Meeting Summary
Present: 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, Williams, 2-Capps, 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
Resolutions of Commendation and Proclamation
- The Board adopted four resolutions commending individuals for courthouse incident actions and retirement service.
- A resolution proclaimed October as National Arts and Humanities Month in Santa Barbara County.
- Another resolution designated October 9 as National Walk and Roll to School Day to promote student activity.
Mobile Home Parks and Senior Housing Preservation
- Staff reported on 24 licensed mobile home parks, noting that 11 are restricted to seniors with approximately 1,800 spaces.
- The Board directed staff to prepare a moratorium ordinance to prevent the conversion of senior-only parks to all-age status.
- Work on the short-term rental ordinance was paused for fiscal years 2025-2026 to prioritize housing preservation efforts.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Child Care Sector Relief Update
- Presentations highlighted the creation of over 1,100 new infant and toddler spaces through startup grants and workforce development.
- Discussion addressed that approximately 55% of allocated funds remain unspent with nine months left in the contract period.
- The Board directed staff to return mid-year with options to address the provider backlog and utilize remaining funds effectively.
Cannabis Taxation Compliance and Enforcement Update
- Staff reported $1.8 million in tax receipts for Q4 FY 2023-24, totaling approximately $55 million collected over six years.
- Concerns were raised regarding the Los Alamos Haven dispensary location's failure to pay required fees after prolonged delays.
- The Board directed staff to develop a process for potential application abandonment and report on lessons learned from audits.
Encampment Response Protocol and Policy Updates
- Staff proposed modifying protocols to remove shelter bed requirements and reduce notice periods following the Grants Pass decision.
- Due to concerns over insufficient consultation with stakeholders, the Board declined to adopt the full set of policy changes immediately.
- Staff was directed to conduct further outreach with faith communities and service providers before returning with updated recommendations.
Safe Parking Program and Encampment Response Strategy
- The Board discussed expanding the safe parking program by exploring state-owned lots and increasing faith community participation.
- Directions were adopted to address vehicular encampments near riverbeds while maintaining existing policies until a January meeting.
- Staff was instructed to prepare a letter to state representatives regarding potential partnerships for parking solutions.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The October 8, 2024, regular meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order following a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the October 1, 2024, meeting; the motion passed unanimously. The County Executive Officer announced the upcoming phase of the Tepescaya Vegetation Management Program involving prescribed burns and a community meeting regarding the Lake fire burn scar. The Clerk outlined public participation procedures. A motion by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Supervisor Williams, to approve the administrative agenda passed unanimously.
No decision 0–0
Resolutions of Commendation and Proclamation
- The Board considered and adopted four resolutions unanimously: 1. Steve Neal: Sponsored by Supervisors Nelson and Lavagnino, this resolution commended Steve Neal for his actions during an attack at the Santa Maria Superior Courthouse on September 25, 2024. Sheriff Brown provided comments regarding the incident. 2. Law Enforcement Officers: Sponsored by Supervisors Nelson and Lavagnino, this resolution commended Deputy Chris Nelson, Officer Brian Hanrahan, Investigator Wayne Flick, and Officer Eric Hesch for their roles in the September 25 courthouse attack. Comments were provided by Sheriff Brown and District Attorney Speaker_22. 3. John T. McKinnon: Sponsored by Supervisor Lavagnino, this resolution commended Senior Deputy District Attorney John T. McKinnon upon his retirement after over 24 years of service. Comments were provided by the District Attorney and Supervisor Nelson. 4. National Arts and Humanities Month: Sponsored by Supervisors Caps and Lavagnino, this resolution proclaimed October 2024 as National Arts and Humanities Month in Santa Barbara County, recognizing contributions by the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and Celesta Belici of UCSB Arts & Lectures. 5. National Walk and Roll to School Day: Sponsored by Supervisor Hartman, this resolution proclaimed October 9, 2024, as National Walk and Roll to School Day, highlighting benefits for student physical activity and carbon footprints. Ken Dahmen of Move Santa Barbara County provided comments.
Public Comment
- Three members of the public addressed the Board on matters not on the agenda: Chris Robinson spoke regarding a housing project at Miramar; Anne McCarty thanked the Board for support of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center; and Karen Hauenstein commented on community development considerations.
