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
Minutes and Agenda Additions
- The Board reviewed and approved the minutes from the July 11, 2017 meeting.
- A motion was passed to add the Alamo and Whittier Fires to the agenda under the Brown Act emergency exception.
Fire Incident Updates (Alamo and Whittier Fires)
- Fire Chief Eric Peterson reported that the Alamo Fire is 100% contained and the Whittier Fire is 62% contained.
- Representatives from the Sheriff’s Office and OEM discussed coordination efforts, evacuation details, and mutual aid resources.
- The Board ratified the local emergency declaration and received the incident report.
Controlled Burns and Fire Prevention
- The Board discussed the timing of controlled burns, noting optimal operations occur in the fall after rainfall.
- A motion was passed to schedule a D-item for the fall to discuss county policy regarding controlled burns.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program
- Staff presented a plan to implement solar systems and energy efficiency measures across county campuses to reduce utility costs.
- The Board authorized staff to proceed with preliminary analysis, including siting and financial analysis for renewable energy measures.
Water Well Permitting and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Regulations
- Staff directed to work on ordinance amendments regarding H2S notification and mitigation for water wells.
- The Board decided not to require flow meters or discretionary permits for new agricultural wells.
- The Board required monitoring via flow meters for non-agricultural water well permits in areas served by a water district.
Water and Sewer Service Commitments
- Staff recommended accepting "intent to serve" letters rather than formal "can and will serve" letters for development projects.
- The Board approved the recommendation with the addition of disclaimers to the development project findings.
Santa Barbara Main Jail Grand Jury Report
- The Board accepted the county’s response to the Grand Jury report on the Santa Barbara Main Jail.
- The response was modified to state that the Sheriff’s Department will work with the Board of Supervisors or General Services on repurposing projects.
Budget Revisions (Items 4981 and 5000)
- The Board approved general budget revisions but directed items 4981 and 5000 to return for further review.
- Items 4981 and 5000 involve funding for the Almentum system implementation and the Assessor’s APS system rewrite.
Family-Friendly Winter Break Schedule
- The Board approved an ordinance and resolution modifying hours for a family-friendly winter break schedule.
Countywide Integrated Stormwater Resource Plan Grant
- Staff announced the acceptance of a Proposition 1 grant to develop a regional stormwater resource plan.
- The consultant GeoSyntec was selected, with the plan expected to take 8–12 months to complete.
Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week
- The Board approved a resolution proclaiming July 16–22, 2017, as Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week.
Honorary Resolution
- The Board approved an honorary resolution.
Closed Session
- The Board reported on four items considered in closed session, including litigation involving Young America’s Foundation and Welland.
- No reportable actions were taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Minutes and Agenda Additions
- Discussion: The Board reviewed the minutes from the July 11, 2017 meeting. Additionally, a motion was made to add the Alamo and Whittier Fires to the agenda under the Brown Act emergency exception.
- Action: Motions were made and seconded to approve the minutes and to add the fire discussion to the agenda.
- Outcome: Both motions passed.
Agenda Item: Fire Incident Updates (Alamo and Whittier Fires)
- Discussion: Fire Chief Eric Peterson provided an update on the Alamo Fire (100% contained, 28,700 acres) and the Whittier Fire (62% contained, over 18,000 acres). Reports included damage assessments, evacuation details (approximately 5,000 people), and the use of infrared mapping technology. The Sheriff’s Office and OEM representatives discussed coordination efforts and mutual aid resources. Public comment was received regarding fire prevention policies, including concerns about hillside protection policies, state/federal forest management, and the need for more aggressive controlled burns.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to receive and file the report and ratify the local emergency declaration. A request was made to broaden the declaration to include vegetation fuel management.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Controlled Burns and Fire Prevention
- Discussion: The Board discussed the timing and policy of controlled burns, noting that optimal operations occur in the fall after rainfall. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of control burns in the Tepescay area.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to schedule a D-item for the fall to discuss county policy regarding controlled burns.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program
- Discussion: Staff presented a plan to implement renewable energy systems (primarily solar) and energy efficiency measures across county campuses to reduce utility costs. The presentation covered phases for energy audits, site identification, and implementation, as well as financing options such as bonds or leasing. Public comment addressed utility costs, renewable mandates, and the recyclability of solar panels and batteries. Staff highlighted the success of the solar array at the Chiquita campus and discussed on-bill financing programs.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to accept staff’s recommendation to proceed with the preliminary analysis of renewable energy measures, including siting and financial analysis, and to authorize the next steps regarding the energy report.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Water Well Permitting and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Regulations
- Discussion: Staff presented options regarding water well drilling, specifically addressing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releases and water usage in areas served by municipal water districts. The discussion included the distinction between agricultural and non-agricultural wells, the role of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) under SGMA, and the Coastal Commission’s recommendations. Public comment was extensive, with speakers opposing discretionary permits and flow meters for agricultural wells, citing economic burdens and property rights, while others supported targeted regulations for H2S mitigation and monitoring in municipal service areas.
