ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
15.	CONSIDER EXTENSION OF NOMINATION PERIOD FOR ORDINANCE 152 CITIZEN’S OVERSIGHT PANEL FOR ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY CHARGE
Meeting Date:			October 15, 2012	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Rachel Martinez	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: Ordinance 152 requires, within 60 days of the effective date, the District Board shall create a nine member “Ordinance 152 Citizen’s Oversight Panel” as an advisory board to the Board of Directors (see Exhibit 15-C).

Members of the Panel shall serve at the pleasure of the District Board, and shall be appointed as follows: the Board shall appoint one member from a panel of three persons nominated by the Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, and the Board shall appoint one member from a panel of three persons nominated by the Monterey County Association of Realtors, and each Director shall appoint one member.

Pursuant to the Ordinance, the District Board shall adopt bylaws for the Panel which shall ensure the Panel meets on a quarterly basis, as needed, and that its meetings comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Duties of the Panel shall be limited to issuing an annual report and providing advice to the District Board. Expenditure of funds or use of staff resources shall require approval of the District Board. A summary of the charge to the panel is included as Exhibit 15-D.

On September 20, 2012, staff distributed a letter (Exhibit 15-A) soliciting nominations for the Panel. The letter was e-mailed to more than 150 individuals, presidents of local groups, and executive directors of various community organizations. Additionally, the notice was posted in the District office and announcements were made at city council meetings of each of the six Peninsula cities in September and October.

As of October 8, 2012 the deadline initially stated for submitting nominations, staff had received notice from four individuals interested in serving (Exhibit 15-B).

Once sufficient nominees have been gathered for the seven Director appointments, the next step will be to mail letters to the Monterey Peninsula Taxpayer’s Association and the Monterey County Association of Realtors asking for information on the three individuals each organization plans to nominate for appointment to the committee.

RECOMMENDATION: The Board should extend the nomination time in order to ensure there are an adequate number of candidates to consider for appointment to the Panel, direct staff to continue soliciting for candidates and bring back a larger candidate list to its November meeting for final appointment and approval by the Directors. At this time, the Board could decide to approve the “charge” (Exhibit 15-D) or wait until appointments are made.

DISCUSSION: The District has used the “citizens committee” structure before, most recently a Citizens Advisory Committee for evaluation of water supply projects in 2007. However, in the past such committees were limited in term. The Ordinance 152 Citizen’s Oversight Panel will be a standing committee, so long as the annual Water Supply Charge is collected.

EXHIBITS

15-A Nomination Letter for Ordinance 152 Citizens Oversight Panel

15-B Letters of Interest

15-C Text of Ordinance No. 152

15-D Charge to the MPWMD Ordinance No. 152 Oversight Panel

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