Meeting Summary
Present: Hart, 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino, 4-Nelson
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
Continuation of Departmental Item No. 1
- The Board continued the proposed fee ordinance for the Surveyor Division to the April 6, 2021, meeting.
- Public Works agreed to post the proposed fee increases online for public review prior to the hearing.
Administrative Agenda Approval
- The Board approved the administrative agenda with the exception of items A8, A16, A24, and A29.
- These four items were moved to follow general public comment to accommodate the full Board.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
No decision 0–0
Administrative Item A8: Letter of Support for SB 467
- The Board adopted a resolution to send a letter of support for SB 467, which aims to end fracking and dangerous drilling.
- The Vice-Chair will sign the letter, which will include a reflection of the Board's vote in the final paragraph.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Administrative Items A16, A24, and A29
- The Board approved the Lower Mission Creek Flood Control Project resolution regarding Reach 2B Phase 2 and Reach 3.
- The Board adopted resolutions proclaiming March 31, 2021, as Cesar Chavez Day and March 24, 2021, as World Tuberculosis Day.
Departmental Item No. 2 – COVID-19 Update
- The Board received and filed the staff recommendation regarding the county’s transition to the Red Tier under the California Blueprint.
- Staff reported a 34% decrease in hospitalizations and a 42% decrease in active cases over the previous two weeks.
- The presentation covered vaccine allocations for agricultural workers and new federal relief resources for businesses.
Departmental Item No. 3 – Floridale Avenue Bridge
- The Board approved Staff Recommendations A through G for the Floridale Avenue Bridge project.
- The approval includes a temporary operating transfer of $1.8 million from the general fund to advance construction.
- The project is prioritized for repayment from the Highway Bridge Program due to the bridge's seismic deficiency.
Departmental Item No. 4 – Nominations for California Coastal Commission
- The Board nominated Supervisor Das Williams and Santa Barbara City Council Member Megan Harmon for the South Central Coast Region slot.
- The nominations were submitted to the Governor, who holds the authority to appoint the commissioner and alternate.
Departmental Item No. 5 – Post-Pandemic County Workforce Strategies
- The Board adopted the staff recommendation to focus on workplace flexibility as a core post-pandemic strategy.
- Proposed strategies include revising teleworking policies, adopting a statement of commitment to flexibility, and implementing workforce reskilling tools.
- The Board discussed accountability mechanisms and the potential for reducing office footprint through hybrid work models.
Closed Session
- The Board convened to discuss existing litigation regarding Southern California fire cases and anticipated litigation for contract law enforcement services.
- The Board also held conferences with real property negotiators regarding 630 Randall Road and with labor negotiators for various bargaining units.
- No reportable actions were taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Roll Call
- The March 16, 2021, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Bob Nelson. The Clerk of the Board called the roll, noting that Supervisor Williams was running late but would join momentarily. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes (March 9, 2021)
- The Board considered the approval of the minutes from the March 9, 2021, meeting. Supervisor Hartman moved to approve the minutes. The motion passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Announcements and Agenda Changes
- The Clerk of the Board announced that Board meetings are now interpreted in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP) for Comcast and Cox subscribers. The Clerk outlined procedures for public participation via Zoom and phone, noting a three-minute limit per speaker. The Clerk also reported a continuation request from the Public Works Department for Departmental Item No. 1 (proposed fee ordinance for the Surveyor Division) to the April 6, 2021, meeting.
Continuation of Departmental Item No. 1
- Chair Nelson moved to continue Departmental Item No. 1 to the April 6, 2021, meeting. Chair Nelson noted that Public Works agreed to post the proposed surveyor fee increases online for public review prior to the hearing. The motion passed.
County Executive Officer’s Report
- CEO Miyasato reported no business for the morning session.
Approval of Administrative Agenda
- The Clerk noted requests to pull items A8, A16, A24, and A29 from the administrative agenda, as well as public comment requests for A8 and A24. Chair Nelson moved to approve the administrative agenda with the exception of items A8, A16, A24, and A29. The motion passed. Chair Nelson moved to place these four items after general public comment to accommodate the full Board.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
No decision 0–0
General Public Comment
- Four members of the public provided comments:
- Brian Patton: Requested a safety precaution, such as a left-turn signal, at the intersection of Stork Road and Sierra Madre Court to prevent collisions with pedestrians.
- Katie Mickey: Opposed the installation of a P6480 antenna near her residence, arguing that modulating frequencies exceed FCC limits and that the equipment conflicts with county energy goals. She requested county code modifications to cap power output in residential zones.
