City News in Brief - April 14, 2025

Egg Hunt Extravaganza at Santa Barbara Golf Club This Saturday

Don't miss the Egg Hunt Extravaganza this weekend! This free community event features egg hunts for children up to 12 years old, along with other exciting activities such as a bounce house, face-painting station, music, and Snag Golf. Egg hunts are scheduled based on age. Pre-registration is required.

graphic that says fair housing month, housing equality starts here, be the change

April is Fair Housing Month

This April marks the 57th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Locally, Fair Housing Month is being recognized through City Council Proclamations honoring the Rental Housing Mediation Program and Board, which offers free education, eviction prevention, and mediation services to help prevent homelessness. A Proclamation will be issued during the April 29 Council Meeting.

Vic Trace Reservoir with mountains in the background

Community Workshops for the Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project

The City will hold an in-person workshop on May 1 and remote workshop on May 7 to give an update on the Vic Trace Reservoir Replacement Project and to hear feedback from community members. Located in the Alta Mesa neighborhood, this 70-year-old reservoir is a vital component of the City's water distribution system, serving nearly 70% of Santa Barbara. This project is currently in design and construction is expected to begin in 2028.

Remediation Project at W. Gutierrez Street Parking Lot

The Clean Community Division will begin a remediation project at Parking Lot 12 in downtown Santa Barbara, located State Street and W. Gutierrez Street. The project will consist of injecting microbes into the groundwater which will breakdown harmful chemicals and reduce contamination. No soil excavation or groundwater pumping will take place. The project is anticipated to take two weeks, and the lot will remain open throughout the project with fewer available spaces.

WaterWise Garden Contest

Do you have a beautiful, water wise garden? The WaterWise Garden Contest celebrates and recognizes beautiful, water efficient front yards throughout Santa Barbara County. Submit photos and apply online by April 30!

Safety Spotlight: What to Do if You See a Marine Mammal in Distress

Since February, a naturally occurring algal bloom in California, including Domoic Acid and Saxitoxin, has impacted local marine life, causing neurological issues in affected animals. The City's Waterfront Department wants to remind residents to follow these steps if you encounter a marine mammal in distress:

Do not touch, feed, or harass the animal.
Observe the animal from a safe distance to avoid stressing the animal further.
Determine the location.
Call the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute Rescue Hotline at (805) 567-1505 or submit an Online Rescue Form.

Need to Know

Announcements

A roundup of City news, important dates and latest happenings

Council Meeting 4/15

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

MTD Meetings and Online Survey for Proposed Service Changes

Free Rides in April on the New Clean Air Express Route

Check Out What's Happening at the Library This Week

Volunteer Trail Event on Cold Spring Trail 4/19

Sustainability Snippet

Waste Reduction

Refuse & Reduce – Say no to single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging.
Compost Counts – Composting food scraps at home reduces landfill waste, nourishes the soil, and strengthens plant health naturally.
Recycling Rules – Make sure your recyclables are clean and dry to ensure proper processing.
Second Life – Upcycle old items into new treasures or donate them instead of throwing them away.
Buy in Bulk – Reducing packaging waste starts with buying bulk and using reusable containers.

City of Santa Barbara

City Hall

735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

SantaBarbaraCA.gov