At its Dec. 12 meeting, the City of Carpinteria swore in new and re-elected councilmembers then selected a new Mayor and Vice-Mayor to serve two-year terms. New councilmember Mónica Solórzano joined the council, while incumbents Roy Lee and Al Clark returned to the council. Former Vice Mayor Al Clark was selected to be Mayor, and Councilmember Natalia Alarcon was selected to be Vice Mayor. The City of Carpinteria’s Mayor and Vice Mayor are nominated and voted upon by councilmembers.
The City of Carpinteria has multiple open positions that it is seeking to fill as soon as possible. Our Public Works team is seeking a full time Maintenance Worker, and the first review of applicants will take place at the end of this week. We are also seeking three full time Management Analysts, one for each of the following departments: Human Resources; Parks, Recreations and Public Facilities; and Public Works. The application window for these positions will close on Jan. 8. Learn more or apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca
The City of Carpinteria Aquatics Team has selected Brett Persoon as the Standout Staff Member for the month of December. Brett is a new pool lifeguard and cashier at Carpinteria Community Pool. When he is not working, Brett enjoys surfing, snowboarding and hanging out with friends. Brett was a Carpinteria Junior Lifeguard for seven years, and he learned to swim at Carpinteria Community Pool. He plans to study botany and neuroscience in college. Thank you for all that you do, Brett!
The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. In accordance with State guidance, the City will provide both in-person and virtual attendance and participation options for the meeting.
Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. or view the meeting live at www.carpinteria.ca.us, 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/3FhC0SH. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.
Reporting the results of the Consolidated General Municipal Election held on November 8, 2022, and seating of the new City Council. The City Clerk will administer the oath of office to new Councilmember Mónica Solórzano and returning Councilmembers Roy Lee and Al Clark.
Nominations and selection of Vice Mayor and Mayor
Authorization of the purchase of new playground equipment in Monte Vista Park.
Extension of the Ad Hoc Senior Services Planning Committee term date, and revision of Committee Roles & Responsibilities.
Formation of the Ad Hoc Civic/Youth Engagement Committee, and appointment of up to two Council members to the Committee.
Formation of an Ad Hoc City Council Housing Element Committee.
Rain or shine, the City of Carpinteria is preparing to hold its Holiday Spirit Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in downtown Carpinteria. Since forecasts call for possible afternoon showers, the City advises parade participants and spectators to prepare for wet weather by wearing warm clothes and bringing umbrellas.
“We hope that the rain will hold off until Saturday night, as forecast,” said City Program Manager Olivia Uribe-Mutal. “But since we are in a stage 3 drought right now, we welcome precipitation anytime, even if that means it ‘rains on our parade.’”
This year’s parade will take place on Linden Avenue between Carpinteria Avenue and Sixth Street. Following the parade, Hospice of Santa Barbara is scheduled to hold its 39th annual Light Up a Life at 5:30 p.m. at the Seal Fountain, 850 Linden Ave.
As the holidays approach, the City of Carpinteria reminds residents to recycle their Christmas tree through their waste hauler. For two weeks after Christmas, EJ Harrison & Sons will pick up trees for recycling and will allow for twice the usual amount of residential customers’ trash at no extra cost.
To have your tree recycled, remove ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, bows, nails and the tree stand; cut the tree into 4-foot sections; and place it in your tan yard waste barrel on your scheduled pickup day. Flocked Christmas trees are accepted. Collected trees will be processed into various sizes of mulch used on local farmlands, orchards, and nurseries.
To have EJ Harrison pick up extra trash, place it in bags alongside your regular green trash barrel. Be sure to flatten all boxes and place them alongside your blue recycling barrel.
The Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care is recruiting volunteers to conduct interviews with individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the Point-In-Time Count on Wednesday, Jan. 25 between 5:30 and 8:30 a.m. Volunteers must register online at countyofsb.pointintime.info and have access to a smart phone.
All volunteers are required to attend a virtual training session. In this 1-hour session, you will learn more about the importance of the count, review canvassing best practices, explore the PIT survey tool, FAQs and more! To make this training as accessible as possible, the online trainings are at varied days and times between January 16 – 20. Only one training is required.
The PIT count is only possible with a community-wide effort by the incredible support of many volunteers and partners. Your help is important in capturing this crucial community data.
As Carpinteria Seal Watch gears up for the upcoming season, the organization will hold orientations for new and returning volunteers. Orientations will be held on Thursday Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. via zoom. Pizza will be served at the in-person orientation. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one weekly two-hour shift on the blufftop overlook above the rookery. While the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits approaching marine mammals year-round, Carpinteria Seal Watch will be monitoring the harbor seal sanctuary during pupping season from Jan 1- May 31, as it has for 32 years. If interested in volunteering, email CarpSealWatch@gmail.com or call (805) 684-2247.
The harbor seal rookery beach closure, which is designed to protect the seal population during pupping season, starts today, Dec. 1. The rookery is located near the base of the Casitas Pier, and the closure applies to 750 feet to the east and west of the pier. Please use the bluff top trail and do not enter the beach past the beach closure signs. Generally stay far away from the Casitas Pier. This closure is important to protect the Carpinteria Harbor Seals that may be ready to have pups and to prevent disturbances that could lead to pup mortality. This closure is consistent with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violators can be fine $10,000 per occurrence. For more information, contact the City of Carpinteria at (805) 684-5405.
Bob Walsmith Jr., the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors’ outgoing president, received a proclamation from the Carpinteria City Council at its Nov. 28 meeting. The honor recognizes Bob for his many contributions to the organization, which has served the communities of Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Gaviota for 115 years. During Bob’s presidency in 2022, he organized a variety of fundraising events, including raising $53,000 for Jodi House. He also participated in important outreach programs, work groups, speaking engagements and efforts to address the housing affordability crisis.
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