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Board of Supervisors — 2023-01-10

Board of Supervisors — 2023-01-10January 10, 2023

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BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 January 10, 2023

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Meeting Summary

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Present: 4-Nelson, 5-Lavagnino, 2-Capps, 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

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

  • Supervisor Das Williams was elected as Chair for 2023.
  • Supervisor Labanino was elected as Vice Chair.
  • The election followed the established rotation pattern.

CEO’s Report: Storm Emergency Update

  • The Fire Department reported over 400 calls for service and 100 rescues during the storm.
  • The Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for areas below fire burn scars and coordinated with the National Weather Service.
  • Public Works reported 47 roads closed or under repair and significant rainfall in the South Coast mountains.
  • Lake Cachuma rose to approximately 70% capacity, and the San Antonio Basin reached full capacity.

Board Questions and Discussion

  • The Incident Management Team will assess damage to determine when it is safe to lift evacuation orders.
  • FEMA expanded its federal emergency declaration to include Santa Barbara County.
  • Outreach efforts included helicopter flyovers and text messages to urge residents in riverbeds to evacuate.
  • The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages Lake Cachuma, coordinating with the county to prevent overtopping.

Agenda Announcements

  • An addendum added reappointments for Planning Commissioners Vincent Martinez and Michael Cooney.
  • Departmental Item 2 was requested to be continued to February 7.
  • An X-agenda was posted on January 9, 2023, including the ratification of a local emergency proclamation.

Administrative Agenda

  • The balance of the administrative agenda, including items A36 and A37, was approved unanimously.
  • Item A10 regarding the state of emergency was approved with a 4-1 vote.
  • Item A20 for the Laguna County Sanitation District solar inverter replacement was approved unanimously.
  • Item A35 proclaimed January 19, 2023, as E-Bike Safety Awareness Day.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

Departmental Agenda

  • Item D1 finalized the slate of 2023 appointments to various boards and commissions.
  • Item D2 regarding the Thomas Fire debris flow event was continued to a future date.
  • Item D3 received and filed the Santa Barbara County Women’s Annual Report.
  • Item D4 authorized the formation of a standalone Information Technology department effective July 1, 2023.

Closed Session

  • The Board addressed existing litigation in Baker v. County of Santa Barbara and County of Santa Barbara v. The Regents of the University of California.
  • The Board discussed the appointment or reappointment of the General Services Director.
  • No reportable action was taken on these items.

Full summary

Meeting Overview

  • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors convened remotely on January 10, 2023, due to heavy rains. All five supervisors were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

  • A motion was made to elect Supervisor Das Williams as Chair for 2023 and Supervisor Labanino as Vice Chair, following the established rotation pattern. The motion was seconded. The vote passed 5-0.

Approval of Minutes

  • A motion was made to approve the minutes from the December 13, 2022, and December 21, 2022, meetings. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

CEO’s Report: Storm Emergency Update

  • The CEO presented a report on the ongoing storm emergency, noting a local emergency proclamation had been declared the previous day.
  • Fire Department: Chief Mark Hartwig reported over 400 calls for service, including over 100 rescues. Rainfall ranged from 6 to 12 inches in various areas, with Lake Cachuma rising from 37% to 68% capacity. Mutual aid resources were received from Orange and Los Angeles counties. No injuries or missing persons were reported.
  • Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Bill Brown detailed evacuation orders for areas below the Alice, Cave, and Thomas fire burn scars. He noted that while the Ventura River cresting closed parts of the 101 freeway and other major roadways, no fatalities or major injuries were reported. The Sheriff’s office worked with the National Weather Service and fire agencies to pre-position resources.
  • OEM: Director Kelly Hubbard confirmed that evacuation centers remained open in South County (Carpinteria, La Colina Junior High, and the Wake Center) while North County shelters were closed due to lack of demand. She provided the county call center number (833-688-5551) for sheltering needs and noted that Planning and Development would assist with safety assessments for private properties.
  • Public Works: Director Scott McLaughlin reported significant rainfall (up to 13 inches in South Coast mountains) and high river flows. Lake Cachuma was at approximately 70% capacity. 47 roads were closed or under repair. The San Antonio Basin was full, and materials would be processed for beach nourishment. Trash pickup in the Montecito area was suspended due to road conditions.

