Author: Lea Boyd

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 27 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/3RgYbzN. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Recognition of the  2023 Outgoing Santa Barbara Association of Realtors President Todd Shea.
• New Employee Introduction: Mindy Fogg, Principal Planner, and Megan Musolf, Assistant Planner.
• Presentation of the 2023 Carpinteria Valley Economic Profile.
• Congratulating Dave Durflinger on his retirement and commending and thanking him for 24 years of loyal and dedicated service to the City of Carpinteria.
• Appointments of public members to the Ad Hoc Harbor Seal Advisory Committee.
• Authorize the City Manager to sign the Landscape Equipment Electrification Fund Program Application.
• A Maintenance Agreement with the California Department of Transportation concerning the Carpinteria High School Area Crosswalk Safety Improvement Project.
• Amending the Carpinteria Municipal Code regarding fee and service charge revenue/cost comparison system, and approving and adopting the City’s Master Fee Schedule.
• Annual Report of the Development Impact Fee Program and updating the Capital Improvement Plan.
• 2023 Economic Vitality Program Report.
• Approval and adoption of the City Manager Employment Agreement with a base salary of $225,000.

The City of Carpinteria wishes you a Thanksgiving filled with love and gratitude. We are thankful for all the things that make living and working in Carpinteria uniquely wonderful. Please enjoy a safe, relaxing and fun-filled holiday.

Wendi Dunn, our new Garden Coordinator, has an extensive background in sustainability and horticulture. She operates a successful garden business, Plowgirl, and is passionate about heirloom seeds and regenerative garden/farming practices that revive the soil. Wendi’s hours at the Carpinteria Community Garden are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and she can be reached at CarpGarden@Carpinteriaca.gov/. We’re so happy to have you, Wendi!

Members of the public are invited to join the City Council at its Nov. 27 meeting to honor retiring City Manager Dave Durflinger on his remarkable 24-year tenure. Durflinger, who announced his retirement early this year, has served a record 22 years as City Manager. The public is cordially invited to attend the recognition ceremony and a brief intermission for cake that will follow.

It’s just about berm time! Construction of the Winter Protection Berm will begin the week of Nov. 27 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. as weather permits. For public safety, beach users are advised to avoid the area while tractor work is underway. The berm is built annually to protect private and public properties from potentially damaging winter storms. Its cost is shared between the City and the homeowners on Sandyland. The bulldozer work will not close access to properties or emergency vehicles. To learn more, please contact the Public Works Department at (805) 755-4431 or tiffanys@carpinteriaca.gov

Shay Darrington, our new Engineering Tech, is a civil engineer in the making. He holds an Engineer-In-Training certificate, as well as two degrees from California State University Chico, one in Civil Engineering and a second in German. We welcome Shay to our staff!

The forecast predicts a generally light to moderate accumulation of rain, ranging from 1-3 inches from SLO to LA through Saturday/Sunday. There is the potential for thunderstorms, which may lead to downed trees and power outages.

To ensure your safety and preparedness, here are some precautions to consider:

• Secure Outdoor Items: To prevent potential damage, secure or bring indoors any loose outdoor items.
• Power Outage Preparedness: Have essential supplies such as flashlights, batteries, and a basic first aid kit ready in case of power outages.
• Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the weather conditions through reliable sources.
• Avoid Travel if Possible: If the weather conditions deteriorate, consider limiting unnecessary travel.

Carpinteria Skate Park is closed during rainy weather. All skating activities are prohibited when the skating area is wet. We look forward to reopening when conditions are safe!

A Santa Monica Creek Trail beautification volunteer event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18, and volunteers can drop in and lend a hand anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Led by trail steward Ray Kolbe, volunteers will lay down cardboard and spread mulch to keep invasives from crowding out native species. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, a hat and water, as well as a rake and/or hoe if possible. Join the effort at El Carro Lane and Santa Monica Creek. To learn more, contact Ray at rwkolbe@gmail.com or (805) 705-3429.

Carpinteria families packed the Carpinteria City Council Chambers on Nov. 13 to honor members of the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County who earned a Gold Card for attending the Carpinteria Club for 105 days or more this year. Michael Baker, CEO of the United Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara County, noted that members who attend 105 days in a year are twice as likely to graduate high school and twice as likely to lead a healthy lifestyle. Congratulations to all of these students!