Board of Supervisors — 2011-01-11

2011, my my. 1111. To order and you'll probably never hear that again Mr. Allen. How about a roll call?

Ms. Wolfe?

Here.

Ms. Farrer?

Here.

Mr. Lavagnino? Here Mr. Carbajal? Here Ms. Gray?

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you and it is quite appropriate that at this point in time we take a moment of silence for the folks in Tucson that lost their lives and also for those that are recovering Thank you. Report from closed session?

Madam Chair, there were no reportable items but your closed session will continue at the conclusion of today's meeting.

Approval of the minutes of January 4th 2011. I'll move approval.

Second.

All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Any agenda items that need to be removed to be discussed? Mr. Allen?

Madam Chair, members of the Board, Item A1 from General Services. The request is that the Board consider recommendations regarding a fourth amendment to the Melchiory Construction Contract and Professional Services Agreement, and this has to do with the EOC building. And the request for this item be withdrawn from the agenda at this time and General Services will bring this back as appropriate.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Any others that need to be discussed, Mr Allen?

I have no other items that I'd like to discuss. I believe we have some requests to speak though from the public. Any

board members? Janet? Yes, I'd like to speak on item A5. Doreen?

I have just a few questions on A5 as well. I'd also like to speak on

A5 as well.

Alright, why don't we just read A5 into the agenda right now and then what we'll do is we'll read it into the record. Mr. Caldwell also wants to comment on this so we'll take the board members comments and Mr. Caldwell's and then we'll answer the question.

Madam Chair, Members of the Board item A5 comes to the board from Public Works Department and the board acting as the Board of Directors of the Water Agency The request is that the board acting as the Board of Directors of the Water Agency consider recommendations regarding funding for emergency sedimentation removal for Twitchell Dam in the 5th District. And then, that's a four-fifths vote and then item A is to approve or authorize the Public Works Director or designee to execute an MOU with the Twitchell Management Authority in the amount of $350,000 to help fund the emergency de-silting at Twitchell Dam for restored water conservation releases and B, approve a budget revision for the water agency to release designations in the amount of $350,000 to pay for the costs associated with the execution of the above-mentioned MOU.

Thank you Mr. Allen. Supervisor Wolf?

Thank you Chair. When I read this, I had some questions and I went back and looked and obtained more information on the Twitchell Dam. And I've had a lot of conversations with Mr. Fairham and I appreciate all his work to help me better see what this proposal is all about and where the money is actually coming from. So what I'm understanding is that there's an agreement, theoretically an agreement to pay that the county would put up $350,000 which was to be half of the cost of this emergency project And I asked Mr. Fairham to provide me with an actual breakdown of the cost of the project and the actual cost by the contractor is $500,000 and there's some other cost contingency is 57,000.

What I'd like to recommend is that we allocate instead of the $350,000 that we allocate $250,000 which is half of the cost for the contractor which is what was originally specified in our board letter and that should the district request more money because of contingency needs or whatever that they come to the board for that. But this is a large amount of money I do think it's worthwhile. This is an important project that needs to be done, but I just think from a responsible standpoint that we just move forward and change it to $250,000. That's based on the actual contractor amount from Wood Brothers Inc., and actually the amount they had specified has been reduced to 500,000

Supervisor Carbajal. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm not quite as equipped as Supervisor Wolf with more detail but it brings me to my point. I probably at the end would be fine with the item before us but what I found myself and I didn't have the benefit of contacting Mr. Fairham or Ms. McLaughlin on this but what I found myself going through as I was reading this report was The revelation of a lot of other questions which I'm not sure I understand. For instance, we're having a very difficult financial year as we all know and we're trying to make sure that we look at CRAF and other resources we have to see what they can be used for or not irrespective of our past practice as it relates to what we've done with the water agency for Kachuma versus not Kachuma but what I would like to understand is a little bit more of the water agency And the resources that are there in that account, what the flexibility is of those resources.

Historically what have we used for Kachuma versus Twitchell? Why are we recommending this? I think a good case was being made in this report but more importantly just to understand the bigger picture because quite frankly if we don't have to use the money for Kachuma and Twitchell which I understand if we do Then what can it be used for? So I have a lot much other questions that are germane to the issue before us.

