Meeting Summary
Present: Williams, Hart, 3-Hartmann, Adam, 5-Lavagnino
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
Installation of Officials Elected in 2018
- Presiding Judge Michael Carrozzo administered the oath of office to newly elected judges and countywide officials.
- Retired Judge Rogelio Flores delivered a keynote address during the ceremony.
- Several elected officials were noted as absent from the installation proceedings.
Election of Board Officers
- Supervisor Steve Lavinino was nominated and elected as the new Chair via a voice vote.
- Supervisor Greg Hart was nominated for the position of Vice-Chair.
Chair Transition and Supervisor Introduction
- Supervisor Doss Williams delivered remarks regarding his tenure before transitioning the Chair role to Supervisor Lavinino.
- Supervisor Lavinino accepted the position and announced administrative changes, including a new "Veteran of the Month" resolution.
- Supervisor Greg Hart was formally introduced to the Board along with his staff.
Resolution 838: Retirement of Elizabeth Farnham
- The Board adopted Resolution 838 to honor Elizabeth Farnham upon her retirement.
- Remarks were provided by several supervisors and Elizabeth Farnham prior to the adoption of the resolution.
Agenda Item A22: Transfer of Retired Sheriff’s Canine
- Sheriff Brown presented the service history of Ako Von Brackpetl, a German Shepherd who served from 2012 to 2019.
- The Board approved the transfer of ownership of the retired canine to Senior Deputy Kenneth Rushing for $1.
- The Chair noted that the $1 sale price would be added to the Sheriff’s Office general fund apportionment.
Agenda Item A8: Contingent Fee Contract for Opioid Litigation
- The Board approved a contingent fee contract with Keller Rohrbach LLP for litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
- Public comment was received opposing the litigation, followed by remarks from supervisors regarding accountability and potential solutions.
Agenda Item 1: 2019 Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees
- The Board reviewed available positions and assigned members to various committees, including the Behavioral Wellness Commission and the Retirement Board.
- Specific assignments were made for North and South County representation on the Juvenile Justice Coordination Council.
- Supervisor Hart volunteered to research the function and membership status of the Child Care Planning Council.
- The Board unanimously passed the motion to move forward with the appointments as read.
Closed Session
- The Board directed county counsel not to further appeal the results of the fiscal year 08-09 audit by the Department of Healthcare Services.
- This decision was made after the county obtained additional payments of approximately $1.3 million.
- No reportable actions were taken regarding the Flood Control and Water Conservation District litigation or the Fire Chief appointment.
Full summary
Installation of Officials Elected in 2018
- The meeting opened with remarks by Chair Doss Williams and an invocation by Pastor Jeff Schaefer. The Los Prietos color guard and the Regetti High School Marimba Band and Ballet Folklorico performed. County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato introduced the officials elected in 2018 who were present for installation, including Judges James Herman, Timothy Staffel, Clifford Anderson, Arthur Garcia, and Patricia Kelly; Countywide officials Betsy Schaefer, Joe Holland, Joyce Dudley, Bill Brown, Harry Hagan, and Dr. Susan Salcedo; and Supervisors Greg Hart and Steve Lavinino. Judges Donna Geck, Colleen Stern, and Raimundo Montes de Oca were noted as absent. Presiding Judge Michael Carrozzo administered the oath of office. Retired Judge Rogelio Flores delivered a keynote address.
Election of Board Officers
- Chair Doss Williams called for nominations for the position of Chair. Supervisor Joan Hartman nominated Supervisor Steve Lavinino, which was seconded. A voice vote was conducted, and the motion to elect Supervisor Lavinino as Chair passed. Chair Williams then called for nominations for Vice-Chair. Tribal Chairman Kenny Kahn nominated Supervisor Greg Hart.
Chair Transition and Supervisor Introduction
- The Board acknowledged the transition of the Chair position from Supervisor Doss Williams to Supervisor Steve Lavagnino for the 2019 term. Supervisor Williams delivered remarks regarding his tenure, and Supervisor Lavagnino accepted the role, announcing administrative changes including a new "Veteran of the Month" resolution. Supervisor Greg Hart was introduced to the Board and introduced his staff.
Resolution 838: Retirement of Elizabeth Farnham
- A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution 838 honoring Elizabeth Farnham upon her retirement. Remarks were provided by Supervisor Joan Hartman, former Supervisor Doreen Farr, Supervisor Doss Williams, and Elizabeth Farnham. The resolution was passed and adopted.
