Board of Supervisors — 2012-10-16

Music playing. Hi, everyone. Good morning, everybody. And welcome to this regular meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. We're glad that you're here. I'd like to go ahead and convene the meeting. Mr. Allen, would you call the roll please?

Mr. Carbajal? Here. Ms. Wolfe? Here! Ms. Gray? Present. Mr Lavinino? Here. Ms Farrar?

money was being spent the correct way, he was walking around with his little checklist and he told me on the way out that don't worry about next year. You guys are going to be approved it's no problem you're doing everything, you're handling everything correctly. Also from my office Sandy Agalos she has spent a lot of hours, a lot of sweat, a lot tears working on this and I was very proud of her effort Just to kind of wrap up, what we really were striving to do is meet as many veterans' needs as we could. First indication is we had over 250 veterans show up plus their families and their dependents. We saw a lot of pets. We had a lot of kids in the bounce house and playing in the game works area.

They came in, they got haircuts, showers. We provided them with new clothes, new shoes. They got their choice of clothes but more importantly they went through a bunch of the veteran services everything from getting an ID to making sure how to handle their child support payments. There were legal help just seeing some of the stories too of guys that were walking in there and they also met this is what really made it special was as I came off the bus They were met by an airman from Vandenberg Air Force Base. And so there was this camaraderie built with an active duty airman and just to see guys that were coming out, the airmen would have this big rucksack full of toiletries and clothes and all kinds of things loaded down This one veteran told me, you know it's just like Christmas here.

This is this is really nice. So there's been questions about whether we're going to do this again and there is no doubt I'm committed to doing it again next year. I was really pleased to see all of you show up and We had the Secretary of the VA for State of California was there as well. We had a couple of generals show up from Vandenberg, but most importantly we had veterans show up and what I'm really excited about for next year is that I'm sure these guys are going to go back into their community and where we've had trouble kind of connecting into that homeless community is I know these guys are gonna now spread the word that it wasn't a high pressure situation or anything. It was very relaxed. We weren't pressuring anybody, we were letting them do their thing.

And hopefully they'll get the word out in the community that we can do twice as many next year. So thanks to the Elks, the Chumash, if I start naming people, Santa Barbara Foundation. I know I'm gonna leave people out but I was very pleased and very excited and we are planning for it next year as well.

Well, it was really quite terrific and an enormous effort by you and your staff in a coming together of so many volunteers as you said. And so many county departments represented there. Supervisor Wolf do you have your line?

I just wanted to quickly piggyback on what you said, Supervisor Farr and to thank you, Supervisor Lavagnino for watching 60 Minutes. For being your inspiration but your leadership on this has been tremendous and it really was an amazing sight to see so you and everyone you mentioned are to be congratulated It was a wonderful sight to see our county recognizing the veterans, and your statement of welcoming them home was very poignant. So thank you for everything you did. And we'll look forward to next

year. Supervisor Carbajal?

Supervisor Romano, I was unable to join you but as a veteran myself- I didn't bring that up. I want to thank you for looking out for all of those that have served, especially those that find themselves being homeless. And while you only got 250 this year, I think next year you're going to double that because I think the word will get out so congratulations.

All right. And I think we have one member of the public that wants to speak in public comment, Mr. Howell?

Madam Chair, we did get one additional late request. We'll start with Scott Wentz to be followed by Jose Navarrete who is our final speaker.

Madam Chair and members of the board, Scott Wentz representing Cars are Basic. 12 1⁄2 years ago when CAB was first formed We didn't come out and make any statements, took no positions until we did a lot of studying. One of the studies we did do was by going back to states that had a great deal of experience in transportation issues over the last 200 years of the history of the United States. One of them was Massachusetts.

I talked with the head of what would be Caltrans for the state of California. And I asked him, what about roundabouts? He said they're terrible. We've had 150 years of modern experience with them And we're in the process of taking them out because they're not conducive to pedestrian traffic, they're not conducive to bicycles and they congest on high-traffic periods. Each one of you sits on the board of SBK.