And maybe at the end of the day, I'm going to get answers to all those questions that make sense and I'm going to be completely fine with it. But for me, all those other questions came into play that weren't fully answered in the staff report and perhaps I should know more about this but in this case, I just feel that I don't have a complete picture I recommend if there's no time urgency that this come back as a departmental item to give us a much fuller briefing on this and then get into issues like Supervisor Wolf is stipulating on whether we fund it at a lesser level, more level or the same or what have you.

Supervisor Lavinino?

Madam Chair, you know I think Mr. Fahram, I've spoken with Mr. Fahram as well had a chance to go out and visit the site I prefer that we deal with it today just because it's an emergency situation. This flow needs to be there, I don't know if anybody else has had the chance to be out there but the silt backup on this is preventing flow that is absolutely critical for the Santa Maria River Valley water basin and ground water recharge for our farmers. I also appreciate the City of Santa Maria is also kicking in $350,000 on this and I'm afraid if we go ahead and lower down We're going to get into a position where our partners are going to lower it as well. I'd like to ask Mr. Farram the difference of what we're talking about for the $700,000 and the $550,000 that was in the contract.

Mr. Farram, we're going to hold you until we get all because you're going to have a lot of questions to answer.

Okay.

Any others? No.

Madam Chair, members of the board, I'm Andy Caldwell. I had a professor in life that mentored me and one of the things he taught me is that non-events sometimes speak louder than events. And when this item was called Supervisor Wolf didn't ask the district supervisor of the 5th what is your position on this? Why is this important to your district? He says you jumped the gun wants to lower the amount.

I agree that, you know we're in a budget crisis and we've got to question all things that few weeks ago I tried to question some expenses and didn't get very far. You know the bottom line here is ag is the most important sector of our economy and most of that ag production is in the Santa Maria Valley And if you're ignorant on what Twitchell Dam does, and if you're ignorant about the silt up and the dangers that it poses to not just the aquifer but to the city of Santa Maria and infrastructure. If you're ignorant of the history of flooding in the Santa Maria Valley then get an education. So bottom line is this area right here, Supervisor Gray you know this and so does Supervisor Lavinino there used to be a river that ran right through this property Right through this property there was no historical natural levee in the Santa Maria Valley.

The whole valley just flooded, it was just a plain and in reality downtown Santa Maria was where the river usually flowed right next to the mall And so the levee is important and of course there's been some levy repairs, not enough. Obviously Guadalupe is suffering but part of what keeps that levee functioning is Twitchell and I'd like to know if you heard that Gibraltar had a problem or Kachuma had a problem or Jameson had a problem, you probably would have called a special meeting and said we need to get this fixed right away But if it's Santa Maria and something you don't fully understand or appreciate, all of a sudden now you're going to be fiduciary stewards.

And try to whittle something down without even talking to the supervisor of the district. The acrimony we used to have between North and South ended with Joe Centeno and Naomi Schwartz because they respected one another. I expect you to show him respect And defer to him for stuff in his district like you would want him to defer for things in your district. Let's not go back to those old days.

I have to absolutely respond to that because that is so insulting.

Ms. Wolf, could you let me maybe do it? Give me a chance if I don't do it right, it's yours. I am going to try extremely hard this year to keep the board on professional. Mr. Caldwell gave us some interesting information and I'm not just...I'm not gonna pick just on Mr. Caldwell but I hope that he gets the message What we're trying to do is a professional job. We are not attacking board members, and that was totally unnecessary to point out to Supervisor Wolf how she should do her job. We all do our jobs to the best of our ability because when a person that's up in front of us and asking us to consider their information starts out with a negative you're a bunch of idiots kind of statement or there's one idiot among you What it does is it throws a wet blanket on the information they have to give us.

I am going to ask those that lobby this board and those that want to talk to us, that they treat us with the respect that we will treat them with. And so again without mentioning names, I would like to point out to people to please keep your statement on topic. And with that, I'll go to you Supervisor Wolff. Thank you.

