BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Supervisorial District Redistricting

• Public commenters presented conflicting views on map proposals, with Lompoc residents opposing city splits and Santa Ynez Valley representatives advocating for separation from Isla Vista.
• Staff reported that all 16 proposed maps maintained required Hispanic voting population thresholds in District 5, though approximately half significantly altered Isla Vista’s district assignment.
• The board passed a motion to keep Lompoc whole in a single district and to collapse Maps 7, 8, and 11 into a single consideration.
• The board conceptually adopted Map 9 with the condition that the Mesa neighborhood area from Map 6 be included to keep that community intact.

Agricultural Advisory Committee Guidelines and Grading Exemptions

• Staff recommended no changes to existing grading exemption protocols, noting they are similar to those in other coastal counties despite a broader local definition.
• Supervisors identified ambiguity in the ordinance due to references to non-existent Agricultural Advisory Committee guidelines.
• The board directed County Counsel to provide suggestions for addressing the missing guidelines and approved receiving and filing the report.

Laguna County Sanitation District Fees

• Staff proposed a 7% increase in annual sewer charges, a 2.4% increase in connection fees, and a 3.25% increase in the Bradley Trunk Line fee for strategic reserves.
• The board approved the first reading of the fee adjustment ordinance, with the second reading scheduled for the next meeting.

Fire Department Hazard Reduction Public Hearing

• Staff recommended declaring properties with non-compliant defensible space clearance as fire nuisances and authorizing abatement work under the Fire Code.
• The board approved the item, noting approximately 45 parcels are currently on the non-compliance list.

Solid Waste Enforcement Agency Program Fees (First Reading)

• Staff presented an ordinance to revise fees for solid waste facility owners, including tonnage fees, permit fees, and hourly rate adjustments to recover administrative costs.
• The board approved the first reading of the ordinance, noting that landfill operators are in concurrence with the proposed methodology.

Petroleum Code Amendment (High-Risk Operations) (First Reading)

• Staff presented amendments to the Petroleum Code that lower the trigger for high-risk operations from three releases of 25 barrels to two releases of 15 barrels.
• The board approved the first reading and continued the item to August 2nd for second reading and adoption.

Septic System Management Charges (Mission Canyon / CSA 12)

• Staff requested approval of the existing $24 per septic system management charge for the Mission Canyon area to fund safe operation programs and pumping rebates.
• The board approved the resolution establishing the charges and provided for collection on the tax roll for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Administrative and Departmental Agendas

• The board approved the administrative and departmental agendas as modified, excluding specific items such as parking restrictions on Anita Lane and redevelopment items.
• The board unanimously approved the Fire Department report, water and sewer fee increases, and planning and development permit fees.

Resolutions and Recognitions

• The board adopted resolutions recognizing Ed White for five years of volunteer service to Rigetti High School and James and Marina Friedrich for their support of early childhood education.
• The board approved a recognition for the Friends of the Orcutt Library for their fundraising efforts.

Closed Session

• Item A19 (Anderson Purissima Hills Conservation Easement) was trailed to the afternoon session for closed session discussion.

Agenda Item: Supervisorial District Redistricting

Public Comment and Presentation

• Public commenters presented various perspectives on the 16 proposed redistricting maps. Several residents and representatives from Lompoc, including the Lompoc City Council and Chamber of Commerce, opposed splitting the City of Lompoc, citing community of interest, geographic proximity, and potential annexations of surrounding areas. Others, including representatives from the Santa Ynez Valley and the Central Coast Wine Growers Association, argued for separating the Santa Ynez Valley from Isla Vista and UCSB, citing distinct agricultural and coastal interests. Conversely, residents of Isla Vista and UCSB, along with civil rights organizations, urged the board to keep Isla Vista and the university in the 3rd District, arguing that they form a cohesive community of interest and that moving them would disrupt historical continuity and voting rights. Additional comments addressed population balance between North and South County, the impact of prison populations on district calculations, and the preference for minimizing voter displacement.
• Staff presented an overview of the public engagement process, noting that seven bilingual workshops and seven GIS sessions were held. Staff reviewed the 16 public map proposals, highlighting population deviations ranging from 0.13% to 1.36% and confirming that all maps maintained or enhanced the Hispanic voting population in District 5 above the required threshold. Staff noted that approximately half of the maps significantly altered Isla Vista’s district assignment or split the campus and community.

Board Discussion

• Supervisors discussed the legal criteria, including equal population, compliance with the Voting Rights Act, and minimizing disenfranchisement. Supervisor Wolf expressed a preference for maps that keep the Mesa neighborhood in Santa Barbara intact and minimize voter displacement, citing Maps 6, 9, and 10. Supervisor Fisher indicated that Maps 4, 6, 9, 10, and 14 resonated with her, with a preference for Map 9. Supervisor Petrovich emphasized the importance of representing the county’s diversity and minimizing the division of unincorporated communities, indicating a preference for Map 10 followed by Map 9. Supervisor Carbajal argued for keeping Lompoc whole, noting that the city requested not to be split.

