Board of Supervisors — 2014-04-15

♪ ♪ Morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to welcome everybody to the April 15th tax day. Meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Madam Clerk, can I get a roll call please?

Ms. Farr. Here. Mr. Adam. Here. Mr Carbajal. Here Miss Wolfe. Here Mr. Lavinino.

All right, thank you very much. We have two different sets of minutes that we need to approve. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes of the April 1st 2014 meeting? Moved and seconded. All those in favor? Aye. None opposed. Passes unanimously. And then I need a motion to approve the minutes of the budget workshops of April 7th, 8th and 9th of 2014. Moved and seconded. All those in favor?

Aye. Great passes unanimously. We'll move to public comment. We have, I believe one request to speak Madam Clerk.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, we have two requests to speak for public comment. Our first speaker is Adam Walters to be followed by Steve Ronaldo.

Morning, you'll have three minutes. Good morning Gordon. My name is Adam Walters. Can you speak into

the microphone? I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

There

you go. I'm Adam Walters. I am here concerning my dad again here with the over medication and the care facilities of elder people. It appears the public guardian should be taking a little bit better track of people they can serve. My dad, two years ago he almost died because under the care of the public guardian I don't think whoever was in charge at the time was paying too close of attention what was going on in these care facilities.

The court system fell me while trying to get conservatorship with my dad away from the public guardian slash tax administrator Harry Hagen even reprimanded me when I took my dad to a doctor, and that apparently wasn't okay with him. So now I can't even take him out to lunch or an ice cream until recently they were thinking about it which made no sense to me.

So when I was in court, I had a video transcript proof that my dad desperately wanted out of the abiding care facility on Modoc and wanted me to take over his care. It seems as though my dad has had all of his rights taken away from the public guardian. He's stuck in a little 12 by 12 room all day long. He was allowed no visitors up until recently For years I've tried to get him in a different facility, dealing with different people and the public guardian.

With no response, I was living out of state at the time and I was getting no response. He's been left in the same place for the last six years and he's still there. And you know, I have tried to take care of my dad. And if anything happens to him, such as any injury or wrongful death, I'm going to hold the County of Santa Barbara civilly and criminally responsible. It's already been proven I'm willing to take care of my dad. I've had to deal with some corrupt people out of that office. So that's all I've got to say.

Thank you for being here this morning. Thanks. Supervisor Carbajal?

Mr. Council. These situations are really dictated by the courts, correct?

And Supervisor Carpaul, you're correct. We actually provide legal support to the public guardian and the court rules on disputes such as those that you've just heard.

I just wanted to point that out because I think oftentimes we're, the county's asked to opine or to take certain action on these issues but it's really The separate agency of government, the separate branch which is the courts that dictate conservatorships and what have you in the terms of conservatorships not the Board of Supervisors. So thank you. All

right. Are we good?

Our next request to speak is from Steve Rinaldo and we had an additional request to speak from Christine Schwartz.

Good morning Supervisors, Chair. Again today I'd like to discuss the hijacking of the... I'm sorry, I just find that hijacking incident to be funny. I believe the people from the mental health that were the advocates for the mental health have an excellent reason for being here and discussing that. This morning's Santa Barbara News Press Has a story about a trend persisting of, trend persists of prisons as mental health housing.

We know time and time again many of the mentally ill don't receive the adequate services they need. Of course that's been a focus point of ours for quite awhile. What I'd like to address today is News Press itself and their handling of some pretty big issues regarding court. Again, every person has a right to a fair trial. I've been in a situation where I was on national TV on the TV show On Patrol.

I didn't get a fair trial. I didn't even get to see the unedited video of that show. Fought it for eight months. Now I see a couple of other people are in situations, for instance the teen that's being blamed for Deltopia. Why are we putting a 17-year old's name in the newspaper before he has even had a chance for jury selection? Why do we continually Not print the fact that two sheriff's deputies have been indicted by the federal grand jury. Why isn't that a regular issue? The trend I'd like to speak about is gangs, how they're reported.

