Meeting Summary
Present: 5-Lavagnino, 4-Nelson, 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
CEO Report
- The CEO reported on the 50th Annual Elks Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and the 9-11 Memorial.
- County employees were honored at the Elks dinner, and a memorial flag was presented to the county by the Teen Corps.
Announcements
- Administrative Item 26 regarding the appointment to the Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission was withdrawn at a Supervisor's request.
- An addendum to the closed session agenda concerning real property negotiations and anticipated litigation was noted.
- Public participation guidelines, including virtual comment procedures and mask guidelines, were reviewed.
California Creative Corps Grants Administration
- The board noted a successful $4.75 million grant from the California Arts Council.
- The grant supports countywide arts outreach initiatives.
State of Emergency / Remote Meetings
- Staff presented information on new COVID-19 vaccine formulations, including Novavax and bivalent mRNA boosters.
- Questions were raised regarding vaccine mixing, supply levels, and the availability of flu and shingles vaccines.
- The board debated the transition from pandemic to endemic phases and the need for remote meeting capabilities.
- The motion to approve the item passed with a 4-1 vote.
2022 Groundwater Basin Summary Report
- A request was made for a study on indirect potable reuse of wastewater to address drought conditions.
- Staff explained the differences between direct and indirect potable reuse and noted gaps in the 2015 report.
- The board directed staff to proceed with a supplemental study using existing Water Agency funds.
- A report on the study is expected early next calendar year.
Approval of Administrative Agenda
- The board approved the administrative agenda, excluding Item A10 and the withdrawn Item A26.
- The motion to approve the remaining items passed unanimously.
Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution proclaiming September 15–October 15, 2022, as Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Speakers addressed the need for housing affordability to prevent the displacement of Latino communities.
- Comments emphasized the importance of civic participation and voting.
AIA Architecture Appreciation Week Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution designating September 25–October 1, 2022, as Architecture Appreciation Week.
- A representative from the AIA Santa Barbara Chapter invited the board to the annual tour.
- Comments were made on the role of architecture in housing density and community design.
Suicide Prevention Month Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month.
- Speakers discussed the impact of the pandemic on mental health and the importance of destigmatizing help-seeking.
- The 988 crisis line was highlighted as a resource for support.
Employee of the Month Resolution
- The board adopted a resolution honoring Lisa Northrop as Employee of the Month for September 2022.
- Department staff spoke about Northrop’s work ethic, experience, and upcoming retirement.
Caya Real Campus Master Plan
- Staff presented a 20- to 25-year strategic plan dividing the campus into five sub-campuses for health, justice, and public safety functions.
- Financial data indicated deferred maintenance costs of approximately $40 million and total redevelopment costs of $400 million.
- The board discussed financing options, urban design alignment, regionalization of administrative functions, and square footage needs.
- The board voted to receive and file the report and determine that the project is exempt from CEQA.
Public Comment on Homeless Encampments
- A Supervisor advocated for humane strategies that include security and wraparound services for encampment sites.
- Another Supervisor stated that providing a safety net is a core function of county government.
- A third Supervisor noted the board is actively seeking private sector locations for encampments to reduce homelessness.
Closed Session
- The County Counsel reported that the board met in closed session regarding existing and anticipated litigation.
- Conferences were held with labor negotiators for represented employees, managers, and executives.
- Real property negotiations were conducted for properties in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc.
- The board took no reportable action during the closed session.
Full summary
Approval of Minutes (August 30, 2022)
- Discussion: None.
- Motion: A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded.
- Decision: Passed unanimously.
CEO Report
- Discussion: The CEO reported on the 50th Annual Elks Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and the 9-11 Memorial. It was noted that county employees were honored at the Elks dinner and that a flag listing the names of those who perished in the 9-11 attacks was presented to the county by the Teen Corps.
Announcements
- Discussion: The Clerk announced that Administrative Item 26 (appointment of Breonna Gonzalez to the Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission) was withdrawn at the request of a Supervisor. An addendum to the closed session agenda regarding real property negotiations and anticipated litigation was noted. Public participation guidelines, including virtual comment procedures and mask guidelines, were reviewed.
