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
Revised Tahigas Resource Recovery Project and Comprehensive Plan Amendment
- Staff recommended proceeding with the project to mitigate delay costs and rising prevailing wages.
- A public speaker requested additional time to review revised documents, noting the current schedule allowed only one day.
- The Board voted to continue the item to the November 14 meeting to allow for adequate public review.
County Commission for Women’s Annual Report (FY 2016-17)
- A representative presented a report on commission activities, including the Veterans Stand Down event and state advocacy efforts.
- The representative outlined future plans such as adding promotoras and updating the gender report.
- The representative requested the addition of four commissioners, though no motion was taken on the item.
Amendment to Ordinance Setting Compensation and Benefits for Board Members
- Staff proposed a 2.2% salary increase based on CPI and an increase in the county’s contribution to health insurance premiums.
- Board members discussed pension expenditures, the definition of overhead, and aligning the COLA with Social Security adjustments.
- The Board approved the 3.7% increase in county health insurance contributions and the staff recommendation for the salary increase.
Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Service Contracts
- The Sheriff’s Department proposed restructuring over 50 aging agreements that currently do not provide for full cost recovery.
- The proposal seeks to grant the Sheriff authority to terminate existing contracts and adopt a "Deputy Sheriff Service Unit" cost recovery model.
- The Board granted the Sheriff authority to serve notice of intent to terminate contracts and initiate new negotiations.
Acceptance of California Coastal Commission Certification with Modifications (Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan)
- Staff explained that the Board must accept the Coastal Commission’s modifications within six months or the certification expires.
- Public comments were divided, with some supporting habitat protections and others opposing specific modifications regarding bluffs and property rights.
- The Board directed staff to prepare language addressing farmworker housing issues and accepted the Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications.
Kachuma Project Water Quality and Contract Renewal
- Staff reported that the Bureau of Reclamation is expected to provide contract renewal information shortly, with a signing deadline of March 30, 2020.
- Anticipated water quality impacts from the Whittier Fire include increased sedimentation, ash, and organic matter in Lake Cachuma.
- South Coast water purveyors plan to suspend use of the lake if quality standards are not met, utilizing alternative sources instead.
State of California Emergency Solutions Grant Program Funding (Revised Resolution)
- Staff presented options for the PATH shelter contract, noting that seasonal beds activate only under specific weather conditions.
- A board member requested an audit of departmental contributions to shelter services and expressed concern over the timing of service discontinuation.
- The Board selected Option 2, reducing PATH’s contract based on estimated winter activation nights and directing staff to consult on allocating remaining funds.
California Coastal Commission’s Conditional Certification of LCP Amendment (2016 General Package Ordinance Amendments)
- Staff identified the item as an "all or nothing" decision regarding the Coastal Commission’s conditional certification.
- Public comments included requests to reject the package to allow for further vetting of specific modifications.
- The Board voted to accept the conditional certification despite suggestions to trail the item for further discussion.
Shelter Operations General Fund Agreements
- This item was read into the record alongside the Emergency Solutions Grant funding discussion.
- It involves agreements for the People Assisting the Homeless, Bridge House Shelter, and Santa Maria Emergency Shelter.
- No separate motion or vote outcome was recorded for this item distinct from the related funding discussion.
FY 2017-18 Budget and Financial Status Report
- The General Fund is projected to be positive by $661,000, with variances driven by property tax timing and Sheriff’s overtime costs.
- The Mental Health Services Fund is projected to have a $3.7 million shortfall due to excess state hospital utilization and out-of-county bed usage.
- The Board received and filed the first-quarter budgetary status report.
Honorary Resolutions
- The Board presented honorary resolutions recognizing Sarah Araujo for achievements in agricultural education.
- The Board also recognized the Santa Barbara County Promotora Network for their community health outreach efforts.
- Both resolutions were adopted by the Board.
Women’s Commission Resolutions of Commendation
- The Commission for Women presented resolutions of commendation for organizations and individuals in each district.
- The Board adopted resolutions for Future Leaders of America, Chumash Educational Department, and AHA.
- These recognitions were for contributions to issues affecting women, children, and families.
