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Board of Supervisors — 2018-09-18

Board of Supervisors — 2018-09-18September 18, 2018

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BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 September 18, 2018

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Meeting Summary

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At a glance

CEO’s Report

  • Staff continued outreach at Lompoc Riverbed triage centers, assisting with eligibility applications and animal services.
  • The Board approved Michael Dyer as Interim Fire Chief effective November 5, serving at an hourly wage without benefits.
  • Joni Maiden was introduced as the newly selected Child Support Services Director.
  • Recruitment for the Planning and Development Director position has officially opened.

Ceremonial Resolutions

  • The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming September 23–29, 2018, as Child Passenger Safety Week.
  • A resolution of commendation was adopted honoring Penny Powell for her retirement from the Public Health Department.
  • The Board adopted a resolution honoring the Veterans Treatment Court of Santa Maria for its community contributions.

California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program

  • Staff explained that existing shelter sites would be used for navigation services rather than establishing new centers.
  • The Board approved recommendations for the program application to leverage funding for affordable housing.

Security Services Contract

  • The Board approved the award of a countywide security services contract to Triumph Protection Group.
  • Legal staff confirmed the contract includes a 30-day termination for convenience clause to address vendor responsiveness concerns.

Propositions 1, 2, 6, and 12

  • The Board adopted resolutions supporting Propositions 1, 2, and 12, and opposing Proposition 6.
  • Supervisors cited direct financial impacts, including the road maintenance backlog, as justification for the positions.
  • The Board determined that these actions are not projects under CEQA.

Oversized Vehicle Restrictions

  • The Board adopted an ordinance expanding oversized vehicle restriction hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • The change aligns with law enforcement staffing levels and the "New Beginnings" safe parking program hours.

Speed Limits

  • The Board adopted an ordinance amending speed limits on various roads based on engineering traffic studies.
  • Recommendations included removing speed zones on low-volume roads and correcting unenforceable posted limits.

Grand Jury Report Response

  • The Board adopted responses to the 2017-18 Grand Jury report, including changing the response to Finding 6 to "wholly disagree."
  • The Board authorized the Chair to sign the letter to the presiding judge regarding internal controls findings.

Safe Parking Program

  • The Board approved a policy for the "New Beginnings" program providing legal overnight parking for individuals in vehicles.
  • The policy was supported as a necessary response to the housing crisis despite the extensive waiting list.

Trailed Item A13

  • The Board approved the previously trailed Item A13.

Closed Session

  • The Board discussed matters of significant exposure to civil litigation and public employee appointments.
  • One reportable action regarding a public employee appointment was reported upon returning to open session.

Full summary

Agenda Item: Minutes of September 11

  • The Board considered the minutes from the September 11 meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: CEO’s Report

  • The County Executive Office provided updates on several matters:
  • Lompoc Riverbed Assistance: Staff from Social Services, Public Defender, and Public Health continued outreach at triage centers. Approximately 50 individuals were at the site, with referrals made for housing, detox, and medical treatment. Social Services assisted with 22 eligibility applications. Animal services provided vaccines and spay/neuter services. Staff will evaluate the situation for the next 30 days.
  • Recruitment: Recruitment for the Planning and Development Director position has opened.
  • Appointments: Joni Maiden was introduced as the newly selected Child Support Services Director.
  • Fire Chief: The Board approved the selection of Michael Dyer as Interim Fire Chief, effective November 5, following the retirement of Eric Peterson. Dyer will serve in an extra-higher capacity at an hourly wage of $101.46 without benefits.

Agenda Item: Ceremonial Resolutions (Items A23, A24, A25)

  • Item A23 (Child Passenger Safety Week): A resolution was presented to proclaim the week of September 23–29, 2018, as Child Passenger Safety Week in Santa Barbara County. Public comment was provided by representatives from First Five and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), who cited statistics on car seat safety and shared a success story regarding a properly installed car seat preventing injury in a collision. The resolution was adopted.
  • Item A24 (Commendation for Penny Powell): A resolution of commendation was presented honoring Penny Powell for her retirement from the Public Health Department after over 30 years of service, specifically noting her work with the WIC program and nutrition education. Penny Powell and department representatives spoke in support of the resolution. The resolution was adopted.
  • Item A25 (Veterans Treatment Court): A resolution was presented honoring the Veterans Treatment Court of Santa Maria for its contributions to the community. Representatives from the court, probation, treatment providers, and community organizations spoke, noting the program’s establishment in 2011, its collaborative nature, and its success in treating veterans with issues such as PTSD and substance use disorder. The resolution was adopted.

