Previews - upcoming items - and Reviews - a wrap up - of the last Board meeting posted every Thursday
Previews
There is no Board meeting on July 17th
Reviews
What happened at the July 10th Board meeting
- Marin County Employee Survey Results Presented During Workshop
- Expenditure Plan for Potential Parks Funding Measure Discussed
- Stormwater Permit Status Update Provided
- Response to Grand Jury Report on County Morgue Authorized
- Bargaining Agreements with Various Labor Groups Authorized
- Hearing Set for Garbage Collection Rate Increases for Portions of Southern Marin
- Final Actions on Panoramic Highway Speed Limit Change Authorized
- Appointments Made for Several Boards & Commissions
- Supplemental Agreement for Housing Element Update Authorized
- Permitting Agreement with Bay Area Agencies Not Authorized
- Rush Creek Informational Meeting Held
- Employees of the Month and Team of the Quarter Honored
- Afternoon Workshop on Civic Center Campus Improvements Held
Reviews
1. Marin County Employee Survey Results Presented During Workshop
The Board heard the results of the County’s recently completed employee survey. The County showed progress over a 2009 survey in the majority of areas that measure employee engagement. According to the results, the County exceeds the national average related to the employee’s commitment to customer service.
Need more info?
Contact: Joanne Petereson, Director of Human Resources at jpeterson@marincounty.org
2. Expenditure Plan for Potential Parks Funding Measure Discussed
On June 26th the Board heard the results of a survey that tested voter support for a potential countywide sales tax increase, funding from which would be dedicated towards parks, open space and agricultural land preservation. Staff returned to the Board with a proposed expenditure plan outlining how such funds could be allocated. After hearing the staff presentation as well as public testimony, the Board directed staff to return with more explicit details, including how the measure would be structured and how funding allocation decisions would be made as part of the expenditure plan. Staff will return on July 24th, when the Board will decide whether to place a measure on the November ballot.
Need more info?
Contact: Katherine Jones, External Affairs Coordinator of Marin County Parks at kmjones@marincounty.org
3. Stormwater Permit Status Update Provided
The State Water Resources Control Board regulates stormwater discharge from small municipally-owned systems and is now proposing to adopt new regulations that would dramatically increase permit requirements for cities and counties statewide. Staff reviewed proposed changes and the Board authorized submission of written comments to the state.
Need more info? See the Full Report
Contact: Liz Lewis, Principal Watershed Planner at lizlewis@marincounty.org
4. Response to Grand Jury Report on County Morgue Authorized
On May 29th, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury released its report: “Marin County Morgue: Where Do We Go From Here? ”, which included findings and recommendations related to where autopsies are performed in Marin County. The Board adopted a formal response to the report.
Need more info? See the Draft Report or the Grand Jury Report
Contact: David Speer, Facilities Planning & Development Manager at dspeer@marincounty.org
5. Bargaining Agreements with Various Labor Groups Authorized
The Board authorized tentative collective bargaining agreements with several employee labor groups that reflect changes consistent with other recently approved agreements involving health benefit plan changes and one time payments. The agreements included the Service Employees International Union ("SEIU"), Marin County Fire Operations Battalion Chiefs’ Association, Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Sheriff’s Staff Officers’ Association, and Probation Managers’ Association. Three of the above agreements also included a new retirement tier for public safety employees that was designed to substantively reduce long-term pension costs for the County.
Need more info? See the agreements found on the Cyberagenda
Contact: Angela Nicholson, Assistant Director of Human Resources at anicholson@marincounty.org
Hearing Set for Garbage Collection Rate Increases for Portions of Southern Marin
Should the Board authorize a 4.8 percent rate increase for garbage collection in portions of southern Marin? The Board authorized a hearing on July 24th to consider the merits of staff’s proposal to increase rates for unincorporated areas near Mill Valley and Tiburon known as Shoreline and Gibson, Paradise Cay, Paradise and Mar East. Disposal expenses, zero-waste fees, and employee benefit costs are the primary factors driving the requested increase. A 4.8 percent increase would bring the average cost of a 32-gallon garbage can to $39.82 per month, which is in line with the Bay Area average and equates to an average $1.83 per month in additional cost for residential customers.
