Meeting Summary
Present: 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, 5-Lavagnino, 1-Lee, Katz
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
San Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex Resolution
- The Board adopted a resolution supporting the non-profit foundation's plan to build two outdoor pools.
- Public comment highlighted the critical lack of public swim access in the area since 2020.
- The project relies on a multi-agency partnership involving the City of Buellton, school district, tribe, and county.
Black History Month Resolution
- Supervisors Lee and Katz sponsored a resolution proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month with the theme "African Americans and Labor."
- The measure acknowledges historical contributions of African Americans to the nation's economic foundation and local community.
- Public comment via Zoom thanked the Board and outlined upcoming commemorative events.
Empty the Shelters Grant Award
- The Board approved accepting a grant from the Bissell Pet Foundation for animal adoption events through June 2026.
- Funding up to $86,300 will allow the county to reduce adoption fees without losing revenue.
- Additional support is included for spay and neuter surgeries under this agreement.
Ambulance Services Provider Agreement
- The Board approved an exclusive contract with American Medical Response (AMR) despite public concerns over response time standards.
- Staff explained that a clinical scorecard system may offset liquidated damages if on-scene care benchmarks are met.
- The contract includes $1,500 penalties per incident for missed response times and defines material breach after three consecutive months of non-compliance.
No decision 0–1
Compensation Ordinance Hearing
- The Board set a public hearing for February 25, 2025, regarding amendments to the compensation ordinance for elected officials.
- Public comment expressed concern that comparing the county to large metropolitan areas justified an excessive 48% salary increase.
- No final decision on the salary adjustments was made during this session.
Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District Formation
- The Board adopted a resolution forming the district after protest petitions failed to meet the threshold to block creation.
- The district will fund marketing and brand awareness through a 1% assessment on direct-to-consumer wine sales.
- Discussion addressed indemnification of the county against legal challenges and the weighted voting process based on sales volume.
Alternative Sentencing Program Update
- Staff presented data showing a 95% success rate and significant daily cost savings compared to jail housing.
- The program currently supervises approximately 63 individuals using electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration.
- Barriers to expansion were identified, including homelessness among clients and inmate resistance to the program.
Outdoor Lighting and Signs Ordinance Amendments
- The Board adopted amendments to modernize land use codes with a 2700 Kelvin color temperature standard for dark sky compliance.
- Specific changes included rejecting exemptions for uplighting in Montecito and adding language to protect wildlife and circadian rhythms.
- General Services was directed to review County facilities for compliance with the new lighting regulations.
Passed 3–2 · against: Nelson, Lavagnino
Closed Session
- No closed session report or items were recorded in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Announcements
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting for February 11, 2025, was called to order by Chair Katz. Following the roll call and Pledge of Allegiance, administrative announcements were made regarding public participation procedures via Zoom.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. The motion was seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
CEO Report
- The Chief Executive Officer presented a report on the County's 175th anniversary, established in 1850. An art contest for honorary resolution artwork was announced, scheduled to run from February 18 to April 1. The CEO introduced the second video in the anniversary series, detailing the history and architecture of the Santa Barbara Courthouse, including a note that $11.5 million has been invested in the facility over the past decade.
Administrative Agenda (General Approval)
- The Board addressed the administrative agenda. Items A-10 and A-11 were pulled for separate discussion, and public comment requests were received for Item A-23. A motion was made to approve the balance of the administrative agenda excluding items A-10, A-11, and A-23. The motion was seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Resolution: San Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Hartman was presented to adopt support for the San Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex. The resolution recognized the non-profit foundation's efforts to build a facility with two outdoor pools to serve community needs such as swim lessons and competitive swimming. Public comment was received in support of the project, noting the lack of public swim access in the area since 2020. The resolution highlighted a multi-agency partnership involving the City of Buellton, the school district, the tribe, and the county. The resolution was adopted.
Resolution: Black History Month
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisors Lee and Katz was presented to proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month in Santa Barbara County, with the theme "African Americans and Labor." Public comment was received via Zoom thanking the Board and outlining upcoming events. The resolution acknowledged historical contributions of African Americans to the nation's economic foundation and the local community. The resolution was adopted.
Grant Award: Empty the Shelters (Administrative Item 10)
- Item A-10 concerned recommendations regarding the acceptance of grant awards from the Bissell Pet Foundation for Animal Services' "Empty the Shelters" adoption events through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $86,300. Staff explained that the grant allows the county to reduce adoption fees without losing revenue and noted additional support for spay/neuter surgeries. A motion was made to approve the item. The motion was seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Ambulance Services Provider Agreement (Administrative Item 11)
- Item A-11 concerned an exclusive ambulance services provider agreement between the County and American Medical Response (AMR). Public comment expressed significant concern regarding proposed response time standards, specifically provisions allowing extensions of up to two minutes beyond standard times, potential reduced accountability through "clinical scorecards," and financial impacts on taxpayers. Staff explained that the contract maintains existing response time standards for priority calls but includes a clinical scorecard system where exceeding performance benchmarks on on-scene care may offset liquidated damages for late responses. Staff noted this aligns with national movements to evaluate clinical outcomes alongside response times and identified the Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) as an advisory body to review performance data.
