BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Good morning everybody. Welcome to this regular meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors of September 18th, 2012 if you would all take your seats and then Mr. Allen would you call the roll please?

Mr. Lavagnino, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Wolfe, Ms Gray, Ms. Farr.

Here. Would you all

Madam Chair, we have no request to speak.

Okay so we'll go right to the administrative agenda and Mr. Allen you want to make any corrections there?

Madam Chair, members of the Board I have one correction. It relates to item A-15. This item is from General Services and the recommendations are regarding the San Ynez Airport Project award of the construction contract and in recommendation D of that item reads find that pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act CEQA section 15162 begins Like that, that first sentence should be stricken from that item. This is similar to a correction we made last week and I'll make that correction in the minutes.

Okay so it should start with no substantial changes?

Yes Madam Chair find that no substantial changes are proposed.

a quorum, in order to determine whether to have an election or go forward with some other selection process. So really they cannot conduct business without a quorum.

And so what happens if something comes up and a decision has to be made before there's an appointment and there's at least a quorum? Does that devolve back to us?

No no it It becomes one of those black holes in government that is not well constructed with the independent special districts, with their own elected governing board. It's like a black hole. We can look and I've been involved in some of these community service districts before and it can be a struggle And at the direction of the board, I did help some districts work through some issues.

But what I don't know is if there's truly an emergency, what the district can do. For example, if it was a water district and Theoretically they have no ability to contract, but whether there'd be some emergency provisions that would allow an action by the remaining board members I'm not entirely certain. But as a general rule they can't continue day-to-day operations without a majority. Is

this something that the local special districts association might be able to speak

to? They may be yes it's It's not an, in my experience this is not an unusual situation where you don't get a lot of interest in the elective office. And sometimes it's been, in some districts it's almost impossible to get people to come forward to serve and I think that led the legislature Have LAFCO review independent special districts as part of their review process to see if those, if districts can be consolidated.

To provide a broader base of citizen participation.

Okay, because you know obviously in this county we have a lot of independent special districts and many of them are very small like this. And I think that does prove problematic in many ways because it's hard to find people to serve and then when you do then they are there for a long time and we're grateful for that but You know, the work that they do is important in its own way. And so that's why I raised the issue and it looks like there are a couple of lights on here. First Supervisor Carbajal then Supervisor Gray.

Thank you Madam Chair. You know legally we may not, we may have this black hole to deal with but at the end of the day its local government and county government that the unincorporated areas are going to look to help solve the water issues, the sewer issues So I would say, Madam Chair that this is one of those issues that CEO for good or bad we're going to have to pull together a little team to see what we need to do. Because we can wait until there's a crisis and then we're running and do we have a meeting? And who's doing what? But I think one is obviously the legal circumstance.

But two, what can we do? Do we need to bring some of these before LAFCO? What do we need to do to protect the welfare and well-being of our constituents who rely on those governing bodies that are failing in terms of the very essence of their governing structure. So I would hope that we could look at that and come up with some problem solving of what we should do, can do before it becomes a crisis then we're all running around to see what the course of action should be.

Thank you. I agree with that and of course LAFCO is not there really to do with governing, it's to do with what kinds of services they provide and what the boundaries of that district are but I think this gets to more the election and the governance and who's monitoring it so I'm not sure that that's really within LAFCO's purview on the other hand I do think it would be good to hear from the local special district association that has members from all Special districts as a part of it and they are very active group and do meet regularly. Supervisor Grant?

Thank you. Actually, we have quite a lot of history with this and it revolves around the Cazimelia Community Service District. Blew a water line up there and there was only one guy on the community service. And so I know Bob Geis was involved. I think Public Works was involved. So there is a system which I don't think we need to explain right now but it really is there. It's just a matter of if somebody needs reports on how to do it, Cazimelia is your guy to go to because it's happened over and over again.

Okay, good. Well so we do have some history there to go back to. All right thank you and then I think the last item Supervisor Wolf you wanted to pull A17?

Madam Chair, members of the board. Item A-17 is from the Probation Department. The request is that the Board authorize the Chief Probation Officer to accept the Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program Award from the United States Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $350,000 for a three year period beginning fiscal year 12-13.

Thank you madam chair I see Tanya Heitman our What is your title now? Deputy Chief Probation Officer. Tonya, maybe if you could just come to the microphone. I wanted to pull this not because I have a question but I wanted to highlight what our probation officers are doing and that is they have secured a three year grant for $350,000. The agenda item talks about substance abuse, but the focus of this grant as I understand it and maybe you can clarify a little bit is that this is for the veterans court in Santa Maria.