I appreciate your comments, and I think it's important that when people come up that they understand more factually what is going on. My intention was to get the facts as I do in every board item. I sent an email to Mr. Fairham just asking some general information about this project And then he answered those questions and sent the email to Mr. Lavagnino's staff, basically stating if these were some of your questions that you might have here is some information.

Over the weekend I read the entire Twitchell Project report. I would wonder how many people in this room have actually read that report? It's not because I don't care about Santa Maria, quite the opposite. I understand what the sedimentation issue is at Twitchell and I want to ensure that this project is done. Because it's come to us at the last minute that we have a strong understanding about why we are spending this money. I said that I felt that $250,000 was reasonable if the board wants to allocate $350,000 that is the boards decision. I just wanted to bring that information up and I have nothing. against Santa Maria. And again, in fact I think I care quite a bit about the folks who live in Santa Maria and the 5th District and the 4th District so again I take up a lot of offense to those earlier statements.

Thank you Supervisor. Now Mr. Fahyram if you can sort out what just happened that wasn't what your questions are we're gonna go to your question or the questions that you think you need to answer

Supervisor Carbajal. Mr. Farrum, I read this report and there was no over urgency that was listed on here and I know that our board in the past when a board member or two raises issues of clarification wanting more information unless there's eminent public safety involved we usually try to acquiesce that And I will continue to reiterate that I'd like to hear from you the urgency in this because I would like another week to have a departmental hearing and to really better understand this thing.

I probably am going to be fine with it, but there's nothing wrong for me as a decision maker and the public to have a little bit more information.

So Mr. Farram, it appears to me that the questions that you're going to be responding to, and then would you also tell me... There was a recommendation for $500,000. There is a question can we get by with $200,000? There was a broad-branched question by Supervisor Carbajal that can we, in fact, postpone this so it can go on as a departmental item. And there was a concern from Supervisor Lavinino that Santa Maria might withdraw their $350,000 and we're also looking at some kind of urgency. Any other things that you're going to be answering?

Well, Madam Chair, let me try with what I have in front of me. First of all is for the urgency and just the background on this was in December we were approached by the Twitchell Management Authority TMA and we have representatives from them here today and maybe they can answer about the urgency. I could tell you the work is ongoing and in fact almost done. They took that step because there was the urgency They also realized that this had to come to the board and that there's no money appropriated until the board does so. There was no meeting at the end of December as you may recall, and so we actually got it on the board in going through the regular process and then hence its here today.

Can it wait until next week? I'd maybe ask Rick Sweet from TMA just a comment on that. The work is almost done, but again this is a decision for your board as to what level you want to fund this too.

Supervisor Farr do you have a question regarding that? Yes just particularly due with the timing so in looking at this MOU This is part of this five-year capital program projects You know that you talked about back in April And then there was an emergency permit that was good until December 31st of 2010 for this particular work, correct? So this work has already been started.

And so some money has been upfronted by the City of Santa Maria. This is the $350,000 Supervisor Levin, you know. So we're being asked to come in to help finish paying for it, is that correct? I'm trying to get the timing.

Madam Chair, Supervisor Farrar, that's basically right at the initial discussions with TMA they were going to be doing this work there's not really an option to do the work or not it has to be done they are doing it they requested our assistance because the water agency is the contracting entity for this project and like other projects we have cooperating with them that's why we opted at the staff level to move forward and ask your board

And then if not now, perhaps later. What I don't see here is a more specific breakdown of the $700,000. So we have the $500,000 for the actual work. We have 10% contingency and then the balance has to do with other quote unquote project costs so I'm just kind of wondering what those are because if those are all like administrative fees that kind of come back to the city or the Twitchell management, I think that would be good to know. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Fairon, you

can continue.

So Madam Chair regarding the can we do just half of the construction? I think it's at your board's discretion. Just briefly for Supervisor Farr's question the construction contract is just about $500,000 then there's monitoring inspection and mitigation that's associated that brings that up to the $700,000. I just asked Mr. Sweet if he thought the project was going to be different than $700,000 significantly less or more if it's more obviously None of that is on the table. If it's less, I'm sure Mr. Sweet would be agreeable that we would pay actually half of the actual cost which I think are going to be close to $700 if that's an option. Mrs. Sweet, why

don't you come up here and join us so that you two guys can answer these questions together rather than guessing? I'm a little scared but I will. That's all right. I know. You stepped into the lion's den. The first couple meetings always go this way. You never want to be the first couple meeting's agenda.

