Board of Supervisors 1_9_24

Good morning. I will call to order the January 9th, 2024 meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. Madam Clerk please call the roll.

Ready? Begin.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. This marks the 174th convening of the Santa Barbara County's highest legislative body. I will now accept nominations for the position of chair and vice-chair for the board of supervisors for 2024. Who also sit at the Board of Directors of the Water Agency, the Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District, the Lacuna County Sanitation District and other special districts as appropriate.

Mr. Nelson?

Mr. Chair I'd like to nominate Supervisor Labadino for chair and Supervisor Laura Capps for vice-chair.

Is there a second? Second. There is a first and a second, all those in favor please say aye. Aye. And reminder to hit the button as well. Great that's unanimous I just want to A couple remarks close out I think what was a really important year. For the men and women that protect our community and prepare for the future for our community in the county family.

I am as outgoing chair I'm extremely proud of their work and I think the whole board's accomplishments for last year and the county's work Is something to be celebrated by the community. We prepared for and responded to multiple storm emergencies in January, April and December. Broke ground on the Regional Fire Communication Center and Emergency Operations Center expansion which is key to our goal of creating an integrated fire EMS system in which the closest available resources dispatched to help you As opposed to the closest resource on your side of a border.

We approved funding to expand temporary shelter beds with the La Posada project, which we will celebrate this Friday. And that was part of our long effort, which I think after years of diligent work really bore fruit last year of actually lowering the number of homeless on the street in the South County. We adopted a tenant protection ordinance And funded and completed emergency improvements to the Santa Maria River in Guadalupe.

We adopted a housing element in the most substantive document in the history of Santa Barbara County, and it's a difficult issue. We approved the Montecito segment of the 101 expansion project. Funded and approved Northern Branch Jail Expansion as well as diversion efforts from criminal justice and behavioral health partners. In sustainability and tackling climate change, we made more progress than ever before.

Expanding our electric fleet of cars internally, trying to lead by example, building more chargers, and the approved Straus Wind Project was built and began delivering energy And through C3CE, we procured a large energy storage project, a large wind project and several other renewable projects. Further living our values through our purchases and through our work.

And I as chair just believe that if we continue to concentrate on some of the most basic needs of the people of Santa Barbara County And we look beyond our differences, look beyond the politics of the matter. We will continue to do good work in trying to live our values. I also want to invite you tonight. It is the 9th of January and it is the anniversary of the debris flow for my constituents in Montecito.

And I want to invite you tonight to the Raising Our Light Commemoration we do once a year in the honor of the victims of the debris flow. And I just want to take the opportunity to read their names because I do believe that their deaths, their tragic deaths have an enduring effect on the work of our flood control streets division and are the entire county family.

Jim Mitchell Alice Mitchell Marilyn Ramos, Jonathan Benitez, Fabiola Benitez, Kaylee Benitez. Mark Montgomery, Carolyn Montgomery, David Canton, Jack Canton, Josephine Gower, John McManagel, Rebecca Riskin, Roy Roeder, Peter Florat, Sawyer Corey, Morgan Corey, Vinit Sutapaya, That is my honor to repeat their names. Now we keep the memory alive in our work, to make sure that such events are less often and have less damage unless loss of life.

I now have the honor to present the gavel and block to Mr. Steve Lavagnino, our incoming chair for 2024 to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and maybe even more important than this gavel Steve The BAT phone, the BAT phone which we tested last year and we want to make sure that it worked. We didn't actually have to use it for the emergencies thank God but it is something that is needed to have so there's the BAT phone and it is my honor

So it's called a smooth transition of power so federal government, you might want to take a look at that. Congress check this out yeah check this out. So I have just a couple minutes. You know the changing the guard on this diocese. Really ceremonial. Our chair has no extra authority I don't get an extra half a vote or anything, no special powers but I am going to try a few changes to our meetings so that might be able to encourage a little bit more public participation maybe have it run a little bit differently this is my third time as chair So the first is, I'll be rearranging the agenda so that our resolutions will be preceding the administrative agenda now. There are days when the agenda extends for almost an hour and folks who may be here just to be simply recognized for their work in the community or they're retiring from the county.

