Board of Supervisors — 2026-02-03

All right, good morning. I'll call to order the February 3rd, 2026 meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Hartmann moves approval.

Second. So we got a motion from Hartmann and a second by Lavagnino. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously. Next item of business is the County Executive Officer's Report.

There is no report this morning, Chair Nelson.

Excellent. Moving right along, Madam Clerk, are there any announcements or changes to our agenda today?

Chair Nelson and members of the board, I do have one quick announcement regarding public participation this morning. For information on the Board of Supervisors methods of public participation and instructions on how to provide public comment on items listed on today's agenda or during general public comment, please refer to page 2 of the agenda. Individuals that would like to provide verbal public comment may do so via Zoom by registering in advance via the link available on page 2. If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk of the Board's Office at area code 805-568 2240, again that number is 805-568-2240. And if the board would, oh, nope, that concludes my announcements for today, thank you.

All right, thank you. The next item of business is the administrative agenda. Would any board members like to pull any items from the administrative agenda? Okay, seeing none, Madam Clerk, any items being pulled by the public?

Chair Nelson and members of the board, we have requests to pull A10 and A13. Okay,

and that's by a single member?

That is correct, yes. For

that member of the public you'll get five minutes to speak on both those items. So if I could at this time get a motion to approve the balance of the agenda so all the items besides item A10 and A13. So moved. Second. Motion by Hartmann, second by Lee. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously. Okay we're going to go ahead and move along into our administrative agenda and our presentation of our resolutions. Madam Clerk will you please read administrative item number one into the record.

Chair Nelson and members of the board, administrative item number one is sponsored by Supervisor Lee and Supervisor Capps. It is to adopt a resolution honoring and commemorating the life of Frank J. Frost, Jr. And joining us in person today, we have Alex Frost. And if you can please make your way to the podium, and I'll go ahead and read the resolution.

Oh,

we can try it. Yeah.

It sounds like Ms. Frost isn't here yet, so we'll go ahead and trail that one to either at the end of the administrative agenda or at the end of the resolutions. So let's go ahead and move on to administrative item number two.

Chair Nelson and members of the Board, Administrative Item Number 2 is sponsored by Supervisor Hartmann. It is to adopt a resolution proclaiming the month of February 2026 as ComUnify's 211 Community Celebration Month in Santa Barbara County. And joining us in person today, we have Patricia Keelan, Chief Executive Officer of ComUnify, and Joni Kelly, Communications and Outreach Coordinator of ComUnify.

Whereas the 2-1-1 helpline is an information and referral system connecting people to free or low-cost health and human services and up-to-date incident and emergency related information via call, text, and web-based platforms. And whereas the 2-1-1 program was established by the Federal Communication Commission In 2000, it now covers 85% of all households nationwide, with 96% of the residents of the State of California having access to 2-1-1 services. And whereas, the 2-1-1 program has been available in Santa Barbara County since 2005, providing 24-hour free and confidential service in more than 150 languages to residents countywide, and became a program of ComUnify, a Santa Barbara County non-profit organization, in November 2014.

And whereas in 2024, the 2-1-1 program recorded over 22,400 web visits, including 17,154 new users, to 2-1-1-SBCO.org and provided approximately 10,000 referrals to residents throughout the county through live call specialists addressing urgent needs such as housing, mental health, utility assistance, family and community support services, and legal and public safety services.

And whereas, ComUnify's Energy Services and Head Start programs will be hosting the free 211 Community Day celebration on Saturday, February 7th, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dick DeWise Community Center in Lompoc with over 50 nonprofit agencies, free health screenings and vaccines, children's activities, food, entertainment, and additional community resources. Now, therefore, be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara does hereby proclaim February 2026 as 2-1-1 Community Celebration Month and acknowledge ComUnify's years of serving the residents of Santa Barbara County, passed and adopted today.

