BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Jail Correspondence Policy

• Multiple public speakers expressed opposition to the new policy limiting inmate mail to postcards, citing rehabilitation and family connection concerns.
• Sheriff Brown and Commander Sams defended the policy as necessary for security, staff safety, and efficiency due to staffing constraints.
• The Sheriff's Office clarified that the restriction applies only to personal mail, leaving legal mail, phone calls, and visitation unaffected.
• Supervisor Wolfe indicated support for the decision but suggested any further board discussion be placed on a future agenda.

Dos Pueblos High School Mock Trial Team Recognition

• Supervisor Wolfe presented a resolution recognizing the team for their second-place finish at the Empire Mock Trial World Championship Invitational.
• The resolution also acknowledged the team's status as Santa Barbara County Mock Trial Champions.
• Team members and coach Bill Woodard spoke briefly in support of the recognition.
• The board passed and adopted the resolution.

Arbor Day Resolution

• A resolution was presented to proclaim March 7, 2013, as Arbor Day in Santa Barbara County.
• The measure recognizes the benefits of landscape trees and encourages educational institutions to observe the day.
• Udi Loza spoke in support of the resolution.
• The board passed and adopted the resolution.

Employee of the Month Resolution

• A resolution of commendation was presented for Jacqueline Smith, Public Health Department Employee of the Month for March 2013.
• The resolution recognizes her work in the Contracts Unit and Human Resources Division.
• The board passed and adopted the resolution.

Tona Wakefield Honor Resolution

• Supervisor Farrer presented a resolution honoring Tona Wakefield, Jail Discharge Planner, for her service to mentally ill and homeless inmates.
• Sheriff Brown added comments regarding Wakefield's contributions to helping inmates find treatment and housing upon release.
• The board passed and adopted the resolution.

Eminent Domain Litigation Contract

• A request was made to continue the item regarding a contract with outside counsel for potential eminent domain litigation.
• A motion to continue the item to the March 12 meeting was made and seconded.
• The board passed the motion to continue.

Probation Department Designation and Fee

• The board considered designating the Probation Department as the collecting agency for realigned offenders.
• The item also included an increase in the victim restitution collection fee.
• Staff confirmed that the 15% administrative fee is imposed on the offender.
• The item was approved as part of the administrative agenda vote.

Mark Maheran Commendation Resolution

• A resolution was presented to commend Custody Lieutenant Mark Maheran upon his retirement after 30 years of service.
• Sheriff Brown spoke to Maheran's contributions to re-entry programs.
• The board passed and adopted the resolution.

Development Agenda Continuances

• Requests were made to continue the County Parks Fee hearing and the Verizon wireless facility appeal to the March 12 meeting.
• A motion to continue both items was made and seconded.
• The board passed the motion to continue both items.

Pescadero Lofts Affordable Housing Project

• Staff presented a request to transfer property at 761 Camino Pescadero to the County for the development of 33 affordable housing units.
• The Housing Authority proposed purchasing the land for $2.9 million to meet local housing needs.
• The board certified the EIR and executed a quick claim deed to transfer the property interest to the County.
• The board approved the option agreement and related resolutions for the Housing Authority purchase.

Tax Auction Fee Ordinance Amendment

• The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented an amendment to recover mandated costs for tax auction sales.
• The proposal specifically adds fees for parties of interest search and personal service.
• A motion to approve the item was made and seconded.
• The board passed the amendment.

Orchut Community Facilities District Annexation

• Staff presented the annexation of the Clark Avenue Commercial Shopping Center parcel into the Orchut CFD as a condition of prior planning approval.
• Staff clarified that Community Facilities Districts are under County jurisdiction, unlike Community Services Districts.
• The special election resulted in two "yes" votes and zero "no" votes from the single property owner.
• The board adopted the resolution declaring election results and conducted the first reading of the annexation ordinance.

Closed Session

• The board conferred with real property negotiators regarding a 40-acre parcel adjacent to Noegi Falls Park.
• The board discussed performance evaluations for the Child Support Services Director and the Public Health Director.

Meeting Overview

• The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors reconvened its March 5, 2013 meeting. Roll call confirmed the presence of Supervisors Wolfe, Farrer, Adam, and Lavagnino; Supervisor Carbajal was absent.

Approval of Minutes

• Discussion: A motion was made to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2013 meeting.
• Action: The motion was seconded.
• Outcome: Passed.

Public Comment

• Eight members of the public addressed the board.
• Jail Correspondence Policy: Multiple speakers (Zachary King, Marissa Berrigan, Steve Storman, Annie Telford, Mike Miller, and Judith Everard) expressed opposition to a new county jail policy limiting incoming inmate correspondence to postcards only. Speakers cited concerns regarding rehabilitation, family connection, and transparency in the decision-making process.
• Coastal Access: Alan Howard discussed restrictions on public access to private lands for recreational use, citing Civil Code sections 1008 and 1009, and requested the removal of barriers such as no-parking signs.
• Homeless Shelters: Jeff Bard raised concerns about health risks, including influenza and tuberculosis, in congregate homeless warming centers and requested improved ventilation and hygiene supplies.
• Mold: David Daniel Diaz requested information on county resources for testing and remediating mold in residential properties.
• Elder Financial Security: Flora West and Judith Everard discussed instances of elderly individuals losing access to bank accounts and assets, requesting greater transparency and protection for elders.
• Animal Services: Jose Gonzalez requested the return of his horses, which were seized by Animal Services, and asked for an explanation of the legal basis for the seizure. Supervisor Farrer stated that staff were reviewing the matter with the Public Health Department.

