I served on one of the original cannabis task forces when legal cultivation first started in Lake County. At that time there were 2 Supervisors appointed as non-voting members. Their occasional input was very helpful. What harm could possibly come from having a Supervisor appointed to this, especially if the most cannabis experienced Supervisor is chosen? It gives the Committee a perspective it currently lacks. Having a Supervisor fill this role has worked before and it will work again.
Regarding Consideration of appointment of County Supervisor to Cannabis Task Force proposed by Supervisor Green, I offer the following:
1. 2022 Community Development Director Mary Darby made initial recommendations. Those recommendations were reviewed by BOS, the public and various department representatives. It was determined to create a Cannabis Task Force in accordance with its current community-wide representatives; NOT including a BOS representative.
2. Darby's recommendation for a Cannabis Task Force, as Supervisor Green points out, included the involvement of 'government' figure heads-- BOS, Planning Commission or two, County of Lake department heads. After much discussion, a different direction was agreed upon, a community driven direction.
3. The current Cannabis Task Force, after many months, is making tremendous progress. Please don't get in their way.
4. Again, as Ms. Darby suggested, Task Force recommendations should be reviewed by County Supervisors, Department Heads, and stakeholders. That process is happening. The Planning Commission just heard the recommendations of the Cannabis Task Force Committee and, as I understand it, the BOS will hear those recommendations in early Feb. The process is working. Let it be.
5. Mireya Turner, current Community Development Director and Andrew Amelung are doing an amazing job working with and overseeing the Task Force. Ask the Task Force members (volunteers). Please do not micro-manage the good work being done by your staff and community volunteers.
6. At the final 2023 Planning Commission meeting, Ms Turner presented the recommendations of the Cannabis Task Force to the Commissioners for their consideration and comments. When asked if others such as the Ag committee have had an opportunity to review the recommendations, Ms Turner responded YES. When asked what responses the Ag Committee had, Ms Turner stated the Ag Committee said they'd prefer the Planning Department was not spending so much time on Cannabis Policy. I agree. But more importantly and on to my closing comment....
As a tax paying citizen of Lake County, I do not want my supervisor or any Lake County supervisor spending their time attending twice a month Cannabis Task Force meetings. Both the Director of Community Development (Turner) and Cannabis Program Manager (Amelung) are well versed & educated in Land Use issues. They are capable and qualified to assist the Committee.
Thank you. -- Monica Rosenthal
Dear Supervisors and Community Development Department,
The amount of time spent doing the quality work you all continue to do is amazing. Your dedication is outstanding and so appreciated.
I am writing to ask you to not consider placing a supervisor on the Cannabis Task Force.
Your workload is to capacity and the 23 hours of meetings with at least an hour prep for each meeting would add to your workload so much I feel your other duties will not receive the attention they deserve. The time in prep and meeting is just a slim example of what I, as an observer, do so I think joining the committee could easily double the time commitment.
The Cannabis Task Force Committee was formed at the request of the Board of Supervisors to review and streamline the existing ordinance and as you all know from reviewing each meeting’s videos it is intense material.
Not only is the tome commitment huge but a supervisor appointee would be a conflict of interest – even as a non-voting member.
Please reconsider appointing a supervisor and seek an individual (preferably more than one and an alternate, also) from the county that has the interest – and - time to commit to this important and very important position.
Thank you,
Donna Mackiewicz
Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
I served on one of the original cannabis task forces when legal cultivation first started in Lake County. At that time there were 2 Supervisors appointed as non-voting members. Their occasional input was very helpful. What harm could possibly come from having a Supervisor appointed to this, especially if the most cannabis experienced Supervisor is chosen? It gives the Committee a perspective it currently lacks. Having a Supervisor fill this role has worked before and it will work again.
Regarding Consideration of appointment of County Supervisor to Cannabis Task Force proposed by Supervisor Green, I offer the following:
1. 2022 Community Development Director Mary Darby made initial recommendations. Those recommendations were reviewed by BOS, the public and various department representatives. It was determined to create a Cannabis Task Force in accordance with its current community-wide representatives; NOT including a BOS representative.
2. Darby's recommendation for a Cannabis Task Force, as Supervisor Green points out, included the involvement of 'government' figure heads-- BOS, Planning Commission or two, County of Lake department heads. After much discussion, a different direction was agreed upon, a community driven direction.
3. The current Cannabis Task Force, after many months, is making tremendous progress. Please don't get in their way.
4. Again, as Ms. Darby suggested, Task Force recommendations should be reviewed by County Supervisors, Department Heads, and stakeholders. That process is happening. The Planning Commission just heard the recommendations of the Cannabis Task Force Committee and, as I understand it, the BOS will hear those recommendations in early Feb. The process is working. Let it be.
5. Mireya Turner, current Community Development Director and Andrew Amelung are doing an amazing job working with and overseeing the Task Force. Ask the Task Force members (volunteers). Please do not micro-manage the good work being done by your staff and community volunteers.
6. At the final 2023 Planning Commission meeting, Ms Turner presented the recommendations of the Cannabis Task Force to the Commissioners for their consideration and comments. When asked if others such as the Ag committee have had an opportunity to review the recommendations, Ms Turner responded YES. When asked what responses the Ag Committee had, Ms Turner stated the Ag Committee said they'd prefer the Planning Department was not spending so much time on Cannabis Policy. I agree. But more importantly and on to my closing comment....
As a tax paying citizen of Lake County, I do not want my supervisor or any Lake County supervisor spending their time attending twice a month Cannabis Task Force meetings. Both the Director of Community Development (Turner) and Cannabis Program Manager (Amelung) are well versed & educated in Land Use issues. They are capable and qualified to assist the Committee.
Thank you. -- Monica Rosenthal
Dear Supervisors and Community Development Department,
The amount of time spent doing the quality work you all continue to do is amazing. Your dedication is outstanding and so appreciated.
I am writing to ask you to not consider placing a supervisor on the Cannabis Task Force.
Your workload is to capacity and the 23 hours of meetings with at least an hour prep for each meeting would add to your workload so much I feel your other duties will not receive the attention they deserve. The time in prep and meeting is just a slim example of what I, as an observer, do so I think joining the committee could easily double the time commitment.
The Cannabis Task Force Committee was formed at the request of the Board of Supervisors to review and streamline the existing ordinance and as you all know from reviewing each meeting’s videos it is intense material.
Not only is the tome commitment huge but a supervisor appointee would be a conflict of interest – even as a non-voting member.
Please reconsider appointing a supervisor and seek an individual (preferably more than one and an alternate, also) from the county that has the interest – and - time to commit to this important and very important position.
Thank you,
Donna Mackiewicz
Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423