Good morning Chair Nelson and Supervisors. Thank you so much for this proclamation and recognition and for your continued partnership and support of 2-1-1. I know you're very familiar with the 2-1-1 service, but very briefly for those in the audience who may not be familiar with 2-1-1, Communify has proudly sponsored 2-1-1 services since 2014, providing A free 24-7 referral and information line to all residents of Santa Barbara County in more than 150 languages by phone, text, or even via website. When people are in need of information or in crisis, 211 is often the front door to help. providing vulnerable families and connecting them with needed housing, utility assistance, mental health support, disaster information, as well as so much more.

This past year, we're very proud to have launched an immigration resource website as part of the 211 service. Providing information confidentially around Know Your Rights, rapid response networks, what to do if a family member or someone you know has been detained, tools for family preparedness, as well as information on how to connect with your consulant. So, very important services in this past year. We're also excited to be launching a new youth app We're very excited about that. We're deeply grateful to the county for your continued support.

I would like to personally invite you to come to our Community Resource Day in Lompoc this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's all kinds of family-friendly activities. There will be free haircuts, free health screenings, free food. And all kinds of activities for our families. And we're very proud this year to have over 60 organizations participating. So it's a great opportunity for all of our community to come out and get information on the many nonprofits and resources that they offer here in Santa Barbara County. So again, thank you so much for your continued support.

Well, I just wanted to thank Communify for taking this on. You know, sometimes in life you want to talk to a real person. You want to call a number and talk to a real person, and especially when you're in some kind of a crisis. And so 211 does that. I actually had to make some remarks about it and called myself and talked to the dispatch person. She'd been there for seven years and really seen it all. So these are really professionally trained people.

And they integrate across nonprofits and federal, state, and local agencies. So it's a one-stop shop and really is a tremendous resource. And so thank you so much for keeping it alive in our county.

All right, moving along to administrative item number three. Madam Clerk, will you please read that into the record?

Chair Nelson and members of the board, administrative item number three is sponsored by Supervisor Capps. It is to adopt a resolution commending UC Santa Barbara professors John Martinez and Michelle DeVore for their 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics. And if you can please make your way to the podium. And anyone else you'd like to join with you? And I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Whereas the Nobel Prize in Physics is one of the world's most prestigious honors for individuals whose discoveries have profoundly advanced humanity's understanding of the world.

And whereas UC Santa Barbara professors John Martinez and Michelle DeVore were awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their breakthrough work that revealed quantum physics in action at the macroscopic scale. And whereas the work laid critical groundwork for modern and emerging technologies, including the development of superconducting qubits, the underpinned efforts to build practical quantum computers. And whereas in addition to the groundbreaking scientific achievements, Professors Martinez and DeVore have served as distinguished educators and mentors at UC Santa Barbara, shaping the next generation of scientists, engineers, leaders, and innovators through their teaching, research, guidance, and commitment to academic excellence.

And whereas Professors Martinez and DeVore's Nobel Prize brings international distinction to UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County, reflecting our community's deep commitment to academics, scientific discovery, and innovation that improves lives locally and globally. Now, therefore, be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara does hereby commend Professors John Martinez and Michelle DeVore for their 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics, passed and adopted today.

I just wanted to thank the University of California, for one, as they hired me in 2004. I assume that's a good decision. And also, you know, as we were working on the quantum technologies at the University of California, at some point it made sense to actually transfer that research to, it turned out, Google. And I would just again thank the University of California for, you know, understanding what we were trying to do and being supportive, of course, you know, in the right way to do that. And I'm actually very proud that when we did that move, in the end we've been able, Google has been able to I have a big program in Santa Barbara with high-tech jobs, really well-paid jobs, which I think is good for the county and good for UC Santa Barbara.

I've since moved on and I'm doing my own startup company, and I'm working hard to try to have at least a satellite office in Santa Barbara, bring a few more jobs and maybe a lot of jobs. But I think that's great that there's support. from the university, from the county to bring in these good jobs for all of us.

