COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Board of Supervisors

DATE:

May 3, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 8, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

County Counsel

SUBJECT:

Amendment to Section 2.70.030 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code Changing the Membership Composition of the First 5 San Mateo County Commission

Recommendation

Approve an amendment to section 2.70.030 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code changing the membership composition of the Commission by replacing the Director of Health Services with the County Manager, or his/her designee.

Background

The Director of Health Services has been a member of the First 5 San Mateo County Commission since its inception in 1999. With the recent retirement of the Director, however, there is an opportunity to change the membership composition to provide for more flexibility. State law requires that County First 5 Commissions be made up of at least five and no more than nine members. In its original authorizing ordinance, the Board decided on a Commission composition of nine members. State law also requires that Commission members possess certain professional disciplinary backgrounds. Adding the County Manager or his designee as a Commission member is consistent with the disciplinary background requirements under state law, which requires that the person be responsible for county health, or the management of "children's services, public health services, behavioral health services, social services, and tobacco and other substance abuse prevention and treatment services."

Discussion

Adding the County Manager or his designee as a Commission member provides flexibility to the Commission make-up. The County Manager may designate himself, or he/she has the option of designating an appropriate replacement depending on the strategic goals and needs of the Commission at the time of the appointment.

Vision Alignment

The ordinance changes further the county's goal that all children ages 0-5 years have access to childcare/early learning opportunities that contribute to their entering kindergarten ready to succeed. In addition, the ordinance changes helps to maintain the county's commitment of responsive, effective and collaborative government.