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Board of Supervisors — 2019-09-17

Board of Supervisors — 2019-09-17September 17, 2019

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BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 September 17, 2019

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Meeting Summary

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At a glance

CEO’s Report and Announcements

  • The CEO announced Public Safety Power Shutoffs by Southern California Edison and PG&E, with community meetings scheduled for September 19 and 23.
  • County Counselor Gazzone announced the county will pursue participation in CPUC rulemaking regarding utility de-energization duties.
  • The Clerk announced agenda changes, including an addendum to Item 4 and a late replacement board letter for Item 3.

Administrative Agenda

  • The Board approved the minutes from the previous meeting and moved the balance of the agenda.
  • Honorary resolutions were adopted for Child Passenger Safety Week, Hayward Lumber, the Firestone family, National Recovery Month, Seasonal Flu Kickoff Day, and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
  • A hearing was set for October 8, 2019, to consider an amendment to the ordinance setting compensation and benefits for Board members.

Sheriff’s Office Truth Act Report

  • The Sheriff presented the annual Truth Act report, noting a 21% decrease in ICE requests and a 72% decrease in individuals picked up by ICE in 2018.
  • Discussion covered the legal framework, the jail management system database for transparency, and the office's policy of not tracking immigration status.
  • Public comment included both opposition to and support for the Sheriff’s cooperation with ICE.
  • The Board voted to receive and file the public comments.

WellPath Annual Report on Healthcare Services

  • WellPath presented a report on healthcare services provided at Sheriff’s detention and Probation facilities, covering staffing, compliance, and mental health services.
  • Questions were raised regarding sick call statistics, NCCHC benchmarks, and suicide prevention protocols.
  • The Board voted to receive and file the report.

County Clean Commute Program

  • The HR Director presented efforts to increase communication of commuter benefits and expand program components, including a voluntary telework pilot.
  • Discussion focused on low participation rates, productivity concerns, and the threshold for Transportation Demand Management vacation incentives.
  • The Board approved the staff recommendation with an amendment to lower the TDM vacation incentive eligibility threshold to 60%.

Grand Jury Report on Kachuma Project

  • Staff presented responses to nine findings from the Grand Jury report on the Kachuma project, covering contract adequacy and water year timing.
  • The final set of recommendations included items A through F, with an addendum amending sponsoring departments to include the Public Works Board of Directors and Water Agency.
  • The Board voted to approve the staff recommendations unanimously.

Closed Session

  • The Board considered existing litigation involving Pulver v. County of Santa Barbara and Estate of Brian Carreño v. County of Santa Barbara.
  • The Board also held a conference with labor negotiators concerning the Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
  • The Board reported that there were no reportable actions taken during the closed session.

Full summary

Meeting Opening and Announcements

  • The September 17 meeting of the County Board of Supervisors began with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. The CEO’s report included announcements regarding Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) by Southern California Edison and PG&E, with community meetings scheduled for September 19 in Montecito and September 23 in Los Olivos. County Counselor Gazzone announced that the county would pursue participation in the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rulemaking process regarding utility de-energization duties, with a future agendized item planned for further discussion.
  • The Clerk announced three agenda changes: 1. An addendum to Departmental Item 4, amending the sponsoring departments to include the Public Works Board of Directors and Water Agency, and adding recommendations D, E, and F regarding the 2018-2019 grand jury report on the Kachuma project. 2. A late replacement board letter for Departmental Item 3, changing the vote requirement from a four-fifths vote to a majority vote. 3. The availability of Spanish interpreters for the hearing, primarily for Departmental Item 1.

