Meeting Summary
Present: 5-Lavagnino, 1-Lee, 2-Capps, 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson
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At a glance
Administrative Agenda and Proclamations
- The Board adopted resolutions recognizing various national observances and community events.
- A resolution was passed to commend Jerry Nichols of Public Works as Employee of the Month.
- Public comment was received regarding several items prior to their unanimous adoption.
Oil and Gas Amortization Study
- The Board authorized a professional services agreement with CJM Petroleum Consulting to study onshore oil and gas amortization.
- Discussion focused on mineral rights protections, vested rights, and alignment with the County's Climate Action Plan.
- Public comment reflected both support for a phase-out and concerns regarding economic impacts and litigation.
- A motion to approve the agreement was seconded and passed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Amendments
- The Board held a first reading hearing on amendments to Chapter 46A to align with the State Density Bonus Law.
- Proposed changes allow off-site development within one mile and aim to preserve deed-restricted units for local residents.
- The policy was adopted with amendments extending the rent reporting timeline to 12 weeks and allowing rent ranges.
- The item is scheduled for a second reading on May 5.
Local Housing Marketing Program
- The Board held a first reading hearing on an ordinance establishing a Local Housing Marketing Program in Chapter 52.
- The program requires developers to implement local marketing plans to prioritize workforce access for non-deed-restricted housing.
- The motion passed with amendments to include the Santa Ynez Valley and direct staff to report back in six months.
- Staff proposed increasing the marketing period from six to 12 weeks to ensure adequate outreach.
Sheriff's Office Oversight and Overtime
- The Board reviewed a report on overtime usage and new fiscal controls implemented to reduce costs.
- Discussion addressed the balance between fiscal stewardship and operational needs driven by staffing vacancies.
- The Board adopted Option 5 to continue current oversight efforts without immediate structural changes or additional funding.
- Public comment opposed new oversight bodies, citing wage competitiveness as the root cause of overtime issues.
Passed 4–1 · against: Hartmann
Support for Assembly Bill 2257
- The Board considered a resolution to support legislation restoring county authority to establish an independent Department of Corrections.
- Discussion centered on providing counties with operational leverage and accountability regarding jail management and budgets.
- Public comment opposed the measure due to concerns about increased bureaucracy and costs.
- A motion to support the bill was seconded and passed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Fire Marshal Appeal Board Appointment
- The Board discussed the appointment of members to the Fire Marshal Appeal Board.
- A request was made to pull the item to ensure independent input from each district.
- The Fire Department requested a continuance to allow time for appointments.
- The item was continued until May 5 by unanimous motion.
Other Departmental Updates
- Supervisor Hartman provided an update on a pesticide disposal event that safely collected over 40,000 pounds of chemicals.
- A resolution supporting the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program was adopted following a presentation.
Closed Session
- The Board met in closed session to confer with labor negotiators for all bargaining units and managers.
- No reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Administrative Agenda and Proclamations
- The Board adopted the administrative agenda with the exception of specific items pulled for separate discussion. Several resolutions were presented and adopted unanimously to recognize community events and individuals. These included proclamations for National Library Week, Arbor Day, National Home Visiting Week, National Crime Victims Rights Week, CASA Volunteer Appreciation Week, the National Day of Prayer, and National Poetry Month. Additionally, a resolution was adopted to commend Jerry Nichols of the Public Works Department as the Employee of the Month. Public comment was received regarding several of these items prior to their adoption.
