Meeting Summary
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At a glance
CEO’s Report: Oath of Office for Fire Chief
- Mark Hartwig was introduced as the new Fire Chief and sworn into office.
- Chief Hartwig delivered remarks and was welcomed by Chair Lavagnino.
Resolution of Accommodation Honoring the Junior League of Santa Barbara
- The board honored the Junior League of Santa Barbara for its partnership in establishing Safe House Santa Barbara.
- Kyle Horton spoke on behalf of the organization regarding the therapeutic program for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.
- The resolution was adopted.
Resolution of Accommodation Honoring Samuel McKinley Vickers
- The board honored Samuel McKinley Vickers as the February 2019 Veteran of the Month.
- Mr. Vickers and his son spoke, with Supervisor Adam adding remarks on his community service.
- The resolution was adopted.
Resolution of Commendation Honoring Mark Schleich
- The board honored Mark Schleich for his retirement from the Public Works Department after over 35 years of service.
- A representative from Public Works and Mr. Schleich addressed the board.
- The resolution was adopted.
Loan Documents for Sierra Madre Cottages
- The board approved loan documents for a $1.4 million loan for Sierra Madre Cottages in Santa Maria.
- Staff clarified that the total development cost per unit is $349,000, citing federal and state requirements.
Hearing on Hoop Structures and Shade Structures
- The board set a hearing for March 12, 2019, to consider amendments to permitting requirements for hoop and shade structures.
- Staff agreed to coordinate with Planning to include specific options regarding categorical exemptions in the report.
LAFCO Appointment
- The board appointed Supervisor Lavagnino and Supervisor Hartman as regular members and Supervisor Williams as the alternate member.
- The appointments are consistent with staff recommendations for terms ending March 1, 2023.
Budget Priorities
- Staff reported a projected general fund surplus of approximately $3.5 million for FY 2019-2020 while anticipating future recessionary pressures.
- The board directed staff to allocate cannabis revenues first to enforcement costs and then to one-time needs.
- The board provided preliminary direction on priorities, including advocating for federal and state funding for specific projects.
- Supervisor Hartman requested the development of a Santa Barbara County Recreation Plan using salary savings.
Renew 22 Initiative and Transaction and Use Tax Measure
- Staff reported that 100 initiatives under the Renew 22 program have been implemented, with 65% progressing as planned or completed.
- The board held off on a sales tax poll until further discussions are completed.
- The board provided conceptual approval to proceed with polling on the South Coast Flood Control Assessment.
Closed Session
- The board discussed litigation items involving Murray v. County of Santa Barbara and County of Santa Barbara v. Plains Pipeline.
- No reportable actions were taken regarding the litigation matters.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Roll Call
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting for February 26, 2019, was called to order by Chair Steve Lavagnino. A roll call was taken, confirming all members were present, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2019 meeting.
- Outcome: Passed.
CEO’s Report: Oath of Office for Fire Chief
- Ms. Miyasato introduced Mark Hartwig as the new Fire Chief, outlining his professional background and educational credentials. Chief Hartwig was sworn in to office and delivered remarks. Chair Lavagnino welcomed Chief Hartwig on behalf of the board.
Administrative Agenda Items
- Item A1: Resolution of Accommodation Honoring the Junior League of Santa Barbara
- Sponsored by Supervisors Hart and Hartman, this item honored the Junior League of Santa Barbara and its partnership with 4Kids2Kids for establishing Safe House Santa Barbara, a short-term residential therapeutic program for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. Kyle Horton, President of the Junior League, spoke on behalf of the organization. Supervisors Adam and Hartman offered remarks.
- Outcome: Adopted.
- Item A2: Resolution of Accommodation Honoring Samuel McKinley Vickers as February 2019 Veteran of the Month
- Sponsored by Supervisor Hart, this item honored Samuel McKinley Vickers, a World War II veteran and former respiratory therapist. Mr. Vickers and his son, Thomas Wayne Sudin, spoke. Supervisor Adam added remarks regarding Mr. Vickers’ community service.
- Outcome: Adopted.
- Item A3: Resolution of Commendation Honoring Mark Schleich
- Sponsored by Supervisor Williams, this item honored Mark Schleich upon his retirement from the Public Works Department after over 35 years of service. A representative from Public Works and Mr. Schleich spoke.
- Outcome: Adopted.
- Motion to Approve Balance of Administrative Agenda
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda items (A14 and A38).