And that some of this funding will also go to a veteran mentor program that you folks have started. So I don't know if you want to add anything to it but Lend my congratulations and thank you for, you know, for your department going out and seeking this grant. We have so many departments who do that and it's so important for this county to operate the way that we do and to meet some of the services, the needs of our community. And if you have any comments Ms. Heitman on this?

Chair Farr, Supervisor Wolf. Thank you for acknowledging the efforts to go into applying for this grant and being awarded it. As you mentioned, it is specifically to fund the Veterans Treatment Court in the Santa Maria Valley. We were very fortunate that our partner agency Alcohol Drug Mental Health Services applied for a training initiative grant and a team from Judge Flores' courtroom went Another mentor veterans treatment court and was able to observe there and begin their team building. That positioned us to receive priority for this drug court grant that will specifically fund Veterans Treatment Court.

So it really is a collaborative effort, and we were well-positioned because of the good work of the team in setting the structure and beginning this pilot there. We're very excited about it.

Thank you Madam Chair. If Mr. Luis Villegas could come forward, he's the President of the Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It is my honor today to sponsor this resolution proclaiming September 15th through October 15th 2012 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Santa Barbara County. And as I try to do, I try to sponsor these types of resolutions to honor the diversity of our nation and in our local communities as well. In terms of all the contributions that every group makes to making our country what it is and no doubt the strength in our country is in our diversity. So the Hispanic community like other groups, no doubt has made major contributions to the fabric of our society, of our community.

And this is one way of celebrating those contributions from the Hispanic community. Mr. Allen, if you could read this?

Madam Chair, members of the board. Item A1 is a resolution proclaiming September 15th through October 15, 2012 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Santa Barbara County. Whereas the National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize the significant contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans who serve as leaders in business, government, the military, law, education, science, athletic, the arts, and other fields.

And whereas in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Congress celebrated the contributions of Hispanic Americans by officially proclaiming the week of September 15 as Hispanic Heritage Week. It was expanded under President Reagan in 1998 to its current month-long recognition. Whereas the theme for 2012, Many Backgrounds, Many Stories, One American Spirit celebrates the diversity of experiences that are part of Hispanic and Latino community while also recognizing the collective impact they've had in broadening opportunities for all Americans to achieve their dreams.

And whereas, according to the 2010 United States Census, Hispanic Americans are the largest ethnic minority in the United States with an estimated population of 50.5 million people comprising 16% of the total population. And whereas, Hispanic and Latino Americans actively participate in our democratic institutions which include serving as elected representatives in the United States Congress As governors, judges, mayors, city council members, school board members and other essential public offices. Now therefore be it in its hereby order and resolve that the Board of Supervisors declare September 15 through October 15 2012 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Santa Barbara County and calls on all residents of our community to join in celebrations and activities that will occur passed and adopted today.

Well, thank you very much and on behalf of the Board of Directors and the membership of the Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. And on behalf of the general Latino community here in the Santa Barbara area we'd like to thank the Board of Supervisors for this resolution which is very meaningful and significant to many other members in our community because starting on September 15th many Central American countries South American countries as well as Mexico celebrate their Independence Day.

Mexico September 16th, many on Central America the 15th in Chile on September 18th so on behalf of the Latino community we'd like to thank you for this resolution thank you.

Thank you very much. All right Supervisor Carbajal?

Today's the first district day there's a thousand resolutions that I'm doing so it just came together like this We could have Mr. Paul Didier, CEO of the United Way of Santa Barbara County come forward. It is again an honor for me to present this resolution honoring the United Way of Santa Barbara County for its nationally recognized Funding the Sun program which I like to say the county's a small partner in.

This is an enrichment summer program that's targeting disadvantaged low-income youth Who oftentimes don't have opportunities to continue to grow and enrich their abilities and skills during the summer. And this program has actually now been documented to help many of these children within the summer excel, and get advanced by one or two grade levels in many subjects. It's an extraordinary program. This is national recognition from the Johns Hopkins University National Summer Learning Associations Program, and it's a great honor in our community. I think we're just one of two programs throughout the nation that receive this.

And obviously it's because of the leadership of Mr. Didier, the 75 partners, and the 15 funding partners that we have with this program. Mr. Allen, if you could read this and then Mr. Didier we're going to have you say a few words as well.

