AgdaPkt 2013-06-24 Closed and Joint Amended 06-21_2013

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8.A. - Page 57 4. Discussion of Options with SBWMA Executive Director, Kevin McCarthy Mr. Kevin McCarthy provided a report on the current structure of the SBWMA board how its goal was to have a high level of shared responsibility model. He referred to certain JPA amendments and how in his view the big decisions were to go back to the elected officials. He remarked that the two JPAs on the staff report were not countywide. He pointed out that he is willing to be supportive of this process and looking at changing the governance model. Ms. Dehn asked about the difference between one franchise agreement and multiple. Mr. McCarthy said he did not have all the historical information and this could be revisited. There were multiple questions of Mr. McCarthy regarding representation on the Board, and the Chair of the current Board Larry Patterson (San Mateo City Public Works Director) noted this would be a good time to take action if that was the direction of this task force. Mr. Patterson commented that if the intent is to shift, this is a good time to transition to an elected board and change the structure. He believes there is need for support on the technical side. Honorable Carlson talked about the need to get elected officials on the Board and he believes there is interest in pursuing this. Mr. Patterson stated that the institutional knowledge is a very important issue and he pointed to the huge loss when Redwood City Finance Director Brian Ponty left the Board. He noted that in his opinion an operating/technical committee with senior staff makes sense. Honorable Frisella asked for an organizational chart from SBWMA and Mr. McCarthy provided it. Mr. McCarthy covered the chart in detail. Honorable Ira spoke about the need for a technical committee because that model already exists with South Bayside Systems Authority and is functional. Honorable Keith asked how often they meet and the answer was once a month. Dr. Bell interjected and clarified the types of items on the agenda for the ne� SBWMA agenda and how these items would normally go before a policy committee composed of elected officials in his experience. Dr. Bell also said that the elected body would need to figure out what their needs are. Honorable Ira thanked Mr. Patterson and Mr. McCarthy for their comments. Honorable Ross said that it sounds like elected oversight is needed and he would like a technical committee that would report to the policy committee. There was concurrence from Foster City, Belmont and others. He is also willing to look at the issue of one JPA versus various agreement and supports bringing this back to the respective Councils for discussion. Honorable Benton agreed that there is a feeling that elected officials should sit on this board and he feels that this taskforce should provide some guidance on the new authority of this elected board. The question was asked as to how many votes were needed. Mr. McCarthy, from the audience, said that eight votes were needed for this item to pass. There was some discussion if East Palo Alto was going to be represented or not. Dr. Bell was consulted on the options before the group. He commented that he appreciated Mr. McCarthy's collaboration and he believes this could go one of two ways: 1)send information out to the members here and they would forward to their councils and ask them to decide, but allow the new board to define its role, and option 2) would be the same but include recommending a definite role for the board. Honorable Frisella said she would vote for option one. Honorable Ira said he wants this task force to vote on a recommendation. Honorable Keith wanted to hear a little bit more about the third option on the staff report, and Dr. Bell elaborated that it pertains to the existence of a technical committee. Honorable Carlson shared concerns with the transition and Honorable Ira noted that current board members would be of assistance if any issues came up. Mr. McCarthy asked that the new board composition be clearly defined and noted that the current JPA Board will need to send out the amendments to all agency members. Honorable Benton wanted to address the current JPA agreement and look at it on another agenda because he only wants to go to his Ciry Council once. Honorable Ira asked for a recommendation from this Task force to go to the various City Councils, and submit to them a package of information by the end of July and have them vote on the matter. Dr. Bell clarified that the goal is to have the councils look at the recommendation to change the governance structure to"elected"only, and not try to address other issues at this point. He believes that the new Board of elected officials should decide on the technical committee and the new Board would subsequently decide on additional changes. Dr. Bell reiterated that for now, the only change on the JPA agreement should be to specify"elected"as the composition of the Board. There was consensus on moving forward with this approach.