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
Grant of Easement for Riding and Hiking Trail Purposes
- A request for public comment was noted from a resident who was unavailable during the call.
- No motion or vote was recorded for this item in the provided summaries.
Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution proclaiming March 31, 2022, as Transgender Day of Visibility.
- Public commenters discussed support networks for transgender youth and the legislative climate regarding transgender rights.
- Supervisor Hart provided comments on the resolution.
American Red Cross Month Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution honoring the legacy of Clara Barton and local Red Cross volunteers.
- Eric McCurdy was present at the podium, and Supervisor Williams provided comments.
World Tuberculosis Day Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution noting the global theme "Invest to End TB Save Lives" and local case statistics.
- Dr. Dory provided comments, and the resolution acknowledged the retirement of supervising public health nurse Karen White.
Criminal Justice System Collaboration and Multidisciplinary Teams
- The board reviewed a status report on collaboration between criminal justice partners and the progress of the Criminal Justice Initiatives Tracker.
- Discussion covered multidisciplinary teams, diversion programs, and data collection for measuring recidivism.
- The board accepted the report and continued the item for further review in 90 to 120 days.
Withdrawal of Appeal (Hawker-Philippides Lot Line Adjustment)
- The applicant and appellant requested the withdrawal of the appeal, stating an arrangement had been worked out.
- The board accepted the withdrawal of the item from the agenda.
Appeal of Montecito Planning Commission Decision (Lot Line Adjustment)
- Staff recommended upholding the appeal to adjust a boundary so an existing dwelling is located entirely on one lot.
- Public commenters raised concerns about neighborhood design and future development, while the applicant argued the adjustment corrects a historic survey error.
- The board determined that neighborhood compatibility is not a required finding for this type of project and upheld the appeal.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Update on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Dr. Henning Ansorg presented data showing a decrease in case rates and current hospitalization levels.
- Strategies for the next phase include maintaining mobile vaccine programs and transitioning contact tracing to outbreak response.
- The board closed the item after acknowledging ongoing economic and mental health challenges.
Recognition of Staff Retirement
- Member Lavinino recognized Karen White, the tuberculosis expert supervising public health nurse, for her contributions to the local program.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded for this recognition.
Closed Session
- The Clerk reported that the board met in closed session regarding existing and anticipated litigation.
- The board took no reportable action during the closed session.
Full summary
Administrative Agenda
- Approval of Minutes (March 8, 2022): A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of Balance of Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
- Administrative Item 7: Grant of Easement for Riding and Hiking Trail Purposes (Railway Bonada LLC): The Clerk noted a request for public comment from Kathleen Rosenthal, who was unavailable on Zoom at the time of the call. No motion or vote was recorded for this item in the provided summaries.
- Administrative Item 44: Resolution Proclaiming March 31, 2022, as Transgender Day of Visibility: The resolution was read into the record, citing the International Transgender Day of Visibility and the work of local LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network (SBTAN). Public comment was received from Kathy Abbott and Eileen Randall, who discussed support networks for transgender youth and families and the legislative climate regarding transgender rights. Supervisor Hart provided comments. The resolution was adopted. The motion passed.
- Administrative Item 45: Resolution Proclaiming March 2022 as American Red Cross Month: The resolution was read into the record, honoring the legacy of Clara Barton and the contributions of local Red Cross volunteers in disaster relief, blood donation, and community support. Eric McCurdy was present at the podium. Supervisor Williams provided comments. The resolution was adopted. The motion passed.
- Administrative Item 46: Resolution Proclaiming March 24, 2022, as World Tuberculosis Day: The resolution was read into the record, noting the global theme "Invest to End TB Save Lives," local TB case statistics, and the retirement of supervising public health nurse Karen White. Dr. Vondo Renoso, Dr. Henning Ansorg, Paige Batson, and Karen White were present. Dr. Dory provided comments. The resolution was adopted. The motion passed.
General Public Comment
- Public comment was opened for items not on the agenda. Speakers addressed topics including support for the transgender community, disaster preparedness, and the conflict in Ukraine. Dr. Amy Smith provided comment via Zoom. Another speaker addressed the board regarding a previous comment by Supervisor Williams concerning the conflict in Ukraine, expressing concern about the level of investigation and knowledge regarding the conflict and advocating for understanding the roots of the conflict. The Clerk concluded general public comment.
Departmental Item 1: Criminal Justice System Collaboration and Multidisciplinary Teams
- Discussion: The board discussed the collaboration between criminal justice partners, including the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and Probation. The County Executive Office presented a status report on criminal justice collaboration. Retired Judge Cheryl Ellsworth detailed the progress of the "Criminal Justice Initiatives Tracker," noting the refinement of initiatives from a broad list to prioritized, actionable items. Key topics included access to incarcerated clients, discovery processes, multidisciplinary teams (MDT), shared alternative sentencing, pre-trial supervised release, data dashboards, holistic defense, diversion, and resolving aged cases.
- Staff and partners explained that the MDT approach aims to reduce recidivism by addressing underlying needs and coordinating services.
- The District Attorney’s Office noted that while they support diversion for many offenses, serious violent crimes, gang crimes, and weapons offenses are generally excluded from programming.
- Questions were raised regarding the distinction between the existing MDT for homeless outreach and the new MDT for pretrial/incarcerated individuals.
