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
Waller Park Water Well Project
- The board considered the award of a contract for the Waller Park water well project.
- Discussion focused on project costs, depth, and stainless steel casing specifications.
- Staff recommended accepting the contract, which the board approved.
California Energy Commission Loan
- A hearing was held to consider applying for a loan for energy services at the Better Avia campus and Fire Station 12.
- The board approved the application for the California Energy Commission loan.
Treasurer-Tax Collector Extra Help Services
- The board considered a waiver of the 180-day rule to hire a former employee for transition assistance.
- The waiver was approved to facilitate property tax collection support.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
- Staff presented the county’s financial condition, including net position, revenues, and pension liabilities.
- Questions were raised regarding debt burden, deferred maintenance, and peer county comparisons.
- The board accepted the staff presentation of the financial report.
Special District Candidate Filings
- The board accepted candidate filings for vacant special district positions, excluding the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District.
- Action on the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District was continued to allow for further candidate outreach.
- Staff was authorized to conduct outreach to find candidates for districts with no filings.
Board of Supervisors Compensation Ordinance
- The board took a first reading of an ordinance amending compensation and benefits for supervisors.
- Proposed changes include incorporating cash allowances into base salary and linking salary changes to CPI.
- The board voted to proceed with the first reading of the ordinance.
Fuels Management and Community Defensible Space
- The Fire Department presented an informational overview of fuels management, defensible space, and vegetation control strategies.
- Discussion covered prescribed fire limitations, insurance roles, and the status of Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
- The board accepted the informational update and directed staff to return with a specific implementation work plan.
Eastern Goleta Valley Community Wildfire Protection Plan
- Staff provided a status update on the development of the San Marcos Pass-Eastern Goleta Valley CWPP.
- The board discussed the resignation of two development team members and the need for public review.
- The board directed staff to finalize the draft, post it for public comment, and hold a public forum before final consideration.
Closed Session
- The board convened in closed session to discuss existing litigation, potential civil litigation, and labor negotiations.
- Upon returning to open session, the board reported that there were no reportable actions taken.
Full summary
Opening and Administrative Items
- Call to Order and Roll Call: The meeting was called to order, and roll call was taken.
- Pledge of Allegiance: The board joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Minutes (September 18): A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes for September 18. The motion passed unanimously.
- United Way Campaign Announcement: A staff member announced the start of the United Way Giving Campaign, noting that county employees have made the county the largest corporate donor in the area. The campaign runs through October 18.
- Ceremonial Items (A29–A34): A motion was made and seconded to approve the ceremonial items A29 through A34. The motion passed unanimously.
- A29: Dyslexia Awareness Month: A resolution was presented to proclaim October 2018 as Dyslexia Awareness Month and recognize Pam Boswell for her work in the field. The resolution was adopted.
- A30: Architectural Appreciation Week: A resolution was presented to proclaim October 1–7, 2018, as Architectural Appreciation Week, honoring the American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara Chapter. The resolution was adopted.
- A31: Energy Awareness Month: A resolution was presented to proclaim October 2018 as Energy Awareness Month, encouraging citizens to improve energy efficiency. The resolution was adopted.
- A32: Employee of the Month: A resolution was presented to honor Diana Campbell of the County Counsel Office as the Employee of the Month. The resolution was adopted.
- A33: Coastal Future Vision: A resolution was presented to reaffirm the county’s commitment to conserving coastal natural resources and protecting the California Coast in the face of sea level rise. The resolution was adopted.
- A34: Volunteer Recognition: A resolution was presented to honor Mark Werner for 26 years of volunteer service to the Board of Supervisors. The resolution was adopted.
Agenda Management
- Public Comment on A2: Public comment was taken on Administrative Item A2.
- Motion to Trail A2: A motion was made and seconded to trail (postpone) Administrative Item A2 to allow the Registrar’s Office to provide additional information. The motion passed.
- Motion for Balance of Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the agenda, excluding items A2, A3, and A10, and including a late-added closed session item regarding labor negotiations. The motion passed.
Administrative Items
- A3: Waller Park Water Well Project: A hearing was held to consider the award of a contract for the Waller Park water well project (Project No. 8657). Discussion focused on the cost, depth, and material specifications (stainless steel casing) recommended by a consultant. A motion was made and seconded to accept staff’s recommendation. The motion passed with a vote of 4-1.