Closed Session
- No closed-session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item 1: Revised Tahigas Resource Recovery Project and Comprehensive Plan Amendment
- Staff recommended proceeding with the project due to delay costs and increased prevailing wages. A public speaker representing the Gaviota Coast Conservancy requested adequate time to review the revised documents, noting the current schedule allowed only one day for review before the hearing, and requested that staff release documents to the public and allow at least one to two weeks for review. A motion was made to continue the item one week to the meeting on November 14th. The motion was seconded and passed (4-1).
Agenda Item 2: County Commission for Women’s Annual Report (FY 2016-17)
- A representative from the Women’s Commission presented a report on the commission’s activities, including the Veterans Stand Down event, state and national advocacy, and future plans such as adding promotoras and updating the gender report. The representative requested four additional commissioners. No motion was taken on this item.
Agenda Item 3: Amendment to Ordinance Setting Compensation and Benefits for Board Members
- Staff presented a recommendation for a 2.2% salary increase consistent with the October 2016 CPI and an increase in the county’s contribution to health insurance premiums. One board member stated they would not support the CPI increase but could support the health insurance contribution increase. Another board member noted that pension expenditures represent approximately 50% of discretionary revenue and encouraged narrowing the definition of overhead in related contracts. Another board member suggested aligning the county’s COLA with the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to simplify public explanation. Another board member clarified that if the Board does not vote for the raise, staff would still receive the increase, and suggested bifurcating the motion to separate the approval of the raise from the Board’s acceptance of it. A motion was made to approve in concept the 3.7% increase in county contributions to health insurance. The motion was seconded and passed. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation for Item 3A, B, and C, which includes a 2.2% salary increase limited by CPI boundaries and the health insurance contribution increase. The motion was seconded and passed (4-1).
Agenda Item 4: Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Service Contracts
- A representative from the Sheriff’s Department presented a proposal to restructure the methodology for law enforcement service agreements. The Department has over 50 agreements generating over $16.5 million in revenue, most of which are 25–30 years old and do not provide for full cost recovery. The proposal seeks to grant the Sheriff authority to serve notice of intent to terminate existing contracts to initiate renegotiation, adopt a "Deputy Sheriff Service Unit" cost recovery model based on the full support structure required for deputies, centralize contract management in a new Contract Law Services Bureau, and standardize compliance measurement and cost calculation methodologies. The representative clarified that this does not impact the agreement with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and that the Board would retain approval authority over new contracts and cost recovery definitions. A motion was made to grant the Sheriff authority to serve notice of intent to terminate contracts and enter into new negotiations. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item 5: Acceptance of California Coastal Commission Certification with Modifications (Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan)
- Staff explained that the Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications were necessary for certification and that the Board has six months from certification to take action, otherwise the certification expires. Staff outlined four options: accept and agree to the certification with all modifications (Staff Recommendation), reject the modifications, take no action, or adopt revisions and resubmit the plan. Public comments were divided; some speakers supported the modifications to allow the plan to go into effect, citing the importance of protecting native habitats, riparian corridors, and the Moore Mesa ecosystem. Others opposed specific modifications, particularly Modification 9 regarding coastal bluff staircases and Modification 13 regarding property takings, arguing they eroded property rights or created ambiguity. Staff clarified that existing private stairways would become legal nonconforming uses, with repairs of less than 75% of the structure exempt from a Coastal Development Permit (CDP), while repairs exceeding 75% would require a CDP. Staff also addressed concerns regarding farmworker housing provisions, noting that the language is mandatory but the County works with property owners to find feasible solutions. A board member suggested trailing the item to allow for more thorough discussion, but it was determined that a decision was required that day. A motion was made to direct staff to prepare language for an amendment and submittal to the Coastal Commission regarding the farmworker housing issue, specifically to address the "avoid" language for prime soils. The motion was seconded. A motion was made to accept the Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications to the Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan. The motion was seconded and passed (3-2).
Agenda Item 6: Kachuma Project Water Quality and Contract Renewal
- Staff provided an update on the contract renewal process authorized in May. Staff noted that the Bureau of Reclamation is expected to provide information shortly after the start of the year, with a contract signing deadline of March 30, 2020. Staff discussed anticipated water quality impacts to Lake Cachuma resulting from the Whittier Fire, including increased sedimentation, ash, and organic matter. Staff reported that South Coast water purveyors are planning to suspend use of Lake Cachuma if water quality standards are not met, utilizing alternative sources until conditions improve. Staff noted that proposed treatments in the BEAR report would not abate these impacts and that winter rainfall severity will determine the extent of sediment movement. No motion was taken on this item.
