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
Agenda Changes and Continuance Requests
- The board considered a request to continue a hearing regarding exempt hoop structures and stream setbacks.
- Staff indicated that further review of HOOP process procedures was needed, with no specific date available for rescheduling.
- The board voted to withdraw the item from the agenda rather than continue it.
Resolution of Accommodation
- The board adopted a resolution honoring Donald DeNoyer as the Veteran of the Month.
- The resolution recognized his 32 years of U.S. Army service and work with the "We All Rise" anti-bullying program.
- The motion to approve the resolution carried unanimously.
On-Call Professional Planning Services Agreement
- The board discussed an agreement with Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions for farmstay ordinance development.
- Concerns were raised regarding a specific program manager's involvement in prior litigation, though staff noted internal controls prevented excluding the individual.
- The board initially moved to continue the item but subsequently voted to proceed with the current process.
Pre-Trial Pilot Program MOU
- The board reviewed a memorandum of understanding between the Superior Court and the Probation Department.
- Staff explained that the grant supports pretrial services, allowing low and medium-risk individuals to be released under supervision.
- The board approved the MOU as part of the administrative agenda.
Historic Landmark Designation
- Staff presented a request to designate the Main Beg Farmhouse with Cistern as a County Historic Landmark.
- The Historic Landmark Advisory Commission and local historians supported the designation based on the property's architectural and agricultural significance.
- The board approved the resolution for landmark designation and the CEQA exemption.
Homeless Death Review Team Report
- Public Health staff presented data on 41 deaths among individuals experiencing homelessness in 2018.
- Key findings included an average age of death of 58 and leading causes of cardiovascular disease and overdoses.
- The board received and filed the report, noting ongoing initiatives like Medication-Assisted Treatment and recuperative care.
Appropriation of Settlement Funds
- The board considered a budget revision to appropriate $21.1 million from a Southern California Edison litigation settlement.
- Funds are allocated for public safety expenses, road restoration in Montecito, and defense costs.
- The board approved the appropriation, acknowledging the significant impact of the Thomas Fire and debris flow on county infrastructure.
Closed Session
- The board considered existing litigation in the case of Rancho La Laguna v. County of Santa Barbara.
- The board also conferred with negotiators regarding three parcels in the Isla Vista area.
- The County Counsel reported that no reportable actions were taken on either matter.
Full summary
Meeting Start and Roll Call
- The February 11, 2020, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order. Roll call was taken, and all members were present. The board pledged allegiance to the flag.
Approval of Minutes
- Item: Approval of the minutes from the February 4, 2020, meeting.
- Discussion: No discussion was recorded.
- Motion: A motion to approve was made and seconded.
- Decision: The matter carried unanimously.
CEO Report
- Item: CEO Report.
- Discussion: The CEO stated there was no report for this date.
Agenda Changes and Continuance Requests
- Item: Request to continue Departmental Item 2 (Hearing regarding exempt hoop structures and shade structures, and a guide for applying streams and creeks setbacks).
- Discussion: The Clerk noted a continuance request from the department. Supervisor Lavagnino asked for a specific date for the continuation. The Planning and Development Director explained that questions regarding the HOOP process procedures and guidelines needed further review, and no specific date was available; she proposed re-agendizing the item in the future. The Clerk suggested that without a specific date, a withdrawal might be more appropriate than a continuance.
- Motion: Supervisor Lavagnino moved to withdraw Item 2.
- Decision: The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Administrative Item A-1: Resolution of Accommodation
- Item: Adoption of a resolution honoring Donald DeNoyer as the Veteran of the Month.
- Discussion: The Clerk read the resolution into the record, detailing DeNoyer’s 32 years of service in the U.S. Army, his deployments, awards, and his work with the "We All Rise" anti-bullying program. Donald DeNoyer spoke briefly, thanking the board and emphasizing selfless service.
- Motion: A motion to approve Item A-1 was made and seconded.
- Decision: The matter carried unanimously.
Administrative Agenda: Item 12 (On-Call Professional Planning Services Agreement)
- Item: Consideration of recommendations regarding an on-call professional planning services agreement with Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions Inc. for the development of a farmstay ordinance.
