MINUTES

Regular Meeting October 6, 2011

(These minutes are not intended to be a verbatim transcription of the proceedings and discussion associated with the business on the Commission’s agenda; rather, what follows is a summary of the order of business and general nature of testimony, Commission deliberation, and action taken.) 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chairman Fust called the meeting to order at 9:00 am at the Shasta County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1450 Court Street, Suite 263, in Redding, California. Commissioners Baugh, Farr, Fust, Haynes, Kehoe, Mathena and Yarbrough were present.   Commissioner Gover was absent. Executive Officer Mickelson, Attorney Elizabeth Johnson and Clerk Marissa Jackson were present as staff. Alternate Commissioners Jones and Morgan were present as members of the audience. The commissioners and staff introduced themselves for members of the audience.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Fust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment submitted.

PRESENTATION
Executive Officer Mickelson introduced Fall River Valley Community Services District’s (FRVCSD) Sphere of Influence proposal. John Van den Bergh, General Manager of FRVCSD, stated after meeting with LAFCO over the summer, the CSD still has questions on how to proceed and requested that the Commission sit down with them and work out opinions on LAFCO law. Commissioner Baugh stated that he would like to hear the questions, but prefers that public business be kept public. Mr. Van den Bergh stated that he does not want to submit the application until he knows he is on solid legal ground. Commissioner Fust stated that we cannot give input until the application has been submitted and encouraged Mr. Van den Berg to do so. Ms. Mickelson also stated that modifications occur after a proposal has been submitted.

Commissioner Kehoe reported a phone call from Mark Cibula regarding this matter. Commissioner Kehoe stated that he requires staff to be treated with respect and that we need to cultivate an environment of mutual respect.

MINUTES
The minutes of August 4, 2011 and September 26, 2011 were presented. By motion made and seconded (Mathena, Yarbrough) both items were approved. Commissioner Baugh voted to approve the minutes, adding that he did not attend either meeting.

BUDGET & FISCAL AFFAIRS
Fiscal Year 2011-12 1st Quarter Transaction Register
The Fiscal Year 2011-12 1st Quarter Transaction Register was presented for review and adoption. By motion made and seconded (Baugh, Mathena), the 1st Quarter Transaction Register was approved.

Consideration of Checking Account Statements
Ms. Mickelson presented the following bank statements: US Bank: two statements dated July 31, 2011 and August 31, 2011; Tri Counties Bank: two statements dated August 17, 2011 and September 18, 2011; and LAIF: two statements dated July 2011 and August 2011. The Commission approved (Baugh, Mathena) the bank statements as presented.

CHANGES OF ORGANIZATION AND/OR REORGANIZATION
Report on Upcoming or Potential LAFCO Activity
Ms. Mickelson reported that the City of Redding and Shasta Community Services District have resolved the remaining issues related to the Salt Creek Detachment. She recommended the Commission approve the agreement made between the parties. Doug DeMallie, Planning Manager at City of Redding, was in the audience. He spoke in support of the staff recommendation, noting the issue was simply an oversight and that the agreement will serve both the City and the CSD. The Commission approved the Water Service Agreement by motion made and seconded (Kehoe, Baugh).

Ms. Mickelson reported that the Fall River Valley CSD has circulated a document discussing a very large Sphere of Influence Amendment, as well as multiple annexation and consolidation options. LAFCO staff appeared before the FRVCSD Board in August and requested that they consider further discussion in an effort to adhere to LAFCO standards prior to adoption.

There are two A.C.I.D. items are currently in review with the City of Anderson and several other items from various agencies which have been discussed with staff.

OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION
Executive Officer Mickelson reported that LAFCO had last amended a Fee/Deposit Schedule in 2002 and that fees are not being increased; only the amount of deposit required at filing is being increased. It is the desire of staff to give proponents a better idea up front of the costs involved in any given project. Commissioner Kehoe stressed that he does not want to create a financial hardship in any of the smaller districts, as such the Commission voted to approve (Baugh, Yarbrough) the staff recommendation, with the additional provision to allow the Executive Officer to grant hardships on a case by case basis.

Commissioner Baugh requested that Ms. Mickelson review actual costs, not in an effort to increase revenue, but to ensure that LAFCO remains solvent while serving the community.

OTHER BUSINESS
Executive Officer Mickelson reported that she served as a delegate at the CALAFCO conference and found it to be very insightful. She also attended a session regarding California Forward initiatives. Commissioner Mathena also reported that he had attended the conference and was especially impressed with Orange County LAFCOs ingenuity in determining ways to save money by collaborating with the districts in their area.

Ms. Mickelson reported that the website is nearing completion with an expected launch date of December 1, 2011. The new website will reflect LAFCO’s logo and will provide much more information for the public than the current website.

COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Haynes thanked the alternates in the audience for their presence at each meeting.

STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Mickelson reminded the Commission that the next LAFCO Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 9:00 am at Anderson City Council Chambers.

CLOSED SESSION
At 10:17 am the public portion of the meeting was closed. At 10:42 am, the Commission returned from closed session. Attorney Liz Johnson reported that the Commission had voted to direct Mr. Van den Bergh to submit the application requesting a Sphere of Influence amendment, and confirmed that the District’s questions and concerns should be handled during LAFCO’s regular public procedure for processing such applications. She went on to say that the Commission was satisfied that specific questions and concerns would be addressed during the course of handling the District’s application.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Fust adjourned the meeting at 10:43 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Marissa Jackson           
Clerk to the Commission