Author: Lea Boyd

Mark your calendar for the opening of Junior Lifeguard registration: March 16 at 6 p.m.

This year’s program has a few new elements that we’ve introduced based on parent feedback:

• New Two-Session Model: The program will be split into two separate 4-week sessions
• New Start Time: Daily schedule is now 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• New After Camp Program: This add-on will extend the day from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. for families interested in a longer day.

Please note: Swim tryouts must be completed if your child is new to the program or moving from Minis to C’s, it is required that they sign up for and complete a tryout.

For all the important details, visit cityofcarp.co/jgs

Significant progress has been made on the Linden Avenue Improvements Project, and construction detours are expected to wrap up by the end of next week.

Currently there is a detour in-effect outside of normal 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. construction hours.

• CLOSED: Northbound Linden Avenue between Carpinteria Avenue and Sawyer Avenue
• OPEN: Southbound Linden Avenue between Carpinteria Avenue and Sawyer Avenue

The improvement project will enhance appearance, safety, and functionality for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers along Linden Avenue between Carpinteria and Sawyer avenues.

Several upgrades are coming with the completion of the project:

• Pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle facility enhancements
• Pavement resurfacing
• Storm drain facility upgrades

We’ll close City Hall briefly on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 26 for our all-staff quarterly meeting. Thank you for your understanding. We try to minimize our impact on the public while also ensuring that our entire team has an opportunity to meet periodically for the benefit of Carpinteria!

The Carpinteria Architectural Review Board will consider the proposed Surf Cottages Condominiums its next regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

The preliminary review is for the remodel and addition of a second story to an existing single-family dwelling, and construction of a new two-story two-unit building, to create a total of three condominium units on the property located at 4716 Seventh Street.

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. Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://cityofcarp.co/agendas.

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

• A proclamation designating the month of March 2026 as Women’s History Month in the City of Carpinteria.
• A resolution in support of long-distance living heritage trails and commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition Encampment near Carpinteria on Feb. 24, 1776.
• A proclamation designating March 8, 2026 as California Arbor Day in the City of Carpinteria.
• Introduction of Kelley Dyer, Carpinteria Valley Water District General Manager
• Presentation by the U.S. Small Business Administration on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, as a result of the December storms occurring December 16-26, 2025 in Santa Barbara County
• Agreement with Big Green Cleaning Company for janitorial services
• Approval of the Measure A Five-Year Local Program of Projects for Fiscal Years 2026/27 through 2030/31
• Selection of the 2025 City of Carpinteria Volunteer of the Year.
• Professional Services Agreement with Atlas Planning Solutions to complete the Emergency Operations Plan and Five-Year Emergency Preparedness Work Plan for the City of Carpinteria.

A public Environmental Review Committee Meeting for the Surfliner Inn Project has been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held at City Hall (5775 Carpinteria Ave.), and members of the public are encouraged to participate. You can attend in person or join virtually. Learn more at cityofcarp.co/agendas

Interested in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Surfliner? The public can review and comment on the DEIR through March 9 at 5 p.m.

How to review the report?

• Online: View at cityofcarp.co/surfliner
• In Person: Hard copies are available at City Hall (5775 Carpinteria Ave.) and the Carpinteria Community Library (5141 Carpinteria Ave.).

With heavy rainfall coming, we have decided to close City parks for public safety and to protect recreational spaces from damage. The closure will extend through Feb. 21 to allow rainwater to be absorbed.

In honor of Presidents Day, please take note of the following city service closures for Monday, Feb. 16.

 What’s Closed:

• City Hall
• Carpinteria Community Library
• Carpinteria Community Pool
• AgeWell Programming

Regular operations for all departments will resume on Tuesday, February 17. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday weekend!

The  weather forecast for the Central Coast calls for rainstorms starting on Sunday, Feb. 15, and continuing through mid-week. Make sure you’re prepared for potentially heavy rains by picking up sandbags and sand at City Hall. Please note that sandbags and sand are available on a first-come, first-served basis!

At its next meeting, the Architectural Review Board will hold a final review for the Harmony Hotel project at 4110 Via Real. The applicant proposes removal of the existing 5,678-square-foot former church building, and the construction of a two-story, 72-guestroom, 44,191-square-foot hotel and associated improvements including landscaping, outdoor pool and garden patio.

The ARB meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person or online. Project details and numerous ways to comment on the project are detailed in the meeting agenda, which is available at cityofcarp.co/agendas.