[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6566358,"mediaKeyId","3206744-02a1008fa196c08efca60751422df063","parentId",3206744,"title","Goleta staff outline $50.8M five‑year CIP unfunded gap; council debates reclassifying projects and funding priorities","audioSeconds",3960,"startMs",5040000,"endMs",9000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206744-02a1008fa196c08efca60751422df063&start=5040&end=9000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206744-02a1008fa196c08efca60751422df063/thumbnail_5040000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566358/Goleta/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Goleta-staff-outline-508M-fiveyear-CIP-unfunded-gap-council-debates-reclassifying-projects-and-funding-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566358-c904e1f818bf85cef6870e8ab3b7623d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452915&Signature=eJfxHbIQ8q5GMnM2ErT6Szkd6LDpFfPrZLpsIWAYN7ekT~UZf3lBelCKfssgqxU7wQJ-pPAuYjQvYh~2NP347gmLLVH6G6gCT50aWjcjRxdncX65dHfdtYHLY5SdYA-kR6AO42i8NCk7KpgFOx21vaYr0O76dUqsuuewPHTJ5Ov8n18vKwqDhuUzXs8O39qHL0Eoo9vpgBGj4yWo1XEn8S~bEfElVvK7ODdUyCdlkivhWNXlUD9YO8EeCyySXNC61Lulo68VKHRmz5A9xxYrDpc7QLqIRJcOWo6Ruzb3doSK7Fsh89Hs7lltXOnllaWO9EtLIf2ijgSyKXVpoQ-GMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Goleta, CA","date","2025-05-07T16:42:45Z","article","City finance and public works staff presented the preliminary capital improvement program (CIP) budget and prioritization framework to the Goleta City Council on May 6, reporting an estimated $50.8 million in unfunded projects in the active five‑year CIP and identifying a subset of near‑term priority projects with a combined funding gap of about $7.7 million.

Luke Grill, finance director, said the packet reorganizes the CIP and restricts the five‑year list to active priority projects; other projects were proposed to be reclassified into a new long‑term CIP list. He told council the California construction cost index has driven inflation in construction costs and that many projects remain subject to change once bids are received.

Public works director Nina Bueno reviewed recent completions, projects at design and bid stages, and projects recommended for reclassification. Staff proposed transferring several projects to the long‑term CIP (including some that likely will be driven by future development impact fees) and highlighted a small set of major projects — characterized in staff materials as the “big 6” — that are in or entering construction and warrant prioritization for available onetime funds. Those projects include Project Connect, the Train Depot improvements, Goleta Valley Library safety/ADA work, and the San Jose Creek multipurpose path; San Jose Creek carries a pending federal grant award for $3.75 million that staff said could reduce the city’s funding need for that item.

Council members debated which projects should remain in the five‑year CIP and which should move to the long‑term list. Several members urged staff to prioritize projects that staff can reasonably complete within five years or that are already funded or contractually committed. Council members also discussed Fire Station 10 — staff recommended reclassifying it to the long‑term list because of funding uncertainty, but multiple council members urged keeping it on the five‑year list because the city and County Fire Protection District are actively negotiating funding and a memorandum of understanding.

Staff presented updated general fund year‑end projections that showed a projected June 30 general fund balance of roughly $22.9 million; staff said about $1.7 million of that could be programmed toward CIP in the current cycle, increasing the discretionary amount available for the “big 6” projects to roughly $4.07 million when combined with previously identified resources. Grill said the city had issued lease revenue and sales tax revenue bonds earlier in the year to help fund major projects and that staff is pursuing grants and other revenue strategies but cautioned that grant timing and construction bidding outcomes create uncertainty.

Council discussion covered: coordination among projects and applicants, prioritizing projects eligible for grants, the need for a public validation process for long‑term CIP entries, the roles of development impact fees and future grant opportunities, and the city’s rising ongoing maintenance needs as new infrastructure comes online. Staff estimated that operating and maintenance costs for new infrastructure could add roughly $1–2 million annually by fiscal year 2027–28.

A member of the public asked whether bid results could exceed current project estimates; staff confirmed bids for projects out to bid may come in higher than preliminary estimates and that staff will return with updated figures. Council did not take a formal vote on CIP categories at the workshop; staff requested direction on which projects council wants moved between the five‑year and long‑term lists and recommended prioritizing funding toward the near‑term priority projects while continuing to pursue grant opportunities.

Key funding details and contingencies

- Staff reported the five‑year CIP’s estimated unfunded total at roughly $50,805,000 and a near‑term funding gap for priority projects of about $7,700,000.
- Staff identified approximately $4,070,000 in potential one‑time funding that could be redirected to priority projects (including newly projected year‑end general fund resources of about $1.7 million); if a pending $3.75 million grant for San Jose Creek is awarded, the gap could shrink further.
- Several projects are out to bid with bid openings noted in May; bid results will inform final project costs and funding decisions.