So, dear Chairman Nelson and members of the boards, I would like to thank the county for the honor of this resolution. I have to say that I am a more recent member of this community since I have moved from the East Coast three years ago. But I have found the welcoming atmosphere here really wonderful. I would like to thank, of course, the University of California.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to start a new lab, whose theme will be the continuation of the work we did, both Joan and I, and it will partner with Google, where I am a chief scientist for the building of a quantum computer. So, thank you again. And I have to say that if I have this mask today, it's a little bit because of the wonderful sun that you have here in this wonderful region. I have been.

Congratulations and thank you. Supervisor Capps.

Well, I wanted to remark that we might be making some history here this morning to have in our County Board of Supervisors hearing not one, but two Nobel laureates. So thank you for coming. When we had the idea to bestow upon you a county resolution, we thought, well, wonderful idea, but could we ever get them to actually come here giving The global demands on your time, so thank you for being here. We are so immensely proud, and when I attended the celebration of the award in the days that followed, you know, in that over-packed room at UCSB, it was so clear the many ways in which your award has this ripple effect on the campus environment and the county environment, the ways in which it attracts more professors, more research, more jobs, as you've just spoken to.

It's a ripple effect and we here, we know how much, we're so immensely proud of the university. We know what it means to this entire county, what it means to the next generation. But if I could just speak to one thing that I was struck by was the number of students that stood up And that packed outside in the overflow to kind of get the aura of this celebration and spoke to what it was like to be in your office hours. And I can only imagine what that means to them to have had office hours with you, Nobel laureates. And what that means to their work going forward and what that means to their children that they can then talk about the fact that they studied with Nobel laureates. So thank you for your research. Thank you for your work. Thanks for sharing it with us and thanks for being with us today.

All

right, Madam Clerk, we're going to circle back to administrative item number one.

Chair Nelson and members of the board, administrative item number one is sponsored by Supervisor Lee and Supervisor Capps. It is to adopt a resolution honoring and commemorating the life of Frank J. Frost Jr. and joining us in person today to receive this resolution is Alex Frost. And Alex, if you can please make your way to the podium. I'll go ahead and read the resolution.

Whereas Frank J. Frost, Jr. was born on December 3, 1929 in Washington, D.C. and lived a remarkable 96 years defined by intellectual curiosity, creative expression, public service, and a deep devotion to family and community. And whereas Frank demonstrated exceptional brilliance and moral conviction from a young age, entering college at 16 and later choosing to enlist in the United States Army at 18, where he served honorably during the Korean War, including frontline duty and service connected to atomic testing.

experiences that profoundly shaped his lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and ethical leadership. And whereas after settling in Santa Barbara, Frank enriched the cultural life of the community as a gifted jazz pianist, supporting his young family through music and continuing to perform locally for decades, becoming a cherished and familiar presence whose artistry endured until just months before his passing.

And whereas Frank pursued academic excellence with equal passion, earning a PhD from UCLA while mastering multiple languages, teaching at institutions including the University of California, Riverside, Hunter College, and Princeton University, and ultimately fulfilling his dream of joining the faculty at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where his wide-ranging scholarship encompassed classical studies, underwater archaeology, and fiction, And whereas Frank brought his intellect, integrity, and independent spirit into public life as an elected Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor from 1972 to 1976, championing pioneering environmental protection and managed growth policies that continue to shape the region today, and living his values fully, often found engaging directly with the landscapes and communities he worked to preserve, including the beloved coastline of Moore Mesa.

Now, therefore, be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara extends our deepest condolences to his beloved wife Amanda Mandy Clark, his children Frank J. Frost III and Victoria Rafina Frost, the memory of his daughter Esme Eugenia Frost, his grandchildren Jacqueline, Nicholas, Kristen, Alexandra, and Jared, And to his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, as well as to all whose lives were enriched by knowing him past and adopted today.

Yeah, I'm his granddaughter. One of the many grand that are in his life. Great, great, great grands. Yeah, he was a man of so many titles, but one thing that he was so proud of was his time serving Santa Barbara County. And while he was a county supervisor for A term he really was involved in Santa Barbara politics in the community up until his day of passing at 96.

