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Board of Supervisors — 2023-07-18

Board of Supervisors — 2023-07-18July 18, 2023

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BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 July 18, 2023

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Meeting Summary

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

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

Probation Department Update

  • Staff presented the Facilities Division’s transition toward therapeutic commitment program design using evidence-based models.
  • Long-term goals include family reunification and post-release enrichment through educational partnerships.
  • Staff confirmed the County lacks inpatient psychiatric beds for youth and is exploring partnerships with neighboring counties.

CEO Salary Adjustment

  • Human Resources recommended a performance-based annual salary increase of 2.5% for the County Executive Officer.
  • The proposed increase is effective July 24, 2023.

Letter of Support for Groundwater Adjudication

  • The Board considered a letter of support for AB 779 and AB 560 groundwater adjudication legislation.
  • Public comment included opposition to the bills and frustration with the Groundwater Sustainability Management Act.
  • The motion to support the legislation failed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson

Professional Services Agreement for Gaviota Mariposa Arena

  • Staff presented a professional services agreement for a facilities assessment and solar feasibility study at the Gaviota Mariposa Arena site.
  • A board member encouraged the inclusion of solar and renewables in the scope and exploration of a power purchase agreement.
  • The motion to approve the staff recommendation passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous

Ambulance Operator Job Classifications

  • The Board considered recommendations regarding the establishment of ambulance operator job classifications.
  • The motion to proceed with the classifications passed.

Hearing on Oil Line Valve Upgrade Appeal

  • The Board considered setting a hearing to review an appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of an oil line valve upgrade project.
  • The motion to approve the set hearing passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous

Pre-Trial Probation and Parole Supervision Week Resolution

  • A resolution was proposed to proclaim the week of July 16–22, 2023, as Pre-Trial Probation and Parole Supervision Week.
  • The resolution was read into the record and adopted.

National Health Center Week Resolution

  • A resolution was proposed to proclaim the week of August 6–12, 2023, as National Health Center Week.
  • The resolution authorizes the Public Health Department to host back-to-school health fairs.
  • The resolution was read into the record and adopted.

Balance of Administrative Agenda

  • The Board considered the remaining administrative items not pulled for individual consideration.
  • The motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

Cannabis Business Licensing Fee Ordinance Amendments

  • Staff requested a continuance to continue negotiating fees with the cannabis CCA.
  • The motion to continue the item to August 22 passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

CPI Adjustment for Special Library Tax

  • Staff presented the annual adjustment to the CSA Special Library Tax for parcels in CSA 3.
  • The tax rate was proposed to increase to reflect CPI changes for the operation of the Goleta Library.
  • The motion to adopt the resolution confirming the report and increasing the tax passed.
No decision 1–0

Special Tax Levy for Community Facilities Districts

  • Staff presented the annual update to the Orcutt and Providence Landing CFD tax levies.
  • A board member moved to amend the recommendation to a 0% increase, citing concerns about "triple taxation."
  • Another board member moved to accept the staff recommendation, arguing that deferring the increase would impact the general fund.
  • The motion to accept the staff recommendation of a 4.93% increase passed.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson

Criminal Justice Partners Improvement Efforts Status Report

  • Staff presented a status report on collaborative efforts to improve the criminal justice system, including the "Familiar Faces Program" and alternative detention expansion.
  • Initiatives also included the creation of a re-entry coordinator position and implementation of a Digital Evidence Management System.
  • Staff discussed the need for updated fiscal data comparing incarceration versus treatment costs.
  • The motion to approve the staff recommendation passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

Behavioral Health Housing and Care Continuum Update

  • Staff provided an update on the Capital Housing and Residential Care Continuum, noting the County has one 16-bed Psychiatric Health Facility.
  • Discussion included funding changes such as MHSA Modernization and the State Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant.
  • Staff identified a need to expand acute care capacity and noted that Signet Health is purchasing property to create a youth wing.
  • The Board received and filed the presentation, determining the action was exempt from CEQA.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

Closed Session

  • The Board entered closed session to discuss existing litigation and confer with labor negotiators and employee organizations.
  • No reportable action was taken during the session.