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
- Item A14: Loan Documents for Sierra Madre Cottages
- This item concerned the execution of loan documents for a $1.4 million loan for Sierra Madre Cottages in Santa Maria. Maury Ruano from People’s Self-Housing clarified that the total development cost per unit is $349,000, correcting previous information that stated $600,000. He explained that costs are higher due to federal and state requirements such as Davis-Bacon labor standards and Title 24 energy efficiency.
- Outcome: Approved as part of the balance of the administrative agenda.
- Item A38: Hearing on Hoop Structures and Shade Structures
- This item set a hearing for March 12, 2019, to consider recommendations regarding an ordinance amending the county land use and development code to address permitting requirements for hoop and shade structures. Andy Caldwell, representing Colab, requested that staff include specific options in the report, including an interpretation that certain structures are categorically exempt from development definitions. Staff indicated they would coordinate with Planning to ensure all options are presented.
- Outcome: Approved as part of the balance of the administrative agenda.
Public Comment
- Six speakers addressed the board on general public comment: 1. Renee O’Neill: Requested improvements to the user-friendliness of the county website for finding ordinance revisions. She expressed concern over staff turnover in the Planning and Development Department regarding cannabis enforcement and requested clarity on whether agenda items would be heard before or after lunch. 2. Ed Kolaski: Raised concerns regarding a five-year remodeling project, alleging errors in rulings about his property’s structure and issues with meeting conduct. 3. Cecilio Cho: Spoke on behalf of Health Linkages regarding National Children’s Dental Health Month, highlighting the importance of oral health and the county’s fluoride varnish program for children. 4. Renee O’Neill (Second Appearance): Reiterated support for allocating cannabis tax revenue to enforcement, noting that the Sheriff’s enforcement team currently consists of six personnel. She requested that the board prioritize hiring more enforcement staff and suggested changing the order of project objectives in the Environmental Impact Report to prioritize public health and safety over industry development. 5. Andy Caldwell (Second Appearance): Requested that pension and infrastructure maintenance snapshots be included in budget discussions. He discussed revenue enhancement opportunities, including development on the Gaviota Coast and streamlining processes for the resource-based economy in North County. 6. Sharon Byrne: As chair of the Behavioral Wellness Commission, she thanked the board for support and noted that the independent evaluation data for the assisted outpatient treatment pilot program would not be available until January of the following year.
Departmental Agenda Items
- Departmental Item 1: LAFCO Appointment
- The board considered the appointment of a member to serve as a regular member on the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for a term ending March 1, 2023. Supervisor Hartman expressed interest in serving. After discussion regarding term lengths and staff recommendations, a motion was made and seconded to appoint Supervisor Lavagnino as a regular member, Supervisor Hartman as a regular member, and Supervisor Williams as the alternate member, consistent with staff recommendations.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
- Departmental Item 2: Budget Priorities
- Staff presented an update on the development of the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 recommended budget. Key points included:
- A projected general fund surplus of approximately $3.5 million for the upcoming fiscal year, with revenues trending stronger than forecast.
- Anticipation of potential recessionary pressures in future fiscal years (2021-2024), leading to potential funding gaps.
- Identification of two new fiscal issues: the creation of a technology replacement investment fund (approx. $2 million) and the transition to cloud-based public communication infrastructure (approx. $500,000).
- A list of potential projects eligible for Certificate of Participation (COP) financing, including jail renovation, public safety radio system upgrades, and water system replacements.
- Cannabis tax revenue allocation: Staff recommended that the first portion of revenue be allocated to enforcement costs (projected to increase from $1.7 million to over $2 million) and remaining funds be allocated to one-time needs consistent with Measure T.
- Guidance was requested on top projects for state and federal funding advocacy.
Discussion
- Supervisor Williams noted legislative uncertainties affecting public health and behavioral wellness budgets and emphasized the importance of continued cannabis enforcement.
- Supervisor Hartman suggested narrowing legislative priorities to focus on harmful items in the governor’s budget and specific one-time funding needs, such as public safety communication systems and EOC expansion.
- Supervisor Adam stated that staff’s prudent approach to anticipating recession is smart and connected to the need for revenue enhancement.
- Supervisor Williams discussed the need for action on deferred maintenance and infrastructure, noting that waiting for breakdowns is not prudent. He also clarified the number of cannabis-related positions, stating there are 23 total positions (12.5 for permitting/compliance and 10.5 for enforcement), all currently filled.
- Supervisor Adam expressed frustration with the deferred maintenance numbers, noting they are likely understated, and questioned the feasibility of addressing the backlog without significant revenue increases or tax measures.
