Category: News

The draft map pictured here is under consideration for the City of Carpinteria’s transition to district elections. Starting in the November 2022 election, Carpinteria voters will elect one City Council member from within their specific district. This map was drawn to incorporate community ideas and requirements of the Voting Rights Act. Additional feedback from members of the public is now sought. What do you think of the map above? Does it achieve the goals of being balanced in size and protect the interest of the communities within the districts? Learn more about the population and demographics of each district at http://www.drawcarpinteria.com. Send us your feedback to CarpinteriaDistrictElections@ci.carpinteria.ca.us before the City Council meeting on Feb. 28. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more and/or to comment.

The City is currently designing a flood mitigation project for the eastern portion of Via Real and Poplar Street. Design will be completed this month, and the City plans to hold a public meeting in March to present design details. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please contact Jason Dane at jasond@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.

COMMUNITY POOL HONORS STANDOUT STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH

Carpinteria Community Pool congratulates our current Standout Staff Member Amneryz Ramirez. Amneryz has worked for the City since 2020; she is a newly trained lifeguard and has been a cashier for the last two years. She is motivated, always takes initiative and encourages others. Amneryz is currently studying to be a teacher. In her free time she enjoys drawing, baking, watching murder mysteries and doing her makeup. Her coworkers describe her as friendly, hard-working, funny and organized.

The City of Carpinteria has opened a new job position for a Community Engagement Library Specialist. The new library specialist will work full time at the Carpinteria Library, which is currently transitioning from being part of the Santa Barbara County Library System to being a City of Carpinteria-managed library. Applicants should be customer service driven library professionals with excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate will have strong outreach, technical and customer service skills, with youth services experience. Bilingual English/Spanish skills Required. Learn more at https://carpinteria.applicantpro.com/jobs/2222693.html.

Effective Wednesday, Feb. 16, Santa Barbara County’s indoor mask requirement will be lifted for vaccinated individuals in most settings. The decision by the SB County Public Health Department is in alignment with the State’s Health Officer Order. Local guidance will defer to State guidance for use of face coverings. Universal masking will remain required in specified settings including public transit, indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, shelters, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, and other care facilities. Only unvaccinated persons will be required to mask in all indoor public settings. Fully vaccinated individuals will be recommended to continue masking in public indoor settings. For full guidelines, visit https://bit.ly/3uHchze.

In closely analyzing recent data trends, along with the characteristics of the Omicron variant circulating, County Public Health officials have determined that aligning with the State on universal indoor masking is appropriate. While the Omicron variant has proved to be more transmissible than previous variants, it has also resulted in shorter periods of illness, fewer hospitalizations, and a lower death count for fully vaccinated community members.Read the full SB County press release in English at https://bit.ly/3gFlHmQ and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/3rFnJtk.

The City of Carpinteria is updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and is seeking the public’s input. The purpose of the LHMP Update is to improve disaster preparedness and reduce or eliminate risks to the community, life and property. The LHMP Update will identify local hazards and mitigation measures available to reduce associated risks. Learn more about the plan update in this 11-minute video: https://youtu.be/WSOppvyFUx0. Please submit your comments by Friday, Feb. 11 to Olivia Uribe Mutal at oliviau@ci.carpinteria.ca.us.

The City of Carpinteria recently joined Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) for the economic and environmental benefits that are derived from local control over our electricity needs. It has come to our attention, however, that there is some confusion about recent electrical bills received by Carpinterians. We want to help you understand what has changed and steer you to some important information and resources.

Currently, CCCE charges less for electric generation than SCE does – you can view the current rate comparison on SCE’s website here: SCE and CCCE Joint Rate Comparison Effective October 1 2021v1 (1).pdf. SCE recently raised their rates which include Transmission and Distribution charges. For those of you who are experiencing higher electricity costs, this is likely the cause. Additionally, winter months and spending more time than normal at home during the pandemic increase energy usage.

Specific to the conversation about rates, please remember that being enrolled with CCCE means SCE will no longer charge you for Electric Generation (how your electricity is generated), but SCE will continue charging you for Transmission and Distribution (how your electricity is delivered). CCCE is now in charge of how and where your electricity is generated, and you should see a line item for CCCE Electric Generation Charges on your bill a month or so after you are enrolled.

Last but not least, beyond rates and the cost of using electricity please keep in mind that CCCE customers have access to Energy Programs that assist households and businesses with the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions. To date, since launching in 2018 CCCE has given customers access to more than $26 million in rebates and incentives for things like electric vehicles, charging stations, electric school buses, all-electric affordable housing projects, electric agricultural equipment, backup power supply resources, and more. CCCE is also on a path to source 100% clean and renewable energy for its customers by 2030 – 15 years ahead of the state’s goals.

Please consider attending an upcoming CCCE webinar or contacting CCCE Customer Support to learn more and have your questions answered. Webinars times and dates can be found at https://3cenergy.org/enrollment/ and City businesses and residents can call or email CCCE via 888-909-6227 or SouthSupport@3CE.org.

The City is seeking a resident of Carpinteria Valley to fill a vacant seat on the Tree Advisory Board. The board meets quarterly at City Hall to advise on issues relating to the implementation of the City’s Street Tree Management Plan and local regulations to maintain street trees. The member may be someone with an interest in trees and how they play a role in the City environment or someone with academic and/or professional experience with trees. The term covers the period through Jan. 31, 2023. Applications are available at https://bit.ly/3nTym8L or at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Completed applications must be submitted to: City of Carpinteria, Attn: City Clerk, 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013.

The Carpinteria Planning Commission will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Members of the public who wish to view the meeting without attending in person, may do so at  www.carpinteria.ca.us or on Government Access Television Channel 21.

The following topics are highlights of the agenda. Additional details and ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://bit.ly/3oqhGH9. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to commissioners.

Draft Dune and Shoreline Management Plan: Consider the Draft Dune and Shoreline Management Plan and make recommendations to the City Council for additions, modifications, and/or deletions.

McCann Mini-Storage Mezzanine Expansion (1222 Cravens Lane): Consider approval of a Conditional Use Permit Amendment and a Coastal Development Permit to construct a total of 13,000 square feet of mezzanine in two existing warehouse structures to create 182 new mini-storage rental units.

Free COVID-19 at-home test kits will be available on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pick-up at Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP), 5201 Eighth St. The distribution was made possible through a partnership between the City of Carpinteria and CCP. If you miss the distribution day, please call the main office at CCP at 805-566-1600 to inquire about the existing supply of test kits.