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iHow this transcript is madeUnGovr transcribes the official recording with automated speech-to-text, separates speakers by voice, and matches voices to the seated roster. Names and attributions are AI estimates and may contain errors.Verify any quote yourself: click anywhere in the transcript and the official video jumps to that exact moment, so you can check any quote against the recording.0:00 – 0:025 turns
2A 3.30 x (-0.00?) StSq2 2.60 There's plenty of chairs. And welcome to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County for the 18th of October, which is almost Halloween. Mr. Allen I think it's time to call the roll.
Ms. Barr? Here! Mr. Laragnino? Here. Mr Carbajal? Here. Ms Wolfe?
Here
Ms. Gray?
Thank you so very much. Just so folks will know what we're going to do, we're going to take the resolutions first because there are many folks that are here to be recognized and we'll get that taken care of and then they'll be free to go back to whatever they may be doing. But don't think you can't stay. If you want to stay and help us out, we'd love to have you all day long.
Mr. Allen, shall we start with... First of all let's approve the resolutions A1 through A6. Can I have a motion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay Mr. Allen shall we start with resolution number one.
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Madam Chair since we're starting with resolution 1 could I
You can do whatever you want to do, Mr.
Sparrow. Thank you, Madam Chair. If we could have Molly Barker come forward, Executive Director of Casa Del Herrero Foundation and any other member who would like to come up as well? You're all more than welcome. I know many of you are here for this celebration. Why don't
you raise your hand if you're here for this so we know? Oh that's wonderful.
Very proud today to be able to present the resolution today to Molly from Casa del Herrero. As you know, Santa Barbara County is rich in tradition and rich in many treasures that are landmarks But very few have gotten National Historic Landmark status. Just to give you an example of how significant this gem of a place, Casa La Herrera is to our heritage in Santa Barbara County and Montecito.
One of the other national landmark places here in Santa Barbara County is our courthouse And we all know how majestic that courthouse is to all of us who live here in town. And Casa Del Herrero recently received its National Historic Landmark status from the federal government and so today we are celebrating that, and it is a real honor for me to be able to present this to Casa del Herrero especially since I was staffed through Supervisor Naomi Schwartz When this, when that Board of Supervisors issued the conditional use permit to the Casa Del Herrero. So it is with great honor and pleasure that we present you this resolution. Mr. Allen if he could read the resolution please?
Yes, I'm sorry and I'm forgetting some of the most important details. Thank you Madam Chair. We're going to hear that about the Steadman Bass family and their contribution to really making this a reality and a possibility. And I think it's listed in the resolution but obviously we are all very indebted to them for their generosity in sharing this very historic house with the rest of the community. Mr. Allen?
Madam Chair, members of the board, this is item A1. It's a resolution honoring Casa del Herrero upon receiving National Historic Landmark Stats Whereas, Casa del Herrero was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of Interior in recognition of its importance in preserving the history and heritage of the United States. And whereas, in an area known for its many architectural achievements, Casa del Herrero stands out due to its legacy of being virtually unchanged since its construction in 1925 And for its significance as one of the most fully developed and intact examples of America's country place era that took form and flourished on the West Coast in the early 20th century. And whereas, Casa Del Herrero was built for George Fox Steadman and his wife Carrie who moved in on July 29, 1925, the day of the great Santa Barbara earthquake.
Led by renowned architect George Washington Smith, a unique setting that combined the main house, surrounding gardens and decorative arts was dealt by a team of world-recognized individuals that include Luta Maria Riggs, Ralph Stevens, Lockwood de Forest, Francis T. Underhill and Arthur and Mildred Byrne. And whereas, the Casa Del Herrero Foundation was founded by members of the Stedman family and now owns and operates the estate which is open to public for tours and other functions. Currently, Casa del Herrero provides fruit from its orchards to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County and the Diabetes Resource Center, partners with the Garden Club of America to use its greenhouse for growing plants for Refugio State Park, and offers educational opportunities for youth and licensed professionals to learn and study the architecture Designs that make Casa so special now therefore be it and is hereby ordered and resolved at this Board of Supervisors honors Casa de Jorano Upon it being designated as a National Historic Landmark And commends the Steedman family and Bass family as well as the community volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure The lasting legacy of this unique and significant part of our local and national history pass and adopt it today
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Casa Del Herrero Foundation, family members. The volunteers and docents and the staff, I'd like to thank you for this resolution. It means a lot to us. It took a lot of people to make Casa del Rero accessible to the public so I'd like to thank some of those people that are here today. First and foremost, I would like to thank the family members. Could you just raise your hand for a second? Come on George!
Without their foresight and generosity, the CASA never would have been made accessible to the public. And chief among those advocates for that is George Bass. I want to personally thank him and I know the whole organization wants to thank him very much. He's our founding trustee. It was due to his determination and generosity that the concept really came into being a foundation. But then, after the family comes the local community that had to support this effort. And we were very fortunate to have the local community embodied by Joan Jackson, Dan Idelson and Jane Byreth who are here amongst us. Could you raise your hand just for a second? Thank you. These people are the ones that bushwhacked the garden back into shape, gracefully got a CUP through And then train docents to lead tours.
So in 1995 we started tours and they've been going great ever since, and that's due to our fantastic docents who I have to say I would put them up against any house museum docents in the country. They're the best. Then we have our staff without them the fountains wouldn't get cleaned or the phones answered so I have to thank my staff as well. So, we're taking this opportunity to actually renew our dedication to the stewardship of Casa Del Herrero. And we invite the community to join us. We know that we want to up our level of stewardship and service to the community and we hope you join us. So thank you.
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Madam Chair and if you have not had a chance, my colleagues on this board to visit this extraordinary treasure. I encourage you to go by they do have tours and it is just an exquisite beautiful place to visit
Thank you, Supervisor. The next resolution is also Supervisor Carbajal and this is to proclaim October 28th through the 30th as Red Ribbon Week in Santa Barbara.
Thank you, Madam Chair. If we could have Ms. Penny Jenkins, Executive Director of the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse come forward. Again it is a great honor for me to present this resolution. We know the perils and challenges that our country faces regarding substance abuse issues and abuse issues. And we know many of the individuals who get caught up with these substances Many of them end up doing it because it is a disease that has been defined by the medical community as a disease, and it's important to understand it because when we put resources and we look at prevention efforts, it's so important to really try to do everything we can to help individuals not get into those substances. And then those that have found their way into using these substances are helping them come back to being productive members of our community.
Fighting back and the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse have been doing that under the leadership of Penny Jenkins for many years, somebody I've worked with for many years. And it is a great honor for me to present this resolution to Ms. Penny Jenkins and her staff from the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Mr. Allen if you could read the resolution please?
Madam Chair and members of the Board, this item 2 has a resolution proclaiming October 23rd through 31st as Red Ribbon Week in Santa Barbara County. Whereas Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country that focuses on drug prevention education opportunities to promote drug-free lifestyles with the ultimate goal of eliminating drug use and the associated impacts of addiction.
Whereas, the National Red Ribbon Campaign is an annual effort that takes place in the last week of October and offers residents the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles by promoting visible unified prevention and education efforts with an estimated 80 million individuals nationwide who participate. And whereas the Red Ribbon Campaign was established by Congress in 1998 to encourage a drug-free lifestyle in honor of Enrique Kiki Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was murdered in the line of duty.
Law enforcement, religious institutions, service organizations, schools and youth will demonstrate their commitment to healthy drug-free lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons and wristbands during this weeklong campaign. Now therefore be it and is hereby ordered and resolved that the Board of Supervisors proclaims the week of October 23rd to 31st as Red Ribbon Week in Santa Barbara County and encourages all residents to support and participate in alcohol and other drug prevention activities that are planned, passed and adopted today.
I want to thank you very much. You have all been wonderful and we're all working together to build a healthier, safer community and I appreciate it. We will be having red flags down State Street for Red Ribbon Week and we will be passing out wristbands to people and you have a wristband and it says it's up to me to be drug free And we are passing them out to all the kids in school, and we would love for everyone to wear them.
And Red Ribbon Week ends with the Summit for Danny. which is a mountain climb. It's in Montecito and it raises money for the Daniel Brant Youth and Family Treatment Center, provides scholarships for kids to get them healthy and off of alcohol and drugs. So Red Ribbon Week we've had a lot of things involved with it. We had our poster celebration in the courthouse this weekend and the kids make posters and then calendars come out with all their sayings about why they're going Be safe and drug-free and healthy.
I thank you for the opportunity My staff is here, and we all have been working on this as well as our other things but we really appreciate your support, and I know you get my emails and But it's a cause that I appreciate that you support Thank You Thank You
This next resolution I'm sponsoring and it's an honor, but it's also incredibly sad to recognize that Steve Underwood who has been with the county for 28 1⁄2 years. Believe me, Steve. It seems like 128 and I'm sure that it seems that way to you too because we've been here a long, long time. So I'm going to go down and present this to Steve Underwood, a very special individual. And Mr. Allen, if you'll read that resolution.
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Madam Chair, members of the board, this is item A3. It's a resolution of commendation for Chief Assistant County Counsel Stephen D. Underwood upon his retirement from the office of county counsel. Whereas Stephen D. Underwood will retire on October 28, 2011 after 28 and a half years of faithful and distinguished service to the County of Santa Barbara. And whereas Stephen D. Underwood's career began with the county on April 11, 1983 as a risk counselor for the County Council's Office of Risk Management where he created and implemented programs to protect county taxpayers from legal liability. These programs continue to benefit the county to this day.
Whereas Stephen D. Underwood was promoted to Senior Deputy County Counsel in 1985, to Chief Deputy in 1990 and to Chief Assistant in 2001. Roles in which he provided valuable leadership to the county counsel's office while continuing to win court victories for and dispense wise legal advice to this board, the sheriff and many other clients throughout the county. And whereas, Stephen's steady rise to the organization is as much a testament to his professional skills and dedication to public service as it is to his good nature, quick humor, and many other outstanding personal qualities which have won him friendship, trust, and respect from clients and colleagues alike.
And whereas, Steven D'Underwood has also brought recognition and respect to the county as the County Management Association's 2000 Manager of the Year, as General Counsel for the California State Association of Counties Access Insurance Authority and is a professor of law. Now therefore, it is hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors commends Stephen D Underwood for his faithful and distinguished service to the citizens of Santa Barbara County, congratulates him upon his retirement, and wishes him and his wife Barbara continued good health and many years of happiness. Passed and adopted.
Mr. Underwood, I would love to hear what you have to say
and
also that this is exciting because we attorneys don't often get standing ovations.
Well, I do want to thank all of the board members for this resolution. I really appreciate it and I am so appreciative And I hope the chair and the rest of the board will indulge me to make a few comments. You know, it's hard to stop a lawyer from saying something. We believe we have something to say even when we don't. A funny thing happened to me on the way to work today.
I could not get in the parking lot. My card would not work. I'm already obsolete. I mean, I haven't left yet but someone thinks I should be gone. I don't know if my parents are watching. They're at Moravia, they live in Moravia and I just wanted to say hello to them. Appreciate them and thank them. When I started with the county in 1983, I was 33 years old. I had a good bit of hair.
Even in the 90s had a mullet. I hate to admit that but I did. And a red beard. So you can see what 28 1⁄2 years of working with the county will do to somebody. I also brought something here. It's a, I found this as I was going through my desk. This is the first letterhead that I had when I was with the county and you can see it looks almost like parchment paper so that indicates how long I've been here. Again perhaps keeping me out of the parking lot was an omen.
