Meeting Summary
Present: Williams, Katz, 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson · Absent: Labadino
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
Resolution in Support of the Amara People
- The Board adopted a resolution supporting the Amara people of Ethiopia amid reports of violence and human rights violations.
- Community members addressed the Board regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis before the vote.
National Children's Dental Health Month Resolution
- A resolution recognizing February as National Children's Dental Health Month was adopted by the Board.
- The measure highlighted a partnership between Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics and the Unified School District for mobile dental services.
Straus Wind Project Honorary Resolution
- The Board passed an honorary resolution celebrating the completion of California's first utility-scale coastal wind project.
- Discussion addressed environmental safeguards for bird protection and regulatory challenges following public comment on labor agreements.
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Second Quarter Budget Status Report
- Supervisors discussed significant staffing shortages, noting approximately 600 open positions countywide including 107 in the Sheriff's Department.
- The Board approved the budget status report after addressing concerns over unfilled technical roles and service delivery impacts.
Goleta Beach Closure Update
- Public Health officials reported a sewage spill volume discrepancy that escalated from 1,000 to over 1 million gallons.
- The Board received the update and committed to awaiting the Regional Water Quality Control Board's investigation report.
Social Services Public Assistance Programs Overview
- Staff presented an overview of Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other programs detailing caseload statistics and eligibility criteria.
- The Board received and filed the report while determining the activity is not a project under CEQA.
CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review System Improvement Plan
- The Social Services Department proposed three goals to improve engagement timeliness and attendance rates for CalWORKs participants.
- The Board approved the plan for submission to the California Department of Social Services.
Los Prietos Boys Camp Co-location Proposal
- Staff presented a proposal to co-locate the Fire Department's hand crew program with a new youth vocational initiative at the vacant camp site.
- The Board approved the co-location and authorized the Fire Department to apply for a long-term permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
Probation Headquarters Building Project
- Staff requested authority to advertise construction bids for a $55.2 million net-zero energy facility on Garden Street.
- Discussion focused on parking logistics, debt service, and the inclusion of a Community Workforce Agreement before approval.
Passed 2–1 · against: Nelson
Legislative Funding Critical Projects List and Budget Goals
- The Board reviewed a list of 16 projects covering climate, housing, and infrastructure for potential state and federal funding.
- Approval was granted with an understanding that the final submission will be narrowed based on committee guidance and matching funds.
Closed Session
- The Board convened to confer with labor negotiators regarding all bargaining units, unrepresented employees, managers, and executives.
- No reportable action was taken during this session.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Roll Call
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting for February 27, 2024, was called to order by the Vice-Chair in the absence of Chair Lavagnino. The Clerk conducted a roll call, noting the presence of Supervisors Williams, Katz, Hartman, and Nelson, with Supervisor Labadino absent. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded by Supervisor Nelson to approve the minutes from the February 13, 2024, meeting. The motion passed via voice vote.
No decision 0–0
County Executive Officer's Report
- The County Executive Officer presented a video segment from the "Your County, Your Heroes" series featuring Scott Perkins, a Weights & Measures Inspector with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office. The presentation highlighted Perkins' role in ensuring accuracy for consumer transactions, livestock scales, vineyard scales, and package inspections to maintain fair trade practices. No formal motion or vote was taken on this report.
Administrative Agenda Announcements and Pulls
- The Clerk announced an addendum regarding a Public Health Department update on the Goleta Beach closure due to a sewage spill (Item A19). The Board considered requests to pull Items A3, A9, and A19 for separate discussion. A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda excluding these three items. The motion was seconded and passed via voice vote.
Administrative Item 1: Resolution in Support of the Amara People
- The Board considered a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams supporting the Amara people of Ethiopia, citing reports of violence, human rights violations, and genocide alerts. Community members addressed the Board regarding the humanitarian crisis. Following public comment and discussion, the resolution was adopted.
Administrative Item 2: National Children's Dental Health Month
- The Board considered a resolution sponsored by Supervisor Capps recognizing February 2024 as National Children's Dental Health Month. The resolution highlighted the importance of oral health and recognized a partnership between Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) and the Santa Barbara Unified School District to provide mobile dental services. Representatives from SBNC, the school district, and students addressed the Board regarding the program's impact. The resolution was adopted.
Administrative Item 3: Straus Wind Project Resolution
- The Board considered an honorary resolution sponsored by Supervisors Hartman and Williams celebrating the completion of the Straus Wind Project, described as the first utility-scale wind project on the California coast. A member of the public commented via Zoom regarding concerns over CEQA process usage and union labor agreements. Supervisor Hartman noted environmental safeguards for bird protection, and Supervisor Williams discussed regulatory challenges. A motion was made to approve the resolution, which was seconded. The motion passed via voice vote.
Administrative Item 9: Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Second Quarter Budget Status Report
- The Board considered the budget status report from the County Executive Office. Supervisor Nelson pulled the item to address Attachment C regarding funded but unfilled vacancies, noting approximately 600 open positions countywide and 107 within the Sheriff's Department. He emphasized difficulties in filling technical roles and the impact on service delivery. Supervisor Hartman commented on job listing availability. A motion was made by Supervisor Nelson to approve the item, seconded by Supervisor Hartman. The motion passed via voice vote.