Every news press article is on microfilm. I could go back and just take snapshots of the front pages and you'd notice that every other page is a mug shot. Is establishing a pretrial paradigm of how we should deal with this problem. Again, the mentally health are just affected by this as well. This needs to change and there are ways of changing it. Boycotts, protests, I imagine this stuff will continue if these things persist. Thank you.

Our final speaker is Christine Schwartz.

Good morning. I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of New Beginnings Counseling Center and speaking regarding the community services funding We have two programs that will hopefully be funded by The funding this year the safe parking program and our Community Counseling Center And we really rely heavily on the funds that we receive from the county in the city in the state and the federal government And I know that it's a competitive process and difficult decisions have to be made for funding. And I appreciate the time that everyone puts into reading the applications and reviewing the material, and making the difficult decisions. And I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you. That closes out our public comment period. And before we go to our administrative agenda are there any changes that need to be made?

Chair Lavinino, members of the board we posted an addendum on Friday which added a fifth item to the departmental agenda. It comes from the county executive office it is to receive and file a presentation on maintenance funding options and scenarios as a continuation of the fiscal year 2014-2016 budget development workshops.

Okay

been providing these important services Information, staff consultation since 1999 and serving our residents. Recognizing Fair Housing Month and reviewing what it represents is very important to our community. One of the roles of our program is to help educate and inform tenants and landlords of their rights and responsibilities including those pertaining to fair housing. With increased knowledge, tenants and landlords can together work out their disputes and avoid litigation and maintain housing.

On behalf of the Rental Housing Mediation Task Force program staff, and our 15-member City Council appointed trained volunteer mediators, we thank you for your continued support in this fair housing resolution. I understand Mickey Flax would like to speak next.

Good morning, Board of Supervisors. Thank you very much for this resolution. I'm also here representing or at least a member of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Santa Barbara Housing Authority which under federal law and policy and dedication is committed to fair housing in its units We also sponsor Section 8 housing vouchers, and on my street there's a gentleman who lives in a van.

I have struck up a friendship with him and urged him to seek out the opportunity to move into permanent housing. He's a veteran and he got a veterans voucher and went looking for an apartment. He found one but the owner of the apartment, I think it was at some sort of non-profit foundation but the director of the foundation was very concerned about his marital status which is illegal And he has had a long-term relationship with the gentleman who just died, and he's very upset about that. So he talks about his husband all the time.

When the owner of the unit heard that there was no longer an availability and he was not allowed to move into that apartment. He's not in a position to go to court or to fight that. I think it's our responsibility collectively, to make sure that people both potential tenants and potential landlords understand and potential sellers understand that fair housing is the law of the land, the law of the county, the law of human rights.

Despite a long record in activism, I was only arrested once And that was at a sit-in, at a city council meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1961 trying to get them to pass a fair housing law. At that time it had to be done city by city, county by county. I'm very happy to realize the progress that has been made but I think we also have to understand that there's still lots to be done and thank you for this resolution and continuing recognition of that fact. Thank you.

All right, we'll go to A2 with Supervisor Carbajal.

Thank you Mr. Chair if I could have Sigrid Wright from the Community Environmental Council come forward and okay great. Sigrid come on up. Every year we pass, at least for a number of years since I've been involved with NACo and as your representative to NACO. We try to promote County Government Month. And usually there's a different theme for that year and this year it's resiliency.

And we in county government have done a lot to promote resiliency. We've had many discussions. Promulgating many policies, many efforts to try to achieve that for our county operations and in our community. But this year in commemorating Government County Month I thought I would invite CEC and Sigrid Wright is here representing this organization because we never do anything alone and the CEC Organization Community Environmental Council Our community has been in the forefront and in the avant garde of environmental protection sustainability.