Mobile Home Parks and Senior Housing Preservation
- The Planning and Development Department presented a report on mobile home parks in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, noting 24 licensed parks with 21 providing permanent residency. Staff reported that 11 of the residential parks have age restrictions (55+), accounting for approximately 1,800 spaces. The presentation covered state laws permitting age restrictions and potential county actions, including moratoriums or overlay zones to prevent conversion from senior-only to all-age status.
- Following discussion on the risks of conversion and the need for immediate action versus long-term ordinance development, a motion was made by Supervisor Nelson and seconded by Supervisor Caps. The motion directed staff to: 1. Prepare a moratorium ordinance for Board consideration as soon as possible. 2. Pause work on the short-term rental ordinance for fiscal years 2025-2026. 3. Initiate an ordinance to create a mobile home park overlay preventing redevelopment and restricting the conversion of senior mobile home parks to all-age parks, clarifying that restrictions apply only to currently designated senior parks. The motion passed unanimously.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Child Care Sector Relief Update
- The Board received a hearing on the ARPA-funded child care sector relief and recovery initiative. Presentations were provided by First 5 Santa Barbara County, United Way of Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara Foundation, and Children's Resource and Referral (CRR). Updates included the launch of the Brighter Futures Child Care Coalition, distribution of startup grants, creation of over 1,100 new infant and toddler spaces, and workforce development efforts. A public commenter from the City of Goleta noted local investments in child care.
- Discussion focused on fund expenditure rates, with approximately 55% of allocated funds remaining unspent with nine months left in the contract period. Staff explained delays related to innovative business planning models and state fire marshal ordinances regarding sprinklers. The Board discussed barriers to expansion, including a waitlist of 533 women ready to open family child care licenses requiring approximately $1.8 million in startup funding.
- A motion was made to receive the report into file with direction to the County Executive Officer to return mid-year with options to address the backlog of providers and unspent funds without losing momentum. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Cannabis Taxation Compliance and Enforcement Update
- Staff presented a report on cannabis taxation, compliance, and enforcement for FY 2023-24 Q4, detailing $1.8 million in tax receipts and approximately $55 million collected over six years. The report covered the status of four pending dispensary locations, noting that the Los Alamos Haven location had not paid required fees. Discussion focused on the potential abandonment of the Los Alamos application due to prolonged delays and the need for a report on lessons learned from third-party audits.
- A motion was made to receive the cannabis status report with direction to staff to develop a process regarding the potential abandonment of the Los Alamos dispensary application and to provide a report back on lessons learned from the audits. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Encampment Response Protocol and Policy Updates
- The Community Services Department presented a report on the Encampment Resolution Protocol, proposing modifications in response to the Grants Pass Supreme Court decision. Recommendations included removing the requirement for available shelter beds prior to closure, reducing notice periods from three days to two days, reducing personal property storage from 90 days to 60 days, and delegating authority regarding RV parking prohibitions to staff.
- Board discussion addressed concerns over delegating RV parking authority, the implications of removing shelter bed requirements, and the need for broader stakeholder engagement. Public commenters expressed concerns regarding criminalization of homelessness and the lack of consultation with nonprofit partners.
- The Board received and filed the report unanimously. However, due to concerns regarding insufficient consultation, the Board decided not to adopt the full set of proposed policy changes immediately. Instead, staff was directed to conduct further collaboration and outreach with affected parties, including the League of Women Voters, faith communities, and service providers. Staff was instructed to return in November or January with updated recommendations.
Safe Parking Program and Encampment Response Strategy
- Discussion continued regarding the expansion of the safe parking program and addressing vehicular encampments. Members proposed requesting a letter to state partners to explore utilizing state-owned parking lots and developing a roadmap for faith community participation. Staff summarized directions received, including broadening engagement, preparing a letter to state representatives, reviewing identified elements for potential changes, addressing safe parking issues near riverbeds, increasing engagement with the faith community, and maintaining existing policies until a future meeting in January.
- A motion was made to adopt the staff directions as summarized. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned with the next session scheduled for October 15, 2024.