- A10: California Energy Commission Loan: A hearing was held to consider a resolution to apply for a California Energy Commission loan for an energy services contract for the Better Avia campus and Fire Station 12. A motion was made and seconded to approve the application. The motion passed with a vote of 3-2.
General Public Comment
- Non-Agenda Item: One member of the public spoke regarding a building permit dispute, alleging corruption and procedural errors in the review of their project. No action was taken.
Departmental Items
- D1: Treasurer-Tax Collector Extra Help Services: A hearing was held to consider a waiver of the 180-day rule for hiring a former employee as an extra help to assist with transition and property tax collection. A motion was made and seconded to approve the waiver. The motion passed unanimously.
- D2: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR): A hearing was held to consider the county’s CAFR and financial highlights for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018. Staff presented an overview of the county’s financial condition, including net position, revenues, expenses, pension and OPEB liabilities, and comparisons with peer counties. Questions were raised regarding debt burden, deferred maintenance, and the financial reporting structures of peer counties. A motion was made and seconded to accept staff’s presentation. The motion passed.
Acceptance of Candidate Filings for Vacant Special District Positions (Attachments A and B)
- Discussion: The County Clerk-Recorder presented recommendations regarding vacant positions in special districts. For Attachment A, candidates had filed for vacancies, and the board was asked to accept these filings. For Attachment B, four districts had vacancies with no candidates filed; the board was asked to authorize staff to conduct outreach to find candidates by November 26. Public comment was received from Ernest Armenta, who expressed concern regarding the lack of public awareness of the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District and requested that the board postpone action on that specific district to allow for further outreach and candidate recruitment. Staff clarified that the action for Attachment A was not time-sensitive and that the board could postpone the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District item to a future date. Supervisor Lavagnino requested that the postponement be to October 16 rather than October 9 to allow sufficient time for outreach. Staff confirmed that the board could take no action on the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (Division 5) while proceeding with the other items.
- Motion: A motion was made to move staff’s recommended actions for Attachment A, except for the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District, and to continue the potential actions regarding the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District to the Board meeting on October 9, 2018. A second was provided.
- Decision: The motion was adopted.
- Vote Outcome: Passed unanimously.
First Reading of Ordinance Amending Compensation and Benefits for Board of Supervisors
- Discussion: Human Resources presented a first reading of an ordinance to amend compensation and benefits for Board of Supervisors members. The proposed changes included: (1) incorporating an existing unit cash allowance into base salary, consistent with practices for other elected officials and appointed executives; (2) linking annual salary changes to the October Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange County area, per a 2015 board direction; and (3) implementing a 0.83% pension cost-sharing pickup. Supervisor Adams stated he would vote no but noted the proposal was not totally unreasonable. Supervisor Lavagnino moved to proceed with the item.
- Motion: A motion was made to proceed with the first reading of the ordinance. A second was provided.
- Decision: The motion was adopted.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Fuels Management and Community Defensible Space (Informational Hearing)
- Discussion: The Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Marshal presented an informational overview of the county’s fuels management and community defensible space programs. The presentation highlighted the impact of recent wildfires (including the Thomas Fire and debris flow) and the need for preventative measures. Key points included:
- Priorities: Public and firefighter safety are paramount, followed by protection of structures, infrastructure, and natural resources.
- Strategies: Risk reduction strategies include ignition prevention, public education, defensible space enforcement, development code enforcement, and vegetation management.
- Defensible Space: Homeowners are responsible for maintaining 100 feet of defensible space. The county conducts inspections on approximately 14,000 parcels annually. Staff reported that compliance has been relatively good in recent years, with a shift toward working with homeowners to achieve compliance rather than immediate enforcement. Approximately 6,000 inspections had been completed as of the hearing date.
- Vegetation Management: The county’s vegetation management program includes community-based treatments (defensible space and community fuel treatments), landscape-based treatments (prescribed fire and grazing), and strategic pre-fire treatments (ridge line fuel breaks and roadside treatments).
- Scale: Since 2004, over 500,000 acres have burned in the county. The county fire department has completed and maintained approximately 648 acres of fuel treatments, with nearly 2,000 acres planned. Staff noted that the vast majority of defensible space work occurs on private lands by private citizens.
