Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Fourth Amendment to Melchiory Construction Contract
- General Services requested Board consideration of a fourth amendment for the EOC building contract.
- The item was withdrawn from the agenda to be rescheduled for a later date.
Funding for Emergency Sedimentation Removal at Twitchell Dam
- Public Works requested approval of a $350,000 MOU with the Twitchell Management Authority for emergency de-silting.
- Staff clarified that the total project cost is approximately $700,000, including mandatory environmental monitoring.
- The Board approved the funding motion after discussing the urgency for groundwater recharge and flood control.
Annual Report from Thomas Walters & Associates
- The County Executive Office presented the annual report on federal legislative activity.
- The Board received and filed the report.
Revised County Telecommuting Policy / Meeting Schedule Reduction
- The proposed revised telecommuting policy was withdrawn from the agenda for later consideration.
- The Board approved a motion to reduce the number of regular meetings to save costs.
- Supervisor Lavinino suggested a six-month review period to assess the impact of the reduction.
2011 Board of Supervisors Meeting Schedule
- The Board reviewed the previously adopted 2011 schedule and proposed cancellations for February 8 and March 8.
- Supervisor Lavinino suggested swapping meeting locations to ensure North County access.
- Staff confirmed that two supervisors would be traveling on the proposed cancellation dates.
2011 Legislative Platform
- Staff presented the platform, which includes appropriation requests, proposed legislation, and targeted advocacy items.
- Public commenters advocated for the inclusion of the Older Americans Act and senior services.
- The Board approved the legislative platform after discussing budget impacts and senior issues.
State Legislative Report and Contract Renewal
- Representatives from Governmental Advocates Incorporated presented their legislative work from the past year.
- The Board discussed the necessity of the contract amidst budget concerns and existing relationships with legislators.
- The Board approved the renewal of the lobbying contract for the 2011 calendar year.
Ordinance Amending Chapter 25 of the Petroleum Code
- Staff proposed amendments to regulate high-risk petroleum operations, including lowering the spill volume trigger to 15 barrels.
- The Board discussed the distinction between minor and major spills and the burden on operators.
- The Board voted to continue the item for further review or approve the changes as presented.
Board Member Reports
- Supervisors reported on the opening of Union Valley Parkway and associated public adjustment issues.
- Members shared updates on community events, including the Solvang Centennial and "Kids Helping Kids" fundraiser.
- Supervisor Carbajal mentioned ongoing work on Highway 154 and a new art exhibit.
Closed Session
- The Board adjourned into closed session to honor two residents who passed away in December.
Full summary
Opening and General Proceedings
- The meeting began with a moment of silence for the victims and survivors of the Tucson shooting. The Board approved the minutes from the January 4, 2011 meeting; the motion passed. The Board also approved the administrative agenda; the motion passed.
Public Comment
- Public commenters addressed several topics, including the Older Americans Act, the 2011 legislative platform, state budget cuts, and the Twitchell Dam project. Specific concerns raised included the need for regulatory relief for the agricultural sector, transparency in the Board’s lobbying positions regarding offshore oil moratoriums, and the impact of proposed water quality rules on farming. Commenters also discussed the importance of maintaining meetings in North County and the status of the oil tracking system.
Agenda Item A1: Fourth Amendment to Melchiory Construction Contract (EOC Building)
- General Services requested the Board consider recommendations regarding a fourth amendment to the Melchiory Construction Contract and Professional Services Agreement for the EOC building. The item was withdrawn from the agenda to be brought back at a later date.
Agenda Item A5: Funding for Emergency Sedimentation Removal at Twitchell Dam
- Public Works, acting as the Board of Directors for the Water Agency, requested approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Twitchell Management Authority (TMA) for $350,000 to fund emergency de-silting and dam repairs at Twitchell Dam. Staff and representatives from TMA and the City of Santa Maria presented the emergency request, noting a total project cost of approximately $700,000 ($500,000 in construction and $200,000 in environmental monitoring and soft costs). The City of Santa Maria committed $350,000. The Board discussed the urgency of the project for groundwater recharge and flood control, as well as the breakdown of costs and the availability of Water Agency reserves. Questions were raised regarding whether the county’s contribution should be limited to half of the construction cost. Staff clarified that non-construction costs were for mandatory environmental monitoring. A motion was made to approve the funding as presented. The motion passed.
Agenda Item A6: Annual Report from Thomas Walters & Associates
- The County Executive Office requested the Board receive and file an annual report from Thomas Walters & Associates regarding federal legislative activity. The item was received and filed.