Hi, my name is Rick Sweet and I'm here as chairman of the Twitchell Management Authority today. You may also recognize me as the Utilities Director for the City of Santa Maria. The Twitchell Management Authority is a weird entity called A Court Appointed Attaché. And the Twitchell Management Authority as an entity rose out of the groundwater litigation. We represent agricultural and municipal users in the Santa Maria Valley.

The purpose of the Twitchell Management Authority is to prepare a yearly groundwater monitoring report and to enhance or preserve the twitchel yield, which produces ground water primarily for agricultural really in the Santa Maria Valley. Well, municipal entities use some primarily for agriculture. The, it's a complex thing as water always is. The Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District actually operates the dam. They came to us with a project which we helped fund the permitting of. At that time they believed they had money for the project. It was an emergency project. They needed to perform releases not just for groundwater replenishment but also for emergency purposes. If you cannot do program releases and there's a flood behind Well, all hell breaks loose because the water will then be released but not in a programmed manner so there'll be flooding throughout the valley.

So it was a project that came to both the Twitchell Management Authority and the Water Agency as an emergency because it was a project that we thought was funded but had no funding. So Tom and I met and said how the heck do we fix this thing? We asked the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District to reduce the size of the project to the minimum that we could have so that we could try to put together enough funding to make this work.

Because of the extreme amount of environmental monitoring involved with the project, there are significant what we call soft costs. We ask the project to be reduced to $500,000 in construction money and the remainder is in environmental monitoring and construction management monitoring. These are real costs these are not administrative fees these are not money that comes back to us as an entity or the city as an entity these are real construction costs So that's where we are today.

Quite frankly, the Twitchell Management Authority does not physically have enough money to step up to this if the county doesn't assist in this manner. So we're in a jam. We looked at an emergency situation. Tom and I got together to try to figure out what's the best way to solve this emergency? And that's where we're at today. If there's anything else I can assist you with, I'm certainly there and hopeful. Let's

see, I think Supervisor Wolf was first and then Supervisor Carbajal.

I want to thank you for being here and I'm sorry that you felt intimidated but you did a very good job. And I'm a little bit of a softy when it comes to emergency issues. Excuse me. And hearing what you just said, I feel comfortable in moving forward. I know Mr. Farrum has looked at this with the $350,000. I do believe Mr. Farrum that and we talked about this yesterday and looking at the budget for the water agency Because you had mentioned there was about $6 million in reserves, five or six. And we were looking at the budget and it was a little difficult to actually find that line item. I think given what Supervisor Carbajal had said that it would be useful for us to have a better understanding of the water agency where our money is going and where it could go.

But your sense is that we have this money available to help you folks, and I'm fine moving forward as it's written. Mr. Carbajal?

Thank you Madam Chair. I think there are two issues here. One is the issue before us. I still think a week would be fine but I am willing to go forward with the item before us today. For me the bigger question like I said earlier I have no idea what the guiding decision-making principles are for that water agency reserve. Where does it go? Where does it come from? What discretion do we have? Can we use it on the whim? Who comes up with spending that money? What about other items that we have going on for Kachuma? What about other items we have for water quality issues?

I just don't know. And all those questions were kicked up with this report of, well wait a minute, on the whim let's match $350,000. There's a lot of other good projects in light of our financial constraints that we really need to look at to see if part of this reserve can fund and I don't know the answers. So whether it's a separate item, we can vote on this today but I will say that it's also good to understand the historic decision making that we made on this reserve and the future because again Tom with all the respect you know I think the world of you I think decisions for that reserve, we need to be apprised of what flexibility we have versus Tom getting together with the City of Santa Maria and deciding this is a good project. I need to know it's a good project beyond your good wisdom.

It sounds to me as if we need to put that on the agenda, Madam

Waller.

