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
National Foster Care Month Resolution
- The Board presented a resolution to proclaim May 2011 as National Foster Care Month.
- Deputy Director of Social Services Delfino Nera and local foster parents were recognized during the presentation.
- The Board approved the resolution.
Employee of the Month Resolution
- A resolution was presented to honor Tom Donlan, Mary Ann Rahala, and Debra Troop from the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.
- The Board approved the resolution recognizing these employees.
Be Kind to Animals Week Resolution
- The Board presented a resolution to proclaim May 1–7 as Be Kind to Animals Week.
- Director of Animal Services Jan Glick and representatives from animal welfare organizations were recognized.
- The Board approved the resolution.
Compost Awareness Week Resolution
- A resolution to proclaim May 1–7 as Compost Awareness Week was presented to the Board.
- The Board approved the resolution.
Administrative Agenda Continuations
- Items A11, A12, and A13 regarding Janitorial Services Contracts were continued to the May 10 meeting.
- Item A22 concerning the Lower Mission Creek Flood Control and Restoration Project was also continued to May 10.
- A resolution from Supervisor Farr was withdrawn and continued to a future date.
Board Member Reports
- Supervisor Wolf requested an informational briefing from the CEO’s office regarding hydraulic fracturing activities in the county.
- Supervisor Carbajal requested that the Retirement Board’s recent report be presented to the Board as an administrative item.
- Supervisor Lavagnino announced an open house at his Santa Maria office scheduled for May 12.
Third Quarter Budget and Financial Status Report
- The General Fund is anticipated to end the fiscal year even, while the Mental Health Services Fund projects a net negative variance of $9.8 million.
- The Parks Department is implementing cost-saving measures to address a $600,000 deficit, and the Reprographics department is being restructured due to high costs.
- The Board received and filed the report per Government Code Section 29126.2.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
- The five-year CIP totals $812.8 million, with 30% of the funds currently secured and deferred maintenance costs accelerating to approximately $29 million.
- Public Works presented a $448 million plan, while Parks presented a $77.9 million plan with significant portions of projects unfunded or partially funded.
- The Board approved the CIP in concept and referred it to the Planning Commission for general plan consistency review.
Canoe and Kayak Rental Safety Report
- A member raised concerns regarding safety requirements for subcontractors managing canoe and kayak rentals.
- The discussion emphasized the need for stringent adherence to safety protocols, such as the use of life vests, to mitigate liability risks.
- A motion was made to accept and file the report, though no vote outcome is recorded in the transcript.
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on May 3, 2011. Supervisor Gray was absent due to illness; Supervisor Lavagnino served as Chair. The agenda included public comment, administrative resolutions, board member reports, and departmental presentations regarding the third-quarter budget and the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Public Comment
- Animal Control: A resident expressed dissatisfaction with Santa Barbara Animal Control’s adoption matching policies, alleging discrimination and requesting Board intervention.
- Home Care Aides: Daryl West, Agency Director for Addis Healthcare, and Alicia Castillo, a home care aide, spoke regarding proposed flat-rate wage reductions and loss of benefits for 79 aides.
- Nuclear Safety & Public Health: Jeff Bard discussed the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, advocating for nuclear power as part of the energy portfolio and highlighting secondhand smoke as a greater carcinogenic threat to children than nuclear radiation.
- Wildfire Awareness: A representative from the California Emergency Management Agency informed the Board that the week of May 1–7 is State Wildfire Awareness Week, noting that 94% of wildfires are human-caused and announcing a pre-fire season media conference in Solvang on May 26.
- Animal Volunteers: A representative from a non-profit animal welfare organization acknowledged the county’s animal shelters and its 350+ volunteers.
- Assessment Appeals: A member of the public expressed concern regarding the $65 per parcel non-refundable fee for assessment appeals, citing nonconforming parcels.
- Composting: Bob Engel of the United States Composting Council thanked the Board for the Compost Awareness Week resolution.
- Foster Care: Lillian Pipersburg, a foster parent, accepted the resolution on behalf of foster parents. A representative from the Probation Department announced an event on May 7 to recognize foster parents.