As a group, you have an unbelievably powerful vote. If you would've come out against as a board, the 246 law for regional roundabout, Caltrans would not have put it in. It's turned out to be a nightmare The people laugh at it, and they get angry at it. Caltrans is getting ready to do this again at 154 and 246. Unless they are willing to build the circle that is acres around with a deflection angle of willing to handle speeds of 45-50 miles an hour then there's no reason to build it.

And I have a whole bunch of people up in the valley who contacted this organization and said please contact whoever you can so I'm contacting you As a board, and I urge each and every one of you, when you sit on the SBCAG Board tell Caltrans it's not going to happen. Thank

You. Thank you. Supervisor Lavagnino?

Madam Chair, sir I just want to let you know that there were many voices on SBCAG that We're trying to put Caltrans' feet to the fire and we have found that they are not always as responsive as we would like when they are spending their own money. Now on Measure A items, yeah we do have a lot of input but I know if Mayor Lynn was here and I know Supervisor Gray, we're very strongly opposed to that roundabout. And as much as we tried to influence Caltrans even as a board, a lot of times Caltrans has a mind of their own and when they're spending their own money they direct their funds where they want them to go and in the manner they want them to go.

Madam Chair may I respond?

One minute.

Thank you. This organization gave a letter to Caltrans under the public documents request stating, we want to know your construction standards. What is your angle of deflection and how do you do this formulation? They refused to answer the letter which in itself is a violation. They then did not provide the information that they have and they built an item without providing to the public any solid evidence And that's part of the problem.

And again, I understand what you're saying about the issue of their money but as a block vote if adding the mayors of Lompoc and Buelton, I don't see them doing it. Thanks again for this.

Thank you.

I appreciate

it. Supervisor Gray? Madam Chair, I don't want to get into debate with Ms., but we have SB CAG against that roundabout, we got as high as the Lieutenant Governor trying to prevent Caltrans from putting that roundabout in and we fell on deaf ears. So what Supervisor Rob Nino said is very, very accurate. I just don't get it.

And I've had the same experience with the other one proposed. And I think that Caltrans has various pots of money that they draw from and for what they consider a safety improvement, and if that's what this is then they have the money and they have the discretion. So I totally agree with you Supervisor Gray. Thank you. Yeah thank you. Next public speaker Mr. Allen?

Our final request to speak on public comments from Jose Navarrete.

Good morning, Madam Chair and honorable members of the Board of Supervisors. I stopped by last week because I missed the public comment part. I did drop off some of these flyers. I hope some of you saw them. I'm just here to put a face to the flyer. My name is Jose Navarrete. I am a resident of Santa Barbara. I am also a court-certified interpreter here in town. I work with the Spanish speaking defendants and witnesses that require Court interpretation every day.

I'm here, so which is to say I'm here as a concerned resident and also as a public servant of the county. I'd like to encourage you all to encourage your department heads and in turn encourage their bilingual staff. To come to my workshop, this is geared towards bilingual professionals across the county. And it's basically to help them with their Spanish translation and interpretation skills.

I don't need to tell you that your probation department, the DA's office, the public defender's office and a myriad of your departments work with the Spanish speaking and To professionalize the Spanish that we speak when we speak to them. Not to say that any of the services are bad or lacking, but we can always improve. As court interpreters it's our duty to constantly improve our skills and this is just my way of giving back to the community. The Bilingual Clinic is a non-profit that I'm starting And again, it's just geared towards helping bilingual professionals in the community improve their translation and interpretation skills. So again my only request really is just to have you all encourage your department heads to encourage our staff to come to this totally free workshop.

It's Casa de la Raza Saturday November 10th from 11 to 1. Thank you so much.

Great thank you so much. Thank you for being here. Madam Chair,

we have one final request to speak for Richard Robinson.

Madam Chairwoman, members, Richard Robinson. The most important and divisive election in American history is about to take place. The outcome is a foregone conclusion, moot. The question was answered in 2008. Will the people of the best country elect an African-American black president? After the election November 6th, he will repair the bridges like that that fell in Minneapolis. Repair the freeways and roads, build new freeways and roads, bring back our steel producing capacity, put Boeing back to work, build toy factories, shoe factories, clothing factories, furniture factories like that in Grand Rapids Michigan my home state We opened the shoe factories in New England, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts.

