Meeting Summary
Present: Williams, Kaps, 3-Hartmann
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
Good Samaritan Shelter Agreement
- Supervisor Capps highlighted the partnership regarding the La Posada Project.
- The Board agreed to defer voting until a consolidated block later in the meeting.
- Staff recommendations were ultimately approved unanimously during the consolidated vote.
Racial Equity Grant Program
- Community representatives discussed funding levels and requested multi-year grant cycles.
- No immediate vote was taken during the initial segment of discussion.
- The item was included in a consolidated motion that passed unanimously.
Job Order Contract Amendments
- The Board considered increasing contract limits for four contractors from $1 million to $4.5 million.
- Supervisor Nielsen expressed concern regarding small business participation but did not oppose the measure.
- A motion to adopt the staff recommendation passed unanimously.
No decision 0–0
CA4AA Shelter Assistance Grant
- Staff presented a grant agreement requiring a four-fifths vote to fund a navigator position for pet owners in crisis.
- Supervisor Hartman requested the item be pulled for further discussion and future reporting on animal services scope.
- Public comment praised the initiative before the item was approved in the consolidated vote.
Emergency Response Actions
- The Flood Control District reported rainfall totals of 129% to 143% of normal and infrastructure performance.
- Roadway closures were noted, with Barker Pass remaining closed pending investigation.
- No vote was taken as this segment served as an informational update.
Sheriff's Office Extra Help Waiver
- The Board considered waiving the 180-day waiting period for a retired dispatcher to address critical staffing shortages.
- Supervisors questioned long-term staffing strategies and suggested exploring alternative schedules.
- A motion to adopt the staff recommendation passed unanimously.
County Ballot Measures Assessment
- Polling results indicated approximately 50% support for an unincorporated sales tax and lower support for library measures.
- Voters prioritized homelessness, infrastructure, public safety, and housing in their feedback.
- The Board received and filed the presentation without a motion to proceed with a tax measure.
No decision 0–0
Local Coastal Program Amendments (Child Care Facilities)
- The Planning Department presented conditional certification from the California Coastal Commission regarding child care facilities.
- Supervisors questioned the deletion of EV charging station exemptions but accepted the recommendation to finalize provisions first.
- A motion to accept the modifications and transmit the resolution passed unanimously.
Long Range Planning Division Work Program
- Staff presented a three-year work program covering mandated updates and non-mandated items like zoning amendments.
- Discussion focused on prioritizing SB 9, housing elements, groundwater sustainability, and oil and gas regulations.
- A motion to provide direction to staff on the work program priorities passed with a vote of 3-1.
Sheriff Coroner's Office Report on Overdose Data
- The Sheriff presented data showing a 51% increase in overdose deaths from 2021 to 2023.
- A funding request for a second narcotics team estimated at $3.3 million was discussed.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded on the funding request during this segment.
Law Enforcement and Drug Issues
- Remarks addressed officer actions in life-saving situations and the scope of drug trafficking versus domestic usage.
- A motion to receive and file recommended actions A and B passed via voice vote.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The April 2, 2024, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order with all supervisors present. A motion by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Supervisor Nelson, to approve the minutes from the March 19, 2024, workshop passed unanimously. The County Executive announced upcoming Family Engagement Resource Fairs and an ADDIE Award received by the Department of Behavioral Wellness for its "It's OKSBC" campaign. The Clerk noted addendums regarding a $20,000 funding authorization for a joint grant management agreement with the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians and cities of Solvang and Buellton, as well as an update on the Hot Cycle 7 infrastructure grant. Regarding agenda procedures, Supervisor Hartman inquired about the enforcement of the 15-minute public comment limit; the Clerk agreed to review the matter and report back at the next meeting.
No decision 0–0
Resolutions and Commendations
- The Board adopted several resolutions unanimously:
- Honoring Jose Ruiz (Public Health) as April Employee of the Month.
- Honoring Wendy Mota upon her retirement after over 34 years of service.
- Commending Marla Arnaldi, Karen Ann Kozak, and Sergeant William Hennebery upon their retirements from the Sheriff's Office.
- Recognizing K-9 Odin upon his retirement from the Sheriff's Office.
- Honoring Lori Baker upon her retirement from the Community Services Department.
- Proclaiming April 2024 as "Month of the Young Child."
- Proclaiming April 2024 as "Donate Life Month."
- Acknowledging April 2024 as Tax Season and recognizing Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers.
Administrative Agenda Items
- Several items were pulled from the administrative agenda for separate discussion: Items A25, A26, A38, A44, and A49. A motion by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Supervisor Nelson, to approve the balance of the administrative agenda excluding these items passed unanimously.
- Item A22 (Election Results Certification): Public comment was received regarding election security and voter turnout statistics. The Chair noted that placing an item on the agenda requires support from three other members and directed inquiries to the independently elected County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Elections Director. No vote was taken during this segment.
