Board of Supervisors — 2019-05-21

Yeah. Yeah. Although

yesterday. Yeah. Oh,

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know well because I know it blows like this because we tried to put campaign signs out in May before the June election. Frickin all gone. All

right,

good morning everybody. I'd like to call this meeting of the County Board of Supervisors to order. Madam Chair can I get a roll call please?

Mr. Adam? Here. Mr. Williams?

Here.

Mr Hart? Here Ms. Hartman? Here

I am here.

Second.

Moved and seconded, all those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Passes unanimously. You get a CEO's report please.

Good morning Chair Lavinino and board members. I have a couple of announcements to make. The first is in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month the Behavioral Wellness Department is sponsoring a free showing of a motion picture entitled 55 Steps tonight in Santa Maria and in Santa Barbara. The film is based on the inspiring true story of a patient committed to a facility in San Francisco Community agencies will be on site with resource tables, and behavioral wellness is asking those attending the film to wear lime green if possible in recognition of mental health awareness. In Santa Barbara, the film will be shown at 8 p.m. at the County Courthouse Sunken Gardens. People can begin arriving at 6 p. m., and there will be food trucks scheduled.

In Santa Maria, the film is being shown at the Santa Maria Public Library at 6 pm. Doors open at 5 30, and complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Information is on our website And our Facebook page at County of SB. The second announcement is a recognition of our Green Business Program Certification. As you know, Public Works was the leader in green county buildings and it obtained the Green Business Program Certification in 2014 and was recertified in 2017 and now 2019 for the Naomi Schwartz Building at 130 East Victoria Street in the First District for low flow water efficiency upgrades, efficient lighting, and recycling.

Frances Gilliand with the Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County is here to present a certificate to Supervisor Williams and joining Francis is our Public Works staff Tyrone Lafay, Keilani Durham and Alan Nakashima.

Hi, thank you. Chair Lavagnino, members of the board, I'm Frances Gilliland. I have the pleasure to serve as the program director for the Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County. The Green Business Program provides resources and assistance to businesses wanting to be more sustainable, certifies businesses through workshops and trainings, on-site visits Evaluations and highlight certified businesses so local consumers can then shop green.

The county public works department, both resource recovery and waste management division and the water agency are leaders in this program. And honestly we wouldn't have a green business program if it wasn't for those two departments. I'm here today to present the certificate to them in honor of their recertification. The second recertification of the Naomi Schwartz building. They've also had the Santa Maria Service Center also certified and recertified.

Original certification is good for three years, and we look at water efficiency, energy efficiency, transportation, recycling, and purchasing. and pollution prevention. We go back after three years and make sure everybody's still keeping up with those standards, the people behind me make sure that that happens in the buildings where they work, notably the Naomi Schwartz building.

And I'm here today to present this certificate Supervisor Williams, but I also wanted to thank the three people standing behind me. You already mentioned Kalani Durham from the Water Agency Tyrone Le Fay from the Water Agency and also Alan Nakashima from Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division they not only Helped get their agency certified, but they helped keep the green business program running and I'd like to thank them for that

Thank you very much. That closes up CEO's report and just as a matter of housekeeping, if you're planning on speaking at public comment If you haven't filled out a slip, you'll need to do that before you be allowed to speak Those are in the back of the room. And with that, we will go to our resolutions. Can I get a motion to approve items A1 through A3?

So moved.

Second. Moved and seconded. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? They pass unanimously. Let's move to A1.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, administrative item number one is sponsored by Supervisor Hart. It is to adopt a resolution proclaiming the week of May 19th, 2018 through May 25th, 2018 as National Emergency Medical Services Week and the day of May 22nd, 2019 as National EMS for Children Day. And if I can have Nicholas Clay to the podium? Whereas Emergency Medical Services is a vital public service and the members of emergency medical services teams consisting of emergency medical dispatchers, emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergencies medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators and others are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day seven days a week.

