Board of Supervisors — 2020-02-04

CEO Report

• The County Executive Officer introduced Nancy Anderson as the new Assistant County Executive Officer.
• The board recognized Public Defender Tracy McCougar for receiving the Deborah Talmadge Attorney of the Year Award.
• Administrative Item A3 was updated to include additional sponsors, and a revised resolution for Item A13 was posted online.

League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary

• The board adopted a resolution proclaiming February 14, 2020, as League of Women Voters Day in Santa Barbara County.
• Representatives from local leagues invited the public to upcoming anniversary celebrations and candidate forums.
• The resolution was adopted as part of a unanimous vote on administrative items A1 through A3.

Employee of the Month Recognition

• The board adopted a resolution of commendation honoring Colleen Ryan of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Sheriff Bill Brown and Colleen Ryan highlighted Ryan’s recruitment achievements, including an all-time hiring record.
• The resolution was adopted as part of a unanimous vote on administrative items A1 through A3.

Black History Month Proclamation

• The board adopted a resolution declaring February 2020 as Black History Month with the theme "African-Americans and the Vote."
• Representatives from the NAACP and other community organizations detailed the history of voting rights and upcoming local events.
• The resolution was adopted as part of a unanimous vote on administrative items A1 through A3.

Aurora Borough Ranger Office and Site Improvements

• Staff addressed public concerns regarding the $1.3 million cost by explaining that the project includes extensive site improvements and security features.
• Two bids were received within $25,000 of each other, reflecting high construction costs in the area.
• The item was approved as part of the motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.

Compensation for County Employees Serving as Election Workers

• Staff clarified that the policy prevents the use of fee-based funds for backfilling to ensure operational continuity.
• The compensation structure follows state templates, providing regular pay for the first eight hours and a stipend for the remaining seven.
• The Elections Division noted a shortage of poll workers and the need for consistent county employee participation.
• The item was approved as part of the motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.

Acceptance of BSCC Award for Prop 47 Crisis Intervention

• The board considered accepting a $5,988,511 award for a crisis intervention diversion and support program.
• The Public Defender and Chief Deputy Sheriff described the program as a collaborative effort to divert individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues from jail.
• The grant includes funding for an independent evaluator to measure program outcomes.
• The item was approved as part of the motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.

Countywide Information Technology Governance Program

• Staff presented an overview of the IT Governance Program, which centralizes strategic decision-making through an Executive Information Technology Council.
• Key initiatives include a countywide IT inventory, security audits, and approved policies for cybersecurity and password management.
• Staff confirmed that the program aims for a hybrid model where IT enables departmental business needs while maintaining centralized standards.
• The board unanimously approved the policies and standards and determined the action is exempt from CEQA.

Closed Session

• The County Counsel reported that the board unanimously authorized the signing of a stipulated judgment with the City of Goleta.
• The agreement allows the city to take two easements in eminent domain cases, subject to the county’s own easements.
• No other reportable actions were taken during the closed session.

• Meeting Date: February 4, 2020 Body: Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

• The meeting was called to order, and the roll was called. The board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

• Item: Approval of the minutes from the January 28, 2020 meeting.
• Action: A motion to approve was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

CEO Report

• Announcements:
• The County Executive Officer introduced Nancy Anderson, the new Assistant County Executive Officer, who began her role the previous day.
• The board recognized Tracy McCougar, Public Defender, for receiving the Deborah Talmadge Attorney of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers.
• Clerk’s Announcements:
• Administrative Item A3 (Black History Month resolution) was updated to include Supervisor Hart and Supervisor Williams as sponsors.
• A revised resolution for Administrative Item A13 (compensation for county employees serving as election workers) was received late the previous day and posted online.

Resolutions (Administrative Items A1–A3)

• Action: A motion to approve items A1 through A3 was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Administrative Item A1: League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary

• Sponsor: Supervisor Hart.
• Discussion: The board adopted a resolution proclaiming February 14, 2020, as League of Women Voters Day in Santa Barbara County, honoring the organization’s 100th anniversary. Representatives from the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria Valley leagues spoke, inviting the public to upcoming anniversary celebrations and candidate forums.
• Outcome: Adopted as part of the unanimous vote on items A1–A3.