Oil and Gas Amortization Study
- The Board considered a proposal to authorize a professional services agreement with CJM Petroleum Consulting to conduct an amortization study of onshore oil and gas extraction operations. Staff presented the study as necessary to analyze the financial ramifications of phasing out operations, particularly regarding mineral rights compensation, in alignment with the County's Climate Action Plan. Discussion addressed the distinction between new permits and vested rights, the constitutional protection of mineral rights, and the necessity of factual data before making policy decisions. Public comment included support for the study based on survey data indicating community support for a phase-out, as well as opposition citing economic impacts, mineral rights protections, and potential litigation costs. A motion was made to approve the agreement. The motion was seconded and passed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (Chapter 46A) Amendments
- The Board held a hearing on the first reading of an ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 46A to align with the State Density Bonus Law. The proposed amendments would allow developers to fulfill inclusionary housing requirements through off-site development within one mile of the project site and aim to preserve deed-restricted units in the South Coast Housing Market Area for local residents or workers. Staff clarified that the ordinance applies to residential developments of five or more units and that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) remain an option for workforce housing but cannot be used for short-term rentals. Public comment included requests for a continuance to allow for client review and inquiries regarding the ordinance's applicability to projects deemed complete under SB 330. Habitat for Humanity requested collaboration to incorporate nonprofit developers and unique financing models. A motion was made to adopt the policy with amendments, including extending the rent reporting timeline to 12 weeks and allowing for rent ranges. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The item was scheduled for a second reading on May 5.
Local Housing Marketing Program
- The Board held a hearing on the first reading of an ordinance adding Chapter 52 to the County Code, establishing a Local Housing Marketing Program. The program requires developers in the South Coast Housing Market Area to implement a local marketing plan for non-deed-restricted housing to prioritize local workforce access. Discussion covered the definition of "local," marketing timelines, and the inclusion of the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos in the housing market area. Staff proposed increasing the marketing period from six weeks to 12 weeks to ensure adequate outreach. Public comment was received regarding the policy's impact on development costs and housing production. A motion was made to support the staff recommendation with amendments to include the Santa Ynez Valley in the housing market area and to direct staff to return in six months with changes resulting from discussions with Habitat for Humanity. The motion was seconded and passed.
Sheriff's Office Oversight and Overtime
- The Board reviewed a report from the Auditor-Controller's Office regarding the Sheriff's Office overtime usage and fiscal controls. Staff detailed new managerial controls implemented to reduce costs, including capping supervisors per shift, reducing overtime shifts from 12 to 8 hours, and reintroducing paper overtime slips. Discussion focused on the balance between fiscal stewardship and operational needs, noting that high overtime costs were driven by significant vacancies and training delays. The Board also considered options for increased oversight of the Sheriff's Office, including establishing an Office of Inspector General, creating a dedicated internal audit position, or evaluating current measures. Public comment included opposition to new oversight bodies, with arguments that staffing and overtime issues stem from wage competitiveness rather than a lack of oversight, and concerns regarding the cost and bureaucracy of an Inspector General. The Sheriff's Office recommended evaluating current measures or creating a dedicated internal audit position. A motion was made to receive and file the overtime report and to adopt Option 5, which directs the department to continue current oversight efforts without immediate additional funding or structural changes. The motion was seconded and passed.
Passed 4–1 · against: Hartmann
Support for Assembly Bill 2257
- The Board considered a resolution to support Assembly Bill 2257, legislation proposed by Assemblymember Hart to restore county authority to establish an independently led Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, separate from the Sheriff's Department. A representative from the Assemblymember's office explained that the bill would allow counties to appoint a director while maintaining peace officer status for existing staff. Discussion centered on the bill providing counties with operational leverage and accountability regarding jail management, budget, and policy, addressing situations where boards bear financial liability without operational control. Public comment included opposition to the measure, citing concerns about increased bureaucracy, costs, and the argument that the elected Sheriff provides necessary local control. A motion was made to support the bill. The motion was seconded and passed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lavagnino, Nelson
Fire Marshal Appeal Board Appointment
- The Board discussed the appointment of members to the Fire Marshal Appeal Board. A supervisor requested to pull the item to ensure independent input on appointees from each district. The Fire Department requested a continuance of the item to allow time for appointments. A motion was made to continue the item until May 5. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Other Departmental Updates
- Supervisor Hartman provided an update on a commercial pesticide disposal event hosted by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office and Public Works Department, which safely collected and disposed of over 40,000 pounds of legacy and unwanted pesticides. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this informational update. A presentation was given regarding the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, and a resolution supporting the program was adopted.
Special Meeting
- The regular meeting was recessed to convene a special meeting regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related community engagement issues.
Closed Session
- The Board met in closed session to confer with labor negotiators for all bargaining units, unrepresented employees, managers, and executives. No reportable action was taken.