Board of Supervisors

Meeting Summary

Present: 4-Nelson, 5-Lavagnino, 3-Hartmann, Williams · Absent: 2-Capps

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The county secured a $6 million state grant to relocate individuals from encampments into housing.
Funds will prioritize serving 250 people located along state right-of-ways and waterways.
A specialized outreach team will provide wraparound services to encourage acceptance of interim housing.
This initiative aligns with the three-year encampment resolution strategy approved in August 2021.

A representative from the P.R. Cleisen Veteran Foundation addressed the lack of formal acknowledgment for 18 UCSB Army ROTC graduates.
The speaker requested board influence to ensure future recognition for students commissioned through the Surfrider Battalion unit.

An investigative writer urged the board to publicly oppose Japan's plan to discharge Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.
The speaker also requested opposition to increased rocket launch plans at Vandenberg Space Force Base due to climate concerns.

The June 20, 2023, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Williams. A quorum was established with Supervisors Nielsen, Lavinino, Hartman, and Chair Williams present; Supervisor Caps was noted as absent. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The County Executive Officer (CEO) reported that the county has been awarded a $6 million state grant to assist in moving individuals from encampments into housing. The funds are designated to prioritize serving 250 people located along state right-of-ways and waterways, including the Santa Maria Riverbed, Santa Ynez Riverbed, and areas near creeks leading to South Coast beaches. The grant will support a specialized outreach team providing wraparound services to encourage acceptance of interim housing. The CEO noted that this funding was secured based on a three-year encampment resolution strategy and camp response protocol previously approved by the board in August 2021.

The Clerk reported no changes or additions to the agenda. No items were pulled from the administrative agenda by board members or the public. A motion was made to approve the administrative agenda, which was seconded by Supervisor Hartman. Following a roll call vote, the motion passed.

No decision 1–0

Two members of the public provided comments on matters not listed on the agenda:
Barney Malecki, representing the P.R. Cleisen Veteran Foundation, addressed the board regarding 18 recent graduates from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) who were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army through the Surfrider Battalion ROTC unit. He stated that their commissioning was not acknowledged during the graduation ceremony and a request for them to graduate as a group was denied. He urged board members to use their influence to encourage the university to formally acknowledge these students in the future.
Nina Beatty, an investigative writer, requested two actions from the board prior to the summer recess: first, to publicly oppose Japan's plan to discharge Fukushima wastewater into the Pacific Ocean; and second, to oppose increased rocket launch plans at Vandenberg Space Force Base by SpaceX and Phantom Space Company, citing concerns regarding ozone depletion and climate change.

The meeting was adjourned with a note that the next session would be held on Tuesday, June 27, in Santa Maria.