Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Capps, 3-Hartmann, Williams, 4-Nelson · Absent: 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
National Health Center Week Resolution
- A resolution was adopted to proclaim August 4–10, 2024, as National Health Center Week in Santa Barbara County.
- The Public Health Department is authorized to host back-to-school health fairs at county properties in Franklin, Lompoc, and Santa Maria.
- Community health centers were recognized for their contributions during the presentation.
San Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin Agreement
- Staff and agency efforts were acknowledged regarding the development of a Joint Powers Agreement for the Eastern Management Area.
- The item was previously approved as part of the balance of the administrative agenda, so no further action was taken.
Lake Fire Update
- Officials reported the fire is 38% contained across 38,653 acres with demobilization beginning and evacuation orders reduced where safe.
- New forms were added to ReadySBC for agricultural damage reporting to assist residents with federal grant applications.
- Requests were made for watershed assessment teams to evaluate risks for the upcoming rainy season.
Library Special Tax Rate Adjustment (CSA 3)
- The Board approved a 3.5% CPI adjustment to the library special tax rate for County Service Area 3 for fiscal year 2024–2025.
- This increase results in an approximate total assessment of $247,000, representing an 8% rise over the prior year.
Orchard and Providence Landing CFD Special Tax Levies
- A 3.47% tax levy increase was approved for the Orchard Community Facilities District to fund sheriff, fire, park, and flood control services.
- The tax levy for the Providence Landing Community Facilities District was maintained at $672 per parcel with no increase proposed.
Wildfire Preparations and Public Safety Power Shutoffs
- A report on 2024 wildfire preparedness covered fuel conditions, augmented crews, and new "Zone Zero" defensible space requirements.
- Utility representatives detailed grid hardening efforts and customer notification programs for potential power shutoffs.
- The Board directed staff to research the feasibility of a Benefit Assessment District for fuels reduction in Santa Barbara County.
Administrative Items A4, A11, A12, A19, and A25
- Supervisor Lavanino was permitted to participate remotely under the Brown Act's Just Cause Exception due to travel.
- The previously continued administrative items were approved following a roll call vote once the quorum requirement was met.
Passed 3–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- The Board discussed labor negotiations with employee organizations and existing litigation involving American Medical Response West.
- No reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Call and Administrative Procedures
- The July 16, 2024, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Acting Chair Laura Capps. A quorum was established with Supervisors Capps, Hartman, and Williams present; Chair Lavinino and Supervisor Nelson were absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by opening remarks regarding national events and democratic values.
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the July 9, 2024, meeting. The motion passed.
- The County Executive Office reported that no general report would be given, noting that an update on the Lake Fire would be addressed under Administrative Item 32. The Clerk announced two agenda changes: Administrative Item 32 was added regarding the ratification of a local emergency proclamation for the Lake Fire, and Departmental Item 1 (a hearing on the Babbitt appeal) was withdrawn following a formal withdrawal by the appellant.
- Supervisor Hartman moved to continue Administrative Items A4, A11, A12, A19, and A25 to the August 20 meeting due to the current quorum of three members, as these items require a four-fifths vote. The motion was seconded and passed. Supervisor Hartman subsequently moved to withdraw Departmental Item 1 from the agenda; this motion was seconded and passed. Administrative Items A24 and A32 were pulled for separate discussion. A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda (all remaining items not previously addressed). The motion was seconded and passed.
Administrative Item 1: National Health Center Week Resolution
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams was presented to proclaim August 4–10, 2024, as National Health Center Week in Santa Barbara County. The resolution recognizes community health centers and authorizes the Public Health Department to host back-to-school health fairs at county properties in Franklin, Lompoc, and Santa Maria. Presenters from the Public Health Department and the Health Center Board Chair spoke in support of the resolution. The item was read into the record; no separate formal motion or vote was recorded for its adoption in this segment, as it was included in the approval of the balance of the administrative agenda.
Administrative Item 24: San Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin Agreement
- This item concerned a Joint Powers Agreement regarding the Eastern Management Area. Supervisor Hartman pulled the item to recognize staff and agency efforts in developing the agreement. As the item had already been voted on as part of the "balance of the agenda" motion, no further action was taken during this specific segment.
