ITEM: |
ACTION ITEM |
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13. |
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTION 2013-28 -- AMENDMENT TO MPWMD BOARD MEETING RULE 2.5 |
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Meeting
Date: |
October 21,
2013 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General
Manager |
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Prepared
By: |
David J.
Stoldt |
Cost Estimate: |
None |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee
Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: N/A |
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SUMMARY: At
the April 2013 and September 2013 Board meetings, the issue of the method of
rotation of Directors into the Chair and Vice Chair position was discussed. During the discussion, it was noted that under
the existing rotation as described in District Rule 2.5 (Exhibit 13-A) there is the potential that the new
Chair will be newly elected and lack Board experience due to Director voter
divisions being rotated sequentially: divisions 3, 4, and 5 have elections at
the same time, as do divisions 1 and 2. It
was asked if any changes should be made to existing rules. The Board provided guidance that at least 12
months of Board experience was required to serve as Chair, but the same
standard did not need to apply to Vice Chair.
However, there was consensus to open the interim Chair election to any
other Director.
At its September 2013 meeting, the Board also asked staff to recommend
changes to the rotation of Directors into the Chair and Vice Chair position to
address three additionally identified issues (i) divisions 1 and 2 are up for
election at the same time, (ii) divisions 3, 4, and 5 are up for election at
the same time, and (iii) the two appointed positions are sequential. It was suggested that the order of rotation
be “shuffled” in a manner that avoids the three issues. At the direction of the Administrative
Committee at its October 14, 2013 it was determined that more work was needed
to accommodate this proposal and it would not be brought forward to the Board
at this time.
RECOMMENDATION: The
General Manager recommends that the Board adopt the changes to Rule 2.5 as shown
in the redline version in Exhibit 13-B,
and defer action on additional changes to the Board rotation.
BACKGROUND: In 1994, the District’s at-large election
process converted to election from five (5) voter divisions. Subsequently, the
Board established a written policy for rotation of directors into the position
of Vice-Chair, with automatic rotation into the position of Chair the following
year. In 1997, the Board deleted the
rule for rotation of directors into the position of Vice-Chair. However, the requirement that the Vice-Chair
move into the position of Chair was retained.
The rule requiring rotation of the Vice-Chair into the position of Chair
was removed by the Board in 1999. At the December 11, 2006 meeting, the Board
elected officers for 2007. During the
discussion, Directors Markey and Potter commented that the Board should discuss
establishment of a rule that mandates annual rotation of directors into the
position of Chair. At the time, MPWMD
Board Meeting Rule 2 stated that rotation of the chair shall be encouraged. The Board’s consensus at that meeting was to
refer the item to the Administrative Committee for further discussion and
recommendation.
At its March 13, 2007 meeting, the Administrative Committee concluded
that the Board should revive its written policies of the mid 1990’s, i.e. the
Director serving as Vice-Chair automatically rotates into the Chair position, and that the Vice-Chair is selected in
voter-division order. In addition, the
Administrative Committee felt that the Directors representing the Monterey
County Board of Supervisors and Mayors conference, respectively, should be
included in the Chair and Vice-Chair rotation following voter divisions. Finally, the Administrative Committee’s
proposed policy had the 2007 Vice-Chair rotation beginning with Division 2,
because Director Edwards then currently served as Vice-Chair.
The Board adopted Resolution 2007-03 that contained Rule 2.5, Rotation of
the Vice Chair into the Position of Chair, based on direction given at the
March 13, 2007 Administrative Committee meeting.
During the April 2013 Board meeting it was suggested that staff examine
the Monterey County Board of Supervisors (MCBS) policies regarding rotation of
the chair. The County does not have an
adopted policy regarding rotation of the Chair, rather follows an unwritten
practice for Chair rotation. Supervisors
have rotated into the position of Chair sequentially by District number since
1999. In January of each year, the Vice
Chair rotates into the position of Chair.
EXHIBITS
13-A Rule 2.5 from Meeting Rules of the MPWMD (2010)
13-B Proposed Changes to Rule 2.5 of Meeting Rules
(Redline)
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2013\20131021\ActionItem\13\item13.docx