- Funding: The State Responsibility Area fire prevention fee was suspended last year; funding for fire prevention projects is now anticipated to come from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
- Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs): These plans are collaborative tools for citizens to guide agency strategies. Staff discussed the Mission Canyon CWPP and the Santa Barbara Mountain Communities Defense Zone Projects, noting that one project was completed in conjunction with the Whittier Fire suppression efforts.
- Questions and Clarifications:
- Supervisor Hartmann inquired about the status of the Urban-Wildland Interface fee and requested information on state fire prevention grants for distribution to non-profits and homeowner associations. Staff confirmed the fee was suspended and identified the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council as a resource for grant information.
- Supervisor Wolf asked about the status of the Santa Barbara Mountain Communities Defense Zone Projects. Staff confirmed one project was completed and others are scheduled, noting these are federal projects on federal lands.
- Supervisor Wolf asked about defensible space compliance numbers and enforcement actions. Staff explained the increased rigor of inspections required by CAL FIRE and the focus on working with non-compliant homeowners.
- Supervisor Hartmann asked about the role of insurance companies in defensible space compliance.
- Vegetation Management Plan Presentation: A representative from Santa Barbara County Fire presented the Vegetation Management Plan, covering three broad categories: community-based, landscape-based, and strategic pre-fire measures.
- Community-Based Measures: The presentation detailed the role of insurance companies under Public Resource Code 4291, noting that insurers may require greater than 100 feet of clearance based on assessments by local fire jurisdictions. The Mission Canyon project (2014) was cited as an example of community defensible space funded by state fire prevention fees. The presentation listed existing and draft Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) for various areas, including Mission Canyon, Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Barbara City, and San Marcos Pass. Data was provided comparing private field treatments (approx. 522 acres) to county field treatments (approx. 183 acres) in the San Marcos Pass area.
- Landscape-Based Measures: The history of prescribed fire in Santa Barbara County was discussed, noting an average of 10,000 acres burned annually between the 1950s and 1980s, primarily for rangeland management. The presentation outlined challenges to prescribed fire in the front country, including proximity to assets, weather conditions (sundowner winds), smoke management, and a decreasing prescription window due to longer fire seasons. It was noted that prescribed fire opportunities are limited in the front country but exist in the northern county. The interaction of fires with previous burn scars was discussed, citing examples where the 2016 Ray Fire, 2017 Whittier Fire, and Thomas Fire stopped at the perimeters of older fires (e.g., 2007 Zaka Fire, 2008 Gap Fire). The Santa Ana wind regime was identified as a key differentiator from Southern California, as it has minimal impact on Santa Barbara County weather. The use of prescribed herbivory (goats) and agricultural greenbelts (orchards and vineyards) as fire protection tools was also presented.
- Strategic Pre-Fire Measures: The presentation explained strategic fuel breaks, noting they are designed to facilitate indirect fire attack and backfiring rather than independently stopping fires. Roadside vegetation management was highlighted as a critical component for reducing ignitions and providing evacuation routes. The presentation included a map of the Santa Barbara South Coast showing existing field treatments (yellow polygons), previous fire control features (blue shaded areas), existing agriculture (green shaded areas), and proposed field treatments on private lands (purple shaded areas, approx. 260 acres). A separate map showed proposed defensible space treatments for the Burton Mesa communities.
- Q&A Session: Supervisors and staff engaged in a question-and-answer session covering the following points:
- Prescribed Fire Liability: It was stated that prescribed burns gone bad could create liability, and the county would not enjoy immunities typically available during declared disasters.
- Front Country Constraints: It was confirmed that prescribed burns are generally not a tool for the Santa Barbara Front Country due to erosion risks, soil stability concerns, and fire behavior. Mechanical and manual treatments are preferred to leave vegetation in place to protect soil.
- Fuel Breaks: Questions were raised regarding the decision-making process for maintaining or removing fuel breaks, the number of existing breaks, and management of invasive species. It was noted that the Forest Service has mapped all field breaks and that the county uses these maps for pre-fire planning. Maintenance of legacy fuel breaks, many of which are covered in annual grasses, was identified as a challenge.
- Air Support: The importance of the air support unit was highlighted. Staff reported that the county typically keeps 96-97% of initial attack fires under 10 acres, though recent severe fire seasons have lowered this percentage. A request to purchase a newer helicopter was mentioned for a future meeting.
