Meeting Summary
Present: Hart, 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino, Williams, 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
County Executive Officer’s Report
- Cal OSHA masking and distancing guidelines remain in effect despite the end of state "Blueprint" restrictions.
- Fire risk is high due to low humidity, prompting increased staffing and multi-agency patrols.
- A potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) was noted for the SCE service area, with community resource centers opened in response.
Administrative Item A-21: Project Room Key COVID-19 Homeless Task Force
- The board considered ratifying a contract with Paradise Hotels, Inc., and a services contract with Kingdom Causes Inc. DBA CityNet.
- The motion to approve the contracts passed unanimously.
Administrative Item A-33: Fire Protection District Helicopter Donation
- Supervisor Hart thanked Direct Relief for a $52,350 donation to retrofit the Fire Protection District’s HH60L Firehawk helicopter.
- The board approved the acceptance of the cash donation unanimously.
Administrative Item A-36: Renewable Energy Systems Contract Amendment
- Staff explained that a diesel generator is required as a backup for critical server rooms in extreme scenarios, such as ash covering solar panels.
- The board approved the contract amendment unanimously after discussing redundancy and cost alternatives.
Departmental Item D-2: Vandenberg Space Force Base Master Plan Phase One
- The presentation estimated approximately 13,500 jobs and $4.7 billion in economic impact for Santa Barbara County.
- The board approved staff recommendations A through C unanimously.
Departmental Item D-1: COVID-19 Update
- Staff detailed the transition to "Beyond the Blueprint" guidelines, including masking rules for unvaccinated individuals and verification requirements for mega events.
- Staff corrected public misconceptions regarding asymptomatic transmission and data privacy in vaccination verification.
- The board approved the staff recommendation unanimously.
Departmental Item D-3: Probation – Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Criminal Justice
- Data presented showed that youth of color are significantly more likely to be referred to probation and booked into juvenile hall compared to white youth.
- The board discussed the need for deeper analysis into socioeconomic factors and approved strategies to reduce disparities, including expanding pretrial supervision.
- The board adopted the staff recommendations unanimously.
Departmental Item D-4: Planning and Development – Emergency Housing Codes (Appendix O)
- Staff proposed amending Building Code Appendix O to allow for smaller housing units (53 square feet) during the shelter crisis.
- The board adopted the revised language and recommended actions unanimously.
Departmental Item D-5: Public Works – Laguna County Sanitation District Rates
- Staff presented a proposed 1.5% rate adjustment for sanitation service charges, connection charges, and trunk sewer fees.
- The board approved recommended actions A through E unanimously.
Departmental Item D-6: Public Works – Flood Control and Water Conservation District
- Staff presented the Flood Control Benefit Assessment Program, noting a 2.19% increase based on the urban Los Angeles area CPI.
- The board approved recommended actions A through D unanimously.
Departmental Item D-7: Public Works – Solid Waste Tipping Fees
- Staff proposed a $6 per ton increase in solid waste tipping fees and approximately 3% increases in other waste handling rates.
- The board approved recommended actions A through E unanimously.
Closed Session
- The board discussed a matter of significant exposure to civil litigation regarding the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.
- Performance evaluations were conducted for 12 county department heads and the County Executive Officer.
- The board conferred with labor negotiators concerning the County Executive Officer.
- No reportable actions were taken during the closed session.
Departmental Item D-8: County Executive Office – Isla Vista Recreation and Park District (IVRPD) Board Appointment
- The board discussed the importance of board stability and cooperative relationships with the Isla Vista Community Services District.
- The board appointed Kim DeFore to the IVRPD Board of Directors unanimously.
Departmental Item D-9: Treasurer-Tax Collector – Always Full LLC TOT Appeal
- The appellant argued that late fees and fines were punitive, while staff maintained that enforcement actions are applied uniformly.
- The board upheld the Tax Collector’s determination and denied the appeal unanimously.
Departmental Item D-10 and Administrative Item A-67: Juneteenth Celebration and Resolution
- Presenters from the NAACP and Healing Justice Santa Barbara requested $500,000 to establish a Black and African American Cultural Resource Center.
- The board discussed potential funding sources, including the Fund for Santa Barbara, and the location of the proposed center.