Madam Chair, members of the board, item A2 is a resolution honoring United Way of Santa Barbara County for its nationally recognized Fund in the Sun program. Whereas the United Way of Santa Barbara County has received the National Summer Learning Association's 2012 National Excellence in Summer Learning Award for its Fun in the Sun summer enrichment program. And whereas, the National Summer Learning Association was established in 2001 at Johns Hopkins University Where it was originally named the Center for Summer Learning. In September 2009, the center became an independent organization, The National Summer Learning Association and now provides resources guidance and expertise to the summer learning community with a goal of providing high quality summer enrichment programs to at risk and low income youth to address the achievement gap.

And whereas the National Summer Learning Association conducted an on-site review of the Fun in the Sun program and was particularly impressed with a collaborative approach to academic enrichment that included over 72 service delivery partners, 15 funding partners, and 500 volunteer mentors. Whereas Fun in the Sun is a seven hour daily seven week summer enrichment program that integrates a series of planned educational artistic relational and recreational activities That strengthen learning skills and give children the sense of connectedness, life skills and self-respect needed to produce long term behavioral and academic improvements. Now therefore be it is hereby ordered and resolved that the Board of Supervisors honors and commends United Way of Santa Barbara County upon its national recognition of its Fun in the Sun program that's working to enhance educational opportunities for youth and families of Santa Barbara County.

Passing the baton.

Thank you very much for this honor. Every summer we have between 500 and 800 Volunteers participating on their personal lunch hours. And that includes dozens of county employees and some of the people that I'm looking at right here, and your predecessors. This is our 16th year we've been a finalist and semi-finalists in the past. And this year we got the top prize in the country. And I like to say it's due to everybody all the partners participating. It's the sum of the whole is greater than any other parts and so This means a lot because you represent so much of the county and all kinds of different areas from alcohol, drugs, mental health to social services.

All so many departments at the county have been involved in this program and have made it better. And one of the components that the reviewers cited as being most important is this partnership public private partnership With volunteers, different kinds of advice and supplies and resources coming into the program. So thank you on behalf of all these kids, all these families that have had their lives changed.

We're happy to accept this from you.

Thank you Mr. Didier and thank you for the work that United Way does every day of the year, every year. Thank you very much. All right, it's the morning show with Mr. Carbajal so far.

Thank you. I promise I didn't plan it this way but I'll take advantage of it while the first district is on. Next if we could have Mr. George Lace board chair of the YMCA, Channel Islands YMCA and Tim Hardy executive vice president of the YMCA come forward and Mr. George Lace is also The COO of Union Bank-Santa Barbara Banking Trust. Again, we have wonderful institutions in Santa Barbara County and it is these opportunities that we're able to recognize how lucky we are by all the good work that in this case the YMCA does day in and day out in our community.

125 years, this is a resolution honoring the Channel Islands YMCA upon its 125 year anniversary of existence. And I think the YMCA everybody knows the YMCA and all the great work that it does for children and families keeping children and families healthy striving for excellence doing all kinds of wonderful things to help them in their daily lives To have that outlet for recreation and development.

And we're just so lucky to have a number of YMCA facilities in our region, and for that I'm very honored to be able to present this resolution. Mr. Allen please?

Madam Chair, members of the board. This is item A3. It's a resolution honoring the Channel Islands YMCA upon its 125th anniversary. Whereas the Channel Islands YMCA is celebrating 125 years of service to the youth and families of Santa Barbara County. And whereas established in neighborhoods throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the YMCA is dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities.

And whereas the Channel Islands YMCA is a leading non-profit organization working to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility by bringing families closer together by promoting the benefits of fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. And whereas the Channel Islands Y was founded, based and led by community volunteers with a long history of establishing partnerships with other community and public organizations such as schools, hospitals and police departments that work collaboratively to enhance the quality of life for all residents. And whereas in 2011, the YMCA provided over 1.25 million in financial assistance to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in its programs and access to its services has the opportunity to do so regardless of income.

Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that the Board of Supervisors honors and commends the Channel Islands YMCA upon its 125 years of serving the youth and families of Santa Barbara County. Passed and adopted today.

You know, I just want to say thank you. I am the chief volunteer officer at the YMCA and the work that the Y does is phenomenal. Tim Hardy does the real work. Tim is a director who day in and day out provides the great service to our community. So on behalf of Tim and all of the YMCAs and the Channel Islands Association, thank you for the recognition and honor. I very much appreciate it. Thank you guys.

Thank you very much and I have to say for those of us that have raised children in this community, especially appreciative of all that you do for the youth. And as a parent when you ask your children where they're going with some trepidation and they say well I'm going to the Y with friends what a great relief that is to know that they're gonna be in that wonderful environment so thank you again for all the work that you do.

Okay, next resolution.