They're waiting for the board to deliberate and listen to all the public comment. So resolutions will lead off followed by the administrative agenda in general public comment. I'll also do my best, for those that know me, to define a lunch break. Usually as close to 1230 as possible where the board will hear our closed session items. There's a joke that I tend to make poor decisions the later we go on in the afternoon if we don't stop to eat.

On items with significant public interest and public comment I'm going to work to provide a time certain so people aren't sitting here for hours waiting for their item. But we also have to remember, we have a lot to get through each meeting. These agendas are very lengthy. Public commenters will generally be granted their full three minutes. However, there may be times when due to sheer volume, we will ask to shorten your original script. I promise to be as fair as possible with the clock but I want to let you know right now whether it's one minute, two minute or three minutes I don't like for people to go over. And the reason for that is, I just don't think it's fair to the other people that have to make their point within the allotted time.

To my colleagues we have a lot to do this year from rezones associated with the housing element, to reimagining how and where our employees will work, to hopefully discovering a new cannabis tax formula. All while identifying long-term solutions for our library funding and arts programs not to mention finding innovative new ways to address homelessness continue our criminal justice reform initiatives, and then of course deal with the next natural disaster.

And we will make mistakes along the way but as a legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden once said show me someone not making mistakes and I'll show you someone not doing anything. So let's get to work find those solutions that will make this county more responsive more efficient and better prepared to meet the challenges of 2024. So with that

So moved. Second.

We have a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Passes unanimously that takes us to our CEO report.

Good morning, Chair Lavagnino and board members. I have a few announcements this morning. First of all, I'm pleased to announce the appointment of our two new directors who started in 2024. The first is Christine Schmidt, who's been appointed as the new Human Resources Director. She has served as the Assistant City Manager for the city of Goleta since 2019 and before that dedicated 22 years of her career to the city of Santa Barbara where she held various positions in human resources employee relations and administrative services Christie, why don't you come up. Her experience in local government and familiarity with our community's unique needs makes her a wonderful fit to lead our Human Resources Department so please join me in welcoming Christine to the County of Santa Barbara.

If you could just say a few words?

Thank you for the warm welcome. I feel immensely privileged to be able to assume leadership of the Human Resources Department here at the county. I've been impressed with the dedication, the resilience and the commitment that's been demonstrated by your human resources staff and by staff throughout the county. And I'm grateful to Assistant Director Yvonne Torres for keeping things moving Quite well during the interim and I look forward to navigating challenges Celebrating victories and innovating the way that we support our employees in our department with my new colleagues And with you And thank you again, and I look forward to the year ahead. Thank You Christy.

Thank you

The second director I'd like to announce is Meta Richardson who was appointed as the new child support director. Meta why don't you come forward? Ms. Richardson has been with the department since 2016 and most recently served as the assistant director before starting her career in child support services, she worked in various departments within the county government and cities. She also served as the finance director of the city of Grass Valley. She's proven herself as a dynamic forward-thinking professional and we look forward to her tenure as a Child Support Director.

I want to thank you all so much for appointing me to this role, and I do feel strongly that we will be a success in the years going forward in the child support program. And the main reason is who you can see behind me are several of our child support employees. So I'm just thrilled to be able to lead this really strong team and to move forward with some of the innovations that we've been working on for a number of years. And I'm really excited to start the new year this way As the new child support director. Thank you very much.

A few other quick announcements. Planning and Development's new solar app has had great success, we have a slide up to show that. The software app launched in November and it allows installers to submit county residents' new top rooftop solar applications through a simple-to-use app for plan check review. So far more than 110 permits have been issued using this streamlined process with a county inspection turnaround of just one day. A link to the application can be found on the county website so please Residents and community members please look at the website and feel free to use the app.

The second thing is that a big milestone has occurred for clean energy, and that it's a Straus Wind Energy Project near Lompoc went operational at the end of December and is now delivering power to the state electrical grid. It is composed of 29 wind turbines that are up to 490 feet tall, spread out over nearly 3,000 acres. It's capable of producing 98 megawatts of power which is the equivalent of powering approximately 40,000 homes so we're glad this project is finally up and running.

