The City Council of Goleta is actively reshaping its Capital Improvement Program (CIP) during a recent meeting, focusing on key projects that will impact the community in the coming years. Among the highlights is the discussion surrounding the reclassification of several projects, including the Fire Station 10, which is being moved to the long-term CIP due to funding constraints.

Council members expressed a strong desire to keep Fire Station 10 on the radar, emphasizing that while it is being reclassified, it is not being forgotten. Assistant City Manager Valdez noted that discussions are ongoing regarding alternative funding and design changes to make the project more financially feasible. "We are looking at different alternatives... but we don't have enough funding to get there as of today," Valdez stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In addition to Fire Station 10, the council is considering several other projects, including the Cathedral Oaks crib wall and the Wood Beach Drive drainage project. These projects are currently in conceptual design for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The council is also evaluating the Vision Zero action plan and the 2026 annual pavement rehabilitation and concrete improvement projects.

A significant point of discussion was the need for a new category within the CIP for projects impacted by forthcoming development. Council members highlighted the importance of identifying projects that could be funded through impact fees from new housing developments. "Much of the task you have here is finding funding for projects... there is that subset in there that are projects that we will be funding," one council member noted.

Moreover, the council is exploring ways to engage the community in the decision-making process regarding long-term projects. Council member Reyes Martin suggested implementing a public stakeholder component to periodically validate the relevance of projects on the long-term CIP. "I like the idea of having some kind of mechanism to go back out and kind of verify," she said, advocating for community involvement in shaping future priorities.

As the council continues to navigate funding challenges and project classifications, the focus remains on ensuring that essential projects are not lost in the shuffle. The discussions reflect a proactive approach to urban planning, aiming to balance community needs with financial realities. The next steps will involve further deliberation on project classifications and potential community engagement strategies to ensure that Goleta's development aligns with the needs and desires of its residents.