I'd like to say he was a politician, but I think he was really just a man who just deeply cared. He really deeply cared. And if you have time, there's an article about One way that he really personified how much he cared and how much fight he would take to get a law passed or to get the community on board, and it involves his nudity at one of our nudist beaches. So this is the kind of man he was, just hilarious and also just deeply cared. So thank you so much for honoring him. I know that this means the world to him and means the world to his wife, Amanda, and also all of the other grandchildren and children of his. So thank you so much.

Thank you.

I wasn't going to say anything, but it occurred to me that it might be interesting to point out that when Frank became county supervisor here, there was certain dissension in the community, and he was forced to go on halftime at the university. So that magnificent salary at the university was halved and replaced with the small salary of the county supervisors, but he felt he had to sacrifice himself, and he loved every second that he spent sitting up there.

Thank you very much.

Supervisor Caps and Supervisor Lee.

Yeah, I just want to share a story. So last March, Frank reached out to me and asked me to fix something in the county that I'm still working on. He led the way, and we're still continuing his work, so thank you, and to your family for being here. Frank meant a lot, and once a supervisor, always a supervisor, so he always be part of the family. Thank you.

Yeah, I'll share my story and thank you so much for being here. It's wonderful to be able to pay tribute to such a legend. I was born with Frank Frost sitting in these seats. So he was a household name when I was a kid and my parents would talk about him around the dinner table and the nudity and the saving more Mesa. I just want to extend my thanks. My mom is actually watching right now and wanted to pay tribute to him and your family. for the service. My memories of him more recently were cruising around Mission Canyon. It was a Vespa, right? Is that what he had? Oh, yeah. I think it was green or silver or something like that. But just such a character in the best way of Santa Barbara politics, caring so much. And you're right, more than a politician, really an activist, a communitarian.

And so it's our honor to be able to pay tribute to someone who served this community for such a long time. And what a life at 96. Thank you.

All right, we're going to move on to administrative item number four. Madam Clerk, will you please read administrative item number four into the record?

Chair Nelson and members of the board, administrative item number four sponsored by Supervisor Nelson. It is to adopt a resolution of commendation honoring Sarah Elterk, Philip Ng, Ileana De Hoyas, and Martha Sanchez Galvin of the Youth Defender Team in the Public Defender's Office as the February 2026 Employees of the Month for Santa Barbara County. And if you can please make your way to the podium, I'll go ahead and read the resolution.

Whereas Sarah Elterk, Philip Ng, Ileana De Oyas, Martha Sanchez-Galvin, the Santa Barbara County Public Defender Youth Defender Team exemplifies the county's organizational values of accountability, customer focus, equity, and inclusion, innovation, trust, and ethics. And whereas the Youth Defender Team models the transformative behaviors of collaborative problem-solving, alignment with the county's vision, risk-taking, data-driven decision-making, and strategic thinking.

And whereas the Youth Defender Team has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the county's mission and the Public Defender's Office, Values by providing zealous, compassionate, and high-quality representation to youth and families, centering dignity, fairness, and rehabilitation in their advocacy. They have shown leadership and adaptability by proactively engaging with justice system stakeholders, translating evolving law into meaningful local practices that advance equity, reduce unnecessary system involvement, and improve outcomes.

And whereas the Youth Defender Team has distinguished itself through rigorous and innovative litigation, holding the prosecution to its burden through timely strategic motions, practice, and trial readiness, resulting in a significant number of acquittals at trial and or dismissals on or near trial, reflecting both legal excellence and discipline preparation.

And whereas the Youth Defender Team exemplifies collaboration and mutual trust, working cohesively across roles to mentor one another, communicating effectively, integrating legal advocacy with holistic support, and fostering a culture of shared responsibility and continuous learning. Through commitment, professionalism, and teamwork, they have made a measurable and positive impact on the juvenile system, earning recognition as a model of public service whose efforts embody the highest standards of integrity, Advocacy and service to the community.