And early on now recycling is so common to many of us. But back in the day was CEC who really started that and in our community. And now we're at 73% of recycling of ours of our waste. I thought that it would be great to celebrate all the partners and agencies that have really helped create this momentum and this culture of sustainability and resiliency. So, um, I really appreciate you being here Sigrid to accept this award commemorating counties but in the area of resiliency because of all the great efforts that CEC does To help us, to push us to be more resilient and sustainable. If you could read the resolution please?

Chair Lavinino, members of the board. This is a resolution proclaiming April 2014 as National County Government Month in Santa Barbara County whereas the nation's 3,077 counties provide over 300 million Americans with a number of essential public services that include public safety, public health, social services, mental health services, administering elections, keeping records and community planning And whereas the National Association of Counties, NACo has designated April 2014 as National County Government Month. And whereas Santa Barbara County is working with NACO through its resilient counties initiative and other stakeholders to plan and implement efforts To make our community more resilient in the face of expected climate and economic diversity.

This includes providing additional resources to enhance the security over energy, food, water, transportation and emergency response systems. To enhance their ability to thrive amid change physical, social and economic conditions. And whereas a resilient community is one that remains healthy, vibrant, safe and economically competitive while able to anticipate and adopt to all types of change including climate, economic and social. And whereas on April 26th and 27th, county agencies will participate in the annual Earth Day celebration organized by the Community Environmental Council to highlight some of the best practices that individuals and organizations can implement to make our community more resilient and sustainable. Now, therefore be it order and resolve that this Board of Supervisors proclaims April 2014 as National County Government Month and encourage all residents to participate in planned activities that highlight the importance of this year's theme Ready and Resilient Counties.

Prepare, Respond, Thrive! Passed and adopted today.

Thank you, Chair and Supervisors. We're really pleased to be here today. I'm Sigrid Wright. I am the Festival Director for the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. That event is on salutes showing the poster there is April 26th, Saturday April 26th and Sunday April 27th. I am really happy too to have such a strong partnership with the county on the theme of resiliency we hosted a summit with you last summer and many of those themes are carrying over to the festival this year I'm also really happy to see such a strong representation of the county at Earth Day. You have some of the 200 booths we have there, many of the county departments will be there and many of the supervisors will be taking office hours on Saturday.

Most of you know that Santa Barbara was one of the first communities to host an Earth Day festival in the U.S., but you may not know that we continue that legacy, and the county has really been a strong advocate for that. We host one of the largest and most consistently held festivals or Earth Day festivals in the U. S.. And again with the theme of resiliency and partnering with the county, we're really happy. Thank you for this honor.

All right, we'll move on to A4. Supervisor Wolf?

Thank you Mr. Chair. This is a resolution proclaiming April 2014 as DMV Donate Life Month in Santa Barbara County and I'd like to call Scott Burns, Donate Alive Ambassador and Lisa Holzman the Donation Development Coordinator. And before we read the resolution I just like to say a couple of words You know, as I was listening to the word resiliency, Scott comes to mind.

And those 21,000 people in California who are waiting for an organ transplant or and I think that Personal resiliency is to be commended and the hope that a donor or a match will be found for those 21,000 people. And the fact that we're celebrating this event to encourage people when they renew their driver's license to make sure that they are a donor if and when that unfortunate time arises but also knowing that in that act There is that opportunity to save someone else's life. So I am always so honored to present this resolution and I want to thank both of you for being here, and thank you Scott for... You are a hero. And I hope at some point we won't... You can still be an ambassador but we want you to be an ambassador with that new organ.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, this is a resolution proclaiming April 2014 as DMV Donate Life Month in Santa Barbara County. Whereas organ tissue marrow and blood donation are life giving acts recognized worldwide as expressions of compassion to those in need. And whereas more than 121,000 individuals nationwide and more than 21,000 in California are currently on the National Organ Transplant waiting list. And every 90 minutes, one person dies while waiting due to the shortage of donated organs. The need for donated organs is especially urgent in Hispanic and African American communities. And whereas more than 600,000 units of blood per year are needed to meet the need in California at any given time 6,000 patients are in need of volunteer marrow donors.

