Category: News

It’s the end of an era! On March 24, our Public Works team demolished the defunct Carpinteria Beach Store ahead of the summer season. Deemed unfit for use, the aging trailer has not been operational since 2023.

City of Carpinteria merchandise (T-shirts, hats, etc.) is now available for sale at Carpinteria Community Pool, and rentals of kayaks and other beach gear will take place through the boathouse on Ash Avenue during the summer.

Starting Monday, June 16 and ending Friday, Aug. 1, the boathouse will be open daily. The season will continue with weekend-only open hours through Aug. 31.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, March 24 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/41YaMMq. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• Proclamation designating April 2025 as “DMV/Donate Life Month” and “Carpinteria Business Month” in the City of Carpinteria.
• Selection of the 2024 City of Carpinteria Volunteer of the Year.
• Closeout of the 2022 Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
• Approval of the amended agreement between the City of Carpinteria and South Coast Community Media Access Center (dba TV Santa Barbara).
• Adoption of an Electronic Signature Policy.
• Proposition 218 protest hearing for proposed 5% increase to City of Carpinteria’s Solid Waste AB 939 Program fee.
• Annual Progress Report on General Plan Implementation.
• Adoption of City Council Goals and Priorities for Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27; and Strategic Plan Final Report, including City Mission, Vision, and Value Statements (Working Drafts); and City Council-developed Norms, Values, and Principles of Governance (Final Draft).

If you’re looking for a fun and healthy way to fill some spring break hours, bring the kids for a swim at the pool, 5305 Carpinteria Ave.

Spring break is March 24-28, and during that week, rec swim hours will be Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Learn more at https://carpinteriaca.gov/parks-and-recreation/carpinteria-community-pool/

Don’t miss this Santa Barbara County arts grant opportunity!

Some details:

• Grant funding is $50,000 given out in grants between $1k-$5k.
• This is open to organizations with an annual budget of less than $500,000
• The grant comes in the form of reimbursement payments
• Applicants are required to attend an online workshop to apply:
  • March 26, 2025 4:00-5:30 pm
  • April 10, 2025 12:00-1:30 pm

Learn more at https://www.sbac.ca.gov/county-grants

On March 18, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors honored Erin Maker as the recipient of the First District Commission for Women Service Award! In her position as the City of Carpinteria’s Environmental Program Manager, Erin dedicates herself daily to championing sustainable initiatives and leading transformative environmental projects.

For over 15 years, Erin has served the City of Carpinteria. Among many other achievements, she successfully launched our Sustainability Division and spearheaded vital new programs in watershed management and clean energy.

As the Board of Supervisors proclamation notes, “Erin’s career has been fueled by a deep commitment to creating a resilient, eco-friendly community where innovation, collaboration and community engagement are at the forefront of every initiative.” We thank Erin for her invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to Carpinteria.

Learn more here: https://santabarbara.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7260525&GUID=5553B86D-CB96-4F4F-9528-624A7074A8A7

Our City Librarian at Carpinteria Community Library, Jody Thomas, is preparing to retire, and we’re looking for a new individual to lead our library team.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jody for her dedicated service and contributions to the Carpinteria community, and we encourage anyone interested in this opportunity to apply by Wednesday, April 9.

If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this information: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca/jobs/4864689/city-librarian?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

For more details, please reach out to Javier Gutierrez at javierg@carpinteraca.gov or Teresa Ilasin at teresai@carpinteriaca.gov.

Join Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District at the Alcazar Theatre on Wednesday, March 19 for Wildfires: Be Aware and Prepare, an important event tailored to prepare Carpinteria for the upcoming wildfire season. The free event will feature informative presentations by local representatives, an educational film and a panel discussion. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m.To reserve a seat, visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thealcazar/1609026

We’ve got some great news! On Feb. 26, Caltrans informed the City of Carpinteria that we will receive a $342,270 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant to install a hybrid pedestrian crossing traffic signal within the frontage of Carpinteria High School.

We are thrilled to receive funding through HSIP, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The new traffic signal will be installed at a busy crosswalk regularly used by Carpinteria High School students at the State Route 192/Foothill Road and Franklin Creek Trail intersection.

The HSIP funds will cover 90-percent of the construction costs, and the City’s development impact fees will cover the remaining portion. We hope to start construction this summer, and we’ll keep the community posted when we have an update.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Board of Supervisors Meeting entitled A Community Forum to Address Cannabis Odor in Carpinteria on Friday, March 14, from noon to 2 p.m. at Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. The forum will allow community members to share their experiences, concerns and ideas about cannabis odor in the region.

This forum is part of an ongoing effort to improve odor control regulations. In January 2025, the Board directed staff to draft updates requiring mandatory carbon filtration technology for cannabis cultivation. While these new regulations to improve odor control are in progress, this forum provides an additional opportunity to gather community feedback and refine solutions.

The final agenda and associated materials will be shared by March 13 at https://t.e2ma.net/click/0vl0hh/kngmf0/o61y3w

The City of Carpinteria is thrilled to introduce Torrie Cutbirth, our new Program Manager for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. A Santa Barbara native and Cornell University graduate, Torrie brings a wealth of experience in community program development. She holds certifications in Permaculture Design, Ecological Landscape Design, and Healthy Soil Ecology, reflecting her passion for sustainable community initiatives.

With a strong background in the nonprofit sector, Torrie excels in cross-sector collaboration and project management, previously serving as Executive Director of the County of Santa Barbara Arts Fund. Torrie is eager to apply her skills in her new position. “I’m excited to give back to Carpinteria and serve this community,” she noted. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, hiking, ocean swimming and spending time with loved ones. Welcome, Torrie!