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
Fire Incident Briefing
- Cal Fire and Unified Command officials reported the Thomas Fire had burned 234,000 acres with 20% containment.
- Mandatory evacuations were ordered for areas east of Mission Canyon and south to Highway 192.
- Estimated costs were nearly $50 million, with projections potentially reaching $120 million or more.
- No lost-time injuries were reported, though minor injuries were treated on site.
2018 Legislative Platform
- The committee presented a platform maintaining 2017 principles regarding job growth, fiscal stability, and local control.
- Specific planks included support for the Lower Mission Creek Project and US Highway 101 widening.
- The board approved the report and the legislative platform.
Paid Time Off for Employees Affected by Wildfires
- Staff proposed up to 80 hours of paid time off for employees who lost their homes.
- The board approved the 80-hour provision for employees who lost their homes.
- Motions to grant 40 or 20 hours of leave to employees facing mandatory evacuation failed.
- The board directed staff to research local and private sector practices regarding emergency leave.
Board Meeting Schedule (December 14 vs. December 21)
- The board debated postponing the meeting to allow for fire recovery versus maintaining the date for tight timelines.
- The board voted to continue with the meeting on December 14.
Fiscal Issues Report and Budget Development Policies
- Staff identified key fiscal issues including a $400 million deferred maintenance backlog and behavioral health costs.
- Proposed policy changes included assuming current-year revenue levels for new budget requests.
- The strategic reserve level was noted at 7.3% of operating revenue, below the 8% goal.
- The board received the report and approved the proposed changes to budget policy.
Air Quality and Vista Del Mar Facility
- The board inquired about discrepancies between visible ash and "good" air quality ratings.
- Questions were raised regarding damage to the Vista Del Mar facility and patient status.
- Staff addressed these items as questions without a recorded motion or vote.
Sheriff’s Department Equipment Replacement
- The board discussed the cost-effectiveness of replacing mobile data terminals and handheld radios.
- Questions were raised about incremental replacement options and the availability of contingency funds.
- Staff addressed these items as questions without a recorded motion or vote.
Proclamation of Emergency (Thomas Fires)
- Staff presented reports on health, emergency operations, public safety, animal rescue, and infrastructure.
- The board approved items regarding the update and proclamation ratification for the Thomas Fire Emergency.
Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) Fees and Allocations
- Staff proposed adjusting the fixed dollar amount per point from $20,000 to $41,800 for 2018–2022.
- Allocations were directed to the Hollister Ranch Access Program and the Fund Deferral Program.
- The board approved staff’s recommendations for the CREF items.
Administrative Agenda (Honorary Resolutions and Other Items)
- The board approved honorary resolutions honoring Brenda French and Beverly Ann Taylor.
- Agenda items 838 and 839 were continued to January 9 and January 23, respectively.
- The board approved the honorary resolutions and agenda changes.
Scheduling of Cannabis Meeting
- The board considered rescheduling the meeting to Santa Barbara due to fire impacts on attendees.
- The board affirmed the meeting as scheduled for Thursday, December 14.
Tribal Housing Bill
- The board discussed a state bill regarding tribal housing and its potential impact on property taxes.
- Members noted the bill had been modified and was currently on hold.
- The board approved the item.
Santa Barbara County Greywater Handbook
- The board considered recommendations regarding the Santa Barbara County Greywater Handbook.
- No vote outcome is recorded in the provided transcript segments for this specific item.
Unspecified Motion
- A motion was voted on and passed.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Public Comment and Fire Incident Briefing
- Public Comment: Speakers addressed the board regarding billeting resources, a request for the District Attorney to investigate alleged document alterations and perjury in a conservatorship case, and a request for the inclusion of economic development opportunities (specifically oil and gas and infrastructure) in future budget discussions.
- Fire Incident Briefing: Cal Fire and Unified Command officials provided a status update on the Thomas Fire.
- Conditions and Resources: Officials cited unprecedented conditions, including 1% humidity and Santa Ana winds. Resources included 33 helicopters, eight air tankers, approximately 7,000 personnel, over 900 fire engines, and 67 bulldozers. A portable retardant tank was established at Highway 154, and a support camp at Lake Cachuma.
- Status: The fire had burned 234,000 acres with 20% containment. Estimated costs were nearly $50 million, with projections potentially reaching $120 million or more.
- Evacuations: The Sheriff’s Department reported mandatory evacuations from Mission Canyon eastward to the county line and south to Highway 192. Warning status applied to areas below Highway 192 up to Mission Canyon and west of Mission Canyon to Highway 154. An error in a previous public message regarding non-evacuated zone boundaries was identified and corrected.
- Safety: No lost-time injuries were reported; two minor burns and one broken leg were treated.
- Impact: Significant impacts were noted on the Los Padres National Forest, with efforts focused on minimizing sediment damage to watersheds serving Montecito, Summerlin, and Santa Barbara.
