Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Resolution A1: Employee of the Month
- The board commended Stephen Williams from the Auditor-Controller’s Office for his professional service and role model status.
- Division Chief Jennifer Christensen and County Auditor Bob Geis spoke in support of Williams' career progression and contributions.
- Williams accepted the award and expressed gratitude to his colleagues and family.
Resolution A2: Honoring Captain Charlie Johnson
- The board honored Captain Charlie Johnson for his seven years as chair of the Emergency Public Information Communicators (EPIC).
- Johnson discussed the formation of EPIC following the 2004 Gaviota fire to improve emergency public information.
- The resolution was adopted to recognize his service to the organization.
Resolution A3: Honoring Sheriff’s Commander Dominic Pallera
- The board recognized Commander Dominic Pallera for his 30 years of service and leadership roles within the Sheriff's Department.
- Supervisor Adam shared a personal account of Pallera's intervention during a 1999 federal raid.
- Pallera thanked the board and urged support for the construction of the North County Jail.
Resolution A4: Black History Month
- The board proclaimed February 2013 as Black History Month in Santa Barbara County.
- The resolution referenced the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
- Representatives from the NAACP, Division of Hope, and UCSB Center for Black Studies Research outlined upcoming community events.
SB CSRS Retirement System Funding and Actuarial Study
- The board discussed the unfunded liability of the Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System and the change in actuarial firms.
- Counsel clarified that the board's role is to fund the system based on rates established by the retirement board.
- The board agreed to proceed with funding actions while scheduling a future briefing with retirement system administrators to address actuarial data concerns.
Administrative Calendar and Appointments
- The board reviewed appointments to the Santa Barbara County Community Health Center Board and the Human Services Commission.
- Staff provided background on the Community Health Center Board as a federally qualified health center requirement.
- The board approved the administrative calendar and associated appointments.
Departmental Agenda Continuations
- Planning and Development requested continuations for the Orchid Community Plan amendments and the Naples Coalition Appeal.
- One supervisor recused themselves from the vote due to a conflict of interest regarding the Orchid Community Plan item.
- The board approved the continuations of both items to their specified future dates.
Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H) Progress Report
- The County Executive Office presented a progress report on the C3H initiative, highlighting a $250,000 operating budget and the coordination of the January Point-in-Time count.
- Preliminary data indicated approximately 1,900 eligible individuals and 129 families, with a noted 25% reduction in homeless deaths since 2009.
- Public commenters discussed volunteer success, media language, and the need for performance measures and economic job creation.
- Supervisor Farr noted that the collaborative effort has yielded returns greater than the investment through streamlined staff time and reduced duplication.
Medical Marijuana Identification Card Fee Schedule
- Public Health requested an amendment to lower the Medical Marijuana ID Card fee from $95 to $42.
- The fee reduction was justified by decreased demand and workload for the program.
- The board approved the amended fee schedule.
Emergency Public Information Preparedness Training
- Presenters outlined the role of the Board of Supervisors and the Emergency Operations Center during emergencies, including impact level definitions.
- The session covered the Incident PIO role, the EPIC collaborative group, and communication tools such as Nixle and social media.
- The board discussed fiscal risks, communication protocols for different impact levels, and the rotation of PIO staff during extended events.
- The board accepted the training presentation and discussed the expansion of media mutual aid agreements.
Closed Session
- The board convened to confer with legal counsel regarding existing and anticipated litigation.
- The session included a conference with labor negotiators covering all bargaining units and unrepresented employees.
- The board discussed public employee appointments for the Directors of Social Services and General Services.
Full summary
Meeting Reconvened and Roll Call
- The Board of Supervisors meeting was reconvened. Roll call was taken, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
- Motion: To approve the minutes of January 15.
- Action: Motion made and seconded.
- Discussion: No further discussion.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Public Comment
- Influenza Awareness: Dr. Takashi Wada reported on increasing flu cases and two local deaths. Supervisor Lavinino volunteered to receive a flu shot during the meeting to raise awareness. A nurse from the Public Health Department administered the shot.
- Hammonds Land/Water Leak: David Daniel Diaz presented a video regarding land desecration and a water leak at a site in Hammonds, noting the discovery of ancestral remains. He requested the county continue processing complaints to prevent future deterioration. The County Executive Office (CEO) stated they would provide a status update on the project to the board.