Full summary

Public Comment and Staff Presentations

  • Probation Department Update: A Supervising Probation Officer presented an overview of the Facilities Division’s transition toward therapeutic commitment program design, highlighting evidence-based models (EMDR, DBT, music creation) and educational partnerships. Long-term goals include family reunification and post-release enrichment.
  • Public Comment: Speakers addressed various topics, including support for criminal justice and behavioral wellness integration; concerns regarding a retired probation officer’s embezzlement conviction and fraudulent claims; and a request for Board assistance in a dispute with a family estate trustee.
  • Youth Psychiatric Care: Staff confirmed the County lacks inpatient psychiatric beds for youth, utilizing out-of-county placements. Staff noted the County is exploring partnerships with neighboring counties to share beds.

Closed Session

  • Litigation and Labor Negotiations: The Board entered closed session to discuss existing litigation (Torres v. County of Santa Barbara and Murray v. County of Santa Barbara) and confer with labor negotiators and employee organizations, including the Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. No reportable action was taken.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion to approve the closed session agenda passed.

Announcements

  • Agenda Addendum: The Clerk announced an addendum posted on July 14, 2023, amending the closed session agenda to include an additional employee organization and adding Administrative Item 42.
  • CEO Salary Adjustment: Human Resources recommended a performance-based annual salary increase of 2.5% for the County Executive Officer, effective July 24, 2023.
  • Public Participation: Instructions for public participation via Zoom and in-person were provided.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion to approve the announcements passed.

Administrative Items

  • Item 15: Letter of Support for Groundwater Adjudication
  • Discussion: Recommendations regarding a letter of support for AB 779 and AB 560 groundwater adjudication were considered. Public comment included opposition to the bills, citing frustration with the Groundwater Sustainability Management Act and opposition from rural county representatives, as well as interest in specific property development opportunities.
  • Action: A motion was made to support the legislation.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion failed.
  • Item 20: Professional Services Agreement for Gaviota Mariposa Arena
  • Discussion: A professional services agreement for a facilities and infrastructure asset assessment and solar feasibility study at the Gaviota Mariposa Arena site (Project No. 20036) was discussed. Supervisor Capps expressed support for including solar and renewables in the scope and encouraged exploration of a power purchase agreement feasibility.
  • Action: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 23: Ambulance Operator Job Classifications
  • Discussion: Recommendations regarding the establishment of ambulance operator job classifications were considered. Public comment was taken.
  • Action: A motion was made to proceed.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 37: Hearing on Oil Line Valve Upgrade Appeal
  • Discussion: The Board considered setting a hearing to review an applicant’s appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial of the existing oil lines 901 and 903 valve upgrade project amendment and coastal development permits.
  • Action: A motion was made to approve the set hearing.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 40: Pre-Trial Probation and Parole Supervision Week Resolution
  • Discussion: A resolution was proposed to proclaim the week of July 16–22, 2023, as Pre-Trial Probation and Parole Supervision Week, highlighting the Probation Department’s service and supervision roles.
  • Action: The resolution was read into the record and adopted.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 41: National Health Center Week Resolution
  • Discussion: A resolution was proposed to proclaim the week of August 6–12, 2023, as National Health Center Week and authorize the Public Health Department to host back-to-school health fairs. Public comment included announcements regarding upcoming health screenings at Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara Health Care Centers.
  • Action: The resolution was read into the record and adopted.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Balance of Administrative Agenda
  • Discussion: The Board considered the remaining administrative items not pulled for individual consideration.
  • Action: A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
No decision 1–0
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Passed 5–0 · unanimous