Agenda Item: 2018 Legislative Platform
- Discussion: The Legislative Program Committee presented the 2018 legislative platform, which maintained 2017 principles regarding job growth, fiscal stability, and local control. Specific planks included support for the Lower Mission Creek Project, US Highway 101 widening, groundwater management, and opposition to specific state bills regarding property taxes and telecommunication installations.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the report and the legislative platform. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Paid Time Off for Employees Affected by Wildfires
- Discussion: Staff proposed a resolution granting up to 80 hours of paid time off to employees who lost their homes and up to 40 hours to employees subject to mandatory evacuation. Discussion focused on the fiscal impact of the 40-hour provision for evacuees and comparisons to private sector standards.
- Motions and Votes:
- 1. A motion was made and seconded to approve 80 hours of paid leave for employees who lost their homes. The motion passed. 2. A motion was made and seconded to approve 40 hours of paid leave for employees facing mandatory evacuation. The motion failed. 3. A motion was made and seconded to approve 20 hours of paid leave for employees facing mandatory evacuation. The motion failed. 4. A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to research local municipal and private sector practices regarding emergency leave to inform future decisions. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Board Meeting Schedule (December 14 vs. December 21)
- Discussion: The board discussed whether to hold the next regular meeting on December 14 or postpone it to December 21. Arguments were made for postponement to allow for recovery from the fire emergency and to accommodate remote participation, versus arguments for maintaining the date to meet tight timelines for ballot language and policy items.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to continue with the meeting on December 14. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Fiscal Issues Report and Budget Development Policies
- Discussion: Staff presented the Fiscal Issues Report and Budget Development Policies. Key fiscal issues identified included a $400 million deferred maintenance backlog, IHSS mandates, Sheriff’s Department vehicle technology replacement, behavioral health costs, communication system replacement, and jail maintenance.
- Budget Policy Changes: Staff proposed changes to budget development policies, including a guideline for departments to develop requested budgets assuming the same level of general fund discretionary revenues as the current year, and changes to how Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) counts are reported.
- Strategic Reserve: The current strategic reserve level was noted at 7.3% of operating revenue, below the 8% goal.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to receive and file the report and to approve the proposed changes to budget policy. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Air Quality and Vista Del Mar Facility
- Discussion: The board inquired about air quality reporting discrepancies (visible ash vs. "good" air quality ratings) and requested updates on the damage to the Vista Del Mar psychiatric health facility and the status of patients. Questions were raised regarding the sustainability of the current facility arrangement and potential temporary capacity increases.
- Outcome: No specific motion or vote was recorded; items were addressed as questions for staff.
Agenda Item: Sheriff’s Department Equipment Replacement
- Discussion: The board discussed the replacement of Sheriff’s Department mobile data terminals (MDTs) and handheld radios. Questions were raised regarding the cost-effectiveness of replacing units with a four-to-five-year useful life, the possibility of incremental replacement, and the availability of contingency funds.
- Outcome: No specific motion or vote was recorded; items were addressed as questions for staff.
Agenda Item: Proclamation of Emergency (Thomas Fires)
- Discussion: The CEO requested the board prioritize this item to allow public safety personnel to return to work. Staff presented reports on health/air quality (mask distribution, PUF census increase), emergency operations (state crisis notification), public safety/communication (evacuation alerts, mapping systems), animal rescue (transfers to Santa Maria Humane Society), and infrastructure (repeater site enhancements).
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve items regarding the update and proclamation ratification for the Thomas Fire Emergency. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) Fees and Allocations
- Discussion: Staff presented a hearing on CREF issues, including the reassessment of CREF fees for the 2018–2022 period (adjusting the fixed dollar amount per point from $20,000 to $41,800) and the allocation of 2018 fees to the Hollister Ranch Access Program and the Fund Deferral Program. Staff noted that the Sanez and Point Arguello facilities are assumed to remain shut down for the five-year period.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendations for the CREF items. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Administrative Agenda (Honorary Resolutions and Other Items)
- Discussion: The board considered honorary resolutions and agenda changes.
- Honorary Resolutions: Resolutions 8 through 37 and A41 were approved, including honoring Brenda French (Arts Commissioner) and commending Beverly Ann Taylor (Probation Department).
- Agenda Changes: Items 838 and 839 were continued to January 9 and January 23, respectively.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the honorary resolutions and agenda changes. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Scheduling of Cannabis Meeting
- Discussion: The board discussed holding the scheduled cannabis meeting on December 14 in Santa Maria or rescheduling it for December 21 in Santa Barbara, considering the impact of the fire on attendees in the Santa Maria area.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to affirm the meeting as scheduled for Thursday, December 14. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Tribal Housing Bill
- Discussion: The board discussed a state bill regarding tribal housing and its potential impact on property taxes and lands coming into trust. Members noted the bill had been modified and was currently on hold.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Santa Barbara County Greywater Handbook
- Discussion: The board considered recommendations regarding the Santa Barbara County Greywater Handbook.
- Outcome: No vote outcome is recorded in the provided transcript segments for this specific item.
Agenda Item: Unspecified Motion
- Outcome: A motion was voted on and passed.