- Homelessness Terminology: Nancy McCready urged the board and media to stop using dehumanizing labels such as "transient" or "derelict" for individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Memorial Announcement: Robert Hanson announced a candlelight remembrance for Clifford Bean, a local recycler, scheduled for February 14 at the Fig Tree.
- Influenza/H5N2 Concerns: Jeff Bard discussed influenza statistics, noting California’s lower impact compared to other states, and raised concerns about the H5N2 strain and pandemic planning.
- Utility Update: Patricia Bartoli-Wibble (Edison) provided an update on the Santa Barbara Reliability Project, pole work, underground cable testing, and renewable power integration. She noted that a new tariff to lower streetlight rates and equipment costs is in process, expected to be finalized by April. Supervisor Wolf discussed ongoing efforts with Public Works to address streetlight deficiencies in Isla Vista for safety and community aesthetics.
Administrative Calendar – Resolutions
- Motion: To approve Resolutions A1 through A4.
- Action: Motion made and seconded.
- Discussion: No further discussion.
- Vote Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Resolution A1: Employee of the Month
- Subject: Commendation for Stephen Williams, Santa Barbara County Employee of the Month for February 2013 (Auditor-Controller’s Office).
- Discussion: The resolution highlighted Williams’ professional service, background, and role model status. Jennifer Christensen (Division Chief) and Bob Geis (County Auditor) spoke in support, noting his career progression and contributions. Williams accepted the award and thanked his colleagues and family.
- Vote Outcome: Passed by unanimous vote.
Resolution A2: Honoring Captain Charlie Johnson
- Subject: Commendation for Captain Charlie Johnson for his service to the Emergency Public Information Communicators (EPIC).
- Discussion: Supervisor Wolf noted that Johnson had already retired from the Fire Department but was being honored for his seven years as chair of EPIC, an organization formed after the 2004 Gaviota fire to improve emergency public information. Johnson spoke about the formation of EPIC and thanked his colleagues.
- Vote Outcome: Passed and adopted by unanimous vote.
Resolution A3: Honoring Sheriff’s Commander Dominic Pallera
- Subject: Commendation for Sheriff’s Commander Dominic Pallera upon his retirement after 30 years of service.
- Discussion: Supervisor Adam recounted a personal incident from 1999 where Pallera intervened to ensure his safety during a federal raid. The resolution detailed Pallera’s career progression from deputy to commander, his awards, and leadership roles. Pallera thanked the board and his colleagues, and commented on the need for the North County Jail, urging the board to support Sheriff Brown’s efforts to build it.
- Vote Outcome: Passed and adopted.
Resolution A4: Black History Month
- Subject: Proclamation of February 2013 as Black History Month in Santa Barbara County.
- Discussion: The resolution referenced the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Representatives from the NAACP (Lewanda Lyons Pruitt), Division of Hope (Myrtle Harris), and the UCSB Center for Black Studies Research (Erin Jones) spoke, thanking the board and outlining upcoming community events and town halls.
- Vote Outcome: Passed and adopted.
Agenda Item A8: SB CSRS Retirement System Funding and Actuarial Study
- Discussion: The Board discussed the unfunded liability of the Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System (SB CSRS) and the recent change in actuarial firms. Gary Emilio, CEO of SB CSRS, stated that the retirement board is legally charged with establishing contribution rates, while the Board of Supervisors is responsible for funding them. He noted that the existing actuarial firm prepared the current reports and would be the most appropriate to present the data, though the new firm (Milliman) would also be available. An experience study is scheduled for the current fiscal year, which may result in reassessments of factors such as the discount rate.
- Legal Clarification: Counsel clarified that the Board of Supervisors’ role is to fund the system based on the rates established by the retirement board. The meet-and-confer process with employee unions regarding these rates is informational rather than a negotiation of the rates themselves.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to proceed with the item as noted, with the specific request that SB CSRS administrators return to the Board for a study session to provide further information and answer questions.
- Decision: The motion passed. The Board agreed to move forward with the funding action while scheduling a future briefing with the retirement system administrators to address concerns regarding the actuarial data and system solvency.