Lastly, this is just a reminder to our residents that the Santa Barbara County residents who experienced storm damage from the storms of December 20th to 21st 2023. Now is the time to complete a Storm Damage Report if they sustained damage. The information will assist public safety officials in understanding the extent of local impacts and advocate on behalf of the community for state and federal assistance. So if anyone had suffered damage from the December 2023 storms, forms can be found on the ReadySBC website. And that concludes my report. Thank you.

Thank you very much CEO Miyasato. That takes us to our clerk announcements. Madam Clerk are there any announcements or changes to our agenda today?

Yes, chair Lavinino and members of the board. I do have a couple quick announcements this morning we received requests from the departments to withdraw three items from today's agenda administrative items number 614 and 15 administrative item number six is from the behavioral wellness department. It is to consider recommendations regarding the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Regional Health Authority DBA Sankal Health CalAIM incentive payment program funding agreement for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Administrative item number 14 is from the fire department, it is to consider recommendations regarding the Santa Barbara County employee sheltering during emergencies policy. And administrative item number 15 is also from the fire department. It is to consider recommendations regarding the Santa Barbara County Disaster Service Worker Employee Policy and again, the departments are requesting to withdraw administrative items number 614 and 15 and these withdrawal requests can be added to the balance of the administrative agenda as we have no request to speak on these items.

Additionally for the Board of Supervisors methods of public participation and to provide public comment on general public comment or an item on the board's agenda Please see page two of the agenda. Individuals that would like to provide verbal public comment may do so via Zoom by registering in advance via the link available on page 2 if you have any questions please contact the clerk at the board's office at area code 8 0 5 5 6 8 2 2 4 0 again that's 8 0 556 822 40 and lastly just a friendly reminder while the board is in session all persons shall preserve order and decorum any person making personal Lewd or slanderous or profane remarks, making disruptive noises, or becoming disruptive in any manner may be removed at the chair's request.

So this is your friendly reminder for today. I know we have a couple important items during our departmental agenda. There is no booing or clapping during our items if you are interested in something, we do a silent little clap. Wait, and that concludes my comment.

All right, great. And that is after resolutions you're more than happy to express your appreciation for people by clapping but once we get into our deliberations and we're talking about our agenda items from our departments then we ask that everybody if you agree with the person give it this. We don't allow for booing or yelling or anything like that. So would any board members like to pull any items from the administrative agenda?

Supervisor Hartman

I just had where the administrative agenda were. Entertaining withdrawal requests for A6, A14 and A15 and then A26 was a continuance did we need to vote on that?

Chair Lavineto and members of the board that is correct. A26 is a request for a continuence from the department and we did receive that request in advance of publishing our agenda so that is indicated on our agenda on page 18 The department is requesting a continuance of the administrative item number 26 to January 23rd, 2024. And just for information for the public, this is from the Public Works Department. It is to consider recommendations regarding rescinding Resolution 18-150 related to ceasing burial of residuals and solid waste at the Tahequs landfill when the landfill reaches permitted capacity and to seek other residual disposal options. And this is in the third district.

So we're going to make a motion about the balance once we get through who's pulling which items. Does anybody else have any items that they wish to pull? Madam Clerk, any members of the public request to pull any items on the administrative agenda?

Chair Lavinino, members of the board, we have no requests to speak on the admin agenda from the public.

Okay so I'll now entertain a motion to approve the balanced administrative agenda with the items that were announced. Second. Item has been moved and seconded. We're all figuring out this new system here, so bear with us a little bit. So all those in favor? Aye. Anybody opposed? So that motion passes unanimously and that takes us to we'll come back to the administrative agenda. So now that takes us to our resolutions to be presented. Administrative item number one

Chair Lavinino, members of the board. Administrative item number one is sponsored by Supervisor Williams and Supervisor Capps. It's to adopt a resolution proclaiming the month of January 2024 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Santa Barbara County and joining us here in person today we have Ileana Onda and Megan Riker-Reinschild and if you can please join us at the podium And I'll go ahead and read the resolution.

Whereas human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state including California, wherein victims are forced to work in various forms of labor exploitation including but not limited to commercial sex acts and other services that are induced through force fraud or coercion. And whereas due to its isolated and discreet nature many individuals across the globe are unaware that trafficking exists in their communities. And whereas it is estimated that more than 28 million people around the world are victims of human trafficking And whereas human trafficking victims face a cruelty that has no place in a civilized world. It is a crime that can take many forms and one that tears at our social fabric, debases our common humanity and violates what we stand for as a country.

