Board of Supervisors

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

Resolutions (Items 45, 46, and 48)

The Board adopted resolutions honoring Suzanne Peck for her service on the Commission for Women and Daniel Rainwater for his retirement from the Sheriff’s Office.
A resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and affirming support for its sovereignty was adopted.
The resolution proclaiming June 3rd was moved to the May 31, 2022 meeting.

Urgency Ordinance for Temporary Water Well Permitting

Staff presented an ordinance implementing a two-step permitting process requiring Groundwater Sustainability Agency verification and county findings on well interference.
The Board adopted the ordinance with directions to extend certain provisions to June 28, 2022.

2021 Grand Jury Report on Idle Oil Wells

The Board approved staff recommendations regarding fiscal and environmental risks associated with idle, orphan, and abandoned wells.
Staff was directed to return with fee structures for environmental health services and ordinance changes regarding methane leak authorities.

Exclusive Franchise Agreements for Solid Waste Collection

The Board approved new exclusive franchise agreements with Marburg Industries for Zones 1–3 and Health Sanitation Services/Waste Management for Zones 4–5.
The Waste Management contract term was shortened to two years, with staff authorized to issue a Request for Proposals for Zones 4 and 5 upon expiration.

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Third Quarter Budget Status Report

The Board approved staff recommendations related to the Sheriff/Coroner Office, including actions addressing overtime issues and the over-hire funding program.

Ordinance Amendments for Commercial Cannabis Cultivation

The Board adopted amendments changing the permit type for commercial cannabis cultivation from a Land Use Permit to a Conditional Use Permit in inland zones.
The amendments include an exemption for projects with approved permits on appeal and a requirement for Odor Abatement Plans.

Passed 3–2 · against: Labadino, Hartmann

Singer and Concerned Carpentarians Appeal (4701 Foothill Road)

The Board denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission’s approval of the 10.74-acre cannabis cultivation project.
Staff confirmed the project complies with sensitive receptor buffers and includes odor abatement measures.

Stanislaus Concerned Carpentarians and Save Arroyo Perdon Appeal (3508 Villarreal)

The Board denied the appeal and approved the 4.15-acre cannabis cultivation and processing project.
Staff noted that development in the ESH buffer would be demolished and replaced with native landscaping.

Ex Parte Communications

Supervisor Williams reported a Zoom meeting with Mike Palmer and his team.
The reported communications were accepted into the record.

Adjournment

The Board adjourned to a special meeting on May 31, 2022, to address the ambulance service contract policy resolution and services update.

Full summary

Agenda Item: Minutes and Administrative Agenda

Discussion: The Board reviewed the minutes from the May 17, 2022 meeting. Supervisor Hart requested that items 7 and 15 be removed from the current agenda.
Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously. A subsequent motion was made and seconded to approve the administrative agenda with the requested modifications. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Resolutions (Items 45, 46, 47, and 48)

Item 45 (Resolution Honoring Suzanne Peck): The Clerk read a resolution commending Suzanne Peck for her eight years of service as a Second District Commissioner on the County of Santa Barbara Commission for Women, highlighting her work in equity, leadership forums, and subcommittees. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 46 (Resolution Honoring Daniel Rainwater): The Clerk read a resolution commending Daniel Rainwater for his retirement from the Sheriff’s Office after over 20 years of service as a Sheriff’s Institutions Cook, noting his role in training and kitchen operations. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 47 (Resolution Proclaiming June 3rd): The Board moved this item to the next meeting on May 31, 2022.
Item 48 (Resolution in Support of Ukraine): The Clerk read a resolution condemning the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and affirming the County’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, highlighting local support efforts including donations of equipment and medical supplies. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Departmental Item 1 – Urgency Ordinance for Temporary Water Well Permitting