It has been a pleasure to work for the county. I have been blessed to have a job that I really love and has given me great satisfaction And I looked forward to coming to work every single day. And as I was getting close to retirement, I sort of just kept thinking about how many times I've come through that back door, how many times I've walked up the stairs, too many times perhaps that I've used the elevator instead of walking up the stairs. But it all sort of came back to me and flooded back to me from that first day that I came here and was interviewed. And I saw the big sign, County Council, as I walked into the second floor. I was so impressed I come from Mendocino County.
Our offices were in the old jail, we had bars on the wall so this to me was like you know a palace and so I was very happy when I got the job offer in 1983. Every day it seemed as if something was new awaiting me some new challenge some new case some new legal issue that was exciting was interesting and fun to work on I've had the opportunity to work on many interesting cases for the county and many legal issues. They've pushed me professionally, some were a little crazy, severed heads, bodies rising from the dead, music bands in Isla Vista. I've had a lot of things that have gone on in the 28 1⁄2 years but I approached them all with a view to doing the best that I could for the county To protect the county's interest and to give and provide solid legal advice.
I've been blessed to have been able to work with many great colleagues in County Council's office. I've lasted, maybe lasted isn't the right word but I've had six county councils or interim county councils throughout my career and they've had many different styles and I've learned a lot from them and I want to thank them and I want to thank Dennis too as well.
But I really want to thank my colleagues, the people that are back here that I've worked with on a day-to-day basis. They are very important. They do hard work. They do good work and I just really want to just let them know how much I appreciate them. There's a special group of about 12 lawyers and eight support staff who I directly supervise including people, attorneys in child welfare, workers' comp Employment and litigation, the attorneys and staff.
And I particularly want to thank you guys very much. I appreciate you so much. I can't leave though without mentioning something that troubles me. I've dedicated over 32 years of my life to public service as a public employee. That's been over half my life in almost all of my adult life And I've always been proud to be a public employee. But today the name public employee seems to be a bit tainted, certainly in the media and even unfortunately in the public's view.
We're now viewed by many disparagingly and with disrespect. Our value to our communities is questioned. Our pay and benefits are under attack. And that saddens me because I know how hard they work. Not sure why or how we let that happen because it really in my opinion is not a realistic view of what we do, who we are and the value we provide each and every day.
Public employees I know and work with are dedicated and loyal to this county and we can't get along without them. I realize that in these times of belt tightening and loss of jobs that we all need to do our part but we cannot tighten the belt too far or we face the prospect of losing valuable and well-trained employees and may fail to attract the best and brightest new employees.
I know your board is very aware of these issues, and I know you know how valuable the county employees are, and I know that you appreciate them, and thank you for that. Even though I'm retiring from the county, I will continue to work full-time. My wife is very happy about that since I won't be home bothering her. I'll be starting on Halloween Day as a professor of law and faculty chair for the Santa Barbara Ventura Colleges of Law Law schools are moving in an exciting new direction and I'm very proud and happy to be a part of that.
My wife Barbara is here, and she's retiring the same day I am after more than 17 1⁄2 years of working for the County Treasurer Tax Collector and the Department of Social Services. Combined we have over 46 years of service for the county Santa Barbara. I'm sure that's not a record but we are both very proud of our service to the county And as soon-to-be retirees, we are very happy to be getting the pensions we so rightly deserve.
Well there's one more thing. You know you can't shut a lawyer up. I will be filing a workers' comp claim and I want you to know that Dennis. Ray Romatoreo is here and so I probably just hand it to him as I walk out. I've been diagnosed with ABDB Accumulative Budget Deficit Disorder. You get that from having to deal with too many deficit budgets. I have PTSD, Potentially Troubling Stress Disorder.
With this you know something caused the stress but you're not sure how or why. And finally COSBD, County of Santa Barbara Disorder You get this when you've had a long, wonderful career and know you'll miss all the many people you've had the pleasure to work with. Thank you for this resolution. It's been a pleasure working with you. This is probably my last time in front of you and thank you very much.
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Steve, we are deeply grateful to you. You are a class act and it's been a real pleasure working with you and I'm certain that you'll be back. You can bring your students over and have them practice doing public comment if nothing else. Thank you. The last resolution is from Supervisor Wolf.
Thank you, Chair Gray. I just wanted to tell Mr. Underwood, you probably couldn't see the folks behind you but as you're speaking and even as I'm speaking right now they are wiping away some tears and I think certainly it's tears of sad...I can't say why they are crying but I can surmise I can surmise why they're crying and I think it's a combination of sadness and inspiration. You've just been terrific, and as Supervisor Gray said, a class act and we will certainly miss you and obviously your colleagues will miss you.
Thank you. It is now my pleasure to I want to ask Bob Nesbitt and folks from your department, Mr. Nesbitt because the Board of Supervisors is proclaiming and adopting a resolution for the month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month And the term employment awareness is really important as it relates to the folks in our community, the treasured folks in our community who suffer from disabilities. Not any of the ones that Mr. Underwood mentioned but other disabilities whether they be physical or mental.
Disabilities and the fact that I know within our county, and we have Miss Wells here who works very hard in return to work programs for people in our county who have suffered disabilities to bring them back to work. And a modified or alternate job position or light duty position. I'm pleased that our county is on the forefront of doing that, but it's important for the entire community to know and to understand the importance of folks who may suffer from a disability and the benefit that they provide to an employer. And so we encourage everyone to be aware of this treasured group of people in our midst who may suffer from a disability, but certainly do not suffer from being an excellent employee and amazing employees willing to work and do their best.
So I thank you all for being here and I'll come down and we'll have Mr. Allen read the resolution
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Madam Chair, members of the Board. Item A4 is a resolution proclaiming the month of October 2011 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month whereas October 2011 is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and whereas persons with disabilities have an unemployment rate of 16.1% while persons without disabilities have an unemployment rate of 8.8%.
And whereas persons with disabilities are America's largest and most diverse minority group, compromising 21% of the US labor force. And whereas persons with disabilities are a vital and dynamic part of our county, and their contributions have impacted countless lives. And whereas, through awareness training and support persons with disabilities can access opportunities for employment enabling them to become integrated and contributed citizens of Santa Barbara County.
And whereas October 2011 has been declared National Disability Employment Awareness Month and whereas this year's theme is profit by investing in workers with disabilities now therefore be it ordered and resolved that the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County does hereby observe the month of October 2011 As Disability Employment Awareness Month in the county of Santa Barbara hasn't adopted today.
Mr. Nesbitt?
Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the board. I'm quite pleased that they have a national disability employment awareness month for us. It is business as usual. It is a component part of our risk management division. Ms. Deborah Wells Who has left me, is our Disability Manager and Back to Work Coordinator. The program wouldn't work first without your board making it a priority and her tireless work coordinating with the departments to make it work. Three departments in particular I'd like to point out who had 100% success rate in bringing employees who had some type of temporary disability offering them employment so they could come back to work are the Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services Department the Parks Department and the Public Health Department.
So it is a great program, it's good for the employee, it's good for the employer and it gets the employee back to work and studies show that that's good for them in getting past their disability if it's temporary. Last comment, such a great program. If Steve does file that claim maybe we can get him into the Back to Work Program.
Whoa, Steve shot himself in the foot there, didn't he?
Thank you. I
was just kidding. Thanks Mr. Nesbitt. That concludes our resolutions for the day. I would like to quickly recognize, I know you gave me that Mr. Allen. They're volunteered. I'm sorry. Oh, yes. Tina Meyer is a part-time employee in Human Resources. She volunteers to drive for the American Cancer Society, the Road to Recovery product. She tells a story about driving one very frail woman who just Despite being very ill, had an exceptionally positive outlook on life. As Tina drove her to her treatment the woman would talk about how grateful she was for her life and especially for the time she was able to spend with grandchildren. Tina we salute you and thank you for being a volunteer. At this time we're going to take about three minutes and let folks leave and then we'll get to our administrative agenda so thank you if you choose to leave you can leave now.
I there. ¶. ¶¶ ♪ Yeah. Mr. Allen, what do we have in reference to the A agenda? What do we need to do?
Madam Chair, members of the board. First off I'd like to announce that we've had requests to withdraw several items from the administrative agenda and I'll list those right now. That would be item A5 from Supervisor Gray. That's a resolution of commendation for a sheriff's deputy that's being pulled. We have item A15 from Public Works. That's to consider recommendations regarding the establishment of disabled persons parking zones In Orkut Old Town area and also in Summerlin, and that item is also being withdrawn from the agenda. Item A-16 from Supervisor Farr. It's a request to appoint an individual to the Mosquito and Vector Management District. That's being withdrawn from the agenda. And finally, Item A-18 for Public Works. This was set hearing item.
Regarding a resolution in support of Old Town Orchid Gateway Monument and Veterans Memorial Public Art Project, and that is also being withdrawn from the agenda. And we also have requests to speak on items A-10 and also A-19, A-14, A16, and A12
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All right. Let's let's oh and we have an X agenda item that needs to be placed on. That's correct. Yes
Madam Chair I would like to move that the board grant my request to discuss this item add it to the agenda.
X one. Is that a motion is there a second?
I'll second that.
All in favor say aye.
Aye.
All right hold on hold on Where is that information? Is it here? It's
in the stack. And Madam Chair, we should probably decide where in the agenda we would add it to for discussion.
OK
I just want to ask our county council before we vote on this because I know that there are certain reasons why we would have an ex-agenda item and the Brown Act. I just want to make sure This request meets that standard.
Yes, Madam Chair we've reviewed this there is the ex-agenda request form that provides the appropriate documentation for your board by 4 fifth vote to approve adding this to the agenda.
Okay so we have a motion and second?
So okay you want to take a vote?
All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed?
No
no okay So we are going to be discussing item A, or X1. Let me get this down. We also have a group of folks that want to speak on A19 which is kind of the same as X1 because they all have to do with Guadalupe and the lost city and so on. And the road. And the Dune Center. So why don't we start with A-19 and then go to X1?
Madam Chair, point of order. I got a notice from the clerk that A- 19 was being pulled.
No.
So OK. I'm sorry then, I thought it was being pulled. But then I need to make a correction on item A-19 just for the record. I spoke to Ms. Waller about this yesterday. The summary text talks about... Actually, I can hold off. Are we going to talk about A- 19 right now? So the summary text says that the board directed that planning and development staff return with a report on an expedited process It wasn't the board that directed it. It was our CEO who suggested that they move forward. I know this sounds picky, but this was not agendized and I want to make sure that it's clear that it wasn't the board who made that direction. So it's a minor issue, but I think it's important distinction.
So yours is in the summary or in the minutes that you're upset
about? It's in the summary text. It's item A-19, it's in the summary text because we didn't direct. CEO Waller if you want to comment.
Chairwoman Supervisor, as you recall that I believe came to you during public speaking and so it actually was at my direction in response to the public speaker. Since it was not an item that the board actually could take action on, that's probably a more appropriate way to note it that it was the CEO that directed the planning and development staff.
And as far as having it on the agenda, that was my direction because I wanted it on the agenda so that in the event that the board wanted to talk about it they can in fact talk about it.
And I and I have no issue with that. I think that's fine. I just, I think that we need to just make sure that the board agenda letter is accurate and it just says that and I would have done this yesterday except I thought it was being pulled so I just want the board letter to reflect what actually happened.
It's amazing how confusing things can get when we have even a short agenda like this. All right. So Mr. Allen if you will kindly read A19 into the record and X1 And I'm going to combine the two of them.