Build factories for clothing so that America produces made-in-America union products Ten issues that don't cost $200 and wear out in two. I appreciate it. He's going to give the people a new deal. Now, I'm a Republican. He's my cousin, President Obama. His wife, her great-grandfather is my father's father. Yada, yada, yada. I don't want to sound as if I'm pulling the wool over your eyes.

I am a Republican but the divisiveness encouraging our enemies abroad has to stop so I bluntly say give the people a new deal

Madam Chair I would like to call Lee Heller, our animal services volunteer and Stacy Silva, Animal Services staff and all the other folks who are back there with our furry friends wearing blue shirts to come forward as I present this resolution. This is a resolution to recognize the month of October as Adopt-a-Shelter Dog. Look at these cute furry dogs, and I know they're getting a little restless back there but we didn't hear a peep out of them.

And I just really want to express my sincere appreciation to the shelter staff and all of the volunteers who have done so much. To help with the adoptions, with education, making sure that our animals are vaccinated and really doing so much outreach into the community. I'm lucky enough to have one of the shelters in my district and I continue to be awestruck by the amount of work that goes on there to get these wonderful animals adopted. So, I want to just thank all of you and the people who aren't here for all your hard work.

Thank You Mr. Allen

Madam Chair, Members of the Board. This is a resolution proclaiming the month of October 2012 as Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month in Santa Barbara County. Whereas dogs are recognized as man's best friend and all animals support the health and well being of their owners. And whereas the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recognizes National Adopt-a Shelter Dog Month through education and promotion nationwide.

And whereas, Santa Barbara County Animal Services provides responsible pet ownership education to pet owners in Santa Barbara County about the importance of licensing, vaccinating, spaying and neutering their animals. And whereas, responsible pet owners follow California state law and vaccinate against rabies and license all dogs over four months of age. And whereas nearly 4,700 dogs pass through our Santa Barbara County Animal Services shelters every year after being found as stray or surrendered by their owners for various reasons.

And whereas Santa Barbara County Animal Services works collaboratively with the local humane societies and animal rescue groups to promote responsible pet ownership, alleviate shelter overcrowding and increase adoptions. Whereas Animal Services realizes that shelter dogs are not broken useless or hopeless And whereas shelter dogs are already spayed and neutered, fully vaccinated and ready to provide unconditional love once adopted.

And whereas Santa Barbara County Animal Services is offering adoption discounts on the adoption of all shelter dogs for the entire month of October in honor of National Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month. Now therefore be it ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim and recognize the significance of shelter dogs on the importance of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and proclaim October 2012 as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month in Santa Barbara County. Passing adopted today.

Thank you, board. I'm Stacey Silva with the Animal Services and I think Supervisor Noel Avanino at least can speak for this. We know how much the human animal bond means to people and October being National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month we have some amazing dogs that are shelters that are waiting for homes so we really appreciate you guys taking the time To acknowledge the importance of that as well. I'm going to turn it over to Lee Heller who's actually going to introduce you guys to our furry friends here, as well as our volunteers and just thank you once again we appreciate that.

Thank You Dr. Heller. We

have a new microphone system. Madam Chair members of the board let me introduce you to our human and canine companions. You know Stacy Silva our outreach coordinator for animal services. The regular animal volunteer who shows up here Rosalie Skefich, Christy Ritter and Lisa Reed who are wonderful volunteers. And we have here some adoptable dogs, Jem who is a foster puppy in care with me.

Susie Q who lives at the county animal shelter. Lucky who is in foster care and Batata or sweet potato who's in foster care with Lisa. We also have a few alums because we want to show you how well-

Shh!

They're a little frustrated. We have a couple of alums because we want to show you how wonderful an adopted shelter dog can do out in the world. So we have Saul who is from the Santa Barbara Shelter and who is our foster parent dog extraordinaire, and Bindi because she wanted to represent for Lompoc cause Lompoc has really awesome dogs too as does Santa Maria so thank you so much for your recognition this is a very important month for us

Well, thank you for all that you do. And I have to tell you that I adopted a dog from a shelter in the Santa Annette Valley a year ago. Triple B, Bodie Bodacious Beagle and I can tell you, I can attest that they are just wonderful, wonderful companions so everybody get out there if you've been thinking about getting a dog now's the time go to the shelters and get one as you can see there's just wonderful pets and thank you for what you do every day of the year. I know that you're there all the time.

