Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resolution
- The item was moved to the front of the agenda due to scheduling constraints.
- District Attorney Dorothy Dudley and the Victim Witness Program Director spoke on the impact of crime and upcoming events.
- The board unanimously approved the resolution proclaiming April 6–12, 2014, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Beach Club Appeal
- Planning and Development requested the withdrawal of the item.
- The motion was amended to continue the item to a later date to allow for re-notice.
- The amended motion to continue the item passed unanimously.
Resolutions (Items A1–A8)
- The board approved a series of resolutions including Cesar Chavez Day, Equal Pay Day, and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- Additional resolutions honored Adele Rosen as Woman of Valor and Brad Crandall as Employee of the Month.
- The board also proclaimed April as National Poetry Month and designated the Week of the Young Child.
- All resolutions were adopted unanimously.
Library Special Tax and Survey
- The board discussed a $10,000 county share to conduct a poll for a library special tax in the Goleta/CSA 3 area.
- The request for the survey was initiated by the City of Goleta.
- The motion to approve the item passed 5-0.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Hearing
- The board set a hearing for April 22 to consider revisions to the Transient Occupancy Tax for the November 2014 election.
- Staff were directed to prepare options for both a 10% to 12% increase and a 10% to 12.5% increase.
- The motion to set the hearing with these modifications passed 5-0.
Response to Grand Jury Report on Inmates Released During Late Night Hours
- Staff presented a draft response to a Grand Jury report regarding inmate releases between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- The Sheriff’s Department detailed actions such as working with community organizations to staff a ride program and improving lobby conditions.
- The board adopted the responses to the Grand Jury findings and authorized the Chair to sign the response letter.
211 Helpline Service in Santa Barbara County
- Staff presented an overview of the 211 helpline, noting the need for a database cleanup and a community host.
- The Community Action Commission expressed willingness to serve as the host contingent on sustained funding.
- The board adopted staff recommendations to appropriate $30,000 for database cleanup and pursue partnerships.
Measure A Program of Projects for Fiscal Year 2014-15
- Public Works staff presented the proposed five-year Measure A program of projects for fiscal years 2014-15 through 2018-19.
- The presentation included updates on the Pavement Condition Index and the deferred maintenance backlog.
- The board unanimously approved the item and all staff recommendations.
Mission Canyon Community Plan
- Staff presented final action on the plan, including Land Use and Development Code amendments and new residential design guidelines.
- Public testimony addressed concerns regarding on-street parking and emergency egress, while others supported the outreach processes.
- The board unanimously adopted the recommendations, including a new annual reporting requirement on Mission Canyon permit activity.
Continuum of Care Program
- Staff reported on the County’s roles as Collaborative Applicant, HMIS Lead Agency, and Grant Administrator.
- Staff requested an additional full-time equivalent position to fulfill these duties.
- The board adopted staff recommendations A, B1, B2, B3, and E by a vote of 4-1.
Passed 4–1 · against: Adam
Hearing to Consider Options Regarding a Potential Advocacy Position on Legislation (Assembly Bill 2455)
- The board reviewed Assembly Bill 2455, which would allow the Santa Rita Hills Community Services District board to consist of three members.
- The district’s general manager requested support for the legislation to improve quorum requirements.
- The board unanimously supported the bill with the caveat that any amendments would require reconsideration.
Hearing to Consider Recommendations Regarding the Rose Petition for Termination of the Grove Non-Conforming Use
- The board convened to make a final decision on the termination of a non-conforming use for a farmhouse.
- The petitioner argued the use had changed to a single-family dwelling, while the respondent argued the vested right was never abandoned.
- A motion to adopt staff’s recommended actions, including findings terminating the non-conforming use, failed with a 2-2 vote.
- By operation of law, the tie vote results in no action being taken, permitting the continuance of the non-conforming use.
No decision 2–2
Closed Session
- The Chair reported the substance of a settlement in pending litigation between the County and Ms. Valerie Walston.
- The County paid $30,000 in exchange for a general release of all claims arising from Ms. Walston’s volunteer services.
- The settlement was reached without admitting fault.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Roll Call
- The April 1, 2014, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order. A roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the March 18 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item A3: National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resolution
- Due to scheduling constraints, this item was moved to the front of the agenda. District Attorney Dorothy Dudley and Megan Reichert-Reinchild, Director of the Victim Witness Program, spoke regarding the impact of crime on victims and upcoming events for National Crime Victims' Rights Week. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution proclaiming April 6–12, 2014, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item D8: Beach Club Appeal
- A motion was initially made to withdraw the item at the request of Planning and Development. The motion was amended to continue the item to a later date to allow for re-notice. The amended motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Agenda Items A1–A8: Resolutions
- A motion was made and seconded to approve items A1 through A8. The motion passed unanimously. The following resolutions were presented and adopted:
- Item A1: Cesar Chavez Day Resolution: Proclaiming March 31, 2014, as Cesar Chavez Day.
- Item A2: Woman of Valor Resolution: Honoring Adele Rosen as the 2014 Woman of Valor.
- Item A4: Equal Pay Day Resolution: Proclaiming April 8, 2014, as Equal Pay Day.