Thank you Madam Chair. I only have two more to go. The next resolution if we could have the Consul General Rogelio Flores Mejia come forward. I have the distinct pleasure and honor of sponsoring this resolution honoring Mr. Rogelio Flores Mejia for his service as Consul of Mexico for our region. I will tell you that over the many years, the Mexican government has had a consulate office filled by a general counsel here on many occasions and they've all done extraordinary work But I think that Consul General Flores has taken his passion and the work that he has executed to a totally different level.

He's been proactive in building relationships between the two countries, our local governments. He has been proactive in making sure that services are provided to the constituents that he represents and that there's problem solving going on when there are issues that arise between residents of Mexico that live in this country and our mutual governments. I have been extremely impressed by the great work that our Consul Flores has done, that whoever replaces him because he is leaving our area is going to have big shoes to fill.

And I for one am grateful for the friendship and the wonderful work that he's done in our region to ably represent the many constituents that he represents. So I'm going to present this resolution, and Mr. Allen if you could read it but afterwards, I have something very special that we try to give only on special occasions. And I believe that this rises to one of those special occasions and I'll be providing this afterwards. But let me just go ahead and show it to you now.

It's a little crystal that we in county government Give out on very special occasions and it's of our county courthouse. And I want to present this to you, Consul General for your distinguished service here in our region. Mr. Allen if you could-

Mr. Allen before you start I'd like to say That I echo this so much. Mr. Flores was kind enough to come to Guadalupe, to be in the Guadalupe parade and I don't know if you have any feel for how important that was to the citizens of Guadaluable. He had lunch with us at the Far Western and we were just honored. So you are one fine man. Thank you.

And I'm so glad that you said that, Supervisor Gray, because I was looking for an opportunity to say the same thing. That I've been at several events where the council was there and you really honored us with your presence and it was very special that with your busy schedule that you would make the time to do that. And I know that it was an enormous sense of pride when you have come to Guadalupe. So thank you for that in particular.

Madam Chair and members of the Board, this is item A4. It's a resolution honoring Rogelio Flores Mejia for his service as Council of Mexico. Whereas, Council Rogelio Flores Mejia has served with distinction as Council for Mexico for Ventura-Santa Barbara County since 2007. And whereas, as Council of Mexico, Rogelio Flores Mejia has worked to enhance the visibility of the services provided by the Office of the Consulate In an effort to proactively ensure individuals and families from Mexico living in the United States receive essential services including the issuance of passports, powers of attorney, civil register, and visas. And whereas Council Flores Mejia as a representative of the Mexico federal government collaborated with public officials and agencies in the United States to strengthen relationships between the two countries by promoting the economic and social benefits of having communities that are firmly established and connected to each other in both Mexico and the United States.

And whereas, Council Flores Mejia has dedicated his time and resources to assisting some of our region's most underserved populations including the Mixteco community and individuals and families who live in low income and hard-to-reach areas of our county. And whereas, Council Flores Mejia has worked to promote dual citizenship for United States citizens who are the children of Mexican parents in an effort to enhance civic engagement and communities both in the United States and Mexico. Now therefore be it is hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors honors and commends Councilor Rogelio Flores Mejia for his dedicated service to the residents of Santa Barbara County passed and adopted today.

Thank you very much. Thank you. I don't have any, my friend says many things about me but that was my work. I have to leave because I will move for the Mexican law. We can stay in one circumscription in one consulate for five years. And well, I have five years living here with you working with all my citizenships from Mexico and we try to do the best for all of them.

We try to respect all the American government in all the levels. Of course, the Board of Supervisors of the three counties we were working together in many things and I want to thank all of you for all the support we received in many of your cities you represent. I'm very glad to leave United States. I will go back to Mexico. You will have a very I will be in Puebla, it's very near to Mexico City. It's a historical city.

You know we celebrate every year in United States Cinco de Mayo and Puebla was the central battle of with the Mexican Civil War. in this day, Cinco de Mayo. So I want to thank you and very glad to work with you and I hope the new Mexican Consulate has the same work together with the American government of course with the supervisors of Santa Barbara. Thank you very much. Thank

you. Go ahead, Supervisor Carball.

Thank you Madam Chair. Last one but not least if we could have Dr. Wada come forward and again Dr. Wada is our...and Dr. Dietrich is great. I didn't have you on here or else I would've called you Dr. Dietrich. I didn't mean to exclude you so I apologize. This is, I'm very honored again to present a resolution proclaiming the week of September 17th through September 23rd as National Wellness Week in Santa Barbara County.

