MINUTES

MAY 24, 2004 at the Union Hotel, Los Alamos

Attendees:

Call to Order: Vice-President Jim Raggio called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. at the Union Hotel in Los Alamos. It was noted President John Fox is on a trip. The attendees were introduced. All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speaker: Bruce Carter, Manager, S B Co Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Services: Mr. Carter said the terrorist attacks of September 11^th and other incidents have changed much. As an example, white powder is now associated with anthrax. Mr. Carter said that poisoning a water supply is still a concern but that it would be difficult because of the logistics.

The emergency declaration process of the December 2003 earthquake in San Simeon was reviewed. First the counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County declared a disaster. After that first step, the governor declared that is was a State disaster and this step starts the funding process for reimbursement of up to 75%. The final step is when the President also declares it is a disaster. Then the funding mechanism increases up to about 93% reimbursement.

Regarding terrorism in Santa Barbara County, Mr. Carter said we do not have what would be considered primary targets, like a Disneyland or World Trade Center. Vandenberg Air Force Base and the oil companies have their own security procedures in place. Recently, 125 first responders (fire, police, and safety agencies) had a training exercise. Since 1999, a terrorism working group composed of county, state, and federal agencies has been meeting. Mr. Carter said there is good cooperation and coordination with police, sheriff and fire agencies. Recently $3.6 million of first responder equipment has been received.

Mr. Carter said there is a better chance of having a natural disaster such as a wildfire than a terrorist attack. Aircraft for fighting wildfires are currently being evaluated because the craft are so old. The Office of Emergency Services is a division of the County Fire Department. It works with the fire department, police and sheriff departments, public health and public works.

To contact Bruce Carter, the phone number is (805) 681-5526. Their e-mail address is bruce.carter@sbcfire.com.

Santa Barbara LAFCO: At the last LAFCO meeting the terms of the current LAFCO Commissioners were extended to expire on March 1^st to closer coincide with elections. It was also noted that the draft MSR report for the Lompoc Valley agencies would be out within a few weeks.

Legislative Update: George Emerson noted that the Ortiz bill was defeated in the Appropriations Committee and it is not expected to come back. The formula for the $350 million property tax shift has not yet been finalized. Effects of the recent Workers Compensation reforms are not expected for about 1 year. The LOCAL initiative has qualified for this November’s ballot.

Future meetings: Our June meeting will be held at the Elephant Bar in Goleta. Our July 26^th meeting will be held at the Cabernet Bistro in Solvang with a special menu. Details will follow.

New Business: None.

Old Business: None.

Adjournment Jim Raggio adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The next meeting will be held at the Elephant Bar in Goleta on June 28^th.

Cathy Schlottmann