Board of Supervisors — 2024-02-13

Tributes to Chris Potter

• The board honored artist Chris Potter for his community contributions and charitable donations.
• Supervisors shared personal remarks regarding his character and interactions with residents.

Bridge House Septic System Completion

• Supervisor Hartman acknowledged the successful repair and expansion of the shelter's septic system.
• The project finished before the holidays, enabling the facility to operate at full capacity.

Administrative Agenda Adjustments

• A resolution supporting peace in Ethiopia was withdrawn by its sponsoring district.
• An item regarding LAFCO services agreements was added via addendum to the agenda.
• The remaining administrative items were approved unanimously with one exception pulled for separate discussion.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Resolution

• Presenters highlighted the prevalence of youth dating violence and the need for prevention education.
• The board adopted a resolution proclaiming February 2024 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Retirement Board Appointments

• Supervisor Nelson raised concerns regarding geographic diversity after losing a North County representative.
• Two candidates from Ventura and Kern counties were introduced and presented their qualifications.
• The board unanimously approved the appointments to the Santa Barbara County Employees Retirement System board.

CalFresh Program Staffing Expansion

• Social Services requested 65 new positions to address rising caseloads and expiring pandemic flexibilities.
• Discussion confirmed that no additional General Fund contributions were required beyond existing allocations.
• The board unanimously approved the salary resolution for the requested staffing increases.

Housing Compliance Ordinance Amendments

• Staff presented updates to density bonus programs and streamlined permitting for supportive housing.
• Supervisor Nelson expressed concern over reduced local control regarding "by-right" placement near schools.
• The board passed the amendments with a directive for staff to return with additional objective standards.

Closed Session

• The board convened in closed session to consider an appointment for the Director of Public Works.
• No reportable action was taken on this item upon reconvening.

Meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors – February 13, 2024

Call to Order and Roll Call

• The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Lavagnino. A roll call confirmed the presence of all supervisors: Katz, Hartman, Nelson, Williams, and Chair Lavagnino. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Tributes

• Supervisor Laura Capps offered a tribute to artist Chris Potter, who recently passed away, noting his contributions to the community through his art and donations. Supervisor Williams added personal remarks regarding Potter's character and interactions with the community.

Approval of Minutes

• The board considered the minutes from the February 6, 2024 meeting. A motion to approve was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Nelson. The motion passed unanimously.

County Executive Officer's Report

• Supervisor Hartman acknowledged Lou Gibilasco, a contracted project manager with the General Services Department, for overseeing the repair and expansion of the septic system at the Bridge House homeless shelter in Lompoc. The project was completed prior to the Christmas holidays, allowing the shelter to operate at full capacity.

Clerk Announcements and Agenda Changes

• The Clerk announced two changes to the administrative agenda: 1. Administrative Item A-1 (Resolution in support of peace and human rights in Ethiopia), sponsored by Supervisor Williams, was withdrawn by the district. 2. Administrative Item A-18 (Recommendations regarding an agreement for County Council services for LAFCO) was added via addendum.

Administrative Agenda

• A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, incorporating the withdrawal of Item A-1 and the addition of Item A-18, with the exception of Item A-6 which was pulled for separate discussion. The motion was moved by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Williams. It passed unanimously.

Administrative Item A-2: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Resolution

• The board considered a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Capps to proclaim February 2024 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Presenters from the "What Is Love" program and a UCSB student spoke regarding the prevalence of dating violence among youth and the importance of prevention education. The resolution was adopted without a formal vote recorded in the transcript, following the reading of the text by the Clerk.

Administrative Item A-6: Appointments to the Retirement Board

• The board considered recommendations for appointments to the Santa Barbara County Employees Retirement System (SBERS) board. Supervisor Nelson pulled the item to discuss geographic diversity, noting the loss of a North County representative. Staff and the Executive Director of SBERS presented two candidates: Robert Bianchi (from Ventura County) and Dustin Dodgen (from Kern County). Both candidates were introduced and spoke briefly. A motion to approve the appointments was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Chair Lavagnino. The motion passed unanimously.

General Public Comment

• Ten members of the public provided comments on general topics not on the agenda. The primary subjects included:
• Allegations regarding election integrity, specifically concerning Dominion voting machines, mail-in ballots, and claims of fraud in recent elections. Several speakers referenced a federal court case in Georgia involving Professor J. Alex Halderman's demonstration of hacking voting machines.
• Concerns regarding Proposition 1 (veterans housing bond) and its financial impact on taxpayers.
• Comments regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and media reporting on alleged atrocities.

Departmental Item No. 1: CalFresh Program Augmentation

• The Social Services Department presented a request to add 59 positions (50 eligibility workers, leads, and supervisors; 9 support staff) and 6 additional staff in other branches, funded by new state/federal allocations and existing local funds. The presentation detailed the need for increased staffing due to rising caseloads and the expiration of pandemic-era flexibilities. Discussion focused on:
• The flexibility to reduce positions in the future if efficiencies are realized or funding changes occur.
• The source of local matching funds, confirming no additional General Fund contribution was required beyond existing allocations.
• The impact of staffing on outreach efforts and program participation rates.
• A motion to approve the salary resolution for the requested positions was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Williams. The motion passed unanimously.

Departmental Item No. 2: Ordinance Amendments for Housing Compliance

• The Planning and Development Department presented ordinance amendments to the County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC), Montecito Land Use and Development Code (MLUDC), and Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) to comply with state housing laws. Key provisions included:
• Updates to the Density Bonus Program, including a staff recommendation to extend the affordability period from 55 to 90 years.
• Streamlined permitting for supportive housing and low-barrier navigation centers.
• Objective design standards for multi-unit and mixed-use housing.
• Discussion centered on:
• The loss of local control regarding "by-right" placement of supportive housing facilities, particularly in residential zones. Supervisor Nelson expressed concern over the lack of discretionary review (CUP) for these projects near sensitive receptors like schools.
• The expiration date for low-barrier navigation center streamlining provisions.
• The ability to maintain or modify objective standards to address local concerns.
• Supervisor Nelson recommended that the board adopt the amendments but direct staff to return with a menu of additional objective standards to provide more local control in the future. A motion was made by Supervisor Hartman to approve the staff report (Items A through C) and to direct staff to return with recommendations on objective standards. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Capps. The vote outcome was 4 in favor, 1 opposed. The item passed.

Closed Session

• The board recessed to closed session to consider a public employee appointment/reappointment for the Director of Public Works. Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that no reportable action was taken on this item.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 27, 2024, chaired by Supervisor Capps.