Departmental Items

  • Item 1: Cannabis Business Licensing Fee Ordinance Amendments
  • Discussion: Staff requested a continuance to continue negotiating fees with the cannabis CCA.
  • Action: A motion was made to continue the item to August 22.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 2: CPI Adjustment for Special Library Tax
  • Discussion: The annual adjustment to the CSA Special Library Tax for parcels in CSA 3 (unincorporated area outside Goleta city limits) was presented. The tax rate was proposed to increase to reflect CPI changes, resulting in an additional assessment for the operation of the Goleta Library.
  • Action: A motion was made to adopt the resolution confirming the report and increasing the fiscal year 23-24 library special tax.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 3: Special Tax Levy for Community Facilities Districts
  • Discussion: Staff presented the annual update to the Orcutt and Providence Landing CFD tax levies. The Orcutt CFD tax was proposed to increase by 4.93% based on the Los Angeles Urban Consumer Price Index. Supervisor Nelson moved to amend the recommendation to a 0% increase, citing concerns about "triple taxation" and lack of direct nexus to services. Supervisor Lavagnino moved to accept the staff recommendation, arguing that deferring the increase would impact the general fund.
  • Action: A motion was made to accept the staff recommendation (4.93% increase).
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 4: Criminal Justice Partners Improvement Efforts Status Report
  • Discussion: Staff presented a status report on collaborative efforts to improve the criminal justice system. Key initiatives included:
  • Goal 1 (Public Safety/Recidivism): Implementation of the "Familiar Faces Program," a multidisciplinary street outreach team.
  • Goal 2 (Alternative Detention): Expansion of alternative sentencing and diversion opportunities. Advocacy efforts aim to reduce the county’s DISH penalty.
  • Goal 3 (Re-entry): Creation of an assessment and re-entry coordinator position.
  • Goal 4 (Efficiency): Implementation of the Digital Evidence Management System and restructuring of the Criminal Justice Data Committee for cross-agency data sharing. Launch of the Early Representation Pilot Program.
  • Goal 5 (Racial/Ethnic Disparities): Commitment to a systemic approach to studying and addressing disparities.
  • Jail Population: An updated assessment is planned for year-end. A Sequential Intercept Map is being updated to identify strategies for diverting mentally ill individuals.
  • Cost Analysis: Staff referenced a 2017 estimate of the cost of recidivism and discussed the need for updated fiscal data comparing incarceration versus treatment costs.
  • Public Comment: Probation officers described their roles in GPS monitoring, pre-trial supervision, and case management.
  • Action: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.
  • Item 5: Behavioral Health Housing and Care Continuum Update
  • Discussion: Staff presented an update on the Capital Housing and Residential Care Continuum. Key points included:
  • System Overview: B-Well serves as the mental health plan and drug Medi-Cal organized delivery system.
  • Current Capacity: The County has one 16-bed Psychiatric Health Facility (PUF). Crisis and residential care are provided through various licensed facilities, with many placements out-of-county.
  • Funding and Policy Changes: Discussion included MHSA Modernization, State Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant ($9.9 million), CalAIM Payment Reform, IST Commitments, Senate Bill 43, and the IMD Waiver.
  • Needs Assessment: Staff identified a need to expand acute care capacity (PUF) and subacute/residential care.
  • Youth Care: The County lacks inpatient psychiatric beds for youth. Signet Health is purchasing property in North County to create a multi-bed facility with a youth wing.
  • Operations: Staff provided an update on quality care management, staffing capacity, and the status of the IMD waiver for BH Connect. The Crisis Stabilization Unit at Marion is operational but has low utilization; the contract is being amended to allow referrals from Lompoc Regional Hospital.
  • Data: Staff presented comparative data on bed shortages, noting estimated acute care needs and current shortages.
  • Public Comment: A representative from NAMI Santa Barbara County and Families Act highlighted the lack of inpatient and subacute beds and recommended stronger collaboration with local hospitals.
  • Action: The Board was asked to receive and file the presentation. The action was determined to be exempt from CEQA.
  • Vote Outcome: The motion passed.

Adjournment

  • Action: The Board adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in Santa Maria, or the following day at 10:30 AM.