Administrative Item 6: California Creative Corps Grants Administration
- Discussion: The successful grant of $4.75 million from the California Arts Council was highlighted, along with support for countywide arts outreach.
- Motion/Decision: No specific motion or vote was recorded for this item in isolation; it was included in the general approval of the administrative agenda.
Administrative Item 10: State of Emergency / Remote Meetings
- Discussion: Staff presented information on new COVID-19 vaccine formulations, including the Novavax protein-based vaccine and bivalent mRNA boosters for BA.4/BA.5 strains, clarifying dosing schedules and availability. Questions were raised regarding vaccine mixing, supply levels, and the availability of flu and shingles vaccines.
- Motion: A motion to approve the item was made and seconded.
- Discussion on Motion: One Supervisor stated they could no longer support the item, citing the transition from pandemic to endemic phase and the lack of legislative updates to the Brown Act. Other Supervisors supported the item, citing the need for remote meeting capabilities to reduce infection and increase productivity.
- Decision: Motion passed (4-1).
Administrative Item 17: 2022 Groundwater Basin Summary Report
- Discussion: A request was made for a study on indirect potable reuse of wastewater to address drought conditions. Staff explained the differences between direct and indirect potable reuse and noted that the 2015 report did not fully cover indirect reuse opportunities. Staff indicated that a supplemental study could be conducted within the existing Water Agency budget, with a report expected early next calendar year. The impact of the Santa Barbara desalination plant on local basins was noted, and support was expressed for diversifying water sources through recycled water.
- Motion/Decision: No formal motion was taken. The Board directed staff to proceed with the study using existing funds, with a future vote anticipated for any necessary consultant contracts.
Approval of Administrative Agenda
- Motion: A motion to approve the administrative agenda, excluding Item A10 (already voted on) and Item A26 (withdrawn), was made and seconded.
- Decision: Passed unanimously.
Administrative Item 31: Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution
- Discussion: The resolution proclaiming September 15–October 15, 2022, as Hispanic Heritage Month was read. Speakers from La Casa de la Raza and Mujeres Makers Market addressed the Board. Comments were made regarding the need to address housing affordability to prevent the displacement of Latino communities and the importance of civic participation and voting.
- Motion/Decision: The resolution was adopted.
Administrative Item 32: AIA Architecture Appreciation Week Resolution
- Discussion: The resolution designating September 25–October 1, 2022, as Architecture Appreciation Week was read. A representative from the AIA Santa Barbara Chapter thanked the Board and invited them to the annual tour. Comments were made on the role of architecture in housing density and community design.
- Motion/Decision: The resolution was adopted.
Administrative Item 33: Suicide Prevention Month Resolution
- Discussion: The resolution recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month was read. Speakers from the Behavioral Wellness Commission and Crisis and Care spoke on the impact of the pandemic on mental health, the importance of destigmatizing help-seeking, and the 988 crisis line.
- Motion/Decision: The resolution was adopted.
Administrative Item 34: Employee of the Month Resolution
- Discussion: The resolution honoring Lisa Northrop, Deputy Public Conservator/LPS Investigator, as Employee of the Month for September 2022 was read. Department staff spoke about Northrop’s work ethic, experience, and upcoming retirement.
- Motion/Decision: The resolution was adopted.
General Public Comment
- Discussion: No members of the public requested to speak. A Supervisor used the time to promote the 4th Annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day.
Departmental Item 1: Caya Real Campus Master Plan
- Discussion: Staff presented the Caya Real Campus Master Plan, a 20- to 25-year strategic plan developed over three years. The presentation outlined the division of the campus into five sub-campuses or precincts: Health and Governmental Center, Main Jail, County Yards, Community Services, and Public Safety.
- Health and Governmental Center Campus: Proposals included a new B-Well headquarters to consolidate mental health, crisis stabilization, and psychiatric services; a Commons building for administrative functions, a one-stop permitting center, and potential on-site daycare; and a new healthcare building for public health and veteran services. Building 4B was proposed for mixed-use development, potentially including workforce housing and parking.
