Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Goleta council adopts General Services work program as department outlines library, IT and facility priorities
Summary
The City Council adopted the General Services Department’s fiscal year 2025–26 work program after a staff presentation that highlighted facilities maintenance, the library temporary space, upgrades to the Galeta Community Center electrical system, fleet electrification and cybersecurity.
The Goleta City Council unanimously adopted the General Services Department’s FY 2025–26 work program after a presentation by General Services Director Matt Ford.
Ford told the council the department, now three years old, focuses on asset management across facilities, fleet, IT and procurement. He reviewed accomplishments over the past year, including replacing most of the city network infrastructure, securing a temporary closure permit for an underground storage tank at the Amtrak station, and progress on the library remodel and temporary library space. Ford said the city has converted City Hall to fiber internet (testing before full cutover) and that the department has purchased three new all-electric trucks for maintenance staff.
Council members asked about planned projects at the Galeta Community Center (GCC). Ford said GCC has an aging electrical system—knob-and-tube wiring and undersized incoming service—and that a comprehensive electrical replacement is being scoped as a capital project. He said the department expects to complete plans and specifications next year and then pursue funding. Ford also said an ADA/path-of-travel plan for City Hall will be implemented as the parking lot slurry and solar array/EV charger installation proceed.
Ford described a procurement focus on emergency operations templates (vendor agreements for generators, food, lodging) to speed purchasing during declared emergencies. He also described shifting the department from largely reactive maintenance toward a target of 75% planned maintenance.
On fleet and resilience, Ford said staff are researching EV charging options that will function during power outages and coordinating with other Central Coast fleet managers. He told council most city utility trucks were purchased in 2014–15 and will enter replacement planning; replacement vehicles coming before council this spring will be EVs.
After discussion, the council adopted the department’s annual work program on a roll-call vote: Smith — yes; Kyriaco — aye; Reyes Martin — aye; Mayor Pro Tempore Kasdan — aye; Mayor Perotti — aye.
The work program directs continued attention to the library remodel and temporary space, GCC electrical assessment and ADA work, converting more fleet vehicles to EVs, building out cybersecurity and IT governance, and developing standardized procurement templates for emergency purchasing.