We're going to take up the balance of our administrative agenda. That was a wonderful interlude, we should have the dogs here every week. It's just a good way to start you know it's very positive. Cats and dogs, yes. We don't want to be discriminating. So do we have any speakers for the rest of the administrative agenda? And anybody from the board first want to comment on anything on the A agenda? Supervisor Labanino? I just

want to pull A23 real quick just for clarification purposes.

A23? All right. Mr. Allen if you would read that.

Madam Chair, members of the Board. Item A-23 is from the Sheriff. The request is that the Board authorize the purchasing agent to procure up to $125,000 in aviation fuel per fiscal year for the Sheriff's Office from the Santa Ynez Airport Authority without being required to conduct a formal bid process and this is for the period ending June 30th 2014. Thank you madam

chair. My question is I've been approached by some folks that were worried We no longer would be purchasing fuel at the actual airport itself, but getting it from Vandenberg Air Force Base. And I just didn't know if we had somebody that could speak to that. I guess so?

Madam Chair, Supervisor Lavagnino, I'm Doug Martin. I'm the CFO for the Sheriff's Office. The item before you is to give us the purchasing authority to allow us to purchase fuel at the St. Ann's Airport Authority. When the unit was combined this year, the sheriff and the fire department had separate purchase orders. And when we combined them, we failed to realize we had to get actually the sole source to actually allow us to buy the amount of fuel required to run the combined unit. We still have the opportunity to purchase fuel at Vandenberg When the aircraft are off-site and they need to fuel up before coming back descending as this gives us the authority to purchase fuel needed to run the unit.

Okay, that was your explanation? Yes actually Mr. Martin come back to the podium please. Supervisor Gray.

Volunteer pilots have contacted me about this and have said that This now makes it a whole lot more difficult For them to volunteer, because it removes the ability to just fill up on somewhere. I don't know how to express this. I'm very, very concerned that we're going to lose some of our volunteer pilots and I really wish that we could look into this further before we just pass it because I'd hate to lose what they do for us.

Thank you Chairwoman. Perhaps they could contact the admin office, Dennis Bozonich and we can follow up to determine what their issues are and report back to the board on that. But I don't know that it has anything to do with purchasing the amount of fuel that we need at the Senate and as airport for the combined units. I believe that they actually are separate issues. Of course your board has the final discretion on that.

Madam Chair, if I could follow up on that. If we're speaking of the AeroSquadron, it is a solely separate unit and they are not beholden to have to purchase fuel at San Diego Airport Authority. It's wherever they actually house their aircraft and where they fly to and where they land. That they're not part of the county per se being volunteer units. They actually, they purchased their

fuel. So I'm going to make this wild assumption that you talk to them about it and you know what their issue is and you know why they are now saying well gee we just may not be able to fly as much because it doubles and triples the paperwork.

Madam Chair, Supervisor Gray. Actually this is a new issue to me but we can follow up on it today and we'll take care of it. Again, this is strictly for the ASU and not for the Aerosquadron.

Because they do so many things for the county, it would be awful to lose these folks.

Thank you. All right, anything else from the board on the agenda to be pulled? I'm not seeing anything else. Mr. Allen from the public?

Madam Chair we have two requests to speak. From Mark Scittillo on item A18 and A21 And item A-18 is from the Public Health Department. The request is that the board consider recommendations regarding an agreement for emergency air medical transport services with California Shock Trauma Air Rescue. Item A-21 is from Public Works. The request is that the board consider recommendations regarding the Tahigas Landfill Phase 2 partial final closure construction, and this is in the 3rd District. Mr. Schatilla will have five minutes to talk on these two items.

Thank you Madam Chair, members of the board. First on A18 which I believe is in the first district concerning the Caltrans contract for providing emergency medical services. I am working with the neighbors and the folks that live around Cottage Hospital and we have been for most of this year ever since in February when they started to operate the new helicopter pad. On the top of the Cottage Hospital facility and we had a flurry of flights, many of them late at night. And a number of people, a number of the residents there were extremely surprised and very upset by the intrusion of having overflights of helicopters.

