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
Child Support Services / Government Alliance on Race and Equity
- Staff presented findings from a review of county websites and phone lines regarding language access and Spanish support.
- Recommendations included using human translators for key online information and adding Spanish options to after-hours phone lines.
- The board received and filed the report, including the CEQA portion.
Fiscal Year 2017-18 Budget and Financial Status Report
- The Auditor-Controller reported that 66 of 68 departments and funds were performing at or above budget as of December 31, 2017.
- Reportable variances were noted in the General Fund and Special Revenue/Other Funds, including significant negative variances for the Sheriff’s Department and Mental Health Services.
- Staff noted that the full financial impact of the Thomas Fire and mudslides was not yet known, with preliminary estimates ranging from $38 million to $50 million.
Arts and Economic Development
- Presenters shared findings from the Arts and Economic Prosperity Study, highlighting that the sector generates over $200 million in revenue and employs 5,857 people.
- The study indicated that 62 nonprofit arts organizations reported losses totaling $3.6 million due to recent disasters.
- The Office of Arts and Culture is seeking $10 million in disaster relief from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
- The Water Agency provided updates on SGMA implementation in five basins, including grant awards for the Kiama, San Ynez, and San Antonio Creek Valley basins.
- Staff recommended submitting an initial notification to the Department of Water Resources for a basin boundary modification in the Santa Maria and Goleta fringe areas.
- The board directed staff to submit the notification and set a hearing for May 8, 2018, to consider the boundary modification.
Human Services Grants
- Staff presented options for the future of the Human Services Grant Program, ranging from maintaining the status quo to eliminating mini-grants.
- Public speakers urged the board to continue funding or extend existing grants to avoid the burden of new applications during disaster recovery.
- The board adopted a hybrid approach to extend existing grantees for one year, issue a new NOFA next year, and eliminate mini-grants for two years.
Caltrans Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant
- Staff requested approval to apply for a Caltrans grant to support the update of the county’s circulation element, which has not been updated since 1980.
- The grant would fund background studies including circulation assessment, multimodal needs, and traffic counts.
- The board approved the grant application to assist with updating the outdated circulation element.
Hiking and Biking Trail Extension
- Public speakers discussed the proposed extension of the Santa Maria River Levee Trail, citing benefits such as safe exercise opportunities and increased local business sales.
- Opponents raised concerns regarding impacts on agricultural land, pesticide exposure risks, and emergency access limitations.
- The item was discussed as a request to place the trail on the regular board agenda, with no specific motion to adopt or reject recorded.
Cannabis Tax Ordinance
- The board considered the second reading of an ordinance imposing a tax on cannabis operations, with rates ranging from 1% for nurseries to 6% for retailers.
- Staff presented updated language and administrative corrections, including clarifications on tax rates and estimated annual revenue of $5 to $25 million.
- The board adopted the ordinance on second reading with the proposed changes.
Black History Month Resolution
- The board considered a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams proclaiming February 2018 as Black History Month in Santa Barbara County.
- The resolution recognized the contributions of African Americans to the community and honored African-American veterans.
- The board adopted the resolution.
Administrative Agenda
- The board considered the remaining administrative items, including Items A7, A1, A2, B1, and B2, which were grouped for consideration.
- Motions were made to move the specified items and the balance of the administrative agenda.
- The items were passed via roll call vote.
Disaster Recovery Costs and Storm Readiness
- Staff provided an update on local disaster recovery costs, noting that the total cost estimate was being updated to a larger number than the initial $7 million to $9 million.
- A representative from the Office of Emergency Management reported on the storm readiness plan, including a new 72-hour evacuation timeline for Thomas Fire burn areas.
- The National Weather Service reported that expected storm systems were weakening, and no evacuations were anticipated at that time.
Closed Session
- No closed-session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Child Support Services / Government Alliance on Race and Equity (Item 1)
- Discussion: The board considered recommendations regarding the county’s participation in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). Staff presented findings from the GARE program, including a review of 27 county websites and 80 phone lines regarding language access. The review found that while many websites had Spanish information, quality varied, and fewer than half of the phone lines could provide spontaneous Spanish responses during business hours. Recommendations included using human translators for key online information and adding Spanish options to after-hours phone lines. A demonstration of the Language Line vendor service was provided. Public speakers Andy Caldwell and Joe Armendariz addressed the board; Caldwell discussed the role of race and class in policy, while Armendariz expressed skepticism regarding the use of county time for the item.