Agenda Item A18: Administrative Calendar and Appointments
- Discussion: The Board reviewed appointments to the Santa Barbara County Community Health Center Board and the Human Services Commission. Staff provided background on the Community Health Center Board, noting it is a federally qualified health center requirement involving community and patient representation.
- Decision: The Board approved the administrative calendar and the associated appointments unanimously.
Departmental Agenda Continuations
- Discussion: The Clerk presented two requests from Planning and Development to continue items to future meetings:
- 1. Recommendations regarding the Orchid Community Plan 2012 amendments (4th District), requested for continuation to May 14, 2013. 2. The Naples Coalition Appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the Schulte-Dos Pueblos lot line adjustment project (3rd District), requested for continuation to March 12, 2013.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to continue both items to the specified dates.
- Conflict of Interest: One Supervisor recused themselves from the vote due to a conflict of interest regarding the first item.
- Decision: The motion to continue both items passed with four ayes and one recusal.
Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H) Progress Report
- Discussion: The County Executive Office presented a progress report on the C3H initiative, a countywide collaboration to reduce homelessness using a "collective impact" approach. Key points included:
- Structure: Establishment of a Policy Council (including two Supervisors), an Executive and Coordinating Committee, and Community Action Groups.
- Funding: A one-year operating budget of $250,000 was secured from various sources, including the Board of Supervisors, the City of Santa Barbara, and foundations. $34,000 had been spent in the first quarter.
- Activities: The team coordinated the January 2013 Point-in-Time (PIT) count and Vulnerability Index (VI) survey, mobilizing over 600 volunteers from more than 100 agencies.
- Data: Preliminary data indicated 1,445 total individual contacts and 174 family contacts. Estimates suggest approximately 1,900 eligible individuals and 129 eligible families for the count. The report noted a 25% reduction in homeless deaths since 2009.
- Next Steps: The Policy Council is scheduled to meet on February 14, 2013. The Homeless Management Information System is being updated, and the team is continuing grant searches and data analysis.
- Public Comment:
- Jeff Schaefer (C3H Coordinator): Highlighted the success of the PIT count and the formation of Community Action Groups.
- Jesse Lee Cooley (Common Ground Volunteer Coordinator): Discussed year-round volunteer outreach teams and training efforts.
- Emily Allen (Common Ground/Legal Aid): Noted increased collaboration with county departments and volunteer engagement.
- Dr. Lennon (Public Health): Presented preliminary PIT/VI data and reported on the reduction in homeless deaths.
- Sylvia Bernard (Good Samaritan Shelter): Described collaborative efforts in North County and specific success stories of housing placements.
- Rob Pearson (Santa Barbara City Housing Authority): Emphasized the need to move beyond silos and address the indirect costs of homelessness.
- Angela Antonori (C3H Facilitator): Thanked partners and noted the merger of previous housing advisory committees into the C3H structure.
- Robert Hanson: Raised concerns about media language regarding homelessness and called for a national agenda and executive action.
- Joe Cain: Praised the organization and efficiency of the volunteer training and count process.
- C3H Alliance Representative: Presented petitions urging the implementation of cough hygiene best practices in warming centers, homeless shelters, and jails. The speaker requested that the CDC issue specific guidelines for these facilities, noting that current guidelines are designed for healthcare facilities and Red Cross-style emergency shelters. The speaker also raised concerns regarding tobacco use in facilities receiving federal funds and submitted a draft five-point plan to prevent influenza proliferation.
- Andy Caldwell (COLAB): Stated that while coordination among organizations is beneficial, the sector has spent significant resources without clear performance or outcome measures. The speaker argued that some individuals require personal willingness to change behavior and questioned the long-term effectiveness of current service models, suggesting that increased services may attract more individuals to the area.
- Joe Armendariz (Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association): Expressed support for integrating organizations but argued that government should focus on creating conditions for a stronger, growth-oriented economy. The speaker suggested that job creation and economic opportunity are critical to addressing homelessness and hopelessness.
- Board Discussion:
- Supervisor Farr stated that the board is concerned with the strategic use of limited resources. The supervisor noted that the $75,000 invested in the collaborative effort has already yielded returns greater than the investment, citing the streamlining of staff time and reduced duplication of meetings across various departments.
