LAFCo DRAFT MINUTES FOR March 26, 2003

 

 

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:

Vern Cooney, Roy Curless, Virginia Graziani, Richard "Bud" Leonard, Marty McClelland, Bonnie Neely (arrived at 9:05), Roger Rodoni, Bill Strickland, Mary Beth Wolford

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Kirk Gothier, LAFCo Staff; Sharyn Lodes, LAFCo Clerk; Susanne Lakin, LAFCo Clerk; Carolyn Ruth, Deputy County Counsel

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisor's Chambers, County Courthouse, Chairman McClelland presiding.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES of January 29, 2003

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Curless/Cooney) to approve the Minutes from the January 29, 2003 meeting.

THE MOTION PASSED 5-0-1. Shelton abstained. Graziani, Wolford and Strickland present, but not voting.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

A. DRAFT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004

The public hearing was opened.

Kirk Gothier gave the staff report on the draft budget for fiscal year 2003-04. He explained there are two mandated public hearings for adoption of LAFCo’s budget: this meeting fulfilled the requirement for review of a proposed budget before May 1st, and a second meeting on May 28^th is required for adoption of the final budget before June 15th. Staff discussed contribution rates by local agencies for 2003, accomplishments towards compliance with AB 2838 and status comparisons with other counties.

In response to a request from the last meeting, an estimate was prepared showing that a 10 % savings would result from reducing LAFCo meetings from 6 to 4 a year. Staff recommended the 10 percent cut because it would not impact the work on Municipal Service Reviews nor delay processing applications for changes of organizations. Staff also indicated that special meetings could be scheduled as needed.

Chairman McClelland expressed concern about the allocation total cost by the Auditor on the chart on page 11 and asked Kirk to look into that. A discussion ensued between staff and the commission about the effect of going from six to four meetings a year. Supervisor Neely mentioned the County Board of Supervisors’ decision for 15% budget cuts across the board. Kirk Gothier explained that the department as a whole would be looking at an overall budget reduction of 15%, but LAFCo itself would only receive a 10% reduction. Questions were asked of the audience; there were none.

The public hearing was closed.

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Rodoni/Curless) to approve the 10% reduction in the LAFCo budget for fiscal year 2003-04and reduce the LAFCo meetings from six to four per year.

THE MOTION PASSED BY VOTE 7-0. Graziani, Strickland, and Wolford present, but not voting.

NEW BUSINESS:

A: DISTRIBUTION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEWS AND SPHERE OF INFLUENCE REPORTS:

Kirk Gothier introduced the Spheres of Influence reports and explained their format. He noted that the commission will return in May for the public hearing to adopt the first Spheres under AB 2838. He noted the larger cities and districts were still awaiting adoption of the General Plan Update and draft EIR, but that we were still on target for the January, 2006 deadline. Staff was instructed to include the areas outside the boundaries that were presently receiving service. Capacity levels should also be changed to reflect specific numbers.

B. BUDGET PROGRESS REPORT

Kirk Gothier referred to the budget table in report, showing budget to date, and noted the updated status report that has been made more current.

C. ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION

Chairman McClelland asked County Counsel to explain confidentiality policies of the office to the commission. Deputy County Counsel, Carolyn Ruth, explained that under the "attorney-client" privilege the entire commission is the "client" and decides whether or not to waive the privilege. It is not up to County Counsel to make that decision. Rather than establishing a set policy to waive the attorney-client privilege, Counsel would prefer to waive confidentiality on a case-by-case basis. Chairman McClelland suggested waiving privilege if it is a simple procedural matter.

CORRESPONDENCE

Kirk Gothier mentioned LAFCO brochures are available at the office and summarized important items in the CAL-LAFCO letter. Chairman McClelland expressed concern with the elimination of Williamson Act subventions in the State budget mentioned in the proposed legislation section. Staff was instructed to put this item on the next agenda for discussion.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES: No one spoke before the Commission.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:30AM.