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
North Point Project – Appeal of Condition 13
- The developer argued that annexation into the existing HOA is not legally required for road access.
- The HOA President requested the Board uphold the condition requiring an agreement on road use and shared amenities.
- Staff recommended upholding the appeal to allow the developer to either annex or form a separate HOA.
- The Board voted to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision supporting the HOA connection.
Budget Revision Request No. 1338 and Administrative Budget Revisions
- Staff clarified that Request No. 1338 is an internal object-level transfer rather than a release of designation.
- Item A-15 involves reclassifying Sheriff Patrol Services to comply with GASB Statement No. 54.
- Item A-16 includes a $75,000 revision for contractual services in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.
- The Board approved Item A-15 and all other revisions except for transfer number 0001338.
PG&E Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Briefing
- PG&E presented design differences highlighting higher ground acceleration and tsunami protection compared to Fukushima.
- Staff discussed the county’s nuclear power plant program, ingestion pathways, and emergency planning zones.
- The Board voted to receive and file the presentation materials.
- The Board also voted to reconvene at a special meeting to further consider options.
Treasurer’s Investment Pool Quarterly Report
- The pool’s cost valuation at March 31 was $993,362,423 with a weighted average maturity of 566 days.
- The pool earned $2,268,286 during the quarter and maintains an AAAF/S1 rating.
- Board members discussed the conservative investment policy and risk tolerance levels.
- The Board voted to receive and file the quarterly report.
No decision 0–0
County Debt Presentation
- Staff explained that long-term debt is used for capital assets while pay-as-you-go financing covers operating expenses.
- The county’s long-term debt is rated AA+ by Standard & Poor’s.
- Staff noted that calling Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds early would require a premium of approximately 30%.
- No specific motion or vote was recorded for this informational presentation.
Proposed Project Substitutions for Certificates of Participation
- Staff proposed reallocating 2010 RZEB funds to the Public Defender Remodel and Emergency Operations Center.
- Staff proposed using 2010 Tax-Exempt COP funds for the Tegas Landfill Liner Project.
- Reallocations require permission from the California Debt Limit Advisory Committee.
- The Board discussed the linkage between recommendations and the need for CEDLAC approval.
Administrative Agenda Item A-23
- The item involved recommendations for the Santa Barbara County Home Consortium and CDBG Action Plan.
- The Chair recused themselves due to a conflict of interest involving their law firm.
- Supervisor Farr assumed the role of chair for this specific item.
- The Board voted to approve Item A-23.
Resolutions
- One resolution proclaimed May 2011 as Military Appreciation Month to acknowledge local armed forces service.
- Another resolution proclaimed May 2011 as Mental Health Month to reduce stigma around mental disorders.
- Representatives from the Air Force and mental health agencies were present for the presentations.
- The Board voted to adopt both resolutions.
Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, the Petroleum Code
- Staff proposed defining high-risk operations based on violations lasting more than 30 days.
- The spill threshold would change from three releases of 25 barrels to two releases of 15 barrels.
- Staff recommended against adopting a third threshold for habitual small spills due to lack of data.
- The Board directed staff to make recommended amendments and return for adoption on July 12th.
Full summary
Agenda Item: North Point Project – Appeal of Condition 13 (HOA Annexation and Cost Sharing)
- Discussion: Public comment was received from a representative for the project developer, the President of the Village of North Point Homeowners Association (HOA), and an attorney representing the developer. The developer’s representative stated that the developer does not wish to annex into the existing HOA and argued that the HOA’s claim that annexation is required for road access is legally incorrect. The HOA President requested that the Board uphold Approval Condition 13, which requires an agreement with the HOA regarding road use, retention basins, and shared amenities. The developer’s attorney argued that Condition 13 is legally invalid because it places approval in the hands of a third party and suggested that disputes be resolved through the courts. Staff presented the history of the project, noting that the Planning Commission had previously recommended denying the appeal. Staff recommended that the Board uphold the appeal and grant de novo approval subject to original condition language allowing the developer to either annex or form a separate HOA and pay pro-rata shares.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision, which supported the HOA connection. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Budget Revision Request No. 1338 and Administrative Budget Revisions (Items A-15 and A-16)
- Discussion: Staff clarified that Budget Revision Request No. 1338 is an object-level transfer within the department, not a release of designation, and that the $180,000 program cost was absorbed by the department through maintaining vacancies and returning vehicles. Regarding Item A-15, staff explained that GASB Statement No. 54 requires reclassifying "Service Area 32" (Sheriff Patrol Services) as it no longer qualifies as a special revenue fund. Regarding Item A-16, staff discussed budget revisions for the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, specifically a $75,000 revision for contractual services.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to trail items A-15 and A-16 for discussion at a later date; this motion was seconded and passed. Later, a motion was made to approve Item A-15; this motion was seconded and passed. A motion was made to approve all budget revisions except for transfer number 0001338 (Item A-16); this motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: PG&E Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant – Briefing on Fukushima Event and Relicensing