I think in all societies we all strive to find ways and strategies to keep our residents healthier and I think we have two of our executives Dr. Dietrich and Dr. Wada who exemplify the best in their fields And they will be receiving the resolution today. And also talk a little bit about this extraordinary event that we'll be having on September 22nd, it's a family day health fair on the west side of the city of Santa Barbara. It's been a true collaboration between the schools, the City of Santa Barbara, the County Public Health Department, Mental Health Department And I think that it's just going to be an extraordinary opportunity on the occasion of wellness, to have such a fair on the west side and to target those residents with information and services as to how they could maintain healthier lifestyles.

And be just healthier individuals. Mr. Allen if you could read this resolution?

Madam Chair, members of the board. Item A5 is a resolution proclaiming the week of September 17 through 23 as National Wellness Week in Santa Barbara County. Whereas National Wellness Week is celebrated September 17 to 23 across the United States and whereas the goal of National Wellness Week is to inspire individuals, families, organizations and communities to focus on their own and others' physical and mental health and wellness. And whereas National Wellness Week's theme is living wellness, which emphasizes that wellness is not a static destination but a continuous journey that guides our daily lives.

And whereas in honor of National Wellness Week, health care and other human service providers are urged to address the whole person and promote all aspects of wellness including physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and environmental health. And whereas in recognition of National Wellness Week, the County of Santa Barbara City of Santa Barbara County Education Office, the Santa Barbara Unified School District and the Westside Boys and Girls Club will host a Family Fun Day and Health Fair on September 22nd from 10 to 5 at Bonette Park with wellness activities and services provided from a variety of organizations. Now therefore be it ordered and resolved this Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim September 17th through 23rd 2012 as National Wellness Week in Santa Barbara County.

Passed and adopted.

Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the board. Thank you for your support of September 17th through the 23rd as National Wellness Week. There are a number of efforts both within the county in our departments and also within the community in our partner organizations and agencies that are really moving us towards this goal of wellness whether it's direct provision of healthcare or promotion efforts around healthy eating physical activity. smoking cessation, and of course mental health.

I think it's important to remember that health is not just the absence of disease but really a physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental state where people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. So they're really focused on the quality of life and not just the quantity of life where the healthy choice is the easy choice. And of course preventing illness and disease leads towards more productive And purposeful society and helps to address costs as well. And as Supervisor Carbajal mentioned I would like to highlight the one activity that we have coming up this Saturday, that is the Family Fun and Health Fair on the west side. More than 50 organizations will be participating. A number of county departments will be represented.

There'll be health screenings that are free for vision, hearing, blood pressure, diabetes. There'll be music, informational booths, educational opportunities, healthy food. So again it's a great opportunity for us to get services and resources out into the community To have them engaged. So thank you and I'd like to turn it over also to Dr. Dietrich who has a few comments about the mental health aspects of wellness.

Thank you so much, Doctor

Water. Good morning, Doctor Dietrich. Good morning Chair Farr. The National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has been interested in National Wellness Week to focus on people with substance abuse and mental illness. We know for these individuals that treatment works, people can recover but there are other dimensions to wellness for these individuals in addition to treatment. Individuals with mental illness and substance abuse live longer, they can increase their quality of life, their connections in the community If they have access to good physical health care, good housing, help getting connected with others and help meeting their vocational and educational goals. So we appreciate the focus on this in our department looks forward to participating on Saturday at the fair.

Thanks.

Thank you. Thank you

both. Thank you both for your remarks. You know with while many of our staff are participating in making this event possible I would be remiss if I didn't recognize Lisa Valencia of my office, who by default has become the glue and really the coordinator of this entire event. Without Lisa, I don't know that we would be successful. She's really kept everyone together, has been the glue that has really maintained the momentum and there are so many logistical issues in organizations that have stepped up That if it wasn't for Lisa, I don't think we would be putting on this event. So I want to recognize Lisa Valencia at my office who's really spearheaded this entire project.

Thank you all very much. All right and now we will turn to Supervisor Gray.

Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to all of you folks two really remarkable women, Hilda Zacharias if you would come up please and Patricia Solorio and as they come I want to just chat a bit You know, if we can't do anything else in the whole wide world, we can provide a pathway for the young people that's maybe hopefully the right pathway.

And these ladies have taken this upon themselves and they work with an organization that we'll call the Central Coast Future Leaders. And it helps young people learn leadership, scholastic achievement identify opportunities, work for the community and mutually support each other all based on family values and involving the family. So it's very much with pride and great pleasure that we're going to be reading and presenting You two lovely ladies with this wonderful resolution. Mr. Allen?