- Action: Several motions were made and seconded:
- 1. Direct staff to work on amendments to the well construction ordinance regarding H2S notification and mitigation, including adding conditions to County Code 34A for actions taken during H2S leaks. 2. Direct staff to work with County Counsel to develop language requiring notification to staff if there are significant changes to the permit application (e.g., drilling deeper than permitted). 3. Not require flow meters for new wells in agricultural land. 4. Not require discretionary permits for new wells in agricultural land. 5. Require monitoring (flow meters) for non-agricultural water well permits in areas served by a water district.
- Outcome:
- 1. Motion to direct staff on H2S ordinance amendments: Passed. 2. Motion to direct staff on notification language for permit changes: Passed. 3. Motion to not require flow meters for agricultural wells: Passed. 4. Motion to not require discretionary permits for agricultural wells: Passed. 5. Motion to require monitoring for non-agricultural wells in water district areas: Passed via roll call vote.
Agenda Item: Water and Sewer Service Commitments
- Discussion: Staff presented options for development projects and residential subdivisions regarding water and sewer service commitments. Staff recommended accepting "intent to serve" letters rather than requiring formal "can and will serve" letters, citing existing safeguards in the building permit process. Concerns were raised regarding the county’s ability to make findings of adequate water service based solely on intent letters.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to accept staff’s recommendation to accept "intent to serve" letters, with the addition of disclaimers to the development project findings.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Santa Barbara Main Jail Grand Jury Report
- Discussion: Staff presented the county’s response to the 2016-2017 Grand Jury report on the Santa Barbara Main Jail. The Board discussed findings regarding repair prioritization, repurposing projects, and funding availability. Supervisor Williams expressed concern that the report suggested only the Sheriff’s Department would work with consultants, recommending the inclusion of the Board of Supervisors or General Services.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to accept staff’s recommendation regarding the jail repurposing report, with the exception of adding a response that the Sheriff’s Department will work in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors or General Services with expert consultants.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Budget Revisions (Items 4981 and 5000)
- Discussion: Staff clarified that Item 4981 involves moving salary savings to fund consultants for the Almentum system implementation and server replacement, while Item 5000 relates to the Assessor’s APS system rewrite. A four-fifths vote was required for these revisions.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve budget revisions as noted, except for items 4981 and 5000, which were directed to return to the board on the departmental agenda at the next meeting for further review.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Family-Friendly Winter Break Schedule
- Discussion: The Board considered recommendations regarding an ordinance and resolution modifying hours for a family-friendly winter break schedule.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the item.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Countywide Integrated Stormwater Resource Plan Grant
- Discussion: Staff announced the acceptance of a Proposition 1 grant to develop a regional stormwater resource plan in partnership with cities, water agencies, and UCSB. The consultant GeoSyntec was selected, and the plan is expected to take 8–12 months.
- Action: No specific motion or vote outcome is recorded in the provided segments for a final adoption, as the item appears to be part of a broader hearing process.
Agenda Item: Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week
- Discussion: A resolution was presented to proclaim July 16–22, 2017, as Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Honorary Resolution
- Discussion: An honorary resolution was presented.
- Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the honorary resolution.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Closed Session Litigation
- Discussion: The Board reported on four items considered in closed session, including Young America’s Foundation v. County of Santa Barbara, Welland v. County of Santa Barbara, and conferences with legal counsel regarding significant exposure to litigation.
- Action: No reportable actions were taken.
Adjournment
- The Board adjourned the meeting, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, in the Santa Barbara hearing room.