Madam Chair, members of the Board, item A-19 is from Planning and Development. It's to receive and file a report on the lost city Guadalupe Dunes Archaeology Project. And X1 is from Supervisor Farr. The request is that the board approve a grant in the amount of $20,000 to the Guadalupe Napomo Dunes Center which is a registered 501c3 nonprofit corporation. And we have six requests to speak on these items. Ms. Waller? Excuse me. I'm sorry.
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Excuse me. I was just going to ask, and possibly I missed this. Did you want to go ahead and act on the remaining portion of the admin
agenda? Yes. Thank you. Mr. Allen, you were supposed to remind me. Okay. The rest of the agenda that hasn't been... Is there a second? All in favor? Aye. Those folks that aren't involved in this discussion may now go back to work. Thank you.
Madam Chair, we've read into the record items A19 and X1. And our speakers will start with Dr. Robert Johns here in Santa Barbara to be followed by Sam Cohen here in Santa
Barbara. Before we start, come on down, Dr. Johns, but Ms. Waller did you want to say anything about this A19? That's a yes or no answer I mean if
I didn't have anything to add, although I was pondering for a moment because I was like oh my gosh. Was there something I was forgetting? But I think not. We did provide you what staff understood to be the results of the discussion and then we also provided a letter from the applicant clarifying what their perceptions were so I think that pretty much gives the information that the board asked as far as what the status of the project was after last week's meeting.
Okay Dr. Johns
Obviously, the Planning Commission dropped the ball on this. Dr. Russell you ought to be fired. This is cultural significance, history and you look at me and smile a little bit. You know that Carvajal wouldn't fire you but you ought to be fired. And let me say that this is an indication of the significance of the cultural aspects, the cultural historical filming.
The industry here they look to Santa Barbara as a place where they can be receptive to this type and someone drops the ball like this? Dr. Russell, I've repeated three times you ought to be fired. Now the $20,000 here, I accept Guadalupe, the non-project should receive the $20k but let me be very specific about why this $20K is coming up to be given to them.
They should get it for loss of jobs in this particular project and when When you are actively, this county is actively involved in the loss of jobs at this particular time. That's unheard of and so no one's that really interested in this. This is just it's inhumane. I'm just wondering what is going on in this county anyway?
Thank you, Dr. Johns. Mr. Cohen?
Mr. Cohen is our next speaker to be followed by John Justice.
Madam Chair and members of the Board of Supervisors, Sam Cohen with the San Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. I personally appeared at the last Board of Supervisor's meeting in Santa Maria Make an offer that the tribe has agreed to, to monitor any excavation at the Guadalupe Dunes Project. At no cost to the project to expedite any cultural resource issues. I am here again to reiterate that remark and also to provide for the record a letter from the tribal government to document that remark.
I'll be here if you need me for any additional questions or comments. Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Cohen.
Our next speaker is John Jost. He's going to be followed by Lupe Alvarez in Santa Maria.
Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm John Jostis here today representing the Restoration Subcommittee which is a partnership of the State Coastal Conservancy and the Department of Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and Response. And the restoration subcommittee has had a 10 year experience in distributing the funds that come out of the restoration endowment which is a part of the oil spill settlement with Union Oil back in the late 1990s.
And we have seen a significant decline because of the economic downturn in the amount of interest that that fund generates, and we have really come up far short of what we would like to do in terms of supporting the Dunes Center and supporting the rest of the Dunes Collaborative Who engage in restoration and visitor services enhancement in this 20,000 acre magical resource of the Guadalupe Nepomu Dunes. And we are truly appreciative of Supervisor Spahr's intent to try to help the Dune Center with this grant. They really serve as a leader not only in the community but a clearinghouse for the educational opportunities And the administration of a 12 member collaborative entity that seeks to restore both the natural resources of dunes and provide visitor services.
And I'll just relay one point. When I first started working on this project and this program in 2001, I came to the Dunes Center. We were going to run a meeting downstairs of the greenhouse. So we had to stop our meeting because of the shrieks and screams of children upstairs discovering what the dunes were all about. And the Dune Center's educational programs that outreach to close to 6,000 kids in a K through 12.
In both Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, they are turning students on to science and natural resources that are changing people's lives. And that is one of the significant reasons why the Restoration Subcommittee has awarded them funds over the past 10 years. Our funds have dropped from over $150,000 in 2000 9 to we have less than $15,000 at this point in time to help the Dune Center focus on their mission which is environmental education. And I urge you strongly on behalf of the Coastal Conservancy and the Fish and Game to help them through this extremely tough time. Thank
you for being here today. You bet.
Thank
you.
Our next speaker is Lube Alvarez in Santa Maria, followed by Frances Romero in Santa Maria.
Mayor Alvarez?
Good morning. Thank you, good morning Supervisors. I'm here today to speak on behalf of the Ten Commandments Excavation Site and as the mayor of my community we're very concerned for the lost jobs. We're very concerned for the lost public publicity that we were going to receive for this that was going to be instrumental in giving us a shot in the arm not only to Guadalupe but to Santa Maria Valley as a whole and also the county Santa Barbara Our unemployment rate is close to 15%, which is not much off for many other cities in Santa Barbara County. I've also want to share that per capita income for the community is about $11,000 per year. 24% of families living below the poverty level compared to the county at 8% or the state at 10%.
Forty percent of our population 25 years or older have achieved less than a ninth grade education compared to the US average of 6.5%. These numbers are huge, we're a disadvantaged community and this project was one that was much needed. I'm not mad at the Board of Supervisors, I'm mad at the process, I am mad as to how it was handled, I am very disappointed.
Whether you go to a North County P&D office or the South County P&B office The process should be the same. It doesn't matter where you go, the end result is the same policy should be in place for everybody. I believe everybody on the team did everything that was right. They followed the procedures they were told that they had done everything yet at the last minute it was canceled for whatever reason and unfortunately this will affect my community for many many years. I'm hoping that with the expedited permits which we are very appreciative for I'm hoping that this project will continue next year.
Supervisor Farr, Supervisor Joni Gray, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for putting this ex-agenda item on. It really means a lot to us. I do want to read something that was just shared with me this morning. This is on SkyWest Airline Magazine. The article states movie fans can search for remnants of the 1923 Ten Commandments filmed here. In other words they're advocating come to Guadalupe Beach and I urge the county parks and recreation to Preserve the site, make sure that none of this actually takes place and that we expedite these permits as fast as possible.
Again thank you for adding this item to the ex-agenda list and we hope that you approve the $20,000 for the Dune Center. Thank you.
Mr. Alvarez if you could come back to the podium please I have a question and a statement. First does the city of Guadalupe contribute towards the center at all by any chance?
Supervisor Carbajal, thank you for that question and I'd like to share with you that we have a deficit currently. Go ahead and answer Mayor, I'm sorry. Yes, thank you. The answer is no we are doing two prolo days a month. We are bare bones skeleton crew as a city right now. We are trying to meet the needs of my community and unfortunately this would have helped us with sales tax would help us with exposure hopefully trying to lure a hotel there was international media coming into the community which has been turned away.
Thank You Mr. Alvarez I do appreciate that You said you don't hold us supervisors, they're not mad at us. And I really do appreciate that as you know organizations there's enough blame to go around sometimes with these projects. You know I recall I was on SB CAG where under your leadership I didn't hold that against you but Guadalupe did not submit their audits for Measure D to get their money on time but those things happen I understand. But I just wanted to share and appreciate That you said that obviously, you were identifying the process and certainly sometimes I'm disappointed in the process as well. But I just wanted a parallel process that I'm familiar with your city that was similar and I do appreciate your understanding.
Thank you Supervisor. Mayor, I apologize that you were interrupted. Do you want to go ahead and finish what you were saying before Supervisor Carbajal jumped in?
Thank you. Yes, we were late with our audits. The reason we were late with our audits is because we had no city finance director at the time and we were in transition. Being that we're a small city, we don't have additional support staff so we were behind. They were submitted, we did get the monies, they were not lost but you have to remember my city is small population 7000. We don't have unlimited resources or staff and A small city struggles, yet we try to provide the services for our community just as the City of Santa Barbara or the City of Santa Maria. It's just harder for a smaller city.
Thank
you. Thank
You Mayor. Supervisor Lovanino did you have something?
0:53 – 0:599 turns
No.
Thank you any other comments any other questions for the mayor? Thank You Mayor Francis Romero is that right Mr. Allen?
That's correct Madam Chair. Francis Romero to be followed by Robin Hayhurst in Santa Maria.
Good morning Chair Gray, Supervisors, members of the public and those that have supported us. My name is Frances Romero and today I'm acting as Executive Director of the Dunes Center but I also want to say that I live in Guadalupe and that's why this is so hard it's not just about a job. I'm here today out of respect for the public process and the record. I believe there are a couple of items that are worthy of clarification Your second staff memo properly states the status of the project. It won't go forward in December despite staff's best efforts to expedite the process, and they have been very helpful. An application was submitted last Friday.
This isn't because the applicants don't want to do a project. It's an issue of risk. Staff looked at a calendar and based their schedules on the fixed issues that they have control over, things like noticing and appeal periods. While we appreciate this, it just didn't take into account The other things that the project had already looked at being weather, work schedules and the hiring of staff.
The only other issue is that they're not willing to start work without a permit and that's really the only way that the staff schedule works. On Saturday, the Santa Maria Times article discussed the application and Dr. Parker Provided some comments. His comments were as follows, very good story Marga according to your article Dr. Russell Santa Barbara County said in January I reviewed the project and determined that a coastal development permit was required that was communicated to the applicant Parker Mr. Russell and I had no contact in January when I applied for the permit In fact, I didn't even know Glenn Russell was the planning director until this whole thing hit the fan on September 27th or 28th. I received nothing verbally or in writing from the Planning Department other than our stamped except permit application allowing the project to proceed."
That's Dr. Parker's comment that he posted on the Santa Maria Times website in response to Saturday's article. The reason I read this is because I was the one that suggested that Dr. Parker call the planning director who is an archaeologist for an archaeologist to archaeologist discussion. I told him this on 9-28, and when I told him that Glenn Russell was the director he was very surprised. He didn't know he worked there.
This whole process has been difficult. The applicant was exempt in 84-92 and earlier this year pretty much once a decade. Had the CDP been able to go forward without a hearing maybe we could have gotten to the project now. As for the Dune Center, we did lose contract income and other related funding totaling $20,000. This would have helped offset a very tough year of transition for us. I'm not an executive director by training or experience. Of 108,000, basically our budget for this year was about $269,000 and 72,000 of that has not occurred this year as a result of grants and other funding opportunities that were rejected or reduced.
Time is up.
I just want to say thank you so much, Supervisor Gray and Supervisor Farr for all your efforts on our behalf. Thank you. Ms.
Wolfe? Ms. Romero, I have a couple of questions.
Certainly.
When this issue came up last week, I was caught off guard and so I really don't know all the background about What's what's been going on with the permits except from you know what I'm hearing at these meetings and in the press. But what is also before us today is the $20,000 to your organization and I think that Supervisor Farr, the reason I voted against it was not because I disagreed with Supervisor Farr's desire to help organization in her district.
The reason I voted against it was because I don't feel that I have enough information knowing that your organization is in, that you will close down if you don't get that $20,000. I also voted against it because I do believe that it will set a serious precedent for this board. I have many non-profit organizations in my community, in my district that are struggling.
They struggle every day. Because of the economy, they're not getting the grant funding. A lot of their donations are down. So it's a concern I believe countywide. So I don't have any documentation in front of me that says if you don't get the $20,000, you're going to close your doors. What I do have in front of was your 990 exempt form, your income tax form that's dated March 2011. And it shows that in the current year, well it shows that there are total assets over a million dollars, $1,000,001.
