Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Nelson, 5-Lavagnino, Williams, 3-Hartmann
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
Subordination Agreement for Paradise Ivy LLC Plaza Loan
- Staff recommended subordinating a county loan to a cash-out refinancing for the Paradise Ivy LLC Plaza property.
- Supervisor Nelson raised concerns regarding fiduciary duty and potential equity loss during market peaks.
- Staff clarified that the board retains discretion to decline subordination, though the recommendation protects county interests.
- The item was processed as part of the balance of the administrative agenda without a separate vote.
Reconsideration of State of Emergency
- Public commenters questioned the indefinite nature of the declaration and the scientific basis for mask mandates.
- Staff noted that state mandates for vaccinated individuals were lifting and local public health officers were reviewing the order.
- Supervisor Lavinino supported removing the status, while Supervisor Williams objected to the restrictions and requested a roll-call vote.
- The motion to continue the state of emergency passed with a 3-2 vote.
Dignity Moves Santa Barbara Project
- Staff presented recommendations for a ground lease, service agreement, and job order contracting for 33 temporary housing spots.
- Supervisor Williams highlighted the progress in homelessness solutions and the partnership with the City of Santa Barbara.
- Supervisor Hart noted the agreement was the most unanimous in five years regarding grand jury findings.
- The motion to approve the agreements passed unanimously.
Memorandum of Understanding with City of Santa Barbara
- Staff presented an MOU to provide parking permits for county employees at City Parking Lot 6.
- The parking lot is adjacent to the Dignity Moves project site.
- Supervisor Williams noted the importance of this partnership.
- The motion to approve the MOU passed unanimously.
Abolition of Improvement Zone Number One
- Public Works presented a hearing to abolish the benefit zone for Vintage Ranch Track 14556.
- A new developer proposed individual grinder pumps, rendering the original sewer lift station and benefit zone unnecessary.
- Staff confirmed that no funds were ever collected from the zone.
- The motion to abolish the zone passed unanimously.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Response to 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report
- Staff presented the county’s response to the Grand Jury report on "The Keys to Housing Homeless."
- The county agreed with all six findings, implementing four recommendations and addressing two by other means.
- Staff detailed over $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding invested in homelessness initiatives.
- The board authorized the chair to sign the response letter, and the motion passed unanimously.
Passed 3–0 · unanimous
Renaming of El Colegio Property to Hedges House of Hope
- Staff presented a nomination to rename the county-owned property in memory of Father John Stephen Hedges.
- The board considered an exception to the standard one-year waiting period for naming deceased individuals.
- Public commenters shared stories of Father Hedges’ work with the unhoused population and his community impact.
- The motion to approve the renaming passed unanimously.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- The board met in closed session to discuss existing litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9.
- The specific case discussed was County of Santa Barbara v. Good Samaritan Services.
- No reportable action was taken during the session.
Full summary
Administrative Item 1: Subordination Agreement for Paradise Ivy LLC Plaza Loan
- Staff presented a recommendation to subordinate a county loan to a cash-out refinancing loan for the Paradise Ivy LLC Plaza property. Supervisor Nelson raised concerns regarding the county’s fiduciary duty to protect taxpayer dollars and the potential loss of equity if the property owner refinanced at the top of the real estate market. Staff clarified that the board has discretion and could choose not to subordinate the loan, but the recommended option was deemed protective of the county’s financial interests. Supervisor Nelson deferred to colleagues on the matter. The item was included in the balance of the administrative agenda rather than receiving a separate vote.
Administrative Item 4: Reconsideration of State of Emergency
- The board considered the continuation of the local state of emergency. Public commenters expressed concern over the indefinite nature of the emergency declaration, the scientific justification for mask mandates specifically targeting unvaccinated individuals, and the criteria for lifting the emergency. Staff and the CEO’s office noted that the state of California was lifting indoor mask mandates for vaccinated individuals and that county public health officers were reviewing the local order, with a decision expected later in the week. Supervisor Lavinino stated he would support removing the emergency status, noting the transition period. Supervisor Williams objected to the item, arguing that restrictions and mandates undermined public trust and that the board should not impose social distancing requirements when other large gatherings were permitted. He requested a roll-call vote. The motion to continue the state of emergency passed with a 3-2 vote.
Administrative Item 3: Dignity Moves Santa Barbara Project
- Staff presented recommendations for a ground lease agreement, service agreement, and authorization of job order contracting for the Dignity Moves Santa Barbara project at 1016 Santa Barbara Street. The project involves a partnership with Dignity Moves to provide 33 temporary housing spots. Supervisor Williams highlighted the progress made in homelessness solutions and the importance of the partnership with the City of Santa Barbara. Supervisor Hart noted the agreement was the most unanimous in five years regarding grand jury findings and praised the momentum in addressing homelessness. The motion to approve the agreements passed unanimously.
Administrative Item 9: Memorandum of Understanding with City of Santa Barbara
- Staff presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Santa Barbara to provide parking permits for county employees at City Parking Lot 6, which is adjacent to the Dignity Moves project. Supervisor Williams noted the importance of this partnership. The motion to approve the MOU passed unanimously.
General Public Comment
- Public commenters addressed various topics, including teen dating violence awareness, concerns regarding the state of emergency and mask mandates, and questions about utility costs. Staff from the Sustainability Division clarified that recent increases in utility bills were due to transmission and distribution charges and winter usage, not the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) program, which remains below Southern California Edison rates.
Departmental Item 1: Abolition of Improvement Zone Number One
- The Public Works Department presented a hearing to consider the abolition of Improvement Zone Number One for Vintage Ranch Track 14556. Staff explained that the original developer proposed a conventional sewer lift station funded by a benefit zone formed in 2006. A new developer changed the lot orientation and proposed a different wastewater system using individual grinder pumps, rendering the lift station and the associated benefit zone unnecessary. Staff confirmed that no funds were ever collected from the zone. The motion to abolish the zone passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: Response to 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report
- Staff presented the county’s response to the 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report entitled "The Keys to Housing Homeless." The report examined the implementation of Project Roomkey and Project Homekey. The county agreed with all six findings of the grand jury. Four recommendations were implemented, and two were addressed by other means or deemed not warranted. Staff detailed the county’s investment of over $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for homelessness initiatives, including the creation of beds at El Colegio (Hedges House of Hope), Bridgehouse, and Dignity Moves. The board authorized the chair to sign the response letter to the presiding judge of the Superior Court. The motion to adopt the response passed unanimously.
Passed 3–0 · unanimous
Departmental Item 3: Renaming of El Colegio Property to Hedges House of Hope
- The County Executive Office and Community Services Division presented a nomination to rename the county-owned El Colegio property to "Hedges House of Hope" in memory of Father John Stephen Hedges. The naming policy generally requires that a deceased individual be deceased for at least one year; however, the board was asked to consider an exception, which requires unanimous approval. Public commenters, including family members, colleagues, and community partners, shared stories of Father Hedges’ work with the unhoused population and his impact on the community. Staff noted that the property, formerly a sorority house, was acquired in November 2021 and is operated by Good Samaritan Shelter, providing up to 50 shelter beds. The board voted to approve the renaming. The motion passed unanimously.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- The board met in closed session to discuss existing litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9, specifically County of Santa Barbara v. Good Samaritan Services. No reportable action was taken.
Announcements and Adjournment
- The clerk announced that board meetings are broadcast in Spanish and provided details on public participation methods, including mask requirements and Zoom registration. The board adjourned the meeting in memory of former Santa Barbara educator and legislator Gary Hart.