Title
a. Nominate one (1) or more County Supervisor for consideration of appointment to the California Coastal Commission by the Speaker of the Assembly;
b. Nominate one (1) or more Mayor or City Council Member for consideration of appointment to the California Coastal Commission by the Speaker of the Assembly; and,
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board to submit the list of nominations to the Office of the Speaker of the Assembly.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Nominate one (1) or more County Supervisor for consideration of appointment to the California Coastal Commission by the Speaker of the Assembly, pursuant to Section 30301.2 of the California Public Resources Code;
b. Nominate one (1) or more Mayor or City Council Member for consideration of appointment to the California Coastal Commission by the Speaker of the Assembly; and,
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board to submit the list of nominations to the Office of the Speaker of the Assembly.
SUMMARY:
On January 24, 2023, the County of Monterey received a letter from the Speaker of the Assembly, Anthony Rendon, requesting nomination(s) from the Board of Supervisors (Board) and City Selection Committee for a vacant commissioner position on the California Coastal Commission, representing the Central Coast Region. The region is comprised of the counties of Monterey, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz. The commissioner for this region was previously represented by former San Mateo County Supervisor, Carole Groom. This appointment would complete the remainder of Ms. Groom’s term, which is due to expire in May 2025. It is recommended that the Board confer and nominate one (1) or more County Supervisor and one (1) or more Mayor or City Council Member to the California Coastal Commission for consideration by the Speaker to the Assembly.
DISCUSSION:
The California Coastal Commission was established by voter initiative in 1972 and was made permanent by the Legislature through the adoption of the California Coastal Act of 1976. The Commission, in collaboration with coastal cities and counties, strategizes and regulates the use of land and water in the coastal zone. Development activities, which are broadly defined by the Coastal Act to include (among others) construction of buildings, divisions of land, and activities that change the intensity of use of land or public access to coastal waters, generally require a coastal permit from either the Coastal Commission or the local government.
The Commission is comprised of 12 voting members, appointed equally (four each) by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly; and three additional ex officio (non-voting) members. Voting membership includes six locally elected officials, with the remaining six from the public at large.
Pursuant to California Public Resources Code, section 30301(e), the Speaker of the Assembly shall appointment one (1) member of the California Coastal Commission from the central coast region, which encompasses the counties of San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Code Section 30301.2, further provides that “In regions composed of three counties, the board of supervisors and the city selection committee in each county within the region shall each nominate one or more supervisors and one or more mayors or city council members.” The code specifies that nominations must occur within 45-days of the request for nominations by the appointing authority. The Speaker’s request was issued to the Board of Supervisors and City Selection Committee on January 17, 2023. In order to meet the 45-day deadline requirement, nominations must be submitted by March 3, 2023.
Staff recommends that the Board confer and make nomination(s) for consideration by the Speaker to the Assembly on February 28, 2023. It is anticipated that the City Selection Committee will make its respective nomination(s) at a subsequent meeting on March 3, 2023.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There is no other agency involvement.
FINANCING:
There is no impact on the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The California Coastal Commission represents the interests of California coastal counties.
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Karina Bokanovich, Management Analyst II
Approved by: Sonia M . De La Rosa, County Administrative Officer
Attachments:
A - Letter from Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, dated January 17, 2023
B - Public Resources Code Division 20 California Coastal Act (2023) - Code Section 30301 & 30301.2