- Concerns were raised about rising violent crime in North County and the need for data on recidivism to measure program success. Staff indicated that data collection is being built into case management systems, with reporting expected in 12–18 months.
- The board acknowledged a $4.5 million investment in these efforts and discussed the fiscal implications and the need for continued funding.
- The report included data on the "InnovateSBC" program (13 of 31 action items completed), growth in pre-trial supervised release clients to 574, and success metrics for holistic defense (e.g., 94% court appearance rate).
- Judge Ellsworth addressed a recent violent crime incident, emphasizing the need to analyze systemic factors rather than assuming system failure, and highlighting the role of the new multidisciplinary team in improving outcomes.
- Supervisor Lavinino noted concerns about the recent incident but acknowledged the need for further investigation with justice partners.
- The County Executive Office indicated plans to return in April for a wrap-up and discussion on the end of the public health emergency.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to accept the report and continue the item for further review in 90 to 120 days.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: Withdrawal of Appeal (Hawker-Philippides Lot Line Adjustment / Steiner Appeal of the Rufino Tentative Parcel Map)
- Discussion: The applicant and appellant requested the withdrawal of the appeal from the agenda, stating an arrangement had been worked out. The Clerk noted that the Planning and Development Department submitted a request to withdraw this item, with revised recommended actions attached to the agenda.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to accept the withdrawal of the item.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 3: Appeal of Montecito Planning Commission Decision (Lot Line Adjustment at 3140 Eucalyptus Hill Road and 740 Arcadia Road)
- Staff Presentation: Staff presented the appeal of the Montecito Planning Commission’s deemed denial of a lot line adjustment. The project involves adjusting the boundary between two existing legal lots so that an existing 1957 dwelling, which currently straddles the line, is located entirely on one lot. Staff recommended upholding the appeal and approving the adjustment, noting that the project does not increase development potential, conforms to the Montecito Land Use Development Code (MLEDC), and that neighborhood compatibility is not a required finding for a lot line adjustment.
- Public Comment:
- Opposition: A representative of the Arcadia States Association stated that the applicant is in arrears for road maintenance fees and that the adjustment is contrary to the neighborhood’s original design and lot size consistency. Another neighbor argued that the applicant is a speculator seeking to create a buildable lot and that the Planning Commission was not misled.
- Support: The applicant’s representative, Susan Petrovich, stated that the adjustment corrects a historic survey error and that the applicant has the legal right to the adjustment. She argued that the application is a simple lot line adjustment, not a lot split, and that the parcels are not part of the "Arkady Estates" subdivision or subject to its HOA. She presented evidence that the parcels were legally separate, that the HOA was suspended, and that the applicants were overcharged for maintenance. She provided data on neighboring parcel sizes to demonstrate compatibility.
- Clarification: Another speaker clarified that the item originated from the Surveyor’s Office and did not require standard Planning and Development noticing.
- Board Deliberation:
- Supervisors discussed the legal distinction between a lot line adjustment and a lot split, noting that the board’s role is to make a legal decision based on substantial evidence rather than a legislative decision on development potential.
- Supervisors noted that the existing dwelling straddles the line and that the adjustment would place it entirely on one lot without increasing the total buildable area.
- Supervisors acknowledged the neighbors' concerns about future development but noted that any future development would require its own permit and hearing.
- Supervisors discussed the lack of a legal basis to deny the adjustment based on neighborhood compatibility, as that is not a required finding under the MLEDC for this type of project.
- Supervisor Nelson stated that disputes among neighbors or with HOAs are generally not before the board, and the board’s role is to determine if findings can be made for the application.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to uphold the appeal and approve the lot line adjustment.
- Vote: A roll call vote was requested. The motion passed.
Departmental Item 4: Update on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Discussion: Dr. Henning Ansorg provided a two-year anniversary update on the pandemic in Santa Barbara County. Key data points included:
- Case rate decreased to 4.4 per 100,000, a 69% decrease from the previous two weeks.
- Current hospitalizations at 19, with 2 in the ICU.
- Total deaths at 664.
- Vaccination rates: 67.7% of the county fully vaccinated; 72% of the eligible population fully vaccinated.
- Strategies for the next phase: maintaining mobile vaccine programs, increasing isolation capacity in homeless shelters, transitioning contact tracing to outbreak response, and maintaining testing at healthcare centers.
- Dr. Ansorg acknowledged the work of staff and the board’s support during the emergency.
- Supervisor Nelson commented on the two-year anniversary, noting ongoing economic, supply chain, and mental health challenges, and the retirement of staff.
- The Public Health Director (Dr. Del Reynoso) responded to a question about infrastructure, noting that CDC and CDPH funding has been received to bolster local health department capacity.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to close the item.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session Report
- Discussion: The Clerk reported that the board met in closed session on three items: existing litigation (Duca v. County of Santa Barbara), anticipated litigation with significant exposure, and anticipated litigation regarding the decision to initiate civil litigation.
- Action: The board took no reportable action.
- Vote: N/A.
Recognition of Staff Retirement
- Discussion: Member Lavinino addressed the board to recognize Karen White, the tuberculosis expert supervising public health nurse, on World TB Day. The remarks highlighted her role in the local tuberculosis program, her training of healthcare professionals, and her contribution to patient care and disease control in Santa Barbara County. It was noted that she is retiring.
- Motion/Decision: No formal motion was recorded.
- Vote: No vote was taken.
Adjournment
- Action: The board adjourned until Tuesday, April 5th.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.