Board of Supervisors — 2017-07-25

CEO’s Report: Wildfire Response

• The federal Burned Area Emergency Response team began assessing Whittier fire impacts at the County Emergency Operations Center.
• Assessments focus on burned areas, watersheds, and emergency treatments to protect resources and infrastructure.
• The County and local agencies will collaborate with the BEAR team on short-term flooding and long-term rehabilitation.

Resolution of Commendation for Chief Deputy Sam Gross

• The Sheriff read a resolution into the record noting Chief Deputy Gross’s 46 years of service.
• The Sheriff announced that Gross would serve as a volunteer department historian.
• The Board adopted the resolution of commendation.

Agenda Modifications

• Several administrative items were pulled from the agenda for later consideration.
• Item A23 regarding Lower Mission Creek was withdrawn to be returned by the General Services Department.
• Two litigation cases were added to the closed session agenda.

Budget Revision 5144 - Probation

• The item involved approximately $1.9 million in unanticipated realignment revenue and $906,000 in unspent funds.
• Staff clarified that the funds are restricted and roll through the County Community Partnership allocation process.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Behavioral Wellness - Sanctuary Centers Agreement

• The item concerned the second amendment to the agreement with Sanctuary Centers for FY 2016-19.
• Staff explained that the California Outcome Measurement System uses baseline and discharge assessments.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Community Services - Empower Loan Loss Reserve

• The item involved an amendment to the Empower Loan Loss Reserve Agreement with Coastal Credit Union.
• The amendment moves funds to an interest rate buy-down account to expand the 3.9% interest rate program.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Community Services - Goleta Beach Park Repairs

• The item concerned construction contracts for emergency repairs at Goleta Beach Park.
• A request was made for the Board to return with a full report and ten-year cost analysis.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Fire Department - Guardian Helicopter Agreement

• The item involved the first amendment to the Guardian Helicopter Agreement.
• The amendment allows the County to pay for helicopter use provided by the McCaw Foundation during the Whittier fire.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Human Resources - Anti-Harassment Policy

• The item concerned an update to the anti-harassment policy.
• Staff confirmed that appeals go to the Civil Service Commission.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Planning & Development - Aspen Environmental Contract

• The item involved an amendment to a professional services contract for an EIR related to the Westcat Canyon revitalization plan.
• One Supervisor recused themselves from the discussion and vote due to a potential conflict of interest.
• The Board approved the item.

Behavioral Wellness - Event Enterprises Agreement

• The item concerned an agreement with Event Enterprises for workforce education and training.
• A Supervisor initially requested to pull the item but later retracted the request.
• The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.

Final Vote on Administrative Agenda

• The Board approved the administrative agenda, including items 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, and 830.

Budget Revisions 4981 & 5000

• The Auditor/Controller presented a $200,000 revision for consultant services and hardware upgrades.
• The Clerk/Recorder/Assessor presented a revision for the Assessor’s Property System rewrite project.
• The Board approved the revisions with a condition that committed fund balance amounts require a further four-fifths vote to release.

Public Safety Dispatch Center Report

• Consultants presented findings on staffing, management, technology, and backup plans for the dispatch center.
• Two alternatives were proposed: optimizing current operations or creating a secondary PSAP for EMS and Fire.
• The Board directed staff to pursue the viability of Option 2 pending participation from other entities and explore the existing facility as a backup.

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

• Staff presented an overview of the HMIS database used to record and analyze data on homeless services.
• HUD requires the implementation of a Coordinated Entry System by January 2018.
• The Board received and filed the informational presentation and determined the actions are not subject to CEQA review.

Hoop Structures Ordinance Amendment

• Staff presented five options for amending the Land Use and Development Code regarding hoop structures.
• Staff recommended Option 4, which exempts hoop structures under 20 feet with development standards.
• The Board directed staff to pursue Option 4.

Direction to Staff Regarding Whoa Passes

• Staff recommended Option 4 as the cleanest approach for addressing whoa passes.
• The Board directed staff to pursue Option 4 with the provision that whoa passes under 20 feet are exempted in all cases.
• The Board determined that today’s actions are not a project pursuant to CEQA.

Closed Session

• The Board entered closed session to consider litigation matters, labor negotiations, and performance evaluations.
• Staff reported that there were no reportable actions taken during the closed session.

• Meeting Date: July 25, 2017 Body: Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors

Opening & Minutes

• Pledge of Allegiance: Administered.
• Minutes of July 18, 2017: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion passed.

CEO’s Report

• Wildfire Response: The CEO reported that the federal Burned Area Emergency Response (BEAR) team began assessing the impacts of the Whittier fire at the County Emergency Operations Center. The assessment focuses on burned areas, watersheds, and emergency treatments to protect resources, water quality, and infrastructure. The County and local agencies will collaborate with the BEAR team on short-term flooding concerns and long-term rehabilitation.
• Stakeholder Involvement: In response to questions regarding water districts, the CEO stated that follow-up would occur to ensure local resources provide necessary information to concerned parties.

