Author: Lea Boyd

The City of Carpinteria is preparing a Dune and Shoreline Management Plan to help protect public and private properties from sea level rise. To learn more and contribute ideas, members of the public are invited to attend a virtual workshop on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. The workshop will include a brief overview of previous work, as well as conceptual plans for a proposed living shoreline. The intent of these public workshops is to provide regular updates and gather feedback from stakeholders. Zoom log-in and additional information can be found at https://carpinteriaca.gov/?s=dune+. Anyone with questions should contact Environmental Coordinator Erin Maker at erinm@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. In accordance with State guidance, the City will provide both in-person and virtual attendance and participation options for the meeting.

Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. In accordance with the Santa Barbara County Health Officer Order, masks are required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Members of the public may also view the meeting live at www.carpinteria.ca.us, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar through the link in the agenda below.

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/3ltJb1l. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Authorize an amendment to the agreement with LIN Consulting, Inc. for adding Carpinteria High School Crosswalk Safety Improvements Project in an amount not-to-exceed $129,880
• Authorize the City Manager to purchase a backhoe loader equipment from Quinn Company in an amount not to exceed $124,500.
• Presentation on the Emergency Housing Voucher Program in Santa Barbara County and response to a related funding request.
• Report on off-leash dog park pilot program at El Carro Park.
• Consideration of a status report for the property located at 399 Linden Avenue.

The Carpinteria Community Pool will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 9 for a swim meet. Visit our pool page HERE to learn more.

In an effort to support the downward trend in COVID-19 infection rates, the City of Carpinteria has decided to cancel its Downtown Trick-or-Treat event that is traditionally scheduled for late October. Children under the age of 12 are not eligible for the vaccine, which puts them at higher risk for spreading the disease. Given the significant effort that has gone into protecting children and other vulnerable community members, the City felt a responsibility to practice caution and cancel the event that typically draws hundreds of families together on City sidewalks.

By Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D., FACP, Health Officer County of Santa Barbara, Department of Public Health

You may have heard that a COVID-19 booster shot is being recommended and are wondering if you are eligible for it and if you should get it.

On Friday, September 24, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) endorsed the recommendation for a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in certain populations and for persons in high risk occupational and institutional settings.

People previously vaccinated with Pfizer BioNTech who SHOULD receive a booster include:

• Age 65 years and older;
• Long term care residents; and
• Age 50 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of social inequities (including communities of color and others at risk of inequities).

People who MAY CONSIDER receiving a booster based on their individual benefits and risks include:

• Age 18 through 49 years with underlying medical conditions; and
• Age 18 through 64 who are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their occupation or institutional setting. The CDC currently defines occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 as: First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff), Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers), Food and agriculture workers, Manufacturing workers, Corrections workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, Public transit workers, Grocery store workers

Why do I need a booster shot?

COVID-19 booster doses are meant to boost immunity that may have waned overtime and are the same dose of vaccine that were given as part of the primary series. Those that should receive a booster dose are at highest risk of hospitalization or death and need to be prioritized for booster doses.

Booster doses can be received at least six months after completion of the initial vaccine series. California is ready to administer boosters to those that are recommended for boosters immediately.

What about those who didn’t get the Pfizer-BioNTech shot?

At this time, CDC is evaluating available data to make recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. We are anticipating these recommendations imminently.

Where do I get a booster shot?

You may obtain your booster shot at local pharmacies and in some instances, through your primary care provider. Please consult with your primary health care provider if you have questions about receiving a booster shot.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

Japanese-American World War II Incarceration Camp Internees are invited to take part in a flag signing on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. The event is part of an effort to get all internees to sign a WWII era, 48-star, American flag that will be donated to the Japanese American Museum in San Jose on Fred Korematsu Day, Jan. 30. For more information about the flag signing project, visit http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2021/5/27/flag-signing-project/. For questions about the flag signing event in Carpinteria, contact Wade Nomura at wade@wadenomura.com.

The City of Carpinteria is looking to hire a full-time Senior Financial Analyst who will oversee staff and be responsible for professional accounting services for the City. The annual salary range is $71,574.07 – $98,413.76, and the first review of applications will take place on Oct. 25. To learn more about the position and to apply, visit https://carpinteria.applicantpro.com/jobs/2010228.html

The City of Carpinteria welcomes Amber Workman to our team as the new Aquatics Superintendent. In her new position, Amber oversees all aquatic facilities and programs at the Community Pool and City Beaches. She brings nearly two decades of experience in the aquatics field, along with a Master of Business Administration. We are excited about the contributions Amber will make to the City’s aquatics programs. Learn more about Amber in English at https://bit.ly/3uE2DLO and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3a2AJzG.

Carpinteria students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit a design for the future Carpinteria City Library card. New library cards will be issued to Carpinterians on July 1, 2022, and will feature original artwork from a local student. The chosen student artist will also win a $100 prize. Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13. They can be drawn, painted or digitally designed, but they must be exactly 4 inches in height by 6.5 inches wide. A jpeg photo of the artwork should be sent to librarycontest@gmail.com. Entrants must then visit https://forms.gle/Fh84rYKAbD62UTVk7 to fill out an entry form, which includes a portion for their parents to complete. The contest is sponsored by the Friends of the Carpinteria Library, City of Carpinteria and the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center.

The County of Santa Barbara Emergency Rental Assistance Program, administered through United Way of Santa Barbara County, is now accepting applications.

The program is open to Santa Barbara County tenant-households with an annual income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), who have experienced a loss of income due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing a risk of homelessness or housing instability.

Qualified applicants may apply for rent and utility debt dating back to March 2020. To apply, go to unitedwaysb.org/rent. To check the status of an application already submitted to United Way, tenants or landlords may call (805) 965-8591.

A separate California Emergency Rental Assistance application portal is closed to new applications for Santa Barbara County residents. Applications already received will continue to be processed. Tenants or landlords who need to confirm the status of an application with the state program may call (833) 430-2122 or go to their application at housing.ca.gov.