Board of Supervisors

Meeting Summary

Present: 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, Williams, Katz, 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

Crestwood Behavioral Health Services Agreement

Staff presented the FY2023–2027 agreement for reopening the Crisis Stabilization Unit as a locked facility with eight acute care beds.
Outreach plans involving hospitals, law enforcement, and mobile crisis teams were discussed to serve at least 1,000 individuals annually.
No vote was taken during this segment as the item had been previously voted on in the record.

Solar Storage and Microgrid Grant Writing Funding

Staff recommended funding for grant writing expenses to support solar storage and microgrid projects aimed at grid resilience.
Supervisor Capps emphasized the importance of these projects for climate change mitigation.
No vote was taken during this segment as the item had been previously voted on in the record.

Budget Revisions (General)

The Board approved multiple budget revision requests except for Journal Entry 9665 regarding a solar array monitoring system.
Supervisor Nelson deferred Journal Entry 9665 due to concerns over cost-effectiveness, citing a $100,000 expenditure to save only $30,000.
The motion to approve all other requests passed, leaving the specific energy project pending further departmental information.

Management Classification and Compensation Project (Phase Three)

Staff proposed transitioning from a broadband classification system to a step-based pay structure effective June 24, 2024.
The plan includes 18 job families with six-step salary ranges and an estimated annualized cost of $1.3 million.
The Board approved the new structure with directions for staff to return in June or July regarding options for Y-rated employees.

Amendment of County Code Chapter 28 (Parklets)

Staff presented an amendment to permanently codify provisions allowing businesses to use public rights-of-way for parklets.
Criteria include safety requirements, ADA compliance, and fee structures with location-specific eligibility rules.
The Board unanimously accepted staff recommendations to balance business vitality with parking needs and safety concerns.

Budget Revision Request No. 9665 (Energy Project)

Staff presented a revised budget for the Betteravia campus energy project involving solar and battery storage at approximately $5.5 million.
Costs increased due to supply chain issues and design changes, including a reinstated remote monitoring system.
The Board approved the budget revision request despite concerns regarding cost overruns and timeline delays.

Community Action Plan to Address Homelessness

Staff reported that 1,400 individuals transitioned to permanent housing in 2023, though the Point-in-Time count increased by 12%.
The Board discussed the widening gap between new inflows of homelessness and housing capacity along with enforcement challenges.
A motion was passed unanimously to approve the update and continue using ARPA funds for encampment cleanup through June 2026.

Cannabis Odor Abatement Plan Compliance Monitoring Hearing

Staff reported difficulties verifying odor complaints due to a lack of numerical thresholds and reliance on anonymous reports.
Public comment highlighted frustration with the current system and advocated for mandatory technologies like activated carbon scrubbers.
The Board directed staff to amend coastal zoning ordinances to establish objective odor measurement methods and study power infrastructure upgrades.

Passed 3–2 · against: Nelson, Capps

Cannabis Ordinance Amendment and Staff Recommendations

Discussion focused on balancing the complexity of proposed systems with the need for immediate action on nuisance issues.
Director Plowman clarified that work on SB9 and Short-Term Rental items would likely be delayed while advancing the Cannabis Ordinance Amendment.
The Board approved staff recommendations A through C, including specific directions to move forward with the ordinance amendment.

Closed Session

No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.

Full summary

Call to Order and Administrative Matters

The April 23, 2024, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order following a roll call and Pledge of Allegiance. The Board approved the minutes for the March 2, April 3, and April 9–10 meetings. An amendment to the March 19 minutes regarding Departmental Item 4 (Public Works/Tahquitz Landfill) was adopted unanimously; this corrected a recommendation to direct staff to report on waste diversion within six months and updated an organization name from "The Gulf Corporation Council" to "The Gaviota Coast Conservancy" with a one-month reporting timeline.
The County Executive Officer presented updates including a triple-A credit rating from S&P Global, an $8 million grant for homelessness services, inclusion in a federal disaster declaration for January–February storms, and a litigation award for Senior Deputy Mike Munoz. Supervisor Capps reported on the death of Jacob Parker in Isla Vista and urged property owners to increase bluff fence heights.
Items A17, A19, and A21 were pulled from the administrative agenda for separate discussion. The balance of the administrative agenda was approved unanimously. Resolutions were adopted for National Poetry Month, Teacher of the Year (Gregory Wolfe), National Crime Victims Rights Week, National Native Plant Month, Arbor Day, and the National Day of Prayer.

Administrative Item 17: Crestwood Behavioral Health Services Agreement

Staff presented recommendations regarding the Fiscal Years 2023–2027 Services Agreement for Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) services with Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc. The CSU is set to reopen as a locked facility, adding eight acute care beds and aiming to serve at least 1,000 individuals annually. Outreach plans involving Telecare, hospitals, law enforcement, and mobile crisis teams were discussed. No vote was taken during this segment as the item had been previously voted on in the record.

Administrative Item 19: Solar Storage and Microgrid Grant Writing Funding

Staff presented recommendations regarding funding for grant writing expenses to support solar storage and microgrid projects. Supervisor Capps commented on the importance of grid resilience and climate change mitigation. No vote was taken during this segment as the item had been previously voted on in the record.

