HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Establish Standing CommiitteesAGENDA ITEM 12
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MEETING DATE:June 16, 2021
TO:Board of Directors
FROM:Shanna D. Kuhlemier, CMC, District Clerk
SUBJECT:Consideration to Establish Standing Committees
APPROVED BY______________________________
Brian C. Wright,Interim General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
a) The Board of Directors hold a workshop on Board committees; and
b)Establish standing committees for the Board adopted Community Broadband and 100%
Clean Renewable Energy initiatives.
BACKGROUND:
On May 19, 2021, following significant community outreach and participation, the District
adopted its first Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan 2021-2024 established robust goals and
Board initiatives identified by the Board, staff and the community. The four initiatives were
explored in detail during the General Manager Task Forces, establishing preliminary goals
and purpose.The initiatives are listed below:
100% Clean Renewable Energy Initiative
Community Broadband Initiative
Undergrounding Electric Initiative
Local Clean Renewable Generation Initiative
Currently,based on community input,there is significant momentum around both the
Community Broadband Initiative and the 100% Clean Renewable Energy Initiative.
Committees are commonly used in local governments for the purpose of addressing
District tasks or initiatives.Staff is recommending the Board set two committees and a
process for members related to the above two initiatives.
Background and Information on Board Committees:
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District Code Section 2.12 designates that standing and select committees may be
appointed by the Board President as needed. Furthermore, if the committees are lacking
in participation the “presiding officer” may appoint a substitute.
In the spirit of collaboration, staff is bringing an item to the Board to discuss committees
and processes to create these two committees.Staff is also seeking Board direction on a
potential Code change at a later date.
Legislative bodies can use multiple mechanisms for creating committees. The Board has
used an Ad Hoc Committee for the General Manager Succession/Transition purpose and
many years ago the District had a Citizens Advisory Conservation Committee and Finance
Committee.
Ad hoc committees are treated differently under the Ralph M. Brown Act as it relates to
noticing and posting requirements. The committee must:
Be compromised solely of less than a quorum of the legislative body (two Directors
in the case of the District);
Have a defined purpose and a time frame to accomplish the purpose;
Is advisory to the Board and does not have delegated decision making authority;
and
Will return to the full Board on any recommendations.
Appointed bodies must adhere to the Ralph M. Brown Act as it relates to noticing, posting,
and recording requirements. The Committee/Commissions must be:
Permanent or temporary
Decision-making or advisory
Created by formal action of the governing body
Less than a quorum of the legislative body (two Directors in the case of the District)
Standing Committees must adhere to the Ralph M. Brown Act as it relates to noticing,
posting, and recording requirements. The Committee/Commissions must have:
Continuing subject matter of the jurisdiction
A meeting schedule fixed by formal action of the legislative body
Short term or long term role
Advisory to the Board
Process options for the selection of committee members:
Each Board member select a community member (Appointed body); or
The District accept applications from interested parties
o The application process can allow for selection of members from the
community, allowing for diverse thinking and multi perspectives. This
approach also broader reaching.
As an example,the committee could be made up of technical experts,
lay members, government partners, advocacy group members, etc.
The 100% Clean Renewable Energy General Manager task force was comprised of:
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Courtney Henderson –Town of Truckee
Deirdre Henderson –Advocate
Christa Finn –Truckee Donner Public Utility District
Ward Sproat –Industry expert
Joe Horvath –Staff
The Community Broadband Initiative General Manager task force was comprised of:
Jeff Bender –Truckee Donner Public Utility District
Brian Wright –Staff
Judy Price –Town of Truckee
Ed Hilton –Truckee Tahoe School District
Steve Frisch –Sierra Business Counsel
Deirdre Henderson –community member
The District has sent an email to the task force participants to garner understanding of
potential future support for committee meetings.
Staff recommends:
100% Clean Renewable Energy Initiative
o Standing committee
o Nine people (for depth of knowledge)
o Report to Board as advisory every month
o Application process
One Board of Director (non-voting)
Two staff members –Facilitator and record keeping (non-voting)
Three technical experts
Two agency partners
Two lay members
One –advocacy
One –economic/financial member
Broadband Initiative
o Standing committee
o Nine people (for depth of knowledge)
o Report to Board as advisory every month
o Application process
One Board of Director (non-voting)
Two staff members –Facilitator and record keeping (non-voting)
Two technical experts
Two agency partners
Two lay members
Three –advocacy/community members
At the Board’s pleasure any of these recommendation can be changed or altered as
desired.
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The desired result is to build on the momentum to fully vet the opportunities the District has
in these two initiatives.
1.05.020 Objectives:
1. Responsibly serve the public
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact related to this item.Future fiscal impacts are staff time in
participation, research and development, scheduling, set-up, noticing and recording
meetings, reporting to the Board.
ATTACHMENTS:None.