It also shows total revenue of $484,000. Granted that is down significantly from the prior year but because this has come to us as an ex-agenda item I can't make the finding It may be that your doors are going to close if you don't get the $20,000. I don't have any material in front of me that allows me to move in that direction in good conscience. So I want you to understand it's not that I don't value what you do. We heard from Mr. Justice. I went on your website. I see that you do birthday parties. You do a lot of wonderful things. There is educational outreach. I mean, it's terrific. Center.
When we come to vote on this, I'm not going to be voting in favor of the $20,000 simply because I don't have the documentation in front of me to make a reasoned, principled decision to do that. Thank you.
0:59 – 1:0816 turns
Well, I guess she kind of asked you a question. So Supervisor Wolff, do you want her to comment?
Actually Madam Chair, Ms. Romero if you could better explain why you are at such a critical juncture here and why the $20,000 makes such a difference between you, you know, here in the end of the year because I do understand Supervisor Wolff's concerns about not having You know, the full financial information from your organization. So maybe you could explain that to us now.
And before you start, maybe you should tell us Supervisor Farr where the money's coming from and if it's a loan or a gift?
Well, Madam Chair I think that you know I have a number of comments I want to make after we've heard from all the public speakers but in this particular case I was going to ask the board to take it from our contingency fund which is I think has about $1.2 million in it and as to whether it was a loan or gift that's something that we can certainly talk about.
Okay if
I could just I want to say something else as to my reasoning for not voting against this. It's just given what Supervisor Farr said later on in our agenda we're going to be talking about a A grand jury report requesting that we put in more money to our district attorney to fund that program. And without getting into the details, the bottom line is that we've been facing budgetary challenges.
Ms. Romero, we have had incredible budgetary challenges this past year and So I'm going to give you another reason why I'm not going to be voting for this, and that is that I believe that $20,000 could be used for programs that we have in our community. We've cut back on social workers. We've cut back on...I mean, I can go through the list. I'm not prepared at this last minute To to allocate $20,000 from our contingency fund. I'm just not. I don't have the documentation in front of me. Plus again, I think it's a very bad precedent for us to pursue.
Thank you Supervisor and just one more moment. Counsel is this? How could this not be 4 fifths? I don't see him. It is a four fifths OK Miss Romero. You want to answer these questions?
Yes. I'm going to, you know what at my age it's going to be hard to remember all of them but I will try to work through the list as quickly as possible. Supervisor Wolff, I appreciate your concerns and I understand. I have sat as a Park Commissioner for the County of Santa Barbara representing 5th District for seven years. I was chair for four. I understand and respect the process and I understand the information you need to make a finding.
However, I think I'll work backward Your last comment about needs in a community. Guadalupe is part of the community of Santa Barbara as well, and as I stated, I make my home in Guadalupe. So this is not just about me being out of a job. This is about 5,000 kids, over 5,00 kids that we serve every year that are from disadvantaged homes. We're talking about kids that are on the free lunch program. We're talking about kids who last year in Guadaluable, the third grade class got a field trip to Leroy Park which is two blocks from their school, and they got a sack lunch. That's what they had to look forward to last year. We try to do better than that for them.
As to the financials of the Dune Center, I am an interim executive director, and I'm vice president of the board of directors. So I'm doing this on a part-time basis in order to assess our organization and to determine what our needs are going forward. Last year's budget was a great number This year's budget was $267,000. As I stated earlier, $72,000 of that funding did not even materialize. So I'm sure you can kind of do the math as far as reductions.
As far as a million dollars in assets, you know what? Our board sits around and talks about that too. And that is the value of our visitor center and our admin office based on what the cost was back in the day when real estate was worth something. We are currently getting appraisals on both of our facilities, and we are seeking through a real estate transaction to reduce our debts as well as our operating expenses even further. So basically right now between our two facilities they're probably worth about $400,000 not a million.
However you carry that on your books because of accounting magic and the way that numbers get represented So now let's talk about why you don't have more information. I know the Brown Act rules, and I've only been able to communicate with two supervisors. I selected to communicate with my supervisor, Supervisor Farr, and my previous supervisor, Supervisor Gray, who both have had a significant interest in 4th District or 3rd District, or basically we've been 5th District too but I didn't include Steve because I know the rules.
As far as the impact to the community, what you get with the Dune Center and this is our projected budget for 2012 if we survive that long. It's about $150,000. For $150,000 you get an operation that works seven days a week either providing visitor services or delivering classroom programs. As John Jostis said, I think he enumerated it
all. Ms. Romero, excuse me just a moment. Supervisor Carbajal?
Thank you. You know at this point I'm inclined to support it but let's not make this about the center and your budget. There is poverty everywhere. There are other organizations that are hurting just as much as you. Let's just look at it as a process that didn't work Which was going to help you for $20,000 and that's what it is. Let's not make it all about the center because as Supervisor Wolf said there's poverty everywhere. I represent Yokoyama, I represent my district And you're a good organization, but you're not all that and a bag of chips when compared to everyone else. So I want to be supportive, but let's not make it all about all these arguments that really apply to so many other organizations. I want to be supportive because I think there is a process that didn't work here And let's just keep it at that, because then we should just allow and line up the non-profits to come in and tell us their pain and their value to the community.
I apologize if I'm sounding a little bit terse and frustrated, but I don't want this to be all about all the different aspects of the value of the center. I'm sure it's a wonderful organization, but I think we're focused on why this is before us and that is because something didn't quite work well and I think there's a supervisor who is sympathetic to that and that seems to be what's before us and I can tell you At this point, I seem to be supportive of it but my tolerance is wearing itself.
Supervisor Lavinino?
Madam Chair, I hope everybody in Santa Maria got the message of what was just said. I personally would like to say a lot of things at this point too but I'm holding my tongue so I hope you're understanding what was just said. Please read between the lines.
Thank you. Ms. Romero, did that conclude your remarks?
Thank you so much Supervisor Carbajal for refocusing the issue and it really is about the mistake that caused us to lose the contract income and I really appreciate your concern and your understanding our circumstances.
Thank you Ms. Romero. The next speaker is?
Next speaker is Robin Hayhurst followed by George Alvarez in Santa Maria who's our final speaker on this item.
1:08 – 1:1516 turns
Hi there, my name is Robin Hayhurst. I am on the board of the Dune Center and I want to thank Supervisor Gray, Supervisor Farr, Dr. Russell and Ms. Waller for working so diligently on our behalf of the project and the Dune Center. Now elected officials and bureaucrats often are labeled and dismissed because of the way they make decisions that are applied to affect all of us and I think you might also be inclined to label and dismiss us, and I'm hoping just for a minute that you won't. I won't go into the reasons that the Dune Center merits this kind of attention but I will make the comment that the impact on the Dune Center that we're experiencing now isn't because of something that we've done it's because the county kind of fumbled the ball.
You know, the folks in North County Planning knew the project in the area. We had dotted Is and crossed Ts And the CDP issue arose because of a last-minute concern by the county about potential litigation. And it just illustrates yet again that these days, a single individual can stop a project whether they're justified or not. I'm not going to tell you how wonderful the Dune Center is or why it's important because apparently that's not the issue. But we are in dire straits and that is because I believe that decisions have happened on the fourth floor in the county offices, sometimes in a relative vacuum. I've been in the planning department lots of times and you're in a little cubbyhole and you're making decisions and they affect all of us and they shouldn't be driven by fear of litigation.
Please show that you haven't been desensitized to the real effects that the trickle-down of these decisions have on our lives and economic well-being. The Dune Center has not been impacted because of their own actions Thank you.
Appreciate
your
comments. The next speaker is George Alvarez, is that correct?
That's correct Madam Chair. He's our final speaker
Hi there first of all my comment is to Supervisor Carbajal show a little respect to my mayor Okay He has three minutes, respect that. You've been in politics long enough to know there are certain decorums you went over the line. I consider you a political peckerwood and you know what peckerwoods are? Oh Mr. Alvarez. That's my political statement under the First Amendment. Could you just give us your point
and knock it off?
I am going to give my point okay as an American I give my point the way I see it fit. Thank
you.
Now the dunes here is really important for the city of Guadalupe Supervisor Wolf, I'm really surprised that you threw the kids of Guadalupe under the bus under procedure. Guadalupe has been used statistically through the course of the years by the county Santa Barbara to get millions of dollars on the demographics of our community and for some apparent reason we've lost our conscience dealing with little small communities.
Guadeloupe is a very beautiful city it's real competitive but I'll leave it there from that perspective, but please have a little respect here for all of us. Thank you Mr. Lavinino for reading between the lines.
Thank you Mr. Alvarez. Does that conclude the speakers on this issue? Supervisor Farr before you start would you also consider possibly making this alone rather than a grant I think that I would feel a whole lot better about it. I'm going to have real problems if it's just an out and out Grant because I certainly hear what Supervisor Wolf is saying. Thank you.
Madam Chair, just before you because you've mentioned the loan. When we had looked at this although it was short staffing the statute and California Constitution provide that the board can go with a grant or a contract. Loan is less clear. We have not researched that issue and our recommendation would be that if you decide to disperse funds that today it's staffed as a grant. We did not have time to prepare a contract to do this nor have we analyzed the restrictions that would apply to a loan
Well, may I suggest that we put it that it's a preference that it become alone rather than a grant if in fact the supervisor will agree with that and that you will go back then and research this and find out if there is a way. And if there isn't, then we go with the grant.
That might work, Madam Chair. Thank you. The caveat would be that in order to make a loan if we can do that it may require specific findings by your board.
Well we can always go ahead and do it. You got it right. You've got plenty of time. Supervisor Farr?
Thank you Madam Chair. Well, I put this before the board for discussion. I had the same thoughts that some of my fellow supervisors have had about the fact that these are tough economic times all over for the county as well as for all the non-profits and we have so many wonderful worthy non-profits throughout All of our districts. I did think that this fell into a different category, however And that was why I asked that it be put on for discussion as the next agenda item today I think that you know we could spend a lot more time not fruitfully in talking about What happened here as far as the permit process for the Guadalupe Dunes? But I think it's most important to move forward Staff has done the best that they can to rectify the situation The application has been filed The permit is being processed.
When all is said and done, you know it will have delayed the project a couple of months if the project applicants choose at the time that the permit is granted to not go forward they would have a year plus probably another year extension to do that. In the meantime I was concerned about the corollary impact through the Dune Center that was counting on revenue from this project that then also would be delayed at least two months, if not more. And that's where the $20,000 came in and it didn't seem fair that the Dune Center for the wonderful work that they do would be disproportionately negatively impacted by something that had been out of their control.
So that's why I felt that this fell into a different category, although I certainly take the point that we have a lot of nonprofits as well as county departments that could use this money. But it didn't seem like that much money. It seemed like it really served an important purpose and filled a gap. I'm certainly open Thank you supervisor. Supervisor Wolf? Thank you.
1:15 – 1:2218 turns
What concerns me about this entire process and it could be that I'm not reading between the lines, because I am only reading the lines. And what I am seeing is when we have this ex-agenda request is that if we don't provide the $20,000 grant they will be closing this coming Thursday. Now I never I never really heard that from the center. And what I heard, so I talked about forgetting about the property assets but what it sounded like to me is that the center is moving forward to they have $150,000 to operate. It's less than last year.
And that there it seems from what I heard that they are going to continue to operate. What I would have much preferred is for this not to have been an ex-agenda item, that if that came to us fully explored as far as the loan goes. It was the Orcutt Library. You know, there are certain situations where that is appropriate. I'm not opposed to doing that. What I am opposed to doing is making a decision based on very limited information and I appreciate Supervisor Farr's advocacy, I really do.
