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
Recognition of Lou Anne Miller
- The board honored Miller for her 33 years of service and leadership in expanding Isla Vista Youth Projects.
- A resolution of accommodation was adopted to recognize her contributions to the organization's growth and capital campaign.
Recognition of Ruthie Page and Barbara Zamora
- The Auditor-Controller presented Page and Zamora as January 2018 Employees of the Month for their payroll division work.
- The board adopted a resolution of commendation honoring both employees.
PACE Financing / HERO Program
- Staff and proponents urged the board to make residential PACE financing available, citing new state legislation and consumer protections.
- Concerns were raised regarding FHFA risks and the impact on FHA-insured mortgages, while others supported the program for economic and environmental benefits.
- The board approved the item regarding property assessed clean energy special assessments.
ERG Operating Company Public Franchise
- Staff presented a 20-year franchise application for a 2.9-mile pipeline system designed to replace daily crude oil truck traffic.
- Technical details included a common carrier capacity of 25,000 barrels per day and safety features like SCADA monitoring and backflow prevention.
- The board approved staff recommended actions A through F for the pipeline project.
Disaster Recovery Status Update
- Officials reported that 33% of debris basins are cleared and 590 structures have been inspected for habitability.
- Recovery efforts include re-establishing property boundaries, assigning case managers, and targeting a February 5 opening for a disaster recovery center.
- The board received the status report on Thomas Fire and storm recovery efforts.
Resolution Opposing New Offshore Oil Leases
- The board debated the proposal, with supporters citing environmental risks and economic conflicts, while opponents argued for domestic drilling under strict regulations.
- A procedural objection was raised regarding the item's placement on the administrative calendar, though the board proceeded with consideration.
- The resolution opposing new offshore oil leases in federal waters was adopted.
Summary Nuisance Abatement Ordinance
- Staff proposed an urgency ordinance granting the County Executive Officer authority to clear stream channels of Thomas Fire debris.
- The authority is limited to a 100-foot buffer on either side of streams and expires on May 1 to address pinch points before future rains.
- The board adopted the ordinance to facilitate emergency debris removal in evacuated areas.
Closed Session
- The board convened to discuss the performance evaluation of the County Executive Officer.
- Upon returning to open session, the board reported no reportable actions from the closed session.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Recognition of Lou Anne Miller (Isla Vista Youth Projects)
- Discussion: Lou Anne Miller addressed the board regarding her retirement after 33 years at Isla Vista Youth Projects and requested support for her successor, Executive Director Lori Goodman. The board considered a resolution of accommodation honoring Miller for her service, noting her role in expanding the organization from a two-classroom program to a multi-programmatic agency and her leadership in the organization’s first capital campaign. Public comment was received from a former participant.
- Action: The board considered the resolution.
- Outcome: The resolution was adopted.
Agenda Item: Recognition of Ruthie Page and Barbara Zamora (Auditor-Controller’s Department)
- Discussion: The Auditor-Controller presented Page and Zamora for recognition as January 2018 Employees of the Month, citing their work in the payroll division.
- Action: The board adopted a resolution of commendation honoring Page and Zamora.
- Outcome: The resolution was passed and adopted.
Agenda Item: PACE Financing / HERO Program (Residential Availability)
- Discussion: Dustin Reilich of Renovate America presented an update on the PACE program, urging the board to reverse previous staff direction and make residential PACE available, citing new state legislation (SB 242 and AB 1284) and consumer protections. Bill Norton spoke in support of the program for drought-resistant landscaping. One supervisor expressed opposition, citing concerns from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) regarding risks to consumers and local governments, and noting that FHA-insured mortgages would no longer be eligible for properties with PACE obligations. Another supervisor supported the program, arguing it is critical to the local economy. A third supervisor raised concerns about broader economic reliance on fossil fuels.
- Action: Supervisor Lavagnino moved to approve the item regarding property assessed clean energy special assessments for the City of Santa Barbara.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: ERG Operating Company Public Franchise (Foxson Petroleum Pipeline)
- Discussion: Staff presented the application for a public franchise for the Foxson Petroleum Pipeline, involving a 20-year term for the construction, operation, and maintenance of two 8-inch diameter pipelines totaling approximately 2.9 miles. The pipeline is designed as a common carrier with a capacity of 25,000 barrels per day, intended to replace daily truck traffic for crude oil transport. Ben Oakley, Environmental Health and Safety Manager for ERG Operating Company, presented the project to replace tanker truck oil transportation with a modern pipeline system, stating the Environmental Impact Report development plan was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission in 2015. Nathan Edie, agent for SCS Tracer Environmental, detailed the technical design, noting the route was selected as the environmentally superior alternative, crosses five blue line creeks, and includes safety features such as a SCADA system for monitoring and a one-way valve to prevent backflow. Edie explained the two-pipeline design allows for maintenance of one line while the other operates and enables heating of heavy oil. Board members asked questions regarding monitoring capabilities, water courses near the pipeline, the movement of viscous oil, simultaneous use of pipelines, reporting requirements, and county participation in oversight committees. Staff clarified that monthly production reports are not required by ordinance for this specific pipeline as it is not part of the System Safety Committee, though they could be provided cooperatively.