And whereas a single individual's donation of heart, lungs, Liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives. Donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 50 others, and a single blood donation can help three people in need. Millions of lives each year are saved and healed by donors of organs, tissues, marrow and blood. And whereas the spirit of giving and decision to donate are not restricted by age or medical condition, over 10 million Californians have signed up with the state authorized Donate Life California Registry to ensure their wishes to be organ and tissue donors are honored. And whereas, California residents can sign up with a Donate Life California registry when applying for or renewing their driver's license or ID cards at the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Now therefore, be it order and resolve that this Board of Supervisors proclaims April 2014 as DMV Donate Life Month in Santa Barbara County passed and adopted today.

Thank you, Chair, Board of Supervisors, Ms. Wolfe. We're so proud that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has pronounced this Donate Life Month. My name is Lisa Holzman. I'm the donation development coordinator for the Santa Barbara County with One Legacy, the organ procurement organization in this area. Santa Barbara County actually had 48 organ donors in the last year saving 48 lives And what we like the community to know is those who are giving, it also comes back to our community. So we're very proud to help the community of Santa Barbara County.

I have actually had a kidney transplant for 23 years so I've had a second whole life. My oldest sister has had a kidney transplant for 22 years, my younger brother for 18 years and my other sister just got a kidney transplant from a friend, a living donor. A kidney transplant is a genetic disorder. It's just one of the disorders or diseases where you might need an organ transplant. You might know someone or I've heard of someone who's in need like Scott.

My whole family, by the generosity of others is still standing today able to give back to our communities and that's what I'm doing with OneLegacy so really appreciate this proclamation. We do hope that you will consider and the audience will consider going DonateLiveCalifornia.org, or at least talk with their families about their wishes if they want to or do not want to be a donor so if that time comes their families won't have to make that difficult decision. Thank you.

Thank You Lisa To bring it a little personal two years ago I had a kidney operation and at the operation my kidney failed And I said, oh well I need a new kidney. That's when I found out there was a waiting list. I've been on the waiting list now for two years. I'm expected to be on it for another five years. Normally 90% of the people when they have a family member that needs a kidney they put their hand up and go take mine and generally only about 10% of the time does a family member actually work. I did not know when I needed a kidney that there was actually a waiting list There's right now about 180, 190 people in the county of Santa Barbara that are on this list. One of the reasons we're here is so that the general public realizes that this is an issue and get more awareness on it.

Appreciate your proclamation. I thank you for letting us talk. Thank you.

Thank you very much. All right, we're going to stay with Supervisor Wolf. A5.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is a resolution honoring the Animal Shelter Assistance Program also known as ASAP upon their 25th anniversary. I'd like to call forward Angela Walters Rockwell. She's the ED and President of ASAP Board and Lee Heller, the Vice President of the board. These two women along with the others from ASAP Do an amazing job every day, every hour taking care of our little critter friends.

And we couldn't do the work that is our county's responsibility without the help of the amazing volunteers that you have at ASAP. And so from the County Board of Supervisors, And to wish you another 25 years because you're doing amazing work and truly helping the county and our little friends. Thank you.

Chair Lavinino, members of the board this is a resolution of commendation honoring the Animal Shelter Assistance Program upon their 25th anniversary. Whereas the animal shelter assistance program also known as ASAP has been providing the highest level of care to the homeless cats and kittens of Southern Santa Barbara County since 1989. With a mission of eliminating the killing of adoptable cats impounded at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter by providing daily care, medical rehabilitation and adoptive homes. And whereas the animal shelter assistance program was founded in 1989 by a dedicated core of volunteers Working to save the lives of the cats impounded at the Santa Barbara shelter, said volunteers were able to reduce the euthanasia rate from 90% of adoptable cats to zero adoptable cats within a year.

