APCD Board of Directors Meeting of October 15, 2026

Director’s Report

• Staff introduced Lucas Carnero, a new Air Quality Specialist hired in June 2026.
• The Community Advisory Council confirmed cannabis permit fees are below the district average and satisfied with the cost-reimbursement model.
• The Kiyama Clean Air Room Program distributed 270 air purifiers to residents and facilities in August.
• An interactive map of air quality conditions and prescribed burn locations is scheduled for release later in the month.

Adoption of the 2026 Ozone Plan

• Staff presented the plan, noting the county remains in "non-attainment transitional" status with no new exceedances in 2026.
• The plan proposes no new control measures for the next three years, relying on existing strategies for attainment.
• The Community Advisory Council unanimously recommended adoption of the plan.
• The board adopted the resolution, including CEQA findings and authorization to transmit the plan to CARB.

Closed Session

• The board authorized County Counsel to initiate litigation in two matters.
• The board conducted a performance evaluation of the Air Pollution Control Officer.
• The board conferred with labor negotiators regarding an unrepresented employee.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Board of Directors Meeting – October 15, 2026

Call to Order and Roll Call

• The meeting was called to order. A roll call was taken, confirming the presence of all directors and establishing a quorum. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Closed Session

• The board entered closed session to discuss the following items:
• C1: Conference with Legal Counsel regarding anticipated litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9) involving two cases.
• C2: Performance evaluation of the Air Pollution Control Officer (Government Code Section 54957.3(b)(1)).
• C3: Conference with labor negotiators regarding an unrepresented employee, the Air Pollution Control Officer (Government Code Section 54957.6(a)).
• Upon reconvening, District Counsel reported that the board authorized the County Counsel to initiate litigation in two matters. The vote on this authorization was unanimous among directors present. Details regarding the defendants and other particulars are to be disclosed upon inquiry unless such disclosure would jeopardize service or settlement negotiations. No other reportable actions were taken in closed session.

Approval of Minutes

• The board considered the approval of the minutes from the August 20, 2026, meeting.
• Motion: To approve the minutes.
• Second: Seconded.
• Vote: Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Administrative Items

• The board considered the administrative agenda.
• Motion: To approve the administrative agenda.
• Second: Seconded.
• Vote: Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Director’s Report

• The Director presented a report covering the following topics:
• New Hire: Introduction of Lucas Carnero, hired in June 2026 as an Air Quality Specialist in the Planning Division.
• Cannabis Permit Fees: An update on the post-harvest cannabis permitting program. Staff reported that the Community Advisory Council (CAC) reviewed fee data and found that cannabis permit costs are below the district-wide average. The CAC was satisfied with the cost-reimbursement model, which recovers actual costs while keeping fees moderate. One public comment resulted in a new CAC member appointment.
• Kiyama Clean Air Room Program: A report on the August 2 event in Kiyama, where 270 air purifiers were distributed to residents, schools, and local facilities. The program was funded by the Clean Air Fund.
• Staff Team Building: A tour of SpaceX facilities provided to 30 staff members on September 23.
• Prescribed Burn Map: Announcement of an upcoming interactive map showing air quality conditions and prescribed burn locations, to be released later in the month.
• Board Recognition: Recognition of three board members whose terms are ending: Director Rouse (5 years of service), Chair Lavagnino (15 years of service), and Director Al Clark (18 years of service).
• No public comment was received on the Director’s Report.

Public Comment

• No members of the public requested to speak on items not on the agenda.

Discussion Item H1: Adoption of the 2026 Ozone Plan

• Staff presented the 2026 Ozone Plan, which includes seven chapters covering ozone introduction, planning efforts, emission inventories, control measures, transportation control measures, grant/incentive strategies, and the attainment strategy. Key points included:
• The county is currently designated as "non-attainment transitional" for ozone standards.
• Ozone exceedances have decreased significantly since 1991, with the most recent exceedances occurring in 2021 and 2024 at the Paradise Road monitoring station.
• No new exceedances have occurred in 2026.
• The plan proposes no new control measures for the next three years, as existing measures are deemed sufficient.
• The Community Advisory Council unanimously recommended adoption of the plan.

Questions and Discussion

• Director Clark inquired about the composition of "other mobile sources" and how the county compares to other districts. Staff explained that other mobile sources include off-road equipment and harbor craft, and noted that many coastal counties are also in non-attainment transitional status.
• Director Brown asked how close the county is to attainment. Staff explained that attainment requires zero violations over a rolling three-year period. With one exceedance in 2024, the county remains in transitional status, but if 2026 remains clean, the county may be redesignated as attainment in early 2028.
• Chair Lavagnino noted the high percentage of NOx emissions from marine vessels and the limited local control over this source.
• Director Hartman expressed appreciation for the report.
• No public comment was received on this item.

Motion and Vote

• Motion: To adopt the resolution including actions 2A through 2D (findings regarding CEQA, adoption of CEQA findings, adoption of the 2026 Ozone Plan, and authorization to transmit the plan to CARB).
• Second: Seconded.
• Vote: Passed unanimously by voice vote.

Adjournment

• The Chair announced that the meeting would be rebroadcast on October 18, 2026, and that a special meeting is anticipated for November 19, 2026. The meeting was adjourned.