Author: Lea Boyd

In preparation for the California Avocado Festival’s three-day celebration of Carpinteria’s favorite fruit, our Public Works Department will implement street closures beginning on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 a.m.

Roadways will reopen to traffic overnight on Sunday, Oct. 4. The closure will span Linden Avenue from Carpinteria Avenue to Sixth Street. Side streets through this stretch of Linden are closed to all but local traffic; drivers will still be able to access businesses like Smart & Final.

Find festival details, including a schedule of events, at avofest.org/

The City of Carpinteria has secured $4.4 million in one-time state capital improvement funds to support critical infrastructure, alongside $496,000 in local community contributions.

The $4.4 million one-time state funding package, championed by State Senator Monique Limón and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, delivers $3.3 million for essential safety and operational repairs at the Carpinteria Community Pool, as well as $1.1 million for accessibility and facility improvements at the Carpinteria Community Library.

“The Carpinteria Community Pool and Carpinteria Community Library serve as community hubs for education, recreation, social connection, and lifelong health. Ensuring our local infrastructure remains safe and functional is a top priority,” said Senate pro Tempore Monique Limón. “I was proud to secure a $4.4 million state investment to support the City of Carpinteria’s efforts in preserving these vital resources for residents and future generations.”

Concurrently, local residents and community partners have raised $496,000 toward pool improvements through the Keep Carp Swimming campaign, administered by the Santa Barbara Foundation.

The City extends its heartfelt gratitude to every resident, family, and organization whose generous contributions laid the groundwork for this effort. This community-led support was instrumental in building the momentum needed to secure broader investment.

“This milestone is the definition of a true team effort, and we are deeply grateful for everyone who helped bring us to this moment,” said City of Carpinteria Mayor Natalia Alarcon. “From the local residents and community leaders whose contributions built critical momentum, to Senator Monique Limón and Governor Gavin Newsom’s support for Carpinteria on the state level, this achievement belongs to all of us.”

Next Phase: Ongoing Fundraising for Pool Facility Enhancements

With foundational infrastructure now fully funded, the City is pivoting to the next phase of the Keep Carp Swimming campaign. The City aims to raise an additional $500,000 for enhancements that protect the new infrastructure, lower operating costs, and extend the facility’s useful life, including:

1. Energy-efficient LED lighting and heavy-duty thermal pool covers to reduce energy and heating costs.
2. New lane lines and a commercial-grade pool vacuum to support daily operations and ongoing maintenance.
3. Durable interior flooring, fresh paint, and new entry signage to protect surfaces and improve the visitor experience.
4. Additional CPR and safety equipment to expand the pool’s emergency response capacity.

Any additional surplus funds raised during this phase will seed a dedicated capital replacement fund with the Santa Barbara Foundation for long-term facility maintenance.

“Securing state funding for our core mechanical and safety systems gives us the essential foundation we needed, and we are deeply grateful for that support,” said Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director Jeanette Gant. “As we look ahead, continued donations through KeepCarpSwimming.org will help us fund key facility updates, like new lane lines, improved lighting, and upgraded flooring, that enhance the day-to-day experience for our swimmers and help ensure our pool remains welcoming and well-maintained for years to come.”

For project updates and information on how to make tax-deductible donation visit KeepCarpSwimming.org.

About the Carpinteria Community Pool Project:
The Carpinteria Community Pool Project is a City of Carpinteria capital improvement fundraising initiative focused on completing critical improvements to preserve and maintain the community pool. Through community support, philanthropic investment, and grant funding, the project aims to ensure the pool remains a safe, accessible, and sustainable resource for residents and visitors.

The Planning Commission will continue its review of the Surfliner Inn Project and accompanying Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) at its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m.

The Surfliner Inn is a 36-room boutique hotel proposed for 499 Linden Ave.

On Sept. 21, the Planning Commission conducted and closed the public hearing on this item after receiving oral and written public comments. The Commission elected to continue its deliberations and consideration of possible action to Oct. 5.

