Local Agency Formation Commission › Meetings & Agendas › 20200603 Draft minutes 5-06-2020
Meetings & Agendas

Draft Minutes Regular Commission Meeting May 6, 2020

Attendance

Commissioners Present 

Ernie Loveless, Chair
Teresa Barrett
Susan Gorin
Rich Holmer
Lynda Hopkins
Jean Kapolchok
Pam Stafford

 Alternate Commissioners Present
Steve Herzberg
Mark Landman
Rodney Moore

Staff Present

Mark Bramfitt, Executive Officer
Carole Cooper, Assistant Executive Officer
Verne Ball, Legal Counsel
Cynthia Olson, Administrative Analyst
Diana R. Wilson, Clerk

 

1. Call to Order by the Chair 

Meeting called to order by Chair Loveless at 2:01 p.m. After roll call, the following voting members were accounted for: Loveless, Barrett, Gorin, Holmer, Hopkins, Kapolchok, and Stafford.

2 Public Comment:

None

3. Consent Calendar

Items on the Consent Calendar will be taken in one motion without discussion.

  1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: February 27, 2020
  2. Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 4, 2020    

    Upon motion and second, approved item as recommended by staff.


    Roll call Vote.
    Ayes: 6 Loveless, Barrett, Gorin, Hopkins, Kapolchok, and Stafford
    Noes: 0
    Abstain: 1  Holmer Abstain March 24

    Commissioner Kapolchok recommended the minutes of the February 27 workshop be forwarded to the Policy Committee.

4. Public Hearings 

    1. Fiscal Year 2020-21 Proposed Budget

      The Executive Officer described the Proposed Budget, noting that it included a three percent overall agency apportionment increase and substantial contribution of funds from the Fund Balance. He stated that financial adjustments could be made, if warranted, in the future, given the potential impact due to the coronavirus. The commission adopted the Proposed Budget as recommended by the budget committee and staff and approved moving forward with a three percent increase in agency apportionments and use of the commission’s fund balance.

      The Chair opened the public comment period, and hearing no comment closed the public comment period.
      Upon motion and second, approved item as recommended by staff.

      Roll call Vote.
      Ayes: 7 Loveless, Barrett, Gorin, Holmer, Hopkins, Kapolchok, and Stafford
      Noes: 0
      Abstain: 0

  1. Protest Hearing: File No. 2019-20: Glen Ellen Fire Protection District Reorganization No. 2019-01 (Valley of the Moon FPD, Mayacamas VFD) Involving Dissolution of the Valley of the Moon Fire Protection District, Detachment of the Service Area of the Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Department from County Service Area No. 40 (Fire Services), and Annexation of Those Same Territories to the Glen Ellen Fire Protection District
    Environmental Determination: Exempt Pursuant to Sections 15320 and 15061(b)(3) of the State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines

    Staff explained the item, stating that the level of protest received was insufficient to preclude the proposal from moving forward, and the commissioners engaged in discussion.

    The Chair opened the public hearing and public comment period, and hearing no comment closed the public hearing and comment period.
    Upon motion and second, approved item as recommended by staff.

    Roll call Vote.
    Ayes: 7 Loveless, Barrett, Gorin, Holmer, Hopkins, Kapolchok, and Stafford
    Noes: 0
    Abstain: 0

  2. Protest Hearing: File No. 2019-19: Sonoma County Fire District Reorganization No. 2019-1 (Russian River, Bodega Bay FPDs) Involving Dissolution of the Russian River Fire Protection District and the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District and Annexation of the Same Territories to the Sonoma County Fire District
    Environmental Determination: Exempt Pursuant to Sections 15320 and 15061(b)(3) of the State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines

    Staff explained the item, stating that the commission’s condition of approval relating to annexation of the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District territory to the Sonoma County Fire District, i.e., a successful financial negotiation between the District and the County, was not met. As a result, that part of the proposal would be terminated, without prejudice. The District, which could re-apply, was encouraged to secure a financial agreement before coming to LAFCO. Staff also stated that the level of protest received from owners and voters within the Russian River Fire Protection  District was insufficient to preclude the proposal from moving forward. The commissioners engaged in discussion.

    The Chair opened the protest hearing and public comment period.

    Mark Heine, Chief, Sonoma County Fire District, spoke regarding the District’s desire to integrate Bodega Bay with Sonoma County Fire District as soon as a funding solution can be resolved. He stated that the District would continue to pursue a partnership with Bodega Bay and further stated plans for greater service to the Russian River FPD area.

    Chief Sean Grinnell, Bodega Bay Fire, spoke regarding that district’s continued interest in integrating with Sonoma County Fire District as soon as a funding solution can be resolved.

    Liz Martin, Bodega Bay Fire, also spoke regarding the district’s continued interest in integrating with Sonoma County Fire District as soon as a funding solution can be resolved.

    The Chair closed the public hearing and brought the discussion back to the dais.

    Upon motion and second, the commission approved the item, as recommended by staff.

    Roll call Vote.
    Ayes: 6 Loveless, Gorin, Holmer, Hopkins, Kapolchok, and Stafford
    Noes: 0
    Abstain: 0

5. Regular Calendar

  1. Fire Services Working Group Agency Reorganization Request for Postponement of Presentation 

    The Chair stated that he wanted to continue the item to the June 3 meeting. Staff provided background on the items and stated that the commission could decide when to hear the issue. Counsel stated that the Chair had the discretion to move this item to the next commission meeting.

    Chair Loveless moved item to the next commission meeting.

  2. Request for Fee Waiver and Deposit Reduction from Petitioners for Palm Drive Health Care District Dissolution

    Staff explained the item and the commissioners engaged in discussion.

    The Chair opened the public comment period.
    Jim Horn, petitioner for dissolution of Palm Drive Health Care District, requested that the commission approve the fee waiver.
    The Chair closed the public hearing and brought discussion back to the dais.

    Upon motion and second, approved item to reduce the deposit from $5,000 to $2,500 and waive staff time, but not hard costs.

    Roll call Vote.
    Ayes: 7 Loveless, Gorin, Holmer, Hopkins, Kapolchok, Barrett, and Stafford
    Noes: 0
    Abstain: 0

6. Information/Report Items

    1. Legislative Report (Verbal)

    1. Staff explained that due to the COVID-19, legislative items were on hold.



    1. Executive Officer’s Report (Verbal)

The Executive Officer indicated that there is a polling effort related to the possibility of Saint Joseph’s Healthcare’s operating the Northern Sonoma County Health Care District. Staff will continue to monitor the issue. The Lower Russian River area is working with Sonoma Water and other agencies seeking to form a septic service district.

The staffing study schedule is slipping due to the current situation, and staff will provide additional update at the commission meeting in June. Staff is continuing work with the Fire and Emergency Service Agencies for a Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence study. Two Municipal Service Reviews for Timber Cove and Town of Windsor are underway but delayed by COVID-19. Will provide additional information at the commission meeting in June.

Answered questions from the commission regarding outstanding Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence studies for the Fire and Emergency Service Agencies.

7. General Announcements 

Commissioner Barrett requested clarification on item 5.1 and the direction given. Staff stated they were looking for direction as to how to proceed. Counsel recommended that, due to the item being continued to the June commission meeting, these matters should be held until then. Staff provided general information regarding the Sphere of Influence criteria.

8. Confirm Meetings

Commission Meeting:           June 3, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.

9. Adjournment

Adjourned @ 3:39 p.m.