But $20,000 is $20k and for me to make that decision with the information I have again, I just can't do it and it has nothing to do with the wonderful work that the Center is doing. With the testimony and the information, the very little information I have, I cannot make The finding that this center will close on Thursday without this $20,000 grant.
Thank you Supervisor. Supervisor Lavinino?
Thank you Madam Chair. Well I understand your concerns Supervisor Wolf and I know you are pretty much a stickler for the process and to me that's kind of what this is about is that when the public for whatever reason makes a mistake in their process We're penalized and we either have to start the project over, there are fines those types of things. When we make a mistake on our end for whatever reason and everybody makes mistakes they're done in my office everybody makes them but when government makes the mistake we just say well we're sorry and we're going to reset the time frame we got to reset the timetable I feel that this is a legitimate Kind of Solomon's choice that Supervisor Farr made here.
That you know it's our chance, I think they're interconnected. The Dune Center was going to see a benefit from this and I don't have a problem when we talk about a precedent setting. I think the precedent is that we're setting is that we're going to be accountable and there's going to be accountability if we make a mistake, we're going to do what we can to try to make it right. And that's the way I see it.
Thank you. Any other Supervisor Wolf?
The issue of a mistake was brought up informally at our last meeting, I understood it was resolved or not the mistake resolved but the parties came together and came to a resolution and then the only information I had after that was what was in our board letter that That there's now a change that the agreement is no longer an agreement and from what I've read in the Santa Maria Times.
So yes, it sounds like the county. was to blame for something. What I'm saying, Supervisor is that I don't have a full understanding of that. Does that mistake warrant us giving? I'm not following the total nexus of giving the $20,000. I thought that the agreement delayed the project by a month and again you know what's... Is that true? Is it not true? Who decided that they're not going to pursue it in a month And why not and so I just there's not enough information for me to say we're going to give the center $20,000. I don't I feel like.
Well, I think a lot of
the same concerns supervisor Wolf shares. Like I said, I'm not sure that I buy all the arguments and I'm willing to support. I like the loan approach better because I think if council can find a way of making it alone as a preference and priority and if we can't, the grant would be acceptable to me. And it ought to
be CREF related.
But in my support, in providing my support, I just want to make it clear that I have looked at some of the facts on this and there's enough blame to go around. So I don't accept that it was the county's outright fault. There is enough blame to go around. My support is, I'm trying to meet people halfway but I will tell you, that's why I brought up the example to Mayor Alvarez because that was an example in his organization that went awry. Things happen and
We are tired
of playing the blame
game.
Yeah, so that's why I'm open to supporting this but I am not acquiescing that the county was the big bad player here there is enough blame to go around.
Supervisor Farr do you have a motion?
Yes, Madam Chair. I move that we approve a loan in the amount of $20,000 to the Guadalupe Nipomo Dune Center which is a registered 501c3 nonprofit
organization
from our general fund contingency fund.
All right. Roll call?
Can I just ask a procedural question? So our county council will come back to us with the information stating that we can move forward with the loan and then the process of how the loan will be repaid.
1:22 – 1:3231 turns
And that would be our plan, yes.
Thank you, counsel. No, you can't. Roll call please.
Ms. Farr? Aye. Mr. Lavagnino? Aye. Mr. Carvajal? Aye, Ms. Wolff?
No.
Ms. Gray?
Aye
Passes 4-1.
All right we are done with that issue the next issue we still have some A people that want to talk we need to go to A10
Madam Chair members of the board Now
does Dr. Johns have a whole long list maybe we ought to get his stuff right now
no he Dr. Johns has no further requests okay On item 810, that's from Housing and Community Development. Its request is that the board consider recommendations regarding a grant application for HUD continuum of care homeless assistance programs. And Dinah Lockhart is here to speak on that.
And as quick as we finish this agenda, we're all going to take a break.
Ma'am? Good morning Chairperson Gray and Supervisors. My name is Dinah Lockhart, and I am the Community Development Program Manager for the City of Lompoc. I'm here this morning to speak in support of staff's recommendation which is to submit a renewal application from the Lompoc Housing & Community Development Corporation for continuum of care funding for the Marks House and Bridge House shelters With the provision that the county work with the Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation to pursue a grant amendment with HUD, to request a change in recipient once a successful organization is identified prior to entering into a grant agreement with HUD.
The City would like to preserve this important source of shelter funding for homeless services in the Lompoc Valley. These funds could be potentially lost to both Lompoc and Santa Barbara County if the applications for these two shelters are submitted as new applications rather than renewal applications. We encourage the Board to adopt staff's recommended actions and submit the Continuum of Care application as presented, thank you.
Madam Chair, if I could ask the speaker a couple of questions. You know we've, I think some of us have been reading in the newspaper series of articles to do with the various properties and some of them have stated that some of the properties are in disrepair So I'm just wondering whether you or any of the Lompoc City staff have actually been to the two shelters, know the number of people that they're able to serve now and the general condition of the properties.
Yes Supervisor through the city's Human Service Commission and I believe also through the County Human Services Commission there have been site visits done to those shelters. I would say probably most recently within the last maybe year-and-a-half When at that time the city was still providing funding to those shelters, we currently are not providing shelters funding now because of the recipient organization.
At the time those shelters were in good condition and they were providing shelter services to homeless individuals so they do provide an important resource however the city I'm sure the county also is aware that there are concerns about the current organization that is operating those two shelter programs and we believe that both the county and city are working to identify a successor agency for those properties.
Thank you for that information, if the city is not providing funding where's the funding coming from to operate the shelters?
That is also a good question and we currently do not have information on what additional funding is being provided to those shelters. At this time, we believe the only funding may be from HUD directly and from community donations.
When did the city stop funding the shelters?
That occurred last fiscal year and that was a recommendation from our own Human Services Commission which was approved by our City Council.
Okay. And so then the last time that there might have been a site visit to the properties was prior to the city stopping the funding to this? Yes. Okay, thank you.
Thank you. Other questions? Okay. Next. Thank you for being here. Next issue.
Madam Chair, Mr. Caldwell has a slip-in on A14 and he's in Santa Maria and then I believe...
We had
A12 also.
Madam Chair, so we're going to go through all the public speakers and then we'll circle back to some of these items.
Did you have a comment on any?
I have a lot of comments on item 810.
Maybe we should just take that separately and get it done as long as the speaker's here. Let's do that. Let us take 810. Your comments Supervisor Wilk?
Well, my comments are that when I looked at this item and I noticed that we are allocating money to this organization for both of these shelters. I have to say it was very concerning to me. Not just because what I've read in the paper, but we received information. The supervisors have received information from our auditor. We've talked about this in board meetings about the difficulties that this particular organization is experiencing.
I talked to county staff Ms. Friedrichsen and Received information that this organization is in the process of dissolving itself and that there is no dedicated organization that will be picking up The responsibility for this organization. I have over the last three months asked that this board have a full explanation about what's going on because of the past money that's been provided to the organization I've read in the newspapers that the county is being sued by one of the banks that is holding title to that. I don't know if that's accurate or not, it's a statement that we are co-defendant.
There are so many unanswered questions regarding what is going on. And the staff report gives us an out, gives the board an out basically saying that we want to hold onto this money so that when the time comes and it looks like there's going to be another organization taking over, the money will go to that organization. Well unfortunately, that's not what we're sending To hide as I understand it and.
It seems to me, and I've talked to Miss Friedrichson about this if there is no other organization in Lompoc, I thought perhaps Good Sam might have an opportunity to apply for these funds that you know they've got a track record were approving another allocation to good Sam. I would feel much more comfortable that we move forward If that's even a possibility. So I pose that question to Miss Friedrichson because in good conscience, You know, the city's not giving is not recommending any money. How is it that with everything that we know? That we would do what that we would do that as well. I'm I would much rather give it to another organization for funding for Lompoc. So Miss Friedrichson can you help in explaining or just answering the question?
Can can we allocate this funding to Good Sam? I think they are already doing something in Lompoc. I could be wrong, so if you can address that.
Ms. Friedrichsen?
Chair Gray, Supervisor Wolff, the board would have the option of allocating the funding that is set aside for Lompoc Housing and Development Corporation for the Bridge House and Marks House project renewal to the new project category Direction could be given to submit a new project application if Good Samaritan was interested. One issue to consider is that it would be considered a new project versus an automatic renewal.
It needs to be a pretty detailed description that would include what the services will be provided, whether or not Good Samaritan would have site control over a new shelter. And then that new application would compete nationwide and be scored by HUD in terms of its competitiveness of achieving the goal of permanent supportive housing. So it could be done with board direction. There's no guarantee that the funding for a new project would be given to the county again, it would just switch from the category of renewal to new projects which compete Let's back up just a moment and could you please help out with this chair, Ms. Waller?
1:32 – 1:3927 turns
We need the services, I represent Lompoc. We need those services there and I'm sure everyone here understands and sees that. We have the Lompoc whatever it is, L-U-C-D whatever that has done a very bad job. They haven't been fiscally responsible, they've meant well but have not been able to sustain what needed to be done. Our auditor found it out and we know this. Where we are right now is you're telling us that we need to continue the services and the county needs to be involved, however it's going to cost us way too much a whole lot more money if we change to a completely different provider rather than continuing with LHCD folks but We don't want them to be responsible for the dollars.
Ms. Waller? Thank you, Chair. I think you've got it basically right. Just a little clarification. I think the real issue is almost a bird in the hand versus two in the bush. On a renewal, you are guaranteed to get those dollars and they'll flow through to Lompoc. On competitive, you are nationwide competitive and you may or may not receive those fundings so that's why your staffs recommended to you the guaranteed versus the competitive. And we certainly agree and understand the concerns with LHCDC, which is why staff and our attorneys have been very, very involved with resolving that issue.
Thank you. Madam Chair, if I could ask Ms. Friedrichson this is before us now because the application deadline is the end of the month but if this would go forward as it's written in order to preserve that funding for a future operator of those shelters when would the actual money be dispersed?
Chair Gray, Supervisor Farr. You are correct the application deadline to HUD is October 28th. HUD on renewals executes agreements usually in the beginning of the year 2012 new projects again since that's a competitive you find out and usually in the spring so timing wise there would be the remainder of the year too To continue to work with LHCDC to identify the successor organization and place the request to HUD to change the organization.
Okay, so just so I'm clear that checks wouldn't come this money wouldn't come before January? Correct.
Okay.
And so it comes to does it go directly to them or does it come to the county and then is dispersed?
On this particular grant, the money is directly from HUD to
LHCDC. If I could just say so, are you? I'm sorry.
Well, a supervisor has his...
Yeah, I mean, I guess, you know, I'm really concerned that we preserve These properties and shelters. But obviously, I'm very concerned as we all are about this transition period. I don't want to lose the money but it's really concerning that we don't have another entity in place and I see Sylvia Bernard here. I know that Good Samaritan has been standing by Ready and willing to take over the operations of, of the shelters.
So you know that the fact that the money would go straight and then not come through the County concerns me because I would kind of like another shot at this. And you know is there a way that if we approve this the way it is now just just to preserve it for now that we could come back in December and change it then? Before the check would actually be dispersed.
Supervisor Carbajal.
While you're getting supervisor for a while I'll wait.
I apologize, I was checking with our technical consultant. Just give us the answer. The one option is for the county to become the responsible entity and put in the request. Therefore, the funds would come to the county and then the county would have to identify the provider.
