Title
a. Dissolve the Board of Supervisors Parks Committee;
b. Establish a Board of Supervisors ad hoc committee to work with the Resource Management Agency (RMA) on the transition of the Parks Department into the RMA;
c. Appoint Supervisor Adams and Supervisor Salinas to this ad hoc committee;
d. Adopt a resolution to provide and clarify the Monterey County Parks Commission’s originating history, rules and regulations; rescind the rules and regulations established in Resolution No. 66-185 and Resolution 80-430; and add one member of the Board of Supervisors to the Monterey County Parks Commission membership; and
e. Appoint Supervisor Adams to the Parks Commission.
(Board Referral 2018.08)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Dissolve the Board of Supervisors Parks Committee;
b. Establish a Board of Supervisors ad hoc committee to work with the Resource Management Agency (RMA) on the transition of the Parks Department into the RMA;
c. Appoint Supervisor Adams and Supervisor Salinas to this ad hoc committee;
d. Adopt a resolution to provide and clarify the Monterey County Parks Commission’s originating history, rules and regulations; rescind the rules and regulations established in Resolution No. 66-185 and Resolution 80-430; and add one member of the Board of Supervisors to the Monterey County Parks Commission membership; and
e. Appoint Supervisor Adams to the Parks Commission.
SUMMARY:
Staff presented a report to the Parks Committee, consisting of Supervisors Salinas and Adams, seeking direction on roles and responsibility of the Committee. Staff had identified three options to consider:
1) Continue with standing Parks Committee. In this case, staff requests direction to assist in establishing distinction of roles and responsibility between the Parks Committee and the Parks Commission.
2) Return to ad hoc committee concerning transition of Parks into RMA. If this option is selected, staff would schedule meetings with the ad hoc committee members as needed to address specific matters concerning the transition of the Parks Department into the RMA. Staff would schedule meetings about specific Parks with the Supervisor of the District where that Park is located. General public matters would be vetted with the Park Commission with recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
3) Terminate the Parks Committee. Staff would schedule meetings about specific Parks with the Supervisor of the District where that Park is located. General public matters would be vetted with the Park Commission with recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
After considering information presented to the Parks Committee from staff and the public, Supervisors Salinas and Adams submitted a referral to dissolve the Parks Committee, add a Board Supervisor to the Parks Commission, and create an ad hoc advisory committee to consider organizational changes resulting from transition of the Parks Department into the RMA.
The Board of Supervisors initially established an ad hoc committee to help address options for the disposition of Laguna Seca and other overarching issues within the Parks Department. Through this ad hoc committee process, the idea of the Parks Department being integrated into the RMA was discussed. As an ad hoc committee, meetings were scheduled as needed and staff was able to share and discuss confidential information.
Beginning 2017, the Parks Committee was transformed into a standing committee because in large part, the purpose of the ad hoc committee had been accomplished. This changed the dynamic of what can be presented. In addition, the distinction between the roles and responsibilities between the Parks Committee and the Parks Commission have become blurred. Staff attempted to distinguish roles and responsibilities between the Parks Committee and the Parks Commission, but staff was challenged to identify items to present to the Committee versus the Commission that would minimize redundancy between the two bodies. Staff tried to avoid and reduce duplicative efforts by scheduling policy items for the Committee and operational matters for the Commission, which resulted in fewer items going to the Commission. In many cases the Commission requests to consider policy matters, and make a recommendation to the Board.
Both Resolution No. 66-185 (attached hereto as Attachment A) and Resolution No. 80-430 (attached hereto at Attachment B) purport to establish the Parks Commission, and set its rules and regulations. Resolution No. 80-430 should have clarified that it was replacing Resolution No. 66-185 so that there are not two operative establishing resolutions, but it failed to do so. The draft resolution (attached hereto as Attachment C) clarifies the rules and regulations of the Commission, and provides a history of the Commission. Additionally, in order for a Supervisor to sit on the Parks Commission, the rules and regulations must be amended to allow for such an action. As such, staff recommends adopting the draft resolution to provide and clarify the Monterey County Parks Commission’s originating history, rules and regulations; rescind the rules and regulations established in Resolution No. 66-185 and Resolution 80-430; and add one member of the Board of Supervisors to the Monterey County Parks Commission membership.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel’s Office reviewed the draft resolution as to form.
FINANCING:
Resource Management Agency (RMA) serves as staff for the Parks Committee and Parks Commission, so there is no additional cost for the recommended actions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Public meetings provide transparency to government. The Parks Commission provides a public forum. Appointing a Supervisor introduces political insight for policy matters presented to the Commission. An ad hoc format allows staff to share information that cannot be presented publicly. RMA meets with District staff to address District-specific issues. When and if matters mature, they are processed and presented publicly.
__ Economic Development
X Administration
__ Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
Reviewed by: Shawne Ellerbee, RMA Deputy Director of Administrative Services
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
Attachments:
A - Resolution No. 66-185
B - Resolution No. 80-430
C - Draft resolution
cc: Parks Commission, Nick Chiulos, Shawne Ellerbee, Cam Sanchez