And whereas access to quality emergency medical and trauma care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury for adults and children, recognizing that the needs of these populations are different. Thus the development of training programs and guidelines are specialized for children populations. And whereas the county's providers embody the values of the Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services System by ensuring community access in education providing hands only CPR and stop the bleed courses to the public, provider safety and support developing and delivering EMS education initiatives and clinical excellence becoming a national leader in cardiac arrest survival. And whereas the Emergency Medical Services Agency in collaboration with EMS system partners will be supporting various events in the county to promote child safety.

And whereas we honor and recognize the value and accomplishments of emergency medical services providers, and the contributors of these providers to keeping our residents safe and healthy going beyond the call designating Emergency Medical Services Week. Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors does observe the week of May 19th through 25th 2019 as National EMS Week and May 22nd 2019 as National EMS for Children Day in the County of Santa Barbara passed and adopted today.

Chair Lavigno, members of the board. Good morning. My name is Nick Clay. I'm the director of the Emergency Medical Services Agency for the county. The EMS agency is proud to stand here today before you to receive this proclamation recognizing EMS Week and EMS for Children Day. EMS is a complex subject, has a lot of moving parts, means different things to different people.

But it's a service our community never has to question. They call 9-1-1, the call will be answered, a group of highly trained care providers will arrive quickly and the patient will be transported to an awaiting emergency department while they receive care from doctors and nurses. All this happens as a matter of routine. We never have to ask how. And this week is about recognizing these men and women who answer that call every single day.

It's about those behind the scenes who support the field care providers. And all of these folks and these dedicated professionals miss birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, there's kids school events to be there for the community. Also with this proclamation National EMS for Children Day on May 22nd we recognize a specialty designation that the Santa Barbara County EMS system maintains as an EMS for children system. We proudly ensure this special population is well cared for when in the hands of our EMS providers so thank you very much for this honor. Thank you Takes us to A2.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, Administrative Item number two is sponsored by Supervisor Hart. And this is to adopt a resolution of commendation honoring the 2018 through 2019 Dos Pueblos Mock Trial Team. And if I can have the Dos Pueblos Mock Trial team, the mock trial team coach deputy county counsel Lisa Rothstein and the mock trial team coach deputy public defender Christine Voss to the podium please?

And I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Whereas Dos Pueblos Mock Trial is recognized as a permanent team both statewide and nationally, and whereas this school year, Dos Pueblos Mock Trial placed fourth at the Empire World Championship and first at the Santa Barbara County Championship. And whereas in the last ten years, Dos Pueblos Mock Trial has won the Santa Barbara County Championship eight times, the California State Championship once, placing the top four in the Empire World Championship in New York four times And won the Empire World Championship once. And whereas the high school students that participate in mock trial dedicate hundreds of hours to learning through judicial systems, studying rules of evidence, practicing public speaking and exercising critical thinking.

And whereas Dos Pueblos Mock Trial has a tradition of excellence through which the students demonstrate civility, professionalism and graciousness in both victory and defeat. And whereas through mock trial these students become more engaged citizens and future leaders of our county state and country. Now therefore, be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors commends the Dos Pueblos Mock Trial Team. Albert Miao, Allison Mincer, Miles Krichmer, Sydney Frye, Marianne Mezek, Matthew Lindheim-Marx, Teresa Axelrod, Cooper Bully, Anastasia Fechner, Kelly Gilmore, Sari Yang, Nora Kelly, Phoebe Naughton, Devin Ross, Molly Sipes, Nina Steele, Marlee Stout, Marianna Sue and Natalie Tiavaras for their dedication hard work and commitment to excellence passed and adopted today.

Hello my name is Allie Mincer I'm a senior captain of the mock trial team

My name is Albert Miao, I am also a senior captain of the Dos Pueblos mock trial team.

So we'd like to thank Supervisor Hart and all of the members on the board for this very high honor and would also like to thank our coaches Ms. Rothstein, Ms. Voss and Dr. Miller for all the work they put in this year in the past several years they really put their heart and soul into this team and we're so thankful for them and for you for commending at this team

If you don't know what mock trial is, a mock trial team basically focuses on teaching law to high school students by having high school students emulate a court case with the prosecution, defense and witnesses and of course defendant. Over the past few years our mock trial team has done particularly well this year we have won the Santa Barbara County Competition and earlier this summer we placed fourth at the Empire Mock Trial Competition which is a national international level competition

DP MOC is an incredibly special program. These people on this team, they're amazing. We all become so close and the coaches there are so hardworking and they really care about all of us and it's so amazing that our team has or is able to be recognized at this level we thank you so much

Aside from the team bonding a mock trial also holds a special place in our hearts for teaching us something that a lot of people don't get to learn about specifically the law or even skills that will apply to other careers such as Public speaking. So thank you once again

You

know, the county is a Is an employer of many in the legal profession. So we'd like to see some of you filling out applications in a few years for county council's office, public defenders and our district attorney's office. Keep it local. All right so let's move on to A3 congratulations.

Chair Lavinino members of the board administrative item number three is sponsored by Supervisor Lavinino this is to adopt a resolution proclaiming the week of May 19th 2018 through May 25th, 2018 is National Public Works Week in Santa Barbara County. And if I can have Marika Rue, Matt Griffin, Todd Curtis, Alan Lemke and Richard Navarro. Whereas public works professionals focus on providing infrastructure facilities and services.

That are of vital importance to sustainability and resilient communities. Public health, a high quality of life and the well-being of the people of Santa Barbara County in a fiscally responsible manner. And whereas the infrastructure facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals. We're engineers, accountants, technicians, environmental specialists, maintenance workers and administrative professionals to name a few at all levels of government and the private sector. And whereas the community is frequently unaware of the public works programs that are the foundation of our economy and everyday life such as the quality of roads on which they travel, the accuracy of their property boundaries, the reliability of streetlights in their neighborhoods, effective sewage treatment, the cost effectiveness Consistency and attention to sustainability of their recycling and trash disposal programs, water supply and conservation.

And community safety during flood events and the disaster recovery. And whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders and children in Santa Barbara County to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest and understanding of the importance of Public Works and Public Works Programs in their respective communities. And whereas the year 2019 marks the 59th annual National Public Works Week Sponsored by the American Public Works Association and the Canadian Public Works Association. Now, therefore be it hereby resolved that this Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County do hereby designate the week of May 19th through 25th 2018 as National Public Works Week and invite all citizens to recognize the substantial contributions public works employees make in protecting our national health safety and quality of life passed and adopted today.

Thank you Mr. Chair and Board Members, and as the Clerk mentioned, Public Works Association is the proud sponsor of Public Works Week and this year's theme for 2019 is It Starts Here. And really the theme represents the many facets of modern civilization that grow out The efforts of public works professionals like the people that are behind me today and the APWA asks what starts here. And when you look at public works infrastructure starts with public works, innovation starts with public works, mobility certainly starts with public works and we're focused on that in healthy communities as well so the bottom line is really Our citizens' quality of life, in part, is due to some of the infrastructure and some of the services that we provide on a daily basis.

And I'm so proud to have these five folks behind me today. They represent 283 outstanding public works officials in our department. We have Matt Griffin from Water Resources. He's in charge of the Capital Improvement Program and he runs our Disaster Operations Center. We have Todd Curtis, who's currently responsible for building the $140 million Tegas Resource Recovery Project. Rich Navarro is our Central County Road Maintenance Superintendent. He's responsible for close to 600 lane miles operations and maintenance of roadway in the county. We're going to talk a little bit about the maps that we have in front of us. Alan Lemke he works in the county surveyors office, he's dealing with the maps and plans that come in every day and it's his responsibility to make sure what what shown on those maps is accurate at a fair representation of the property that private property owners as well as public agencies own.

And Marika Rue she's from administration she's in charge of all of our finance work and admin Thank you for this recognition. Supervisor

Hartman? Would you wait just one moment? Two things, first of all at the risk of creating unrealistic expectations I have to tell a little story about Isla Vista there was a tree that was lifting up the sidewalk a bridge that had decayed badly we brought it to Scott's attention one week later it was all fixed So that was tremendous. I also, we have a ribbon cutting coming up pretty soon would you care to announce that?

Yes, we are going to be doing a groundbreaking out at Tahecus for the official start of the Tahecus Resource Recovery Project. And then we're going to do a reopening if you will for Goleta Beach the following day next week because we had scheduled the ribbon cutting for the bridge and then the Thomas fire hit and then we rescheduled it and then we had the unfortunate debris flow so We held it off for a while, and we're going to go back out and reopen the bridge and celebrate those big projects. So thank you. Excellent. Supervisor Williams?

Well when it comes to emergency response, when it comes to just infrastructure maintenance or whether it comes to reducing carbon emissions, you guys really exemplify the can-do spirit of the county, and I really appreciate the work

Thank you excellent. All right so that takes care of our resolutions, so we will be taking the balance of the administrative agenda and is there any items that the board members would like to pull? Seeing none how about the public?

Chair Lavinino, members of the board we have no request to speak from the public on our administrative agenda

okay We'll call special, okay. So let's take A13 separate then. So if you could read A13 in please.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, item A13 is from the county executive office. This is to consider recommendations regarding proposed advocacy on SB 528 California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank Review Task Force.

Okay, we're just calling for a separate vote on that.

Move approval.

Need a second?

Second.

Moved and seconded. Roll call please.

Mr. Adam? Aye. Mr Williams? Aye. Mr Hart? Aye Ms Hartman? Aye Chair Lavanino?

Aye

Motion passes 4 to 1 with one abstention.

Okay can I get a motion for the balance of the administrative agenda please? Moved and seconded. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? They pass unanimously. Alright, that takes us to public comment. These are for items not on today's agenda. Speakers will be given three minutes. Just a reminder for those who are here for the first time for public comment there is no booing, cheering or outbursts from the crowd during any of these comments. We are grateful that you are engaged but we also ask you to be civil And so let's move forward.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, we have 14 requests on general public comment today and we're going to begin in Santa Maria with Sarah McDonalds and then we're going to return here in Santa Barbara with Ed Kalaski. Sarah? You

have to press the button.

I'm sorry Sarah can you pause for a moment and impress the unmute button.

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okay. Okay. Good morning. I'm here representing the faith communities and I'm supporting the supportive housing pilot program, and as I've written to you in support of CLUES Actions, I will read there to reinforce what I had sent you earlier Dear Supervisor, as a supporter of CLU Santa Barbara's justice work with the interfaith community I stand behind the supportive housing projects in the Public Safety Realignment Plan Fiscal Year 2019-2020 to be submitted by Community Corrections Partnership on May 21st.

Supportive housing provides compassionate and justice alternative to cycling through the jail for justice-involved individuals. I encourage planning ahead for the pilot housing project funding to be included in the ongoing budget as soon as possible. Thank you for recognizing the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. And along with this, there are quite a few vulnerable people up in the North County and we really, the faith communities stand behind this fully.

So I'm here supporting this action.

Thank you. Chair Lavinino, members of the board we're going to return to Santa Barbara with Ed Kalaski to be followed by Matthew Sevilla.

I'd like to reminisce very little and then state where I'm at with regard to my project. I've been trying to remodel my house, trying to locate the second story there over the dining room, the garage, the kitchen and laundry room for five years. The board had ruled that it was solely over the garage, and I had a meeting last May 3rd. And they never brought up the fact that they wrote a 64 page report over six months saying that their second story is located solely over the garage. They completely ignored that.

You know, they had the kids here with mock trial stuff. I thought you learn stuff in school and then you come here and it's two different worlds. And it's been truly two different worlds for me. With Janet Wolfe, it was impossible to do anything. It was clearly an obstruction of justice. It was something that Alex Pujo should have been fired. And it's taken five years to get here.

Well, on the third I had four members before me and they presented what they wanted from my structure which had nothing to do with being solely over the garage. They wanted me to do setbacks. Three of them, there were four members, three of them wanted a two-foot setback on the north and east wall. The other person wanted eight foot setback Which was a little unusual because he designed the streetscape, the view from the street.

It kind of leaves me lost a little bit in the third or fourth meeting my architect gave an outstanding speech on setbacks Stating that setbacks can be passed by ordinances in which the Board of Supervisors authorized setbacks. That was not done. Advisory boards, like the Board of Architectural Review cannot demand setbacks after that meeting or during that meeting I should say All seven members agreed that we did not need setbacks.

So I go downstairs, and now we're back in the point of issuing setbacks. We'll get this worked out now. I feel a lot better now today with the new board members. It's outstanding. Things have changed dramatically downstairs. And I pray that nobody ever has to go through Everything that I've had to go through. I've given 75 talks here and 50 talks downstairs, and until we got a new supervisor it was totally worthless. We appealed to the PC and we appealed to the board.

This is some of the reasons why I think Alex should be either prosecuted or fired. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Matthew Sevilla to be followed by Mark Squires.

My name is Matthew Sevilla, and I have a small confession. I haven't really been the best son that I could be. I don't really hop around the house. I clean my room every other month, and I've stopped going with our parents on our weekly shopping trips. In my life of 17 years, I had a few regrets, and not listening to my parents more is definitely one of them. But I'm trying. I really am.

You see as I was growing up, the key word for me was responsibility. And in a way, I have been responsible. Each screw up, each mistake and each misstep was nothing if not my own. Of course not much of what I've done has an impact. I am just a high school kid after all. But I'm not here today to address other high school kids. I'm here to address a Board of Supervisors who, an entire county whose actions have real world implications and so I initially thought that a board of almost entirely SB natives would have SB best interests in mind but the recent entertainment by the board to these proposals of restarting drilling in Cat Canyon and other locations clearly proved me wrong And so I'm here today for myself and the land I spent my childhood in.

I'm here for the nearly 450,000 people in this county whose lives are directly impacted by your decisions. I am here for my future children, my neighbor's future children and all the future generations to be born here which brings me to the topic of my comment today. And so, I'm here today to talk to you all about how you need to take responsibility. Mr. Lavinino and Mr. Adam, you both have taken thousands of dollars from petroleum and fossil fuel companies in the past. And so I need you to think about whether or not your best interests really lie with the people of Santa Barbara County or the oil companies that fill your coffers. I need you both to think and take responsibilities because if you're going to actively take steps away from a renewable future for our children then wear it on your sleeve.

If you're going to risk devastation of our land and local ecosystems, I want to see that printed on your re-election posters in a few years. I want you to stand outside of proposed sites and tell those who grew up living and loving their land that you're going to be drilling it because that is responsibility and that is what my parents taught me. And for those here on the board who have been supportive of the ideals we preach today, I couldn't thank you more. I know my words don't really mean much but I hope that my vote does when I can vote as well as the votes of people who I pressure when the re-elections roll around again.

I understand that nobody can control the things that happen to them. Your generation politicians is the first to really be confronted with the consequences of climate change, but everyone can control what they do in response. Me standing here addressing you all today is my way of taking responsibility. I am after all trying to be a better son. And so it's not our fault that climate change is real and that humans are severely contributing to it. It's not our fault that oil is extremely energy dense and profitable, and it's not our fault the renewables have to be long-term to get the most value. But it is our fault if the oil drills that we build today leak and pollute the groundwater. It is our fault if the oil drills we make switching to renewables harder in the future, and it is our fault if we are known as a generation that helped kill the earth.

I want us to work together to tackle this problem. Regardless of how many lines are drawn in the sand between parties, how many donations are made by white groups and how many terms are had, it's still our land. Nothing will change that. Your children will grow up playing in our fields, drinking our water and breathing our air. Please act like it. That is a true meaning of responsibility. I'm trying to be a better son, a better son of my parents and a better son of the earth.

And I really hope you all surprised me today. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Mark Squires to be followed by Aloy Z.

Hi, I'm Mark Squires. I'm 15 years old and I'm from Goleta and I'd like to tell you what drove me to come here and voice my support for the Green New Deal Take action and fight for a future that is separate from what we're sort of headed towards right now. Um, so I've been really lucky in that. Uh, I've been able to travel with my family all over the world and see really, really beautiful things.

In particular, I got to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, half of which is bleached and dying. And when I When I was snorkeling there, it felt otherworldly. And so hearing that this beautiful part of nature that was just so amazing to look at was dying and that other people might not be able to experience the same thing. Made me feel really, really just sorrowful. And that's kind of when I started looking into climate change and the real world effects that it has on our lives and our children's lives. And so I'm here to urge you to take action and A future without fossil fuels and one that will leave your children and your grandchildren feeling like you did the right thing instead of generating value for shareholders or having your campaigns financed by oil lobbies.

And so, yeah, that's why I'm here today. That's it. Thanks.

Our next speaker is Aloy Z to be followed by Alina Salinas.

Hi, my name is Allalee. I'm a student here in Santa Barbara and I want to tell you why I decided to join this action today and call on you to fight for a Green New Deal. Growing up in Santa Barbara, I love going to the beach, I love hiking, and I love camping in this area. When the wildfires struck in 2017, I was sealed inside my home because of unsafe air for a whole month and I was away from everything that brings me joy not sure when I was going to end.

When the fires finally stopped and it was safe to be outside, the hiking trails were blocked and the beaches were polluted. I'm lucky to live in an area away from the flood path but many lost their homes in the subsequent mudslides. Like most things natural disasters hit communities of color way way harder Humans are a part of the environment too. Not only do we need justice for our planet, but we need to make sure that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples free from any form discrimination or bias A federal Green New Deal legislation will create a detailed mobilization plan to, within a decade, achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions through fair and just transition for all communities and workers. Create millions of good high wage jobs to ensure prosperity and economic security for all people in the United States.

Invest in the infrastructure and industry of the United States to sustainably meet the challenges of the 21st century. Secure for all people of the United States for generations to come, clean air and water, climate and community resilience, healthy food, access to nature in a sustainable environment. And promote justice and equity by stopping current present future or preventing future and repairing historic oppressions of indigenous communities.

Communities of color, migrant communities, de-industrialized communities, depopulated rural communities. The poor low income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused people with disabilities and youth. Santa Barbara calling for the federal government to pass a Green New Deal will demonstrate widespread popular support for necessary and just climate action.

It is my hope that you will support this action To pass a Green New Deal based on the resolution released on February 7th, 2019 by Senator Ed Markley and Representative Alejandra Ocasio-Cortez. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Alina Salinas to be followed by Irene Cook.

Good morning! I hope you guys are doing well. Thank you Matthew, Mark and Aloy. You guys have really powerful words. So I'd like to read you all a letter I wrote based off of conversation that I had with my dad last week So last Thursday, I called him. Normally we talk about life updates and then it always inevitably turns into me expressing my frustrations and stress concerning the climate crisis that we're in in the limited amount of time that we have left to act. He always offers me words of encouragement but last Thursday, I started talking to him about how I feel like if nothing is done and if we continue on the trajectory that our politics is headed I literally, it will be immoral of me to have kids on this planet. And that is something that I've wanted to do all my life like raise a family.

I'm sure you all have families and kids and as many other people say like it's one of the greatest things in life that brings you most fulfillment and that's a privilege that our generation will not be able to have if we continue as we're doing right now. And we've arrived to this fork in the road Where if we continue to ignore the climate crisis by prioritizing profit over people, my generation and those after me may not be able to raise children in a livable world.

Essentially, if corporate interests continue to manipulate the morals of our public politicians you are robbing us of the right to raise families and sustain future generations. So members of the board, you should be doing everything in your power to oppose these greedy forces For the sake of our species and our planet. And at this point, I'd like to invite some other members of my movement to bring up letters they've written to you all as to why we need the Green New Deal and why we need the most drastic measures to be taken to ensure at least a livable future and avoid an apocalypse. And I'd also like to invite anyone else in the room that is with us on this issue and would like to stand with our generation to please stand up. It would mean a lot to us, and I'd like to remind you all that if you choose a path of inaction and corruption and public deception, you are not standing up for our generation and you need to step aside from your position of power.

Thank you all very much.

Our next speaker is Irene Cook to be followed by Pamela Beery.

That's a tough act to follow. Last month our book club read The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells, a very well researched bestselling highly acclaimed book that describes the impacts of climate change in excruciating detail. We all agreed that the Board of Supervisors needed to read this book and be reminded of the urgency of the climate crisis so we are giving each of you a copy.

It's not an easy read. The very well-documented predictions are horrifying, but we hope you will read it and use it to inform the important decisions you'll be making this year. The book is a current and comprehensive treatment of the full extent of the climate emergency, but the sad fact is that the information in the book isn't new. For many decades, scientists have been warning us about the danger of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. I remember when I was five years old watching documentaries about global warming. For many decades fossil fuel corporations though have led a deliberate effort to prevent any action to address this danger. The county's Energy and Climate Action Plan recognizes these threats. We had this information when the county started working on the plan back in 2009, 10 years ago.

And sadly our greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing not decreasing. Scientists tell us we now have only ten years to take dramatic action to avert the worst consequences of climate change. We don't have another ten years to talk about this. Other jurisdictions have declared a moratorium on new fossil fuel development, but in this county we are wasting precious taxpayer dollars and precious time processing multiple applications for new pipelines, wells and transportation of fossil fuels that experts tell us should stay in the ground.

The thousands of dollars spent on staff time taking these projects through the permitting process should be spent on solutions to decarbonize our atmosphere. I earnestly fear for the future of my young grandson and his generation. If the adults in this decade fail to take drastic action, nothing can protect him from the bleak future described in this book. The beaches he loves are already doomed with sea level rise.

In his short life, he's lived with the terror of wildfire, unbreathable air and deadly mudslides and the worst is yet to come. But solutions are available. We need action on the scale of a World War II mobilization to implement those solutions. We need a Green New Deal for climate action and climate justice. Please start recognizing this climate crisis as the true emergency that threatens all life on Earth.

Please increase the county's commitment to action. Please read the book. We are counting on your leadership to make a difference for the future of our grandchildren, our county and the planet. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Pamela Beery to be followed by John Beery.

Thank you. I'm a Santa Barbara native.

Ma'am, if you could pull the microphone just down a little bit. There you go.

I'm a Santa Barbara native and my husband and I live in the first district. I worked as supervising librarian at Goleta Library. I also worked across the street as a manager at the Santa Barbara Public Library so I feel very comfortable recommending this book to you as essential reading for any decision maker. I want to draw your attention particularly to the chapter entitled Economic Collapse Which discusses the consequences of continuing on our current path of approving new oil projects and giving the green light to even more greenhouse gas emissions going up into the atmosphere. This is a momentous choice which you will have to make.

This is the path that scientists literally label business as usual, and which will take us to four or five degrees centigrade warming by the end of this century. We are now at one degree centigrade warming above pre-industrial levels and are already experiencing disastrous effects from weather related events made far worse because of atmospheric overheating. We've seen the Thomas fire, and the subsequent debris flow. We've seen the Woolsey Fire in Chatworth in Malibu, and the Camp Fire which destroyed the homes of thousands of people living in Paradise California and ruined their city's water infrastructure among other things. And lately, we've seen pictures of unprecedented flooding across the Midwest. Which brings us to economics.

To pick just one of these disasters, the cost of a government contracts after the fire in Paradise, California just for cleanup and disposal of debris alone is $3 billion. In Paradise 14,000 homes were destroyed causing roughly 17 billion in insured losses. And then there's the cost of repairing the city's water infrastructure, and so on. This must be added to the billions and billions from other disasters.

So what does the book Uninhabitable Earth have to say about climate change or economic well-being? Quote, we now know that it will be much, much more expensive to not act on climate than to take even the most aggressive action today, unquote. Studies have shown that by 2030, the world would be about $26 trillion richer If we succeed in rapidly rebuilding the world's energy infrastructure, the longer we delay the more we will suffer economically. A recent scientific paper considers a scenario in which the world meets its current Paris agreements commitments which are not adequate, but limits warming to 2.5 or 3 degrees. Under this scenario economic output drops by 15% to 25%.