Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Nelson, Williams, Katz, 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino
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
County Executive Officers Report
- Jesus Armas was introduced as the new Community Services Director.
- Grants up to $3,000 for earthquake retrofitting were announced with a February 21 deadline.
- Federal disaster loan deadlines were set for property damage and economic injury relief.
- A video presentation honored the Search and Rescue Team and recognized Nelson Fritschler.
No decision 0–0
Administrative Resolutions
- Resolution 1 celebrated the grand reopening of the Lompoc Teen Center.
- Resolution 2 marked the relaunch of the Wildling Museum as the California Nature Art Museum.
- Resolution 3 honored community trail organizations for emergency repairs following winter damage.
Agenda Withdrawals
- The Community Services Department withdrew the strategic plan for workforce housing development.
- An ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 46A regarding inclusionary housing was also withdrawn.
Vacation of County Road Right-of-Way
- The board approved vacating an unused portion of a county road right-of-way at 365 Main Street.
- Public comment from the property owner noted the area functionally serves as a front yard.
No decision 0–0
Coastal Resource Mitigation Fund Grant
- A grant contract with Lompoc Unified School District was approved for the Cabrillo High School Aquarium.
- The board recognized the student-run nature of the aquarium program during the discussion.
Rooster Ordinance
- Public comment addressed concerns regarding noise, disease transmission, and constitutional issues.
- Supervisor Nelson opposed the ordinance as written due to potential agricultural impacts.
- The board adopted the ordinance on second reading with a four-to-one vote.
Annexation of Orchid Gateway Retail Commercial Center
- Staff presented details on annexing approximately 5,900 acres into the Orchid Community Facilities District.
- The board approved a resolution to call for a mailed ballot special election.
- A hearing was scheduled for February 6th to certify results and consider an ordinance.
Criminal Justice Overview and Jail Projections
- Staff presented data showing crime rates leveling off while jail populations stabilized near 750.
- The Jail Population Management Plan aims to reduce recidivism through diversion and pre-trial services.
- Sheriff Brown argued that planning for approximately 1,000 beds is necessary for safety.
- The board received the staff report for informational purposes without a formal vote on policy changes.
Closed Session
- The session included consideration of a public employee appointment for the Director of Public Works.
- Conferences with labor negotiators representing various associations were also held.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The January 23, 2024, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Steve Lavagnino. The Clerk confirmed the presence of all supervisors via roll call, and the board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made by Supervisor Nelson and seconded by Supervisor Hartman to approve the minutes from the January 9, 2024, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
County Executive Officers Report
- Paula Kislak presented four announcements: 1. New Community Services Director: Jesus Armas was introduced as the new director. 2. Earthquake Brace and Bolt Program: Information was provided regarding grants up to $3,000 for eligible homeowners to retrofit homes against seismic damage, with applications due February 21. 3. SBA Disaster Loans: Low-interest federal disaster loans were announced for businesses and residents affected by the December 2023 storms. Deadlines were set for March 11 for property damage and October 10 for economic injury. 4. Unsung Heroes Video: A video honoring the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue Team was presented, specifically recognizing Nelson Fritschler.
No decision 0–0
Resolutions
- A motion was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Nelson to approve administrative resolutions one through three. The motion passed unanimously.
- Resolution 1 (Lompoc Teen Center): Celebrated the grand reopening of the Lompoc Teen Center, detailing its mission to provide a safe space for at-risk teens. Representatives from the center addressed the board.
- Resolution 2 (California Nature Art Museum): Celebrated the relaunching of the Wildling Museum as the California Nature Art Museum, outlining its history and mission to inspire stewardship through art. Museum representatives addressed the board regarding rebranding and future programming.
- Resolution 3 (Community Trail Organizations): Honored community trail organizations for emergency repairs and maintenance of Front Country Trails following severe winter damage. A representative from the Montecito Trails Foundation addressed the board on behalf of multiple organizations.
Agenda Announcements and Withdrawals
- The Clerk announced two withdrawals: Administrative Item 34 regarding a strategic plan for workforce housing development, and Departmental Item 1 regarding an ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 46A (Inclusionary Housing). Both were withdrawn by the Community Services Department.
Administrative Agenda Approval
- Supervisor Nelson requested to pull items A-16 and A-17 for separate discussion. Public requests to speak on items A-15 and A-17 were noted. A motion was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Capps to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, excluding items 15, 16, and 17 (and incorporating the withdrawal of item 34). The motion passed unanimously.
Administrative Item 15: Vacation of County Road Right-of-Way
- The Clerk read the item regarding the vacation of an unused portion of a county road right-of-way at 365 Main Street, Los Alamos. Public comment was provided by property owner Allard Jensen. Supervisor Nelson moved to approve the item, noting it involved vacating frontage that functionally serves as the property's front yard. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Hartman. The motion passed unanimously.
