Meeting Summary
Present: 5-Lavagnino, Williams, 3-Hartmann, 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
Bien Nacido Vineyards et al. Appeal
- The board considered an appeal regarding the Cana Rios LLC Cannabis Cultivation Project.
- The applicant requested a continuance to October 19, 2021, which the department was obliged to comply with.
- The board voted to continue the item to the requested date.
Carpinteria-Summerlin Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
- Presenters outlined a plan developed through public meetings and agency collaboration, featuring five goals and 22 objectives.
- The plan addresses wildfire behavior modeling, climate change analysis, and vegetation management.
- The board authorized the Chair to sign the CWPP and determined it is not a project under CEQA.
Proposed Homeless Encampment Resolution Strategy
- Staff presented a strategy for addressing encampments on county-owned property in unincorporated areas.
- The proposal includes creating an Encampment Response Team, a new Coordinator position, and increased access to shelter and housing.
- The board approved staff recommendations A through E, with a total first-year funding request of $22 million.
Closed Session
- The board recessed to discuss existing litigation, anticipated litigation, and labor negotiations.
- The County Council reported that no reportable action was taken during the session.
Update on Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Public Health officials reported a countywide case rate of 21.9 per 100,000, with cases significantly higher among unvaccinated individuals.
- Data indicated decreased hospital and ICU bed usage, with 64.9% of eligible residents fully vaccinated.
- The board approved the staff report following questions regarding vaccination impacts and quarantine periods.
Employee COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Policy
- Human Resources proposed a policy requiring all county workers to be fully vaccinated or subject to weekly testing.
- The policy applies to all workers, including remote staff, with a verification deadline of September 30.
- The board adopted the staff recommendation, establishing the policy until the local emergency is lifted or revoked.
Passed 3–1 · against: Nelson
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Announcements
- The August 31, 2021, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order with all members present. The Chair announced that the agenda had been rearranged to group COVID-19-related items for the afternoon session following closed session. The Clerk of the Board announced an addendum to the published agenda, adding two departmental items: a hearing on a proposed homeless encampment resolution strategy (Community Services) and a hearing on a County employee COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy (Human Resources). The Clerk outlined the revised order of business and reminded the public of participation methods, including masking requirements for in-person attendance and virtual participation via Zoom.
Approval of Minutes
- The board considered the approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2021, meeting. A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Administrative Agenda
- The board considered the approval of the administrative agenda. A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
General Public Comment
- Seven requests to speak were received for general public comment on items not on the agenda. Speakers addressed topics including First Amendment rights regarding audience participation, the board’s prohibition on applause, unrestricted installation of wireless infrastructure, the use of "common good" rhetoric in public health policy, funding for the Central Library, and county codes regarding wireless radiation and 5G infrastructure. One speaker was unable to speak due to technical difficulties but had submitted written comments for later agenda items.
Departmental Item 1: Bien Nacido Vineyards et al. Appeal
- The board considered a hearing regarding the Bien Nacido Vineyards et al. appeal of the Planning Commission approval of the Cana Rios LLC Cannabis Cultivation Project (Case Number 21-APL27). The Department Director stated that the applicant requested a continuance to October 19, 2021, and the department was obliged to comply. No public comment was received on the continuance. A motion was made to continue the item to October 19, 2021. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: Carpinteria-Summerlin Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
- Presenters from the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District and Jensen Hughes presented the CWPP, which was developed through public meetings, agency collaboration, and a community survey. The plan includes five generic goals and 22 objectives, covering wildfire behavior modeling, climate change analysis, defensible space requirements, and vegetation management. Public comment was received regarding the wildfire risks associated with 5G infrastructure. Board members discussed the importance of homeowner responsibility, voluntary compliance, and the collaborative nature of the plan. A motion was made to authorize the Chair to sign the Carpinteria-Summerlin CWPP and determine that adopting the CWPP is not a project under CEQA. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 3: Proposed Homeless Encampment Resolution Strategy
- Staff from Community Services presented a strategy for addressing encampments in unincorporated county areas. The presentation included data on the increase in unsheltered homelessness, impacts of encampments, and a case study of Isla Vista. Staff outlined the proposed Encampment Response Protocol, which applies to county-owned or controlled property, including the creation of an Encampment Response Team, a new Coordinator position, assessment criteria, and interventions. The Encampment Resolution Strategy focused on increasing access to shelter and housing, including funding for new temporary housing projects and sustaining outreach services.