Board Questions and Discussion

  • Debris Flows and Damage: Supervisor Hartman inquired about debris flows. Chief Hartwig stated that damage assessment was ongoing, with known infrastructure damage caused by debris in streams.
  • Weather Forecast: Director McLaughlin provided the National Weather Service forecast: heavy rain through Wednesday evening, dry conditions on Thursday, and a chance of 1–2 inches of rain from Saturday through Monday.
  • Repopulation: Sheriff Brown stated that the Incident Management Team would convene to assess damage and determine when it is safe to lift evacuation orders and allow repopulation.
  • Federal Emergency Declaration: Supervisor Hartman asked about the status of the federal emergency declaration. The CEO noted that while a local emergency was declared, the county was not yet included in the federal declaration. Later in the meeting, the CEO announced that FEMA had expanded its declaration to include Santa Barbara County.
  • North County Evacuations: Supervisor Labanino questioned why riverbed areas in Santa Maria (St. Louis River, Santa Maria River) were not included in evacuation orders. Sheriff Brown explained that outreach was conducted, helicopter flyovers were performed, and most residents in those areas had self-evacuated. Supervisor Labanino expressed concern about the lack of emphasis on these vulnerable populations.
  • Homeless Outreach: Mr. Chapman, head of homeless outreach, reported that outreach workers distributed flyers, contacted clients via text, and coordinated with law enforcement for helicopter flyovers to urge residents in riverbeds to leave.
  • Lake Cachuma Management: Supervisor Labanino asked about the jurisdiction and strategy for managing Lake Cachuma if it overtopped. Director McLaughlin explained that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages the reservoir, coordinating with the county water agency to release water and prevent overtopping.
  • Language Access: Supervisor Capps asked about Spanish language access during evacuations. Director Hubbard confirmed that notifications, websites, and social media were provided in English and Spanish, and that cultural brokers were used for outreach.
  • San Antonio Basin and Isla Vista: Director McLaughlin confirmed the San Antonio Basin was full and would be cleared for beach nourishment. Regarding Isla Vista, he noted that road crews would check for downed trees. Director Plowman (Planning and Development) reported that initial assessments of the bluffs were completed, with signage being installed to warn the public of safety hazards. A full walk-through of the bluffs was planned for the following day.

Agenda Announcements

  • The Clerk of the Board announced:
  • An addendum to the administrative agenda adding items A36 (reappointment of 5th District Planning Commissioner Vincent Martinez) and A37 (reappointment of 1st District Planning Commissioner Michael Cooney).
  • A request to continue Departmental Item 2 to February 7.
  • Rescheduling of installation celebrations due to weather.
  • An update to Administrative Item 11, Letter A, to recommend the appointment of Antoinette Toney Navarro.
  • An X-agenda posted on January 9, 2023, including the ratification of a local emergency proclamation.

Administrative Agenda

  • Balance of Administrative Agenda (excluding A10 and A20): A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, including items A36, A37, and continuing item D2. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
  • Item A10 (State of Emergency): A motion was made to approve the recommendations regarding the existing state of emergency. The motion was seconded. The vote passed 4-1.
  • Item A20 (Laguna County Sanitation District Solar Inverter Replacement): Supervisor Nelson questioned the vendor (Indalos Energy) regarding their ability to deliver the project on time and budget, citing past issues with a different project. The vendor representative expressed confidence in their ability to complete the work in 4–6 weeks. A motion was made to approve the contract. The motion was seconded. The vote passed unanimously.
  • Item A35 (E-Bike Safety Awareness Day): A resolution was presented to proclaim January 19, 2023, as E-Bike Safety Awareness Day in Santa Barbara County. Kent Epperson from Traffic Solutions spoke about the upcoming event on State Street, which would include bike demos, safety tips, and a community ride. Supervisor Hartman thanked the sponsors for their proactive approach. The resolution was adopted.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

General Public Comment

  • Kathleen Rosenthal: Spoke in support of the Recreation Management Plan, emphasizing the need for expanded public involvement, clear definitions of trail uses, and safety measures regarding conflicts between e-bikes and horses. She supported re-establishing horse camping at Live Oak Camp and prioritizing the linking of existing trail segments.
  • EPlanet Thunderstriker: Requested to be allowed to submit comments to the Clerk, citing previous difficulties. He made various statements regarding allegations of murder, international relations, and personal legal matters, concluding by asking for confirmation that he is permitted to submit comments to the Clerk.