Now, therefore, be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara does hereby acknowledge the Youth Defender Team, Sarah Elterk, Philip Ng, Ileana De Hoyas, and Martha Sanchez-Galvin, as the employees of the month for February 2026, pass and adopt it today.

I thank you, Board of Supervisors. Matt Spitalozy, Chief Trial Deputy for the Public Defender. It is my profound honor today to introduce this team to you. Ileana De Hoyos, who's our holistic defense advocate, who works with our clients getting high-level assessments done and regularly getting our youth into less restrictive placements. Martha Sanchez-Galvan, the true glue behind the scenes, spotting conflicts, sending them to me, talking with the clients, and providing high-level support behind the scenes.

Phillip Ung, a Deputy Public Defender whose aggressive litigation has resulted in countless dismissals, trial wins, and has seriously changed lives over this past year. Deputy Public Defender Sara Elturk, who is really the conscience of the team, whose policy advocacy with Justice Partners and the JJCC has proven instrumental in putting together a local system that treats our kids with dignity.

They're recognized today because when they came together as a team this year, they really changed the culture of how we represent youth in our system. Advocating at the trial level, advocating at the local and policy level, and really making our county and our community a better and safer place to live. And I just want to turn it over to Sarah Elterk, our senior member of the team, for a couple of comments. Thank you.

Our Youth Defender Team. In our team, our clients come to us with their own unique background and their own unique story. But with each client we have, they all have one thing in common. They are a young person standing in the face of an overwhelming and often scary system that has the power to affect their lives, surely in the short term, if not for years and years and years to come.

We as a team strive to work together to provide this youth-centered holistic defense in what we do day to day. We stand with our clients and help them to use their voice. We work hard to empower them to make the best choices for themselves, not only in their cases, but in their lives. Our goal is that at the end of our representation, that the work we've done has had a positive effect on these teenagers and young adults.

It is our goal to ensure we are part of their success stories, to ensure that the weight of this system does not crush them or crush their spirits, and that they are able to overcome these experiences and thrive. We want to thank the Board of Supervisors for recognizing us, especially recognizing us as a team, because this is work that none of us could do alone. We do together, and we just want to thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, Madam Clerk, can you now read Administrative Item Number 5 into the record?

Chair Nelson and members of the board, Administrative Item Number 5 is sponsored by Supervisor Lavagnino. It is to adopt a resolution honoring John Green upon his retirement from the General Services Department after over 29 years of faithful and dedicated service to the citizens of Santa Barbara County. And joining us in person today, we have John Green. If you can please make your way to the podium.

And I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Whereas John Green has served the County of Santa Barbara General Services Department for over 29 years, entering as a blue collar building maintenance worker and retiring as an executive as assistant director. And whereas John began his career as a general contractor running a vibrant and robust private construction company before joining the County General Services Department Facilities and Maintenance Division in 1996, where he learned all aspects of the county and was able to apply his skill set as a woodworker to construct custom cabinetry for various county facilities.

And whereas John's general contractor experience influenced his transition to General Services, Capital Division, where he developed construction specifications, assembled bid packages, managed public bidding, and contract awards, inspected projects for quality and code compliance, executed change orders, and represented the County General Services Department to various contractors, outside agencies, and the public. And whereas John was selected to lead the $125 million Northern Branch Jail Construction Project, developing a piece of farmland into a 350-bed, state-of-the-art jail complex. The extension effort was not without challenges, and John rose to the occasion, frequently meeting with state officials and forging alliances with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office to ensure that they receive the best facility to meet their needs.

And whereas John was then promoted to lead the entire capital division, overseeing two division managers and ten project managers, where his leadership was critical in getting through the COVID-19 pandemic, a new hybrid work approach. And whereas in his final 18 months with the County of Santa Barbara, John was once again promoted to the executive ranks as an assistant director overseeing the facilities and maintenance Capital and Energy Divisions. And whereas John is the epitome of working your way up the ladder and is proof positive that through hard work, determination, and a belief in your abilities that the county provides opportunities for career development and professional growth. John's steady leadership, calm demeanor, and dedication to public service will be sorely missed.