Agenda Item 1: Revised County Telecommuting Policy / Meeting Schedule Reduction
- The County Executive Office presented a hearing to adopt proposed revised telecommuting policies, which was subsequently withdrawn from the agenda to be brought back at a later date. Separately, the Board discussed reducing the number of regular board meetings to save costs. Supervisor Lavinino suggested a six-month review period to assess cost savings and effectiveness. A motion was made to reduce the number of meetings. The motion passed.
Agenda Item 2: 2011 Board of Supervisors Meeting Schedule
- The County Executive Office presented the 2011 meeting schedule, which had been previously adopted in December. The Board was asked to ratify the schedule and consider canceling two additional meetings (February 8 and March 8) due to required travel for Board members. It was noted that the February 15 and March 15 meetings would be held in Santa Maria. Supervisor Lavinino suggested swapping the locations of the February and March meetings to ensure North County access. Staff confirmed that two supervisors would be traveling on the proposed cancellation dates. The Board discussed the schedule and the proposed cancellations.
Agenda Item 3: 2011 Legislative Platform
- Staff presented the proposed 2011 Legislative Platform, which includes appropriation requests (Santa Maria Levee, Lower Mission Creek, Lake Cachuma, Goleta Beach, Veterans Memorial, Courthouse, Health and Human Services campus, Parks), proposed legislation (alcohol licensing, truancy/cyberbullying penalties, election process efficiency, EMS funding, Highway 154 restrictions, Lake Cachuma quagga mussel prevention), and targeted advocacy (Williamson Act, child care, in-home supportive services, local control speed limits). Public commenters advocated for the inclusion of the Older Americans Act and senior services. Supervisor Wolf requested that the impact of the Governor’s budget be tied to legislative priorities. Supervisor Farr emphasized the importance of senior issues. A motion was made to approve the legislative platform. The motion passed.
Agenda Item 4: State Legislative Report and Contract Renewal
- The County Executive Office presented a hearing to consider recommendations regarding the State Legislative Report and the renewal of the lobbying contract with Governmental Advocates Incorporated. Representatives from Governmental Advocates Incorporated presented their work over the past year, including drafting and carrying legislation such as AB 1497, AB 1019, and Proposition 50. Supervisor Lavinino questioned the necessity of the contract given the existence of CSAC and direct relationships with legislators, citing budget concerns. Supervisor Wolf supported the contract, noting the responsiveness and value of the advocates in navigating complex state legislation. Staff explained the division of labor between the advocates, CSAC, and county staff. A motion was made to renew the contract with Governmental Advocates Incorporated for the period of January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011. The motion passed.
Agenda Item 5: Ordinance Amending Chapter 25 of the Petroleum Code
- Planning and Development presented recommendations to amend the Petroleum Code to regulate high-risk petroleum operations. Staff proposed changes to the thresholds for designating an operation as "high risk," including reducing the spill volume trigger from 25 barrels to 15 barrels (outside containment) and adjusting the timing threshold to align with the Administrative Fine Ordinance. Staff also proposed expanding remediation plan requirements to include audits of overall facility operations. Supervisor Carvajal asked about cumulative spill thresholds and the status of the centralized database for violation history. Staff explained that the database project had been scaled back due to budget constraints but that data collection continues. Supervisor Wolf asked for clarification on the distinction between property owners and mineral rights owners. Supervisor Lavinino raised concerns about the elimination of a 45-day window for determining high-risk status, arguing that non-consecutive violations should still count. Staff explained the regulatory framework and the distinction between minor and major spills. The Board discussed the burden on operators and the need for consistent enforcement. A motion was made to continue the item for further review or to approve the changes as presented. The motion passed.
Board Member Reports
- Supervisor Lavinino: Reported on the opening of Union Valley Parkway, noting public adjustment issues and concerns regarding trees and roads. Also mentioned the funeral for the late Supervisor Fletcher.
- Supervisor Carbajal: Reported on attending a "Poverty 101" seminar and the "Kids Helping Kids" fundraiser at San Marcos High School. Mentioned ongoing work on Highway 154 and a new art exhibit in their office.
- Supervisor Wolf: Reported on the opening of Union Valley Parkway and the adjustment period for drivers.
- Supervisor Farr: Reported on attending the Solvang Centennial kickoff celebration.
Adjournment
- Supervisor Farr requested to adjourn to honor two residents who passed away in December: Fred L. Fredericks and Jim Vreeland. The board adjourned into closed session.