Madam Chair? But
is
that
a
renewal or is that a new application? Could we come in as the renewal
person? Maybe we need to put this at the foot of the calendar and have people talk about it so they'll know how to answer these questions.
Madam
Chair,
I think you're on the right path but I think we all want to be supportive of you and Lompoc. I think what we need to do is just, the concern is that this defunct organization not get any more money and that we are in a position to delegate and allocate the funds to whatever successor agency will transpire if we don't have one already so I think it's just a matter of our auditor and our county council and our CEO's office, getting together and giving us a better configuration that achieves that. And I think we're all on the same page.
I think we are too.
It's just a matter of doing that but the way it stands right now clearly gives us all consternation that we're saying yeah, a successor agency will take it but the money will come in the name of an agency that is going defunct. So it's so simple that I'm surprised you don't have an answer for it.
Ms. Waller? Chairwoman, I would recommend that we allow our council and staff a few minutes to clarify how we might better insert ourselves in that process and give that additional layer of protection that you're seeking and possibly go on and do some of the others.
And why don't we then go... We're going to put this... What number is this one? A10. A10 on hold. We're going to come back to it. We' re going to go to A12. And so you guys go solve this problem. I don't care, Mr. Allen, just whatever you want to do. We'll
1:39 – 1:414 turns
start with Item A-14, it's public works and the request is that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to execute an agreement with the City of Santa Barbara for the processing and sharing of revenues and costs associated with commingled recyclables delivered to County of Santa Barbara facilities. We have Mr. Caldwell in Santa Maria on this.
Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm Andy Caldwell representing COLAB. I had a question on this. As you know, this is an agreement for processing and sharing of revenues in cost recyclables between the county and the city of Santa Barbara. And the staff report mentions that sometimes these program results in costs and sometimes it results in revenue I just felt it would be helpful when staff presents something like this that they would show you the history of the costs or the revenues from these programs. And, of course, also we wonder about looking into privatization as well as to whether or not you need government workers in the recycling business.
Also, of course it indicates that they send this stuff down to Ventura so some of the jobs are going out of county. But the one thing I wanted to ask you is under fiscal and facility impacts on page two of the staff report, the last paragraph on that page says in the past three years there's been significant fluctuation in the market value pool market value for recyclables.
To level this fluctuation, the county is offered to average the values over a three-year period and we don't understand why? Why wouldn't they just you know whoever writes a check for whoever owes money write the check why are they averaging it over a three year period I don't understand that thank you
Thanks Mr. Caldwell, we'll get on that next issue.
Madam Chair and members of the board, Supervisor Labagnino requested that item A12 be pulled for discussion as from planning development. The request that the board consider recommendations regarding Chapter 21 appeals and certificates of compliance process ordinance amendment.
1:41 – 1:4510 turns
Supervise you have a question?
Yes thank you madam chair and I'm sorry that this is on on this reading and we didn't catch it sooner, but it was kind of brought to my attention that nowhere in the ordinance is there a time limit specifying within what timeframe the surveyor would have to make the determination if the application's going to require conditional or unconditional certificate.
And I believe that in P&D we have a 30-day window to determine if a development application is complete and folks are asking for that same sort of thing so that there's not this indefinite time period that would allow Not that the surveyor would do it, but that it sits in the office for a number of days without any anything in the ordinance to help out the applicant.
Mr. Emmons?
Yes, Madam Chair, Supervisor Lavinino. We intentionally left this to mirror the California Subdivision MAP Act. In the MAP Act there's no time limits for issuing a certificate of compliance or conditional certificate of compliance. It specifically leaves that up to the county to decide what the time period would be This is more of an investigative type application rather than a technical review. It's unlike most of the other kinds of applications that we have, and it requires a review of dozens if not hundreds of documents and maps with our staff in it. And it's an iterative process between county council, our staff, and the applicant.
Supervisor. Okay, I guess then what do you have any idea what the average turnaround has been or because the concern is a guy goes out there and gets construction loan? He's all of a sudden on the clock and wants to make sure that we get the turn around.
Madam Chair, Supervisor Lavinino. It does depend upon the complexity of the application but in our office we put them in line and they're reviewed as soon as it comes up. Right now we don't have a very long backlog so you know they come up right away but some of them can be quite complex and require quite a bit of analysis. So if I was to guess I would say probably 60 days would be an average for the review time for them As an average. Okay,
I would just like if there's a possibility that something we look at in the future of just if there is a problem and it's complaint driven that we have a mark that we try to challenge ourselves to kind of improve that but thank you Mr. Emmons
Thank you. And it may be so much as we have started your process today, and a month later we are at least if they knew where they were. I don't think that would be in violation of the Subdivision Map Act.
Madam Chair, that would be correct. We'd be happy to do
that. That would be just superb. I believe that concludes the administrative agenda. We have to hold 10 off, we can't do that because we're still handling that one. But can I have a motion to approve? That would be 14 and 12. Is there a second? All in favor say aye. You know where we're going to take a well-deserved ten minute break will be back at five when the big hands on the 11th
1:45 – 1:573 turns
Thank you. Hi, everyone.
2A 3.30 x (-0.00?) ¶. ¶. ♪ Thank you. Yeah. ¶. ♪ ¶. ¶. CCoSp4 3.50 (-1.00?) ¶. ¶. Yeah. ♪ Thank you. ¶. ¶¶ ¶¶ Yeah. ¶ ¶. ¶. ¶. Hi Gordon. All right, we're going to go to what Mr.
Allen? Ms. Studley, you're the first public commenter.
1:57 – 2:0524 turns
Okay
good it's nice to have somebody happy. Ms. Dudley. Yes,
Madam Chair? I'm here to talk to you about truancy. I know it's going to be one of the agenda items however I am expected at Westmont College so I need to leave with me to my right is Chief Deputy District Attorney Gordon Ockencloss. So when you get to that agenda item Gordon is the supervisor of that program or the potential program so he'll be here to address your concerns. What I want you to hear is my passion We feel very strongly at the District Attorney's Office that one of the most efficient and effective ways to reduce crime is to keep kids in school.
We want, we expect to sometime in the next few weeks or months depending upon when we can get the volunteer time and energy together to bring you a program but if you want to really keep kids in school this is not going to be an inexpensive program We understand that there's responsibility for the school districts to step up as well. But I want you to know that we at your district attorney's office feel very strongly about it, very committed and we're hoping that you'll consider funding such a program.
Thank You Miss Dudley Mr. Carbajal
thank you Madam Chair. Ms. Dudley I really appreciate your leadership on this issue. I know you've been meeting with schools foundations trying to create a partnership that will make it a good collaborative to bring before us and I just want to pledge to you my support for that effort. You know, I've come full circle in really appreciating the truancy program provided we have partnerships with the schools and everyone else but I truly believe that, you know, we talk about gangs, we talk about all of these issues, youth violence, destructive behaviors but the way you get them early is to find out why they're missing in school Is it dysfunction? Is it lack of supervision?
What is it?" And then we could add the resources to those families and individuals, and try to salvage those children to have a better quality of life in the real future. So I have come full circle and am a believer that Some of the resources most or best spent is on this specific function. And I just want you to know that I'm going to be favorably looking at this when you bring it before us.
Thank you. Madam Chair, Supervisor Wolf, excuse me, Supervisor Carbajal. That's the first time the
two of
you have
gotten mixed
up. Really? Because I feel that she is about, that Supervisor Wolf is about to say something too. I think we've often talked about the carrot and the stick and I think the carrot and stick is a very good visual in terms of truancy. We've got to do everything we can to keep kids in school for all the right reasons and then we at the district attorney's office also have to follow through to make sure they're given that opportunity.
Thank you. Supervisor Farr?
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for being here and thank you for your comments. I just wanted to say that having raised three sons in this community and know about this issue particularly at the high school level, I'll be looking to see whether we can get statistics or get a better understanding from the high schools as to the whole open campus, be able to leave campus at lunch issue because I think it's not just truancy kids don't Get to school in the morning, but they may get there and then they may leave when lunch comes and it's open campus. And then they just don't come back. So that I think is something that the school should probably be looking at. Okay, Madam Chair,
Supervisor Farr, thank you. And I will make sure that that issue is addressed.
Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? Okay let's go to
Madam Chair, our next speaker is Dr. Robert Johns to be followed by George Alvarez and Santa Maria.
I have some
too.
No it's going to go to
Dudley. I want to say this quickly before the District Attorney leaves. This is the wrong approach, a wrong headed approach Carbajal. You don't force kids to stay in school. You begin to look at the system. The system is racism. 70% Mexican American kids. That's what that's the problem. There's no integration. You're approaching this from a law enforcement you bring the district attorney in here? What about the educational system?
Look at an open classroom, but look at the child. The adults. The parents. And what about all those parents who are going to schools outside of the school district? Private schools when there should be some integration here. It's all racism, racism based. You're gonna crack down with a district attorney on the bad kids. This is racist and you're promoting racism Carvajal with this truancy program.
You better take another look at it. And on top of all of that, you could be sued in this district. You could be sued for racism and discrimination bringing in a district attorney trying to tighten down on kids. The problem here is teachers are not teaching. You need to look at that. Get it together and get it together now.
Thank you, Dr. Pons. Who else is going to be speaking?
Our next speaker is George Alvarez in Santa Maria to be followed by Mr. Caldwell in Santa Maria who's our final speaker.
Mr. Alvarez are you still there?
Yes I am here. What I want to talk about here is a very important issue the other day at the Santa Maria Sun Magazine paper they had an article of this new law the DUI rule that applies that if you're sober and you don't have a license you can't get your car towed away And it goes on to actually give an opportunity for a licensed driver to take the car away.
You have to read the article, but the thrust of it is if you have a DUI check, it's for the purpose of getting drunk drivers out of the road for public safety so me and you don't get killed or our families are in harm's way. But in the article, it didn't state that even though you might not have a license, you're still required to have insurance on your automobile. So if it's not insured, they towed away. So I support the law enforcement agency to do these things for the right things. Having that said, I want to thank my Guadalupe Police Department For having a stellar record in dealing with DUIs and in our area, 161 in Guadalupe.
They're a group of fine outstanding young men. They do a tough job. Sometimes they get the negative aspects because they do their job. And yes, the majority of people they pull over are my brethren. High population Mexicans live over there but that's another issue. I'm glad you brought up that you have 1,000,002 in contingency funds. Supervisor Favre, if you could do me the honor in maybe looking into seeing how we can help our police department get equipment. We need new cameras for our cars dealing with DUIs because without a camera you don't have a real good case when you stop over someone. Camera helps as evidence when you want to get someone for DUI and some other equipment might need. We're looking around maybe on 30,000 we might need I don't represent the city of Guadalupe let me make my disclaimer I'm a citizen, loyal citizen of the police department.
Worked with four years on the Drug and Alcohol Board here with you guys at one time and I'm pro-police officers and pro-equipment. So Ms. Farb, if you can do us a favor and find out if there's a possibility of tapping into this. This is public safety. This saves lives. It's a no brainer. And I want to thank you for your time. Thank you.
Thanks Mr. Alvarez. Next speaker?
Mr. Caldwell our final speaker in public comment.
2:05 – 2:083 turns
Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm Andy Caldwell. As you know, CoLab is now also operating in San Luis Obispo County and we've been operating in Santa Barbara County for 20 years. And typically at this time of year and maybe it's going to be scheduled in the near future and I just don't know about it. We kind of have a status report on where the county finances are But more importantly, what's going on at the state of California?
