Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Workforce Housing Study
- Public comment raised concerns that the Isla Vista Community Center was incorrectly listed as an available site.
- Board members supported removing the community center from the potential sites list while acknowledging housing needs.
- The motion to approve the study with these clarifications passed unanimously.
Keysight H Development Agreement
- Staff presented a revised 99-unit affordable housing design featuring smaller structures and internalized parking.
- Public comment addressed resident concerns regarding traffic, safety, and neighborhood compatibility.
- The board approved staff recommendations and set a future hearing date for March 19th.
Cannabis Status Report
- Staff presented Q2 data on tax receipts, permitting activity, and enforcement actions totaling $2.8 million year-to-date.
- Discussion covered emerging issues including potential fee schedules, Senate Bill 833 implications, and odor abatement plans.
- The board unanimously approved receiving the update and making a CEQA determination.
Cannabis Tax Structure Review
- Staff analyzed three tax models: square footage, product weight, and gross sales receipts, noting a ballot measure is required for changes.
- Public comment highlighted opposition to square footage taxes due to impacts on outdoor growers and market volatility.
- The board directed staff to continue analyzing the square footage option and consider hybrid model variations.
Farmworker Resource Center Program Update
- Staff reported over 5,240 registrations and 3,400 services delivered since July 2023 under an expiring state grant.
- Discussion focused on funding scenarios for maintaining full staffing versus a reduced program with fewer services.
- The board unanimously approved recommendations regarding future funding levels and staffing structure.
Closed Session
- The board discussed one item of anticipated litigation involving significant exposure.
- No reportable action was taken during this session.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order on March 12, 2024. A roll call confirmed the presence of all supervisors and the Chair.
Administrative Agenda
- Balancing Administrative Items: A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, excluding items A1 and A5 for separate discussion. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
- Item A1 (Resolution of Commendation): A resolution honoring William A. Hero upon his retirement from the Public Works Department after over 24 years of service was read into the record. Mr. Hero and colleagues addressed the board. A motion to approve Item A1 was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Item A2 (Resolution of Commendation): A resolution honoring Trent Benedetti for his service as a trustee of the Santa Barbara County Employees Retirement System and on various county boards was read into the record. Mr. Benedetti addressed the board. No formal motion or vote was recorded in this segment.
- Item A3 (Resolution of Commendation): A resolution recognizing groundwater resources and honoring Matt Scrodato and Bill Buelow was read into the record. The honorees addressed the board. No formal motion or vote was recorded in this segment.
- Item A5 (Workforce Housing Study): This item regarding a study of county-owned properties for potential workforce housing was pulled from the general administrative agenda. Public comment was received from representatives of the Isla Vista Community Services District and residents, raising concerns that the Isla Vista Community Center and adjacent parkland were incorrectly listed as available sites due to ownership and usage discrepancies. Board members expressed support for removing the community center from the list while acknowledging the need for workforce housing. A motion to approve Item A5 was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
General Public Comment
- Five members of the public provided comments on matters not listed on the agenda. No motions or votes were taken on these comments.
Departmental Items
- Item 1 (District Attorney's Office): A hearing was held regarding recommendations for an extra help services and retirement waiver for the District Attorney's office. After discussion, a motion to approve the item was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Item 2 (District Attorney's Office): A hearing was held regarding recommendations for an extra help services and retirement waiver for the District Attorney's office related to two specific cases. A motion to approve recommended actions A, B, and C was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Item 3 (Commission for Women Awards): The board recognized awardees from the Commission for Women, including a small business owner, high school student Kavya Surech, activist Yasmin Dawson, and Suzanne Levy. A motion to approve items A and B regarding these recognitions was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Item 4 (Keysight H Development Agreement): The Planning and Development Department presented a hearing on the Keysight H development agreement for a 99-unit affordable housing project at the eastern end of Foster Road. Staff explained that the proposal replaced a previously approved 61-unit project with an alternative design featuring four smaller structures, improved setbacks, and internalized parking to enhance neighborhood compatibility. The applicant team presented details on design changes, traffic impact analysis, and commitments to retaining ownership. Public comment was received from residents regarding traffic, safety, and design concerns. Board members questioned the applicant regarding unit density, trip generation, and local resident preference for occupancy. A motion to approve staff recommendations (A through D) and set a hearing for March 19th was made, amended to include setting the future hearing date, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Item 5 (Cannabis Status Report): The Deputy CEO and Cannabis Program Manager presented the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Q2 cannabis status report. Topics included tax receipts ($2.8 million year-to-date), land use permitting, business license activity, and enforcement actions. Emerging issues discussed included potential fee schedules for code violations, implications of Senate Bill 833 regarding pausing licenses, changes to the local taxation method, and odor abatement plans. Public comment was received regarding tax structure changes. A motion to approve items A through C (receiving the update, providing direction, and making a CEQA determination) was made and passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The board convened in closed session to discuss one item of anticipated litigation with significant exposure. No reportable action was taken during this session.
Agenda Item 6: Cannabis Tax Structure Review and Options
- Staff presented an analysis of three potential tax structures for cannabis cultivation: a tax based on square footage, a tax based on the weight of the product, and the current method based on gross sales receipts. The presentation included data modeling to estimate revenue outcomes under various scenarios. Staff noted that a change in tax structure would require a ballot measure, with a tentative timeline targeting the November 2024 general election. Public comment was received from industry representatives and legal counsel; several speakers expressed opposition to a square footage tax, citing concerns regarding disproportionate impacts on outdoor growers and market fluctuations, while others advocated for maintaining the current gross receipts model or exploring a weight-based tax. Board members discussed revenue predictability, administrative burden, fairness between indoor and outdoor operations, and market volatility, including the potential for a hybrid model. A motion was made to receive and file the staff report, with direction to staff to continue analyzing the square footage option using state-licensed area data and to consider variations of a hybrid model. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item 7 / Items A and B: Farmworker Resource Center Program Update and Funding
- Staff provided an update on the Farmworker Resource Center program, noting that over 5,240 farmworkers had registered and more than 3,400 services had been delivered since July 2023. Services included emergency support, education access, health navigation, and financial assistance. Staff reported that the current state grant expires in May 2024 and outlined funding sustainability efforts, presenting scenarios for maintaining current service levels with three staff members (approximately $600,000 recurring cost) or operating a reduced program with two staff members ($441,000–$442,000). Discussion focused on the reduction in program scope under the contingency scenario, including fewer community events and the elimination of specific financial and connectivity programs. Staff clarified that initial estimates included one-time costs. A motion was made to approve Staff Recommendations A and B regarding funding and staffing. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- Following the vote on the Farmworker Resource Center program, the meeting was adjourned.