MINUTES

MARCH 28, 2005, at the Meadows Restaurant, Solvang

President Susan Warnstrom called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The attendees were introduced. All present participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States.

Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Arnold reported the checking account has $1,444.58 and the savings account $1,397.19 for a total of $2,844.77.

Guest Speaker: Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Anderson: Sheriff Anderson said he has been with the Department for 30 years, is in the 3^rd year of his first term as Sheriff, and hopes for one more term. His goals are to have more deputies on the streets, more K-12 education, and a north County jail. The prior 2 years have been tough because of the State’s budget crisis. The Sheriff Department’s annual budget is $80 million. They have 2,800 square miles and are responsible for 8 substations. The Department includes law enforcement, custody (jail), and administration. Employees include 300 sworn officers and 248 custody employees plus administrative personnel. In addition to the main jail, they serve court holding facilities, work furlough programs, and the functions of Marshall and Coroner. Sheriff Anderson noted the new Board of Supervisors is supportive of public safety.

Specialty units include the bomb team, mounted unit, search and rescue (which has about 100 call annually), a dive team, and forensic unit. Sheriff Anderson distributed information sheets, "The Seven Signs of Terrorism" and asked for the public’s assistance to spot it. Regarding terrorism, Sheriff Anderson is in daily contact with the State, the FBI, and other agencies, with monthly working group meetings. However, he noted that federal funding is now going to major metropolitan areas.

Sheriff Anderson noted overcrowding at the County jail. It was built in the late 1960s with a bond issue. Currently he is under court order that no inmate sleeps on the floor. However, because of overcrowding, 98 slept on the floor last night. They are looking at a 230 acre site near Laguna Sanitation District for a 500 bed facility. In response to questions, the court house is not set up for modern security measures. Discussions with the judges are on going. Sheriff Anderson said the 3 Strikes law is working as it is; there have 9 straight years of declining crime rates.

Approval of Minutes: Motion, second, unanimous, to approve the Minutes of the February 28, 2005 meeting.

Legislative Report: George Emerson gave an update on the bills this legislative session. He urged all districts to contact their legislators to support AB 1234 (Salinas) and oppose SB393 (Ortiz). The annual Government Affairs gathering will be held May 16-17^th. If you attend, contact CSDA and they will schedule appointments with your representatives.

LAFCO Report: Cathy Schlottmann reported the new city alternate is Jack Hawxhurst and the new Public Member is Bernice Stableford. LAFCO has started their budget process, more on this will be forthcoming.

Meetings: The next executive board meeting will be at Ellen’s on April 6^th.

New Business: None.

Old Business: None.

Adjournment President Susan Warnstrom adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, April 25, 2005 at this location.

Cathy Schlottmann