Because as you know within dumping prisoners on us that would have an impact on jails. And I know you have had discussions about that but their budget was based on fake projections and we know that they're down. We also know that there is tremendous pressure being put either through financing laws or other things to Really come clean on what pension obligations are. The stock market's not doing any better than it was and so, you know we look at the two biggest things affecting your budget is almost being beyond your control and that is whether or not the retirement board is going to lower their assumptions on what they're going to get on their rate of return which means you're gonna have to write a bigger check to the pension fund next year And then also what the state is going to do in terms of taking away monies from you.
We're getting complaints already from retailers about some of the fees that are being charged by the Ag Commissioner's office. I also got a notice for a CTAC meeting for the fees going up on the HAZMAT programs, and the business community is not happy but at the same time there's a part of us that wonders well what is the true picture? How often are you going to be getting updates because it's too late once your budget hearings start to really make the decisions you need to be making.
And so we would ask that between your ABLE CEO or CAO and the Auditor Controller's Office, that you would have a report before the end of the year so that we know what to expect in the new year. Thank you.
Thanks, Mr. Caldwell. Mr. Allen, does that conclude public?
Yes, Madam Chair.
2:08 – 2:1525 turns
So we're ready to go to D1?
Correct. Item D1 is from Planning and Development. It's an appeal, it's the Bagdasarian Appeal, and this item is being continued to December 6th if we could have a motion to do so.
Need a motion. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Item number two
Madam Chair, members of the Board. Item 2 is from the County Executive Office. It's a hearing to consider recommendations regarding a response to the grand jury report entitled Where Is The Truancy Program in Santa Barbara County? Truancy is troubling for everyone and the recommendations are listed on the board as A and B.
Mr. Bosnick
Good morning, Board Chair and board members. A real simple board response to the grand jury response. There was one finding that there was no state or federal funds available and it was very simple to say that we agree with that. The funds were cut back on the state level approximately in 2008 and there are no federal truancy funds available currently Our recommendation 2A, the grand jury recommended that the board fund at least one full-time position in the DA's office to administer an enforceable truancy program for all of the Santa Barbara County schools.
I've made the recommendation that we not implement it at this point because it's not reasonable and if we kind of go through my reasoning there real quickly. When we did have that program in the county here, in the district attorney's office, it was staffed with four FTEs and I know Gordon Auchincloss is here to join us and you heard from DA Dudley earlier We did have four individuals in that, and to make the recommendation as the grand jury seems to have one FTE funding that position seems like insufficient.
And in addition to that this board in past budget hearings had requested that we join together with school districts in a partnership to fund this program going forward And so I thought that part of the response from the board in response to this recommendation would be to re-engage those conversations with the school districts, so that we could have an enforceable truancy program as recommended by the grand jury. So we would bring all those folks together and come up with a workable plan going forward.
And that concludes the recommended responses to this particular grand jury report.
So those interests would be the DA, school districts and the Board of Supervisors?
Chair Gray and with the County Executive Office taking a role in that as well. Correct.
Any other questions for Mr. Blossom?
And I would just, I think in the report too it mentioned the county education, Bill Ceroni's
office. Chair Gray, Supervisor, correct.
Madam Chair, you know Mr. Bethanich if I could have a copy and if the rest of the board is interested too of the responses from the Santa Barbara County Education Office. I guess I'm a little unclear as to where the boards authority and the DA's office is and the Board of Education. And I guess it's because kids are supposed to be in school and if they're not in school, then they're breaking the law. And therefore, it's a legal matter? Is that it? On the other hand, it seems like the School Board of Education County Education Office and Mr. Cerrone would be in the best position to talk about what is really needed on the ground. So if I could see a copy of their responses, I think that would be very helpful as we go forward. Thank you.
Chair, Supervisor, I'll have that to you this morning.
Thank you. We have never heard such enthusiasm. The Supervisor Lavinino and Supervisor Carbajal want to be appointed to a subcommittee to handle truancy. I'm not kidding.
To work with the DA?
To work with the DA. OK. So you're now the committee. Mr. Auchincloss, do you want to say something?
She's appointed us as the ad hoc committee.
Oops. Ad hoc. Mr. Auchincloss.
Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the board. I'll just reiterate what the district attorney said. We are committed to reestablishing our truancy program because we believe it's just an invaluable aspect of crime intervention and prevention. Truancy has two components. First of all, it has the component of getting kids back in school and a valuable aspect of education. But more importantly, as Supervisor Carvajal said, we need to understand what's causing the truancy problem. What's the root cause? And that's where a truancy program comes in and that's where a truancy program really identifies and gets the needed help for that family as to is this an education problem? Is this a substance abuse problem? Is there violence in the home?
Is there mental health issue? Is there an issue that requires some other social service? So, our truancy program as it existed in the past really worked to identify what the root causes were and used truancy as a bellwether to determine what kids are at risk in our community. And I think it's probably the most valuable tool to determine what kids need help because We found this, and we can show it statistically. One of the common aspects of a kid immediately before they get into trouble with the juvenile courts is truancy.
So our interest is really focused on trying to keep kids out of juvenile court and out of the criminal justice system.
Questions for Mr. Ochtenbach? Supervisor Carbajal. Thank
you Madam Chair,
I
just want to thank Mr. Auchincloss for, I know he's personally worked on this issue extensively and I want to speak for Supervisor Labadino but I look forward to working with you and D.A. Dudley to see how we can continue her engagement, which she's already started with some of the other stakeholders to see if we could reach a win-win that would make all of us our community be in a better position to deal with this issue in the community.
Thank you. Supervisor Karr? Thank you, Madam Chair. In addition to my comments I made earlier in my question about truancy rates whether it's a full day or a half-day like an afternoon that might be attributed to the open lunch policy would be some sort of a breakdown by school level because I think when we're looking for the causes, the reasons why a child might not be in school if they're, you know, K6 are probably different than those when you get into the middle school and particularly in the high school So it would be interesting to know what those truancy rates are depending on the age level of the child. Thank you.
I don't want to point out the obvious if everybody already knows it, but the school districts themselves are pretty much autonomous. I mean, Mr. Ceroni doesn't really run San Amaro High School District. So it's real important that the actual school districts themselves are represented in this group. And so if those, the two of you then would probably help work with the various school districts.
2:16 – 2:2222 turns
There is a county school district organization that is overseen by Bill Ceroni's office. I think that would be a good place to tap into, and I think every school district as it has shown has their own different policies.
That makes it a bit confusing. Do we have any public comment? Mr. Oppenkoski? I have
just a couple of remarks that I think are important. One is that when our program was up and running years ago, the cost was $500,000 on average. And I think that is probably beyond what we can expect to put together for a new budget for a new program. So I think the first step and the efforts that we're making at the DA's office were beginning With having what we call a who cares meeting, bringing all the stakeholders together. And Greg Bowler and I and other district attorney in our office are actively meeting with interested parties in the community.
And we're putting together an ad hoc committee to sit down and try and look at the program that we had and the program we could design that could operate within our means. One of the first steps that's going to have to take place, and I know before you today is the concept of funding a full-time FTE which as Mr. Bozonich pointed out it is not going to get us there. It's not even going to begin to get us there.
The first step I think is going to be a commitment from the county for at least contingent funding. And I think beyond that, we're going to have to look at creative ways to put a budget together that can operate the system and maybe a budget that involves some private funding. So that's another opportunity that we're actively engaged in is looking at community interest along those lines.
But as I said, it's going to take time And I think, you know, this year we do have an active truancy program in place. It's bare bones. We send out letters to the school districts and give them the opportunity to notify parents of the truancy laws. Then they also have a second letter that they can send out to parents of chronic truant children. And then they can contract us on a case-by-case basis or on a contract basis to deal with prosecution if that takes place.
But I think it's important to understand the district attorney's position in this program is not to go out and criminally prosecuted parents, that could happen. That's the stigma Studley talked about. But what's more important to us is to identify what the root causes of truancy are and address those directly. And I think the laws give us a unique opportunity to identify those children and to go in and meet with the families and deal with the issue head on.
Mr. Auchincloss, has it always been a criminal offense to allow your children to be truant from school? This
is not a new law. It's not a new law. It has been in effect for some time.
And just changing the subject, it seems like the ones that would be most motivated to prevent truancy would, in fact, be the schools because they get paid based on how many students go to school. Absolutely. So there, that's a huge motivational
Absolutely, but the schools are strapped as well and we understand that they're having their own fiscal problems. But they are big stakeholders and we hope to collaborate with them in any new program we come up
with. Other statements or questions? Thank you. All right, thank you. Mr. Allen?
We have two requests to speak. Our first speaker is Dr. Robert Johns to be followed by Mr. Caldwell in Santa Maria.
Dr. Johns, you're getting around pretty well now. It must have taken effect.
Well it's only because Madam Chair you are encouraging me.
Good!
I'll
just keep
right
after you.
You're going to be
playing hopscotch here any minute now. No
that's tennis. That's my passion.
All right.
And then next it's you Carbajal. You're my passion. Now, let me be perfectly clear here. You've heard that before and I'm going to reiterate my previous comment. You cannot use law enforcement. You're subjecting yourself to lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit. Parents know their rights What you really want to do here is crack down on recalcitrant students, gang members. This is a tracking of gang members that's all it is in disguise. The district attorney is misinformed and you know what I feel about this district attorney And she is starting out now on her first crack at attempting to crack down, using her oppressive force on the children of this county.
On the children of this county. This is an illegal effort by the District Attorney to use force to keep kids in school when you should use educational practices, policies and procedures If kids don't want to go school, then there's a problem in the educational system. And you don't bring in the DA to crack down. You don't bring in the cops, the police and especially the Board of Supervisors. Kids, you need to check out your educational system. What in the heck are those administrators doing?
And those teachers are not doing. Now there are innovative programs around the country that this board hasn't even thought about looking at and it is just to use this type of police, this police method would be exactly how you would operate Carvajal bringing in the DA. You're going to regret this thank you.
Thank you Dr. Johns Mr. Caldwell
2:22 – 2:267 turns
Madam Chair, members of the board. We certainly recognize that truancy is a major problem. We also recognize that some of the kids that are truant if they don't get back on a right track are going to become major problems to our society. But having said that schools get paid by the state if the students show up and they don't So the one entity in this dialogue that has a financial incentive to get the kids in the school room are the schools.
Now, I would like to remind you that the school districts have a dedicated funding stream that's more secure than yours and for instance with respect to property taxes Schools, now this includes the community colleges because your budget book doesn't separate it out. But they get somewhere near 280 to 290 million dollars a year from property taxes whereas the county gets like 160 thousand I mean 160 million. They get 280 million to your 160 million And they get paid if the students show up.
Does it really take a lawyer from the district attorney's office to get a kid to come to school? Couldn't the teacher call the parent, couldn't an administrator call the parent, couldn't the school district hire a truancy officer to contact the parent? Do you really need a lawyer? And is it really a law enforcement issue or is it a school issue? If they are the ones that are charged with educating the kids, they're not any more impoverished or less impoverished than the county.
But I don't see them stepping up to the plate especially when they're getting You know, somewhere's a 40 to 60 percent more money a year just in property taxes than you are. And for the most part they're operating nine months out of the year instead of 12 months. Their administrators are overpaid their pension system is just out of whack as yours and we think that instead of throwing more money at the problem They need to step up to the plate and be accountable that this is their jurisdiction, their dedicated revenue stream and their issue in area of authority.
Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Caldwell. Mr. Allen?
Mr. Caldwell was our final speaker.
Do I have a motion? So moved. Is there a second? That was a motion to accept and file.