And whereas the Animal Shelter Assistance Program became the first municipal shelter in the US to stop the killing of adoptable cats for the sole purpose of population control. By the end of 1990, the Animal Shelter Assistance Program's adoption rate leapt from 10% to 100% of adoptable cats. And whereas the Animal Shelter Assistance Program has become a model in Santa Barbara County, it is a model of successful partnership between a municipal animal control agency And a private 501c3 nonprofit engaged in the shared goal of caring for homeless and abandoned animals. Now therefore be it ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors commence Animal Shelter Assistance Program upon its 25th anniversary, and thanks the program and its members for their dedication to saving and improving the lives of Santa Barbara County's homeless and abandoned cats passed and adopted today.

Thank you Chairman Lovino, Supervisor Wolf and members of the board. My name is Angela Walters Rockwell and I'm the president of the ASAP Board of Directors as well as the executive director and I'm here with Lee Heller who is the vice president of our Board of Directors. It's very exciting for me to be here today because ASAP actually started in this room with a group of committed citizens that came before the Board of Supervisors And asked for a chance, a chance to save the lives of the cats and kittens that were coming into the Santa Barbara County shelter. Because back in 1989, 90% of those cats never made it out alive.

And the Board of Supervisors in 1989 took a chance on a group of citizens in this community and 25 years later ASAP has grown into an incredibly successful well-respected rescue organization. We achieve what few rescue groups nationally could ever even dream of And last year, over 94% of the cats and kittens entering our shelter not only left alive but went to loving adoptable homes. We are extremely pleased we operate on a shoestring budget with about 160 volunteers volunteering and donating the equivalent of 12 full time employees seven days a week 365 days a year.

And together with Santa Barbara County Animal Services, we are really a model of how a nonprofit can partner with the municipal government and not only make it work but make it work better. So we thank you today. We thank your predecessors for giving us that chance and we really hope that you'll come celebrate with us on May 17th. We're having a huge party at QAD and here's your invitation.

Thank you so much.

Angela can I bring my cat? I'm just checking. You

could, but I'm not sure he's going to enjoy the martinis that we'll serve you.

All right our last resolution will be Supervisor Adam A6

Okay, we have Steve Grigg and Ian Livitt from Venco. And I just wanted to, by this resolution, appreciate and recognize the value of the service that Finneco does for us as our number one taxpayer. Finneco and all the other taxpayers are the source of 93% of our general fund revenue, and we couldn't provide the services that we do without them. And I wanted to congratulate them and thank them for their service.

Clerk will read.

Chair Lavinino, members of the board. This is a resolution of accommodation honoring Veneco Inc for its many contributions to the county of Santa Barbara. Whereas Veneco Inc is a local company founded in Carpinteria California in 1992 and whereas Veneco employs over 140 residents of Southern California of which 56 live with their families in Santa Barbara County. The average salary of a non-executive Veneca employee is significantly higher than the average in Santa Barbara County and nationwide And Veneco provides high paying opportunities for both skilled and unskilled laborers. And whereas, Veneco paid approximately 4.8 million in property and ad valorem taxes in Santa Barbara County last year. And also paid over 32 million in royalties to the state of California in 2013 which are increasing with each year of production.

And whereas above and beyond their tax contribution, Veneco also donates millions of dollars to a variety of non-profit organizations. The Veneco Community Sponsorship has invested more than $15 million into organizations focused on youth and seniors, environment and education, mental health and homelessness, healthcare and nutrition. And many Veneco employees also volunteer their own personal time for their community and for service programs. And whereas, Veneco is state recognized for the reliability and safety of its operations in 2012 if only six awards available, Veneca received three. One for its operations in Goleta at the Elwood Onshore Facility. Veneco continues to partner with its neighbors and regulatory agencies to improve its policies towards providing safe operations and conditions, and whereas Veneco continues to grow and provide stable jobs and revenue to our communities, county, and state while developing a resource critical to our energy needs.

Now therefore be it order and resolve that this Board of Supervisors recognizes Veneco Inc for its achievements and numerous contributions to our communities County and state passed and adopted today.

