Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Capps, 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, Williams, 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
- The board adopted nine resolutions recognizing various observances, anniversaries, and community achievements.
- Proclamations included Family History Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
- Additional resolutions commended Lake Fire leaders and supported the Channel Islands Biosphere Region conservation efforts.
Pulled Administrative Items and Animal Services Report
- Discussions covered CalAIM housing partnerships, racial equity grant funding criteria, and Williamson Act non-renewals in Carpinteria.
- Staff received direction to balance grant distribution between new and returning organizations.
- The board requested future presentations on the Williamson Act and an annual Animal Services report early next year.
County Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Project Update
- Staff presented a revised timeline extending the Phase 1 go-live date to August 1, 2025, due to staffing and complexity challenges.
- The board approved a contract extension with Accenture for up to $500,000 to cover additional professional services.
- A provision was added requiring a progress report on the project within six months.
Water Resources Update and Groundwater Basins Summary Report
- The County Water Agency reported that Lake Cachuma is at 93% capacity following two consecutive wet years.
- Supervisors urged proactive renegotiation of the Twitchell Reservoir agreement to maximize water retention.
- The board approved items regarding groundwater management, surface water, and regional desalination studies.
Solid Waste Reduction Report
- Staff presented a report noting a 62% county waste diversion rate and detailed operations at the Resource Center.
- Discussion addressed the feasibility of Climate Action Plan goals and market conditions for recycling.
- Public comment highlighted concerns over compost quality from commingled waste and the need for expanded source separation.
All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church Historic Landmark Designation
- Staff recommended designating the church as a County Historic Landmark with corrected address details.
- The board rejected a request to include "views of the Santa Ynez Mountains" as a criterion due to code prohibitions.
- A motion passed unanimously to approve the designation exactly as presented by staff without the view criterion.
Tate Family Trust Appeal
- The board considered an appeal regarding a preliminary and final design review for a Montecito property addition.
- A request was received to withdraw the item from the agenda at the appellant's request.
- The motion to withdraw the item passed unanimously.
Sierra Botanicals LLC Cannabis Processing Project Appeal
- Staff recommended denying the appeal and approving the project subject to conditions for odor and safety mitigation.
- Discussion focused on carbon filtration units exceeding industry standards and distinguishing processing from cultivation.
- The board approved the staff recommendation to allow the cannabis processing facility with specific conditions.
Noyes-Woodall Appeal of Land Use Permit for Single Family Residence
- Staff found the Mission Canyon residence project met all requirements and was exempt from CEQA review.
- Appellants raised concerns regarding property lines, stormwater runoff, and erosion risks.
- The board denied the appeal and approved the land use permit after determining the project's compliance.
Closed Session
- The board discussed real property negotiations concerning a site at West Clark Avenue and Markham Street in Orcutt.
- County Counsel reported that no reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The October 15, 2024, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Lavinino. Following a roll call confirming the presence of all supervisors and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the board considered the approval of minutes from the October 8, 2024, meeting. Supervisor Hartman moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Chair Lavinino; the motion passed unanimously.
- The County CEO's report included an announcement regarding new online payment options for permits and certificates issued by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office. The Clerk announced several agenda modifications: Administrative Item 47 was added regarding a community meeting on farmworker conditions; Administrative Item 23 (Fire Department grant) was revised to include language to "approve and adopt a resolution"; and Departmental Item 5 (Judson appeal case) was withdrawn at the request of the Planning and Development Department.
- Regarding the administrative agenda, Supervisor Hartman requested that items 14, 15, and 27 be pulled for separate discussion. A motion by Supervisor Hartman, seconded by Chair Lavinino, to approve the balance of the administrative agenda (excluding the pulled items) passed unanimously.
Resolutions
- The board considered and adopted nine resolutions following public comment from relevant organizations:
- Resolution 1: Proclaimed October 2024 as Family History Month. Passed.
- Resolution 2: Recognized October 17, 2024, as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Passed.
- Resolution 3: Commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Hope Ranch Park Homes Association. Passed.
- Resolution 4: Supported the Channel Islands Biosphere Region and committed to conservation efforts. Passed.
- Resolution 5: Proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Passed.
- Resolution 6: Proclaimed October 2024 as Dyslexia Awareness Month and recognized Moni DeWitt. Passed.
- Resolution 7: Commended Ryan Smith and Remington Hotchkiss for leadership during the Lake Fire. Passed.
- Resolution 8: Recognized the Great California ShakeOut on October 17, 2024. Passed.
- Resolution 9: Proclaimed November 2024 as National Family Caregivers Month. Passed.
Pulled Administrative Items and Animal Services Report
- The board addressed items previously pulled from the administrative agenda:
- Administrative Item 14 (HHIP Funds): Discussion focused on a new partnership under the CalAIM program with SenCal Health regarding housing outcomes. No formal vote was taken on this specific item in this segment; it was discussed as part of partnership recognition.
- Administrative Item 15 (Racial Equity Grant): The board discussed funding criteria for the County Racial Equity Grant program administered by the Fund for Santa Barbara. Supervisors expressed views on balancing funding between new and returning organizations and ensuring unity. Staff indicated they would incorporate direction to balance funding distribution and improve communication. No separate vote was taken; staff direction was incorporated into a subsequent motion.