I don't know if you wanted to add the motion of continuing the dialogue with the school districts to piggyback on what the district attorney had suggested as well and Supervisor Carbajal or not that was included.
Madam Chair, information of the ad hoc committee and what Mr. Bozonic just said, I think it'd be great but it would be working with our district attorney who already I think is providing much leadership on this issue.
Okay ready to go? Mr. Bosnich? Okay all in favor say aye Aye. Opposed? Okay, we're ready to go now to item number three.
2:26 – 2:3610 turns
Madam Chair, members of the Board, Item 3 is from General Services. It's a hearing to receive and follow staff presentation on construction progress for the Public Defender Remodel Project.
Mr. Nesbitt.
Madam Chair, members of the board. Given the short agenda today we had the opportunity to place a lighter item if you will on your agenda. This item requires no action today except to receive and file a report. This is a very interesting project that our capital projects group has been involved in, our department and your board has been involved in for many years and it's a remodeled project of the public defender space in Santa Barbara Courthouse. It's interesting now because we're about two-thirds way through construction And so Celeste Manolis, the project manager is going to give a short presentation simply for your information.
Thank you Mr. Nesbitt. Ms. Manolis? Madam Chair and members of the board thank you for allowing me the opportunity to brief you on the construction progress. As you know this project is very important not only in improving conditions for the public defender but in bringing sorely needed code and life safety improvements to the 14,000 square feet of the annex You may recall the long history of this project and the many baby steps that came before your board, culminating in the award of a construction contract in August 2010. The $3 million bid was approximately 15% less than the engineer's estimate for the project. We began construction September 2010 and I'm pleased to report we are on track to complete the project late February 2012 on schedule and within budget.
We are about 70% complete. The walls are up, ceilings are painted, the floors have been restored and sealed and for the first time all four stories of the building will be connected by an elevator that's being constructed as we speak. We've also been working with the County Arts Commission in selecting public artwork for the lobby of the building The path hasn't been entirely rosy. We've had numerous unforeseen conditions, and we do anticipate expending all of the construction contingency that was budgeted for the project. But when you consider that we're catching up with approximately close to 100 years of deferred maintenance, it's not surprising that every valve we've turned has been seized and every pipe we're tying into is corroded. We have managed to address all these issues and stay on track budget-wise and schedule wise.
Those of you familiar with the Public Defender know that the previous floor plan was very inefficient, resulting from years and years of reconfigurations and minor alterations. The new floor plan will completely change the circulation, make it very clear delineation between circulation in office space, far more organized, and most importantly for the first time, the historic windows will be completely exposed and we'll use glass to bring light to the core of the building.
Although we didn't have the opportunity to develop this as a LEAD project, we have nonetheless incorporated several sustainable features. Bringing natural lighting throughout the space. As I mentioned, there's a skylight on the third floor conference room that will also bring a great deal of natural light in. We're implementing technology energy efficient lighting low flow fixtures in the restrooms. We're salvaging historic doors life fixtures tying into the geothermal system that was constructed as part of the Hall of Records projects.
And now I have a series of slides beginning with the demo phase. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the entire space gutted and opened up from start to finish. Here we are is some of the old conditions, walls marked for demo. We had an asbestos abatement phase and some lead abatement of some old tile. Layers of different ceilings from various remodel projects that we didn't expect to find once we tore out ceilings.
And that is the fourth floor completely opened up, the third floor space and right down to the steel. This next series will show you construction of a new space The elevator pit. That's the new skylight opening for the third floor conference room, a new barrel vault on the fourth floor. Second floor will have open secretarial space. The new partitions A lot of the structure will now be open instead of having drop ceilings. We only put drop ceilings where we needed to conceal HVAC and electrical.
Those will have been glassed in entries to allow natural light in, use of transom windows. That is the conference room almost done. The fourth floor, open areas. Elevator shaft. The public defender's office on the right there. Back to the secretarial area on the second floor and finally a shot of the new skylight. We are on schedule. One of the tools we use to track schedules during our weekly construction meeting is called a look ahead schedule, where we look at everything that's going to be done in the next two weeks or three weeks on a day-by-day basis. That allows us to let the courts know if we're gonna have any noisy activities, coordinate any utility shutdowns with the folks next door at the Hall of Records and make sure that when the contractor tells us they are going to be done on time that we can see that they are.
We are on budget. There have been some cost overruns in certain line items. This project was infused with $250,000 from the Better Area Project and we do anticipate meeting that budget of 5.8 million dollars now. This is the cash flow analysis. The blue line tracks what we expected to spend over time per the project charter. The pink red line is the actual And the dark blue line at the end shows where we'll land, at $5.8 million.
That concludes my presentation. Thank you.
Thank you. That is truly beautiful. It's great to see that. We had this same issue in the Veterans Memorial Building in Lompoc. All of the different ceilings that had been added and the flooring and all of a sudden you find a building that you didn't even know was there. So it's...that's interesting. Comments? Supervisor Wolff?
Yes, I first wanted to thank you and our staff for monitoring this project. And I remember when it came before the DAC and trying to get this project funded and I know Greg isn't here but we have our new wonderful public defender here and one of the things that was so apparent was not just the needed renovation It's that it addresses ADA issues. It also makes it more accessible for the public. I mean these are little ancillary yet so important to the entire project and I just have to add the fact that you've found these amazing, the ceiling is incredible but I really believe we can't lose We can't lose track of the fact that it's really going to enhance the operations of the Public Defender's Office. So I thank you all very much, and I'm sure all your folks are very excited about getting back to their home.
Thank you.
Thank you Supervisor Farr.
Thank you Madam Chair. Well, I'm just so pleased to see what's going on. I remember one of the first site visits I did was with the former public defender Greg Prasco who took me through it and it really was such an unattractive labyrinth and people were still able to work so hard in there and do such wonderful things for the people in our county but Clearly, there was so much that needed to be done. I did want to ask you something specific. There were before some wonderful historic elements that were there and I think that you referenced some of them but as I recall there was some really beautiful woodwork and some residual, I think it's stenciling that we see. Is that coming back?
Chair Gray, Supervisor Farr. We have in instances where we can keep some historic elements, we are enhancing those and keeping those in the main lobby as you recall. We did uncover some stenciling in different areas and we actually had the contractors cut those out and Robert Uli's got them so we are saving those where it doesn't make sense to really keep them where they are.
2:36 – 2:4323 turns
Other comments? Thank you.
Okay,
all in favor say aye. Aye. Let's see we have to go into closed session now. A10. Oh my goodness how could I forget?
Ms. Waller. Chairwoman, members of the board. Our staff has put their heads together and I think we have a proposed solution for you. As you know the submittal is required to be sent no later than October 28th but we do have 10 days to work with HUD so what our proposal is that over the next ten days we will talk with HUD's management and get written commitments that they would not disperse the funds Without having both the county and the city agree to that disbursement. If in those 10 days we are unable to secure that commitment, then we would suggest to your board that what we do is not submit the LHCDC but submit a new project with the county as an applicant. Obviously I think we might have a challenge with competitiveness, but I think that would give you the absolute ultimate protection that your board may seek.
So I think that would be our proposal to you. The
only thing that
I'm hearing is
that
That the money then will not go directly to this, to the organization. That the county will have the final say.
Chair Grace, Supervisor that's exactly what we're saying and we would want those commitments from HUD in some form of writing.
And what I would like to say is that, I cannot in good conscience even ask HUD to consider this knowing what we know. It defies reason to me, to move forward with this and ask HUD to do that. I would look at any other option. I didn't realize that the county could maybe take control of the money or as I mentioned Good Sam, I would say use the 10 days to find another recipient who can provide services in Lompoc rather than us submitting a document I just can't do that.
Madam Chair, just piggybacking on that a little bit is what is our timeline of finding a backup? How long have we been looking? Where are we at on that time?
Miss Fredrickson.
Supervisor Lavinino, your question is regarding the timing of finding a backup. We're understanding that LHCDC right now, their attorneys and staff have been looking at possible organizations. We have a list of organizations as well so the timing it's probably been going on for quite some, for the last couple months and the last several weeks in particular
So what I'm hearing, but I mean, I've peripherally seen this problem for shoot four or five months and read the articles myself. I feel very much like Supervisor Wolf that I mean, I don't want my name on anything that's going to any more money to these folks and Either we could have found somebody in the last four months to replace. I don't see us finding anybody in the next 10 days, so...I'm confused.
Ms. Waller. Chairwoman, Supervisor, just for clarification we don't anticipate in the next 10 days we would find a replacement. We would use that time to get a commitment from HUD that they would not disperse the actual funds until such time as there was a successor and your board ultimately controls that decision because you have a an agreement in place that would require your signatures as well.
Again, if the board does not feel comfortable that way we think that the second option to you would be to resubmit the project under the county's umbrella. Our concern, as I mentioned before, is just it puts us in the need for competitive look versus basically a given.
Madam Chair? Supervisor Carpola? I'm hearing my colleagues' concerns and I have the same concerns I think we ought to just do what makes everybody feel comfortable, and that's submit it in a way where the county is the lead. Forget about the name of that organization. And I think you know a number of us will be going to Washington in the future or I'm slated to be in Washington in the near future.
Certainly we can meet with HUD and impress upon them that we are Going to be finding a successor organization due to the complications that we've experienced. And hopefully, that suffice but if not I think we submitted something in good faith trying to maintain services
for
Lompoc. But let's do it in a way that makes all of our colleagues feel most comfortable. If it means striking that name and just submitting it under Santa Barbara County so be it. We'll provide an explanation.
I completely agree and I represent Lompoc. It's just absolutely too frightening to get one single penny to LHCDC.
So, I think what I'm hearing and I'm looking for a motion is direction to staff to accept all of the application except for those that go to LHCDC and to submit a new application for those two particular shelters in the name of the county.
I think we're going to have to do that. Maybe we could continue it for 10 days and come back with if there's gonna, but you don't think you're gonna get anybody? Okay. All right.
I'll make that as my motion.
I second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Thank you. Closed session council.
2:43 – 3:083 turns
Thank you, Madam Chair. You have three items on your closed session agenda today as posted. You have two conference with real property negotiator. First is a property at 1026 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara and Garden Street parking lot. Mr. Nesbitt will be your negotiator. He'll be negotiating with the Judicial Council of California. Second item is a property Corralitos Ranch Property APN 13160-001 etc.
Bob Nesbitt and Ron Carlantine will be the negotiators, and negotiations are with the Deutsche Bank. And conference with labor negotiator is your third item.
Thank you. We'll start closed session at 12 o'clock.
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3:08 – 3:584 turns
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3:58 – 4:021 turns
♪ Thank you. ♪ ¶ ¶. StSq2 2.60 You had three items on your agenda for closed session. You met and completed deliberations on all three items, and there were no reportable actions.
4:02 – 4:055 turns
All right, we'll see everybody in two weeks.
A philanthropist, a very quiet philanthropist. No one knew how much or who he gave to but he was involved in a lot of different charities. I came to know Russ through, I would hold office hours for the congressman. Russ probably was more aligned with Janet's philosophies and so we got to sit and discuss a lot. Yeah. One up in North County, that was pretty good. But I really looked forward to my time with Mr. Connors and he's going to be missed. His lovely wife Sylvia is...I hope she comes in and visits me every once in a while now but Russ Connors would stop in and see me on his way to go play tennis at a very advanced age so I just wanted to close him his honor.
Yeah. Thank you.
Yeah. He told me to meet him here in his lab.
Ma'am, welcome to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the intended lab. Hi Dr. Wright! This isn't where roller coasters are created is it?
No ma'am scientists and engineers do that they spend lots of time using...