- Thomas Woodrow: Representative of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association, requested that controversial items, such as support for SB 467 (fracking ban), be placed on the main agenda rather than the administrative agenda to allow for robust public discussion.
- Andy Caldwell: Representative of COLAB, commented on housing mandates and preservation efforts, arguing that restricting development exacerbates the housing crisis and that the Board should consider the economic impacts of preservation versus development.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Administrative Item A8: Letter of Support for SB 467 (End Fracking and Dangerous Drilling)
- The item, from the County Executive Office, sought recommendations regarding a letter of support for SB 467.
- Public Comment:
- Andy Caldwell: Opposed the bill, noting that voters defeated a similar measure (Measure P) in 2016. He argued that the bill bans routine maintenance activities like cyclic steaming and that shutting down local production would increase reliance on foreign oil imports.
- Sabrina Lockhart (California Independent Petroleum Association): Opposed the bill, stating it is legally questionable and would shut down 97% of state production. She argued that replacing local oil with foreign tankers would increase emissions and that foreign producers do not adhere to California regulations.
- Ben Oakley (Western States Petroleum Association): Opposed the bill, arguing it would eliminate jobs and make California reliant on foreign petroleum. He stated that the bill’s broad language would lead to a total production ban.
- Tara Messing (Environmental Defense Center): Supported the bill, stating it protects drinking water and air from risky oil extraction techniques like cyclic steam injection. She cited potential groundwater threats and greenhouse gas emissions from such methods and noted the bill includes health protection zones and worker transition plans.
- Tom Becker: A mechanic, argued that banning new gasoline-powered vehicles would lead to the repair and continued use of older vehicles, potentially collapsing the automotive industry if new electric vehicles are not affordable or performant.
- Roy Reed (Taxpayers Association): Opposed the resolution, arguing it would negatively impact the local economy and that the "just transition" promised is insufficient. He urged the Board not to approve the resolution, citing the defeat of Measure P.
- Board Discussion:
- Supervisor Hartman: Supported the bill, noting its consistency with state climate policies (SB 32, SB 100, Executive Orders). She emphasized the need for a concerted effort toward renewable energy transition.
- Supervisor Lavagnino: Opposed the bill, arguing it contradicts the 2016 voter decision on Measure P. He expressed concern about job losses during the pandemic and questioned the feasibility of the renewable energy transition timeline.
- Supervisor Williams: Supported the bill, noting that public attitudes have changed since Measure P. He argued that the energy intensity of enhanced oil extraction techniques makes the cost-benefit analysis less favorable and supported engaging in the debate.
- Supervisor Hart: Supported the bill, citing changing economics of the oil industry and the financial risks associated with abandoned wells. She emphasized the need to be ahead of the transition to renewable energy.
- Chair Nelson: Opposed the bill, arguing that supporting it would not align with the Board’s values of partnering with oil companies for environmental stewardship and carbon sequestration. He noted the economic impact on local jobs and the community heritage of oil production.
- Motion and Vote: Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt the resolution and send the letter of support to Sacramento. Supervisor Williams seconded the motion. The Board agreed to have the Vice-Chair sign the letter and include a reflection of the vote in the final paragraph. The motion passed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Administrative Items A16, A24, and A29
- The Board considered three resolutions: 1. Item A16 (Lower Mission Creek Flood Control Project): From Public Works, Flood Control, and Water Conservation District, concerning the Lower Mission Creek flood control project (Reach 2B Phase 2 and Reach 3). Supervisor Williams spoke in support of the project, highlighting its importance for flood control capacity and watershed management in the First District. 2. Item A24 (Cesar Chavez Day): Sponsored by Supervisors Williams and Hartman, seeking to adopt a resolution proclaiming March 31, 2021, as Cesar Chavez Day. Public comment was provided by Dr. Melissa Smith (UC Santa Barbara), who expressed gratitude for the resolution and highlighted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on farm workers. Board members discussed the importance of recognizing farm workers and the work of the COVID-19 Task Force. 3. Item A29 (World Tuberculosis Day): Sponsored by Supervisor Lavagnino, seeking to adopt a resolution proclaiming March 24, 2021, as World Tuberculosis Day. Public Health officials, including Dr. Anzork and Karen White, presented remarks acknowledging the ongoing public health threat of tuberculosis in Santa Barbara County, noting an average of 23 active patients per year over the last three years. The presentation included a recognition of Sandra Isaacs, a senior public health nurse, for her 16 years of service and specific contributions to tuberculosis care in North County.
