HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 Establishing Committees Agenda Item # 5
Public Utility District
Workshop
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: December 29, 2006
Subject: Board committees
Why this matter is before the Board: This matter involves a discussion of establishing
committees of directors and, in some cases, involving members of the Truckee community at large.
This is a matter of Board policy.
History: Several years ago the Board managed its work load with the help of committees. At that
time there was a water committee, electric committee, finance committee, personnel committee
and administration committee. A point came when the directors felt that committees were not
effective in evaluating issues and the decision was made to establish a "committee of the whole
Board" that would meet in workshop sessions to evaluate issues prior to those issues coming
before the Board for action. This was the origin of workshop items appearing on the Board's
meeting agenda.
More recently there have been discussions about again establishing committees. The Board
adopted a policy committing the District to engage in proactive public outreach to involve the
community is a discussion of District issues. At the staff level we have thought about the benefit of
having a committee we could meet with and discuss the District's complex financial issues. Also
recently the Board has established a COP Oversight Committee whose membership includes a
director and at least one member of the public. There is talk of establishing a power supply
committee including directors and members of the public.
It appears that there is a renewed interest in using a committee structure to evaluate issues,
including committees that involve the public.
New information: I think it advisable that some sort of document or statement be adopted by the
Board of Directors setting forth its expectations and definition of the committee structure. That
document could address the following issues, and others that emerge from the Board's workshop
discussion.
• How are committees appointed?
• When are committees designated as standing vs. ad hoc?
• How are issues sent to committees for evaluation?
• What is the relationship of staff to committees and the Board?
• How are committees required to report back to the Board?
• What is the limit of committee authority?
• Are all committee meetings Brown Act meetings?
Recommendation: This is a workshop item. I have no recommendation at this time.