Administrative Item 21: Budget Revisions

The Board considered multiple budget revision requests. Supervisor Nelson requested to defer Journal Entry 9665 (General Services increase for a solar array monitoring system) due to concerns regarding cost-effectiveness ($100,000 expenditure to save $30,000). A motion was made and seconded to approve all budget revision requests except Journal Entry 9665. The motion passed. No action was taken on Journal Entry 9665 at that time; it was deferred pending further information from the department.

Departmental Item 1: Management Classification and Compensation Project (Phase Three)

The Director of Human Resources presented Phase Three of the project, proposing a transition from a broadband classification system to a step-based pay structure effective June 24, 2024. The proposal includes 18 job families, six-step salary ranges with 5% increments for most managers, and a 30% range without fixed steps for department heads. Approximately 36 managers would be "Y-rated" (salaries frozen until market adjustments catch up), while 25 others would receive truncated merit increases. The estimated annualized cost is $1.3 million, with $715,000 drawn from the General Fund. A separate item to amend the County Code regarding civil service exemptions for management was noted for a future hearing.
Following discussion on employee morale and retention impacts, a motion was made and seconded to approve items A through C of the board letter (adopting the new structure) with directions to staff to return in June or July regarding options for Y-rated employees and again in November with updated market study data. The motion passed unanimously.

Departmental Item 2: Amendment of County Code Chapter 28 (Parklets)

Staff presented an amendment to permanently codify provisions allowing businesses to use public rights-of-way for parklets, building on temporary pandemic measures. Criteria include safety requirements, ADA compliance, and fee structures. Eligibility varies by location; for example, parklets generally cannot occupy existing parking in Los Olivos but may be permitted in Old Town Orcutt if parking is offset elsewhere.
Public comment included support from business owners regarding community ambience and opposition from residents concerned about parking loss and safety. Board members discussed balancing business vitality with parking needs. Supervisor Nelson moved to accept staff recommendations (Items A through CII), which was seconded by Supervisor Hartman. The item passed unanimously.

Administrative Item 21 – Budget Revision Request No. 9665 (Energy Project)

Staff presented a budget revision for an energy project at the Betteravia campus involving solar and battery storage, with costs rising to approximately $5.5 million due to supply chain issues and design changes. A remote monitoring system was reinstated for $100,000. The project includes a $2.7 million loan from the California Energy Commission. Supervisor Nelson expressed frustration regarding cost overruns and timeline delays but allowed the motion to proceed. Staff confirmed pending PG&E approval for electric vehicle chargers and noted battery backup capabilities.
Supervisor Hartman moved to approve Administrative Item 21 (Budget Revision Request No. 9665). The motion was seconded. The item passed.

Departmental Item 3: Community Action Plan to Address Homelessness

Staff presented a progress report on homelessness, noting that 1,400 individuals transitioned to permanent housing in 2023, the highest annual number recorded. However, the Point-in-Time count increased by 12% compared to the previous year, with over 4,300 individuals experiencing homelessness annually in 2023. The report highlighted a 35% increase in housing inventory since 2021 and a 13% decrease in fire calls for service following encampment clearances. Staff requested approval to continue using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for encampment cleanup through June 2026.
Discussion focused on the widening gap between new inflows of homelessness and housing capacity, enforcement challenges, and jurisdictional issues along the Santa Maria Riverbed. A motion was made and seconded to approve items A through D regarding the update. The Board voted unanimously in favor, and the motion passed.

Departmental Item 4: Cannabis Odor Abatement Plan Compliance Monitoring Hearing

Staff reported on compliance monitoring for 108 approved cannabis sites, 32 of which require Odor Abatement Plans (OAPs). While most operations are compliant during inspections, verifying odor complaints remains difficult due to the lack of a specific numerical threshold and reliance on anonymous reports. No operators have been moved through the tiered enforcement system requiring technology upgrades, as the code requires three verified complaints to trigger such actions. Staff recommended studying power supply feasibility, amending codes to require specific technologies or establish thresholds, and mandating more frequent inspections.
Public comment from 13 speakers expressed frustration with the complaint system and advocated for amending the code to clarify authority on Best Available Control Technology (BACT), requiring specific technologies like activated carbon scrubbers, and establishing odor thresholds at property lines. Operators highlighted financial strains and infrastructure limitations regarding power upgrades.
Board discussion addressed the limitations of the current subjective complaint system and the debate between mandating specific technologies versus establishing objective performance standards. Concerns were raised regarding power infrastructure barriers and the need to address outdoor operations in inland areas.
A motion was made by Supervisor Hartman and seconded directing Planning and Development staff to: 1. Amend the coastal zoning ordinance to establish an objective method of measuring odor, including tools, location, and thresholds. 2. Create a ministerial path for operators to modify OAPs without new permits or appeals. 3. Require annual inspections following initial quarterly inspections. 4. Study power provision and infrastructure upgrades in Carpinteria. 5. Study measures to control odor from outdoor cannabis operations in inland areas. 6. Include a requirement for runtime monitoring of odor control systems.
The motion was discussed regarding scope and timelines, with staff clarifying that zoning amendments require Planning Commission review. The Board agreed to direct staff to develop these recommendations. The motion passed.