Board of Supervisors — 2019-05-14

Resolution A1: Transitions Mental Health Association Month

• The board adopted a resolution proclaiming May 2019 as Transitions Mental Health Association Month to honor the organization’s 40th anniversary.
• The Executive Director spoke in support, highlighting the organization’s partnership with the county and its annual service to over 4,000 individuals.

Resolution A2: Youth of the Year Recognition

• The board adopted a resolution honoring Eric Pinedo-Tovar as the 2019 California Coastal Area Council Youth of the Year.
• The Chair noted that the honoree was not present during the recognition.

Item A8: Acquisition of 640 Randall Road

• The board approved the acquisition of 640 Randall Road by the Flood Control and Water Conservation District for flood control purposes.
• Staff clarified that the habitable house must be purchased with the property due to flood basin requirements, though options to relocate the structure may be explored.
• Public comment raised concerns regarding the $4 million valuation of the one-acre property and its long-term financial implications.

Item 1: County Employee Commuter Benefits Options

• Staff presented a briefing on commuter benefits aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving employee retention, noting that 74% of surveyed employees drive alone.
• The board directed staff to pursue low-cost enhancements to existing benefits and to improve their visibility on the intranet.
• HR was directed to return within 90 days with a cost-benefit analysis for new measures, including a teleworking pilot and expanded vanpool eligibility.
• Public comment addressed the jobs-housing imbalance, wage concerns for home care workers, and the need for consistent incentives across the private and public sectors.

Closed Session

• The board adjourned to closed session to confer with labor negotiators regarding United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) Local 3930 and unrepresented employees.
• No reportable actions were taken during the session.

Administrative Agenda

Minutes Approval

• Discussion: The Chair requested a motion to approve the minutes of the May 7th meeting.
• Action: The motion was moved and seconded.
• Outcome: The motion passed.

Resolutions A1 through A3

• Discussion: The Chair requested a motion to approve resolutions A1 through A3.
• Action: The motion was moved and seconded.
• Outcome: The motion passed.

Resolution A1: Transitions Mental Health Association Month

• Discussion: The resolution was read into the record, proclaiming May 2019 as Transitions Mental Health Association Month in Santa Barbara County to honor the organization’s 40th anniversary. Jill Bolster-White, Executive Director of Transitions Mental Health Association, spoke in support, noting the organization’s partnership with the county and its services to over 4,000 individuals annually.
• Action: The resolution was adopted.
• Outcome: Passed.

Resolution A2: Youth of the Year Recognition

• Discussion: The resolution was read into the record, honoring Eric Pinedo-Tovar as the 2019 California Coastal Area Council Youth of the Year. The Chair noted that the honoree was not present.
• Action: The resolution was adopted.
• Outcome: Passed.

Balance of Administrative Agenda

• Discussion: The Chair asked if any board members wished to pull items from the agenda. No items were pulled.
• Action: A motion was made to move the balance of the administrative agenda.
• Outcome: The motion passed.

Item A8: Acquisition of 640 Randall Road

• Discussion: The item concerned the acquisition of 640 Randall Road by the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for flood control purposes.
• Public Comment: Andy Caldwell (representing CoLab) expressed concern regarding the cost of $4 million for one acre with a house, questioning the valuation of the structure and the long-term financial implications for the district.
• Board Discussion: The Chair asked staff to clarify the status of the house. Staff indicated the house is intact and habitable but located in a high-hazard zone. Staff noted that the property must be purchased with the structure because the flood basin must be located there, but there is a possibility of exploring options to move the home to another property.
• Action: A motion was made to approve the acquisition.
• Outcome: The motion passed.

Departmental Agenda

Item 1: County Employee Commuter Benefits Options

• Discussion: Staff presented a briefing on commuter benefits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve employee retention.
• Staff Presentation: The presentation highlighted data from a 2018 survey of 926 employees (approx. 24% of the workforce). Key findings included that 74% of respondents drive alone to work. Drive-alone rates varied by location, with Santa Maria commuters reporting nearly 90% drive-alone rates. Staff outlined current benefits (e.g., TDM vacation bonus, bus fare contributions, ride-sharing) and noted low participation rates. Recommended actions included raising visibility of existing benefits, enhancing current benefits (e.g., increasing pre-tax contributions, expanding eligibility to train/vanpool), and implementing new benefits (e.g., teleworking, alternative work weeks). Staff recommended receiving and filing the briefing, directing staff to pursue "low-hanging fruit" enhancements, and having HR return with a cost-benefit analysis for more comprehensive measures within 90 days. The item was noted as exempt from CEQA.
• Public Comment:
• Kent Epperson (Traffic Solutions): Advocated for a single point of contact for commuter benefits to improve promotion and employee awareness. Suggested introducing prize giveaways and bike/commuter challenges to motivate participation. Recommended allowing credit for work performed during commuting (e.g., on the train) toward required work hours.
• Roy Reed: Discussed the jobs-housing imbalance in Santa Barbara County, noting that many employees live far from their workplaces due to a lack of housing near work centers. Suggested that mitigation funds from oil projects could be applied to local housing benefits. Recommended hybrids over all-electric vehicles due to the current power grid composition.
• LaWanda Lyons Pruitt (NAACP/Retired County Employee): Requested a cost-of-living increase and dental/vision benefits for home care workers, citing that the current wage of $12.10/hour is insufficient given local rent costs.
• Andy Caldwell (CoLab): Criticized the county’s approach to greenhouse gas reductions, arguing that the county uses "carrots" for its own employees while applying "sticks" to the private sector. Suggested that the county should incentivize private sector employees similarly (e.g., vacation days for carpooling, loans for electric vehicles) and build more satellite campuses in North County to reduce commute distances.
• Board Discussion:
• Supervisor Adam: Questioned the survey response rate and potential bias, noting that those interested in alternative commuting are more likely to respond. Asked how to ensure incentives attract new participants rather than just rewarding existing ones. Raised concerns about the "freedom" value of personal transportation and the difficulty of replacing it with incentives.
• Supervisor Williams: Agreed with the need to address the jobs-housing imbalance. Suggested that the county should look at behavioral economics and hire a dedicated employee transportation coordinator. Proposed piloting teleworking in a single department to test logistical and technological needs before scaling.
• Supervisor Hartman: Suggested coordinating with cities and SB CAG to create larger van pools and explore incentives for train ridership. Proposed using vacant county office space for shared workstations.
• Staff Response: Staff confirmed they would work with HR to improve visibility of benefits on a single intranet page. They agreed to explore a pilot teleworking program, noting that the existing 2011 policy needs review for ergonomic and productivity concerns. Staff indicated they would return with cost confirmations for the recommended enhancements.
• Action: A motion was made to receive and file the briefing, direct staff to pursue low-cost enhancements (raising visibility, enhancing current benefits), and direct HR to return with a cost-benefit analysis for new benefits (vanpool, teleworking pilot) within 90 days. The motion included a determination that the actions are exempt from CEQA.
• Outcome: The motion passed.

Closed Session

• Discussion: The board adjourned to closed session to confer with labor negotiators regarding United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) Local 3930 and unrepresented employees, managers, and executives.
• Outcome: No reportable actions were taken.