Category: News

The Carpinteria Architectural Review Board will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29 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://cityofcarp.co/agendas.

• Burgess-Birk Residence Remodel & Addition, 748 Maple Avenue
• Cypress Apartments Renovations, 4956 Fifth Street
• Surf Cottages Condominiums Remodel & Addition, 4716 Seventh Street

There’s a new face at Carpinteria Community Library! Katie Shumway, our new Library Tech, is excited to get to know the Carpinteria community as part of the library’s small but mighty team.

Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Social Work and brings four years of experience with the Ventura County Library system. She has led story times throughout Ventura County and enjoys helping foster a love of reading in young patrons.

A busy mom of three teenagers, Katie treasures the rare quiet moment — usually spent reading, working on a puzzle, or binging The Real Housewives of SLC. We’re thrilled to have Katie on board and invite you to drop by the library to meet her in person!

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 26 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://cityofcarp.co/agendas. Comments posted on social media will not be provided to council members.

• A proclamation proclaiming February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Carpinteria.
• Mayoral recognition awarded to City Clerk Brian C. Barrett for achieving the Master Municipal Clerk Designation
• Presentation by a Chevron U.S.A. about the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning
• Approve and adopt updated Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Program & Facility Fee Schedule.
• Authorization to issue the Notice Inviting Bids for the Carpinteria Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.
• Introduction and First Reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 10.60 (Bicycles) of the Carpinteria Municipal Code Entitled “Bicycles and Electric Mobility Devices.”
• Period 1 Department Reports for the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report is now available for the Surfliner Inn Project, and the public comment period will be open through March 9 at 5 p.m. The report is available in hard copy at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., and the Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave. It is also available online through the project website at https://cityofcarp.co/surfliner.

Written comments on the draft EIR may be submitted to Mindy Fogg, Principal Planner, Community Development Department, at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 or by emailing mindyf@carpinteriaca.gov

Save the date: A public Environmental Review Committee Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Members of the public may attend in person or virtually.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, City Hall and several community facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19.

As we take this time to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, please take note of the following service adjustments:

• City Hall: Closed. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
• Carpinteria Community Library: Closed. Residents are encouraged to use the outdoor book drops for returns; digital resources remain available 24/7 via the library’s website.
• Carpinteria Community Pool: Closed for all recreational and lap swimming.

The Less is More 2026 calendar is now available at City Hall and Carpinteria Community Library.

Discover Santa Barbara County’s ultimate guide to waste reduction and recycling, now in an exciting new format thanks to Less is More.

Each month highlights a unique topic while keeping essential resources at your fingertips. Pick up your free copy at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., or at Carpinteria Community Library, 5141 Carpinteria Ave., while supplies last.

AND! Less is More calendars are also available in Spanish!

Please join us in welcoming Debra Doria, our new Management Assistant, whose friendly face you’ll find at the front desk of City Hall. Debra joins the City of Carpinteria with over 30 years of experience supporting the City of Santa Clarita, primarily within their Public Works Department.

Debra and her family used to camp at Carpinteria State Park, making it a dream come true for them to now call Carpinteria home. She brings a wealth of municipal knowledge and organizational expertise to our team. Be sure to say hello next time you stop by City Hall!

On Jan. 12, the City of Carpinteria’s City Council adopted Resolution No. 6430 opposing new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of California and authorized the Mayor to sign a formal Letter of Opposition.

The City will submit the Mayor’s letter as public comment to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the federal review process and encourages the community to make their voices heard.

The proposed Five-Year 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program is open for public comment, offering an opportunity for our community to formally express its position.

Interested in providing public comment? Visit regulations.gov (BOEM-2025-0483-0001)

Comment period closes January 23, 2026 at 8:59 PM PST

The City of Carpinteria has officially proclaimed January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. With California ranking first in the nation for reported cases, the City is joining the Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force to combat this “modern slavery.”

Trafficking often remains hidden and poorly understood, yet it affects millions globally and hundreds within our own county and city. We encourage residents to learn the signs of exploitation and utilize local resources. By increasing education and reporting, we can protect our community and support survivors of these heinous crimes.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 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 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://cityofcarp.co/agendas.

• Introduction of Abby Garcia, Recreation Leader II in the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department and Debra Doria, Management Assistant in the General Government Department.
• A Proclamation Designating January 2026 as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” in the City of Carpinteria.
• Approval of the December 2026 Holiday Schedule, Closure of City Hall from December 24, 2026 through January 1, 2027, and Cancellation of the August 10, 2026 and December 28, 2026 City Council meetings.
• Authorization for the City Manager to execute a funding agreement with the County of Santa Barbara for Carpinteria Bluffs Improvements Project.
• License Agreement for Chevron U.S.A., Inc. for Tar Pits Beach and Adjacent Tidelands.
• Resolution No. 6430, Opposing the Inclusion of New Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing.