City News in Brief - June 24, 2024

City Council members and FARO center staff cutting ribbon

Announcing the Opening of the FARO Center: A New Beacon of Hope in Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara, in partnership with SB ACT, is excited to announce the opening of the FARO Center on June 25th. Named after the Spanish word for lighthouse, the FARO Center will provide comprehensive, one-stop-shop services to individuals experiencing homelessness, including case management, housing navigation, and workforce development. Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone!

SBCE (Santa Barbara Clean Energy) celebrates 100 rebates issued to our customers! text is overlaid an image an electric vehicle.

SBCE Celebrates Milestone with Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

Santa Barbara Clean Energy (SBCE) is excited to announce a significant milestone in its commitment to promoting sustainable transportation. The SBCE Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program has successfully issued 100 rebates to customers in our community. This achievement underscores our dedication to fostering a cleaner, greener Santa Barbara by encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles. If you’re an SBCE customer considering the purchase of an electric vehicle or if you’ve recently bought one, now is the time to take advantage of this fantastic rebate opportunity. Visit our website to apply and secure your rebate before the program funds are exhausted.

City of Santa Barbara Seal. Happy Pride Month text in rainbow font.

City Proclamation Recognizing June as Pride Month

The City proclaims June as Pride Month, commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that ignited the global LGBTQ+ rights movement. Despite significant progress, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination, and the City stands as a long-time ally, supporting inclusivity and equality. The City honors its history of advocacy, including its first openly gay City Councilmember, Tom Roberts, implementing landmark policies, while continuing to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ rights through organizations like the Pacific Pride Foundation and annual events like the Pride Festival.

Kids playing on Bohnett Park Basketball court.

New and Upgraded Sports Courts Provide More Opportunities To Play

The Parks and Recreation Department has installed a second basketball court and repaved and restriped the existing court at Bohnett Park. The new court also doubles as the City's first futsal court. The nearby Westside Neighborhood Center basketball court was also repaved and restriped. Both projects were funded by a Community Development Block Grant.

Exterior Westside Neighborhood Center with flag in background.

Upcoming Special Meeting: Fire & Police Commission

Join us for a special meeting of the Fire & Police Commission on June 27 at 4:00 p.m. at the Westside Neighborhood Center. Agenda highlights include an informational presentation about the SBCC Rising Scholars Program, which supports formerly incarcerated students at Santa Barbara City College, and Police Department updates on the City's e-bike safety and education efforts. Specifically addressing the increasing use of electric bikes among residents and tourists.

Aerial view of Concerts In The Park series. Large crowd around stage.

Concerts in the Park Series Kicks Off This Week

Concerts in the Park returns to Chase Palm Park this Thursday! The free, family-friendly summer tradition brings musical acts to the Great Meadow in Chase Palm Park throughout the summer. The community is invited to bring blankets, chairs, and picnics to enjoy an evening of free music along Cabrillo Boulevard.

Volumetric flask and measuring equipment for water testing. gloved hand in background.

Learn About Your Water Quality

City laboratory staff conduct more than 45,000 water quality tests each year to ensure safe drinking water for our community. As in past years, the City outperformed every state and federal public health standard for water quality. Read the Annual Water Quality Report to learn where your water comes from, the importance of water infrastructure, drinking water treatment regulations, and water quality testing.