- The board adopted the staff recommendation for the Juneteenth celebration and approved the resolution proclaiming June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth in Santa Barbara County.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Roll Call
- The June 15, 2021, 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
- The board considered the approval of minutes from the May 18, 2021, regular meeting and the June 1, 2021, special meeting. A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Announcements and Agenda Changes
- The Clerk announced that Administrative Item A-67 (a resolution proclaiming Juneteenth) would be trailed to after Departmental Item D-10 due to its relation to the Juneteenth celebration hearing. The Clerk reminded the public that meetings are broadcast in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP) and provided instructions for public participation via Zoom or phone, noting a three-minute limit per speaker.
County Executive Officer’s Report
- The County Executive Officer reported that while state "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" restrictions ended, Cal OSHA workplace safety guidelines regarding masking and distancing remain in effect. The report included updates on fire preparedness and public safety power shutoffs (PSPS):
- Fire Preparedness: The Fire Department reported high fire risk due to low humidity and dry fuel moistures. Staffing was increased, including a multi-agency strike team and a county fire task force patrolling specific areas. A small spot fire in Gaviota was quickly contained.
- PSPS and Heat: The OEM Director noted a potential PSPS by Southern California Edison (SCE) in the SCE service area, with a period of concern ending at midnight, though inspections may extend the outage. Community resource centers were opened in Santa Barbara and Goleta. An excessive heat warning was in effect for the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria-Lompoc areas.
Approval of Administrative Agenda
- The board reviewed the administrative agenda. Supervisor Hart pulled Item A-33 for discussion. Items A-21, A-26, and A-36 were noted as having public comment requests or being pulled for specific reasons. A motion was made to approve the administrative agenda with the exception of Items A-21, A-33, A-36, and A-67 (which was trailed). The motion passed unanimously.
Administrative Item A-21: Project Room Key COVID-19 Homeless Task Force
- Description: Consideration of recommendations to ratify a contract with Paradise Hotels, Inc., and a professional services contract with Kingdom Causes Inc. DBA CityNet.
- Public Comment: One speaker requested to comment but did not join the Zoom meeting.
- Action: A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Administrative Item A-33: Fire Protection District Helicopter Donation
- Description: Consideration of recommendations regarding the acceptance of a cash donation greater than $10,000 for the Fire Protection District’s HH60L Firehawk helicopter.
- Discussion: Supervisor Hart pulled the item to thank Direct Relief for a $52,350 donation to retrofit the helicopter.
- Action: A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Administrative Item A-36: Renewable Energy Systems Contract Amendment
- Description: Consideration of recommendations regarding Amendment 1 to the Renewable Energy Systems Contract at the Santa Barbara County-Betteravia Campus (Project 7001).
- Public Comment: Andy Caldwell of CoLab questioned the necessity of a diesel generator as a fourth level of redundancy, citing the county’s climate goals and the availability of battery and solar backups.
- Discussion: Supervisor Hartman explained the generator is a backup to the battery/solar system for extreme scenarios (e.g., ash covering solar panels) and noted 3CE’s investment in grid resilience. Supervisor Williams asked why a third level of redundancy was required and suggested CNG or battery alternatives. General Services staff (Skip Gray) stated the facility houses critical server rooms for social services systems, making connectivity essential, and that CNG was considered but deemed too expensive for the expected low usage. Supervisor Lavinino noted this is part of a transition period relying on existing technology.
- Action: A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
General Public Comment
- No requests for general public comment were received.
Departmental Item D-2: Vandenberg Space Force Base Master Plan Phase One
- Description: A hearing to consider recommendations regarding the Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Master Plan Phase One report, presented by VSFB and REACH.
- Presentation: Colonel Long introduced the base’s mission and recent name changes to Space Launch Delta 30. Andrew Huckelman of REACH presented the Phase One report, which includes an economic impact analysis and a commercial space master plan.
- Economic Impact: The analysis estimated approximately 13,500 jobs and $4.7 billion in economic impact in Santa Barbara County, with higher statewide figures. Future scenarios projected job growth due to DoD missions (e.g., Ground Based Strategic Deterrent) and commercial space activities (e.g., Relativity, Blue Origin).
- Master Plan Goals: The plan aims to increase space activity on the Central Coast, attract and retain talent, and establish the region as a space industry innovation hub. It outlines infrastructure needs, commercial zone development, and workforce development strategies.