Motions and Votes

• Motion to Keep Lompoc Whole: Supervisor Carbajal moved to keep Lompoc whole in a single district. The motion was seconded. The vote was 3 to 2 in favor. The motion passed.
• Motion to Collapse Maps: Supervisor Lavagnino moved to collapse Maps 7, 8, and 11 into a single consideration due to their similarities. The motion was seconded. The vote was 3 to 2 in favor. The motion passed.
• Motion to Proceed with Conceptual Map: Supervisor Wolf moved to conceptually adopt Map 9, with the condition that the area outlined in Map 6 (approximately 900 people in the Mesa neighborhood) be reflected in Map 9 to keep that neighborhood intact. The motion was seconded. The board agreed to move forward conceptually with this direction, noting that staff would return with an ordinance for first reading on August 2. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Agricultural Advisory Committee Guidelines and Grading Exemptions

Discussion

• Staff presented a report on agricultural grading exemptions, comparing Santa Barbara County’s protocols with six other coastal counties. Staff noted that while most counties have narrow definitions of grading, Santa Barbara County has a broader definition. Staff recommended no changes to existing protocols, as the current exemptions are similar to those in other counties.
• Supervisor Wolf raised concerns regarding Section 14-8 of the ordinance, which references guidelines from the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC). He noted that these guidelines do not currently exist, creating ambiguity in the ordinance. Supervisor Fisher proposed that if AAC guidelines are intended to have the force of law, they should be codified in the ordinance and require board adoption. Supervisor Lavagnino stated that no action was required at this time but that further action would require directing staff.

Decision

• The board directed the County Counsel to provide suggestions on how to address the issue of the non-existent AAC guidelines, either by modifying the ordinance or eliminating the reference. Supervisor Lavagnino moved to receive and file the report. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Laguna County Sanitation District Fees

Presentation

• Staff presented the annual fee adjustment for the Laguna County Sanitation District. The proposal included a 7% increase in annual sewer charges to $589.18, a 2.4% increase in connection fees to $4,979 per residential unit equivalent, and a 3.25% increase in the Bradley Trunk Line fee to $1,997. Staff noted that the increase was primarily for strategic reserves for the existing plant and that Prop 218 notices were sent to 9,200 parcels and 880 mobile homes with no written responses received.

Decision

• The board approved the first reading of the fee adjustment ordinance. The second reading is scheduled for the next meeting. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Fire Department Hazard Reduction Public Hearing

Presentation

• Staff recommended that the board declare all properties whose owners have not performed defensible space clearance as a fire nuisance. Staff authorized the fire department to initiate necessary abatement work under Article 49 of the Santa Barbara County Fire Code. Staff noted that there are approximately 45 parcels on the non-compliance list and expressed hope to eliminate remaining non-compliances before enforcement is necessary.

Decision

• The board approved the item. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Solid Waste Enforcement Agency Program Fees (First Reading)

Presentation

• Staff presented a first reading of an ordinance to revise solid waste enforcement agency program fees, which are paid by owners of solid waste facilities. The fees, last revised in 2004, are designed to recover the costs of administering the enforcement program. The proposed revisions include a tonnage fee for landfills, annual permit fees for non-disposal entities, an application fee for new landfills, and an hourly rate adjustment. Staff noted that landfill operators are in concurrence with the proposed methodology.

Decision

• The board approved the first reading of the ordinance. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Petroleum Code Amendment (High-Risk Operations) (First Reading)

Presentation

• Staff presented a first reading of an amendment to Chapter 25 of the County’s Petroleum Code to address high-risk operations. This was the fifth hearing on the item. The proposed amendments include changing the definition of a "high-risk operation," changing the trigger for a high-risk operation from three separate releases of not less than 25 barrels to two releases of not less than 15 barrels, clarifying responsibilities for the preparation of remediation plans, and making minor cleanup changes.

Decision

• The board approved the first reading of the ordinance and continued the item to August 2nd for a second reading and adoption. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Septic System Management Charges (Mission Canyon / CSA 12)

Presentation

• Staff requested approval of the county’s septic system management charges for the Mission Canyon area (County Service Area 12). The assessment, in place since 1984, remains at $24 per septic system. Funds are used to administer a program for the safe operation of septic systems in difficult-to-serve areas and provide rebates for regular pumping.

Decision

• The board approved the resolution establishing the charges and provided for collection on the tax roll for fiscal year 2011-2012. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Administrative and Departmental Agendas

Discussion

• The board reviewed the administrative and departmental agendas. Items A14, A6, A10, A11, A12, and A15 were excluded from the administrative agenda approval. Item A14 (Parking Restrictions on Anita Lane) was continued to August 2nd. Item A19 (Anderson Purissima Hills Conservation Easement) was trailed to the afternoon session for closed session discussion. Items A10 and A11 (Redevelopment Items) were withdrawn from the agenda. Item A6 (Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services) involved a contract with the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for services from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, in the amount of $1,384,875. Item A15 (Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund) involved a grant contract with the City of Goleta. Item A20 (Laurel Labor Services) involved an agreement for on-call casual labor.

Decision

• Administrative Agenda: The board approved the administrative agenda as modified. The motion passed unanimously.
• Departmental Agenda: The board approved the departmental agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
• Fire Department Report: The board approved the Fire Department report. The motion passed unanimously.
• Water and Sewer Fees: The board approved the fee increase. The motion passed unanimously.
• Planning and Development / Permit Fees: The board approved the item. The motion passed 5-0.

Agenda Item: Resolutions and Recognitions

Discussion

• The board considered resolutions recognizing community contributions:
• A resolution recognizing Ed White for five years of volunteer service to Rigetti High School, including his role as president of the Booster Club and efforts in fundraising and expanding the athletic scholarship program.
• A resolution honoring James and Marina Friedrich for their support of early childhood education, including their establishment of a scholarship fund and service on the Governing Council of the Family Partnership Charter School.
• Recognition for the Friends of the Orcutt Library for their fundraising efforts.

Decision

• Resolution for Ed White: The resolution was passed and adopted.
• Resolution for James and Marina Friedrich: The resolution was passed and adopted.
• Recognition for Friends of the Orcutt Library: The recognition was approved.

Adjournment

• The board adjourned the meeting.