- Public comment was received from six individuals. Comments addressed shelter capacity gaps, the transition of law enforcement out of non-emergency situations, the urgency of purchasing real estate for shelter, coordination with rail and highway authorities, the goal of zero encampments, and the need for multi-jurisdictional cooperation.
- Board discussion focused on the scope of the protocol, funding constraints, the need for regional coordination, and the long-term strategy for individuals who refuse housing. Staff clarified that the protocol applies to county-owned property in unincorporated areas and that funding determines the aggressiveness of the response. The County Executive Officer noted that the request was for first-year funding to start the strategy, with a total price tag of $22 million, and that the Board would revisit funding needs in October.
- A motion was made to approve staff recommendations A through E on the board letter. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The Board recessed to closed session to discuss existing litigation, anticipated litigation, and labor negotiations. Upon returning, the County Council reported that no reportable action was taken.
Departmental Item 4: Update on Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Public Health officials presented an update on COVID-19 data as of August 20–30. Key data points included a countywide case rate of 21.9 per 100,000, with cases 5.04 times more likely to be among unvaccinated individuals. Hospital bed usage and ICU bed usage decreased. 64.9% of eligible residents were fully vaccinated. Third and booster doses were available for specific populations. 63 active outbreaks were being monitored.
- Board questions addressed the impact of FDA approval on vaccination rates, viral load in vaccinated individuals, and quarantine periods. Public comment was received from six individuals. Comments addressed upcoming rallies, opposition to vaccine mandates, questions regarding PCR test accuracy, objections to public health measures, requests for clarification on the exit strategy, and historical parallels to oppressive regimes.
- A motion was made to approve the staff report. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 5: Employee COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Policy
- Human Resources presented a proposed county-wide policy requiring all county workers to be either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or subject to weekly testing. The policy applies to all county workers, including remote workers, unless already subject to specific state or federal mandates. The deadline for verification or initiation of testing is September 30. The policy remains in effect until the local emergency is lifted or the Board revokes it. Verification options and testing protocols were outlined, including self-administered PCR tests with observer presence. Implementation steps included meet-and-confer negotiations with bargaining groups and purchasing testing kits.
- Board questions addressed meet-and-confer obligations, liability for adverse reactions, the inclusion of remote workers, and the legal authority for the policy. County Counsel cited Jacobson v. Massachusetts and a recent Seventh Circuit decision as legal foundations.
- Public comment was received from numerous individuals. Supporters cited public health safety, protection of vulnerable populations, and the need to reduce hospitalizations. Opponents raised concerns regarding individual liberty, vaccine safety and efficacy, the accuracy of PCR testing, and potential workforce shortages.
- Board discussion followed public comment. Supervisor Hart stated that vaccines reduce disease severity and prevent hospitalizations, citing legal precedent for public health authority and data on vaccination rates. Supervisor Hartman stated that the board’s job is to protect vulnerable community members and indicated support for the mandate. Supervisor Lavagnino stated his support for vaccine efficacy in reducing serious illness while opposing forced vaccination, characterizing the measure as a testing requirement with an alternative to vaccination. Supervisor Williams expressed support based on the duty of county employees to minimize risk to the public and the societal need to increase vaccination rates. Supervisor Hart expressed concerns about the incremental nature of mandates and suggested that testing all employees might be more equitable, stating that the measure did not meet his threshold for support.
- A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded. The motion passed 4-1.
Passed 3–1 · against: Nelson
Adjournment
- The Chair proposed closing the meeting in memory of Lee Moldevar, a community advocate and volunteer who passed away the previous month. The board adjourned the meeting in his memory. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 14, 2021, with no meeting the following week due to the Labor Day holiday.