Got to make this mic work. There we go. Chairwoman Gray, Supervisor Carbajal. I think those are all excellent questions and I know that we have that information. There's a lot of it in my proposal would be to put that together for you and ensure that you get it all and then possibly discuss it if you'd like to at a future board meeting because I think it's important for not only you but also our stakeholders and our citizens to understand How particular funds can and cannot be utilized. I think that's something that we could probably put together in the next 30 days or less for

you. Water issues are amazing, I've

been working

on them for what? 20 years. Who is next? Supervisor Farr.

Thank you Madam Chair. I just wanted to say that I appreciate the information that both Mr. Fairam and Mr. Sweets gave and I'm satisfied going forward with it. The way its written now.

Since this is my first item and its turned into a nuclear war

You haven't seen Nuclear War. I

don't think you've seen Nuclear War. Good questions are not on Nuclear War. No, no, no. I do want to say something. I do want to say something. Now, I do want to say to Supervisor Wolf that I did not feel slighted in the least. I appreciate your interest in this item just as we're all going to be interested in every dollar we spend and so that didn't come from me. I appreciate Mr. Caldwell's history lesson on Twitchell but As far as how we're going to run the board, I appreciate that it's going to be between us. Do

you have a motion?

I would like to move this one forward please.

And I'll second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Thank you. So we got taken care of A5. Now A6 Mr. Caldwell do you want to talk again? And if you'd like to read that, Mr. Allen?

Madam Chair and members of the Board, Item A-6 is from the County Executive Office. The request is that the Board receive and file an annual report from Thomas Walters & Associates regarding federal legislative activity.

Mr. Caldwell?

Madam Chair and members of the board, I'm Andy Caldwell representing COLAB. We have a couple of things on today's agenda regarding legislative platforms One of the things that was concerning, and we do appreciate when supervisors and city councilmen take time out of their schedules to go back to Washington DC. We know that's an arduous journey and it pays to have people on both sides of the aisle lobbying people back there. However one concern that I had in reading this report is that We believe that when somebody goes back there to represent the county of Santa Barbara or the lobbyists take a position representing the county of Santa Barbara, then the County Board of Supervisors should have taken a vote on those positions and that the public should be apprised of all the positions that are being lobbied for.

And specifically, I understand you have a ledge program. And sometimes that ledge program might have general goals. And then somebody goes back there and lobbies either a county official, either like the department head or county supervisor or the lobbyist we pay. They go back there and they say in the name of Santa Barbara County, we want to endorse HR whatever.

And I'm not sure if the public knows that the board's doing that or that the lobbyist is doing that specifically. You have a ledge program, and I know that from time to time you bring forth pieces of legislation for endorsement. But the point here is when somebody speaks in the county's name, the county oughta know about it. And to some degree, you should have some confidence that the county actually supports that You know, one of the most controversial issues in California and Santa Barbara County is offshore oil.

I would venture to believe that if we had a county-wide referendum on the ability to do slant drill projects from existing platforms or slant drill projects from onshore locations that the majority of citizens in the Santa Barbara County would support that. In other words, I don't believe that the citizenry would like to see us have a $90 million deficit and billions of dollars worth of assets offshore that we're not tapping into.

And I would actually dare this board to put it on a ballot especially in view of the fact that we send back position statements to Washington supporting for instance Lois Capps' proposed moratorium for offshore oil What I'm saying is, I don't believe Santa Barbara County voters support that position. And so nobody should be speaking as if they're representing them.

Thank you Mr. Caldwell. Supervisor Carbajal?

Thank you Madam Chair. I guess just to provide clarification for Mr. Caldwell since I am the one that's ventured to D.C. representing our board and lobbying for our priorities. If I could draw your attention fellow colleagues, Mr. Caldwell and the public Every time that I go to Washington, I come back and I issue a thorough report that delineates every meeting I've had, the issues we discussed. The notes, major significant feedback that we've been given by legislators both Republicans and Democrats. I provide that to our board so that there's a full understanding of every meeting, every staffer, every legislator that I'm meeting with including staff that accompany me And what we gleaned from lobbying for those priorities. And every year now, for many years, we've been producing our legislative priorities both for the state and the federal government.

