MINUTES

JUNE 28, 2004 at the Elephant Bar, Goleta

Attendees:

Call to Order: President John Fox called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. at the Elephant Bar in Goleta The attendees were introduced. All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest Speaker: Joni Gray, Santa Barbara County 4^th District Supervisor: Supervisor Gray introduced Mr. Tedesco, noting he has been a city manager, most recently of Boulder, Colorado, and worked with American Airlines during their challending times. Mr. Tedesco is currently an advisor to the White House on airlines. Supervisor Gray said she works with him on the County’s Retirement Board. Supervisor Gray noted she is attending to hear Mr. Tedesco’s comments.

Guest Speaker: Ted Tedesco, Chairman of the Mission County Formation Review Commission: Mr. Tedesco said the 5 people on the Mission County Formation Review Commission are concerned with the legitimate petition submitted by the people to split the county. They have six months to complete their task but can ask the Governor for an additional six months. The six months started June 1, 2004. Due to election time requirements, the issue will not be on this November’s ballot. Their work is concerned with eleven separate determinations that State law requires. Mr. Tedesco said there is plenty of work to be done. The Commission’s work is concerned with whether the split is economically feasible by doing an objective analysis. The result will be like a business plan.

Mr. Tedesco said that each special district will not be analyzed by the Commission. However, if a specific district feels they would be affected, they should discuss their own circumstances with their legal counsel and state their case in writing to the Commission.

The Commission is asking for executive summaries as they pull the pieces together. To complete their work within the legal time frame, they must focus on the "big picture." They consider items like supervisorial boundaries for Mission County and what would the future of Santa Maria be like. The Commission would let the new county set itself up and not just duplicate what Santa Barbara County is currently doing. Part of their work includes a transition plan. The Commission is tasked with evaluating the feasability of the new Mission County. The law does not require a feasability analysis for the remaining Santa Barbara County. The final feasability report will include a timeline and not just a snapshot picture. For the split to occur, there must be majority approval of both the voters of the entire current county and also of the new proposed county. If the measure is defeated by either one, Mission County will not be formed. It was noted the Commission has very little discretion of make boundary changes.

Santa Barbara LAFCO Report: Cathy Schlottmann noted the draft MSR report for the Lompoc Valley will be available soon. The process will be release of an administrative draft to the agencies involved, after which it will be available to the public followed by the hearing process. It was noted the MSR process is about 6 months behind schedule. Some of the District’s at the end of the schedule expressed concern that their MSR review will be rushed.

Legislative Update: George Emerson said the State budget is not yet finalized. The coalition is still holding together. Each District was urged to contact their Sacramento representatives to support the coalition’s budget deal with the Governor. George said a bill, the "Ghost of Ortiz," will probably come back, it will be closely watched.

Future meetings: Our July 26^th meeting will be held at the Cabernet Bistro in Solvang with a special menu, cost will be $26.00 per person. Details will follow. The August meeting will be at the Elephant Bar. September’s meeting will be at the Union Hotel. It was noted the Executive Board will meet July 7^th at Ellen's in Buellton.

New Business: None.

Old Business: None.

Adjournment John Fox adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. The next meeting will be held at Cabernet Bistro in Solvang on July 26, 2004.

Cathy Schlottmann