And whereas increased education about how to identify human trafficking along with increased knowledge of in-state resources and services for those affected by criminal exploitation can help decrease the number of future victims. And whereas the Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to using all applicable laws and resources for investigating human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in it. And whereas the Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force has worked diligently to bring awareness of the fact that human trafficking occurs closer to home than one might think, that California ranks number one in the country for reported human trafficking cases And that Santa Barbara County is home to hundreds of survivals of trafficking and exploitation.

And whereas Human Trafficking Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the critical role all Santa Barbara County residents play in preventing, reporting, and adjudicating these heinous crimes. Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors declares January 2024 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Santa Barbara County passed and adopted today.

Good morning, Chair Lavagnino, Supervisor Capps, Supervisor Williams. Thank you for supporting this resolution for Human Trafficking Awareness Month. I appreciate the ongoing support each and every one of you to the person over the past now 10 years has been a staunch supporter of this issue and I feel like we have made a lot of progress together our partnerships are have been pivotal in terms of moving the needle on this issue. And joining me today is our Assistant District Attorney Kelly Duncan, one of our newer chiefs Jennifer Karapetian.

Also joining us recently from Kern County is our Supervising DA Tyson McCoy who has a great deal of experience prosecuting human trafficking and other parts of the state And Tiffany Carty, who joined us from Washington D.C., having worked at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and is now a supervisor in our South County Victim Witness Unit and overseeing the work of the Human Trafficking Advocates.

Also joining me, and I cannot say enough about the work of Kingdom Causes as a partner on our Human Trafficking Task Force helping us with the enormous task of educating the community and drafting this strategic plan to continue to move this issue forward. I want to mention a couple of things, and that is that we have an event that the Rotary of Santa Maria South is hosting next Friday at the Santa Maria Country Club. Speaking at that event will be Tyson McCoy talking about strategies to investigate and prosecute human trafficking but also just generally talking about the issue on the Central Coast We also have a vigil next week on Wednesday at De La Guerra Plaza, which is a community event to show support around this issue.

Once again I want to thank the board and the community for continuing to support us in our efforts and I want to thank our partners in the county child welfare probation, the courts we could not do this alone and it really is a demonstration of it takes a village to move the needle on assisting and supporting our vulnerable population so thank you so much

Thank you.

Supervisor Caps?

Thank you. I just wanted to acknowledge the many organizations and individuals who've worked on this important issue. I was made aware of it as a commissioner for women about a decade ago, thanks to Megan Riker Reinchild. And it's an issue that you often might think of bigger cities or different countries but yet it does impact us here in Santa Barbara County to the tune of dozens of young girls, women who are victims And hundreds more who are potential victims and vulnerable to this kind of horrific abuse. So you really have moved the needle in the last decade since you came and spoke to the Women's Commission, who has been engaged on this issue, and the awareness and the vigils and the work that goes on on the ground. I just want to lend my support and admiration for the day-in and day-out work.

Thank you.

Great. Supervisor Williams? And I also wanted to give my personal thank you, not only to all of you and your work but the whole team. It's a really extensive team that works on human trafficking issues in this county. And it, I think for the benefit of public, it really defies some of our stereotypes, the data that they have accumulated. Number one according to that data, the majority of the survivors of trafficking or those that are have been victimized by trafficking in our county Our citizens and though there are undocumented folks in that group as well, and they deserve our protection.

That defies a lot of the stereotypes that we see about this. And of course the other is the biggest one that Supervisor Capps touched upon which is that this is not just a big city problem. That we unfortunately are one of the centers in the state for trafficking. And because of our geographic proximity, or we're right in the middle and so this is a problem for our whole county to fight and I just want to express the board's commitment to continuing that fight.

Excellent. That takes us to administrative item number two. Thank you very much for being here today.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, administrative item number two is sponsored by Supervisor Lavinino. It is to adopt a resolution of commendation honoring Florentina Lopez of the Planning and Development Department as the January 2024 Employee of the Month in Santa Barbara County. And joining us today we have Florentina Lopez and Lisa Plowman our Planning and Development Director.