- Item A25 (Good Samaritan Shelter Agreement): Supervisor Capps highlighted the partnership regarding the La Posada Project. The Board agreed to vote on this item later in a consolidated block.
- Item A26 (Racial Equity Grant Program): Public comment was received from community representatives and the Fund for Santa Barbara, who discussed funding levels and requested multi-year grant cycles. No vote was taken during this segment.
- Item A38 (Job Order Contract Amendments): The Board considered amendments to increase contract limits for four contractors from $1 million to $4.5 million. Supervisor Nielsen expressed concern regarding small business participation but did not oppose the motion. A motion by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Supervisor Kaps, to adopt the staff recommendation passed unanimously.
- Item A44 (CA4AA Shelter Assistance Grant): Staff presented a grant agreement requiring a four-fifths vote to fund a navigator position for pet owners in crisis. Supervisor Hartman requested the item be pulled for further discussion and future reporting on animal services scope. Public comment praised the initiative. No vote was taken during this segment.
- Item A49 (Emergency Response Actions): The Flood Control District presented an informational report on storm impacts, noting rainfall totals of 129% to 143% of normal and infrastructure performance. Roadway closures were reported, with Barker Pass remaining closed pending investigation. No vote was taken as this was an informational update.
No decision 0–0
Consolidated Vote on Pulled Items
- Following individual discussions, a consolidated motion by Supervisor Williams, seconded by Supervisor Hartman, to approve staff recommendations for Items A25, A26, A38, A44, and A49 passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 1: Sheriff's Office Extra Help Waiver
- The Board considered a request to waive the 180-day waiting period for a retired dispatcher to return as "extra help" due to critical staffing shortages in the 911 call center. Supervisor Nielsen questioned long-term staffing strategies, and Supervisor Hartman suggested exploring alternative schedules. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made and seconded by Supervisor Nelson. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: County Ballot Measures Assessment
- Staff presented polling results regarding potential tax measures for the November 2024 election, including a general sales tax for unincorporated areas and dedicated taxes for libraries. Results indicated approximately 50% support for the unincorporated sales tax (within the margin of error) and lower support for library-specific measures, which require a two-thirds majority. Voters prioritized homelessness, infrastructure, public safety, and housing. Supervisors discussed trust issues, economic conditions, and alternative revenue sources such as a Transient Occupancy Tax. No motion was made to proceed with a tax measure; the Board received and filed the presentation and directed staff to consider future options, including outreach or re-evaluation for the 2026 ballot cycle.
No decision 0–0
Local Coastal Program Amendments (Child Care Facilities)
- The Planning and Development Department presented a request to accept the California Coastal Commission's conditional certification of amendments regarding child care facilities. The Commission suggested four modifications: deleting exemptions for EV charging stations, removing a definition for "major vegetation removal," clarifying permit requirements for daycares serving 51+ children, and exempting residential-to-family daycare changes from zoning permits. Supervisors questioned the deletion of the EV exemption and the review timeline but accepted the recommendation to finalize child care provisions first. A motion by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Supervisor Capps, to accept the modifications and transmit the resolution passed unanimously.
Long Range Planning Division Work Program (Fiscal Years 2024–2027)
- Staff presented a three-year work program covering mandated updates (Circulation, Open Space, Safety Elements) and non-mandated items (zoning amendments, solar projects). Discussion focused on prioritizing SB 9, telecom facilities, short-term rentals, special events, groundwater sustainability, housing element implementation, and oil and gas regulations. Supervisors debated the complexity of permitting, the necessity of updating outdated ordinances, and whether to retain work on oil and gas bonding given state preemption. Public comment requested acceleration of housing programs. A motion was made and seconded to provide direction to staff on the work program priorities. The motion passed with a vote of 3-1.
Sheriff Coroner's Office Report on Overdose Data
- The Sheriff presented data showing a 51% increase in overdose deaths from 20149 in 2021 to 226 in 2023, with a 43% rise in fentanyl-related fatalities. The report highlighted demographic trends and geographic disparities, attributing the crisis partly to reduced narcotics enforcement resources. The Sheriff requested funding for a second narcotics team estimated at $3.3 million. Discussion covered the distinction between "Project Opioid" and the "Opioid Safety Coalition," with supervisors expressing interest in collaboration. Concerns were raised regarding funding sources and staffing vacancies. No formal motion or vote was recorded on the funding request during this segment.
Discussion on Law Enforcement and Drug Issues
- Remarks were made regarding officer actions in life-saving situations and the broader scope of drug trafficking versus domestic usage. It was stated that efforts to limit these incidents would continue. A motion to receive and file recommended actions A and B was made, seconded, and passed via voice vote.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned with a scheduled reconvening for a jail health care community meeting on April 3 at 9:00 a.m.