Title
Approve the proposed amended bylaws of the Economic Opportunity Committee.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve the proposed amended bylaws of the Economic Opportunity Committee.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The primary purpose of the Economic Opportunity Committee is to advise the Board of Supervisors on appropriate economic development policies, programs, and activities to ensure a Countywide perspective in support of a diversified economy; higher paying jobs and an expanded revenue base for local government services, while preserving and protecting the County's agricultural, tourism and education economic base in collaboration with cities.
On November 2, 2021, the Board of Supervisors directed Economic Development staff to review and revise the Economic Opportunity Bylaws to ensure inclusivity and diversity amongst committee members. Staff has collaborated with the Office of Community Engagement & Strategic Advocacy and County Counsel on bylaw amendments to address feedback received from the Board of Supervisors. This collaborative effort has led to the development of the proposed amended bylaws.
On March 24, 2022, the Economic Opportunity Committee received a staff report regarding updates to the Economic Opportunity Bylaws. These updates included:
• Additions to economic sectors.
o As recommended in a previous Board of Supervisors meeting.
• Change in committee name.
o Recommended to reduce confusion with other County committee names and acronyms.
• Addition of equity language.
o As recommended in previous Board of Supervisors meeting.
• Correction of grammatical and formatting errors.
Staff received direction from the Economic Opportunity Committee to move forward with such revisions and return with options for the committee to review at a future committee meeting.
On May 12, 2022, the Economic Opportunity Committee received a presentation from the Economic Development Manager regarding three options for amendments to the Economic Opportunity Committee Bylaws. The Economic Opportunity Committee reviewed and recommended to move forward with a blend of two options presented. The Economic Opportunity Committee directed the Economic Development Manager to make the necessary revisions to the bylaws with County Counsel review and prepare for a future Board of Supervisors meeting. A summary of said bylaws amendments is included below for the Board of Supervisors consideration. A detailed version of the amended bylaws is attached to this report.
It is recommended by the Economic Opportunity Committee that the Board of Supervisors approve the amended Economic Opportunity Committee Bylaws attached.
Amended Economic Opportunity Committee Bylaws Summary
• Change the name of the committee to Economic Development Committee.
• Inclusion of equity statement.
• Increase committee membership from twelve (12) to fourteen (14) to address concerns of diversity of committee members and industry groups.
• Add four (4) additional economic sectors including: Minority Owned Business, Climate and Clean Energy, Construction, and Non-profit or Community Member.
• Corrections of minor grammatical errors and committee name throughout document.
• The addition of missing Development Set-Aside Agency partner.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff consulted with the Office of Community Engagement & Strategic Advocacy and the Civil Rights Office. The Economic Opportunity Committee supports this recommendation. County Counsel has approved as to form.
FINANCE:
There are no costs associated with the approval of the amended bylaws.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STARTEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action to amend the Economic Opportunity Bylaws supports the Board approved strategic initiatives.
Mark a check to the relates Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Richard Vaughn, Economic Development Manager, ext. 5602
Approved by: Dewayne Woods, Assistant County Administrative Officer, ext. 5309
Attachments: Attachment A - Bylaws; Attachment B - Bylaws (Redline); Economic Opportunity Committee Bylaws 10-15-13; Completed Board Order and Resolution - Racial Equity Statement