- Motion: A motion was made to receive and file the report, including the CEQA portion.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 5-0.
Agenda Item: Fiscal Year 2017-18 Budget and Financial Status Report (Item 2)
- Discussion: The Auditor-Controller presented the budget and financial status report as of December 31, 2017. The report indicated that 66 out of 68 departments and funds were performing at or above budget. Reportable variances were noted in the General Fund (General Revenues positive $868,000; Sheriff’s Department negative $902,000) and Special Revenue/Other Funds (Mental Health Services Fund negative $2.1 million; Workers Comp Self Insurance positive $1.4 million; Fire Fund positive $836,000). Staff noted that the full impact of the Thomas Fire and January mudslides was not yet known, with preliminary estimates ranging from $38–$39 million to potentially $50 million. Staff indicated they would provide an update on fire and debris flow costs and potential reimbursement by the end of the month or early March. Supervisor Wolf noted the information was pre-Thomas Fire and pre-debris flow. Supervisor Williams mentioned potential property tax backfills for other counties in the governor’s budget.
- Motion: A motion was made to receive and file the report.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 5-0.
Agenda Item: Arts and Economic Development (Item 3)
- Discussion: The board considered recommendations regarding arts and economic development. Sarah York Rubin (Office of Arts and Culture) and George Chapchin (Community Services Department) presented findings from the Arts and Economic Prosperity Study. Key findings included: nonprofit arts organizations generating over $200 million in revenue; the sector generating nearly $20 million in tax revenue; employment of 5,857 people; 2.6 million attendees at arts events; non-local attendees spending significantly more than locals; the creative economy generating 8.4% of the county’s GDP; and 62 nonprofit arts organizations reporting losses totaling $3.6 million due to recent disasters. The office is seeking $10 million in disaster relief from the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Motion: A motion was made to receive and file the report.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 5-0.
Agenda Item: Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update (Item 4)
- Discussion: The Water Agency provided an update on SGMA implementation in five basins. In the Kiama Basin, a $1.6 million grant was awarded to the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) to prepare a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). In the San Ynez Basin, three separate GSAs were formed, and a $1 million grant was awarded. In the San Antonio Creek Valley, a $300,000 grant was awarded. For the Santa Maria and Goleta fringe areas, staff recommended submitting an initial notification to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for a basin boundary modification to avoid preparing a full GSP. The Goleta City Council voted not to participate in the GSA. Staff recommended a hearing for May 8, 2018, to consider the basin boundary modification for the Santa Maria fringe area.
- Motion: A motion was made to receive and file the report, direct staff to submit the initial notification to DWR, and set a hearing for May 8, 2018.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 4-1 (Supervisor Adams recused).
Agenda Item: Human Services Grants (Item 5)
- Discussion: Staff presented options for the future of the Human Services Grant Program, which has historically provided $1.2 million annually. Options ranged from maintaining the status quo (Option 1) to eliminating mini-grants (Option 2), reducing the budget (Option 3), extending existing grantees for one year (Option 4), or redirecting funds (Options 5-7). The Human Services Commission supported Option 1 or Option 4. Public speakers included representatives from the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley, Isla Vista Youth Projects, People Helping People, and Good Samaritan Shelter. Speakers generally urged the board to continue funding or extend existing grants to avoid the burden of new applications during disaster recovery and to maintain services for vulnerable populations. Specific statistics on member services and academic success were provided by Boys & Girls Clubs. Supervisor Hartman expressed support for Option 4, citing disaster recovery challenges. Supervisor Wolf asked for clarification on the use of savings from eliminating mini-grants. Supervisor Williams made a motion regarding the item.