John's next chapter of life will be filled with opportunities to share time with family, travel, and explore new adventures. Now, therefore, be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara does hereby acknowledge John Green for his years of dedicated service to the citizens of Santa Barbara County and congratulate him upon his retirement. Passed and adopted today.

John, time has come. I think general services makes up about 90% of the audience here today, so hopefully nothing goes wrong in the county. And so I thank everyone for being here. I mean John is the epitome of a humble public servant. He's been an inspiration. He started out, these guys in the back row in the blue shirts, that's where John started. And so seeing everyone here today, general services wise, I mean that's just a great show of respect for you and to respect your years of service.

You know, nearly 30 years ago, I'm not sure John would have realized that he'd be standing here today retiring and sharing the stage with some Nobel laureates. So that was pretty cool. I've been here about three years now, and about a year and a half ago, two years ago, John was ready to throw in the towel and call it a career. And, you know, having come off the Northern Branch Jail Project, which was very challenging, had a lot of challenges and issues out there, but he saw that through.

Then the workplace dynamic was off for him, but I convinced him to stay and appointed him as interim assistant director and then selected him I knew John wouldn't be here long term. I figured I'd get one to three years, so I guess 18 months is a good compromise. But I knew that he would be the bridge that was needed to take general service from where they were and help get us to the future, and so I appreciate that.

Of course, this past year, the Northern Branch Jail has continued to be kind of a thorn in his side and continues to haunt him. And he's been deeply involved with some arbitration there. In fact, I think county council saw him more than I did this past year. But I know that's greatly appreciated by council and is important for the county as well. So I am grateful that John has stayed on.

And while I may be the boss, I've also looked up to John as a, even though we are different generations and we laugh about that some, but I do look at John as an older brother. We've bonded over cars and campers and quality beer. And so I look forward to our continued friendship. And so I want to thank you, John, and best wishes as you head into retirement and to Glenda.

I know you've thrown my name around a lot with Glenda and hopefully in a good way. And obviously with your children and now grandchildren. And so I know they're looking forward to seeing more of you in retirement. So I want to leave with a quote here. It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. Harry S. Truman, and I believe Ronald Reagan actually had that on his desk.

And that's John, and that's John's leadership style. Again, very humble, and just wants to be part of the wheels that get things done here. So that's how he's lived his service, and we thank you. And having been former Navy, our farewell is fair winds and following seas. I wish you the very best. And for the rest of GS, there is a reception downstairs in the lobby, in the courtyard, so I hope to see everyone down there as well. So thank you, John, and the floor is yours.

So Chair Nelson and members of the board, I appreciate the recognition and the resolution today. It's humbling and honored. I'm honored to have that. So when I started here nearly 30 years ago, I hadn't even thought about the concept of retiring. Prior to working at the county, I was working in the private sector in a partnership general contracting company.

So I took my first role in facilities more or less as I saw it as just another project that would eventually complete. After all, this was consistent with what I had been doing as a general contractor for 15 years. So retirement was a foreign concept to me that I saw only applying to others like my grandfather and my father and those other older co-workers that I worked with when I first started at the county.

But not me, I still saw myself as a young guy. It wasn't until my three-year-old granddaughter, Cambria, learned to speak and began to call me Popper, which was her word for grandpa, that's when I realized I should start paying closer attention to my birthday. Then, of course, there's those awkward cooler moments, water cooler moments around the office where staff are asking you constantly, so how much longer are you going to be here? Definitely not something I heard in my first 20 years.

And yet just another subtle reminder that I'm no longer a young guy that I think I am. Then, of course, you start getting the AARP emails and mail in the mailbox every day, which are unfortunately addressed to me. So that's when I began to realize I should take a closer look at my work plans. So here I am today, nervously standing in front of the Board of Supervisors and a room full of people and co-workers who now know exactly how much longer I'm going to be here.