- Motion and Vote: Supervisor Hartman moved to approve items A16, A24, and A29. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
Departmental Item No. 2 – COVID-19 Update
- The Board heard a presentation from Dr. Dober and Assistant CEO Nancy Anderson regarding the county’s status under the California Blueprint. Dr. Dober reported that hospitalizations decreased by 34% and active cases decreased by 42% over the previous two weeks. The county met the criteria for the Red Tier, with the state announcing the change effective immediately. Dr. Dober outlined the new thresholds, noting that the county must remain in the Red Tier for three weeks to qualify for the Orange Tier. The presentation covered vaccine allocations, including a specific focus on the agricultural sector, where 24% of the week’s allocation was set aside for ag workers. Dr. Dober also addressed school reopening plans, noting that schools must post their safety plans on their websites five days before opening.
- Assistant CEO Nancy Anderson provided a RISE (Reopening Information and Safety Essentials) update, detailing business capacity changes under the Red Tier, such as retail stores and restaurants moving to 50% and 25% indoor capacity, respectively. She highlighted new federal resources from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, including direct relief for restaurants and increased funding for PPP and EIDL loans. Anderson emphasized the availability of free business assistance through the Economic Development Collaborative and the recovery.sbc.org website.
- Supervisors asked questions regarding the timeline for moving to the Orange Tier, the availability of the MyTurn vaccination platform, and the process for businesses to access federal relief funds. Supervisor Lavagnino requested that the Board explore securing an SBA representative for local webinars to assist businesses with applications. Supervisor Williams cautioned that while the Red Tier is positive, vaccine supply constraints mean the goal of vaccinating all adults by May remains ambitious. Supervisor Hart clarified that property tax rules are set by state law and that the county is acting as quickly as possible to implement the Red Tier changes.
- Public comment was received from Lisa Bedrogi, who expressed frustration regarding the difficulty in securing a vaccine appointment despite having a high-risk medical condition, and Terry Strickland, who advocated for property tax relief for businesses and criticized the timing of the Red Tier announcement relative to other counties. Dr. Dober responded to the public comments by clarifying that while Public Health community pods do not prioritize comorbidities, healthcare partners and pharmacies do, and that individuals can use the 2-1-1 line or MyTurn to find appointments.
- Motion and Vote: The Board moved to receive and file the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
Departmental Item No. 3 – Floridale Avenue Bridge
- The Board heard a presentation from Public Works regarding the award of the Floridale Avenue Bridge project (Project No. 862032, Federal Project BRLSZ-5951060). The presentation explained that because the California Highway Bridge Program is oversubscribed, the project requires an advanced construction authorization and a temporary operating transfer from the general fund. The presentation outlined the new requirements for agencies utilizing federal funding for bridge construction and discussed the budget revision needed to allocate $1.8 million for the current fiscal year, with additional funding required in future years. The presentation was given by Deputy Director Chris Sneddon, following an introduction by Mr. McAuliffe and Mr. Senn.
- Staff presented an overview of the Advanced Construction (AC) process, describing it as a mechanism where the county advances funds to start construction, with repayment expected from the Highway Bridge Program (HBP) upon federal allocation. Staff noted that the HBP is underfunded, leading to a "payback first" priority for AC projects. Specific to the Floridale Bridge, staff highlighted its status as a seismically deficient bridge, which places it at the highest priority for HBP repayment. The estimated contract cost is $16 million, with approximately 90% covered by HBP grants and $600,000 by state seismic funds. Staff requested $2 million in temporary loan funding for the current fiscal year, noting that the project will span two to three years and cash flow requirements will not exceed $6.8 million in any single year. Staff emphasized the critical timing for awarding the project to meet environmental construction windows and federal/state agreements.
- Board members inquired about the risk of non-repayment, the likelihood of repayment before funding is needed for subsequent bridge projects (Foothill Low Water Crossing and Kiyama/Bonita School Road), and the potential for borrowing in the future for similar opportunities. Staff responded that the HBP has a history of repaying AC funds, that the county would work with the CEO’s office to manage cash flow for future projects, and that borrowing is a possibility under consideration.
- Motion and Vote: Supervisor Hartman moved to approve Staff Recommendation A through G. Chair Nelson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item No. 4 – Nominations for California Coastal Commission (South Central Coast Region)
- Staff presented background on the vacancy for the South Central Coast Region representative on the California Coastal Commission, created by the departure of Eric Howell in December 2020. The nomination process involves the Boards of Supervisors and City Selection Committees from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Staff noted that nominations from San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties had already been made or were scheduled. In Santa Barbara County, the Board of Supervisors was to make nominations, and the City Selection Committee was scheduled to do so on March 18. Letters of interest were received from Supervisor Das Williams, Santa Barbara City Council Member Megan Harmon, and Guadalupe Mayor Pro Tem Antonio Ramirez.