Need more info? See the Full Report
Contact: Steve Devine, Public Works Program Manager, at sdevine@marincounty.org
7. Final Actions on Panoramic Highway Speed Limit Change Authorized
Based upon data provided by County engineers, the Board authorized a reduction in the speed limit from 45mph to 40mph on a section of Panoramic Highway near Sequoia Valley Road. A first reading of an ordinance making this change previously occurred on June 19th.
Need more info? See the Full Report
Contact: Bob Goralka, Senior Civil Engineer at rgoralka@marincounty.org
8. Appointments Made for Several Boards & Commissions
- Commission on Aging
- Children and Families Commission
- Fish & Wildlife Commission
- Library Commission
- Parks and Open Space Commission
- Workforce Investment Board
Need more info?
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
9. Supplemental Agreement for Housing Element Update Authorized
The Board adopted a $225,315 agreement in order to assist in the County’s efforts to complete the supplemental Environmental Impact Report associated with the Housing Element Update.
Need more info? See the Full Report
Contact: Brian Crawford, Director of Community Development Agency at bcrawford@marincounty.org
10. Permitting Agreement with Bay Area Agencies Not Authorized
After hearing staff testimony, the Board did not authorize a staff request to enter into an agreement with the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART), and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The agreement would have funded a staff position at ABAG that would ensure better coordinated processing and review of various permit applications.
Need more info? See the Full Report
Contact: Jenny Choi, Department of Public Works at jchoi@marincounty.org
11. Rush Creek Informational Meeting Held
The Board heard an informational meeting to discuss the continuation of the Rush Creek Lighting and Landscaping District. A public hearing on the item was scheduled for July 24th.
Need more info? See the Staff Report
Contact: Ron Miska, Deputy Parks Director at rmiska@marincounty.org
12. Employees of the Month and Team of the Quarter Honored
In the afternoon, the Board honored Inna Frid of the Information Services and Technology Department with the employee of the month award. Inna is well-versed in all major technology areas from web to desktop application development. The Marin Employment Connection was also honored with the "Outstanding Employee Team of the Quarter" Award for their continued efforts in providing resources and support to job seekers and employers in Marin County.
Need more info?
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
13. Afternoon Workshop on Civic Center Campus Improvements Held
The Board held a workshop to discuss potential changes to the Civic Center campus, including: capital improvements around the Auditorium parking lot and future Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (“SMART”) station; Civic Center Drive modifications; and a memorandum of understanding with the Agricultural Institute of Marin regarding the vacant land commonly referred to as the “Christmas Tree lot”.
Need more info?
Contact: David Speer, Facilities Planning & Development Manager at dspeer@marincounty.org
By Nels Johnson Marin Independent Journal Posted: 06/27/2012 09:35:28 AM PDT "Marin's civil grand jury says an independent watchdog agency should be established to monitor activities of the Board of Supervisors and county administration. What do you think? It's your turn to speak out. Email reporter Nels Johnson at ij.civiccenter@gmail.com and include your name, telephone number and the name of the town in which you live. The jury said its probe of Civic Center affairs indicates the county "lacks careful analysis of alternatives" leading to its unfunded pension and retiree health liability of from $753 million to $2.4 billion as well as its $30 million computer debacle. The jury urged officials to establish an office of independent legislative and budget analysis to lend a helping hand — and added that if county supervisors refuse, citizens should place the matter on the ballot."
We didn't need to spend $33,000 (when our schools are suffering) to find out if county employees "were happy." If they aren't happy---it's a free country---they can quit and work in the private sector and see what real life is about. The survey did indicate that they only HALF (50%) had confidence in their leadership. People need to vote the BOS OUT! Let's see some new faces :)