The Oct. 5 meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and will also be livestreamed on Zoom and on SBTV.

The Proposed Final EIR is available now for review at cityofcarp.co/surfliner.

SCE and the City of Carpinteria will open a Community Resource Center on Monday, Sept. 28 from 1 to 10 p.m. in the Vets Hall Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave., for customers impacted by Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in Carpinteria. Impacted residents can access resources, charging stations for their personal and medical devices, and light refreshments.

To learn more about the PSPS currently in effect, visit https://cityofcarp.co/psps

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 28 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 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 cityofcarp.co/agendas.

• Retirement Recognition for Michael Hickey, Part-Time Crossing Guard
• 10-Year Service Award to Marysol Smith, Associate Planner
• Consideration of Economic Vitality Services Agreement with the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
• Update on Preliminary Review Process for Carpinteria Cultural Foundation’s (CCF) 10-Panel Mural Proposal Following Community Outreach and Requests for Subject Matter Expert Review.

Street sweeping in Carpinteria will be canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29 and 30 to allow for California Avocado Festival preparation.

We appreciate your patience and look forward to returning local streets to sparkling cleanliness the following week!

Having spent the last 40 years improving Carpinteria’s mental and physical health, developing water safe kids and creating countless positive memories, Carpinteria Community Pool is now in need of some TLC. The well-loved and heavily used facility has not undergone significant infrastructure renovations and upgrades since it opened in 1989.

A comprehensive facility assessment found that the pool remains a valuable community asset, but is in need of repairs, renovations, and system upgrades. Learn more at keepcarpswimming.org and consider a donation to fund:

Pool Deck Repairs: Pool gutter and deck areas, safety signage and depth markings, and worn starting blocks.

Mechanical System: Upgrades to the circulation, filtration, and chemical management systems.

Locker Rooms: Updating fixtures, repairing non-functioning equipment, and addressing ADA improvements.

We are thrilled to welcome Sophie Rose as our new Carpinteria Community Library Technician!

Growing up in Carpinteria, Sophie was a regular library user from an early age. Now, she brings her lifelong love for our library—and a vibrant array of talents—back to the community. Holding a degree in biology from Cal State Channel Islands, Sophie is a creative powerhouse who loves science, writing, art, crafts, and making comics.

Music lovers and young families might already recognize her: Sophie sings and plays guitar and ukulele, which she puts to great use leading our Babies are the Best program and assisting with Preschool Time. “I love working with kids,” says Sophie.

Stop by to say hello on Wednesdays, Fridays, or select Saturdays!

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 14 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 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 cityofcarp.co/agendas. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

📜 Proclamation declaring Sept. 15, 2026 to October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Carpinteria.

🙌🏽 Proclamation Designating the Week of September 7 – 13, 2026 as Celebrate Community Week in the City of Carpinteria.

1️⃣0️⃣-Year Service Award to Marysol Smith, Associate Planner.

🌊 Sixth Amendment to Lease Agreement with Chevron U.S.A., Inc. for use of City submerged lands.

🏡 Appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of a Development Plan, Lot Line Adjustment, and Coastal Development Permit to construct a new 3,520-square-foot two-story single-family residence with a detached 840-square-foot three-car garage at 333 Linden Avenue, and to adjust the lot line with the adjacent property at 355 Linden Avenue.

🥑 Approval of a Special Event Permit Application for the 2026 California Avocado Festival, scheduled to run from Oct. 2 – 4. 2026, including designation of the event footprint as a public park.

🚧 Project Status Update for Carpinteria Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.

🖋️ Amendment No. 10 to Agreement with Dewberry for the Carpinteria Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.

Interested in growing your family by one furry friend? We have a sweet pup who is looking for her new forever home. This loving bully mix is about 5 to 7 years old. She is spayed and available for adoption through the City of Carpinteria. The adoption fee is $75, and the application is available at https://cityofcarp.co/animals. Interested in learning more? Reach out to our Code Compliance Supervisor, David Hernandez, at davidh@carpinteriaca.gov or (805) 755-4418.