Agenda Item: Item A6 (California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program)

  • The Board considered recommendations regarding the application for the California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program. Public comment was provided by Frank Thompson and Mary Doctorman of Housing Consultants, who discussed the potential for the funding to leverage additional private money for affordable housing for homeless individuals, veterans, and low-income families. A supervisor asked for clarification on "navigation centers," and staff explained that existing shelter sites and service locations would be used rather than establishing new separate centers. A motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Item A9 (Security Services Contract)

  • The Board considered a request to award a contract for countywide security services to Triumph Protection Group. A supervisor expressed concern regarding the responsiveness of the vendor and the limited number of bids received, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to contract benchmarks. Legal staff confirmed the contract includes a 30-day termination for convenience clause. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Items A19, A20, A21 (Propositions 1, 2, 6, and 12)

  • The Board considered resolutions regarding four ballot measures:
  • Item A19: Resolution in support of Propositions 1 and 2.
  • Item A20: Resolution in opposition to Proposition 6.
  • Item A21: Resolution in support of Proposition 12.
  • Public comment was provided by Andy Caldwell, who argued that the Board should not take positions on ballot measures without a full debate and that such actions should be D-items. Other public speakers expressed support for the measures, citing impacts on housing, animal welfare, and road infrastructure funding.
  • Supervisors discussed the legal framework for the Board to evaluate the merits of proposed ballot measures, citing the Vargas case. One supervisor abstained, stating a preference to leave voting decisions to the electorate. Other supervisors supported the resolutions, noting the direct financial and operational impacts on the county, particularly regarding the $315 million road maintenance backlog and the 101 freeway project. Legal staff clarified that the Board’s responses are limited to specific statutory options (agree, disagree, or requires further analysis) but can include additional explanatory language.
  • A motion was made and seconded to adopt resolutions supporting Propositions 1, 2, and 12, and opposing Proposition 6, and to determine that these actions are not projects under CEQA. A roll call vote was taken. The motion passed with three ayes and two abstentions.

Agenda Item: Item 1 (Oversized Vehicle Restrictions)

  • The Board held a hearing to consider an ordinance amending Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 23, Section 2313.12, to expand the hours of oversized vehicle restrictions. Staff presented the proposal to change the restricted hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. This change aligns with law enforcement staffing levels and the "New Beginnings" safe parking program hours (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Staff recommended adoption and determined the ordinance is not a project under SEPA. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Item 2 (Speed Limits)

  • The Board held a hearing to consider an ordinance amending speed limits on various roads. Staff presented engineering traffic studies for several roads, including Rincon Hill, Sheppard Mesa, Puente, Vieja, Walnut, roads in the Rancho Barcadero community, Rufio Road, and Hummel Road. Recommendations included removing speed zones on low-volume roads, reducing speed limits where 85th percentile speeds were lower, and correcting unenforceable posted limits. Staff noted that speed limits are based on the 85th percentile of traffic speed, with a 5 mph discretion allowed for safety factors like pedestrian activity. A supervisor asked about the impact of traffic calming measures on speed studies; staff confirmed that traffic calming can lower the 85th percentile speed. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Item 3 (Grand Jury Report Response)

  • The Board considered its response to the 2017-18 Grand Jury report on internal controls. Staff presented the proposed responses to 11 findings and 14 recommendations. Key points included:
  • Finding 1 (Staffing): The Board agreed with the finding that Internal Audit Division staffing had decreased.
  • Finding 3 (Manager Knowledge): The Board partially disagreed, noting that while improvements can be made, the definition of sufficiency was unclear. Staff proposed further analysis to determine effective training methods.
  • Finding 5 (Accountability): The Board wholly disagreed, stating that department heads already sign annual fiscal year-end certifications.
  • Finding 6 (Priority of Internal Controls): The Board initially partially disagreed, but after discussion, the Board agreed to change the response to "wholly disagree," asserting that internal controls are of primary importance.
  • Finding 8 (Response to Fraud): The Board wholly disagreed, stating that a thorough investigation was commenced immediately.
  • Finding 10 (Qualifications): The Board wholly disagreed, stating that standard minimum qualifications exist for financial staff.
  • Supervisors discussed the tone of the responses, with some suggesting the language be adjusted to reflect humility while maintaining factual accuracy. Legal staff clarified the statutory limitations on the Board’s response options. The Board agreed to modify the response to Finding 6 to "wholly disagree" and to clarify the intent to implement recommendations 3A and 3B after further analysis. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the responses to the Grand Jury report, authorize the Chair to sign the letter to the presiding judge, and make CEQA findings. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Item D1 (Safe Parking Program)

  • The Board considered a policy regarding the "New Beginnings" safe parking program, which provides legal overnight parking for individuals living in vehicles. A supervisor noted the extensive waiting list and the need for more parking lot owners to participate. The supervisor supported the policy as a necessary response to the housing crisis but encouraged more community participation. A motion was made and seconded to approve the policy. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Item A13 (Trailed Item)

  • Item A13 was trailed earlier in the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.

Closed Session

  • The Board went into closed session to discuss matters of significant exposure to civil litigation and public employee appointments/reappointments for the Agricultural Commissioner, Human Resources Director, Planning and Development Director, and Fire Chief. Upon returning to open session, the Board reported one reportable action regarding a public employee appointment.