- Action: Supervisor Lavagnino moved to approve staff recommended actions A through F from the January 30th agenda.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Disaster Recovery Status Update (Thomas Fire and Storms)
- Discussion: The Director of Public Works and the County Executive Office provided status updates on recovery efforts following the Thomas Fire and subsequent storms. Key points included:
- Debris Basins: 33% of the 11 basins are cleared; target completion date for the most difficult basin (Santa Monica) is March 15.
- Property Inspections: 590 structures inspected; 241 red-tagged, 151 yellow-tagged, and 198 green-tagged.
- Repopulation: Completed for those with habitable homes.
- Private Property Debris: Guidance was issued to keep mud/debris on-site where possible. Options under consideration include private transfer sites, leveraging value in soil/rock, and emergency permits for landfill capacity.
- Infrastructure: Utilities are largely restored, with some boil water orders remaining. Highway 101 has been reopened.
- Future Planning: A risk map for future storms is being developed. Case managers are being assigned to property owners. A disaster recovery center is targeted to open on February 5.
- Surveying: Efforts are underway to re-establish property boundaries and creek channels due to topographical changes.
- Insurance: Supervisor Hartman noted that some insurers are disputing coverage under the "proximate cause" doctrine and mentioned upcoming workshops with the Insurance Commissioner.
- Public Health: Supervisor Wolf raised concerns about the use of protective gear at debris removal sites.
- Public Comment: Nancy McCrady, Robert Hanson, Jeff Bard, Michael Warnken, Doug Weinstein, and Andy Caldwell provided public comment. Doug Weinstein discussed his experiences with the Department of Child Support Services, the Sheriff’s Department, and the District Attorney’s office, alleging violations of law and requesting an investigation.
- Action: The board received the status report.
- Outcome: The item was received and filed.
Agenda Item: Resolution Opposing New Offshore Oil Leases
- Discussion: The board considered a resolution opposing new offshore oil leases in federal waters off the California coast. Public comment was received from Mr. Caldwell, Kristen Hislop (Environmental Defense Center), Alina Simon, and Katie Davis (Santa Barbara Sierra Club). A speaker argued that the proposal to expand offshore drilling is indefensible, citing the exemption of Florida’s coast and recent federal actions to eliminate safety safeguards. Another speaker noted that the leasing process takes five to seven years, while a new study indicates the region can reach 80% electric by 2030. A representative for CoLab objected to the item, arguing it was placed on the administrative calendar as an addendum despite the comment period not closing until March 9, and requested the item be rescheduled. A representative for Food and Water Watch expressed support, stating offshore drilling is at odds with the coastal economy. Supervisor Lavagnino spoke in opposition, citing U.S. dependence on oil and arguing that domestic drilling under strict regulations is preferable to importing from countries with lax standards. Supervisor Hartman spoke in support, emphasizing the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and the risks of spills. Supervisor Wolf spoke in support, noting the goal is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Supervisor Williams spoke in support, noting economic and safety concerns.
- Action: A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
- Outcome: The resolution passed.
Agenda Item: Summary Nuisance Abatement Ordinance for Thomas Fire Debris
- Discussion: The board considered the adoption of a summary nuisance abatement ordinance for storm emergency debris from the Thomas Fire within stream channels. This is an urgency ordinance amending Article 5, Chapter 17 of the Santa Barbara County Code. Staff explained that the ordinance provides the County Executive Officer with delegated authority to authorize entry onto private property when necessary to clear streams that flow through that property. The authority is limited in time (expiring May 1st) and distance (stream channels and 100 feet on either side). Staff noted this is necessary to clear "pinch points" in the stream channels before the next expected rains, as normal posting procedures would not work in evacuated areas. Public comment was received from Jenny Driscoll.
- Action: A motion was made to adopt the ordinance.
- Outcome: The ordinance passed.
Agenda Item: Administrative Agenda and Continuations
- Discussion: The Chair announced several addenda items added to the agenda, including a closed session item regarding public employee performance evaluation, Item A13 regarding Amendment Number 1 to agreements for trucking and on-call maintenance services, Item A14 regarding the resolution opposing offshore oil leases, Departmental Item 5 regarding Thomas Fire recovery efforts, and Departmental Item 6 regarding the nuisance abatement ordinance. Requests to continue items were noted for Item A7 (Lower Mission Creek flood control project), Departmental Item 3 (Lower Mission Creek fee acquisitions), Departmental Item 1 (Montecito architectural guidelines), and Departmental Item 2 (O'Neill residence variance).
- Action: A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, with the exception of Items A2 and A14, which were pulled for separate consideration. The motion also included the continuance of Items A7 and D3.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Closed Session
- Discussion: The board entered closed session to discuss public employee performance evaluation for the County Executive Officer.
- Outcome: Upon returning, the board reported no reportable actions from the closed session.
Adjournment
- Action: The board adjourned until February 6th.