- Safety Element Update: Planning and Development staff explained that the safety element of the comprehensive plan, last amended in 2015, requires a robust update to address climate change adaptation and resiliency per Government Code requirements. The update is a two-year project involving vulnerability assessments, public outreach, and CEQA review. A hazard mitigation grant application is pending.
- Agricultural Greenbelts: Discussion occurred regarding zoning and permitting for orchards in the wildland-urban interface. It was noted that some areas are zoned for resource management rather than agriculture, requiring conditional use permits for orchards.
- Recommendations: The Fire Department presented the following recommendations:
- 1. Community-Based: Update Defensible Space Standards to comply with Assembly Bill 2911; collaborate with Planning and Development to update the safety element; support continued development of CWPPs; collaborate with partners on regional vegetation management; and develop community defensible space zones using agricultural greenbelts and targeted treatments in the South Coast and Burton Mesa areas. 2. Landscape-Based: Increase prescribed fire use where practical, targeting 500-1,000 acres annually in state responsibility areas; partner with the Range Improvement Association and Los Padres National Forest for prescribed fire projects; research prescribed herbivory (goats); support policies encouraging agricultural greenbelts; and utilize the State Vegetation Treatment Programmatic EIR once certified. 3. Strategic Pre-Fire: Collaborate with the Los Padres National Forest to maintain critical strategic field breaks; plan and implement strategic fuel breaks in state responsibility areas as needed; and increase the pace and scope of roadside field treatments in high fire hazard areas.
- Public Comment: Nine members of the public spoke on the item:
- Andy Caldwell: Expressed concern that the county has not addressed the vast majority of burned land and criticized the lack of firm commitments and direction. He referenced SB 1260 and concerns about type conversion in chaparral. He urged the board to take urgency in mitigating flood and fire impacts.
- Renee O'Neill: Supported prescribed burns under proper conditions, citing historical Chumash practices and the success of winter burns in the Tepescaya community. She requested accountability for organizations that shut down critical projects and expressed interest in participating in range land management teams.
- Paul Van Leer: Supported the plan and requested expedited permits for the 260 acres of proposed treatments and assistance with establishing strategic fuel breaks (Divide Peak, Windy Gap, Refugio) to protect communities.
- Andy Mills (Santa Barbara County Cattlemen’s Association): Supported the plan but raised concern about the delayed certification of the statewide programmatic EIR for vegetation treatment, which has been pending for at least five years.
- Lee Moldaver: Supported the staff recommendations, particularly the safety element update. He referenced the Glendale Church court decision regarding property rights versus public safety and the limitations on preventing development in hazardous areas.
- Rebecca August (Forest Watch): Expressed gratitude for firefighter efforts during the Windmill Fire. She supported vegetation maintenance along roads and pre-positioning of equipment. She advocated for focusing on home and community fire safety, evacuation planning, and preventing human-caused ignitions.
- Bryant Baker (Forest Watch): Supported targeted vegetation removal and defensible space. He stated that there are no peer-reviewed studies supporting prescribed fire in chaparral and coastal sage scrub, arguing it can lead to type conversion to flammable grasses. He urged listening to scientific input and avoiding treatments that replace native shrubs with invasive species.
- Ray Smith: Asked for clarification on the science regarding the frequency of prescribed burns (every 15-20 years) versus emergency dozer lines, noting that he is not a scientist but finds the former more effective at a gut level.
- Ray Smith (Chair of the Mission Canyon Associations fire committee): Spoke in support of the fuels management and community defensible space program proposed by County Fire. He cited the Mission Canyon Association’s history with Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), noting that previous grant-funded treatments helped save homes during the Hesa Cedar fire. He expressed support for the proposed South Coast foothill community defensible space zone.
- Additional Discussion and Questions:
- Fire Suppression Tactics: Supervisor Lavagnino asked for clarification on the relative danger of grass fires versus chaparral fires. A County Fire representative explained that grass fires are generally easier to suppress, rarely exceed 10 acres, and do not generate embers, whereas chaparral fires are more difficult to control, generate significant ember storms, and have a higher history of large-scale fires and firefighter fatalities.
- Statewide EIR: Supervisor Lavagnino inquired about the status of the statewide Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for prescribed fire. Staff indicated the EIR is near certification and that County Fire has provided comments on the latest iteration.