- Item A5: Child Abuse Prevention Month Resolution: Recognizing April 2014 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- Item A6: National Poetry Month Resolution: Proclaiming April 2014 as National Poetry Month.
- Item A7: Week of the Young Child Resolution: Proclaiming April 6–12, 2014, as Santa Barbara County Week of the Young Child.
- Item A8: Employee of the Month Resolution: Honoring Brad Crandall as the Santa Barbara County Employee of the Month for April 2014.
Public Comment
- The board opened the floor for public comment. Speakers addressed topics including emergency preparedness designations, mental health treatment versus incarceration, a dispute regarding a self-service dog wash business, animal welfare, and homelessness. Supervisors responded by noting ongoing efforts to restructure mental health services, including the development of ACT teams and CARES groups, and indicated that staff would provide further updates on mental health budgets and system reviews in upcoming meetings.
Administrative Agenda Item A13: Library Special Tax and Survey
- Discussion centered on a $10,000 county share to conduct a poll for a library special tax in the Goleta/CSA 3 area, requested by the City of Goleta. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed 5-0.
Administrative Agenda Item A27: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Hearing
- The item requested the Board set a hearing for April 22 to consider revisions to the Transient Occupancy Tax for the November 2014 election. A motion was made and seconded to set the hearing for April 22, with a modification directing staff to prepare options for both a 10% to 12% increase and a 10% to 12.5% increase. The motion passed 5-0.
Administrative Agenda: Balance of Items
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda Item 1: Response to Grand Jury Report on Inmates Released During Late Night Hours
- Staff presented a draft response to a Grand Jury report regarding the release of inmates between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Public comment included support for a community-based "Lights On" style program and concerns about funding for transportation. The Sheriff’s Department detailed recent actions, including working with community organizations to staff a ride program, improving lobby conditions, and implementing policies to offer taxi rides to inmates with limited funds. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the responses to the Grand Jury findings and authorize the Chair to sign the response letter. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda Item 2: 211 Helpline Service in Santa Barbara County
- Staff presented an overview of the 211 helpline, noting the need for a database cleanup and a community host. The Community Action Commission (CAC) expressed willingness to serve as the host contingent on sustained funding. Staff recommended appropriating $30,000 for database cleanup and directing staff to pursue partnerships and funding. A motion was made and seconded to adopt staff recommendations A through E. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda Item 3: Measure A Program of Projects for Fiscal Year 2014-15
- Public Works staff presented the proposed five-year Measure A program of projects for fiscal years 2014-15 through 2018-19, including updates on the Pavement Condition Index and deferred maintenance backlog. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item and all staff recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session Report
- The Board reconvened from closed session. The Chair reported the substance of a settlement in pending litigation between the County and Ms. Valerie Walston. The County paid $30,000 in exchange for a general release of all claims arising from Ms. Walston’s volunteer services, without admitting fault.
Departmental Agenda Item 4: Mission Canyon Community Plan
- Staff presented the final action on the Mission Canyon Community Plan, including amendments to the Land Use and Development Code, new residential design guidelines, and zoning map amendments. Public testimony addressed concerns regarding on-street parking and emergency egress, while others supported the plan’s transparency and outreach processes. Staff clarified that specific parking removals are not predetermined but subject to future analysis. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the recommendations, including a new annual reporting requirement on Mission Canyon permit activity. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Agenda Item 5: Continuum of Care Program
- Staff presented a report on the Continuum of Care (COC) program and the County’s role as Collaborative Applicant, HMIS Lead Agency, and Grant Administrator. Staff requested an additional full-time equivalent position to fulfill these duties. Public speakers supported the County continuing in these roles to secure HUD funding. A motion was made and seconded to adopt staff recommendations A, B1, B2, B3, and E. The motion passed 4-1.
Departmental Agenda Item 6: Hearing to Consider Options Regarding a Potential Advocacy Position on Legislation (Assembly Bill 2455)
- The board reviewed Assembly Bill 2455, which would allow the Santa Rita Hills Community Services District board to consist of three members rather than five. The district’s general manager requested support for the legislation to improve quorum requirements. A motion was made and seconded to support Assembly Bill 2455, with the caveat that if the bill is amended, it should be brought back to the board for reconsideration. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Agenda Item 7: Hearing to Consider Recommendations Regarding the Rose Petition for Termination of the Grove Non-Conforming Use
- The board convened to make a final decision on the termination of a non-conforming use for a farmhouse. Supervisor Adam recused himself from voting. A procedural motion was made and seconded to not admit new evidence, limiting the proceeding to argument and comment; this motion passed. The petitioner argued that the structure’s use had changed from a guest house to a single-family dwelling, constituting abandonment of the non-conforming right. The respondent argued that the use was never abandoned and that the board lacked clear and compelling evidence to terminate the vested right. Public comment was mixed, with neighbors supporting termination and others opposing it based on property rights. Supervisor Farr moved to adopt staff’s recommended actions, which included findings of fact terminating the non-conforming use, with an amendment inviting the owners to apply for a permit to legalize the use. The motion was seconded. The motion failed with a 2-2 vote. By operation of case law and the Land Use and Development Code, the tie vote results in no action being taken, which is deemed to permit the continuance of the non-conforming use.
No decision 2–2
Adjournment
- The Board adjourned to the budget workshop scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Santa Barbara.