Administrative Agenda

• Item A29: Resolution of Commendation for Chief Deputy Sam Gross
• Discussion: The Sheriff read the resolution into the record, noting Chief Deputy Gross’s 46 years of service and contributions to the department. The Sheriff announced that Gross would serve as a volunteer department historian.
• Action: The resolution was adopted.
• Agenda Modifications
• Items Pulled: Items 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, and 30 were pulled from the agenda for later consideration.
• Item A23 (Lower Mission Creek): Requested to be withdrawn; General Services Department will return the item at a later date.
• Closed Session Addendum: Two cases were added to the closed session agenda: Santa Barbara County v. Zinke and Santa Barbara County et al. v. Pacific Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Item 1 (Budget Revision 5144 - Probation)
• Discussion: The item involved a budget revision for the Probation Department comprising approximately $1.9 million in unanticipated realignment revenue and approximately $906,000 in unspent appropriated realignment funds. Staff clarified that the funds are restricted and roll through the County Community Partnership (CCP) allocation process.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Item 6 (Behavioral Wellness - Sanctuary Centers Agreement)
• Discussion: The item concerned the second amendment to the agreement with Sanctuary Centers for FY 2016-19. Staff explained that the California Outcome Measurement System (CalOMS) uses baseline and discharge assessments, noting that retention is a strong predictor of success. Staff noted that long-term outcome tracking is challenging due to funding limitations.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Item 7 (Community Services - Empower Loan Loss Reserve)
• Discussion: The item involved an amendment to the Empower Loan Loss Reserve Agreement with Coastal Credit Union. Staff clarified that there have been no defaults. The amendment involves moving funds from the loan loss reserve to an interest rate buy-down account to expand the 3.9% interest rate program to Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Item 8 (Community Services - Goleta Beach Park Repairs)
• Discussion: The item concerned construction contracts for emergency repairs at Goleta Beach Park. A request was made for the Board to return with a full report and options, including a ten-year cost analysis, to determine if a long-term strategy is needed. Staff agreed to provide this information in a future report.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Item 13 (Fire Department - Guardian Helicopter Agreement)
• Discussion: The item involved the first amendment to the Guardian Helicopter Agreement. Staff explained that the helicopter was provided by the McCaw Foundation during the Whittier fire, and the amendment allows the County to pay for its use, with reimbursement expected from the federal government.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Item 16 (Human Resources - Anti-Harassment Policy)
• Discussion: The item concerned an update to the anti-harassment policy. Staff confirmed that appeals go to the Civil Service Commission.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Item 17 (Planning & Development - Aspen Environmental Contract)
• Discussion: The item involved an amendment to a professional services contract with Aspen Environmental for an EIR related to the Westcat Canyon revitalization plan. One Supervisor recused themselves from the discussion and vote due to a potential conflict of interest.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed.
• Item 830 (Behavioral Wellness - Event Enterprises Agreement)
• Discussion: The item concerned an agreement with Event Enterprises for workforce education and training. A Supervisor initially requested to pull the item but later retracted the request.
• Action: The item was moved to the end of the administrative agenda for a final vote.
• Final Vote on Administrative Agenda
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the administrative agenda (including items 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, and 830). The motion passed.

Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

• Ed Kolaski: Spoke regarding a dispute with the Planning Commission over a home remodel, alleging procedural violations.
• Michael Topping: Representing residents of Atascadero Creek, raised concerns about unspent FEMA funds for bridge replacement and requested an investigation.
• Jim Jamnick: Discussed safety concerns regarding a local bridge, including lack of sidewalks, narrow width, flood risks, and lighting issues.
• Peter Moran: Spoke regarding the discontinuation of the jail ride program, expressing concern for released individuals walking in adverse weather and requesting County oversight or alternative transportation solutions.
• Andy Caldwell: Representing CoLab, discussed the disparity between environmental regulations applied to oil spills versus wildfires, arguing for the ability to suspend certain regulations to prevent fires.