- Supervisor Comments:
- Supervisor Lavagnino thanked Chief Peterson for his leadership and emphasized the need for proactive fuel breaks and strategic treatments. He noted that while environmental protection is important, the balance has historically favored environmental protection over public safety and firefighter safety.
- Supervisor Adams advocated for an "all-of-the-above" strategy, including control burns in appropriate areas to create a mosaic of treated lands, preventing large, uncontrollable fires. He requested that the board return with specific recommendations for treatments in specific locations.
- Supervisor Wolfe, who lost her home in the 1990 Painted Cave Fire, emphasized the need for collaboration rather than division between environmentalists and safety experts. She highlighted the importance of air support units, hot shot teams, and insurance recovery. She stated she would recuse herself from the subsequent CWPP item due to her home being in the affected area.
- Supervisor Hartmann contextualized the discussion within the broader impacts of climate change, noting the extension of the fire season and the increase in dead trees. She called for a more robust, comprehensive plan involving an ad hoc committee, similar to the process used for the cannabis ordinance. She suggested developing a living document on the county website, utilizing facilitators for community planning, and addressing pre-staging, policy, and post-disaster actions.
- Supervisor Williams asked about the level of environmental review required for these projects. Staff explained that most projects qualify for CEQA exemptions (e.g., maintenance of roadways), while larger projects may require Mitigated Negative Declarations or rely on the state programmatic EIR for prescribed fire. Supervisor Williams noted that the lack of CEQA lawsuits suggests a degree of goodwill among stakeholders.
- Supervisor Adams responded to the "goodwill" comment, emphasizing that the priority must be the safety of firefighters and residents, and that the absence of lawsuits should not be interpreted as consent to delay necessary safety measures.
- Supervisor Hartmann asked about the role of the Fire Safe Council. Staff explained that the Council is active, meets monthly, and has recently begun applying for grants. The next topic for the Council’s board is the San Marcos Pass Eastern Goleta Valley CWPP.
- Supervisor Williams reiterated the need for resources and political will to act rapidly while remaining environmentally responsible.
- Supervisor Wolfe acknowledged Ted Adams from the audience for his work on the Eastern Goleta Valley PAC.
- Motion and Vote:
- Motion: Supervisor Wolfe moved to accept Item A (the informational update), determine that the proposed actions are administrative and do not involve a commitment to specific projects, and direct staff to return with a work plan in the early part of next year regarding implementation review. The motion included a request for cross-departmental input.
- Second: Supervisor Williams seconded the motion.
- Discussion: Supervisor Adams requested that the board provide instructions to come back with a specific to-do list or work plan. Supervisor Wolfe agreed to amend the motion to include a work plan.
- Vote: The motion passed. All those in favor said "aye"; no opposition was recorded.
Eastern Goleta Valley Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Status Update
- Recusal: Supervisor Wolfe recused herself from this item on the advice of counsel, as her home is within the CWPP area. Supervisor Williams commented that the Fair Political Practices Commission’s guidance on recusal for such a large area seemed overly broad but allowed the item to proceed.
- Presentation: Dennis Pizanchik from the County Executive Office presented a status update on the development of the San Marcos Pass-Eastern Goleta Valley CWPP. He outlined the three primary functions of a CWPP: identifying fuel reduction areas, recommending best practices for fuel treatments, and recommending measures to reduce structural ignitability. He detailed the 2011 board-adopted policy for CWPP development, which involves an eight-step process including convening a development team, engaging agencies, creating base maps, and developing risk assessments.
- Process History: The consultant was hired in October 2016, and a community kickoff meeting was held in January 2017. The development team worked on drafts between February 2017 and early 2018. In January 2018, two development team members (representing Forest Watch and Urban Creeks Council) resigned. The latest draft in the office was dated April 2018, with subsequent iterative versions being worked on.
- CEQA Status: Staff indicated that the CWPP draft itself does not constitute a project under CEQA, but any specific fuel treatment projects identified in the plan would require CEQA review at the time of execution.
- Next Steps: Staff suggested completing edits recommended by the working group and staff, removing the names of the resigned organizations from the title page, and providing a final draft to staff by the end of October for docketing. They also suggested posting the final draft on the website in November, allowing for public comments, and holding a public forum before the board considers the plan in February.
