Category: News

At its April 14 meeting, the Carpinteria City Council issued a proclamation in honor of the 66th annual Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet and praised event organizers for keeping an important tradition alive.

Hosted by the Carpinteria Community Association, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. Dozens of outstanding individuals and businesses will be honored. Merit Awards will recognize dedicated volunteers from local organizations, including the City’s Volunteer of the Year, Ted Rhodes. Special recognitions include Robitaille’s Fine Candies for their long-standing business, Local Business Awards honoring the Mascari and Ballat families, Educator of the Year awardees, and finalists for Junior Carpinterian of the Year. The evening will culminate in announcing the Carpinterian of the Year.

Purchase tickets and learn more at https://www.carpinteriacommunityassociation.org/.

We are thrilled to introduce Juliza Briones, our new Program Manager and Public Information Officer. Juliza brings key experience in public communication and community engagement to this vital role.

Having previously served as a Communications Analyst for the City of Thousand Oaks and worked with various health departments, Juliza has a strong background in connecting with residents on key policy-driven initiatives and community-focused messaging.

A proud Latina and U.C. Santa Barbara alumna, Juliza says, “I’m eager to use my bilingual skills to help improve bilingual emergency preparedness efforts, making sure all Carpinteria residents have the information and support they need in times of need.”

Outside of work, Juliza enjoys hiking with her husband and her mini Australian Shepherd, Canela, as well as cooking and trying new foods.

The Carpinteria Architectural Review Board will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will include a preliminary review of the Franklin Creek Trail Improvement Project, a proposal to construct a new multi-use trail that would be located adjacent to Franklin Creek and extend from Carpinteria Avenue to Seventh Street. New landscaping, seating benches, night lighting and trash receptacles are proposed along the trail.

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.

Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://bit.ly/4jg1MJY.

In order to hold our quarterly all staff meeting, we will close the doors of City Hall to the public on Thursday, April 17 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Please plan your visit around this closure. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, April 14 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/4cx7HYz.

• Proclamations: designating April 2025 as “Fair Housing Month,” designating the week of April 21-28, 2025 as “International Dark Sky Week,” and celebrating the 66th Anniversary of the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet.
• Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District Update Presentation by Jerry Estrada, General Manager of Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District.
• Introduction of New Employee: Pam Greer, Finance Manager.
• Approving the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account Fiscal Year 2025-26 Project List.
• Adopt modified amendments to the Carpinteria Municipal Code as required by the California Coastal Commission in order to finalize the Local Coastal Program Amendment and allow the Zoning Amendments to go into effect.
• Update Budget and Fiscal Policy to include a 2-Year Budget.
• Formation of the Ad Hoc E-Conveyance Committee and appointment of up to two Council members to the Committee. Formation of the committee is in response to the growing number of collisions involving cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians within the City.
• Update the City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Program & Facility Fee Schedule.
• Consultant Services Agreement between the City of Carpinteria and Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to oversee and prepare environmental review documents for the Surfliner Inn Project for an amount not-to-exceed $258,890.

Whether your kiddo has never stepped on a skateboard or is working to perfect an ollie, Carpinteria Skate Foundation’s summer camp is the place for any interested 7- to 12-year-old. Seven one-week sessions of skate camp will be held this summer between June 16 and Aug. 8 at Carpinteria Skate Park, located next to City Hall at 5775 Carpinteria Ave. Participants will learn the basics of skateboarding and build on existing skills through instruction from experienced skate coaches. Camp runs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Campers will need to pack a lunch, water bottle, and the appropriate safety equipment, including helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. Snacks will be provided and there is a water bottle fill up station on site at the park. Registration is now open at www.carpskatepark.org.

The Carpinteria City Council has proudly selected Ted Rhodes as the 2024 City of Carpinteria Volunteer of the Year. A dedicated advocate for open space preservation since 1988, Ted’s efforts have helped to ensure that generations of Carpinterians will have access to hundreds of acres of natural lands.

Ted’s contributions include pivotal roles in the establishment and maintenance of cherished areas like the Carpinteria Bluffs Preserve, Salt Marsh, Franklin Trail, and most recently, the Rincon Gateway Preserve. Beyond his long-standing involvement with the Carpinteria Open Space Management Board (COSMAB), Ted generously donated approximately 100 hours in 2024 alone to education, preservation and maintenance initiatives. “He’s done thousands of hours over 30-plus years,” remarked Council Member Al Clark, highlighting Ted’s remarkable commitment.

Ted will receive his award at the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet on April 26, hosted by the Carpinteria Community Association. The event will also honor volunteers from other local organizations and recognize the 2024 Carpinterian and Junior Carpinterian of the Year. Photo above by Ingrid Bostrom.

The City of Carpinteria is currently recruiting for a Public Works Manager, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply by the deadline of May 4.

A Public Works Manager is being sought due to the upcoming retirement of our current Public Works Supervisor, Robert Howard. Robert has led his team with dedication, and we thank him for all his valuable contributions to the Carpinteria community.

Learn more or apply for our Public Works Manager position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca/jobs/4883422/public-works-manager?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

The Carpinteria City Council proudly proclaims April 2025 as DMV Donate Life Month! This designation highlights the vital importance of organ, eye and tissue donation, a compassionate act that saves and heals countless lives.

Over 103,000 individuals nationwide, including more than 23,000 Californians, await life-saving transplants. Sadly, 17 people die daily while waiting.

A single donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal over 75 others through tissue donation. Registering is simple! Say “YES!” online at www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org (or www.doneVIDACalifornia.org for Spanish) or when visiting the DMV for your driver’s license or ID.

AgeWell and Hospice of Santa Barbara have teamed up to bring a two-part Advanced Care Directive workshop to Carpinteria in April. Advanced Care Directives allow individuals to outline their medical wishes and designate a healthcare representative in case they are unable to communicate themselves.

On April 10, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., presenters will cover the basics of Advance Care Planning, review the MyCare document, and discuss choosing a healthcare representative, with time for questions.

On April 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., volunteers will help participants ensure the document is filled out correctly, and a Notary Public will be available to legalize it. Both sessions are free and will be held at the Veterans Hall Meeting Room, 941 Walnut Ave.