Agenda Item

7.5 24-818Consideration of Appointments to Local Area Plan Advisory Committees (Kelseyville, Lakeport, and Upper Lake/Nice) (Continued from July 16, 2024)

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    Monica Rosenthal 4 months ago

    On July 16, the Board of Supervisors discussed the appointment of community members to serve on Area Plan committees.
    Unable to attend the meeting last week so I am submitting comments after listening to the video.
    FYI --I also submitted an application to serve on the Middletown Area Plan update committee.
    1. As stated during the meeting, BOS previously decided:
    a. Committee members shall reside within the Area Plan
    b. Several At Large & business seats and one each-- Environmental, Tribal, MAC and AG seats in Lakeport, Kelseyville & maybe District 3.
    c. 9 members per committee
    2. My comments:
    In Middletown, a committee member was appointed. She does not reside in Middletown nor does she own a business in Middletown. It was sold in April of 2022. While she continues to work there, she resides in Lower Lake. I do not question her ability to serve; I question the conformance with all eight Area Plan committees.
    Is there any consideration given to whether or not the Environmental, Tribal, AG, MAC or HOA organizations wish to authorize a specific person to speak on their behalf?
    For example: Mr. Bill Waite, who was appointed to the MATH/MAC seat for Middletown Area Plan last week, has not been authorized to speak on MATH’s behalf. While Mr. Waite’s affiliation with MATH may appear on his application, MATH has not approved this, yet he was appointed to the MATH/MAC seat. AS supervisor Pyska pointed out, several Lake County Municipal Councils operate as Town Hall meetings where everyone in attendance votes. This is MATH’s model. I am not suggesting that Mr. Waite shouldn’t serve; I am questioning who or how one is chosen to speak on behalf of environmental, MAC, tribes, HOA or Ag? BTW, I am the current MATH Chair.
    AG seat --ONLY Lakeport and Kelseyville. WHY? Ag, (including cannabis), plays a huge role in the economy of Lake County. In the MIDDLETOWN AREA PLAN, there are many vineyard operations, cannabis farms, cattle, and equestrian interests. Why doesn’t the Middletown Area Plan have an AG seat?
    Suggestion— change to application for the formation of committees such as this one. If a person is to fill a specific seat, perhaps the application needs to include a brief reference letter from the specific organization or MAC stating or supporting that the applicant is affiliated with said organization and approve this person as a spokesperson representing their interests.

    Thank you for considering my comments.

    Monica Rosenthal