- Parks Operations: Parks staff discussed curtailments due to budget issues, including the closure of a vista point and efforts to generate revenue through yurts and cabins.
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Staff announced that NRC Region 4 is making a senior manager available for a presentation and discussion on June 16, 2016, in San Luis Obispo.
Administrative Agenda
- Approval of Minutes: The Board approved the minutes from the April 19, 2011 meeting. Motion carried.
- Item A1 (National Foster Care Month): A resolution to proclaim May 2011 as National Foster Care Month was presented. Delfino Nera, Deputy Director of Social Services, and foster parents were recognized. The Board approved the resolution.
- Item A2: A resolution from Supervisor Farr was withdrawn and continued to a future date.
- Item A3 (Employee of the Month - Agricultural Commissioner’s Office): A resolution to honor Tom Donlan, Mary Ann Rahala, and Debra Troop was presented. The Board approved the resolution.
- Item A4 (Be Kind to Animals Week): A resolution to proclaim May 1–7 as Be Kind to Animals Week was presented. Jan Glick, Director of Animal Services, and representatives from various animal welfare organizations were recognized. The Board approved the resolution.
- Item A5 (Compost Awareness Week): A resolution to proclaim May 1–7 as Compost Awareness Week was presented. The Board approved the resolution.
- Continuations: Items A11, A12, A13 (Janitorial Services Contracts) and Item A22 (Lower Mission Creek Flood Control and Restoration Project) were continued to the Board meeting on May 10.
- Speaker Requests: Speakers were listed for Item A32 (Diablo Nuclear Power Plant), Item A7 (Childhood Cancer Awareness Week), and Item A8 (Assessment Appeal Processing Fee).
- General Administrative Items: The Board approved the remaining administrative agenda items. Motion carried.
Board Member Reports
- Supervisor Wolf: Reported on attendance at the San Andres Valley Hotel Association meet-and-greet, an organic farming demonstration at Sedgwick Ranch, a library fundraiser in Vandenberg Village, and the People Helping People annual dinner. He requested an informational briefing from the CEO’s office regarding hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") activities in the county.
- Supervisor Carbajal: Reported on attendance at the Ecotopia event at the Canary Hotel, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum exhibit opening, the CEC Solarize Santa Barbara conference, the City-County Joint Affordable Housing Task Force, and a Retirement Board meeting. He requested that the Retirement Board’s recent report be presented to the Board as an administrative item.
- Supervisor Lavagnino: Reported on attendance at the Santa Maria Strawberry Festival, a California Women for Agriculture event, the COLAB 20-year anniversary party, and an SB CAN dinner. He highlighted the "Sports Roundtable" initiative providing free pizza to high school athletes and recognized Scott McAulpin for his United Way campaign management award. He announced an open house at his Santa Maria office on May 12.
Departmental Agenda
- Item 1: Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Third Quarter Budget and Financial Status Report
- Presentation: Dr. Stilwell presented the financial update as of March 31, 2011.
- Discussion:
- General Fund: The General Fund is anticipated to end the year even.
- Vote by Mail: Supervisor Lavagnino asked about the $350,000 shortfall for next year due to the state no longer funding vote-by-mail. The Elections Director confirmed the budget assumed state funding, which is no longer guaranteed.
- Parks Department: Supervisor Wolf asked about a $600,000 deficit. CEO Waller explained that Parks is implementing cost-saving measures, including curtailment of certain activities, to reduce the deficit. A press release was issued to inform the public.
- Mental Health Services Fund: The fund is projected to have a net negative variance of $9.8 million, primarily due to a $7.5 million timing variance related to prior period liabilities and true variances of $750,000 in revenue and PUF bed days.
- Reprographics Department: Supervisor Wolf inquired about the restructuring/elimination of the Reprographics department. CEO Waller confirmed the department is being restructured and potentially eliminated due to high costs and private sector competition.
- IHSS Wages: Supervisor Carbajal asked about the fund balance related to IHSS wages. The Social Services Director explained that the balance resulted from lower-than-projected authorized hours and the substitution of federal AERA funds for county general funds. A federal injunction currently prohibits wage reductions.