And I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Whereas, Florentino Lopez exemplifies the county's organizational values of accountability, customer focus, equity and inclusion, innovation, trust, and ethics. And whereas, Florentino Lopez models the transformative behaviors of collaborative problem solving alignment with the county's vision, risk-taking data driven decision making and strategic thinking. And whereas, Florentino Lopez began his career with the County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development Department in 2006 Where he currently serves as a petroleum specialist. And whereas Florentino has provided excellent customer service to the public and the petroleum lease operators during his tenure with the county, exemplifying consistency, objectivity and fairness.

With a knowledge-based and reasonable approach to enforcement of the Petroleum Code. And whereas Florentino is a team player, and interacts effectively and collaboratively with his co-workers and with representatives from County Fire, Environmental Health Services, and Air Pollution Control District. And with state agencies assisting them in achieving their respective objectives. And whereas Florentino's commitment to a consistently high quality of work And dedication to getting the job done right has earned him high praise amongst those he serves and is the foundation to his success as a county petroleum specialist. And whereas Florentino's ability to communicate effectively, objectively and calmly in both his written and spoken word reassures those that he serves that he is not only there to gain compliance with his regulatory duties but is also there to help them succeed.

And whereas Florentino leads by example, performs his duties professionally and accepts the responsibility to provide prompt accurate and courteous service with a high level of integrity at all times qualifies him as a model public servant. And whereas Florentino's demeanor is always friendly and cheerful, and he openly shares a dry sense of humor that provides joy and laughter which lifts up those around him. Now therefore be it hereby ordered to resolve that this Board of Supervisors recognizes Florentina Lopez as the employee of the month for January 2024 passed and adopted today.

I just wanted to, I'm not sure I can add much more to that because it was very comprehensive and accurate. But I did want to say that Florentino really stepped up when we had a situation where we only had one inspector and he did a lot of inspections on his own and he didn't complain and he did an incredible job and we're really proud of him and we're very happy to have him on our team so congratulations Florenteno.

It's just it's nice working in this area. It's a privilege and honor to receive it wasn't expected, but I'll take it. Congratulations.

Alright that takes us to item 3.

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, administrative item number three is sponsored by Supervisor Williams. It is to adopt a resolution of commendation honoring Claire Gottsdanker for her service on the Montecito Board of Architectural Review. And if we can please have Claire Gottsdanker to the podium? And I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Whereas Claire got sinker has been a pillar and tireless leader in the land use community of Montecito for over three decades. And whereas from 1985 until 1992 Claire got sink or worked as part of the team that wrote the Montecito Community plan and subsequently took on the additional assignment of drafting. and design the guidelines for the physical and structural development of Montecito. And whereas Claire Gottsdinger served as Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Montecito Planning Commission from 2006 to 2012, and is both a member of the chair of the Montecito Board of Architectural Review from 2003 to 2006 and from 2013 to the present.

And whereas Claire Godstinker received the 2004 Montecito Citizen of the Year honor, having served on the Montecito Association Board of Directors for over six years and as chair of the Architectural Review Committee. And whereas Claire Godstinger has been a resident of Montecito since 1961. And although she tragically lost her home in the T-fire, she was one of the first to rebuild and helped others as a member of the T fire recovery team and has served your community as the president of the Mountain Drive Community Association. And whereas Claire Godstinger is a proud mother to Josh and Adam, a grandmother and is extremely passionate about gardening plants and living sustainably. Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors honors Claire for her service on the Montecito Board of Architectural Review, and further commends her for her lifetime of outstanding achievement in the service to this community.

Passed and adopted today.

Well, thank you. And all there is for me to say is it's been a privilege, an extreme privilege of my life to actually serve Montecito. It's the only place that I've ever lived. When I first came to Santa Barbara, I went to UCSB and two years into UCSB, I rented a room in Montecito That building actually got wiped out in the floods, you know. But it, you know, all my, well 60 years in Montecito. I've never lived anywhere else at Santa Barbara than in Montecito and I love Montecito. I love it, you know? And all of its all been about For me, it's preserving and protecting Montecito because it is such a special place.

It has been such a privilege to serve the county, you and the people of Montecito. I really thank you for this. You know, and this is kind of a completion of part of my life. And I just really appreciate that you're honoring me and continue to help me do what I like in life. Thank you very much.