Administrative Agenda

  • Approval of Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the last meeting. The motion passed.
  • Items A1 through A7 (Honorary Resolutions): A motion was made and seconded to approve items A1 through A7. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Item A1: A resolution was adopted proclaiming September 23–27, 2019, as Child Passenger Safety Week. Presentations were made by representatives from First 5 Santa Barbara County and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
  • Item A2: A resolution was adopted congratulating Hayward Lumber on 100 years of business in Santa Barbara County.
  • Item A3: A resolution was adopted honoring Catherine and Brooks Firestone and their family with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission 2019 Leadership in the Arts Award.
  • Item A4: A resolution was adopted proclaiming September 2019 as National Recovery Month. Presentations were made by representatives from the Behavioral Wellness Department.
  • Item A5: A resolution was adopted proclaiming September 26, 2019, as Seasonal Flu Kickoff Day. Public Health officials discussed flu vaccination statistics and upcoming free clinics.
  • Item A6: A resolution was adopted proclaiming September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Item A7: Referenced in the sequence of approvals.
  • Item A19 (Set Hearing): A motion was made and seconded to set a hearing for October 8, 2019, to consider recommendations regarding an amendment to the ordinance setting compensation and benefits for members of the Board of Supervisors. The motion passed.
  • Balance of Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to move the balance of the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.

General Public Comment

  • Three speakers addressed the board on general topics, including a dispute with the Planning Commission regarding a building permit, a request for housing assistance, and comments on land use policies and energy regulations.

Departmental Agenda

  • Item 1 (Sheriff’s Office - Truth Act Report): The Sheriff presented the annual Truth Act report and community forum required by Government Code Section 7283.1 D. The presentation covered the legal framework, including the Trust Act, Truth Act, and Values Act, and the Sheriff’s Office policy of not enforcing immigration laws.
  • Data Presented: In 2018, ICE requests decreased by 21% compared to 2017. The number of individuals picked up by ICE decreased by 72%. Of the 98 individuals picked up, 65 had past felony convictions, 61% were incarcerated on felony charges, and 23 had been previously deported.
  • Discussion: Questions were raised regarding communication methods with inmates, handling of immigration warrants, and the purpose of the public release date database. The Sheriff explained that the database is a module of the jail management system intended for transparency, implemented prior to SB 54. The Sheriff stated that the office does not track immigration status and acts on ICE hold requests only when statutory criteria are met. Discussion also touched on comparisons with neighboring counties and the necessity of cooperation for federal investigations.
  • Public Comment: Speakers expressed both opposition to and support for the Sheriff’s cooperation with ICE. Opponents cited concerns about community fear, transparency, and the impact on public services. Supporters cited public safety, the rule of law, and specific criminal cases.
  • Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to receive and file the public comments. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Item 2 (WellPath Annual Report on Healthcare Services): The Board heard a presentation from WellPath (formerly California Forensic Medical Group) regarding healthcare services provided at Sheriff’s detention and Probation facilities.
  • Discussion: The report covered organizational structure, collaboration with other departments, compliance audits, pregnancy care, off-site services, staffing, mortality rates, medication management, mental health services, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), accreditation status, suicide prevention protocols, and juvenile disability screening. Questions were asked regarding sick call statistics, NCCHC benchmarks, and suicide prevention protocols.
  • Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to receive and file the report. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Closed Session: The Board entered closed session to consider existing litigation (Pulver v. County of Santa Barbara and Estate of Brian Carreño v. County of Santa Barbara) and a conference with labor negotiators concerning the Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The Board reported that there were no reportable actions taken during the closed session.
  • Item 3 (County Clean Commute Program): The County HR Director presented the Clean Commute Program, outlining efforts to increase communication and visibility of commuter benefits, expand program components, and report on the telework pilot.
  • Discussion: Key points included a communication strategy to address low participation rates, retention of existing benefits, expansion of pre-tax contributions, and a voluntary six-month telework pilot in two departments. Questions were raised regarding the voluntariness of telework, productivity concerns, the threshold for Transportation Demand Management (TDM) vacation incentives, and coordination with other entities. Public comment included support for the program and criticism regarding the disparity between employee incentives and private sector emissions requirements.
  • Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation with an amendment to lower the TDM vacation incentive eligibility threshold to 60%. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
  • Item 4 (Grand Jury Report on Kachuma Project and Management): Staff presented responses to the Grand Jury’s report on the Kachuma project, outlining recommended actions for the Board of Supervisors and the Water Agency.
  • Discussion: Staff provided responses to nine findings from the report, covering contract adequacy, definitions, role definitions, water year timing, contract updates, diversion limits, quantitative decision making, technical staff meetings, and website clarity. Staff clarified that the final set of recommendations to be voted on included items A through F.
  • Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment

  • The Chair announced the conclusion of the meeting and scheduled the next meeting for October 1 in Santa Barbara.