And this has really been the guide that leads to the information we provide to the legislators and staffers. I, for instance, am an equal opportunity lobbyist when I go back to Washington for our board advocate should I say Because what I advocate for are our priorities. I remember being back in Washington once and somebody making a reference, if the levy's not in your district why are you lobbying for it as your number one priority? Well, it was our board's number one priority and when I go to Washington to represent our board, I don't go to represent my own interests or my outside interests outside this approved legislative platform This is what I represent.

And if anybody would care to make an inquiry to any of our representatives, Congresswoman Caps or Congressman Gallagher, I think you will find that that's exactly the approach we take when we go back to Washington. So I just wanted to make that very clear that there is a thorough report that is docketed for our board every time after we come back a few weeks thereafter.

Thank you, Supervisor. Any other comments? I think it's time to approve the administrative agenda if we have nothing further, Mr. Allen? Nobody in Santa Barbara wants to chat with us today?

No request to speak.

Is there a motion? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Now, I can get... Mr. Council, on the administrative agenda, I forget. Can I do a voice vote or do I have to do a roll call?

Well, you can do a voice vote. Okay. The only time you really might want to do a roll call vote is if it's pulled for a specific board member to vote perhaps on a conflict issue or something of that sort.

Because I was confused because sometimes when money is involved in other organizations I've worked with you had to

have... We watch the agenda if a four-fifths vote is On the A agenda, we will call that to your attention if there is not a porpoise vote supporting the entire admin agenda.

Okay now thank you and all of you just remember I haven't been chair for a long time so if I foul up you want to say Joanie. Okay we are going to go to board member reports who'd like to start? Supervisor Lavinino

Thank you, Madam Chair. It's been an interesting week for me. We've been setting up our office. I just want to thank all the county staff that's been available for me. I kind of feel like I'm about 25 feet underwater right now but working our way up and I can see the light at the top of the water break there so just again thank you to the CEO's office, the rest of the supervisors' offices have been very helpful in helping us get started here.

Supervisor Carbajal.

Thank you Mike, just very brief this past week has been continued ongoing meetings with various constituents in my district and constituents throughout the county.

Supervisor Farr. Thank you Madam Chair on Friday night I attended the Solvang Centennial kickoff celebration it was a wonderful event with the room was just packed at the Hotel Cork I don't know how many hundred people were there And I had Danish dancing and a walkover to see the annual Christmas tree burn. And back for a lot of interesting Danish history, Solvang history with a Stump The Dane contest where you had a lot of the descendants of the original settlers Solvang there, so it was a really wonderful event and of course this is just the beginning of a whole year of activities. So I've said it before, I'll say it again come to Solvange and enjoy the fun. Well in

one of these days Supervisor you need to wear your Danish costume for us! I think I'll have Linda Johansson come in and

she's got the whole helmet with the horns and everything and the braids.

I think the Supervisor, you know the vote is the Supervisor. Heavens to Betsy, I dress like a cowboy during the rodeo Supervisor Wolf.

Thank you, Chair. Last week I attended Department of Social Services hosted a Poverty 101 seminar. I attended for about half of it. It was very interesting. A woman spoke about her issues dealing with poverty and I thought it was very informative Over the weekend I attended Kids Helping Kids program. That's a program that San Marcos High School puts on with their AP Economics class. They had over 1,400 people at the Granada Theater. They're hoping to raise $150,000 for Unity Shop and a few other organizations in the community. This program has been running for nine years and is Probably one of the most amazing things that I see or go to is we all go to so many events and this is an event that's put on by high school seniors.

Two of the gals who sang, it was a program but two of the individuals, young women who sang and I swear they sounded like Joni Mitchell were actually two of the women. She didn't say Joni Gray. No, maybe you sing like Joni Mitchell too. They were part of The Madrigals and so it was nice to see them singing at their ganada I know it's the kids over here misbehaving. Anyway, it was quite impressive. Supervisor Farr and I attended a Highway 154 meeting before our South Coast sub-regional meeting so we're continuing to work on that and also for anyone who would like to come to my office we have a new art exhibit from our alternative school very interesting artwork in my office so it's been a very Nice,

interesting week. Thank you. Thank you. It's so interesting to hear what folks have to say. We've been busy in North County and one of the big reasons is we've opened Union Valley Parkway which has it's just something that we've looked forward to since at least 1975 however it's a change so the folks that are driving it are having trouble Adjusting to having this new road. So, Holly Holden with the Santa Maria has issued a statement about how people need to do things they're worried about trees they're worried Roads they're worried about, walls. And as people adjust to this new road being in will keep you apprised but it's just amazing how you want something so badly and it's so needed but then when it gets here it's a change. Changes are difficult to deal with.