Agenda Item A22: Transfer of Retired Sheriff’s Canine
- The item was moved forward in the agenda order at the request of the Chair. Sheriff Brown presented the career of Ako Von Brackpetl, a German Shepherd who served from 2012 to 2019. The item proposed the transfer of ownership of the retired canine to Senior Deputy Kenneth Rushing for $1. The Board approved the transfer, with the Chair noting the $1 sale price would be added to the Sheriff’s Office general fund apportionment.
Agenda Item A8: Contingent Fee Contract for Opioid Litigation
- A motion was made and seconded to approve a contingent fee contract with the law firm of Keller Rohrbach LLP for litigation services against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Public comment was received from Mr. Caldwell, who opposed the litigation. Supervisor Williams, Supervisor Lavagnino, and Supervisor Adam provided remarks regarding accountability and the potential for solutions. The motion passed 4-1.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the December 11th meeting. The minutes were passed. Supervisor Hart abstained from the vote.
Public Comment
- Mr. Kowalski addressed the Board regarding a dispute with the Board of Architectural Review in Santa Maria, alleging procedural irregularities and requesting the removal of a specific BAR member.
Agenda Item 1: 2019 Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees
- The Board reviewed the list of available positions for 2019 appointments. The Clerk provided details on specific terms, including the Retirement Board and LAFCO positions. The Board proceeded committee by committee to assign members. Assignments included:
- Behavioral Wellness Commission: Supervisor Williams (Regular Member); Supervisor Hart (Alternate).
- Area Agency on Aging: Supervisor Lavagnino (Regular Member).
- Library Advisory Committee: Supervisor Williams (Regular Member).
- Retirement Board: Supervisor Lavagnino (Regular Member).
- Community Action Commission: Supervisor Lavagnino (Regular Member); Supervisor Hartman (Alternate).
- SenCal Health: Supervisor Hartman (Regular Member).
- Beacon: Supervisor Hart and Supervisor Williams (Regular Members); Supervisor Hartman (Alternate).
- Law Library Board of Trustees: Supervisor Hartman (Regular Member); Michael Cooney (Attorney at Large, continued).
- Kids Network Policy Council: Supervisor Hartman (Regular Member); Supervisor Adam (Regular Member).
- Legislative Program Committee: Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Hartman (Regular Members).
- Death Advisory Committee: Supervisor Adam (Regular Member); Supervisor Lavagnino (Alternate).
- Adult and Aging Network: Supervisor Williams (Chair); Supervisor Hartman (Co-Chair).
- Juvenile Justice Coordination Council: Supervisor Hart (North County Regular Member); Supervisor Williams (South County Regular Member); Supervisor Hartman (Alternate).
- Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Task Force: Supervisor Williams (Regular Member).
- Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee: Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Hartman (Regular Members).
- NACO: Supervisor Lavagnino (Regular Member); Supervisor Hartman (Alternate).
- CSAC: Supervisor Williams (Regular Member); Supervisor Adam (Alternate).
- Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Board: Supervisor Lavagnino (Regular Member).
- LAFCO: Supervisor Lavagnino and Supervisor Hartman (Regular Members); Supervisor Williams (Alternate).
- Community Corrections Partnership Board: Supervisor Hart (Regular Member).
- Psychiatric Health Facility Governing Board: Supervisor Lavagnino (Regular Member); Supervisor Hart (Alternate).
- Child Care Planning Council: Supervisor Hart volunteered to research the committee’s function and current membership status.
- Funders Collaborative: Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Lavagnino were identified as current attendees; Supervisor Hart volunteered to represent the county pending final confirmation.
- Supervisor Lavagnino noted the need for North and South County presence regarding housing activities in Santa Maria. Supervisor Hartman announced her intention to attend Fire Safe Council meetings on her own initiative. The District Attorney stated they would also attend the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to move forward with the appointments as read. The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The Board entered closed session to consider three matters: a litigation appeal concerning Santa Barbara County Mental Health Services; anticipated litigation while the board sat as the Flood Control and Water Conservation District; and a public employee appointment for Fire Chief.
- Upon returning to open session, the Board reported that it directed county counsel not to further appeal the results of the fiscal year 08-09 audit by the Department of Healthcare Services, noting the county had obtained additional payments of approximately $1.3 million. This action was taken by unanimous vote. No reportable actions were taken regarding the Flood Control and Water Conservation District litigation or the Fire Chief appointment.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned and reconvened for Tuesday, January 15, 2019, in Santa Maria.