- Discussion focused on the capacity to analyze ambulance call data, enforcement mechanisms, and the "teeth" of the contract regarding response time compliance. Staff confirmed that liquidated damages for missing response times are set at $1,500 per incident and that a failure to maintain a 90% aggregate response time standard for three consecutive months constitutes a material breach. Board members discussed the risks of the single-provider model versus a multi-provider system and legal constraints. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation regarding the ambulance contract. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
No decision 0–1
Hearing on Compensation Ordinance Amendments for Elected Officials
- The Board considered an item from the Human Resources Department to set a public hearing for February 25, 2025, regarding amendments to the compensation ordinance for elected officials. Public comment expressed concern over the methodology used to determine salary adjustments, with a speaker arguing that comparing Santa Barbara County to large metropolitan counties was inappropriate and that a proposed 48% increase was excessive. A motion was made to set the hearing for February 25, 2025. The motion was seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
General Public Comment
- Three topics were addressed during general public comment: 1. Battery Energy Storage Systems: Concerns were raised regarding fire risks and toxic smoke emissions. Staff responded that a meeting involving Fire, Community Services Operations, and Emergency Management is scheduled for March 11 to analyze these issues and hold a public hearing. 2. Mobile Home Rent Control: A resident discussed confusion regarding the application of county versus state ordinances following recent state law changes. A board member acknowledged the complexity and suggested staff may need to provide clarification. 3. Mobile Home Ordinance Enforcement: A representative for a manufactured homeowners league requested that the Board draft a letter to mobile home park management companies reminding them of existing county rent control ordinances and penalties.
Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District (SBCWID)
- The Board held a final hearing to consider the formation of the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District. Staff presented information regarding the district's purpose, which includes marketing and brand awareness funded by a 1% assessment on direct-to-consumer wine sales. Petitions in favor represented approximately 60% of total sales tax from wineries, while protest petitions represented less than 2%, failing to meet the threshold to block formation. Public comment included concerns regarding taxpayer funding for legal defense, technical support for small wineries, and transparency in fund allocation. Board members discussed indemnification of the county against legal challenges and the weighted voting process based on sales volume. A motion was made to adopt the resolution of formation for the SBCWID, declare the results of the protest proceedings, and make the CEQA determination. The motion was seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
Alternative Sentencing Program Update
- Staff from the Sheriff's Office and Probation Department presented data regarding the Alternative Sentencing Program, which utilizes electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration for the period of July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2024. Key statistics included a 95% success rate and an 89% application approval rate. The program currently supervises approximately 63 individuals daily. Discussion focused on eligibility criteria, which excludes specific charges such as homicide and sex offenses, and the collaboration between departments. Staff reported that 80% of supervised clients are low-risk and noted significant cost savings compared to jail housing ($90.45 per day versus $332 per day). Barriers to expansion, including homelessness and inmate resistance, were discussed. No formal motion was made or vote taken during this segment.
Outdoor Lighting, Signs, and Miscellaneous Ordinance Amendments
- Staff from the Planning and Development Department presented a package of amendments to various land use codes regarding outdoor lighting, signs, and miscellaneous sections. The proposal aims to modernize regulations, establish dark sky compliance standards (including shielding, height limits, and Kelvin ratings), update sign measurement standards, and address short-term rental enforcement. Public comment included recommendations to lower color temperature standards to 2700 Kelvin, require full shielding for string lights, and reject exemptions for uplighting specimen trees. Discussion ensued regarding the protection of wildlife and human circadian rhythms, the definition of mobile signs, and the County's authority to regulate mobile billboards. Supervisors raised concerns regarding existing exemptions for government facilities and proposed adding direction for General Services to review County compliance.
- A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation with specific amendments: adding language regarding the protection of nature and wildlife; adopting a 2700 Kelvin color temperature standard; rejecting the exception for uplighting in Montecito; and directing General Services to review County facilities for compliance. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was requested, and the motion passed with a 3-to-2 vote.
Passed 3–2 · against: Nelson, Lavagnino
Adjournment
- Following the vote on the ordinance amendments, Supervisor Nelson requested permission to adjourn the meeting in honor of Robert Patrick Farini. The Chair granted the request, acknowledged the tribute, and formally adjourned the meeting.