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Two special City Council meetings scheduled this month

This month, the Carpinteria City Council will hold two special meetings.

On Tuesday, March 19, the Council will meet to hold its Mid-Year Budget Review and Capital Improvement Plan Study Session.

On Tuesday, March 26, the Council will meet to consider an appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of a proposal to redevelop the property at 4745 Carpinteria Avenue (currently occupied by Sun Coast Rentals) into a new mixed-use development.

The public is invited to attend meetings and provide comment in person at City Hall or online via the Zoom webinar platform, and can watch live streaming on the City’s website (https://carpinteriaca.gov/), and Government Access Television Channel 21. The agenda for each meeting will include details on how to participate and will be available https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings/ by the Friday prior to the meeting. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

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General Plan Update moves forward

The City’s General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Update Committee will resume efforts to update the City’s guiding document, the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, at a meeting on Monday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or by Zoom and may provide comment at the meeting.

A detailed agenda that includes instructions for participation is available at https://carpinteria.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=2331

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Swim lesson registration opens April 1

With summer approaching, Carpinteria families are looking to get their little ones water safe. We can help! Registration for swim lessons at Carpinteria Community Pool opens on April 1 at 6 p.m. Group lessons are 30 minutes and held Monday through Friday for two weeks (10 lessons) at a cost of $100. Swimmers aged 3 to 12 will be placed in lessons based on their swimming abilities. Skilled instructors will help children develop water safety habits and build foundational swim skills. Register for lessons at https://carpinteria.recdesk.com/Community/Program starting on April 1.

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Need a good book?

More than two dozen local authors will have their diverse works for sale at the Carpinteria Festival of Books on Saturday, March 23 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, 865 Linden Ave. A wide range of genres will be available, fiction, non-fiction, mystery, children’s, photo books and more, and authors will be on hand to discuss their books and answer questions. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at https://carpinteriaartscenter.org/.

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Introducing Francisco Morales

We are thrilled to introduce Francisco Morales, the newest member of our Public Works Team. You’ll find Francisco working hard to keep the Downtown T area clean and safe on Thursday through Monday from 6 to 10 a.m.

A Carpinteria resident since 1999, Francisco is an avid soccer enthusiast. Although he said he has retired from playing soccer, he still enjoys watching the sport, especially his favorite professional team, Cruz Azul. During his free time, Francisco enjoys playing with his three kids at Carpinteria parks. Welcome, Francisco!

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April is Carpinteria Beautiful Month

Following a tradition established in 1992, the City of Carpinteria will recognize April as Carpinteria Beautiful Month. The Carpinteria City Council unanimously approved a proclamation to do so at its meeting on March 11. Throughout the month of April, Carpinteria Beautiful volunteers will continue their year-round efforts to remove graffiti and fill doggie bag dispensers, and the organization’s Adopt-a-Spotters and Trash Mob will redouble their already considerable efforts to keep Carpinteria litter-free.

The City urges all residents to make a personal commitment to enhance the beauty of their own properties and neighborhoods for the benefit and enjoyment of all. One opportunity for the community to get involved in beautification efforts citywide will be Carpinteria Beautiful’s annual Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m to noon. Anyone interested in volunteering should meet at the Amtrak Parking Lot, 499 Linden Ave., to be assigned a location. Gloves, bags and trash pickers will be available, but we encourage you to bring your own reusable items.

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Don’t miss these Senior Lectures!

Hey seniors! March is jam-packed with free learning opportunities designed just for you. The Senior Lecture Series will continue on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. These engaging and informative talks will now be held at the Carpinteria Veterans Hall Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave.

Healthy Cooking Workshop, March 14

Join the foodbank of Santa Barbara County for this unique, evidence-based nutrition and food information workshop.

Advance Directive, March 21 & 28

Your advance directive is an important legal form that helps your medical team and loved ones know your healthcare decisions in the event you have a medical emergency or are seriously ill and cannot speak for yourself. We are teaming up with Hospice of Santa Barbara for a two-part ACP workshop. To RSVP, please contact Adriana Marroquin at (805)-705-4846 or at CommunityACP@hospiceofsb.org.

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Council & community celebrate Arbor Day

For the love of trees, the Carpinteria City Council recognized California Arbor Day in the City of Carpinteria. The City understands the importance of trees in our daily lives as a source of beauty and comfort in the community. They improve neighborhood appearance, create a better living environment, provide shade, heat reflection and wind protection, improve air quality and contribute to energy conservation. Please consider joining us at a special Arbor Day ceremony and tree planting on Friday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m. across from City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

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City Council to meet March 11

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, March 11 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://bit.ly/49GAHL5.

🌳 Proclamation designating the month of April 2024 as “Carpinteria Beautiful Month.”

💵 Community Development Block Grant Committee recommendations for the 2024-2025 Public Services Grant Applications and allocation of program funds.

🏠 The City’s 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development on the status of implementation of Housing Element goals, policies, and objectives.

🚭 Review of proposed Ordinance No. 778 amending the Carpinteria Municipal Code to regulate smoking in multi-unit housing developments and update requirements for tobacco retail signage in accordance with State law.

📋 Approving the Measure A Five-Year Local Program of Projects for Fiscal Years 2024-25 through 2028-29

💵 Additional appropriations through the Community Service Support Grant program for the current fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, and recommendations for updates to the CSSG selection process and allocations for future years.

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Introducing Jena Jenkins!

Our new Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator assigned to AgeWell Senior Programming is a familiar face to anyone who patronizes Carpinteria Community Library. Jena Jenkins, former library employee, is now building and managing the City’s new programs and services to promote successful, healthy aging in Carpinteria.

Jena’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in social work and master’s degree in counseling psychology. Her training, along with her innate optimism and can-do attitude, make her a perfect fit for the new position. We are thrilled to have her creating and improving opportunities for Carpinterians to maintain and enhance their mental and physical health as they grow older.

Outside of work, Jena loves camping, the outdoors and most of all, her daughter, Clover.