There were a number of problems with the beginning flights where pilots were not following the flight path, and the number has dropped off. And Cottage is working with the community to try and find a solution. But one of the solutions that we've identified—and I have to say as an aside that Cottage has been very receptive to our concerns, and we very much appreciate the ability to work with them. Their staff is awesome, and Caltrans and the services that they provide for our community are incredible.

As you look at this contract before you, our request to you is that you direct your staff to introduce metrics in the contracts. to require quieter aircraft whenever possible. Caltrans is the largest service provider of air transport services to Cottage Hospital, and as you get ready to approve this contract on A18 there's no mention whatsoever of the noise issues. There's quieter helicopter equipment and there is louder helicopter equipment. Caltrans recently brought in a number of new pieces of equipment that were approved by the City of Santa Maria a couple weeks ago, the bond funding and station deployed to McClellan. However, in other communities where noise has been an issue, Caltrans has been responsive and has assigned quieter equipment to those communities.

We'd ask that your board provide that direction to Caltrans and work with them. Obviously we need these services, we want these services but we would like for the county to prioritize quieter equipment in working cooperatively with Caltrans and we stand with Caltrans to work with them to help raise the funds And make this happen because that's the easiest solution. The difference between say one of the sheriffs, the old vintage helicopters which are enormously loud versus the new quieter equipment is it's night and day. And if we can move our fleets that are servicing Cottage Hospital to quieter equipment I think that that's a solution that's going to be So we would ask that as you're reviewing these contracts, that you consider whether to stop.

Introduce that as a metric into this contract and make this available as a priority, at least an expression of intention from the county.

Okay. And then you have two minutes left for

your... On 821, Tehigua's thanks to the staff for providing the opportunity to review We don't have any concerns with respect to the closure plan, other than some technical issues that I'll talk to staff about. But I wanted to remind the board that in 1999 your predecessors looking at Tejiguas Landfill made a declaration or resolution that Tejiguas Landfill should be closed in 15 years.

As part of the approval of a bench fill project which extended capacity to 2005. In 2002 you adopted an EIR, your predecessor certified an EIR for a 15 year expansion period and at that time you indicated that it was appropriate and it was time to site a new landfill. And I'm here today on behalf of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy which is concerned that inaction And failure to look at this as a priority in terms of our forward vision of where we're going to be in 15 years and where we're going to deposit our residuals. If we go up to a resource recovery project, through that process, we're still gonna have residuals that will need landfilling.

While the partial closure of Tejiguas at this point moves us towards closure, we want to see final closure as soon as possible. And we recognize that there are some alternative facilities that are opening up. The Los Flores Ranch Facility in Santa Maria is one that's looking very promising as a potential regional landfill facility and so we wanted to take this opportunity to underscore our concern with the continued use of Tejiguas Landfill And request that your board similarly ensure that the actions that they're undertaking, that you're undertaking as we move forward. Directions to staff are such that we're not going to find ourselves wed to Tejiguas forever. Tejiguas should have a limited life. I think all the documents and processes that we've seen up to this date take us to that conclusion.

And we think that's very important that your board stand by that position. So thank you Madam

Chair. Thank you. Supervisor Carbajal?

Certainly, I don't want to do anything that's going to in any way put our community in peril in terms of our public safety regarding the CalSTART contract. But I personally live in that area as well and I know that there's been a big concern by many of my constituents and constituents that are in the adjacent district as well concerned about that noise. And I know that cottage is being very responsive It wouldn't hurt, I think as Mr. Chatillo raises this issue to explore and examine what CalSTART has done in other neighborhoods and communities to see if there's a way that this issue could be addressed. Certainly if it adds costs and if it raises all kinds of other issues, I think it should come back to us because that's something we need to fully understand if it has that kind of implication.

But I can assure you that that's a real issue of concern in the quality of life for many people. In trying to balance out the importance of having a wonderful hospital in our area, ensuring that we have the public safety capability to address the needs of our citizens. But it's easy to live far away and not recognize the impact that these helicopters have on the neighborhood. So it's a balance, so I think the issue is reasonable. And I personally think that unless there's some major time requirement, that it should be looked into as Mr. Shatillo has asserted.