Departmental Agenda

• Item 4 (Auditor/Controller & Clerk/Recorder/Assessor - Budget Revisions 4981 & 5000)
• Discussion:
• Auditor/Controller (Revision 4981): Presented a $200,000 budget revision request consisting of $115,000 for consultant services for the Almentum property tax system and $85,000 for hardware upgrades. Funds are sourced from salary savings and unanticipated revenue.
• Clerk/Recorder/Assessor (Revision 5000): Presented a budget revision for the Assessor’s Property System (APS) rewrite project, including funds for a project manager backfill, contractor costs, and other expenses. Staff clarified that the project manager is an existing employee being dedicated to the project.
• Resolution: The Board directed that the budget revisions be approved with an added condition stating that any amounts set aside in committed fund balance by this budget revision shall not be released or expended without a further four-fifths vote of the Board of Supervisors.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve budget revisions 4981 and 5000 with the added language. The motion passed.
• Item 1 (County Executive Office - Public Safety Dispatch Center Report)
• Presentation: Fire Chief Eric Peterson introduced the consulting team from Delta Works. The study involved over 80 interviews, ride-alongs, and site visits.
• Findings: The consultant presented findings regarding staffing, management, technology, and backup plans. Key issues included limited executive oversight, high stress for dispatchers, underutilized CAD systems, and a backup plan that requires data re-entry.
• Alternatives:
• Alternative 1 (Optimize Current Operations): Maintain a single PSAP with a civilian executive director, additional staffing, and technology upgrades. Estimated annual recurring costs of approximately $1.2 million.
• Alternative 2 (Secondary PSAP for EMS and Fire): Relocate EMS and Fire dispatch to a secondary PSAP. Estimated one-time cost of $8.6 million and annual recurring costs of $673,000. The Sheriff’s Department would face a net funding increase of approximately $2.165 million.
• Discussion:
• Sheriff’s Office: The Undersheriff stated the office agrees with most findings but disagrees with the premise that the existing system cannot accommodate borderless response goals. The Sheriff argued that Alternative 2 is not feasible given the county’s projected budget shortfall, estimating first-year costs at least $11.5 million and recurring annual costs of approximately $3 million. The Sheriff recommended against dismantling the current system due to the county’s ongoing fiscal crisis.
• Fire Department: Chief Peterson stated that the current governance structure is a significant issue and highlighted the "closest resource" problem. Chief Peterson noted an opportunity to fix the closest resource problem at Station 19 for a cost of $8.5 million using funds already designated in the fire district.
• Board Deliberation: Supervisors discussed the feasibility of Option 2, the need for regional integration, and the governance structure. Supervisor Wolf requested that staff investigate the condition of the existing dispatch center facility as a backup option. Staff confirmed they would bring back information on the existing dispatch facility, potential partnerships, and financial commitments from other agencies.
• Public Comment:
• Andy Caldwell (COLAB): Recommended escalating the issue to the State Building and Construction Commission for a regional governance approach.
• Dave Festerling (Former EMS Project Manager): Described the desired state of emergency response and cited Ventura County as a successful example.
• John Eaglesham (Retired County Employee): Provided historical context on the 2004 agreement with American Medical Response and supported the consultant’s report.
• Pat McElroy (Santa Barbara County Fire Chiefs Association): Supported Chief Peterson’s approach to regional dispatch.
• Tyler Gilliam (Santa Barbara County Firefighters Association): Supported Option 2.
• Matthew McFarland (Deputy Sheriff’s Association President): Opposed separating dispatch centers.
• Action: A motion was made to receive and file the report, pursue the viability of Option 2 pending participation from other entities to defray costs, and explore the existing dispatch center as a backup. The motion was seconded.
• Vote Outcome: Passed.
• Closed Session Report
• Discussion: The Board entered closed session to consider litigation matters, labor negotiations, and performance evaluations. Upon returning to open session, staff reported that there were no reportable actions taken during the closed session.
• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Informational Presentation
• Discussion: Staff presented an informational overview of the HMIS, a database used to record and analyze data on homeless services. Currently, 17 providers participate in HMIS, covering 1,118 beds. Staff explained that HUD requires the implementation of a Coordinated Entry System (CES) by January 2018, which will require moving to an "open HMIS" to share additional assessment and income data.
• Action: A motion was made to receive and file the informational presentation and determine that the actions do not constitute a project subject to environmental review under CEQA. The motion was seconded.
• Vote Outcome: Passed.
• Hoop Structures Ordinance Amendment Project
• Discussion: Staff presented five options for amending the Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) regarding hoop structures. Staff recommended Option 4, which amends the LUDC to exempt hoop structures ≤20 feet with development standards and clarifies permit requirements for all heights.
• Public Comment:
• Nardette Eagleoose (Driscoll’s): Supported hoop structures as essential agricultural tools.
• Claire Weinman (Grower Shipper Association): Supported the interpretation of hoops as farm equipment.
• Jane Baxter (Citizens Environmental Research Project): Recommended Option 4 to allow for environmental review.
• Amy Anderson (Citizens Environmental Research Project): Raised concerns about increased chemical use and visual blight.
• John DeFrio (Grower): Supported hoop houses as a cost-effective tool.
• Mark Shutillo (CLAWS): Supported Option 4 to fulfill the annual work plan and ensure proper CEQA compliance.
• Action: A motion was made to direct staff to pursue Option 4. The motion was seconded.
• Vote Outcome: Passed.
• Direction to Staff Regarding Whoa Passes and CEQA Determination
• Discussion: Staff provided advice regarding the available options for addressing whoa passes, recommending Option 4 as the cleanest and fastest approach. A board member added a comment regarding the CEQA baseline, stating that it is defensible for the county to use existing conditions on the ground as the baseline. Another board member expressed support for Option 4, contingent on the exemption applying to all whoa passes under 20 feet in height.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to pursue Option 4, receive and file the report, and determine that today’s actions are not a project pursuant to CEQA. The motion included the provision that whoa passes under 20 feet in height are exempted in all cases.
• Vote Outcome: Passed.