- Motion and Vote:
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the item.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Medical Marijuana Identification Card Fee Schedule
- Presentation:
- A representative from the Public Health Department requested an amendment to the fee resolution for the Medical Marijuana ID Card Program. The representative stated that due to decreased demand and workload, the current fee of $95 should be lowered to $42 for the county’s portion of the cost.
- Motion and Vote:
- A motion was made and seconded to pass the item as presented.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Emergency Public Information Preparedness Training
- Presentation:
- Michael Harris, Terry Nisich, and Joe Ghazari presented the fourth workshop in a series on emergency management, focusing on emergency public information (PIO) efforts.
- The presentation outlined the role of the Board of Supervisors during emergencies, including the function of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the PIO team within the Management Section.
- Definitions for low-impact, medium-impact, and high-impact events were discussed, with impact levels determined by the number of people affected, resource deployment, and potential for spread.
- The presentation detailed the Incident PIO role, the Emergency Public Information Communicators (EPIC) collaborative group, and the internal county PIO team structure.
- Training activities were described, including EOC 101, WebEOC usage, crisis communication, and on-camera critiques. Tools for communication such as Nixle, social media, and "PIO to Go Kits" were mentioned.
- The Joint Information System (JIS) and Joint Information Center (JIC) were explained as mechanisms for multi-jurisdictional coordination to ensure consistent messaging.
- Public Comment:
- A speaker referenced the UK Pandemic Influenza Communications Strategy and a paper by Dr. Forster analyzing the 2009 pandemic. The speaker emphasized the need to prioritize communication strategies for the poorest and most vulnerable populations and noted the importance of Spanish-language components.
- Charlie Johnson, representing EPIC, stated that the group was founded to overcome jurisdictional boundaries and turf issues. The speaker noted that EPIC has been replicated in Ventura County and that the group’s strength lies in its collaborative, diverse membership.
- Board Discussion and Q&A:
- Supervisor Farr asked about preparations for populations that are not self-sustaining for five days, specifically regarding food and water supplies and mass feeding sites.
- Supervisor Adams inquired about the greatest fiscal risk in a major crisis. Michael Harris identified reduced state and federal financial assistance for recovery efforts as the primary concern, noting that the state did not provide financial assistance for recent flooding. When asked about estimating burn rates for high-impact scenarios, Harris stated that specific financial numbers have not been calculated for different scenarios but offered to investigate if such data exists elsewhere.
- Supervisor Wolf asked about the rotation of the EOC PIO during extended events. Terry Nisich explained that the PIO role rotates among trained lead and deputy PIOs on 12- or 16-hour shifts. The board liaison is a specific individual from the PIO team who works directly with the board.
- Supervisor Wolf asked about the role of the County Executive Officer (CEO) in communication. Harris clarified that the EOC Director (the CEO) and the EOC PIO work closely together to ensure consistent information flow to the board.
- Supervisor Wolf inquired about Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with media partners. Harris stated that existing MOUs are being expanded into media mutual aid agreements to ensure station availability during emergencies, and that contact cards for the public will be updated to reflect current radio stations and Spanish-language options.
- Supervisor Farr asked for clarification on communication protocols for different impact levels. Nisich explained that for low-impact events, the EOC/PIO contacts the board; for medium-impact events, the board may need to initiate contact if normal channels fail; and for high-impact events, satellite phones or other fail-safes are used.
- Motion and Vote:
- A motion was made and seconded to accept the item.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Adjournment and Closed Session
- The board adjourned into closed session.
- Supervisor Lavagnino offered remarks in memory of Joanne Mertz and Ray Deutch, both of whom had recently passed away.
- Closed Session Agenda Items: The Chair reviewed the items scheduled for the upcoming closed session. These items included:
- Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation (State of Flood v. County of Santa Barbara et al.).
- Conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation and the decision of whether to initiate two potential cases.
- Conference with labor negotiators, noting that the agency-designated representatives are the CEO and Human Resources Director. This conference covers all bargaining units and all unrepresented employees and managers.
- Public employee appointments for the Director of the Department of Social Services and the Director of the Department of General Services.
- The Chair directed the group to convene in the big boardroom for the closed session in ten minutes.