Author: Lea Boyd

We have compost bins available and FREE for Carpinteria residents (limit one per household). Swing by the City Hall lobby during regular business hours to pick yours up and be part of the solution!

These kitchen countertop compost bins allow you to separate all your food waste from regular trash and recycling. The contents of the bin can be added to your yard-waste container every week, BUT it must be bagged separately then placed on top. Plastic bags are fine for this use; they will be separated at Gold Coast Recycling.

From there, your food waste will be converted into renewable natural gas, nutrient-rich fertilizer, and compost. By simply separating it, you help reduce methane emissions and protect our local environment!

Are you a City of Carpinteria resident with an interest in giving back with your time and thought? Please consider joining the Community Development Block Grant Committee!

Members of the Community Development Block Grant Committee review grant applications for CDBG funds and make recommendations to the City Council for which applications to fund.

The committee meets on an as-needed basis and terms for the vacant positions run through Jan. 31, 2027. Learn more by visiting cityofcarp.co/cssg

On Saturday, June 27, downtown Linden Avenue will be buzzing with activity.

First up: The Rods and Roses classic car show will bring scores of classic cars downtown for public perusal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Next up: The Annual Independence Day Parade starting at 3:30 p.m. between Carpinteria Avenue to 6th Street.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US of A Carpinteria-style!

So you’ve heard of the  Santa Barbara MTD WAVE project, but you’re not sure exactly how it works. Let’s change that!

On Thursday, June 18 at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Hall, 941 Walnut Ave., learn how this new on-demand microtransit service is changing the way people get around our community and when it will be available on Carpinteria.

The WAVE is a flexible, app-based transportation option that allows riders to book curb-to-curb trips within designated zones—making local travel more convenient and accessible.

Public review is underway for The Farm Project, a 191-unit housing development proposed at 5885 Carpinteria Ave., the site currently occupied by the Tee Time driving range and farmland.

Public feedback during this stage helps shape the focus of the environmental analysis moving forward. This is an opportunity to raise concerns related to the project’s potential environmental impacts.

• The 30-day comment period for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) of the Draft Environmental Impact Report opened on June 11 and will close on July 10 at 5 p.m.
• A Public Scoping Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 30, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and via Zoom.

Learn more about the project and this stage of review at our newly updated webpage: cityofcarp.co/farmprojecthousing. Community members and stakeholders interested in receiving project updates are encouraged to email TheFarmProject@carpinteriaca.gov.

After 18 years of dedicated service, licensed architect Richard Johnson is retiring from the City’s Architectural Review Board.

A Kansas State University graduate, Richard brought over 50 years of professional expertise to the board, shaping significant local projects like Lagunitas, Casa de las Flores, and Dahlia Court 2.

Throughout his tenure, Richard focused on positivity in his role on the board. Rather than dictating changes to applicants, he aimed to encourage positive revisions that elevated each project.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Richard for his nearly two decades of commitment to preserving and enhancing Carpinteria’s unique character.

On June 19, 1865, freedom was finally enforced for enslaved people in Texas, marking the birth of the Juneteenth holiday. The City of Carpinteria officially observes this important day and encourages residents to come out for the Juneteenth Santa Barbara celebration themed “Love for the People”:

• Friday, June 19
• 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Plaza Del Mar/Band Shell Park, Santa Barbara

Juneteenth is a time to honor Black history, celebrate incredible contributions, and confront the ongoing realities of systemic racism. Let’s stand together for dignity, equity, and justice.

Accepting a Juneteenth proclamation from the Carpinteria City Council, Dianne Travis-Teague of the Juneteenth Celebration Committee said, “In times when our world can feel divided, Juneteenth reminds us that progress is possible, community matters, and love for the people remains one of the most powerful forces we possess.”

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, June 8 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.

• A proclamation honoring June 19, 2026, “Juneteenth Independence Day” in recognition of June 19, 1865, when enslaved Africans learned of their freedom in the southwestern states.
• Recognition of retiring Architectural Review Board Member Richard E. Johnson on his 18 years of service to the community.
• Introduction of Francisco Morales, Maintenance Worker I.
• Monthly meeting of the Carpinteria Library Board of Trustees
• Letter of Support for the Encampment Resolution Funding Round 5 Application submitted by the County of Santa Barbara.
• Approving the application for Encampment Resolution Funding Round 5 Grant Funds.
• Public hearing on City workforce vacancies and recruitment/retention efforts
• Mid-Cycle Budget Report, including appropriation adjustments for fiscal years 2025/26 and 2026/27, setting related appropriations limits as required by state law, and adopting salary schedules for fiscal year 2026/27.

MISSED THE TOWN HALL? View the Presentation Slides here.

Mark your calendars for an in-person Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers (5775 Carpinteria Ave.). This public forum is your chance to connect directly with City staff and officials, ask questions, share input, and learn more about Carpinteria’s current financial outlook and infrastructure needs.

The town hall is part of a broader community outreach effort to gather resident feedback on City services and future priorities. The City Council is currently exploring funding options to maintain essential services, and community input is key.

One option the City Council is exploring is placing a quarter-cent sales tax measure on the ballot for voters’ consideration. This tax would amount to an additional 25 cents on a $100 purchase.

We want to hear from you—your input helps shape the future of Carpinteria. Please share your priorities by attending the town hall or taking our survey here: carpinteriaca.gov/communityinput

This week, Southern California Edison is working on a power pole replacement near the Coastal Vista Trail and the UPRR railroad tracks.

Here is what you need to know:

• Timeline: Site prep and full replacement through May 29.
• Trail Impact: Pedestrian use of the Coastal Vista Trail in this area will be temporarily prohibited during construction.
• Detour: A temporary detour is in place! Please follow the posted signage on-site to navigate safely.

Why the work? This upgrade by Chevron ensures a separate, dedicated power source for the Casitas Pier while the onshore processing facility is safely powered down for decommissioning.

Thank you for your patience as this necessary infrastructure work is completed!