Departmental Agenda

  • Item D1 (2023 Appointments to Boards and Commissions): The CEO presented a chart showing current board and commission assignments. The Board reviewed a list of committee and board appointments, discussing current representatives and accepting or declining continuations for the upcoming term. Specific assignments discussed included the Adult and Aging Network, Area Agency on Aging, Beacon, Behavioral Wellness, CSAC, SenCal, Child Care Planning Council, Communify, Community Corrections Partnership (CCP), Debt Advisory Committee, Elected Officials Committee on Regional Homeless Solutions, First Five, Golden State Connect Authority, Juvenile Justice Coordination Council, Kids Network Policy Council, Law Library Board of Trustees, Legislative Program Committee, Library Advisory Committee, LAFCO, Multi-jurisdictional Solid Waste Task Force, NACO, PUP Governing Board, Rural County Representative of California (RCRC), and the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Board. During the discussion, staff confirmed that the CCP does not allow for an alternate voting member; if the appointed member is absent, there is no vote. The Board finalized the slate of appointments. A motion was made by Supervisor Nelson and seconded by Supervisor Hartman to adopt the slate of appointments as presented on the shared screen. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Item D2 (Thomas Fire Debris Flow Event): Staff requested to continue this item, which involves a look-back on the five years of the Thomas Fire debris flow event, to a future date (likely February 7th) due to current conditions. A motion was made to continue Departmental Item 2. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Item D3 (Santa Barbara County Women’s Annual Report): The Community Services Department presented the Commission for Women’s annual report. Allison Wales, Chair of the Commission for Women, presented the report, noting that 2023 marks the commission’s 50th year. She outlined recent activities, including virtual and in-person town halls, participation in marches and festivals, and the receipt of a $25,000 capacity-building grant from the California Commission on the Status of Women. The grant will support outreach, PSAs, and the development of a long-term women’s veterans resiliency program. The Chair also mentioned upcoming annual service awards. Board members provided comments. Supervisor Lavagnino thanked the commission for their work on the "Stand Down" event. Supervisor Capps expressed gratitude for the increased programming. Supervisor Nelson commented on the importance of the commission remaining an open location for women of all political affiliations and perspectives to maximize its influence in the county. The Commission Chair acknowledged the comment and stated a hope to empower more participation in the spring. There was no public comment. A motion was made to receive and file the report, including the CEQA determination. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Item D4 (Standalone Information Technology Department Update): The County Executive Office presented an update on the creation of a standalone Information Technology (IT) department and an amendment to the salary resolution. Chris Cherguin, Chief Information Officer, and Jeanette Pell, General Service Director, provided the presentation. Cherguin outlined the history of the initiative, noting that the Board endorsed the concept in early 2021 and approved a contract with Gartner Consulting in mid-2021. The plan is for IT to formally become a standalone department on July 1, 2023. Key priorities include meeting with departments to assess needs, developing a five-year IT strategic plan, and conducting a compensation and classification study to improve recruitment and retention. The presentation highlighted benefits such as improved governance, reduced cybersecurity risk, and a hybrid IT model that allows departments to focus on specialized needs while Central IT delivers common solutions. Staff recommendations included: 1. Receive and file the Gartner hybrid IT model executive summary. 2. Receive and file the implementation plan to create the standalone IT department. 3. Authorize the formation of a standalone IT department for the FY 23-24 budget. 4. Approve changes to the salary resolution adding three new full-time program business leader positions to the General Services Department effective January 9, 2023. 5. Determine the actions are not a project under CEQA. Board members provided comments. Supervisor Lavagnino expressed confidence in the direction and the new CIO. Supervisor Nelson thanked Jeanette Pell for her leadership and expressed pride in the move toward centralizing IT. Supervisor Hartman shared an anecdote regarding the benefits of integrated health records and asked about the coordination of disparate systems (such as Accela and coordinated entry for homeless services). Cherguin responded that significant progress is being made to unify disparate systems and that consistent meetings with departments are being prioritized to ensure coordination and avoid duplication. Supervisor Hartman also asked for assurance that processes are in place to coordinate new system requests from departments like the District Attorney’s office. Cherguin affirmed that governance structures and consistent departmental meetings are being established to ensure coordination. Supervisor Williams emphasized the urgency of integrating Accela for planning and development to improve efficiency. There was no public comment. A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Closed Session

  • The Board recessed to closed session. The Clerk read the items for closed session: 1. Existing litigation: Baker v. County of Santa Barbara (U.S. District Court, Central District, California). 2. Existing litigation: County of Santa Barbara v. The Regents of the University of California (Santa Barbara County Superior Court). 3. Public employee appointment/reappointment: General Services Director.
  • The Board reconvened in open session. An unidentified speaker reported that the board met in closed session to address two items of existing litigation: Baker v. County of Santa Barbara and County of Santa Barbara v. Regents of University of California. The speaker also noted a discussion regarding the appointment or reappointment of the General Services Director. The board took no reportable action on these items.

Adjournment

  • Chair Williams stated that the business for the day was concluded and moved to adjourn the meeting for two weeks.