- Discussion:
- Supervisor Hart asked about branding strategies, suggesting a focus on "Santa Barbara County" rather than the broader "Central Coast" for national marketing clarity. REACH responded that they would work with the county to determine the best marketing approach.
- Supervisor Hartman inquired about the types of jobs available locally, noting opportunities in manufacturing, lab technicians, and construction. REACH detailed the diverse range of roles, including STEM, marketing, finance, and construction.
- Chair Nelson asked about the location of commercial space assets, noting a shift from south base to mid-base. REACH explained this was based on Space Force engineering analysis and would be planned in coordination with the community.
- Public Comment: No requests for public comment were received.
- Action: A motion to approve staff recommendations A through C was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-1: COVID-19 Update
- Presentation and Discussion: Public Health staff presented an update marking the transition from the state’s “Blueprint” tier system to “Beyond the Blueprint” guidelines, effective June 15. Key points included:
- Metrics: The county’s adjusted case rate was 1.1, with a testing positivity rate of 0.8.
- Masking Rules: Masking requirements were lifted for fully vaccinated individuals in most settings. However, masks remained required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings, on public transit, in K-12 schools, child care facilities, health care settings, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters.
- Business Compliance: Businesses were given options to verify vaccination status via self-attestation or proof of vaccination, or to require masks for all patrons.
- Mega Events: Events with over 5,000 indoor or 10,000 outdoor attendees required verification of vaccination or negative tests for all attendees, with masks required regardless of status.
- Vaccination Status: 65% of eligible county residents had received at least one dose, and 56% were fully vaccinated. Staff noted efforts to increase vaccination rates among ages 12–49.
- Future Guidance: Staff stated that guidance for K-12 schools in the fall was pending further direction from the CDC and state health officials. A vaccine for children aged two and older was expected in the fall.
- Public Comment:
- One commenter stated they had no comment on this item.
- Another commenter expressed opposition to the policies, arguing that mandates for testing and vaccination were coercive, that masks were not proven effective, and that privacy was being violated through verification systems. The commenter also questioned the necessity of mitigation measures and cited a study claiming no asymptomatic spread.
- Board Response to Public Comment:
- A Supervisor requested staff to correct factual inaccuracies raised by the public commenter.
- Public Health staff responded by citing peer-reviewed evidence supporting the effectiveness of testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine in containing outbreaks. Staff clarified that at least 50% of transmission is caused by asymptomatic individuals and that high viral loads occur prior to symptom onset.
- Staff clarified that businesses are not required to collect or store personal vaccination data; self-attestation via signage is a permitted method that does not involve electronic record-keeping.
- Staff corrected the claim regarding children exercising in masks, noting that masks are not required outdoors for children.
- A Supervisor noted that while the CDC had previously recommended mask removal for vaccinated individuals, the state and county retained authority to maintain mandates beyond strict scientific guidelines.
- Staff confirmed that current vaccines hold Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) status, not full FDA approval, and that the county does not mandate vaccination for its workforce until full approval is granted.
- Supervisors discussed the impact of masking requirements on youth vaccination uptake, noting that some teenagers were delaying second doses due to the continued mask mandate in schools.
- Staff reaffirmed the public health obligation to provide outreach and education to dispel misinformation and ensure access to vaccination for those who choose it.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-3: Probation – Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Criminal Justice
- Presentation and Discussion: The Chief Probation Officer, Interim Police Chief, and Research Manager presented data using the Relative Rate Index (RRI) to assess racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems.
- Methodology: The RRI compares the rate of individuals at specific decision points (e.g., referral, booking, detention) for different racial/ethnic groups against the rate for white individuals. A value of 1 indicates equal representation; values greater than 1 indicate over-representation.
- Juvenile Data (FY 2019-20): Youth of color (Black and Hispanic combined) represented 63% of the youth population. They were 2.6 times more likely to be referred to probation and 2.4 times more likely to be booked into juvenile hall compared to white youth. Disparities accumulated through subsequent decision points, including charging, guilty findings, and secure detention.
- Adult Data (Jan–Mar 2020): Black and Hispanic adults were analyzed separately. They were more likely than white adults to be booked, less likely to receive pretrial supervision, and more likely to receive a disposition of state prison.