- Public Comment:
- Antonio Ramirez (Guadalupe Mayor Pro Tem) expressed interest in the nomination, citing his role in consensus building and community representation.
- William Conlon spoke in support of Council Member Megan Harmon, citing her local knowledge and dedication.
- Lee Heller spoke in support of both Supervisor Williams and Council Member Harmon, highlighting their competence and legal knowledge.
- Gail Teton-Landis urged the Board to nominate both Harmon and Williams.
- Megan Harmon (Santa Barbara City Council Member) requested inclusion in the nominations, emphasizing her background in land use law, commitment to the Coastal Act, and focus on transparency and regional representation.
- Supervisor Williams spoke to the Board, expressing passion for coastal preservation and criticizing a disconnect between local governments and the Commission regarding sea level rise projections and resource allocation.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Hart moved to nominate Supervisor Williams and Council Member Harmon. Supervisor Hartman requested that the motion be amended to include Mr. Ramirez, citing the importance of Guadalupe and the opportunity to diversify voices. Supervisor Lavagnino expressed hesitation regarding Mr. Ramirez due to a lack of prior vetting and knowledge of his background, asking for clarification. Mr. Ramirez responded by explaining his background in counseling and consensus building. Supervisor Hart stated that the other two nominees had longer track records. Staff clarified that the Governor appoints the commissioner and the alternate, and the Board’s role is limited to submitting nominations. Supervisor Lavagnino stated he would not support adding Mr. Ramirez without prior vetting but encouraged him to stay involved. Supervisor Hartman expressed support for the motion but wished Mr. Ramirez’s name were on the list. Chair Nelson stated he would support the motion, noting the value of a county connection to the Commission.
- Motion and Vote: Supervisor Hart moved to nominate Supervisor Williams and Council Member Harmon for the South Central Coast slot on the Coastal Commission. Supervisor Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session to consider the following items: 1. Existing litigation: Southern California fire cases (coordinated proceedings in Los Angeles County Superior Court), with the Board sitting separately as the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Directors for the Flood Control and Water Conservation District. 2. Anticipated litigation/significant exposure: Contract law enforcement services for the cities of Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, and Solvang. 3. Conference with real property negotiators regarding property at 630 Randall Road, Santa Barbara. 4. Conference with labor negotiators for all bargaining units, unrepresented employees, managers, and executives.
- No reportable actions were taken.
Departmental Item No. 5 – Post-Pandemic County Workforce Strategies
- The Director of Human Resources presented findings from four employee surveys conducted in 2020. Key findings included:
- Managers identified IT issues and communication as top challenges, while noting increased employee productivity and job satisfaction.
- Employees identified IT and ergonomic issues as top challenges, with no commute and cost savings as top benefits.
- By late 2020, the primary challenge shifted to balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, with nearly 20% of employees considering quitting due to childcare or caregiving issues.
- Flexibility was the top requested accommodation.
- The County demonstrated rapid adaptability in shifting to telework.
- Staff proposed focusing on workplace flexibility as a core strategy, aligned with the "Renew22" initiative.
- Four strategies were outlined: 1) Adoption of a Statement of Commitment to Workplace Flexibility; 2) Revision of the teleworking policy to accommodate hybrid/distributed teams; 3) Workforce reskilling and engagement tools; and 4) Flexible workspaces.
- The Director of General Services added that the hybrid model would require flexible space, "hoteling," and modular systems. She noted potential for reducing office footprint and consolidating real estate over time, which could optimize space use and reduce costs. A standard IT equipment package for remote workers was recommended to reduce hardware/software costs.
- Supervisor Williams asked about accountability mechanisms for teleworking and customer service. The CEO responded that accountability would be addressed through two avenues: ensuring departments maintain flexibility for employees and measuring customer service satisfaction to reset public expectations regarding service delivery modes (e.g., increased online services).
- Supervisor Lavagnino stated that their perspective on working from home had changed due to personal experience and observations of the private sector. They noted that office space is a significant expense and that technology now allows for accountability through tracking of work activities. Supervisor Lavagnino expressed support for the CEO’s approach of building in flexibility to determine what works and what does not.
- Supervisor Nelson acknowledged public frustration regarding accessibility to county employees during the pandemic but supported the concept of remote work, citing their own office’s productivity during the pandemic. Supervisor Nelson raised concerns regarding the need for flexibility as technologies evolve, the importance of working with labor groups to establish accountability tools before granting rights, and specific operational issues such as workers’ compensation and ensuring safe work environments. Supervisor Nelson emphasized that further work is required to address these concerns.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation, which was seconded. The roll call was taken, and the motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, April 6, 2021.