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Board of Supervisors — 2025-09-16

Board of Supervisors — 2025-09-16September 16, 2025

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BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 September 16, 2025

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Meeting Summary

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Present: 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, 1-Lee, 5-Lavagnino, Kaps

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

Diaper Need Awareness Week Resolution

  • The Board adopted a resolution recognizing September 15–21, 2025, as Diaper Need Awareness Week.
  • LEAP representatives highlighted the organization's work in providing essential resources.
  • Members discussed the critical link between diaper access and economic stability for families.

Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution

  • A resolution was adopted to proclaim September 15–October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month.
  • Corazón del Pueblo representatives shared the organization's mission and cultural significance.
  • Board members acknowledged the importance of Hispanic culture to the county community.

California Nature Art Museum Commendation

  • The Board adopted a resolution commending the museum on its 25th anniversary.
  • Museum representatives detailed the institution's history and ongoing educational programs.

Community Health Centers Commendation

  • A resolution was adopted to recognize Community Health Centers for their service during the Gifford Fire.
  • Representatives described efforts to maintain patient care and continuity during the emergency.

Oasis Senior Center Site Purchase

  • The Board approved a purchase and sale agreement for the Oasis Senior Center site in Orcutt.
  • Discussion centered on the goal to co-locate the senior center with the Orcutt Library.
  • Staff recommendations were adopted to move forward with the project planning.

Solar Power Purchase Agreements

  • The Board approved solar power purchase agreements for seven countywide locations.
  • Supervisor Hartman recused herself from the vote due to a financial conflict of interest.
  • Staff recommendations were adopted to implement the renewable energy contracts.

Measure A Safe Routes to School Program

  • The Board accepted a cooperative agreement for Cycle 6 of the Safe Routes to School Program in Isla Vista.
  • Public Works staff explained the grant's focus on closing sidewalk gaps and improving safety.
  • Staff recommendations were adopted to proceed with the infrastructure improvements.

GED Testing Center MOU

  • The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Allan Hancock Joint Community College District.
  • The agreement establishes a new GED Testing Center in Santa Maria to improve local access.
  • Staff recommendations were adopted to finalize the partnership.

Orphaned and Idle Wells Report

  • The Board directed staff to provide a report on the status of orphaned and idle wells.
  • Discussion focused on gathering data prior to future deliberations on oil and gas production.
  • Staff confirmed the report could be combined with the annual energy presentation by the APCD.

County Legislative Platform Amendment (Immigration)

  • The Board accepted a staff recommendation to amend the legislative platform regarding immigration enforcement.
  • The amendment supports clear identification of agents and prohibits face coverings during public operations.
  • The Board directed the Sheriff to provide retrospective reports on ICE deconflicting notices.
Passed 4–0 · abstained: Nelson

Grand Jury Reports on Deaths in Custody

  • The Board approved responses to three Grand Jury reports concerning custody-related deaths.
  • Staff outlined system improvements including increased healthcare staffing and enhanced medical oversight.
  • The Board directed staff to return with a separate item regarding formal support for Assembly Bill 1108.

Closed Session

  • The Board entered a closed session to confer with labor negotiators.
  • County Counsel reported that no reportable action was taken during the session.

Full summary

Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Procedures

  • The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting was called to order on September 16, 2025. Following a roll call confirming the presence of all supervisors and the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the previous meeting; the motion passed. The Clerk announced an addendum adding Administrative Item 19 regarding orphaned and idle wells. A request was received to continue Departmental Item 1 (Santa Maria Sports Complex) to the October 14, 2025 meeting due to the unavailability of the City of Santa Maria. A motion was made and seconded to continue Departmental Item 1 to the October 14 meeting; the motion passed. Regarding the administrative agenda, items A8, A9, A12, A17, and A19 were pulled for individual discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the remaining administrative agenda items; the motion passed.

Administrative Item 1: Diaper Need Awareness Week Resolution

  • A resolution was presented to recognize September 15–21, 2025, as Diaper Need Awareness Week and to express gratitude to the organization LEAP. A representative from LEAP spoke regarding the organization's work. Board members discussed the importance of diaper access for childcare participation and economic stability. The resolution was adopted.

Administrative Item 2: Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution

  • A resolution was presented to proclaim September 15–October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month. Representatives from Corazón del Pueblo spoke regarding the organization's mission. Board members discussed the significance of Hispanic culture to the county. The resolution was adopted.

Administrative Item 3: California Nature Art Museum Commendation

  • A resolution was presented to commend the California Nature Art Museum on its 25th anniversary. Representatives from the museum spoke regarding its history and programs. The resolution was adopted.

