Category: News

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.

Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch a National Reconnaissance Office mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex-4 on Wednesday, Feb. 2, with a launch window targeting 12:18 p.m.

The mission’s first stage will return to land on Vandenberg. Upon re-entry of the vehicle, spectators and local residents from Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties can anticipate hearing multiple sonic booms as the vehicle breaks the sound barrier.

A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an aircraft or launch vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of thunder and the degree experienced will depend on weather conditions and other factors.

In compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, the normal public viewing area on Azalea Lane off of Hwy 1 just a half mile south of Vandenberg Space Force Base’s main gate will not be open to the public.

Albertsons will offer free Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations for eligible individuals age 5 and older at a clinic on Friday, Feb. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carpinteria Middle School. A second clinic will follow on Friday, March 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. Minors must have a consent form to receive their vaccination. Sign up for an appointment and receive a consent form at https://bit.ly/3giAuUa.

The City of Carpinteria is excited to introduce our new Assistant City Manager, Michael Ramirez. Michael grew up in the small beach community of Port Hueneme and currently resides in Oxnard. Drawn to social issues, he began working in local government as a way to better his community. He has a sociology degree from California State University Northridge and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Cal Lutheran University School of Management. He’s also a graduate of the Ventura County Leadership Academy. Michael is looking forward to getting to know the community of Carpinteria and strengthening the relationship between residents and local government. Read more about our new Assistant City Manager at https://bit.ly/347jtK7.

Harrison Industries will now accept residential food waste in paper bags as well as in plastic bags. All bags of food waste must still be closed and placed in residents’ yard waste carts for weekly curbside pickup. Harrison, which is Carpinteria’s trash hauler, and its partners at Agromin have approved the use of folded-shut paper bags in addition to the tied plastic bags that have been accepted since residential food waste recycling began on Jan. 3.

The move to include paper bags is a response to customers’ concerns about the use of non-Earth-friendly plastic bags in the area’s new food waste recycling program; the decision was buoyed by the early success of the program.

Food waste includes meat, bones, dairy, coffee grounds, shells, skins and peels as well as all produce, grains and other food products. Whether it’s in paper or plastic, all food waste must be bagged. Food waste should NOT be placed directly into yard waste carts, where it would contaminate the loose yard waste.

For the first time in Carpinteria Community Pool history, we are hosting a Swim-A-Thon. At the 2022 Swim-A-Thon, our Carpinteria Aquatics Club (CAC) athletes will raise money by swimming lengths of the pool. All proceeds will go towards supplies for our CAC swim and water polo teams.

For event details, or to learn how to donate, visit: bit.ly/CarpinteriaPool or call (805) 566-2417.

Looking for community service hours? If so, contact Leilanie Silva at Leilanies@ci.carpinteria.ca.us to sign up on the day of the event.