- Main Jail Campus: Consideration of renovation and expansion of the Sheriff’s Headquarters due to aging infrastructure and space constraints was noted. The jail itself is a separate project.
- County Yards Campus: Development of Building 3B for Parks yard operations and General Services facilities; Building 5A for climate-controlled dry storage; and expansion of the fleet shop (Building 5B) to accommodate electric vehicle maintenance. No changes were proposed for the Public Works Corp yard or transfer station at this time.
- Community Services Campus: Relocation of Sheriff’s operations to free up space for a larger Fire Station 13; redevelopment of the Coroner’s office; and identification of the food bank site as flex space. The Juvenile Hall site was identified as a potential location for workforce housing following the relocation of probation operations.
- Public Safety Campus: The new fire dispatch facility is scheduled to go to bid in November 2022, with construction beginning in early 2023. The current fire headquarters was designated for potential redevelopment.
- Financial Data: Staff provided data indicating that maintenance costs across the campuses significantly exceed the national average (ranging from $2.09 to $6.12 per square foot, compared to a national average of approximately $2.50). Deferred maintenance costs were estimated at approximately $40 million across all five campuses. The total estimated cost for the proposed replacement and redevelopment was approximately $400 million. Staff noted that approximately $300,000 in funding is currently available to initiate a programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
- Board Discussion:
- Financing and Phasing: Questions were raised regarding the speed of financing options and the ability to shift maintenance costs to debt service.
- Urban Design and Layout: Concerns were raised regarding the current layout and diagonal building orientations. Suggestions were made to align buildings with the street grid, particularly along the Kyrielle edge, to improve urban integration and efficiency. Staff noted that topography and watersheds present constraints but that adjustments are possible during the design development process.
- Regionalization and Location: Discussion focused on whether certain administrative functions should be relocated to North or Mid-County to better serve the workforce and reduce commute times, versus keeping service-oriented functions (such as mental health and public health clinics) in South County. Debate occurred on the optimal location for a one-stop permitting center and other administrative offices.
- Square Footage and Hybrid Work: Questions were raised about the necessity of the proposed square footage in light of hybrid work models and the potential to build smaller facilities or repurpose space.
- Asset Value: Inquiries were made regarding the potential value of the current courthouse building and the land, with suggestions that the land could be used for workforce housing or other revenue-generating purposes.
- Staff Clarification: Staff clarified that the immediate request was to receive and file the report and determine CEQA exemption, with the goal of initiating a programmatic EIR if the board directed. Staff emphasized that the plan is a long-term framework and that specific building designs and costs will be refined through further programming and design processes.
- Motion: A motion was made to receive and file the report and determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The motion was seconded.
- Decision: Motion passed.
Public Comment on Homeless Encampments
- Discussion: A Supervisor spoke in support of addressing homeless encampments, citing constituent concerns regarding safety and quality of life. He noted that while some proposed solutions are restricted by state law, the board should pursue humane strategies that include security and wraparound services for encampment sites. He referenced biblical passages to argue for compassion toward the homeless population while acknowledging the need to protect nearby businesses and residents.
- Response: Another Supervisor acknowledged the public comment, stating that providing a safety net is a core function of county government. A third Supervisor added that compassion should not be withheld based on the difficulty of the population served. He stated that the board is actively seeking private sector locations for encampments to reduce homelessness and challenged opponents to propose alternative private sector solutions if they believe a double standard exists. He expressed pride in the board’s efforts to address the issue.
Closed Session Report
- Discussion: The board reconvened from closed session. The County Counsel reported that the board met in closed session regarding:
- Two cases of existing litigation: Scott v. County of Santa Barbara and XHR Santa Barbara LLC v. County.
- One case of anticipated litigation involving the Flood Control District.
- Conferences with labor negotiators for represented employees, managers, and executives.
- Conferences with real property negotiators regarding properties in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc.
- One item of anticipated litigation regarding the decision to initiate civil litigation.
- Decision: The County Counsel reported that the board took no reportable action during the closed session.
Adjournment
- Decision: The board adjourned the meeting, with the next session scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, in Santa Barbara.