Instead of another job, I've had an amazing career with the County of Santa Barbara. I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for all the opportunities, benefits, and challenges. And yes, there have been challenging projects for sure, but the last 30 years have gone by really fast. My wife, Glenda, has retired from teaching and has been asking me frequently when I plan to retire After I finally told her my retirement date, I also told her that that meant that I'd be home all the time.

Her response was, that's okay, I have friends you know. So I'm super excited to start the next chapter of life, spend more time with my grandchildren, and perhaps complete some of the honey-do list projects, which are naturally over budget and behind schedule. However, I will absolutely miss this place. I'll miss the people, the relationships, and even the challenges.

I must thank all my mentors over the years, my coaches, my staff, my managers, who promoted me and pushed me and encouraged me to push myself even further than I believed that I could be pushed. Some of the most dedicated and hardworking and brilliant people that I know work here at the County of Santa Barbara. And I feel very fortunate to have been a small part of this organization.

So I must also recognize my wife, Glenda, who I'm sure will be encouraging me to find a part-time job soon when I get out of the house, and my three children, Nathan, Shelby, and Logan, for all their support and for always tolerating all my dinnertime conversations about the fascinating projects that I was fortunate enough to be part of. And finally, I want to thank Kirk Lagerquist, all the General Services Department, and the Board of Supervisors for this recognition and resolution. Thank you.

Supervisor Lavagnino.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. John, I appreciate the fact that I was the one that got to provide you with the resolution. We all did together, but that was an honor for me. John, I don't know if you play cards or not, but you do have an excellent poker face because I remember being in the room when the bids were open for the Northern Branch Jail and We had no idea what they were going to look like, and when the envelopes were opened, I remember at the time Matt Pontus looking like somebody was holding his family hostage when he was looking at them.

And I looked over at John, and John just kept a straight face. And even when all hell was breaking loose during the construction of that, every time I'd go out there for a visit, John was just even-keeled. This is a big project. There's always problems. He was very calming and reassuring. It's exactly what I needed because I was ready to freak out. And so if in that part-time job means Coming back, we do have another construction job up on that site that we would love to have your expertise on. So I just wish you all the best. And you've been a real pillar of strength here for the county and appreciate all your hard work. So you've earned this retirement. Congratulations.

Yeah, I'd like to reiterate that you have been the steady hand in the storm for the county for quite some time, and so you said you've been a small part of this county. I would think that you are definitely underselling it. You've been a large part of this county for the last 30 years, and especially over the last few years, and it's with gratitude on behalf of the entire county for your service, John. Thank you.

All right, we'll return back to the administrative agenda. Thank you everybody for being here to celebrate. All right, then I'll take up the administrative items pulled in numerical order. Actually, we've had two items pulled by the public, item number 10 and number 13. So, Madam Clerk, will you read both those items into the public, and then we'll have Ms. Hauenstein come up for a five-minute public comment on those two items.

Chair Nelson and members of the Board, Administrative Item Number 10 is from the District Attorney's Office. It is to consider recommendations regarding the acceptance of a $25,000 grant from Craig Thompson Environmental Protection Prosecution, CTEPP, fund to support the District Attorney's Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit. And there is a four-fifths vote required on this item. Additionally, Administrative Item Number 13 is from the Sheriff Coroner's Office. It is to consider recommendations regarding an Astound Business Solutions LLC Astound Service Order to the Agreement for Services of Independent Contractor for Dark Fiber Services. And we have a request to speak from the public, Karen Hauenstein, and she will receive five minutes for both items.

Karen?

Welcome.

Karen Hauenstein, North County Coast Audits, soon to be Coast Observer TV. So I had a question. You guys combined these two very different items that I'll speak on together. So my first question was about dark fiber. I'm having a hard time identifying what dark fiber is. So just wanting to learn more about the dark fiber that we're paying for for the Sheriff's Office. And do I ask the Sheriff's Office about that?

Who knows about that? Well, I'll find out later on. And then this other item, the District Attorney's Office, who's getting special funding to go after people for environmental reasons. Before I ever started being a public speaker, I was attacked by the District Attorney's Office in civil court. They used a similar grant to target my family and their property.