Administrative Item A2: Employee of the Month Recognition

• Sponsor: Supervisor Hart.
• Discussion: The board adopted a resolution of commendation honoring Colleen Ryan of the Sheriff’s Office as the February 2020 Employee of the Month. Sheriff Bill Brown and Colleen Ryan spoke, highlighting Ryan’s recruitment achievements, including setting an all-time hiring record for the Sheriff’s Office, and her personal background.
• Outcome: Adopted as part of the unanimous vote on items A1–A3.

Administrative Item A3: Black History Month Proclamation

• Sponsors: Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Hart.
• Discussion: The board adopted a resolution declaring February 2020 as Black History Month in Santa Barbara County, noting the national theme of "African-Americans and the Vote." Representatives from the NAACP (Santa Barbara and Santa Maria branches) and other community organizations spoke, detailing the history of the NAACP, the struggle for voting rights, and upcoming local Black History Month events.
• Outcome: Adopted as part of the unanimous vote on items A1–A3.

Administrative Agenda (Items A9, A13, A15, and Balance)

• Item A9: Aurora Borough Ranger Office and Site Improvements (Project 8653)
• Discussion: A member of the public raised concerns regarding the $1.3 million cost for a 330-square-foot facility, citing high per-square-foot costs. Staff explained that the project includes extensive site improvements, security cameras, irrigation, and landscaping along Cliff Drive, and that two bids were received within $25,000 of each other. Staff noted that construction costs in the area are currently high due to market conditions.
• Outcome: Included in the motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.
• Item A13: Compensation for County Employees Serving as Election Workers
• Discussion: A member of the public questioned the language regarding fee-based funds and potential "double-dipping." Staff clarified that the intention is to prevent the use of fee-based or special revenue funds for backfilling if general fund backfill is required, ensuring that fee-based departments do not participate if it impacts their operations. Staff explained that the compensation structure follows state templates, where employees receive their regular pay for the first eight hours and a stipend for the remaining seven hours, which is more cost-effective than paying overtime. The Elections Division noted a shortage of poll workers and the need for consistent participation from county employees.
• Outcome: Included in the motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.
• Item A15: Acceptance of BSCC Award for Prop 47 Crisis Intervention
• Discussion: The board considered the acceptance of a $5,988,511 award from the Board of State and Community Corrections for a crisis intervention diversion and support program. The Public Defender and the County’s Chief Deputy Sheriff (Dr. Gleckhorn) described the program as a collaborative effort to divert individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues from jail through early engagement and services. They noted that the grant includes funding for an independent evaluator to measure outcomes.
• Outcome: Included in the motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.
• Action: A motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

General Public Comment

• Speaker: Ed Kolaski.
• Comment: The speaker expressed dissatisfaction with the planning commission process regarding a residential remodel project, alleging corruption and procedural irregularities by specific staff members and commissioners. He stated that his time was up before he could finish.

Departmental Item 1: Countywide Information Technology Governance Program

• Presenter: General Services Department.
• Discussion: Staff presented an overview of the IT Governance Program established in May 2018. The program aims to centralize strategic IT decision-making through an Executive Information Technology Council (EITC) and standing committees for policy and standards. Key initiatives include a countywide IT inventory, a security audit, and a business application needs assessment. Staff outlined approved policies (e.g., cybersecurity training, password management, incident response) and standards (e.g., ServiceNow platform, password manager). Questions were raised regarding departmental inclusion, the balance between centralized governance and decentralized implementation, and the timing of password expirations on weekends. Staff confirmed that policies apply countywide and that the goal is a hybrid model where IT enables departmental business needs.
• Action: A motion to receive and file the update, approve the policies and standards, and determine the action is exempt from CEQA was made and seconded.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Closed Session

• Items Considered:
• 1. State of California through On-the-Go Wireless (Class Action Litigation). 2. In Re GSE Bonds (Class Action Litigation). 3. City of Goleta v. Botiani Properties (Eminent Domain). 4. City of Goleta v. Santa Barbara Nissan (Eminent Domain).
• Report: The County Counsel reported that the board unanimously authorized the signing of a stipulated judgment with the City of Goleta in the two eminent domain cases, allowing the city to take two easements subject to the county’s own easements. No other reportable actions were taken.

Adjournment

• The board adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2020, in Santa Maria.