Title
Approve amendments to the Economic Development Committee Bylaws revising and clarifying procedures for the appointment of members; adding a new criteria that at least one of the committee members shall possess environmental credentials; expanding Committee membership by including an additional representative for Agriculture; retitle the Community Relations position to Micro Business; revising the Committee name to Economic Opportunity Committee; and establish an Administrative Subcommittee as a standing subcommittee.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Amendments to the Economic Development Committee Bylaws revising and clarifying procedures for the appointment of members; adding a new criteria that at least one of the committee members shall possess environmental credentials; expanding Committee membership by including an additional representative for Agriculture; retitle the Community Relations position to Micro Business; revising the Committee name to Economic Opportunity Committee; and establish an Administrative Subcommittee as a standing subcommittee.
SUMMARY:
The recommended action will facilitate operation of the existing Economic Development Committee. The changes are recommended by staff and the Economic Development Committee.
DISCUSSION:
The Board of Supervisors approved Bylaws establishing the Economic Development Committee on March 1, 2011. The Bylaws provide the operational framework for the Committee's primary purpose, which is to advise the Board of Supervisors on economic policies, programs and activities, to ensure a countywide perspective in support of a diversified economy, higher paying jobs and an expanded revenue base, while preserving and protecting the County's natural resources. In pursuit of this objective, the Bylaws for the Economic Development Committee specify that the Committee is empowered to provide the same functions provided by the former Overall Economic Development Commission (OEDC).
The Economic Development Committee currently consists of twelve members representing eight economic market segments within Monterey County. The Economic Development Committee has recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider five amendments to the existing Bylaws:
1. Revise the Committee's name to be the Economic Opportunity Committee to better reflect the range of economic initiatives within Committee purview and which may not relate to future urban development.
2. Expand the Committee to include one additional member representing agriculture and change the title of the community relations position to micro business, and adding new criteria that at least one of the committee members shall possess environmental credentials as noted in the attached revised Bylaws.
3. Clarify and confirm that vacancies to the Committee be noticed in accordance with the Maddy Act, and that the Committee would review the qualifications of any nominees and present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for formal appointment to the Committee.
4. Change the frequency of the meeting from monthly to quarterly and allow the Committee Chair to call special meetings as needed.
5. Formalize the creation of a standing Administrative Subcommittee subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, and allow the Committee to form one or more Ad Hoc Subcommittees as necessary. The Administrative Subcommittee would be responsible for reviewing requests for funding from outside organizations, reviewing nominations to the Committee and monitoring contractor performance as well as providing recommendations on other administrative matters of the Committee.
In should be noted that on June 28, 2011, the Board of Supervisors directed that the Committee include a representative of the environmental community. This is addressed by having the Bylaws require that at least one of the committee members shall possess environmental credentials.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Economic Development Committee supports these recommendations. County Counsel has approved the Bylaw amendments as to form.
FINANCING:
The recommended actions will not have fiscal impacts on the General Fund.
Prepared by:
________________________________
Jerry Hernandez
Economic Development Analyst, x5393
Approved by:
_________________________________
David Spaur, CEcD, EDFP
Economic Development Director x5387
Attachments:
EDC Bylaw clean version / EDC Bylaw red line version