- Discussion:
- Initial Discussion (Part 1): Supervisor Adam raised concerns regarding a specific Senior Program Manager at Wood, citing a 2004 jury finding in the Adam Brothers Farming litigation that alleged malice, oppression, or fraud by county employees, including the individual in question. Although the Court of Appeal later reversed that portion of the case on procedural grounds, Supervisor Adam argued the individual was a major architect of the issues in that case. The County’s legal representative clarified that the 2004 jury finding was reversed on appeal due to jurisdictional and statute of limitations issues, not because the findings were factually incorrect. The representative noted the contract was identified as high-risk due to amount and complexity, and the office concurred with the contract. Supervisor Williams noted the delay in approving farm stay ordinances and the need for long-range planning, suggesting the board consider the consequences of not approving the contract. Supervisor Hartman asked if the specific individual could be excluded from the contract via a "Chinese wall" or amended agreement. The legal representative stated that while the board has discretion, if the board wished to amend the agreement to exclude specific personnel, it would be more efficient to continue the item to allow the Planning Director to negotiate with the vendor. Supervisor Lavagnino noted the incident occurred 17 years ago and suggested trailing the item to allow the director to speak with the company about excluding the individual. Supervisor Hartman initially moved to approve the item as is but agreed to amend the motion to a continuance after hearing the discussion.
- Continuation Discussion (Part 2 & 3): Staff presented a recommendation for the on-call professional planning services agreement. Staff noted that the firm’s program manager could not be walled off from the work due to internal controls. Supervisor Hartman expressed support for the motion, citing the urgency of finalizing the farmstay ordinance to allow residents to engage in farmstays, which had been paused during the ordinance development process. Members discussed the timeline and urgency of moving forward with farm stays. One member expressed concern that delaying the process to correct procedural issues would cause significant delays, interfering with commitments made to stakeholders. Another member advised prioritizing correct procedures over speed. A third member acknowledged the concerns regarding past events but supported moving forward.
- Motion:
- Initially, Supervisor Hartman moved to continue the item (Part 1).
- Subsequently, a motion was made to proceed with the current process (Part 3).
- Decision:
- The initial motion to continue was seconded and carried unanimously (Part 1).
- The subsequent motion to proceed with the current process was seconded and passed (4-1) (Part 3).
Administrative Agenda: Item 13 (Pre-Trial Pilot Program MOU)
- Item: Consideration of recommendations regarding the pre-trial pilot program memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, and the County of Santa Barbara Probation Department.
- Discussion: Supervisor Hartman requested a fuller explanation regarding jail population reduction efforts. The Probation Chief explained that the grant complements previous board-supported work moving pretrial services to probation. This has increased assessments within 24 hours of booking, allowing low and medium-risk individuals to be released under supervision, keeping them with families and in employment. The Chief noted current supervision levels and the collaboration with the court and other departments to prepare for the opening of the Northern Branch Jail.
- Motion: A motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda (with Item 12 trailed) was made by Supervisor Hartman.
- Decision: The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Public Comment
- Item: General Public Comment.
- Discussion:
- Ed Kalaski: Spoke regarding a dispute with a Planning and Development staff member (identified as Alex Peugeot) over a building project, alleging he was removed from a Board of Architectural Review meeting without allowing him to speak or show current drawings, and that a report was generated based on old drawings.
- Jay Johnson: Commented on conditions in front of the county building, citing drug activity, sanitation issues, and safety concerns for employees. He also discussed the warming center temperature threshold, arguing it should be 40 degrees rather than 35 degrees to protect homeless individuals.
- Robert Hanson: Spoke on the need for affordable housing, utilizing surplus land, and criticized the warming center temperature threshold, arguing that 35 degrees is too low and that society is judged by how it treats its less fortunate.
- Nancy McCready: Suggested opening trade schools and work programs for homeless individuals to provide purpose and employment.
- Dave Hopkins: Spoke on homelessness, citing personal experience, the need for shelters, bathrooms, and storage units, and the dangers of sleeping in cold weather.
- Jean Marie Driscoll: Expressed concern over the termination of Animal Services Director Tara Diller, alleging previous management issues and praising Diller’s leadership. She requested the board investigate the termination.
- Barbara Upson: Supported the investigation into Tara Diller’s termination, citing her positive impact on staff morale, volunteer relations, and animal welfare. She requested reinstatement.
- Christina Moser-Thurlow: Requested an investigation into the termination of Tara Diller and the resignation of an animal control officer, citing Diller’s positive leadership and community connections.
- Adam Malersky: Expressed disturbance over the termination of Tara Diller, citing previous mismanagement and praising Diller’s ability to improve morale and community relations.
- Jane LoQuesto: Requested the board investigate the termination of Tara Diller, citing her positive impact on the shelter and community.
- Barbara Edwards: Expressed devastation over the termination of Tara Diller, noting the lack of explanation provided to volunteers and praising Diller’s contributions to morale and community engagement.
- Jordana Ray: Expressed disbelief at the termination of Tara Diller, citing her positive impact on staff and volunteers, and requested the board investigate the reasons for the termination.
- Natalie Stevens: (Speaker listed but no transcript provided for their comment in this segment).