Now on the second issue of Tahequas, Mr. Shatillo, I'm not gonna be as kind to you I too was around during those discussions when there was a task force that looked at the issue of Tahequas and it was 15 year capacity. capacity a whole as you feel it was projected that it would be a 15 year capacity goal. While capacity could be expanded if you throw less garbage into it, so it skews the year but the 15 year capacity was what was examined and I know that some folks focus on the I tend to focus on the capacity 15 year definition, but I really appreciate you raising that. And I think that it's just a matter of opinion of all of us that were present and involved in that process. But I appreciate you raising it, but I kind of see it slightly

different. Supervisor Wolfe? Thank you. Supervisor Carbajal?

Thank You Madam Chair. Just want to comment on the helicopter Issue and the agreement for Caltrans, and I see that Dr. Watt is here and he's on his phone right now probably getting information about this item so what I would suggest is that we hold Either he's ready to come to the microphone and speak to this or we hold, no you're not. So that we hold this item over for further discussion about what would be the implications if we postpone this and wanted to make some adjustments if that's okay with the board.

CEO Waller are there issues with us

continuing this particular item? I really do need Dr. Wada to help me from a timing perspective. I also was typing as you were speaking and certainly we can follow up on that issue, but I need to ask Dr. Wada timing if that's a concern for us to come back to you in November.

Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm trying to contact staff now to see if there is a timing issue and so as soon as I hear back I will come back. Maybe

we can approve the agenda except this item hold this item over and then we'll just discuss it at at today's meeting whether or not we can hold it over. But let's, so we can move on with the agenda.

Let's just

leave

that up there. Thank you, thank you Dr. Wada. Alright and we had one more speaker to admin? I'm

sure that was it.

That was it? Okay, so other than the item A18 do I have a motion to approve the balance of the administrative account? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries all right and we will trail A18 and bring it back when we have more information. We're going to go right into our departmental agenda And our first item is from the Sheriff's Department, and they are requesting a continuance.

Madam Chair, Item 1 is from the sheriff. It's a hearing to consider recommendations regarding the decision to accept an $80 million AB 900 Phase 2 conditional award in direction to keep processing the North Branch Jail Project. This is in the 4th District. The request is that this item be continued to your meeting on November 13th.

Okay, so not the 6th as it says but the 13th?

That's correct.

So do I have a motion to continue this item to that date?

So moved.

Madam Chair, members of the board, Item 2 is from Planning and Development and Public Works. It's a hearing to receive and follow-up presentation on a joint Santa Barbara County City of Santa Barbara Mission Canyon multimodal improvement process. This will be the first and the second districts.

Good morning, Ms. Dieste. I understand you're going to be starting us off.

Good morning Madam Chair and members of the Board. I'm here today...I'm Rosie Dieste, our Senior Planner from Long Range Planning Division. Also with me today is Matt Daubertine from Public Works. And I'm here today to provide an overview on a collaborative process to improve circulation at the boundary between the city and county in the Mission Canyon area.

This area, including the Mission and surrounding attractions hosts over a million visitors annually in the middle of a thriving neighborhood that includes beautiful homes, parks and schools. Many people live and visit in this area but it can be really difficult at times to figure out where to park or how to get from the Mission to the Museum of Natural History or Rockingham Park.

Neighborhood groups have been working for years to bring attention to this area and we now have an opportunity to work together with the City of Santa Barbara and an organized group of volunteers in a collaborative, solution-driven process. This is funded by a nearly $90,000 grant from Caltrans. This will be a joint effort between Planning & Development and Public Works and City of Santa Barbara staff.

Following my presentation, the volunteer group Concerned Citizens for Safe Passage will describe their long term efforts and goals for the area. For orientation purposes, the beige part doesn't show up really well on the screen but the beige part is the county and the light purple is the city of Santa Barbara. The project starts at the corner of Laguna and Los Olivos Street, travels up past the mission, across Mission Creek onto Mission Canyon Road and up to Foothill.