And I just want to say it is so inspirational and beautiful for me to see the heart, soul, and just years that Claire has put into public service. The MBAR is not our most glorious or glamorous assignment, and she has done so much. And for those of you that don't know her She's not just someone who has fought hard to preserve the beauty of Montecito. She's a representative of everything that's funky about the Mountain Drive community, and in Mountain Drive community's finest hour, which I would say is the recovery from the T-fire, she was one of the folks who led the effort and led that community in its most difficult but also it's most finest hour And it is hard for me, sad for me to see you retiring.

But I think your work and your example will live on for all MBAR members from here on out of how to do it. So thank you so much Claire.

All right that takes us to item A4 Madam Clerk

Chair Lavinino and members of the board, administrative item number four is sponsored by Supervisor Nelson. It is to adopt a resolution of accommodation honoring Joanie Maiden upon her retirement from the Child Support Services Department after 30 years of faithful and distinguished service to the citizens of Santa Barbara County. And if Joanie can join us at the podium I'll go ahead and read the resolution.

Whereas in her 30 years with the County of Santa Barbara, Joni Maiden's commitment to serving the families and children of Santa Barbara County never wavered as she advanced through all positions from a child support officer to our current role as the director of the Department of Child Support Services. And whereas Joni Maiden is a respected leader who infused the office environment with flexibility, thoughtfulness and the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement who led the department fearlessly through the pandemic and whose spearheaded customer focused innovations To numerous account, including lobby central instant zoom a virtual receptionist and multiple systems conversions. And whereas joanie maiden's devotion to public service was evident as she supported numerous county and statewide initiatives and efforts.

Including the 2020 Census, United Way, COVID-19 vaccination pods, emergency operations center EOC activations, bridging the digital divide, veterans stand down and chairing the Child Support Directors Association CSDA membership development committee. And whereas Joni's exemplary knowledge and devotion to the staff of the child support program shone through on a daily basis whether it was checking in on staff well being Developing customer complaint resolution procedures or assisting with the most complex child support cases. Whereas Joni Maiden will be concluding her career with the County of Santa Barbara when she retires on January 19th, 2024. Leaving her time for adventures with her family and beloved son Dylan and long walks with her intrepid dog Bernard.

Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors commends Joni Maiden for her commitment and distinguished public service to the families in our county. Congratulates her upon her retirement and wishes her many years of continued good health and happiness past an adopted day.

Everyone should get a standing ovation in their lifetime. Thank you, Supervisor LaVagnino, Chair LaVagnino and the board members. I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to the many coworkers and colleagues that contributed to my career with the county. Since I'm on my 30th year there's no way to acknowledge everyone but that doesn't lessen the sentiment. And suffice it to say that everyone I've crossed paths with have helped in getting me to this point.

Five years ago I became the director and was fortunate to lead a department that is staffed by dedicated, passionate and hardworking people. They made me a better leader and a better person and some of them are here today. I was fortunate to be able to work with other department directors. And while it can be intimidating to be in a room with them, they're very smart, very caring, very accomplished people and they're also very supportive and giving.

They made me a better leader and a better person. I was honored to have had excellent role models including our previous director Carrie Topliff who's also here today Assistant CEOs Terry Mosnisch and Tanya Heitman, and CEO Miyasato. And early on in my tenure as director during a department head meeting, CEO Miyasado told us some good input she received regarding leadership and management. And it was simply participation equals commitment. And that stayed with me and stuck with me forever.

Whether overseeing the census count, helping to bridge the digital divide, collaborating with fellow HHS department directors or other departments and working at various efforts during the pandemic and emergency operations. It's evident that this county is full of employees and community members that are committed people working together to make things better.

They made me a better leader and a better person. And as I mentioned, I became the department head five years ago. And that's when your board approved me to be the director. I told you at the time that the county had already invested a lot in me. I had a good job that enabled me as a single parent to raise a son in a great environment and I was able to get my master's degree through a program that was implemented by the county.

I told you at the time of my interview that I would be a good return on your investment, and I leave knowing I did a good job. I gave my best and I'm honored to have been in public service for the department, the county, and the community. Thank you. You made me a better leader and a better person.

