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
Non-Medical Marijuana Interim Urgency Ordinance Extension
- Staff requested a 22-month extension to allow time for regulatory analysis and draft ordinance development.
- Consultants PREPARE and EIR have submitted proposals to support the regulatory process.
- The extension aims to maintain the temporary prohibition on non-medical cannabis activities during the planning phase.
2017-18 Countywide Proposed Library Budget Update (Zone 1)
- Staff presented proposed changes to administrative fees and population-based funding formulas affecting Zone 1 libraries.
- The Board directed staff to hire a consultant to review the funding issues outlined in the staff report.
- A letter will be sent to the City of Santa Barbara requesting a phased-in approach to the administrative fee increase.
- Funding for all Zone 1 libraries will remain at current levels until the consultant's findings are received.
Extra Help Services and Retirement Waiver for the Office of Public Defender
- Staff requested approval to appoint a retired county employee as extra help to address critical staffing needs.
- The appointment is limited to a maximum of 960 hours per year.
- The Board approved the motion to authorize the extra help services and retirement waiver.
Santa Barbara County Kyrie Out Solar Array Five-Year Update
- Staff reported that the solar array generated 10% more electricity than projected with a 13–14 year payback period.
- The Board directed staff to return with viable proposals for future solar development projects.
Kachuma Project Water Service Contract Renewal
- Staff presented the renewal of the water service contract with the Bureau of Reclamation.
- The Board approved initiating the renewal process with a condition requiring Board sign-off on any sale of replacement water.
- Legal counsel clarified that the current action does not constitute final approval of the project.
Transportation Development Act (TDA) Claim for Fiscal Year 2017-18
- Staff presented the annual TDA claim, noting $428,000 is allocated for road maintenance in the budget.
- The Board approved the motion regarding the allocation of TDA funds.
General Services Project Options
- The Board received and filed the report on infrastructure and facility improvement options.
- Staff was directed to return in 90 days with specific project options for further consideration.
Drought Proclamation / Water Awareness
- A Water Agency representative discussed the ongoing drought status and May as Water Awareness Month.
- The Board approved the drought proclamation and related resolution.
Planning & Development Awards
- Staff presented awards received by the department, including the Comprehensive Plan Large Jurisdiction Award.
- The team responsible for the awards was invited to the front for a group photograph.
Resolution of Commendation Honoring Michael Tobes
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams was presented to honor the life and contributions of Michael Tobes.
- The resolution was read into the record and adopted by the Board.
Resolution Proclaiming May 2017 as Water Awareness Month
- A resolution sponsored by Chair Hartman was presented to officially proclaim May 2017 as Water Awareness Month.
- The resolution was read into the record and adopted by the Board.
Resolution of Commendation Honoring Jody Leitner
- A resolution sponsored by Chair Hartman honored Jody Leitner as the Public Works Department Employee of the Month.
- The resolution was read into the record and adopted by the Board.
Resolution Proclaiming National Nurses Day and Week
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Labagnino proclaimed May 6, 2017, as National Nurses Day.
- The week of May 6–12 was also proclaimed as National Nurses Week.
- The resolution was read into the record and adopted by the Board.
Closed Session
- The Board agreed to accept the voluntary resignation of an employee in the County of Santa Barbara v. Cobellans case.
- The settlement includes a payment of approximately $50,000 and the dismissal of the county’s complaint with prejudice.
Full summary
Administrative Agenda
- Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of April 11, 2017, and the workshop minutes of April 17, 19, and 21, 2017. The motion passed.
- Honorary Resolutions: A motion was made and seconded to approve five honorary resolutions. The motion passed.
- Balance of Administrative Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda (Items A1–A26). The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda
- Non-Medical Marijuana Interim Urgency Ordinance Extension: Staff presented a request to extend the interim urgency ordinance, originally adopted on April 4, 2017, which temporarily prohibits non-medical cannabis activities. The ordinance is currently effective for 45 days. Staff requested an extension of 22 months and 15 days to allow time for regulatory analysis, public outreach, and the development of a draft ordinance. Staff noted that proposals from consultants PREPARE and EIR have been received. No public speakers were present for this item. No specific motion or vote outcome is recorded in the provided text for this item.
