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
Resolution A21 (Honoring Fire Chief Eric Peterson)
- The Board adopted a resolution to honor Fire Chief Eric Peterson upon his retirement after 31 years of service.
- The resolution was sponsored by all five Board members and read into the record.
Resolution A22 (Red Ribbon Week)
- The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming the week of October 23rd through 31st, 2018, as Red Ribbon Week in Santa Barbara County.
- The resolution was sponsored by Supervisor Williams and read into the record.
Resolution A23 (Indigenous Peoples Day)
- The Board adopted a resolution recognizing the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day in Santa Barbara County.
- The resolution was sponsored by Supervisor Williams and read into the record.
Resolution A24 (Honoring Patricia Jones)
- The Board adopted a resolution to honor Patricia Jones for her service to the Santa Barbara County Assessment Appeals Board.
- The resolution was sponsored by Supervisor Wolfe and read into the record.
Public Health – Waiver of Retirement Exclusion
- The Board approved a recommendation to waive retirement exclusion for Environmental Health Specialist David Brumman.
- The waiver allows him to return in November for training and mentoring purposes.
Treasurer/Tax Collector – Tejiguas Resource Recovery Project Financing
- The Board approved public financing for the design, acquisition, and construction of improvements, including an anaerobic digester and materials recovery facility.
- The financing is secured by solid waste system revenues with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $180 million.
- Staff addressed public concerns regarding recycling market conditions by noting the project accounts for reduced recyclable revenues.
Community Services – Goleta Library Board of Trustees
- The Board continued the item regarding the appointment of trustees representing unincorporated areas in the 2nd and 3rd districts.
- The item was scheduled for the Board’s meeting on November 6.
Community Services – Good Samaritan Shelter Grant
- Staff presented a request for a $25,000 federal Community Development Block Grant for a leach field replacement at the Bridge House Shelter.
- The Board was asked to execute a first amendment to the license agreement to allow the new leach field to extend over the lease boundary.
- Staff recommended approval of the grant and license amendment.
County Executive Office – Thomas Fire and Debris Flow After-Action Report
- The Board received the After Action Report and Improvement Plan, which identified strengths in information sharing and five areas for improvement.
- The Board determined that the activities are exempt from CEQA.
- Discussion covered evacuation planning, public information, and collaboration with local partners.
Planning and Development – Gaviota Coast Plan Certification
- The Board accepted the California Coastal Commission’s certification of the Gaviota Coast Plan with modifications.
- Staff noted that most of the County’s requests from a July 2018 letter were granted or partially addressed.
- Public comment addressed agricultural exemptions, habitat designations, and rural character.
Human Resources Director Appointment
- The Board appointed Maria Elena De Guevara as Interim Human Resources Director, effective November 19, 2018.
- The item was for informational purposes as PEPRA law requires bringing re-hire discussions to the Board.
Storm Readiness and Preparedness
- Staff provided an update on storm readiness activities, including new thresholds for the Storm Risk Decision Team.
- The update included the "Ready, Set, Go" messaging system for public alerts.
- The item was for informational purposes with no vote taken.
New Legislation and Data Collection (Cal OES / Public Utilities)
- Staff reported that the county is awaiting guidance from Cal OES regarding new legislation.
- Staff indicated they would return with a plan to gather, validate, and input public utility contact data into county systems.
Debris Flow Response and Lessons Learned
- Discussion focused on prior evacuation decisions based on available data and risk maps.
- Efforts to simplify public messaging and improve map clarity were discussed.
Coastal Housing Partnership
- A representative provided an update noting that 68 county employees purchased homes in the last year with average savings of $4,000.
- Thirteen employees refinanced homes through the program.
CEO’s Report
- The CEO’s report was presented to the Board.
- No motion was taken on the report.
Closed Session
- The Board moved to closed session and later reconvened to report from it.
- The Board announced an adjournment and scheduled a special meeting for Monday the 22nd at 9 AM regarding the cannabis LCP.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Public Comment
- Members of the public addressed the Board regarding the Gaviota Coast Plan, HIV/AIDS awareness, Indigenous Peoples Day, housing status, a dispute with the Board of Architectural Review concerning a home remodel, the Assessment Appeals Board, and the acknowledgment of First Peoples. No motions were taken.
Agenda Item: Resolutions
- Resolution A21 (Honoring Fire Chief Eric Peterson): A resolution sponsored by all five Board members was presented to honor Fire Chief Eric Peterson upon his retirement after 31 years of service. The resolution was read into the record and adopted.
- Resolution A22 (Red Ribbon Week): A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams was presented to proclaim the week of October 23rd through 31st, 2018, as Red Ribbon Week in Santa Barbara County. The resolution was read into the record and adopted.
- Resolution A23 (Indigenous Peoples Day): A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams was presented to recognize the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day in Santa Barbara County. The resolution was read into the record and adopted.