Go ahead. I'm currently the child support director, but when I was working for Joanie for the last five years, I was the assistant director to Joanie. In my time at the county, I've come to learn that the county means different things to different people. For some, their time at the county is a step on their career journey. For others who are increasingly rare... Sorry, I'm gonna tear up a little bit.

The county represents not just a part of their journey, but rather their destination. This describes Joni Maiden. Joni began her career at the county as a child support officer and she completes it as our Child Support Director. During this time she cared deeply about the county and the child support program and she showed that caring on a daily basis. There was nothing too small, nothing too big, nothing too early in the morning, nothing to late at night She cared about all of it every minute, every hour, every day of her nearly 30 years at the county. I would like to thank Joni for caring so much about us, about the child support program, about the community that she has been part of for so long. Thank you, Joni. You truly gave it your all.

Supervisor Nelson.

Yes, thank you Chair Labadino it was my honor to be able to sponsor this resolution for Joni. You know there's 22 different departments in the county and Child Support Services is also often lost in everything that goes on here but they've been really such a successful department that's based on the leadership at top ongoing leadership and the team that they created and again that starts with Carrie Supervisor Hartman.

I just so much remember that interview where you made that statement. I just wanted to add that you have been a model employee in the county. I started my career in the academic world and my mentor said there are department people and university people, well for the county they're department people and they're one county one future people and you have shown how to really be Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting Thank you.

Joni, thank you also for being willing to step outside your silo and being a great example to all of our department heads that it's the entire county. It's not just child support services. You are always one to raise your hand and get the job done. And I have told my kids to use your quote in job interviews because that was a memorable...and if anybody else is trying to use that when you come to the board now we're going to be like oh that's Joni, we knew that one so But yes, congratulations and it's time for you to enjoy your retirement now. So I hope you do that so congratulations thank you.

That closes out our administrative agenda takes us to general public comment. Now is the time for members of the public to speak on items that are not on the agenda. Madam Clerk are there any requests to speak on general public comment?

Chair Lavinino, members of the board. We did have two requests to speak on general public comment but our Zoom participant has not logged in so we just have one request to speak here at Santa Barbara.

Okay.

And we will go to Karen Hauenstein.

Morning.

Good morning, Karen with an I. I was born in Lompoc And I live near Lompoc. And I am going to talk this morning when we think about the impending implementation of SB 43 in our community, it causes me to think about who's getting rhythm in our county? And this morning when I was reminded and all Conversations that happened about the Straus Wind Project. I was reminded of that three times this morning.

I think about George and Cheryl Bedford, the couple who spent a lot of money and a lot of time building their home in Megalito Canyon And they had their personal property rights and their right of enjoyment of their property completely destroyed by this county. So when we think about who's getting rhythm in this county, we need to be reminded of George and Cheryl Bedford who now cannot enjoy their home that they built because of the Straus Wind Project, which is also an eyesore.

That's the comment about that. How much time do I have left?

One minute 18 seconds.

Then I am also reminded of the words of Brian Rosen who has spoken to you many times about the conservatorship fraud that happened to his family I'm reminded of the words of Brian Rosen, and I also am reminded of the fact that in our county when we look at the way the conservatorship law is used in our county already. We have to look at the actions of people like Judge Stern, Courtney DeSoto and Christy Michelon Vasquez who are operatives in our county, who work within conservatorships in our county.

I know about these people because Christy Michelon-Vazquez decided that she wanted to tell not the truth to Judge Staffel about me and that's going to be the subject of a complaint to the Bar Association about Christy Michelon- Vazquez. You've been informed. Thank you very much.

Madam Clerk, the Zoom speaker. Are they on?

Yes, Chair Lavinino and members of the board we have Parissa Bosay available on Zoom. Parissa?

Hi can you hear me?

Yes we can.

My name is Parisa Bazaie and I'm a resident of Santa Barbara's 2nd District. Over the past three months, I've been advocating for local leaders to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Unfortunately it has come to my attention That Laura Capps has taken action to censor my voice along with those of other Santa Barbara residents. After leaving a comment on her public Instagram account urging her to call for a ceasefire, I was blocked and my comment removed. Given that this Instagram account is linked on the Board of Supervisors official website and is used for purposes related to her role as an elected official, this is deeply concerning and a violation of my First Amendment right. I will not be silenced, and I urge the board to pass a resolution in support of a ceasefire.