LAFCo

DRAFT MINUTES

MAY 28, 2003

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:

Vern Cooney, Roy Curless, Jill Geist, Virginia Graziani, Richard "Bud" Leonard, Marty McClelland, Roger Rodoni, Odell Shelton, Bill Strickland, Mary Beth Wolford

STAFF PRESENT:

Kirk Gothier, LAFCo Staff; Susanne Lakin, LAFCo Clerk

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

 

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 26, 2003

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Rodoni/Curless) to approve the Minutes from the March 26, 2003 meeting with modification of adding Odell Shelton as present.

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

5A. FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004

Kirk Gothier gave the staff report on the final budget for fiscal year 2003-04. The proposed budget was prepared and presented at the March meeting, as directed by the commission. Neal Tierney, from the Auditor’s office, prepared a spreadsheet to enable cities and districts to compare last years’ LAFCo expenditures with the upcoming fiscal year (2003/04) proposed expenditures based on the adopted 10% budget cut. Gothier explained that the LAFCo expenses were carried 1/3 by the County, 1/3 by the cities, collectively, and 1/3 by the districts, collectively. No billing is issued; the approximate $10,627 for each, once approved, would be a fund transfer by the auditor at the beginning of the fiscal year. Chairman McClelland added that this process was not part of LAFCo’s control, but is determined and implemented by the Auditor. Kirk Gothier mentioned that changes were made at the State level regarding the apportionment of LAFCo funds from hospital districts. As the Southern Humboldt Health Care District is not making money, their share of the fee would be zero, and would cause a nominal increase in the amount the other districts would have to carry. Chairman McClelland asked the commission if they had any questions about the budget, then opened questions to the public.

The public hearing was opened.

Nancy Wilson, representing the Southern Humboldt Health Care District, presented a packet of information for the Auditor’s review related to Assembly Bill 1948 and a financial report of the district. Chairman McClelland received the packet for the record with intent to refer it to the Auditor’s office for consideration.

The public hearing was closed.

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Cooney/Shelton) to adopt the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2003/04.

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

Chairman McClelland requested the Auditor and Kirk Gothier to prepare a letter explaining the 10% LAFCo budget cut and the redistribution and resulting higher share to the districts due to Assembly Bill 1948.

 

5B: 2 YEAR AGREEMENT FOR COUNTY STAFFING SERVICES:

Kirk Gothier explained Deputy County Counsel, Carolyn Ruth, helped prepare a revised 2-year agreement for County Staff services to continue. Staff recommended the commission approve Resolution 03-01 (Attachment 2), which will approve the agreement and authorize the LAFCo chair to sign the agreement, then direct staff to forward to the Board of Supervisors for review and approval. Chairman McClelland added that provision for extensions was included so a new agreement does not have to be made each time an extension is approved. Commissioner Cooney requested clarification of item 4 of the resolution. It was agreed to amend to read "County services and expenses…"

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Geist/Cooney) to approve resolution 03-01.

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

 

5C. ADOPTION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEWS AND SPHERES OF INFLUENCE FOR THE FIRST FOUR DISTRICTS (Briceland, Riverside, Westhaven, and Patrick Creek):

Kirk Gothier acknowledged Mary Commins’ (staff) hard work in finalizing these reports. Staff recommended the commission approve Resolution 03-02 (Attachment 1) adopting the first four Spheres of Influence: Briceland, Riverside, Westhaven, and Patrick Creek. Gothier explained that these four were the "simple" ones, not headed toward expansion and having no major development potential. The resolution includes the note of CEQA exemption and directs staff to mail notice of the action to all affected local agencies. Chairman McClelland opened the hearing for questions to the commission and the audience.

The public hearing was opened.

James Wilson offered to answer any questions regarding his property – added into the Briceland Sphere of Influence as it was already being serviced by the district and houses the community water treatment plant. There were no questions for him from the commission.

The public hearing was closed.

Chairman McClelland noted that the resolution is to adopt the sphere maps of the four districts, and that the maps need to reflect the adoption date for future reference.

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Rodoni/Curless) to approve resolution 03-02.

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

NEW BUSINESS

6A. ADOPTION OF LAFCO MEETING SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-04

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Cooney/Curless) to adopt the new schedule.

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

6B. WILLIAMSON ACT SUBVENTIONS AND STATE BUDGET PROPOSALS

Kirk Gothier informed the commission where the Williamson Act stood in the current State Budget, explaining that after much outcry the funding for the contracts were not cut. The commission discussed the effects of a proposed subvention cut on our county and LAFCo’s need to be kept informed of developments. It was mentioned that although the Williamson Act was enacted by constitutional amendment and is essentially a legal contract binding landowners with the county, the county has options of non-renewal and termination under the Act, although not ever acted upon to date. Chairman McClelland made a request to the commission to send a letter supporting the continuation of subventions of the Williamson Act.

THE MOTION WAS MADE (Curless/Geist) to send a letter of support to the Governor.

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

 

6C. BUDGET PROGRESS REPORT

Kirk Gothier gave the report indicating good progress with the projects as planned. The fire safe meetings are to regroup in September with the hope of adopting the fire plans by the Fire Safe Council in October. Chairman McClelland expressed concern with making sure the planning effort can be sustained beyond the grant funding. Commissioner Shelton wanted to know when the Humboldt Community Service District Sphere would be completed. Kirk explained the larger districts and cities cannot complete their "Spheres" until the General Plan and EIR’s are done, scheduled for completion at the end of the next fiscal year. While the cities and districts have the option of preparing an EIR for their spheres of influence, it would be very expensive for them.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: Chairman McClelland requested Kirk Gothier to meet with Jill Geist regarding a concern she raised earlier in the meeting pertaining to district water supply numbers from the Building Communities report and to update Chapter 1 of the Sphere of Influence framework report accordingly.

7. CORRESPONDENCE

None.

8. PUBLIC APPEARANCES:

No one spoke before the Commission.

9. ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting adjourned at 9:38AM.