Chair Labonino, Supervisor Adam, Board of Supervisors on behalf of the 140 employees that Veneco has in our Southern California operations we're very honored to accept this award and appreciate it very much. Within Veneco, I want to say a couple of things. First of all we are very much, we're a local company, we're based in Carpentria. We're very much recognized by all of our state and federal regulators as being a superior operator of our operations here in Santa Barbara County and indeed in all of Southern California. And all of us that work there are very, very proud of that recognition. We're also very, very pleased to be acknowledged that we actually provide economic vitality to the state of California and to the local counties where we work, especially Santa Barbara County.

And that may be through employment, through contract services, through production royalties that we pay to the states, taxes that we pay to the counties, and contributions we make to many, many non-profits. All of us at Veneco are very proud of what we do and Provide that economic vitality to the county, and we all of us really appreciate very much this honor that you guys are giving us today. Thank you very, very much.

Thank you. Supervisor Carbone? Thank you very much Mr. Chair. I congratulate you on getting this resolution. Mr. Adam kind of forgot that you're in my district, or else I would have actually co-sponsored this resolution. You know, I think everything in that resolution is something we all agree with. You guys do an extraordinary job. You live in a sector that is challenging at times and creates a lot of debate and discussion.

But notwithstanding that valid debate that I think goes on about your industry, no doubt you contribute greatly to our economy. You contribute greatly in your philanthropy to many of the organizations and I just want to recognize you for all the good you do in the community and for the economic contribution to our economy so thank you.

Also want to add it's probably not a title. That most are clamoring to get is the number one taxpayer in the county, but it fell upon you this year. But I also wanted to just recognize the job that Steve Gregg does for your company and it's always important for us to have a A point of contact that understands the nuances of Santa Barbara County and the industry in which you work. And I just want to thank you for the accessibility and professionalism that he has, and understands where he works and how things need to be done here at a different level, a standard that doesn't apply elsewhere. So just wanted to publicly acknowledge that.

Supervisor-

I want to ask you one question. Why are you located in Carpinteria? Here's your opportunity to say all the wonderful things about my district.

Yeah, the tough questions come to me. Literally that's where the company was formed. It was formed in 1992 with a small office over off of Carpentry Avenue. We spent some time in Santa Barbara and just the availability of the space and kind of where our employees are located it made the most sense to be in Carpentry.

I want to echo what Supervisor Lavinino said about you, Steve. I think it's great to be able to have ongoing communication when there's issues that arise and have good honest discussions and I appreciate that.

Well thank you very much. I feel the same. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Very good. Thank you very much. All right. With that, are there any speakers from the public on the rest of the agenda?

Chair Lavinino and members of the board we have a request to speak from the public on item A15.

Okay. And do any of my board members wish to pull any items? Mr.

Chair I'd like to pull A12 and A19.

12 and 19, Supervisor Carbajal? Supervisor Wolf? None. Peter? None. I would like to pull A18. And so let's go to the public first with 15.

Chair Lavagnino and members of the board, item A-15 is from Community Services. It is to consider recommendations regarding revisions to the Kachuma Lake Recreation Area Mandatory Vessel Inspection Program and Boat Launch Protocol in the 3rd District. And our request to speak today is Whitney Wada.

Good morning. Good morning I'd like to thank the Board for the opportunity to speak back in 2000, I believe it was the end Seven, when I first heard about the issue with quagga mussels, the Casitas Municipal Water District was looking to close down at Casitas. So I started going to all of the hearings and to find out what the issues were. Back then there was no protocol as far as inspection and it was Santa Barbara County that created the ad hoc committee that came up with a tagging system that all the other lakes have followed hence.

I'm not in opposition of the inspection protocols. I think they're very important, but I have a couple of issues with the 30-day notice or quarantine. If I never fish outside of the county and I take my boat to the harbor, the harbors run by the city. If i've gone to Kachuma and had my boat tagged and then wanted to fish the ocean, the tag is broken. There's no protocol with the city to address, to have my boat retagged And then if I wanted to go the next day to Kachuma, I would be quarantined for 30 days. Not ever leaving the county, not ever being in any of the affected waters.