- Limitations: Staff noted that the RRI identifies points of disparity but does not determine root causes, such as socioeconomic status, poverty, or offense severity.
- Next Steps: The department outlined strategies to reduce disparities, including embedding cultural proficiency in service contracts, eliminating fees that disproportionately impact low-income communities, expanding pretrial supervision and diversion alternatives, and launching a shared safety initiative focused on prevention. The department is also exploring a data analysis agreement with the California Policy Lab to examine trends over the last decade.
- Board Discussion:
- Supervisors acknowledged the data as a necessary foundation for informed conversation, noting that while the RRI highlights disparities, it does not explain the underlying causes.
- Supervisors discussed the need for deeper analysis into socioeconomic factors, such as poverty and access to education and employment, particularly in North County.
- Supervisors emphasized the importance of addressing disparities at the earliest stages of the system and investing in community-based prevention and positive youth development.
- One Supervisor expressed concern that the data might be misinterpreted as proof of systemic racism without considering other factors, while another Supervisor stated that the numbers confirm parts of the system require correction.
- Supervisors agreed that the data supports the need for continued investment in economic opportunities and community resources to address root causes.
- Public Comment: One commenter, representing COLAB, suggested that the report should have included data on gang activity and recruitment, particularly in North County, as a contributing factor to disparities. The commenter also cited a grand jury report linking increased criminality to diminished law enforcement consequences and argued for accountability and consequences alongside redemption efforts.
- Continued Discussion: A board member presented a summary of proposed actions based on data analysis, including listening to victims and justice-involved individuals, prioritizing bilingual/bicultural staff, investing in youth development, reducing economic impacts on low-income communities, expanding pretrial supervision and diversion alternatives, reducing incarceration for probation violations, expanding substance abuse treatment, and launching a shared safety initiative.
- Q&A: The Chief of Probation explained the "shared safety initiative," noting it is a locally driven effort facilitated by Californians for Safety and Justice to foster community dialogue on safety and justice. The initiative is expected to be driven jointly by the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC) and the Community Corrections Plan (CCP) under the Board’s authority. No additional funding is required for the initial engagement phase, though future strategies may require funding. The Chief noted that the current data dashboard focuses on the adult side but may eventually include juvenile data.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-4: Planning and Development – Emergency Housing Codes (Appendix O)
- Discussion: Staff presented an amendment to Building Code Appendix O to provide flexibility for housing options during the shelter crisis. A board member requested an amendment to the proposed language to align the ordinance with current operational standards, specifically allowing for smaller units (53 square feet internal) currently in use for unsheltered housing, rather than the standard 70 square feet. Staff and County Counsel confirmed that language could be added to Section 1 of the draft ordinance to clarify that smaller units are permitted during the shelter crisis in alignment with state law.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to adopt the revised language and all recommended actions. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-5: Public Works – Laguna County Sanitation District Rates
- Discussion: Staff presented a proposed 1.5% rate adjustment for Laguna County Sanitation District service charges, connection charges, and trunk sewer fees for Fiscal Year 2021–2022. No presentation was requested by the Board.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve recommended actions A through F. It was clarified that Action F (noting no majority protest) was not operative, making the effective actions A through E. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-6: Public Works – Flood Control and Water Conservation District
- Discussion: Staff presented the Flood Control Benefit Assessment Program for Fiscal Year 2021–2022, noting a 2.19% increase based on the urban Los Angeles area CPI. No presentation was requested by the Board.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve recommended actions A through D. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-7: Public Works – Solid Waste Tipping Fees
- Discussion: Staff presented proposed increases for solid waste tipping fees ($6 per ton increase from $158 to $164) and other waste handling rates (approximately 3% average increase) for Fiscal Year 2021–2022. Staff also noted that the Materials Recovery Facility would complete commissioning in July and the anaerobic digester in the fall, with a projected diversion rate of close to 90% by late 2021. No presentation was requested by the Board.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve recommended actions A through E. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The Board entered closed session to discuss: 1. A matter of significant exposure to civil litigation regarding the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. 2. Performance evaluations for 12 county department heads (Agricultural Commissioner, Child Support Services, Community Services, Fire, General Services, Human Resources, Planning and Development, Probation, Public Defender, Public Health, Public Works, and Social Services). 3. Performance evaluation for the County Executive Officer. 4. Conference with labor negotiators concerning the County Executive Officer.
- Upon reconvening, County Council reported that there were no reportable actions taken during the closed session.
Departmental Item D-8: County Executive Office – Isla Vista Recreation and Park District (IVRPD) Board Appointment
- Discussion: Staff presented the vacancy on the IVRPD Board of Directors, left by Austin Reba, with a term expiring December 6, 2024. Staff recommended appointing one qualified applicant from the list provided.
- Public Comment: Seven members of the public spoke. Five speakers endorsed candidate Katherine Murray, citing her community involvement, environmental work, and leadership. One speaker endorsed themselves (Brian Patton). One speaker (Ash Valenti) endorsed Katherine Murray but noted the appointment should be temporary until the 2022 election.
- Board Deliberation: Board members discussed the importance of stability for the IVRPD Board, which has experienced significant turnover, and the need for cooperative relationships with the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD), the County, and SEIU workers. Several board members expressed support for candidate Kim DeFore, citing her outreach to board members, her commitment to regular meetings with IVCSD, and her "bridge builder" approach.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to appoint Kim DeFore to the IVRPD Board of Directors, including other recommended actions A and C. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-9: Treasurer-Tax Collector – Always Full LLC TOT Appeal
- Discussion: Staff presented the appeal by Always Full LLC regarding the assessment of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), interest, and penalties for a vacation rental in Los Olivos. The audit covered January 2017 through December 2019. The Tax Collector determined the amount due was $127,822.61. Staff noted that the appellant did not hold a TOT certificate during the audit period and did not remit taxes. Staff recommended upholding the determination and denying the appeal.
- Ex Parte Report: Supervisor Hartman reported a late 2019 contact from a community member regarding this case, which was connected to the Tax Collector. No other ex parte communications were reported.
- Appellant Presentation: The appellant (Susan Lee) and her husband (Robert Lee) presented their case. Ms. Lee stated she was unaware of the TOT requirement, had stopped collecting immediately upon notification, and felt singled out for enforcement. Mr. Lee questioned whether the complainant received a bounty and alleged the complainant misrepresented her professional status.
- Board Q&A: Staff clarified that no bounty was paid or will be paid. Staff explained the audit methodology, which relied on profit and loss statements, bank records, and data from VRBO and HomeAway, noting that Airbnb data was not provided. Staff confirmed that over 300 active short-term rentals are registered in the county and that enforcement actions are applied uniformly. County Counsel noted that the Short-Term Rentals Ordinance was adopted in October 2017.
- Rebuttal: The Board granted the appellants a brief opportunity to rebut questions raised during the Q&A. Ms. Lee stated she never received a packet regarding the tax obligation and was unaware of the debt until the hearing. She argued that while she could accept the principal amount of $99,000, she objected to the associated late fees and fines, characterizing them as punitive. Mr. Lee confirmed that they had offered in writing to pay the $99,000 principal but felt the fines and interest were inappropriate. He noted that as a result of the dispute, his wife is selling her property.
- Board Response: A board member responded that there is no connection between the neighbor’s complaint and the duty to pay the tax. The board member stated that while they sympathized with the appellants, the board has a fiduciary duty to uphold the tax code, including the transit occupancy tax and hotel tax, and must uphold the tax collector’s determination.
- Motion and Vote: Supervisor Hartmann moved to adopt staff recommendations A through D as outlined in the board letter. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item D-10 and Administrative Item A-67: Juneteenth Celebration and Resolution
- Description: The Clerk read into the record Departmental Item Number 10, a hearing to consider recommendations regarding a Juneteenth celebration and a community report on work being done for the advancement of Black and African American equity in Santa Barbara County, and Administrative Item 67, a resolution sponsored by Supervisors Williams and Hart to proclaim June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth in Santa Barbara County.
