SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES
March 26, 2007 at The Meadows, Solvang
Attendees:
|
Name |
Position |
Representing |
|
Arnold, Chuck |
Director |
Montecito SD |
|
Azoury, Kamil |
General Mgr |
Goleta SD |
|
Barget, Joe |
General Mgr |
Vandenberg Village CSD |
|
Blair, Charles |
Director |
Vandenberg Village CSD |
|
" |
Trustee |
Mosquito & Vector Mgmt Dist of SB Co |
|
Bower, Rick |
Manager |
Goleta Cemetery Dist |
|
Braitman, Bob |
Executive Officer |
LAFCO |
|
Carastro, Joseph |
Director |
Embarcadero Muni Improvement Dist |
|
Clark, Candyce |
Secretary |
Los Alamos CSD |
|
Emerson, George |
Director |
Goleta SD |
|
Fox, John |
Director |
Goleta SD |
|
Geyer, Craig |
Trustee |
Goleta Cemetery Dist |
|
Gibbons, Thomas |
Director |
Santa Maria Valley WCD |
|
Leonard, Kenneth |
Interim General Mgr |
Mosquito & Vector Mgmt Dist of SB Co |
|
Meyer, Larry |
Director |
Goleta West SD |
|
Mills, Lynette |
Director |
Goleta WD |
|
Nation, Mark |
General Mgr |
Goleta West SD |
|
Raggio, Jim |
CEO |
Lompoc Healthcare District |
|
Torres, Larry |
Director |
Los Alamos CSD |
|
Walsh, Kevin |
General Mgr |
Goleta WD |
|
Wilson, Larry |
Director |
Montecito WD |
President Jim Raggio called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Attendees introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes: Motion, second, unanimous to approve the Minutes of February 26, 2007.
Guest Speaker: Bob Braitman, Executive Officer, Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO): Bob gave a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation consisting of 23 slides covering the background, purposes, legislative history, planning responsibilities, regulatory responsibilities, staffing, funding, and jurisdictions of LAFCOs. LAFCOs are governed by Sections 56000 and 57000 of the California Government Code. Bob explained that LAFCOs are independent agencies, whose commissioners make final decisions. While LAFCOs can be sued, there is no process for appealing their decisions. Bob has held his current position for 14 years and concluded his presentation by sharing his perspective on some positive and "not so positive" attributes of special districts.
Old Business: None.
New Business: President Jim Raggio announced that there is a vacant (special district) seat on the County Treasury Oversight Committee. This seat was previously held by Mitch Bernstein, former General Manager of the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County. Jim requested that anyone interested in this position should let him know.
Legislative Report: George Emerson distributed a handout reflecting CSDA’s position on 19 bills that are pending in the state legislature. George encouraged members to review these bills and provide him with any feedback. George asked Bob Braitman to comment on two particular bills that directly affected LAFCOs: SB 162 (Local Government: Organization) and SB 819 (Local Government: Consolidation).
Bob noted that LAFCO is taking a watch position on SB 162 which would require LAFCOs to consider a new "environmental justice" factor when considering changes to an organization or reorganization of a local agency. Bob explained that SB 819 would delete a July 2008 sunset clause in the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 that permits consolidation of two or more special districts not formed pursuant to the same principal act.
Adjournment: President Raggio adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The next monthly Chapter meeting will be Monday, April 23 at The Meadows, Solvang, California. Mike Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Barbara County, will be the guest speaker.
s
/ Joe BargetJoe Barget
Acting Secretary, SBCSDA