At its meeting on October 12, the Carpinteria City Council officially issued a proclamation honoring Clementine’s Steak House for its many years of service to our community.

Since opening its doors on Carpinteria Avenue in 1976—and under the loving care of Irene McLenithan starting in 1982—Clementine’s became a cherished local landmark. For the past 45 years, owner and operator Lloyd McLenithan carried on the family tradition, ensuring every guest felt right at home over full-course meals, friendly conversation, and legendary slices of pie.

Clementine’s officially closed its doors on October 4, 2026, but the countless milestones, family dinners, and community gatherings shared within its walls will always remain an important part of Carpinteria’s story.

On behalf of the City Council and the entire Carpinteria community, thank you to Lloyd, the McLenithan family, and the dedicated staff for 45+ years of devoted service. We wish you all the very best in your next chapter!

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 15 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.

Shepard Place Shops Site Improvements

Preliminary review of site improvements to the central trellis feature of Shepard Place Shops commercial center. The project would remove the existing landscaping planter, create a new outdoor seating area with smaller planters, and provide ramps and accessibility improvements to connect the seating area to the rest of the shopping center.

The Shepard Place Shops Site Improvements is one topic among others on the agenda. Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at cityofcarp.co/agendas.

Installation of the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP) pipeline on Carpinteria Avenue between Maple Avenue and Eugenia Place will take place overnight from Oct. 12 to 15 between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. On Monday and Tuesday of next week, Oct. 19 and 20, paving work will be completed during the day.

CAPP will replenish the groundwater basin with purified recycled water, creating a locally-controlled, drought-resistant drinking water supply. Learn more about the project at cvwd.net/carpinteria-advanced-purification-project

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 12 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 Clementine’s Steak House for over 50 Years Serving the Carpinteria Community.
• A Proclamation Recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Carpinteria.
• A Proclamation Honoring 60 Years of Regional Partnership Through the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.
• Introduction of Jacob Lyle, Management Analyst I in the General Government Department.
• Introduction of Tania Sanchez, UCSB CollegeCorps Fellow.
• Presentation of the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District’s On-Demand Service – The Wave.
• Annual Report on Law Enforcement Services.
• Approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Community Services Support Grant Program Funding Recommendations.
• Recap of the Aug. 31, 2026 State of the City Address, focusing on the actions the City has taken and plans to take to address the structural deficit and deferred maintenance, as requested by City Council on Sept. 14, 2026.

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!