- Motion: A motion was made to adopt a hybrid approach: extend existing grantees for one year (Option 4), issue a new NOFA next year, and eliminate mini-grants for two years with the intention of bringing them back in the third year. Alternatively, a motion was described as directing the Human Services Commission to extend some or all existing grantees for one year and publish a new three-year NOFA in November 2018, with the $60,000 mini-grant component directed to the Commission to determine allocation or rollover.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 4-1.
Agenda Item: Caltrans Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant (Item A5)
- Discussion: Staff presented a request for approval to apply for a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant to support the update of the county’s circulation element, which has not been updated since 1980. The grant would fund background studies, including circulation assessment, multimodal needs, traffic counts, and future needs assessments. Cameron Gray (Community Environmental Council) expressed support, noting alignment with state requirements and support from partners. Supervisor Williams expressed support, viewing it as an opportunity to update the outdated circulation element with grant assistance.
- Motion: A motion was made to approve the grant application.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 4-1.
Agenda Item: Hiking and Biking Trail Extension (Item A5)
- Discussion: Public speakers addressed the board regarding the proposed extension of the Santa Maria River Levee Trail from Santa Maria to Guadalupe. Supporters, including representatives from Guadalupe Union School District, the City of Guadalupe, and local residents/students, cited benefits such as safe exercise opportunities, increased local business sales, reduced pollution, and alignment with sustainable community goals. Opponents, including representatives from CoLab and others, cited concerns about impacts on agricultural land, pesticide exposure risks to schools, emergency access limitations, and conflicts with agricultural users. Supervisor Hartman expressed support, requested focus on North County trails, and mentioned the California Parks and Environmental Bond (Prop 68) as a potential funding source.
- Motion: No specific motion to adopt or reject the trail was recorded; the item was discussed as a request to place the trail on the regular board agenda.
- Vote Outcome: No vote recorded.
Agenda Item: Cannabis Tax Ordinance (Item A3)
- Discussion: The board considered the second reading of the ordinance adding Chapter 58 (or Chapter 50A) to the Santa Barbara County Code, imposing a tax on cannabis operations. Staff presented updated resolution and ordinance language, clarifying tax rates (1% for nurseries/distributors, 3% for manufacturers, 4% for cultivators, and 6% for retailers/micro-businesses) and estimated annual revenue of $5 to $25 million. Administrative corrections, including pagination adjustments and ballot question language, were noted. A supervisor requested that the ballot language be read to confirm the removal of a cap previously present in the ordinance.
- Motion: A motion was made to adopt the ordinance on second reading with the proposed changes.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 4-1.
Agenda Item: Black History Month Resolution (Item A2/A14)
- Discussion: The board considered a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams proclaiming February 2018 as Black History Month in Santa Barbara County. The resolution recognized the contributions of African Americans to the community and honored African-American veterans. The Board acknowledged the presence of Pastor Ron Wiley, Pastor Louis Watkins, and Chief Master Sergeant Deanna Mosley.
- Motion: A motion was made to adopt the resolution.
- Vote Outcome: Passed 5-0.
Agenda Item: Administrative Agenda (Items A7, A1, A2, B1, B2, and Balance)
- Discussion: The board considered the remaining administrative items, including Items A7, A1, A2, B1, and B2, which were grouped for consideration.
- Motion: Motions were made to move the specified items and the balance of the administrative agenda.
- Vote Outcome: Passed via roll call vote.
Agenda Item: Disaster Recovery Costs and Storm Readiness
- Discussion: Staff provided an update on the local share of disaster recovery costs, initially estimated at $7 million to $9 million based on the first 45 days, with the total cost estimate being updated to a larger number. Supervisor Williams asked if a formal request had been made to the governor for reimbursement; staff indicated a letter had not yet been sent. Supervisor Williams stated that once numbers were finalized, they would be sent to the entire delegation. A representative from the Office of Emergency Management provided a report on the storm readiness plan, noting a new 72-hour storm evacuation timeline for areas affected by the Thomas Fire burn area. The National Weather Service reported that expected storm systems were weakening, and no evacuations were anticipated at that time.
- Motion: No motion recorded.
- Vote Outcome: No vote recorded.
Adjournment
- Decision: The Board adjourned the meeting, with the next meeting scheduled for February 27 in Santa Barbara.