Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Agenda Addenda and Housekeeping
- An addendum was added to adopt a personnel resolution transferring helicopter pilot and mechanic positions from the Fire Department to the Sheriff’s Office.
- An item was added to discuss placing a transient occupancy tax increase measure on the November 2012 ballot.
- A closed session item regarding a 6.9-acre fee-to-trust decision was continued to the July 10 meeting.
Administrative Agenda
- The Board approved recommendations regarding a local groundwater assistance grant fund for the Fire Department.
- The Board approved the acceptance of a donation from Dr. Lee Heller for the renovation of the Lompoc Animal Shelter.
- A resolution of commendation was presented to Mark Totram for his 20 years of service to the Public Works Department.
Mission Canyon Sewer District Charges
- The Board adopted a resolution maintaining septic management administration charges at $24 per parcel for fiscal year 2012-13.
- The Board adopted a resolution implementing a 7.7% rate increase for fixed sewer service charges.
Goleta Valley Benefit Assessments
- The Board established benefit assessments for CSA 3 (Goleta Valley) for fiscal year 2012-13.
- The street lighting benefit assessment for single-family residents was increased from $8 to $24.
Homeless Support Systems Merger
- Staff presented a "collective impact" model for a homeless support systems merger involving a Policy Council and a Homeless Coordinator position.
- The Board appropriated up to $75,000 from the Contingency Fund to match the City of Santa Barbara’s commitment.
- Two Supervisors were designated as liaisons to the Board for the merger effort.
Hotel Incentive Program
- Staff presented two options for new hotel incentives, with the recommended option offering a 70% rebate over 15 years.
- The Board discussed prevailing wage requirements, local hiring preferences, and the economic assumptions behind the program.
- A motion to adopt the ordinance failed, and the Board recessed to deliberate further.
Cavaletto Tree Farm Residential Housing Project
- The Board approved a 135-unit residential development in eastern Goleta Valley, including a general plan amendment and rezone.
- The Board denied the applicant’s request for a 50% reduction in Quimby Park fees.
- Staff was directed to return to the Board to consider the termination of the COVA access dedication offer.
Transient Occupancy Tax Increase
- The Board directed staff to draft an ordinance to increase the TOT from 10% to 12% in unincorporated areas.
- Staff was instructed to conduct outreach to hoteliers regarding the proposed tax increase.
- The Board scheduled first and second readings for July 3 and July 10 to meet the November 2012 ballot deadline.
Closed Session
- The Board authorized outside counsel to file an appeal in the Terrace v. County of Santa Barbara litigation.
- The Lussell v. Liston Preservation of Santa Ynez matter was continued to the 10th.
Full summary
Meeting Start and Roll Call
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. A roll call was taken, confirming all members were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
- Budget Hearing Minutes (June 11, 13, and 15): A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Regular Meeting Minutes (June 19): A motion to approve was made and seconded. One supervisor abstained due to absence. The motion passed.
Agenda Addenda and Housekeeping
- Addendum A-43: An item from the Sheriff’s Office was added to the administrative agenda to adopt a personnel resolution effective June 25, 2012, transferring two FTE helicopter pilot positions and one aircraft mechanic from the Fire Department to the Sheriff’s Office.
- Addendum Item 7: An item was added to the departmental agenda to discuss and provide direction on placing a measure to increase the transient occupancy tax in unincorporated areas on the November 2012 ballot.
- Closed Session Item Continuation: A motion was made to continue a closed session agenda item regarding a 6.9-acre fee-to-trust decision to the July 10 meeting. The motion was seconded and passed.
Public Comment
- John Thorndike: Spoke regarding a dispute with the county over property ownership terms related to a parcel purchase, citing issues with the Subdivision Map Act.
- Amy Walker: Expressed opposition to a recent change allowing dogs on restaurant and coffee shop patios, citing public health concerns. Staff indicated she could contact her district supervisor or the Public Health Department.
Administrative Agenda
- Item A-19 (Fire Department): Consideration of recommendations regarding a local groundwater assistance grant fund. Staff and supervisors discussed the grant opportunity and the Fire Department’s involvement. A motion to approve the administrative agenda item was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item A-27 (Public Health): Consideration of recommendations regarding the acceptance of a donation from Dr. Lee Heller for the renovation of the Lompoc Animal Shelter. A motion to approve the administrative agenda item was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Resolution of Commendation: The Board presented a resolution of commendation to Mark Totram for his 20 years of service to the Public Works Department.