Response from Sheriff’s Office

• Sheriff Brown and Commander Sams addressed the board regarding the jail correspondence policy. They stated the policy was implemented for security reasons (preventing contraband/narcotics entry), staff safety, and efficiency due to staffing constraints and increased inmate populations resulting from AB 109. They clarified that the policy applies only to incoming personal mail, does not limit the number or size of postcards, and does not affect legal/privileged mail. They noted that phone calls and visitation remain available. Supervisor Wolfe stated she supported the decision based on trust in the facility's staff but suggested that any further board discussion should be placed on a future agenda.

Administrative Agenda (Items A1–A9)

• Motion: A motion was made to approve the administrative agenda items A1 through A7.
• Outcome: Passed.

Item A3: Resolution Recognizing Dos Pueblos High School Mock Trial Team

• Discussion: Supervisor Wolfe presented a resolution recognizing the Dos Pueblos High School Mock Trial Team for their achievements, including a second-place finish at the Empire Mock Trial World Championship Invitational in New York City and their status as Santa Barbara County Mock Trial Champions. Team members and coach Bill Woodard spoke briefly.
• Outcome: Passed and adopted.

Item A1: Arbor Day Resolution

• Discussion: A resolution was presented to proclaim March 7, 2013, as Arbor Day in Santa Barbara County, recognizing the benefits of landscape trees and encouraging educational institutions to observe the day. Udi Loza spoke in support.
• Outcome: Passed and adopted.

Item A2: Employee of the Month Resolution

• Discussion: A resolution of commendation was presented for Jacqueline Smith, Public Health Department Employee of the Month for March 2013, recognizing her work in the Contracts Unit and Human Resources Division.
• Outcome: Passed and adopted.

Item A5: Resolution Honoring Tona Wakefield

• Discussion: Supervisor Farrer presented a resolution honoring Tona Wakefield, Jail Discharge Planner, for her service in helping mentally ill and homeless inmates find treatment and housing upon release. Sheriff Brown added comments regarding her work.
• Outcome: Passed and adopted.

Item A9: Continuation of Eminent Domain Litigation Contract

• Discussion: A request was made to continue the item regarding a contract with outside counsel for potential eminent domain litigation to the March 12 meeting.
• Action: A motion to continue was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed.

Item A12: Probation Department Designation and Fee

• Discussion: The board considered recommendations regarding the designation of the Probation Department as the collecting agency for realigned offenders and an increase in the victim restitution collection fee. Supervisor Adam asked for clarification on the source of the 15% administrative fee; staff confirmed it is imposed on the offender.
• Outcome: Approved as part of the administrative agenda vote.

Item A6: Resolution of Commendation for Mark Maheran

• Discussion: A resolution was presented to commend Custody Lieutenant Mark Maheran upon his retirement after 30 years of service to the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Brown spoke to his contributions to re-entry programs.
• Outcome: Passed and adopted.

Development Agenda (Items D1–D5)

Items D1 & D2: Continuances

• Discussion: Requests were made to continue Item D1 (County Parks Fee hearing) and Item D2 (Verizon wireless facility appeal) to the March 12 meeting.
• Action: A motion to continue both items was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed.

Item D3: Pescadero Lofts Affordable Housing Project

• Discussion: Staff presented a request for the Board, acting as the successor agency to the former Redevelopment Agency, to transfer property at 761 Camino Pescadero to the County and approve an option agreement for the Housing Authority to purchase the land for $2.9 million to develop 33 units of affordable housing. John Polanski of the Housing Authority spoke in support. Supervisor Farrer moved for the recommended actions, noting the project meets housing element goals and addresses local needs. Supervisor Wolfe seconded.
• Action: Two motions were made:
• 1. Acting as the successor agency, to certify the EIR and execute a quick claim deed to transfer the property interest to the County. 2. Acting as the Board of Supervisors, to approve the option agreement and related resolutions (Items C–G).
• Outcome: Both motions passed.

Item D4: Tax Auction Fee Ordinance Amendment

• Discussion: The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented an amendment to the fee ordinance to recover mandated costs for tax auction sales, specifically proposing fees for parties of interest search and personal service.
• Action: A motion to approve the item was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed.

Item D5: Annexation to Orchut Community Facilities District

• Discussion: Staff presented the annexation of the Clark Avenue Commercial Shopping Center parcel (APN 103-75038) into the Orchut Community Facilities District (CFD) and the levy of special taxes. This was a condition of prior planning approval. Supervisor Farrer asked for clarification on the jurisdictional differences between Community Services Districts (LAFCO jurisdiction) and Community Facilities Districts (County jurisdiction); staff confirmed CFDs are under County authority.
• Public Hearing: No written protests or verbal objections were received.
• Election Results: The Election Supervisor reported that the special election held on March 4, 2013, resulted in two "yes" votes and zero "no" votes from the single property owner (two votes per acre).
• Action: A motion was made to adopt the resolution declaring the election results, record the notice of special tax lien, and conduct the first reading of the annexation ordinance, with the second reading set for March 19.
• Outcome: Passed.

Closed Session

• The board moved into closed session to discuss: 1. Conference with real property negotiators regarding a 40-acre parcel adjacent to Noegi Falls Park. 2. Public employee performance evaluations for the Child Support Services Director and the Public Health Director.