Administrative Item 32: Lake Fire Update
- The Board received a detailed update from emergency management officials and the Sheriff's Office regarding the Lake Fire. The fire is 38% contained, covering 38,653 acres, with the cause under investigation. Two incident management teams are managing operations, and demobilization has begun. Evacuation orders have been reduced where safe, and residents were directed to online maps for status updates. The county call center was stepped down but remains available via 211. New forms were added to ReadySBC for agricultural damage reporting to assist with federal grant applications. Animal Services reported evacuating various animals, including horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and ostriches. Requests were made for Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) and Burnt Area Emergency Response (BEHR) teams to assess watershed risks for the upcoming rainy season. Board members inquired about containment definitions, resource numbers (3,267 personnel), and liability for human-caused fires. Officials noted that cost recovery is pursued by state and federal agencies when a cause is determined. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational item.
General Public Comment
- The floor was opened for general public comment with a two-minute limit per speaker. Seventeen requests were processed. Topics included:
- Beekeeping Ordinance: Representatives requested revisions to the county beekeeping ordinance, citing that the 600-foot setback requirement is more restrictive than neighboring jurisdictions and hinders urban farming and education.
- Election Integrity: Speakers discussed grievances regarding election integrity, alleging fraud and calling for paper ballots and same-day voting.
- Animal Services: The president of the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation commended Animal Control Officers for their work during the Lake Fire and daily operations.
- Labor Negotiations: Multiple speakers representing SEIU Local 620 and county employees addressed ongoing contract negotiations, citing inflation and the need for fair compensation to retain staff. Speakers contrasted employee wage stagnation with recent salary increases granted to management and board members. Additional speakers from the Sheriff's Office and Victim Witness Program urged the Board to approve a fair labor contract by August 20th.
- Other: One speaker withdrew their time; another thanked the board while reiterating the need for better wages.
Departmental Item 2: Library Special Tax Rate Adjustment (CSA 3, Greater Goleta)
- The Community Services Department presented a hearing regarding the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment for the fiscal year 2024–2025 library special tax rate in County Service Area 3. The proposal recommended increasing the tax rate by 3.5%, resulting in an approximate total assessment of $247,000, an 8% increase over the prior fiscal year. The item included a determination that the action is not subject to CEQA. Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt actions A through C as outlined in the Board letter. The motion was seconded and passed.
Departmental Item 3: Orchid and Providence Landing Community Facilities District Special Tax Levies
- The Community Services Department presented a hearing regarding fiscal year 2024–2025 special tax levies for the Orchard (transcribed as "Orchid") and Providence Landing Community Facilities Districts. For the Orchard CFD, the levy was proposed to increase by 3.47% based on the Los Angeles Urban CPI to fund sheriff protection, fire services, park maintenance, and flood control. For the Providence Landing CFD, no increase was proposed; the levy would remain at $672 per parcel. The item included recommendations to adopt resolutions levying the taxes, certify the parcel list, and determine the action is not subject to CEQA. Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt actions A through B as outlined in the Board letter. The motion was seconded and passed.
Departmental Item 4: Wildfire Preparations and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
- The Office of Emergency Management, County Fire Department, PG&E, and SCE presented a report on wildfire preparedness for the 2024 season and PSPS protocols. Presenters discussed fuel conditions, readiness measures including augmented fire crews and supply caches, and defensible space requirements, specifically the new "Zone Zero" clearance. Utility representatives detailed grid hardening efforts and customer notification programs. Public comment was provided regarding environmental compliance concerns related to a commercial cannabis operation. Board discussion covered high-definition wildfire cameras, delays in roadside mowing, timing of defensible space inspections, household battery programs for PSPS resilience, and services for vulnerable populations during power outages. Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt actions A through B regarding the report, with a direction to research the feasibility of a Benefit Assessment District for fuels reduction in Santa Barbara County. The motion was seconded and passed.
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session to discuss conference with labor negotiators for all employee organizations and existing litigation involving American Medical Response West versus the county. Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that no reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Administrative Items 4, 11, 12, 19, and 25
- Prior to addressing these items, a motion was made to accept Supervisor Lavanino's remote participation under the Brown Act's Just Cause Exception due to travel. The motion passed. Subsequently, a motion was made to approve Administrative Items A4, A11, A12, A19, and A25. A roll call vote was conducted. The motion passed.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. The next scheduled session is set for August 20th as a special meeting.