Agenda Item A-3: State of California Emergency Solutions Grant Program Funding (Revised Resolution)
- Staff presented the general fund portion of grants for homeless shelters, distinguishing it from the state-funded Emergency Solutions Grant. Staff outlined three options for the PATH shelter contract: approve the current agreement with a likely reduction in the next year’s grant based on reduced bed nights; reduce the current contract based on estimated winter activation nights; or other direction. Staff noted that PATH’s seasonal beds would only activate under specific weather conditions (temperatures below 40 degrees or a 50% chance of rain for two consecutive nights). One board member expressed concern about the lack of advance consultation with partners regarding the discontinuation of winter shelter services and the timing of the decision, and requested that staff conduct an audit of all departmental contributions to shelter services. Another board member supported the per-bed allocation model to encourage continuity of service. Supervisor Wolf moved to select Option 2, which reduces PATH’s contract amount based on estimated winter activation nights and directs staff to consult with the relevant committee on allocating the balance of funds to other facilities, such as the Transition House or Domestic Violence Solutions. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item A-9: California Coastal Commission’s Conditional Certification of LCP Amendment (2016 General Package Ordinance Amendments)
- Staff noted that this was an "all or nothing" decision regarding the Coastal Commission’s conditional certification. A board member suggested trailing the item to the next agenda to address public concerns more thoroughly, but it was determined that a decision was required that day. Public comments included requests to reject the package to allow for further vetting of specific modifications. A motion was made regarding the conditional certification. The motion was seconded and passed (3-2).
Agenda Item D-7: Shelter Operations General Fund Agreements
- This item was read into the record alongside Item A-3. It involves agreements for the People Assisting the Homeless (Santa Barbara Emergency Shelter), Bridge House Shelter, and Santa Maria Emergency Shelter. No specific motion or vote outcome is recorded for this item separately from the discussion of Item A-3.
Agenda Item 8: FY 2017-18 Budget and Financial Status Report
- Staff presented the first-quarter budgetary status report. The General Fund is projected to be positive by $661,000, with four reportable variances: General Revenues positive $411,000 (property taxes trending approximately $1.6 million below budget due to timing issues, offset by a positive $1.4 million impact from the sale of former Santa Barbara RDA property); Sheriff’s Department negative $1.3 million (driven by a $2.2 million overage in overtime costs, partially offset by $900,000 under-spending in other salaries and benefits, with 44 funded vacancies including 18 sworn officers on long-term workers’ compensation); Planning and Development positive $441,000; and General Services positive $355,000. Special Revenue and Other Funds are projected to be positive by approximately $400,000, with two reportable variances: Mental Health Services Fund (Fund 44) projected $3.7 million shortfall (due to excess utilization of state hospitals, out-of-county IMD bed usage, and PUF revenue below budget, partially offset by an unanticipated $400,000 positive from vehicle license fees); and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund positive $1.5 million due to favorable insurance premium results. Staff recommended the Board receive and file the report. A motion was made to receive and file the report. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Honorary Resolutions
- The Board presented honorary resolutions recognizing Sarah Araujo for her achievements in agricultural education and the Santa Barbara County Promotora Network for their community health outreach. The resolutions were adopted.
Agenda Item: Women’s Commission Resolutions of Commendation
- The Commission for Women presented resolutions of commendation for organizations and individuals in each district who have contributed to issues affecting women, children, and families. The Board adopted resolutions of commendation for Future Leaders of America (District 1), Chumash Educational Department (District 3), and AHA (Attitude, Harmony, and Achievement) (District 2). The resolutions were passed and adopted by the Board of Supervisors.
Agenda Item: Meals on Wheels Public Comment
- Public comment was received from individuals expressing gratitude for the Meals on Wheels service. No motion was taken on this item.
Adjournment
- The Board adjourned the meeting, with the next meeting scheduled for November 14 in Santa Maria.