Departmental Agenda
- Item 1 (Public Health): Hearing on County Service Area (CSA) 12 (Mission Canyon Sewer District) septic management administration charges for fiscal year 2012-13. Staff presented a proposal for no change in charges ($24 per parcel). A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item 2 (Public Works): Hearing on CSA 12 (Mission Canyon Sewer District) fixed charges fee report for fiscal year 2012-13. Staff presented a proposed 7.7% rate increase for sewer services. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item 3 (Public Works): Hearing on the establishment of benefit assessments for CSA 3 (Goleta Valley) for fiscal year 2012-13. Staff proposed increasing the street lighting benefit assessment from $8 to $24 for single-family residents. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda Item 4: Homeless Support Systems Merger
- Staff presented a report on the county’s role in a proposed homeless support systems merger utilizing a "collective impact" model. The proposal includes creating a Policy Council, a Coordinating Committee, and a Homeless Coordinator position (0.75 FTE) housed within a community nonprofit. The county was requested to contribute $75,000 from the Contingency Fund for year one, matching a $75,000 commitment from the City of Santa Barbara.
- Supervisors discussed the structure, the role of the county, and the funding request. Questions were raised regarding the specific nonprofit agency to house the coordinator position, the job description, and the necessity of the position given existing county oversight. Staff confirmed that the City of Santa Barbara has committed funds and that outreach to other cities is ongoing. Staff indicated that a final funding number is expected within the month. One supervisor suggested changing the language to "up to $75,000" to account for potential other funding sources.
- Public comment was received from multiple speakers, including the Mayor of Santa Barbara, representatives from Common Ground, the Turner Foundation, and North County stakeholders. Comments generally supported the merger, citing the need for collaboration, the success of volunteer-driven initiatives, and the requirement for a "Continuum of Care" model for federal McKinney-Vento funding.
- A motion was made to appropriate funds in the amount of up to $75,000, incorporating the suggested language, and to designate two Supervisors as liaisons from the Board to the effort. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda Item 5: County of Santa Barbara Hotel Incentive Program
- Staff presented the Hotel Incentive Program (HIP), an economic development tool focused on the hotel and tourism industry. The program aims to enable the development of new hotels and the renovation of existing ones to increase local property, sales, and transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenues. Staff presented two options for new hotels:
- Option 1 (Staff Recommended): A 70% rebate to the developer, 20% retained by the county for general fund programs, and 10% for tourism promotion, with a 15-year rebate period.
- Option 2: A 90% rebate to the developer and 10% for tourism promotion, with a 10-year rebate period.
- For existing hotels, the incentive is based on the TOT increment, with 50% rebated to the developer, 40% retained by the county, and 10% for tourism promotion, over a 13-year timeline. Staff provided a case study using the Miramar Hotel property, estimating that the project would generate approximately $130 million in new taxes over 20 years. Staff noted that the program includes a property assessed value offset to protect county property tax revenue and a "failure to construct" provision allowing the Board to cancel participation if construction is not complete within six years.
- Supervisors questioned the assumptions behind the tax estimate and raised concerns regarding prevailing wage requirements and local hiring preferences. Staff explained that the county has year-to-year discretion over appropriations, avoiding multi-year county indebtedness that would require voter approval. Staff noted that crafting ordinance language consistent with state and federal prevailing wage laws is difficult and suggested that these details be addressed in a subsequent implementation agreement.
- Public comment was received from 21 speakers. Supporters cited economic benefits, job creation, and increased tax revenues. Opponents urged the board to tighten ordinance language regarding prevailing wage and local hire, raised concerns about the lack of independent economic analysis, and requested a continuance for further review.
- The Chair clarified that the ordinance is countywide and that any specific applicant would need to submit a separate application, allowing the board to impose additional conditions. The Chair suggested that certain findings in the ordinance should be mandatory rather than optional.