So Union Valley Parkway has been high on our agenda and of course we did have a lovely funeral and goodbye for Supervisor Fletcher And that was a big part of what we did this last week. And with that, I think that concludes our reports and thank you all. And so we need to go to public comment.

All

right let's start with Gwen Wood. Good morning Gwen, we're glad to have you with us today. Good

morning Madam Chair, members of the board I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new 5th District Supervisor, Steve Lavinino. Congratulations on your win! I'm hoping in the coming years you'll do good things for Santa Barbara County. As you no doubt know, Santa Barbara County's crime problem has steadily increased over the years due in large part to unchecked illegal immigration.

Just as the federal government has failed to protect our borders from millions of criminals who have entered our country illegally So too has Santa Barbara County in failing to protect its legal citizens from crime carried out by illegal aliens. Santa Maria is the hit and run capital of California due to the high incidence of vehicles accidents caused by illegal aliens.

In addition, Santa Maria was just ranked 150 on the FBI's list of the 400 most dangerous cities in all the United States again outranking the city of Los Angeles. To put this in perspective, there are approximately 75 other cities our size in America and yet Santa Maria is pegged as one of the most dangerous. Santa Maria's crime problem is well known. What we have in Santa Maria is a sanctuary city because our city officials refuse to engage ICE in its policing.

But unlike Santa Maria, the city of Lompoc has made great strides in its gang problem not only because they implemented a gang injunction a few years ago but also because they routinely use ICE in their DUI checkpoints. As grim as these statistics are however I believe there is hope for California and this hope comes by way of Assembly Bill 26 AB 26 was recently introduced by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of Twin Peaks, California in answer to public outcry over illegal immigration and this bill if it gains momentum would have a profound impact on stemming the tide of illegal immigration.

AB 26 would prohibit public officials or agencies from adopting policies that limit enforcement of federal immigration laws It would also restrict employers and businesses from knowingly employing unauthorized aliens, and requiring them to verify employment eligibility through the e-Verify program. AB 26 would end sanctuary cities by enabling citizens to sue government if a city operates as a sanctuary for illegal aliens. This bill would also establish a process in which people can file complaints of employment violation with the Attorney General or a district attorney.

AB 26 would also establish the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund for the purposes of gang and immigration enforcement, and for county jail reimbursements relating to illegal immigration. California's unemployment is a horrendous 12.4 percent, second only to Nevada. Today I'm letting you know that Americans want jobs to go to legal American workers and this legislation is one part of that solution. I

thank you. Thank you Miss Wood. We'll go to Santa Barbara now for David Diaz. Mr. Diaz?

Good morning board, good morning board member chair. My issue today was that young lady who is killed in Tucson reminded me when I was a little kid here in Santa Barbara in the first second third grade I'd run around town during election year to the Republican headquarters and Democrat headquarters just so anxiously Wanting to understand and learn and be a part of the political process.

The mental health issue in this state, in this country, and I hope Wendy McCaw you can put your little article in your 100 days of Reagan that you have in the Santa Barbara News Press. The period where he freed and did not want to financially support people with mental issues taking them out of institutions and jails it's quite sad It's finally gone full circle. I thought this was going to happen decades ago, but fortunately it did not and unfortunately it just happened this last weekend.

It's very important that we keep an eye on what we're doing to the most vulnerable in our communities because that's where the disease begins. And the mental health issue is something that's not going to go away, and we have to deal with it. So in my question I hope all you Reaganites when you're looking back and seeing how glorified Reagan actually was he was a part of the official decay and perhaps we can learn from this event going full circle now and hopefully we can go in a positive direction and work together and not be so agitated at each other politically. Thank you very much.