- Animal Services Director Employment: Public speakers representing the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation and volunteer staff addressed the Board regarding the termination of Animal Services Director Tara Diller. Speakers described the director’s tenure as having improved staff morale, volunteer engagement, and community relations, and requested that the Board investigate the reasons for her termination and consider reinstatement. Board members acknowledged the importance of volunteer relationships and the emotional toll of the work but stated that they could not discuss specific employment details due to California Constitution privacy rights and personnel record exemptions. The Board expressed a commitment to maintaining strong relationships with volunteers and stakeholders.
No decision 0–0
Departmental Item 1: Historic Landmark Designation (Main Beg Farmhouse with Cistern)
- Item: Request to designate the Main Beg Farmhouse with Cistern at 5001 Hollister Avenue as a County Historic Landmark.
- Discussion: Staff presented a request to designate the property as a County Historic Landmark. The presentation included historical context regarding the property’s construction in 1911, its association with the Main and Begg families, and its architectural significance as a Craftsman-style ranch house. The Historic Landmark Advisory Commission (HLAC) Chair and a Commissioner supported the designation, citing the property’s historical integrity and its role in the agricultural history of the Goleta Valley. The current property owners stated their intent to make the property available for community benefit and educational opportunities. A local historian also spoke in support of the designation.
- Motion: To approve staff recommendations A and B (adopting the resolution for landmark designation and determining CEQA exemption).
- Decision: The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 3: Homeless Death Review Team Report (2018)
- Item: Presentation of the 2018 Homeless Death Review report.
- Discussion: Public Health staff presented the 2018 Homeless Death Review report, which identified 41 deaths among individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. Key data points included:
- Average age of death was 58 years, compared to 76 years for the housed population.
- Leading causes of death were cardiovascular disease and drug/alcohol overdoses.
- 73% of deaths occurred in the southern portion of the county.
- 66% of decedents were clients of the Public Health Department, and 28 were clients of Behavioral Wellness.
- Staff discussed ongoing initiatives to improve outcomes, including the expansion of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) providers, the implementation of recuperative care (medical respite) beds in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, and improved data coordination through the HMIS system. A Public Health nurse shared a case study illustrating successful collaboration among agencies to help a client achieve stability and permanent housing.
- Board members asked questions regarding the availability of MAT services, the impact of recuperative care on mortality rates, the use of HMIS data, and the geographic distribution of deaths relative to the homeless population. Staff confirmed that MAT is available to all patients in the county’s health care centers and that recuperative care is expected to show impact in future reports. Staff also noted that while the county has approximately 800 permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing beds, there remains a critical need for additional emergency shelter beds, with a gap analysis identifying a need for 563 temporary beds countywide.
- Motion: To receive and file the report.
- Decision: The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 4: Appropriation of Settlement Funds (SCE Litigation)
- Item: Budget revision to appropriate $21.1 million from a litigation settlement with Southern California Edison (SCE) related to damages from the Thomas Fire and January 9 debris flow.
- Discussion: Staff from the County Executive Office and Public Works presented a budget revision to appropriate $21.1 million from a litigation settlement with Southern California Edison (SCE) related to damages from the Thomas Fire and January 9 debris flow. The total impact of these events on county agencies exceeded $94 million. The proposed allocation includes:
- $8 million to the General Fund for one-time expenses related to public safety and emergency preparedness.
- $10.1 million to Roads for the restoration of haul routes and roads in the Montecito community damaged by the debris flow and recovery efforts.
- $5 million set aside for defense costs in litigation SCE is pursuing against the county.
- Public Works staff noted that the affected roads lost 10 to 20 years of service life and that the projects are planned for completion by the end of fiscal year 2021. Additional settlement funds ranging from $2.8 million to $15.8 million are pending resolution with FEMA and Cal OES and are not part of this motion.
- Public speakers from the Montecito Association supported the appropriation, citing accelerated wear and tear on local streets due to heavy equipment traffic and increased commuter volume. Board members expressed support for the allocation and acknowledged the work of FEMA, Cal OES, and county staff in documenting expenses for the settlement.
- Motion: To approve the staff recommendation for the appropriation of settlement funds.
- Decision: The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- Item: Consideration of two items in closed session:
- 1. Existing litigation in the case of Rancho La Laguna v. County of Santa Barbara. 2. Conference with real property negotiators regarding three parcels in the Isla Vista area (970 Embarcadero Del Mar, 976 Embarcadero Del Mar, and 881 Embarcadero Del Mar).
- Discussion: The Board recessed to closed session to consider the above items.
- Report: Upon reconvening, the County Counsel reported that the Board considered both matters in litigation. No reportable actions were taken.
- Decision: The Board adjourned the meeting, with the next session scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2020, in Santa Barbara.