- 2017-18 Countywide Proposed Library Budget Update (Zone 1): Staff presented an update on Zone 1 library issues, covering the Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria, Solvang, and Buellton libraries. The City of Santa Barbara proposed increasing the administrative fee from 9% to 18% and changing the per capita funding formula based on population ratios, which would reduce Goleta’s population sphere by approximately 24,000 people. The Library Advisory Committee recommended smoothing the administrative fee increase over two to three years and splitting the population adjustment. Public comments were received from the City of Santa Barbara Library Board, the Goleta School Board, a resident, and a representative for the City of Goleta, discussing funding impacts, service areas, and staff reductions.
- Motion 1 (Consultant): A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to hire a consultant to review the issues outlined in the staff report. The motion passed.
- Motion 2 (Administrative Fee Letter): A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to write a letter to the City of Santa Barbara requesting a phase-in of the administrative fee increase. The motion passed.
- Motion 3 (Funding Allocation): A motion was made and seconded to maintain the status quo funding for all libraries at the current level until information is received from the consultant, accepting the Library Advisory Committee’s recommendation. The motion passed.
- Extra Help Services and Retirement Waiver for the Office of Public Defender: Staff presented a request from the Public Defender to appoint retired county employee Robert Icola as extra help to fill a critical need in the office, not to exceed 960 hours per year. No public comments were recorded. A motion was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Santa Barbara County Kyrie Out Solar Array Five-Year Update: Staff presented a five-year update for the solar array project at the Cali Real campus, noting it generated 10% more electricity than projected and has a 13–14 year payback period. Public comments discussed financial benefits, future solar projects, and net metering caps.
- Motion: A motion was made to direct staff to return with viable project proposals for future solar development. The motion passed.
- Kachuma Project Water Service Contract Renewal: Staff presented the renewal of the Kachuma Project water service contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. Public comments were received from the Santa Ynez River Improvement District, Committees for Land, Air, Water and Species, and others, raising concerns about the contracting process, transparency, CEQA lead agency status, and the use of water for development versus drought buffer. Staff and legal counsel discussed the non-binding term sheet and Lead Agency Agreement with the Central Coast Water Agency (CCWA), clarifying that the current action does not constitute final approval of the project.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to accept the staff recommendation to initiate the process of renewal of the Kachuma Master Contract, with the condition that if the Board moves past the non-binding stage, the agreement must include a requirement for the Board to sign off on any sale of replacement water. The motion passed.
- Transportation Development Act (TDA) Claim for Fiscal Year 2017-18: Staff presented the annual TDA claim, noting that $428,000 is built into the budget for road maintenance. Public comment was received regarding the use of TDA funds for transit versus road maintenance. The Board discussed the allocation of TDA funds. A motion was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- General Services Project Options: The Board discussed project options regarding infrastructure or facility improvements. A motion was made and seconded to receive and file the report, with a request for General Services to return in 90 days with project options. The motion passed.
- Drought Proclamation / Water Awareness: A representative from the Water Agency spoke about May as Water Awareness Month and the ongoing drought status. A motion was made and seconded to approve the drought proclamation or related resolution. The motion passed.
- Planning & Development Awards: Staff presented awards received by the Planning & Development department, including the Comprehensive Plan Large Jurisdiction Award, the Innovation in Green Community Planning Award, and the Public Outreach Award. Staff invited the responsible team members to the front for a group photograph. No vote was required.
Resolutions
- Resolution of Commendation Honoring Michael Tobes: A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams was presented to honor the life and contributions of Michael Tobes. The resolution was read into the record. The resolution passed and was adopted.
- Resolution Proclaiming May 2017 as Water Awareness Month: A resolution sponsored by Chair Hartman was presented to proclaim May 2017 as Water Awareness Month. The resolution was read into the record. The resolution passed and was adopted.
- Resolution of Commendation Honoring Jody Leitner: A resolution sponsored by Chair Hartman was presented to honor Jody Leitner as the Public Works Department Employee of the Month for May 2017. The resolution was read into the record. The resolution passed and was adopted.
- Resolution Proclaiming National Nurses Day and Week: A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Labagnino was presented to proclaim May 6, 2017, as National Nurses Day and the week of May 6–12 as National Nurses Week. The resolution was read into the record. The resolution passed and was adopted.
Closed Session
- The Board entered closed session to consider matters including labor negotiations, public employee appointments, and legal counsel conferences. Upon returning, the County Counsel reported out from closed session. In the case of County of Santa Barbara v. Cobellans, the Board agreed to accept the voluntary resignation of the employee, pay approximately $50,000, and dismiss the county’s complaint to recover overpaid wages with prejudice. The settlement was passed.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for May 9 in Santa Maria.