- Strategic Reserve: Supervisor Wolf asked about the $943,923 transfer from Housing and Community Development to the Strategic Reserve. Dr. Stilwell confirmed this was additional to the $5 million previously moved.
- Workers' Comp Fund: Supervisor Wolf asked about the $2.4 million in the Workers' Comp fund. Dr. Stilwell indicated the fund is actuarially sound but rates may still increase. The positive variance is due to a transition of claims administration to CSAC and lower-than-anticipated claims.
- New Jail Operations: Supervisor Wolf asked about a new $1 million line item for New Jail Operations. Dr. Stilwell explained this is a one-time designation for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed budget for FY 2011-2012 includes setting aside ongoing general fund for future jail operations to close a $17 million gap over several years.
- Road Fund: The Road Fund (Fund 15) has a positive variance of $720,000.
- Capital Project Fund: The Capital Project Fund (Fund 30) has a positive variance of approximately $800,000–$900,000 due to project timing delays.
- EMPOWER Fund: Staff noted the EMPOWER fund (Fund 1940) variance is related to a transaction processing and will roll over.
- Variance Thresholds: Staff clarified variance thresholds ($300,000 for general fund departments, $500,000 for special revenue funds) and the calculation method for projected variances.
- Decision: The Board received and filed the report per Government Code Section 29126.2. Motion carried.
- Item 2: Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2011–2016
- Presentation: Paddy Langlands of General Services presented on CIP projects, capital maintenance, and operations. The five-year CIP totals $812.8 million, with $247.1 million (30%) funded. The plan includes 30 new projects, 80 funded, 61 partially funded, and 58 unfunded.
- Discussion:
- Capital Maintenance: Langlands reported that deferred maintenance costs have accelerated to approximately $29 million.
- Public Works: Presented a $448 million plan (55.1% of total CIP), 43% funded. Key areas include Transportation ($300 million), Water Resources ($109 million), and Resource Recovery/Waste Management ($39 million). Notable projects include the Santa Maria Levy (federal match required) and Goleta Beach Lift Station.
- Parks: Presented a $77.9 million plan (9.6% of total CIP), 20% funded, 64% partially funded, 16% unfunded. Key projects include Cochuma Lake infrastructure, Goleta Beach erosion protection, and Walnut Park Playfields. Staff noted aging infrastructure and staffing reductions since 2002.
- General Services: Presented a $112.6 million plan (13.9% of total CIP).
- Projects: Updates were provided on the Emergency Operations Center (nearly complete), Lompoc Veterans Building seismic project, Cuyama Library, and Santa Maria Courts Building.
- Road Projects: Supervisor Wolf asked about the $500,000 designated for road projects. Mr. McLaughlin of Public Works explained this is in addition to Measure A funds.
- Traffic Mitigation: Supervisor Wolf noted that traffic mitigation fees have not been increased in all areas.
- Parks Projects: Supervisor Carbajal asked about the Lake Cachuma water park project. Mr. Roney of Parks confirmed it is a moderate-scale park.
- CIP List: Supervisor Lavagnino suggested adding footnotes to the CIP list to indicate which projects are revisions to previous entries.
- Planning: Staff clarified that the CIP is a planning document and that funding for the first year will be adopted during June budget hearings. The CIP will be referred to the Planning Commission for general plan consistency review.
- Decision: The Board approved the CIP in concept and referred it to the Planning Commission for general plan consistency review. A report will be returned to the Board in June following budget hearings. Motion carried.
- Acceptance and Filing of Report
- Discussion: A member raised concerns regarding safety requirements for subcontractors managing canoe and kayak rentals, emphasizing the need for stringent adherence to safety protocols, such as the use of life vests, to mitigate liability risks.
- Motion: A motion was made to accept and file the report received.
- Decision: No vote outcome is recorded in the provided transcript segment.
Adjournment
- The Board adjourned in memory of Elenita Merrill, who died on April 16 at the age of 87. The next meeting is scheduled for the following week in Santa Maria.