Administrative Item 4: Community Health Centers (CHC) Commendation

  • A resolution was presented to commend Community Health Centers of the Central Coast for their service during the Gifford Fire. Representatives from CHC spoke regarding their efforts to maintain patient care. The resolution was adopted.

Administrative Item 8: Oasis Senior Center Site Purchase

  • The Board considered a purchase and sale agreement for the Oasis Senior Center site in Orcutt. Discussion focused on the goal to co-locate the senior center and the Orcutt Library, the project history, and the work of the Planning and Development Department. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the staff recommendations; the motion passed.

Administrative Item 9: Solar Power Purchase Agreements

  • The Board considered recommendations regarding solar power purchase agreements for seven countywide locations. Supervisor Hartman recused herself from the vote due to a financial contribution to a musical event involving the contractor. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the staff recommendations; the motion passed.

Administrative Item 12: Measure A Bicycle and Pedestrian Safe Routes to School

  • The Board considered a cooperative agreement for Cycle 6 of the Measure A South Coast Bicycle and Pedestrian Safe Routes to School Program for Isla Vista. Public Works staff discussed the grant's focus on closing sidewalk gaps and improving safety. A motion was made and seconded to accept the staff recommendations; the motion passed.

Administrative Item 17: GED Testing Center MOU

  • The Board considered a Memorandum of Understanding with Allan Hancock Joint Community College District to establish a GED Testing Center in Santa Maria. Discussion included the need for local testing access and the services provided by the new center. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendations; the motion passed.

Administrative Item 19: Orphaned and Idle Wells Report

  • The Board considered a request for a report on the status of orphaned and idle wells. Discussion focused on gathering information prior to future discussions on oil and gas production. A suggestion was made to combine this report with the annual energy presentation by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD), which staff confirmed was possible. A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to provide the report; the motion passed.

General Public Comment

  • Public comment was received on matters not on the agenda. Speakers addressed the need for higher wages for IHSS providers to reflect the cost of living, the importance of fair compensation for caregivers, and the impact of wages on the quality of life for elderly recipients. Additional comments included an announcement regarding National Voter Registration Day, concerns regarding the Brisa Encina housing project in Mission Hills (citing cost increases, project size, and alleged corruption), and a request for a community meeting to discuss the housing project details.

Departmental Item 2: Amendment to the 2025 County Legislative Platform (Immigration)

  • Staff presented a recommendation to amend the County's legislative platform regarding immigration. The proposal included language supporting policies requiring law enforcement and immigration agents to clearly identify themselves and prohibiting face coverings during public operations, with safety exceptions. The amendment also sought to uphold constitutional civil rights protections and urge federal authorities to reinstate policies prohibiting immigration enforcement in sensitive locations. Public comment was provided regarding ICE activities, legal aid funding, and support for immigrant communities. Board members noted the lack of response from ICE to previous requests and discussed requesting retrospective reports on ICE deconflicting notices from the Sheriff. One Board member indicated an intention to abstain due to concerns regarding the politicization of specific state bills in the platform language, while supporting the civil rights provisions. A motion was made and seconded to accept the staff recommendation with an additional request for the Sheriff to provide retrospective information on ICE deconflicting notices; the motion passed.
Passed 4–0 · abstained: Nelson

Departmental Item 3: Response to 2024–2025 Grand Jury Reports on Deaths in Custody

  • Staff from the County Executive Office, County Health, the Sheriff's Office, and the Behavioral Wellness Department presented responses to three Grand Jury reports concerning custody-related deaths. The reports addressed a fatal head injury, a suicide, and a preventable death due to peritonitis. Staff outlined system improvements, including increased healthcare staffing, enhanced medical oversight, expanded medication-assisted treatment, and improved data sharing. The County indicated it would implement all or almost all recommendations, including quarterly audits and the removal of phones from holding cells used for mental health observation. A representative for Assemblymember Hart discussed Assembly Bill 1108 (the FACTS Act), which requires independent medical examinations for deaths in custody. Updates were provided on inpatient bed availability and jail population diversion strategies. Public comment supported AB 1108 and addressed the fentanyl crisis. Board members discussed the procedural ability to formally support AB 1108, determining that a formal vote was not within the scope of the current item but that staff could return with a separate item. A motion was made and seconded to approve the responses to the three Grand Jury reports and to direct staff to return with a separate agenda item regarding County support for AB 1108; the motion passed.

Closed Session and Adjournment

  • The Board entered a closed session to confer with labor negotiators. Upon reconvening, the County Counsel reported that no reportable action was taken. The meeting was adjourned.