COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Board of Supervisors
DATE:			March 8, 2007
BOARD MEETING DATE:			March 13, 2007
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:			None
VOTE REQUIRED:			Majority
TO:		Honorable Board of Supervisors
FROM:		Rose Jacobs Gibson, President
SUBJECT:		Standing Committee of the Board of Supervisors
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution establishing five standing committees of the Board of Supervisors and setting the standing rules for the committees.
VISION ALIGNMENT:
Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government
Goals 20 and 22:Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain; County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County.
BACKGROUND:
On January 9, 2007, the Board directed the County Manager to work with me to review the current committee structure and to make recommendations that would streamline committee assignments. Currently, Board members are required to serve on more than 50 regional, sub regional and County boards, as well as commissions, committees, ad hoc and subcommittees - some duplicative and often narrowly focused.
DISCUSSION:
This proposal would make the board committee process more efficient, effective and publicly accountable. Creating five standing committees would improve the direction, coordination and focus of the public decision-making process for the County’s increasingly complex issues, programs and services. The proposed five standing committees are:
§	Criminal Justice
§	Environmental Quality
§	Finance and Operation
§	Housing, Health and Human Services
§	Legislative
The revised standing committees would subsume the numerous, and sometimes duplicative and often narrowly focused subcommittees. Creating standing committees with defined subject matter, consistent rules and established process would improve the County’s efficiency and effectiveness in developing and setting policy. It would give each Supervisor the option of raising an issue directly with the Board as a whole or directing it to a committee. Committees would be supported by expert staff to provide consistent information and coordination on complex policy and program areas, ensuring more comprehensive analysis of proposals. Standing committees would provide an additional opportunity for collaboration among department and community partners. Most importantly, standing committees would make the Board’s public decision-making process more transparent, enhancing access for the public and stakeholders to participate.
This matter was on the Board of Supervisors agenda on February 27, 2007, at which time it was continued for further consideration. Since that time, we have received and incorporated several helpful suggestions. The rules function has been removed from the Legislative committee and the Strategic Directions Committee has been deleted, as this is actually the work of the entire board. As a fifth standing committee, the revised proposal includes a Housing, Health and Human Services Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Public notice requirements represent the single largest cost associated with creating standing committees. Five committees meeting twice a month would result in an estimated $25,000 in FY 2006-07 General Fund for legal notice costs. Existing County Manager’s Office and County Counsel staff would provide support.
Standing Committees of Board of Supervisors
The five standing committees of the Board of Supervisors would consider policy, powers, procedures, outcomes, and provide oversight. Recommendations and reports of the committees would be agendized for consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
Process
Standing committees would comply with all requirements of the Brown Act. Committee reports and actions would be subject to the Public Records Act and the standing rules similar to those that the Board of Supervisors has approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Committee Assignment
The President of the Board would ask each Supervisor to list their choice of three-committee assignments by priority. Each Supervisor would be assigned to two committees, and each would be guaranteed at least one first or second choice. Each Supervisor will chair one committee. The President of the Board would annually appoint the committee chairs and members.
Subcommittees
Standing committees could, with the approval of the Legislative/Rules Committee, establish a subcommittee to consider and recommend to the full Committee action on matters under their jurisdiction. The membership of subcommittees could include non-committee members. Subcommittees would also be subject to the Brown Act and the Public Records Act.
Ad Hoc Committees
The Board of Supervisors could continue to establish ad hoc Committees when the subject matter and or desire for broad-based membership preclude the use of the subcommittee structure. Examples of such ad hoc committees are the Blue Ribbon Health Care Task Force and HOPE.
Joint committee hearings could be conducted when two or more standing committees have jurisdiction.
Standing Committees
Criminal Justice
Date/Time/Location Jurisdiction: public safety; Bench/board; Joint Use Court Facilities; Jail Overcrowding; re-entry; juvenile justice, Prop 36 Members: Staff: David Boesch, Assistant County Manager Contact: Nancy Guerrero 363-4121
Environment
Date/time/location of meetings Jurisdiction: natural resources, land use, planning, global warming; green building; watershed protection (WPARCC) Members: Staff: Peggy Jensen, Deputy County Manager for Community Services Mike Murphy, Chief Deputy County Counsel Contact: Christine Hollander
Finance and Operations
Date/time/location of meetings Jurisdiction: fiscal issues; outcome based management; audit; retirement; e-government; Fire Service; Planning & Building Task Force Members: Staff: Reyna Farrales, Deputy County Manager, Administrative Services Brenda Carlson, Deputy County Counsel Contact: Christine Hollander
Legislative
Date/time/location of meetings Jurisdiction: intergovernmental policy; elections; ethics Members: Staff: Mary McMillan, Deputy County Manager, Intergovernmental and Public Affairs John Beier, Deputy County Counsel Contact: Ashnita Narayan 363-4125
Housing, Health and Human Services
Date/Time/Locations Jurisdiction: housing, homelessness (HOPE), children’s issues, public assistance, job training, health, mental health, alcohol and drugs, environmental and public health, Emergency Services (Pandemic), aging, diversity (Diversity: Boards and Commissions). Members: Staff: David Boesch, Assistant County Manager Contact:
Legislative Proposals
In addition to bringing items directly to the full Board, members may initiate legislation through the standing committee consistent with the following format:
San Mateo County Legislative Proposal Form
Author(s):
Department:
Project Name:
Vision Alignment:
Fiscal Impact: Account #
Brief description of project, including desired outcome:
Brief description of problem being solved:
Implementation & Communication Plan:
Current policy/program/ordinance:
Reports and or available date:
Partners/stakeholders:
Support/opposition:
Contact Person: