Board of Supervisors — 2019-08-13

Approval of Minutes (July 16, 2019)

• A public speaker requested an amendment to clarify Supervisor Williams’ comments regarding cannabis odor mitigation.
• Staff recommended against amending the minutes, stating the current text accurately reflected the final motion.
• The board voted to approve the minutes as written.

Administrative Agenda

• Item 37 regarding the appointment of Alex Rodriguez to the Assessment Appeals Board was withdrawn.
• Honorary resolutions for LGBTQ+ Pride Week, Employee of the Month, and Child Support Awareness Month were approved.
• Recommendations for Community Choice Energy and Community Development Block Grant agreements were moved.
• A $2.4 million CAL FIRE grant for fuel management in the Burton Mesa area was accepted.
• A public convenience or necessity determination for the Santa Rita Hills Moretti tasting room was considered.
• The dedication of an off-site sewer easement for the Laguna Sanitation District was approved.

Kachuma Resource Conservation District Appointment

• The board considered the appointment of Leroy Scolari to fill a vacancy on the district board.
• The appointment was made for the unexpired term ending November 25, 2022.
• The motion to appoint Mr. Scolari passed unanimously.

Countywide Library System

• Staff presented a plan to address deficits at specific branch libraries using cannabis revenues.
• The board approved a $68,500 budget revision and a one-year operational agreement with four cities.
• Supervisors discussed the long-term sustainability of the library system and the need for structural funding solutions.

County-Owned Property Ordinance

• The board considered an ordinance streamlining the acquisition and disposition of county-owned property.
• Proposed changes include delegating authority for minor transactions to department directors and increasing lease and acquisition thresholds.
• The board approved the staff recommendation to amend the county code.

Closed Session

• The board discussed existing litigation involving Keller v. County of Santa Barbara and HVI Cat Canyon Incorporated.
• Real property negotiations for a parcel at 4570 Hollister Avenue were addressed.
• Labor negotiations with various county bargaining units and the In-Home Supportive Services authority were conducted.

• Meeting Date: August 13, 2019 Body: Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors

Approval of Minutes (July 16, 2019)

• Discussion: A public speaker requested an amendment to the minutes regarding Motion 6, arguing that Supervisor Williams’ comments regarding targeted CUP requirements in the CARP overlay coastal zone were intended to be part of the motion directing staff to engage the Planning Commission on cannabis odor mitigation. Supervisor Williams supported the request for clarification. Staff recommended against amending the minutes, stating the current text accurately reflected the final motion and that land use issues are better handled through noticed hearings. Supervisor Hart expressed confidence that the Planning Commission would consider all issues from the original tape.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as written.
• Outcome: The motion passed 4 to 1.

Administrative Agenda

• Agenda Change: Administrative Item 37 (appointment of Alex Rodriguez to the Assessment Appeals Board) was withdrawn from the agenda.
• Honorary Resolutions (Items A1–A6):
• Item A1: Resolution proclaiming August 18–25, 2019, as LGBTQ+ Pride Week.
• Item A2: Resolution honoring the Financial Accounting and Customer Support (FACTS) Division as Employees of the Month.
• Item A3: Resolution proclaiming August 2019 as Child Support Awareness Month.
• Items A4–A6: Additional honorary resolutions.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve Items A1 through A6.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.
• Item A13 (Community Choice Energy):
• Discussion: Consideration of recommendations regarding updated feasibility study results for Community Choice Energy.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to move the item.
• Outcome: The motion passed 4 to 1.
• Item A17 (Community Development Block Grant):
• Discussion: Consideration of recommendations regarding CDBG sub-recipient agreements and human services commission grant agreements for projects approved on June 4, 2018. Supervisor Adam stated he would vote against the item to register his position, noting the county has a robust social safety net.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to move the item.
• Outcome: The motion passed 4 to 1.
• Item A19 (Fire Department Grant):
• Discussion: Consideration of a $2.4 million four-year grant agreement with CAL FIRE for fuel management in the Burton Mesa area. Staff explained this is a critical component of the strategic fire plan and will inform the draft Santa Barbara County Vegetation Treatment Plan, which is intended to be modeled after the state Cal VTP.
• Action: No separate vote was taken; the item was accepted.
• Item A23 (Public Convenience or Necessity):
• Discussion: Consideration of a public convenience or necessity determination for the tasting room of Santa Rita Hills Moretti (Case No. 19 PCN 1) in the third district. Supervisor Hartman supported the item, noting no opposing letters and the collaborative nature of the wineries, while flagging potential future ordinance needs regarding alcohol saturation in unincorporated areas. Supervisor Williams noted the previous use was also a tasting room.
• Action: The item was considered.
• Item A30 (Laguna Sanitation District):
• Discussion: Consideration of the dedication and acceptance of an off-site sewer easement serving specific tracks in the Laguna Sanitation District. Supervisor Adam recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest involving his property.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the item.
• Outcome: The motion passed.
• Approval of Balance of Administrative Agenda:
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, with the exception of the withdrawn Item 37.
• Outcome: Passed.

Public Comment

• General Comment: Seven speakers addressed the board.
• Speakers from the Santa Barbara County Action Network and United Domestic Workers (UDW) supported UDW in negotiations with the county, emphasizing the value of home care workers and the need for fair wages and benefits.
• One speaker expressed frustration regarding a building permit dispute involving a second-story structure over a garage, alleging errors in a staff report.
• A union representative for IHSS workers clarified the economics of the wage proposal, noting that the county reached the state participation cap in 2017 and that new rules allow for continued state participation for increases up to 10% of the old cap.
• The Executive Director of the Central Coast Labor Council urged the board to support the workers to improve care for clients.
• An IHSS provider and a registry worker spoke about the importance of dental health insurance and a living wage for caregivers to ensure they can continue providing care.

Departmental Agenda

• Item 1 (Kachuma Resource Conservation District):
• Discussion: Hearing to consider the appointment of Leroy Scolari to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sharon Merritt on the Kachuma Resource Conservation District Board of Directors, for the unexpired term ending November 25, 2022.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to appoint Mr. Scolari.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.
• Item 2 (Countywide Library System):
• Discussion: Hearing to consider recommendations regarding a countywide library system update and the 2019–2020 agreement for operations. Staff presented a plan to address deficits at the Montecito, Vandenberg Village, and Orcutt branch libraries. The board was asked to approve a budget revision of $68,500 using cannabis revenues to fund existing hours and programming, or direct staff to reduce hours. Staff also requested approval of a one-year agreement for the operation of the countywide library system with the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, and Santa Maria.
• Public Comment: Three speakers addressed the board. One raised concerns about fairness in the allocation of county funds among zones based on cardholder usage. Another, representing the Friends of the Montecito Library, highlighted the financial contributions of friends groups and the need for the requested funding. The third, a Library Advisory Committee representative, advocated for the $68,500 funding to prevent service reductions, particularly at Orcutt and Vandenberg Village.
• Board Discussion: Supervisors discussed the long-term sustainability of the library system, noting that the ad hoc committee is working on structural solutions such as assessment districts or parcel taxes. Supervisor Adam expressed skepticism about the current model and the necessity of the funding. Other supervisors supported the funding as a temporary measure while long-term solutions are developed, noting the importance of libraries as community centers.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendations A, B (Roman numeral 1), and C (Roman numeral 1), including the budget revision request of $68,500.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.
• Item 3 (County-Owned Property Ordinance):
• Discussion: Hearing to consider an ordinance amending Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 12A regarding the administration and procedures for managing county-owned property. The proposed changes streamline acquisition and disposition processes, eliminate the need for board action for minor real property transactions by delegating authority to the directors of General Services and Public Works, and renew delegations of authority for ten years. Specific changes include increasing lease term limits to ten years and monthly rental thresholds to $10,000, and increasing the threshold for acquiring real property interests to $50,000.
• Board Discussion: Supervisor Williams inquired about the permissibility of using these provisions for potential employee housing related to emergency response needs as part of the County Campus Master Plan. Staff clarified that controversial or political matters would still be brought before the board. Supervisor Adam expressed concern about the potential for such housing projects and stated he was no longer sure he would support the ordinance.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendation.
• Outcome: The motion passed 4 to 1.

Closed Session

• Matters Considered:
• 1. Existing litigation: Keller v. County of Santa Barbara. 2. Existing litigation: Bankruptcy filing by HVI Cat Canyon Incorporated (formerly Greca Oil & Gas). 3. Real property negotiation: Parcel at 4570 Hollister Avenue. 4. Labor negotiations: County bargaining units (unrepresented employees, managers, and executives). 5. Labor negotiations: Board of Supervisors as County Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services (negotiations with United Domestic Workers of America, AFSCME Local 3930).
• Outcome: No reportable actions were taken.

Adjournment

• The board adjourned until August 20, 2019.