- Presentations:
- 1. NAACP Santa Maria Lompoc: Ms. Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt, President of the NAACP Santa Maria Lompoc branch, presented on behalf of the organization. She provided historical context on Juneteenth, noting it commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas in 1865. She described traditional celebrations and shared a video reenactment by Reverend Darrell Tullis. Ms. Lyons-Pruitt detailed the organization’s recent work, including holding four vaccine clinics in partnership with local churches and organizations, resulting in approximately 400 vaccinations. She also shared a PSA video regarding vaccine equity. She invited the board to the Juneteenth celebration at Ryan Park in Lompoc. 2. Healing Justice Santa Barbara: Simone Aquila Ruskamp and Mariah Jones Vizquerra presented on behalf of Healing Justice Santa Barbara and Juneteenth Santa Barbara. They described their organization as a Black-led collective focused on community healing and liberation. They outlined their activities, including organizing over 3,000 people in solidarity actions, demanding transparency from law enforcement, and establishing a Healing Center in partnership with UCSB to provide free therapy by Black clinicians. They listed other initiatives, such as preserving Black landmarks, creating an archive of local Black history, and organizing food justice programs. The presenters requested $500,000 over two years to establish a Black and African American Cultural Resource Center. They stated that while the county had set aside equity funds, they felt the needs of the Black community were being deprioritized and that funds were being directed toward internal county operations rather than community investment. They urged the board to fulfill promises of meaningful investment in the Black community. The presenters shared video testimonials from community members, including Reverend Dr. David Moore, a UCSB graduate student, Jordan Killebrew, Sojourner Kincaid Rowe, and Warren (President of Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals), all of whom supported the creation of the Cultural Resource Center. They also read letters of support from a local artist and the Healing Center clinic, which cited the need for resources to address racial trauma and support the Black community.
- Public Comment:
- Colonel Long spoke in support of Healing Justice and the creation of a Black and African American Cultural Resource Center, citing the erasure of Black presence and history in the community.
- Ash Valente spoke in support of the establishment of the Cultural Resource Center.
- Felicity Landa spoke in support of Healing Justice and the demand for $500,000 for the Cultural Resource Center, stating that the time is now to invest in racial equity.
- Board Discussion:
- Supervisor Williams acknowledged the importance of Juneteenth and the work of the presenting organizations. He addressed comments regarding HR spending, stating that investments in diversity and inclusion within the county are important. He supported the idea of a Cultural Center and noted that the equity fund has been turned over to the Fund for Santa Barbara, encouraging Healing Justice to apply for funding through that process.
- Supervisor Hart recognized the unanimous Senate vote to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. He supported the vision for a Black and African American Cultural Center and noted the importance of sustainability and permanence. He suggested exploring the potential acquisition of the Second Baptist Church building, which has been designated as a structure of merit, as a possible site for the center. He emphasized the need for collaboration between community groups and government.
- Supervisor Lavagnino praised the presentations and suggested that a cultural center might be better suited in Lompoc or the north county due to lower costs and existing community infrastructure, such as the Hispanic Cultural Center in Santa Maria.
- Supervisor Hartmann expressed support for the importance of community and cultural centers for marginalized groups. She noted that the county has approximately $300,000 in its equity fund and that the Fund for Santa Barbara is a potential source of funding. She emphasized the need for a sustainable operating strategy and community support for such a facility.
- Chair Nelson expressed appreciation for the resolution and the evolution of its language. He stated that he did not know about Juneteenth prior to the previous year but now views it as a significant holiday. He agreed with Supervisor Lavagnino that Lompoc could be a suitable location for a cultural center given the significant African American community there. He noted that funding for such facilities can come from various sources, including grants and nonprofits.
- Continued Discussion: A community representative addressed the Board regarding the proposed location of the Black and African American Cultural Resource Center. The speaker explained that the specific location on the east side of Santa Barbara was chosen intentionally due to the historic Black community and cultural institutions established there. The speaker expressed concern that requiring an additional application process for funding created barriers, noting that the organization had already demonstrated budget management and program delivery capabilities. The speaker also noted that a previously suggested location (Second Baptist Church) was no longer available as it had been purchased for other use. The Clerk of the Board responded by acknowledging the frustration with government processes but stated that the established process was necessary to ensure judgments were based on the fund’s purpose, expressing confidence that the Resource Center fit the definition.
- Motion and Vote (Item D-10): A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation on Item A10/D10. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Motion and Vote (Item A-67): A motion was made to approve Item A67. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The meeting of June 15, 2021, was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, 2021.