Administrative Item 19: Goleta Beach Closure Update
- The Board received an update from the Public Health Department regarding the closure of Goleta Beach due to a sewage spill from the Goleta West Sanitary District. Officials reported that the beach was closed for recreational water contact following reports of a spill that escalated in estimated volume from 1,000 gallons to over 1 million gallons between February 17 and February 22. Testing is ongoing to determine when fecal bacteria levels return to safe standards. Board members questioned the timeline of reporting, discrepancies in spill volume estimates, communication protocols, and public notification methods. The Goleta West Sanitary District representative stated the initial report contained errors and that the spill was stopped within 30 minutes of detection. Public comment addressed concerns regarding the magnitude of the spill, lack of immediate notification, infrastructure integrity, and economic impacts on shellfish farmers. The Board received the update and discussed the issues with a commitment to await the Regional Water Quality Control Board's investigation report. A motion was made by Senator Padilla to pass the item, seconded by Supervisor Hartman. The motion passed via voice vote.
General Public Comment
- Ten members of the public spoke on general topics not listed on the agenda, including immigration, national security, Second Amendment rights, election records access, ballot verification systems, recreation master plans, and personal reputation matters. No motions were made or votes taken on these comments.
Departmental Item 1: Social Services Public Assistance Programs Overview
- The Social Services Department presented an overview of public assistance programs, including Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, and General Relief. The presentation detailed caseload statistics, geographic distribution, eligibility criteria, and initiatives such as the implementation of CALSAS and a "No Wrong Door" approach. Discussion focused on increasing program utilization, bureaucratic impacts, and regional disparities. A motion was made by Supervisor Williams to receive and file the report and determine that the activity is not a project under CEQA. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Hartman and passed via voice vote.
Departmental Item 2: CalWORKs Outcomes and Accountability Review (Cal-OR) System Improvement Plan
- The Social Services Department presented the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Outcomes and Accountability Review (Cal-OR) System Improvement Plan (CalSIP). The presentation outlined a continuous quality improvement cycle, data-driven performance measures, and a self-assessment process. Three specific goals were proposed: improving initial engagement timeliness, increasing first activity attendance rates, and improving ongoing engagement through staff training. A motion was made to receive the approved CalSIP report for submission to the California Department of Social Services and to find that the activity is not a project under CEQA. The motion was seconded and passed via voice vote.
Departmental Item 3: Los Prietos Boys Camp (LPBC) Site Special Use Permit and Co-location Proposal
- Staff from the Probation Department, Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service presented an item regarding the Los Prietos Boys Camp site. Presenters noted that the court ceased committing youths to the camp in December 2023, leaving the facility vacant. The Probation Department is winding down operations through the end of 2024. A proposal was presented to co-locate the Fire Department's hand crew program and a new youth vocational program at the site. The proposed program would target transitional-age youth (ages 16–25) with skills training in small engine repair, fuels reduction, and teamwork, with a target implementation date of spring 2025. Discussion focused on selection criteria, partnerships, timelines, and concerns regarding the loss of early intervention tools and potential future liability. A motion was made to receive and file the presentation, approve the co-location of Probation and the County Fire Department at the site, and authorize the Fire Department to apply for a long-term permit from the U.S. Forest Service. The motion was seconded and passed.
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session to confer with labor negotiators regarding all bargaining units, unrepresented employees, managers, and executives. No reportable action was taken during this session.
Departmental Item 4: Probation Headquarters Building Project
- Staff from the General Services Department presented a request for authority to advertise for construction bids for a new Probation Headquarters building on Garden Street in downtown Santa Barbara. The project aims to consolidate two existing facilities into a single 33,000-square-foot net-zero energy facility with an estimated cost of $55.2 million and a projected completion date in late 2026. The presentation detailed design features including solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and the inclusion of a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA). Public comment was received from three speakers; one supported the project and CWA, while two opposed the CWA (referred to as a Project Labor Agreement), citing potential cost increases, reduced bidder participation, and discrimination concerns. Board discussion centered on parking logistics, debt service, and the CWA. Staff clarified that the project includes 74 parking spaces with additional reliance on city-owned garages, noting that a full parking structure was eliminated due to cost. One Board member expressed hesitation regarding the lack of a finalized long-term parking agreement with the City. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations to advertise for construction bids. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Passed 2–1 · against: Nelson
Departmental Item 5: Legislative Funding Critical Projects List and Budget Goals
- Staff from the County Executive Office presented the Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Legislative Funding Critical Projects List and Legislative Budget Goals List for approval. The list includes 16 projects covering climate energy, housing, homelessness, and community infrastructure. Staff explained that the final number of submitted projects will likely be reduced to between five and ten based on guidance from congressional and state committees, eligibility criteria, cost thresholds, and available matching funds. Discussion focused on the selection process for narrowing the list, with a Board member requesting assurance that district-specific priorities would be considered. Staff and lobbyists explained that final selection depends heavily on federal and state committee guidance and emphasized the need for flexibility. It was confirmed that the same list of projects would be provided to both state and federal delegations. Further discussion addressed the mechanism for state legislative priority funding, noting that while local agencies often act as pass-through entities, direct payments to nonprofits do occur. It was noted that similar levels of legislative priority funding are not expected in the upcoming year due to the state's budget situation. The timeline for generating support was discussed, with outreach anticipated shortly after approval and deadlines expected in March or April. A motion was made by Senator Padilla regarding recommended actions A, B, and C. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Williams and passed.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned with the next session scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Santa Barbara.