- Administrative Item 27 (Williamson Act Non-Renewals): The board discussed five notices of non-renewal of agricultural preserve contracts in the Carpinteria area due to noncompliance. Discussion covered tax implications, the nine-year phase-out period for tax breaks, and the recovery of back taxes. Supervisor Nelson requested a future presentation on the Williamson Act to address compliance and revenue issues broadly. Staff agreed to coordinate this presentation. No formal vote was taken on the specific non-renewals in this segment.
- Administrative Item 34 (Animal Services Annual Report): Public comment was received regarding the Santa Barbara County Animal Services department, highlighting improvements in operations, adoption rates, and foster programs, as well as concerns regarding staffing and funding for facility repairs. Speakers requested a formal annual report be presented early in the coming year.
- Following public comment, a motion was made to move agenda items 14, 15, 27, and 34 with staff direction. The direction included requests for an annual Animal Services report and a Williamson Act report to be presented early in the coming year. The motion was moved and seconded, and passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 1: County Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Project Update
- Staff presented an update on the ERP implementation project, noting a revised timeline extending the Phase 1 go-live date to no later than August 1, 2025, due to staffing challenges and system complexity. Staff requested approval to extend the contract with Accenture by up to $500,000 to cover additional professional services. A board member requested a progress report in six months. A motion was made to receive and file the update, direct staff to amend the Accenture agreement to extend services through August 1, 2025, and include a provision for a six-month progress report. The motion was moved and seconded, and passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: Water Resources Update and Groundwater Basins Summary Report
- The County Water Agency presented an annual update indicating that water year 2024 was the second consecutive wet year, with Lake Cachuma at approximately 93% capacity. The report covered groundwater management under SGMA, surface water, imported water, desalination, and recycled water. Discussion focused on the Santa Maria basin's reliance on state water transfers, the Twitchell Reservoir agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers regarding flood releases, and regional desalination studies. Supervisors urged proactive renegotiation of the Twitchell agreement to maximize water retention. Staff confirmed reoperation discussions are ongoing pending federal consultation. A motion was made and seconded to approve items A through C regarding the Water Agency update. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 3: Solid Waste Reduction Report
- The Public Works Department presented the Solid Waste Reduction Report, noting a county waste diversion rate of 62%. Staff detailed operations at the County Resource Center, including the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), Anaerobic Digestion Facility (ADF), and Compost Management Unit. Discussion covered the feasibility of meeting Climate Action Plan goals, the comparison between processing mixed waste versus curbside composting, and market conditions for recycling. Public comment addressed concerns regarding the quality of compost produced from commingled waste and the need for expanded source separation. Following public comment, a motion was made to approve items A and B regarding the organic waste report. The motion was seconded and passed.
Closed Session
- The board entered a closed session to discuss real property negotiations regarding the corner of West Clark Avenue and Markham Street in Orcutt. Upon reconvening, County Counsel reported that no reportable action was taken.
Departmental Item 4: All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church Historic Landmark Designation
- Staff presented the recommendation to designate All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church as a County Historic Landmark, noting a need to correct the address and Assessor's Parcel Number in the resolution. Public comment included support for the designation and a request from the church representative to include "views of the Santa Ynez Mountains" (Criterion F) as part of the historic significance. Opposing representatives argued that County Code prohibits designation based on views from private property and that historical evidence did not support the view criterion. Supervisors expressed concern regarding the regulatory implications of including views. A motion was made to approve the designation as presented by staff, without adding the view criterion. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 5: Tate Family Trust Appeal
- The board considered an appeal regarding the Montecito Planning Commission's approval of a preliminary and final design review for the Tate Family Trust addition and garage. A request to withdraw the item from the agenda was received. A motion to withdraw the item was made and seconded, and passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 6: Sierra Botanicals LLC Cannabis Processing Project Appeal
- The board heard an appeal regarding a Land Use Permit for Sierra Botanicals LLC to add cannabis processing to an existing cultivation site in Buellton. Staff recommended denying the appeal and approving the project subject to conditions, citing compliance with the Cannabis Ordinance and CEQA requirements. The appellant raised concerns regarding odor, traffic safety, and watershed impacts. The applicant presented that the project involves enclosed spaces with carbon filtration units exceeding industry standards. Discussion focused on odor mitigation measures and the distinction between the new processing facility and existing cultivation operations. A motion was made and seconded to approve the recommended actions (items A through D). The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 7: Noyes-Woodall Appeal of Land Use Permit for Single Family Residence
- The board considered an appeal regarding a land use permit for a new single-family residence at 2632 Montrose Place in Mission Canyon. Staff findings indicated the project met all ordinance and policy requirements, was exempt from CEQA, and that development was within legally established lot lines. The appellant raised concerns regarding property line discrepancies, stormwater runoff, and erosion risks, requesting additional conditions of approval including monitoring and a hydrology study. The applicant's representative testified that the project had undergone extensive professional review and that stormwater systems were oversized. Public comment from neighbors expressed continued concern over stormwater mitigation. Following deliberation, a motion was made to deny the appeal, make required findings for approval, determine the project is exempt from CEQA, and approve the land use permit. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, November 5th.