Administrative Item 16: Coastal Resource Mitigation Fund Grant
- The Clerk read the item regarding a grant contract with the Lompoc Unified School District for the Cabrillo High School Aquarium. Supervisor Nelson highlighted the student-run nature of the program and moved to approve the item. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Hartman. The motion passed unanimously.
Administrative Item 17: Rooster Ordinance
- The Clerk read the item regarding an ordinance to regulate the number of roosters allowed per parcel size. Eight members of the public provided comment, discussing topics including links to cockfighting, disease transmission, noise issues, genetic diversity claims, commercial exemptions, and constitutional concerns. Supervisor Nelson stated he would not support the ordinance as written due to concerns regarding agricultural impacts and zoning classifications, though he condemned threats against board members and cockfighting. Supervisor Hartman moved for the adoption of the ordinance on second reading and determined it was not a project under CEQA. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Capps. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed four to one.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson
General Public Comment
- Eleven members of the public addressed the board. Topics included concerns regarding electronic voting machines (specifically Dominion systems), advocacy for paper ballots with hand counting and voter ID requirements, immigration, education, gun control, regulations on farmers and construction, and the "New California State" movement. A question was raised regarding the division of authority between the Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters concerning voting machine contracts; the District Attorney clarified that the Registrar oversees elections and would bring contract replacement matters to the Board.
Departmental Item No. 1: Withdrawal Request
- The Board considered a request to withdraw Departmental Item No. 1, which had been previously read into the record. Supervisor Nelson moved to approve the withdrawal. The motion was seconded. No public comment was requested or received. The Board voted unanimously to pass the motion, and the item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Departmental Item No. 2: Annexation of Orchid Gateway Retail Commercial Center
- The Board held a hearing regarding the annexation of the Orchid Gateway Retail Commercial Center into the Orchid Community Facilities District (CFD). Staff presented details on the multi-step annexation process, noting the project was approved in November 2019 with a condition requiring annexation. The proposed area is approximately 5,900 acres within a larger 14-acre parcel. Because the Melrose Community Facilities Act of 1982 governs this process and there are no registered voters in the district but one property owner, the staff recommendation included adopting a resolution to call for a mailed ballot special election and setting a hearing for February 6th to certify results and consider an ordinance. Supervisor Nelson noted that annexation is a condition of approval for new projects under the Orchid Community Plan and explained the tax implications. No written protests were received. Supervisor Nelson moved to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Hartman. No public comment was requested or received. The Board voted unanimously to pass the motion, approving the resolution to call for a special election and setting the hearing date for February 6th.
Departmental Item No. 3: Criminal Justice Overview and Jail Projections
- The Board received an updated analysis from MW Consulting regarding Santa Barbara County criminal justice trends, jail population projections, and management strategies. Key data points presented included crime rates that rose during the pandemic but leveled off or dropped in 2022; a jail population that stabilized around 750 in late 2021; and projections estimating a 5.6% population growth over the next decade. Staff outlined the Jail Population Management Plan, which aims to reduce recidivism through expanded pre-trial services, diversion programs, co-response teams, and improved data sharing. Approximately 60% of the jail population has a known mental health condition. Sheriff Brown provided additional commentary on facility capacity needs, noting the population has remained above 740 for most of the last 13 months and arguing that planning for approximately 1,000 beds is necessary to safely house an average population of 850. The District Attorney presented remarks regarding a 33% decrease in misdemeanor filings since 2017 but a 14% increase in felony submissions. He highlighted a philosophical shift toward "presumed eligibility" for diversion programs. The County Executive Officer addressed case backlogs, stating the pandemic-era backlog has largely been resolved, though open cases remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Six members of the public provided comments regarding state laws skewing statistics, support for the Jail Population Management Plan, and the need for data on program effectiveness. Supervisors discussed data discrepancies, the 85% pre-trial population figure, and the need to reconcile assumptions regarding future projections. No formal motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon during this portion of the meeting; the Board received the plan for informational purposes.
Motion to Receive and File Staff Report
- Following further discussion on incarceration costs, public safety initiatives, and root causes of crime, Supervisor Capps moved to receive and file the staff report regarding the discussed issues. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Hartman. The Board voted in favor of the motion, and it passed.
Transition to Closed Session
- The Chair announced a recess to closed session. The agenda for the closed session included consideration of a public employee appointment for the Director of Public Works and conferences with labor negotiators representing various associations. The designated agency representatives were CEO Miyasato and Human Resources Director Christine Schmidt.