Next steps

Staff said it will update the CIP document and funding plan based on council direction, continue to pursue grants and other financing options (including assessments and special financing districts), and return with refined budgets as bid results and grant decisions arrive. Council directed staff to return with recommended public stakeholder validation for long‑term CIP items and to continue active negotiations and evaluation for Fire Station 10.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Goleta - City Council Meeting of May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a May 6 workshop staff presented a reorganized preliminary capital improvement program for Goleta and told council the active five‑year CIP currently shows about $50.8 million in unmet needs; staff recommended prioritizing a set of near‑term projects that carry a roughly $7.7 million funding gap.","taxTitle","Goleta, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",57867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566363,"Goleta council approves $120,000 Old Town 'Pride of Place' grants to fund 22 small-business projects",540,2400000,2940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206744-02a1008fa196c08efca60751422df063&start=2400&end=2940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206744-02a1008fa196c08efca60751422df063/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","/articles/6566363/Goleta/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Goleta-council-approves-120000-Old-Town-Pride-of-Place-grants-to-fund-22-small-business-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566363-8ddcf4be0323538038fdb41e5be70678/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452915&Signature=feVu~Cs6BPWFYWQVwmGlYslBZw1gDJjnv16fsmxRVsckVCfe8LmPV5hFFcBfuwV7un4EiwZunX7~2s9Ncj48roDI6IyvcGEW8MZMbECAusAEfM1CLHJKofV5vXYw4Mqjt1Gt04apqDgf9na2PrGDApwctfK3dbzT0yrDz-VzV3en36tJpMYRAS2~Rf5SgnxFlR7~9fvXb4L0XfgiDaJdoLy0faQ9hYOp-1l4UUDgoLboQiM5KdW7kGXP8QRHvgy58MumglXQCsNlN-6tX7dVK8DLZWZE5nP59yti30L4lqfXLKTdl67FV~txvgbRb-SJ-ocSQGN8IVPapT8F1Cg~MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Goleta City Council approved the City’s inaugural Old Town Pride of Place grant program on May 6, authorizing $120,000 in awards to support small businesses and place-making activities in Old Town Goleta. The Economic Development Committee recommended funding for 22 of 28 applications; the total amount requested was $530,407.

City staff said the program’s goal is to “promote the businesses in Old Town by enhancing the sense of place and attracting more customers to Old Town businesses,” and that average awards will be roughly $5,500. Shannon Kern, assistant to the city manager, told the council that staff will finalize simple grant agreements, collect W-9 forms, add awardees as vendors, and issue payments after agreements are processed. Kern said recipients will submit an end-of-program report due June 30, 2026.

The Economic Development Committee reviewed 28 applications during the four-week open period and recommended awarding 22 grants. Kern said recommended projects include a mix of public art, façade/frontage improvements, combined marketing and promotional events, and small-scale public events and markets designed to increase foot traffic. The committee’s recommendations are listed in Attachment 1 of the staff report; Attachment 2 contains all submitted applications.

Kern also described technical support the city will provide to awardees. \"Some businesses, especially depending on the type of events or programs they want to implement, may need extra support in ensuring that they follow our processes and follow our muni code,\" she said, citing mural-permitting, façade guidelines in the Old Town Heritage District, special-event permits and encroachment permits. Staff said the city is partnering with Women’s Economic Ventures to offer optional business coaching to recipients.

Public comment backed the program. Jacqueline Inda of the Greater Santa Barbara County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce urged the council to restrict awards to businesses located in Old Town, noting local grassroots organizing and surveys the Chamber conducted. Phoebe Manser, owner of Copyright Printing and a longtime Old Town advocate, described a marketing proposal called \"Old Town Rising\" intended to consolidate promotional efforts and year-long themed events to amplify results.

The council voted to approve the Economic Development Committee recommendations and to authorize the $120,000 appropriation. The roll-call vote was recorded as: Council member Reyes Martin — Aye; Council member Kyriakko — Aye; Council member Smith — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan — Aye.

Staff noted the program is new and intended to be iterative: council members urged coordination among awardees and follow-up evaluations to identify lessons learned, and asked staff to report back after the grant cycle concludes. Kern said staff will provide permitting and coaching support and will work with recipients to coordinate timing and promotion where beneficial.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Old Town Pride of Place grant awards and authorization of $120,000 (motion to approve funding recommendations and budget appropriation). Outcome: Approved, 4-0. (Recorded roll-call: Reyes Martin — Aye; Kyriakko — Aye; Smith — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan — Aye.)

- Consent agenda (items A-1 through A-6: minutes, City of Goleta strategic plan, contract awards and amendments including library construction management and professional services agreements, library temporary site policy amendment, and public works professional services amendments). Outcome: Approved, 4-0. (Recorded roll-call: Reyes Martin — Aye; Kyriakko — Aye; Smith — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kasdan — Aye.)

What this means

Council and staff described the program as a targeted, relatively small-dollar effort to help Old Town businesses recover foot traffic disrupted by construction and to seed coordinated marketing, public art and small events. Staff will finalize agreements, provide permitting guidance, and offer optional business coaching; recipients must report back at the end of the program year.","The Goleta City Council on May 6 approved a $120,000 Pride of Place grant program to support Old Town businesses, awarding 22 of 28 applicants after a four-week application period; awards average about $5,500 each and include technical assistance and permitting support from city staff.","actionData","errors"]

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Goleta staff outline $50.8M five‑year CIP unfunded gap; council debates reclassifying projects and funding priorities

Goleta council approves $120,000 Old Town 'Pride of Place' grants to fund 22 small-business projects