- Public Comment:
- Ray Smith: Spoke in favor of supporting the CWPP, emphasizing the collaborative and democratic nature of the process. He noted that collaboration does not grant veto power to any single participant and urged the board to approve the plan.
- Gordon Ceci: A former school principal and resident who lost his home in the 1990 Painted Cave Fire, he spoke in support of the clearing and defensible space measures. He cited his own experience with fire hardening his home and supported the "all-of-the-above" strategy.
- Rocky Siegel: A resident and member of the CWPP development team, he expressed disappointment at the resignation of one team member but stated the team had done a good job. He questioned the timing of new concerns raised by the Chaparral Institute after two and a half years of meetings.
- Jeff Kuyper: Executive Director of Los Padres Forest Watch and representative for Urban Creeks Council, he spoke on behalf of both organizations. He stated that while vegetation clearing has a role, it should not be the only strategy. He cited the resignation of his organizations from the development team in January 2018 due to concerns about the direction of the CWPP and the lack of incorporation of scientific advice. He called for a comprehensive approach including structural hardening, land use policy changes, and firefighter readiness.
- Phil Seymour: Representative of the Fire Safe Council and co-chair of the development team, he described the process as collaborative and environmentally sensitive. He noted that the public review process is not yet complete and requested board support for public noticing and a public hearing. He agreed to Supervisor Hartmann’s suggestion to include a section in the final plan summarizing how public comments were addressed.
- Ted Adams: Vice Chair of the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, he highlighted the value of the Fire Safe Council as an interface between agencies and communities. He mentioned the Council’s 10-year radio program and suggested exploring further collaboration with the board.
- Bryant Baker: Representing Forest Watch, he stated that the proposed October 30th timeline was insufficient to resolve outstanding issues. He requested a renewed commitment to incorporating science into the process and suggested that an independent facilitator would help navigate the challenges.
- Board Discussion:
- Supervisor Hartmann: Read from the resignation letter submitted by Forest Watch, which criticized the plan for devoting insufficient time to structural ignitability and innovative programs. She suggested a structural approach to moving forward, potentially using a website with checklists and categories for information.
- Supervisor Williams: Asked for clarification on whether the plan references existing state standards for hardening.
- Bryant Baker: Clarified that the current version of the plan includes an expanded structure hardening section that accounts for latest contractor requirements, which is different from the version available when the organizations resigned.
- Supervisor Hartmann: Expressed concern about recommending rooftop sprinklers, noting that in some areas, this can deplete water pressure needed for firefighting.
- Supervisor Williams: Agreed, citing an incident during the Hesa Cedar fire where sprinklers had to be turned off to maintain water pressure. He expressed disappointment that Forest Watch and Urban Creeks resigned, suggesting that the cited reason (structural hardening) might be a "red herring" for other substantive disagreements. He emphasized the need to move forward in an environmentally responsible manner without letting the "perfect be the enemy of the good."
- Supervisor Hartmann: Stated she was prepared to make a motion to receive the report on the status and provide direction to staff as needed, but sought clarification on the board's direction regarding the concerns raised.
- Executive Order B5218: Discussion focused on the distinction between treating the item as a plan versus a project, specifically regarding CEQA requirements. It was noted that as a plan, the item would not require full environmental review, but rather would include best management practices and voluntary mitigations. A motion was made and seconded to proceed with the item. The motion passed.
Closed Session
- The board adjourned to closed session to consider three items: existing litigation (Whitson v. County of Santa Barbara), a decision on whether to initiate civil litigation, and a conference with labor negotiators for all bargaining units, unrepresented employees, managers, and executives. Upon returning to open session, the board reported that there were no reportable actions from the closed session.
Appointment Recommendations (Clarification and Reconfirmation)
- The Clerk of the Board sought clarification on the previously taken action regarding appointment recommendations A and B. Discussion arose regarding the procedural status of the appointments for the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (Divisions 3 and 6) versus other districts. There was debate over whether the board had the discretion to delay these appointments or if they were mandatory under the board letter. The Clerk and staff recommended reconfirming the motion to resolve confusion regarding the earlier vote. A motion was made and seconded to reconfirm the adoption of staff’s recommendation, with the exception of the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District appointments, which would be brought back for a future session (next week or the following week) to allow time for the elections official to explain the process. The motion to reconfirm the action with this exception passed, with one abstention.