Author: Lea Boyd

Holiday vibes will peak in downtown Carpinteria on Saturday, Dec. 13!  The Holiday Spirit Parade starts at 3 p.m. with local nonprofits and businesses decking the halls (aka Linden Avenue) with holiday cheer.

Winter and spring are pupping season at the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Rookery, and that means a temporary beach closure to protect moms and pups. The beach will be closed from Dec. 1 through May 31 to ensure that disturbances don’t separate mothers and pups during the highly vulnerable first weeks and months of a young harbor seal’s life. By the Carpinteria City Ordinance #470, the closure will extend approximately 750 feet to the east and west of the rookery, and 1,000 feet out to sea. Learn more at https://carpinteriaca.gov/parks-and-recreation/carpinteria-harbor-seal-rookery/

Street sweeping that would ordinarily take place on Wednesday, Nov. 26 will be postponed to next week due to holiday interruptions. We appreciate your patience in order for our staff to observe the Thanksgiving holiday!

The approaching holidays mean schedule changes everywhere – including at the City of Carpinteria. In observance of Thanksgiving, City Hall will be closed on Nov. 27 and 28. The Carpinteria Community Pool and AgeWell programs will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Nov. 30. The library will be closed on Nov. 27, 28 and 30, but open on Saturday, Nov. 29. Looking further ahead, City Hall will also be closed for winter holidays between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2. We’ll announce more information about December holiday closures within our other facilities and programs soon.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 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://cityofcarp.co/agendas. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Presentation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department about fraud schemes.
• Presentation by Southern California Edison entitled “Outage Preparedness and Safety Resources: What Residents Need to Know.”
• Authorize participation in County-Led Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
• Annual report of the Development Impact Fee Program and updating the Capital Improvement Plan.

There are so many good things happening for Carpinteria seniors in the upcoming month – from holiday cookie decorating to an interactive discussion with a tech pro! Check out all the news in AgeWell’s December calendar and newsletter: cityofcarp.co/agewell

Construction of the Winter Protection Berm is taking place this week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. as weather and tides permit.

For public safety, beach users are advised to avoid the area while tractor work is underway. The berm is built annually at City Beach to protect private and public properties from potentially damaging winter storms. Its cost is shared between the City and the homeowners on Sandyland.

To learn more, please contact the Public Works Department at (805) 755-4431.

Dozens of future leaders were honored by the Carpinteria City Council on the evening of Nov. 10 for earning their Gold Card at the Carpinteria Boys and Girls Club. Club members become eligible for a Gold Card when they have attended the local club for 105 days or more. The City of Carpinteria applauds the Boys and Girls Club for creating a positive experience for our youth and celebrates each member who has achieved the exclusive Gold Card status.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 10 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://cityofcarp.co/agendas. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Presentation in honor of members of the Boys & Girls Club who have achieved Gold Card status.
• Presentation from Downtown “T” Business Advisory Board (DTBAB) Chair Andre Jackson and Vice Chair Kristina Calkins.
• Consider cancelation of the regular City Council meeting for December 22, 2025.
• City Council Advisory Group Handbook Update.
• First Quarter Code Compliance Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26
• Resolution establishing Citywide procedures for special benefit assessments
• ​​Resolutions of Intention related to the formation of Carpinteria Landscape Maintenance District No. 2025-1 and the levy of assessments commencing Fiscal Year 2026/27
• Resolution of Intention to Form the Coastal Berm Assessment District and to Levy Assessments Commencing Fiscal Year 2026/2027.

In observance of Veteran’s Day, the City of Carpinteria’s facilities and programs will experience scheduling changes. Most facilities (including City Hall, Carpinteria Community Library and Carpinteria Community Pool) will be closed for the holiday.

We appreciate the public’s understanding as we allow our staff to take time with their family and friends to recognize this important holiday.