Discussion: Staff presented an urgency ordinance in response to the State Drought Emergency and Governor’s Executive Order N-7-22. The ordinance implements a two-step process requiring written verification from Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) that extraction is consistent with sustainability plans, and county findings regarding interference with existing wells and subsidence. Staff clarified that the county cannot overrule GSA consistency findings but retains discretion in issuing permits based on its own findings. Public comment included technical standards regarding well depth and procedural clarifications regarding GSA verifications. One commenter opposed the local interpretation of CEQA review for ministerial permits.
Action: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the ordinance with specific directions to staff, including extending certain provisions to June 28, 2022. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Departmental Item 2 – Further Analysis Related to 2021 Grand Jury Report on Idle Oil Wells

Discussion: Staff presented responses to a Grand Jury report concerning fiscal and environmental risks associated with idle, orphan, and abandoned wells. Public comment included requests for annual reports on idle wells, support for Grand Jury findings, and explanations of Air Pollution Control District (APCD) regulatory authority and inspection frequencies. Supervisors discussed financial incentives that may encourage operators to idle rather than abandon wells, the potential for taxpayer liability in bankruptcy scenarios, and the county’s inspection capabilities compared to neighboring counties.
Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendations (A, B, and C), with a modification regarding the terminology of "geologist" versus "hydrogeologist." Staff was directed to return on June 28 with fee structures for environmental health services. The motion passed. A separate motion was made and seconded to direct staff to return with ordinance changes regarding methane leak authorities. The motion passed.

Agenda Item: Departmental Item 3 – Approval of Exclusive Franchise Agreements for Solid Waste Collection

Discussion: Staff presented recommendations for new exclusive franchise agreements for solid waste collection in unincorporated areas. The county currently contracts with Marburg Industries (Zones 1, 2, and 3) and Health Sanitation Services/Waste Management (Zones 4 and 5). Existing contracts expire June 30, 2022. New agreements include enhanced regulatory compliance support for state mandates, expanded organics collection, and additional bulky item pickups. Rate increases were discussed, with Marburg seeing increases of 4–7.5% (residential) and Waste Management seeing higher increases (10–30% residential, up to 67% commercial) due to SB 1383 requirements and market adjustments. The Waste Management contract term was shortened to two years (ending June 30, 2024) due to late rate increase requests, with a recommendation to issue an RFP for Zones 4 and 5 upon expiration.
Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve and authorize the Chair to execute the proposed agreement with Marburg Industries for Zones 1, 2, and 3 (effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2029); approve and authorize the agreement with Health Sanitation Services/Waste Management for Zones 4 and 5 (effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024); determine that existing Resolution 21-120 is superseded; authorize staff to issue an RFP for Zones 4 and 5 for service beginning July 1, 2024; and determine that the approval is exempt from CEQA. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Departmental Item 4 – Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Third Quarter Budget Status Report

Discussion: Staff presented a routine quarterly report with two non-routine actions related to the Sheriff/Coroner Office, specifically addressing overtime issues and the over-hire funding program. Staff indicated they were looking for policy alternatives to resolve the overtime funding issue. Supervisor Williams asked for foreshadowing on policies to be presented in December regarding overtime.
Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendations (A through E). The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item: Departmental Item 5 – Ordinance Amendments to Implement New Permit Requirements for Commercial Cannabis Cultivation

Discussion: Staff presented proposed amendments to the Land Use Development Code (LUDC) to change the permit type for commercial cannabis cultivation from a Land Use Permit (LUP) to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in inland agricultural and industrial zones. The CUP process is more expensive, requires additional findings, a public hearing, and is decided by the Planning Commission rather than the Planning Director, affording decision-makers greater discretion. The amendments would apply to new operations and existing operations proposing non-minor changes. Staff noted that as of May 23, eight projects currently on appeal could be affected. The Planning Commission recommended exempting projects with approved LUPs that are on appeal, requiring odor abatement plans for all commercial cannabis cultivation, and retaining LUP requirements for indoor cultivation/nurseries in industrial zones. Staff confirmed the amendments fall within the scope of the certified Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) and do not require a new environmental document. Public comment included support for specific projects and concerns regarding the definition of "substantial" changes and odor impacts.
Action: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the ordinance amendments as recommended by the Planning Commission, including the exemption for projects with approved LUPs on appeal and the requirement for Odor Abatement Plans (OAPs). The motion passed 3-2.