per fiscal year.

Learn more about the program now at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/city-manager/. The CSSG application will be available on the same webpage starting on July 1.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., or view the meeting live at https://carpinteriaca.gov/, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar.

The following topics are highlights of the agenda. Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://bit.ly/3T27pju. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Employee Service Awards.
• Presentations by the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District and Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council regarding their respective services, mutual aid assistance and interaction with the City of Carpinteria.
• Cancellation of the regular City Council meeting of August 11, 2025.
• Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025/26 – 2026/27 Two-Year Budget, setting related Appropriations Limits as required by State law, making year-end amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024/25 budget, updating budget and fiscal policies, and adopting salary schedules for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
• Adoption of Resolution No. 6411 amending the conditions of employment for miscellaneous unrepresented and management personnel, including updates to the merit pay cap, leave accrual provisions, health insurance contributions, and other clarifying revisions.