The county wanted to get on our title. I was even told that by one county employee. The legal case that bankrupted me, personally, is case number 20, CV 02746. In that matter, the liberal District Attorney, Joyce Dudley, very skillfully left the man who was responsible for any suggested environmental violations Completely off the complaint. Himself and his business entities were completely unscathed.

Later on, this man claims, through non-judicial foreclosure fraud, that he owns my parents' ranch. This all happened right in front of you, Mona. The whole entire time I've been talking to you. And my issue, personally, in this, is not going to die until my family is satisfied, and I personally am satisfied, for the abuse that I've suffered at the hands of this county.

Just like the memory of Liliana Cecilia Zuniga, the young woman who was killed inside the Lompoc Police Department in 2023. And I understand the local law enforcement wants that to die. But her memory is still very much alive. And so is my umbrage until things are satisfied. And the more I learn about the workings of our county, Mona, and how the county is being manipulated by some of the most liberal operatives in the state, I'm being friendly. You can understand though, That because personally my life was destroyed before I even understood what was happening.

And when my father and I came to you, Joan, it got worse. And the lives of my neighbors who are in their, their transplants from LA, but their trust fund babies from Manhattan, their lives have gotten increasingly better. And their word has been promoted by you.

And that concludes public comment on A-10 and A-13.

All right, so is there any further discussion from board members on items A-10 or A-13? Seeing none, I'll take a motion on approval of A-10 and A-13.

Herman moves approval.

Second. A motion by Hartmann, a second by Lee. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously. Now it's time for members of the public to speak on items that are not on the agenda. Madam Clerk, are there any requests to speak on general public comment?

Chair Nelson and members of the board, yes, we have two requests to speak on general public comment today. We are going to remain here in Santa Barbara and begin with Adan Kiss the Comedian to be followed by Karen Hauenstein. Adan? Is Kiss the Comedian in the room? Already, we will go to Karen Hauenstein. And if Adan returns, we will go to him next. Karen?

Go ahead and Karen first and then we'll have Kiss next.

The Good Samaritan nonprofit operating in this county that has increased their employee base significantly is billing Medi-Cal and Medicaid for daycare services that they're not providing, especially in Lompoc. But we're also finding out something about, it seems like maybe political interests are being maintained through these non-profit agencies. Because as soon as someone reveals that they voted for Donald Trump or they like Donald Trump, they get exited from the program.

We've seen this happen in Lompoc. We've seen this happen in Santa Barbara. What's really going on with the Good Samaritan nonprofit? Because what's been suggested about California, that California is also washing money Through nonprofits, NGOs, and even the government agencies that we see operating and having budgets of $1.7 billion. You guys want to take more taxes from people after you make decisions that lose money for purposes that never should have been considered? Like the AMR debacle.

That's a big deal. You guys want to have more taxes on the tail end of that? Okay. Thanks.

Thank you, Ms. Hauenstein. Ms. Hauenstein.

We will now go to our final speaker and general public comment. Adan Kiss, the comedian. Adan?

Thank you. Thank you, guys. Good morning, Supervisor Roy Lee, Laura Capps, Joan Hartmann, Bob Nelson, and of course, my favorite, Steve Lavagnino. My name is Adan. Some of you guys know me as Kiss the Comedian. Today, I'm not here as a comedian, but as a victim and a citizen. I was a client at the Step Down Program Sober Living Housing Unit here in Santa Barbara. which is owned by Good Samaritan Nonprofit Shelter and funded by the county taxpayer and the federal taxpayers and the donors.

I was wrongfully kicked out after being cursed out by Good Samaritan staff members named Jack and Ryan. I was called every name in the book, a monkey, a nigger, African, and a Trump supporter. The Good Samaritan staff members treated me like Adolf Hitler, genocide. After they found out, I posted a video on YouTube. They kicked me out and said, we don't want our staff getting exposed. You're homeless. You will be replaced by 5 o'clock today by another bomb. And St. Cam Medica will still pay us $5,000 for each client.