Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
CEO’s Report
- The Public Health Department received the California Endowment’s Excellence in Health Equity Practice Award.
- The award included a $5,000 grant for work ensuring farm workers have access to clean bathrooms.
- Partnerships with local agencies, growers, and UC Merced were highlighted in the recognition.
Agenda Changes
- The Clerk requested the withdrawal of the resolution honoring David DeNoyer as Veteran of the Month.
- The item was removed from the current agenda to return in January 2020.
- The board agreed to the requested agenda modification.
Administrative Agenda
- The board approved the administrative agenda with the indicated changes.
- Item 17 regarding the tobacco ordinance was removed from the specific public comment queue.
- The motion to move the agenda passed unanimously.
Special Presentation: Retirement of Sheriff’s K-9 Magnum
- The Sheriff’s Office presented the retirement of canine Magnum and his handler, Deputy Michael McNeil.
- Magnum’s service history in tracking and narcotic detection was detailed.
- Magnum was transferred to the McNeil family for a nominal fee.
Legislative Advocacy Update and 2020 Platform
- Staff provided updates on federal appropriations, state budget proposals, and the resolution of the AB 85 realignment formula.
- The board discussed the 2020 legislative platform, noting no substantive changes since the previous review.
- The board approved the staff recommendations and re-established the Legislative Program Committee as a standing committee.
County Parks Fees
- Staff proposed adjustments to fees for special events, aquatics, and camping, including a $100 annual vehicle pass.
- New peak fees for specific holiday weekends and reduced large group reservation fees were included in the proposal.
- The board approved the fee adjustments and granted authority for promotional discounts and CPI-based annual adjustments.
Cannabis Retail Licensing Amendments
- Staff presented amendments replacing random selection with a criteria-based process involving community input and scoring.
- The scoring system weights business operations proposals at 75% and requires a minimum score of 85% to proceed.
- The board approved the first reading of the ordinance and set a hearing for January 14.
Closed Session
- The board discussed two matters of existing litigation: Murray v. County of Santa Barbara and Hample v. Civil Service Commission.
- The County Counsel reported that there were no reportable actions from the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors convened for its December 17 meeting. Supervisor Adam was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
- Discussion: A motion was made to approve the minutes of the December 10 meeting.
- Action: The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
CEO’s Report
- Discussion: The CEO’s office recognized the Public Health Department for receiving the California Endowment’s Excellence in Health Equity Practice Award. The award included a $5,000 grant and recognized the department’s work in ensuring farm workers have access to clean bathrooms, involving partnerships with CAUSE, the Ag Commissioner, growers, labor unions, and UC Merced. Supervisor Hartman and Supervisor Wolfe were acknowledged for their prior work on the issue.
- Action: No vote was taken.
Agenda Changes
- Discussion: The Clerk requested the withdrawal of Administrative Item 1 (a resolution honoring David DeNoyer as Veteran of the Month), noting it would return to the agenda in January 2020.
- Action: The board agreed to the change.
Administrative Agenda
- Discussion: The board considered the administrative agenda, including the withdrawal of Item 1 and the removal of Item 17 (tobacco ordinance) from the public comment queue for that specific item, though public comment on the tobacco issue was later addressed under general public comment.
- Action: A motion was made to move the administrative agenda with the indicated changes. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Special Presentation: Retirement of Sheriff’s K-9 Magnum
- Discussion: The Sheriff’s Office presented the retirement of canine Magnum and his handler, Deputy Michael McNeil. The Sheriff detailed Magnum’s service history, including tracking operations and narcotic detection, and noted that Magnum would be transferred to the McNeil family for $1. Questions were raised regarding handler training, selection processes, and competition. Deputy McNeil provided remarks on his service.
- Action: No formal vote was recorded in the transcript for this ceremonial item.
General Public Comment
- Discussion: Seven individuals spoke.
- One speaker requested a resolution against a specific Board of Architectural Review member regarding a housing dispute.
- One speaker reported on drug activity and homelessness near the county building.
- Three speakers expressed opposition to a proposed methadone clinic in Vandenberg Village, citing concerns about location, accessibility, and the status of the permit application withdrawal.
- Two speakers expressed support for the board’s actions regarding flavored tobacco restrictions.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman provided a status update on the Aegis methadone clinic permit application, stating that the CEO of Aegis had indicated intent to withdraw the application and that staff were awaiting formal notice. The Chair noted that patients seeking treatment would need to be accommodated in other districts.
Departmental Item 1: Legislative Advocacy Update and 2020 Platform
- Discussion: Legislative advocates provided updates on federal and state legislative efforts. Federal updates included the status of appropriations bills, the extension of program authorizations (TANF, FQHCs, National Flood Insurance), and the Defense Authorization Bill. State updates covered the new governor’s budget proposals, the resolution of the AB 85 realignment formula issue (saving the county approximately $2.1 million), and ongoing discussions regarding the 340B program, CalAIM, mental health funding (Prop 63), and homelessness. The board discussed the 2020 legislative platform, noting no substantive changes since the previous review. Questions were raised regarding SNAP eligibility changes, mental health funding protections, and early childhood education planks.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations, including adopting the 2020 legislative platform and re-establishing the Legislative Program Committee as a standing committee. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: County Parks Fees
- Discussion: Staff presented recommendations to adjust county park fees for special events, aquatics, and camping, and to establish new fees. Proposed changes included increasing the annual vehicle pass to $100, adjusting canoe/kayak passes, charging peak fees on specific holiday weekends, reducing large group reservation fees, and setting affordable accommodation fees at Halama Beach based on local two-star hotel rates. Staff also requested authority to offer promotional discounts during low-occupancy periods and to adjust certain fees annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Action: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 3: Cannabis Retail Licensing Amendments
- Discussion: Staff presented amendments to Chapter 50 (Licensing of Commercial Cannabis Operations) and the cannabis business licensing fee ordinance. The amendments replace the random selection process with a criteria-based selection process involving community input sessions, a 30-day notice period, and a scoring system. The scoring includes 25% for general application components and 75% for the business operations proposal, with a minimum score of 85% required to proceed to ranking. Ranking is based on 90% neighborhood compatibility and 10% original score. The retail application fee is proposed to be amended to $4,100. Public comment was provided by a representative of a local cannabis company, who requested a cap on access to capital in the financial scoring to ensure fair competition for local operators. Staff noted that a proposed scoring sheet would be brought back for board review in January.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations (A through H), including the first reading of the ordinance and setting a hearing for January 14. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- Discussion: The board entered closed session to discuss two matters of existing litigation: Murray v. County of Santa Barbara and Hample v. Civil Service Commission.
- Action: The County Counsel reported that there were no reportable actions from the closed session.
- Outcome: The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for January 14.