- 1. Motion to Waive Reading: A motion was made and seconded to waive the full reading of the ordinance. The motion passed. 2. Motion to Adopt Ordinance: A motion was made and seconded to move forward with the ordinance using the existing framework. The motion failed. The board recessed for approximately 30 minutes.
Closed Session Report
- The County Counsel reported on two litigation matters from closed session: 1. Terrace v. County of Santa Barbara: The board authorized outside counsel to file an appeal regarding the court’s denial of the county’s cross-complaint. 2. Preservation of Lussell v. Liston Preservation of Santa Ynez: The matter was continued to the 10th.
Departmental Agenda Item 6: Cavaletto Tree Farm Residential Housing Project (555 Las Perales Drive)
- Staff presented the project, a 26-acre site in eastern Goleta Valley currently zoned for agriculture. The proposal includes a general plan amendment and rezone from Agriculture 1-5 to Residential 4.6, utilizing state density bonus laws to develop 135 units across five housing types. The project includes 8 very low-income rental units and 16 units with initial price caps and income restrictions. Key components include phasing, circulation improvements, public benefits such as a land exchange for a detention basin and parkland extension, an easement for a bike bridge across San Jose Creek, and traffic calming measures. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) concluded no Class I significant and unavoidable impacts. The applicant requested a 50% credit on parks fees.
- Applicant representatives presented the project background, noting the family’s 120-year history on the land and the 12-year planning process. They argued that on-site amenities justify the 50% Quimby fee credit.
- Public comment was received from various stakeholders, including representatives from the City of Goleta, residents of Merida Drive and Las Perlas, and housing advocates. Comments addressed traffic safety, connectivity, the bike bridge, and the validity of the COBA access dedication.
- Staff and Board discussion focused on COBA access, Condition 86 regarding legal challenges, Merida Drive traffic calming, and signage. Staff explained that a court stipulated judgment transferred ownership of the COBA access parcel, changing the status of the 1972 dedication offer. Public Works staff explained the 75% approval requirement for traffic calming measures.
- Following a break, staff presented two modified conditions for approval: 1. Condition 90: Tree Farm Lane at its intersection with Patterson Avenue shall be designed with three lanes: one for left turns north onto Patterson, one for right turns south onto Patterson, and one for traffic turning into the property. 2. Condition 1 (Project Description): Modification to accurately reflect the phasing of units as proposed by the applicant.
- 1. Motion 1: To make the required findings for approval, certify the EIR, adopt a resolution amending the comprehensive plan land use designation, and approve the project subject to the conditions in Attachment 2, including the addition of Condition 90 and the modification to Condition 1. The motion passed. 2. Motion 2: To deny the request for a 50% reduction in Quimby Park fees and find that granting the credit is not in the public interest. The motion passed. 3. Motion 3: To direct staff to return to the Board to consider the termination and abandonment of the offer of dedication for the COVA access (Parcel C) pursuant to Government Code Section 66477.2, with a target return date of August 14. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda Item 7: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Increase
- Supervisor Lavagnino introduced a discussion regarding the placement of a measure on the November 2012 ballot to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County from 10% to 12%. He estimated the increase would generate approximately $725,000–$750,000 in FY2013 and $1.5 million in FY2014. He requested direction for staff to draft an ordinance for a general-purpose TOT increase and to schedule a first reading at the reinstated July 3 meeting and a second reading on July 10 to meet the ballot deadline.
- Supervisors discussed the competitive disadvantage this might create for county hotels compared to neighboring jurisdictions and the timing of the decision. Suggestions were made to conduct polling to gauge public opinion and to review polling data from other jurisdictions. Staff offered to draft outreach letters to unincorporated hotels to inform them of the discussion. It was clarified that if the measure is not effective within the City of Santa Maria, all county taxpayers would still vote on the tax, as it is a county tax. The board agreed to hold the meeting at 3:00 PM on the 3rd to accommodate Supervisor Gray.
- A motion was made to bring back an ordinance to increase the TOT to 12% for general purposes, including a complete ordinance and the resolution required to place the increase on the November 2012 ballot. The motion also directed staff to conduct outreach to hoteliers. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned in honor of Scott Pickens, a resident of Solvang and insurance broker. The next meeting was scheduled for the following week at 3:00 PM.