And it includes both the first and second supervisorial districts. Some of the features that are in this area starting at the city end is, of course, the Mission Santa Barbara, Mission Historic Park and the Rose Garden across the street. There's also a World War I memorial olive grove and traces of the aqueduct that brings water down from the Botanic Garden to the mission.

And when you transition to the county end of the project, there's a historic stone bridge which is said to be the oldest masonry stone bridge in Southern California. We also have Rocky Mook Park and Rockwood or the Santa Barbara Woman's Club. And Mission Canyon Road is lined with beautiful stone walls and mature oak and sycamore trees. This transitional area between the city and the county is considered the gateway entrance into Mission Canyon.

This area is particularly scenic and historic, and it's prompted specific policies in the draft Mission Canyon Community Plan including a proposed scenic corridor overlay. And also an action that was directing county staff to work with the city to create a network of safe pedestrian pathways from the mission to Rocky Nook Park in the Museum of Natural History and beyond while also considering circulation improvements for bicyclists and vehicles.

So the Caltrans Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant Program offered a great opportunity to start fulfilling the policy direction in the draft community plan. Working together with Public Works and the City of Santa Barbara, we applied for the grant this spring and the award was announced this summer. The project will be programmed in Long Range Planning's work program for next fiscal year and it funds a two year planning process that'll end in February 2015.

Grant program stipulations say that this grant can be used for conceptual planning activities only, so it does not fund environmental review, engineering designs or construction. And additional funds will be needed to move the project forward. So as I said, it's a collaborative planning process. It will be in partnership with Public Works as well as City of Santa Barbara staff.

The Concerned Citizens for Safe Passage strongly supported the grant application and they'll continue to participate on the project team. And the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has donated a meeting space and refreshments for community meetings. So this photograph shows some of the issues that need to be dealt with in this corridor. During special events, in particular there's cars parked all over the pedestrian pathways and there's certain locations where people actually have to walk on the road to get around obstacles and as you can see here, this is a whole group of people walking along side of the road on a blind curve right at the bridge across Mission Creek We also know there's significant historic, scenic, visual, biological and other resources that will need to be considered in any conceptual designs.

So at the end of this grant-funded process, we expect to have a menu of conceptual design solutions. They could range from straightforward fixes such as better signage to more complex multiyear projects and we also anticipate developing a formal agreement between the city and county which would outline mutually agreed upon responsibilities and resources to continue working on any improvements to the corridor.

So in conclusion, I'm really excited to be working on this project in partnership with the city and Public Works staff. And at this time I can transition to the presentation from the Concerned Citizens for Safe Passage.

Okay, I think it was Mr. Jacobs? Good morning.

Good morning, Madam Chairwoman and Supervisors. My name is Tom Jacobs and I am a long time county resident. I'm also on the member of the Mission Canyon Board of the Mission Canyon Association but I'm here as a member of Concerned Citizens for Safe Passage. Our group is a group of volunteers working to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicle drivers and to promote preservation and enhancement Our goals as Rosie has stated and forgive me for being a little redundant here, she's done a great job of presenting the general direction that we are supporting.

Our main goal is to improve public safety for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. As you can see by Rosie's presentation the roadways are very constrained in this area. We go through a double S curve that is very dangerous. The pedestrian walkways are subgrade and in some places cease to exist altogether. The same can be said about bike lanes. They start and stop.

There's certainly not a standard level of service for either roadways, pedestrians or bikes. This is also one of our most important Emergency evacuation corridors in the area from Mission Canyon and from Riviera neighborhoods, both coming up and going down. Coming up for our first responders and coming down for our inhabitants. This is a very significant area. In addition, our goal is to enrich and preserve and interpret the cultural and historical resources that exist there.

So again, our mission is a National Historic Landmark Area and this is studded with cultural and natural resources that are very significant. Major evacuation route for the canyon and Riviera neighborhoods Over 10,000 trips daily go through the Mission Canyon corridor and 1,000 trips during peak hours. So this is a significantly laden area with transportation issues.

A million visitors visit the mission and continue on to the Natural History Museum. As you well know, the California education system asks that elementary school children learn about the missions in their early years and great numbers of students are visiting the mission and trying to find their way over to the Natural History Museum. This is not an easy thing for them to do.