- The board discussed the allocation of cannabis tax revenue, with staff noting that current efforts are focused on augmenting enforcement personnel and that additional staff added to the Sheriff’s Department are intended to support the existing narcotics team.
- Discussion regarding the solar infrastructure project highlighted a $4.5 million cost with a 17-year payback period; one supervisor argued against the investment in favor of road maintenance, while another supported it as a long-term cost-saving measure.
- The board addressed revenue enhancement strategies, including the potential return of the Exxon emergency permit for oil trucking (estimated at $2 million net annual revenue) and the elimination of short-term rentals, which removed approximately $1 million in revenue.
- Supervisor Hartman requested direction for Community Services to develop a Santa Barbara County Recreation Plan using approximately $200,000 in salary savings. This plan is intended to address $50 million in maintenance costs at parks facilities and to position the county to apply for Proposition 68 funds, potentially in collaboration with Santa Maria and Lompoc.
- The board discussed legislative priorities, including the public safety communication system, mental health diversion programs, and the need for proactive behavioral wellness programs to reduce long-term costs associated with Inpatient Mental Health (IMD) beds.
- The board noted a $500,000 deficit in library and zone budgets due to the depletion of reserves.
Motion
- A motion was made and seconded to: 1. Receive and file the update on the development and context for the FY 2019-2020 recommended budget. 2. Direct staff to allocate available current year and FY 2019-2020 cannabis revenues first to enforcement costs and then to one-time needs. 3. Provide staff with preliminary direction on board priorities. 4. Provide guidance to staff regarding top projects to advocate for federal or state funding. 5. Determine that the actions do not constitute a project under CEQA.
- Outcome: Passed.
- Agenda Item 3: Renew 22 Initiative and Transaction and Use Tax Measure
- Staff presented an update on the "Renew 22" initiative, a multi-year effort to improve organizational capacity, efficiency, and employee retention. Key progress reported included the implementation of pension cost-sharing with employees, the initiation of management and operational reviews, and the launch of a voluntary separation incentive program. Staff highlighted the implementation of a quarterly reporting system and the use of Cascade software for strategic planning and tracking. Employee engagement efforts included the appointment of "Renew 22 ambassadors" and the hosting of "Decide Change Grow" sessions, which 325 employees attended. Staff reported that 100 initiatives have been implemented to date, with 65% progressing as planned or completed. The total budget allocated for these initiatives is $815,000, with approximately $779,000 spent to date.
- Staff also presented options for a Transaction and Use Tax (TU Tax) or sales tax measure. A 0.25% increase would generate approximately $1.82 million in additional revenue, while a 1% increase would generate approximately $7.25 million. Staff noted that the county’s current sales tax rate is at the lower end compared to neighboring jurisdictions such as Carpinteria, Santa Maria, and the City of Santa Barbara, which have recently approved or renewed sales tax measures. Placing a tax measure on the ballot requires a two-thirds vote of the board. Staff outlined deadlines for adoption: November 5, 2019, for the March 2020 primary election, or July 14, 2020, for the November 2020 general election.
Public Comment
- Public comment included support for cannabis enforcement and appreciation for staff efforts. One speaker advocated for privatization of certain state and federal-funded departments to address pension liabilities. Another speaker expressed opposition to the tax measure, citing concerns about past revenue losses from short-term rental eliminations and the burden on residents.
Discussion
- Board members debated the merits of the tax measure, with some supporting it as a necessary investment in infrastructure and deferred maintenance, while others opposed it, arguing for fiscal restraint and questioning the board's track record of spending. Supervisor Williams proposed conducting polling to gauge public support for the tax and for a potential increase in the South Coast Flood Control Assessment. Supervisor Hartman supported the flood control assessment polling and requested that the board receive presentations on pilot projects, such as the co-response team for behavioral wellness.
Motion
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation with the following conditions: 1. Hold off on the sales tax poll until further discussions are completed. 2. Provide conceptual approval to staff to move forward with polling on the South Coast Flood Control Assessment.
- Outcome: Passed.
Closed Session
- The board recessed to closed session to discuss two litigation items: Murray v. County of Santa Barbara (brought by Disability Rights California) and County of Santa Barbara v. Plains Pipeline. A third item, a conference with labor negotiators, was removed from the agenda as it was no longer needed. No reportable actions were taken regarding the litigation matters. The board returned from closed session to receive a report from the County Counsel.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. The next scheduled meeting for the Board of Supervisors is set for Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Santa Barbara.