- Resolution A24 (Honoring Patricia Jones): A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Wolfe was presented to honor Patricia Jones for her service to the Santa Barbara County Assessment Appeals Board. The resolution was read into the record and adopted.
Agenda Item: Public Health – Waiver of Retirement Exclusion
- The Board considered a recommendation to waive retirement exclusion for David Brumman, an Environmental Health Specialist, to allow him to return as extra help in November for training and mentoring purposes. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Treasurer/Tax Collector – Tejiguas Resource Recovery Project Financing
- The Board held a public hearing under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) to consider public financing for the design, acquisition, and construction of improvements, including an anaerobic digester and materials recovery facility. The financing is secured by solid waste system revenues, with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $180 million, a term not to exceed 25 years, a true interest cost not to exceed 5.5%, and an underwriting discount not to exceed 0.5%. Public comment was received regarding recycling market conditions and cost-benefit analysis. Staff responded that the project accounts for reduced recyclable revenues and has limited exposure to market fluctuations. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation and the associated resolution authorizing bond documents. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Community Services – Goleta Library Board of Trustees
- The Board considered recommendations regarding the appointment of trustees representing unincorporated areas in the 2nd and 3rd districts. A motion to continue the item was made and seconded. The motion passed, continuing the item to the Board’s meeting on November 6.
Agenda Item: Community Services – Good Samaritan Shelter Grant
- Staff presented a request for a $25,000 federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a leach field replacement project at the Bridge House Shelter in Lompoc due to a failing septic system. The Board was also asked to execute a first amendment to the license agreement with Good Samaritan Shelter to allow the new leach field to extend over the lease boundary and assign maintenance responsibilities to the licensee. Staff recommended approval. No specific vote outcome is recorded in the provided text segments for this item.
Agenda Item: County Executive Office – Thomas Fire and Debris Flow After-Action Report
- Katie Freeman, Director of Operations for Hagerty Consulting, presented the After Action Report and Improvement Plan. The report, developed in alignment with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services framework and the National Incident Management System, identified strengths in information sharing, mapping, call center operations, and volunteer use. It outlined five areas for improvement: evacuation planning, public information, collaboration with local partners, sustained Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, and disaster recovery. Public comment was received regarding evacuation decisions and community input processes. Discussion included the "fog of disaster," call center capacity, debris management timelines, red flag warnings, and public safety power shutdowns. A motion was made to receive the After Action Report and Improvement Plan and determine that the activities are exempt from CEQA. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Planning and Development – Gaviota Coast Plan Certification
- Staff presented the California Coastal Commission’s certification of the Gaviota Coast Plan with modifications, noting that most of the County’s requests from a July 2018 letter were granted or partially addressed. Staff recommended that the Board accept the certification with modifications. Public comment was received from stakeholders representing the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, the Gaviota Ranchers Group, and the Environmental Defense Center, with comments addressing agricultural exemptions, habitat designations, and rural character. Discussion included the legal interpretation of the Hollister Ranch public access fee and the finality of the plan. A motion was made to accept the California Coastal Commission certification with modifications of the amendment to the County’s local coastal program regarding the Gaviota Coast Plan. The motion was seconded and passed 3-2.
Agenda Item: Human Resources Director Appointment
- The Board appointed Maria Elena De Guevara as Interim Human Resources Director, effective November 19, 2018. Staff noted that PEPRA law requires bringing re-hire discussions to the Board as a discussion item. No vote was taken; the item was for informational purposes.
Agenda Item: Storm Readiness and Preparedness
- Staff provided an update on storm readiness activities, including new thresholds for the Storm Risk Decision Team and the "Ready, Set, Go" messaging system for public alerts. Discussion included rogue storms, red flag warnings, and the Radio Ready program. No vote was taken; the item was for informational purposes.
Agenda Item: New Legislation and Data Collection (Cal OES / Public Utilities)
- Staff reported that the county is awaiting guidance from Cal OES regarding new legislation and that a meeting is scheduled with the Senator’s office. Staff indicated they would return with a plan to gather, validate, and input public utility contact data into county systems. No motion was taken.
Agenda Item: Debris Flow Response and Lessons Learned
- Discussion focused on prior evacuation decisions based on available data and risk maps, as well as efforts to simplify public messaging and improve map clarity. No motion was taken.
Agenda Item: Minutes of October 9th
- A motion was requested regarding the minutes. The specific vote outcome is not explicitly detailed in the provided text segments.
Agenda Item: Coastal Housing Partnership
- A representative for Coastal Housing Partnership provided an update on the program's impact, noting that 68 county employees purchased homes in the last year with average savings of $4,000, and 13 employees refinanced homes. No motion was taken.
Agenda Item: CEO’s Report
- The CEO’s report was presented. No motion was taken.
Agenda Item: Closed Session and Adjournment
- The Board moved to closed session. Upon reconvening, the Board prepared to report from closed session. The Board announced an adjournment and scheduled a special meeting for Monday the 22nd at 9 AM regarding the cannabis LCP.