- Discussion: The County Executive Office, Office for Emergency Services, and a PG&E representative presented briefings on the implications of the March 11, 2011, Japanese earthquake and tsunami for the Diablo Canyon plant. PG&E detailed design differences, noting Diablo Canyon is designed for higher ground acceleration (0.75 G vs. 0.36 G), is founded on rock, and has higher tsunami run-up protection (35 feet vs. ~21 feet). PG&E described safety features including reinforced concrete vaults, elevated diesel generators, underground fuel tanks, and gravity-fed water reservoirs. The presentation covered spent fuel storage capacities, dry storage canister specifications, and procedures for beyond design basis events. Staff from the Office for Emergency Services discussed the county’s nuclear power plant program, ingestion pathways, and emergency planning zones. Public comment was received from individuals expressing both support for and opposition to the plant, citing safety concerns, environmental risks, and energy needs.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to receive and file the presentation. The motion was seconded and passed. A separate motion was made to reconvene at a special meeting on the 16th to further consider options, including comparing actions with the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors. This motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Treasurer’s Investment Pool – Quarterly Report (Quarter Ended March 31)
- Discussion: The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented the quarterly report for the County’s Investment Pool. The pool’s cost valuation at March 31 was $993,362,423. The weighted average maturity is 566 days, and the pool earned $2,268,286 during the quarter. The pool is rated AAAF/S1 by Standard & Poor’s. Staff noted the pool provides full banking services in addition to investment services. Board members discussed the conservative investment policy, risk tolerance levels, and the financial implications of different investment strategies compared to city and special district investments.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to receive and file the report. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: County Debt Presentation – Historical and Current Use of Debt for Capital Projects
- Discussion: The Treasurer-Tax Collector, Auditor-Controller, and General Services Director presented an overview of the county’s debt practices. Long-term debt is used for capital assets, while pay-as-you-go financing is used for operating expenses. The county uses a Debt Advisory Committee to review financing requests and employs accelerated principal repayment. Current debt includes Certificates of Participation (COPs) and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEBs). The county’s long-term debt is rated AA+ by Standard & Poor’s. Staff explained that calling the RZEBs early would require paying a premium of approximately 30% or more.
- Motion and Vote: No specific motion or vote was recorded for this informational presentation.
Agenda Item: Proposed Project Substitutions for Certificates of Participation (COPs) Issued in 2005 and 2010
- Discussion: Staff presented recommendations for reallocating funds from the 2010 issuance. For the 2010 RZEBs (~$2.6 million), staff proposed reallocation to the Public Defender Remodel, Emergency Operations Center, and a scaled-down Better Avila building remodel. For the 2010 Tax-Exempt COPs (~$2.8 million), staff proposed reallocation to the Tegas Landfill Liner Project. Staff noted that permission from the California Debt Limit Advisory Committee (CEDLAC) is required for these reallocations. For the 2005 issuance, staff proposed using remaining funds (~$4.3 million) and surplus funds (~$500,000) to pay down debt service, resulting in savings to the General Fund. Board members discussed the linkage between the 2010 recommendations and the need for CEDLAC approval, as well as contingency plans if permission is denied.
- Motion and Vote: No final vote outcome was explicitly recorded in the provided segments for the specific reallocation motions, though the discussion indicated the Board was considering the linked actions subject to CEDLAC approval.
Agenda Item: Administrative Agenda Item A-23 (Housing and Community Development)
- Discussion: The item involved recommendations regarding the Santa Barbara County Home Consortium and CDBG Urban-County Partnership Final 2011 Action Plan. The Chair recused themselves due to a conflict of interest involving their law firm. Supervisor Farr assumed the role of chair for this specific item.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve Item A-23. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Resolutions
- Discussion: Two resolutions were presented: one proclaiming May 2011 as Military Appreciation Month, acknowledging the service of local armed forces members and urging support for veteran employment; and another proclaiming May 2011 as Mental Health Month, citing statistics on mental disorders and calling for reduced stigma. Representatives from the Air Force, Mental Health Commission, and Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services were present.
- Motion and Vote: Motions were made to adopt both resolutions. Both motions were seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Ordinance Amending Chapter 25, the Petroleum Code (High-Risk Operation Ordinance)
- Discussion: Staff reported on stakeholder feedback regarding proposed changes to the High-Risk Operation Ordinance. Key points included defining high-risk operations based on violations lasting more than 30 days, changing the spill threshold from three releases of 25 barrels to two releases of 15 barrels, and expanding remediation plan requirements. Staff recommended against adopting a third threshold for habitual small spills due to lack of data support. Board members discussed the rationale for the thresholds and the economic impact of the oil industry.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to direct staff to make the recommended amendments to the ordinance and return to the board on July 12th for adoption. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Public Comment
- Discussion: Several members of the public addressed the Board. Topics included concerns about home care worker conditions (Addis Healthcare), specifically potential wage cuts and loss of benefits; a conservatorship victim discussing lack of oversight; a representative for Valley Compost and Topsoil requesting a waiver of a minor CUP application fee; support for nurses during Nurses Week; and comments regarding the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. A retired Air Force captain expressed gratitude for the recognition of Military Appreciation Month.
- Motion and Vote: No motions were made, seconded, or decided. No vote was taken.
Adjournment
- Action: The board adjourned the meeting.