2009 Report from the Chair

In short, it was the worst of years, the best of years, and the quickest of years. Being Board Chair is not a bad job. I learned a lot about many things, including myself.

Being Chair does come with challenges though, chief among them: managing distinct and opposing interests like district residents, out of district residents, fellow Board members, staff, and the County itself. As you can imagine, it got tricky at times. It was not unlike keeping breakable plates spinning simultaneously.

There were and still exist institutional obstacles in County government to greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability that must be reformed for the Board to lead most effectively. Conditions are, however, light years ahead of where they were when I first ran for office in 2006 and they continued to improve in 2009.

But not all areas improved. Not yet. I’ve learned to raise an issue at least three times so folks can see the forest for the trees. Reforms accomplished this year along with reforms that were rebuffed contributed to a greater level of awareness among Board and staff. Overall that’s a good thing.

Worst of years

I can’t name all the things that qualified 2009 to be the worst of years, but the state budget and its impacts on the County budget are at the top of the list. The state worked hard to divert local tax revenues for its own use, but ultimately was only partially successful. As the economy worsened, the public and staff began to experience stress. Multiple iterations of the County budget were prepared and discarded as revenue forecasts continued to decline. Subsequently, County services and staffing cuts increased stress levels. Early on, we had to do more with less. By year’s end we were reduced to doing less with less.

The Board considered several controversial land use projects in 2009 including the Law and Justice Center property purchase and consideration of an appeal of a grading permit for a controversial antiquated subdivision in Twain Harte. I am particularly proud that the public and staff were heard and treated with respect and dignity on these issues regardless of the outcomes. And for the most part, the Board seems to have mastered disagreement amongst ourselves without holding grudges.

Best of years

There were a number of factors that qualify 2009 as the best of years. Staff and elected officials voluntarily reduced benefits and went on furlough to save County services and jobs. Further, despite the critical need to reduce County expenditures to match revenues, the Board affirmed the public’s priorities of maintaining funding for Roads, Sheriff, and Fire services, while it minimized service cuts to the public and layoffs of employees.

In fact, after an accounting error was discovered in the draft budget in August, three previously unfilled Sheriff’s deputy positions were added, critical recreation services were retained (pools!), and library branches weren’t impacted quite as heavily as they would otherwise have been. These were all bright spots in light of the privatization of some services and in light of the cuts we had to make.

In a well-timed effort to improve the local economy, the Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) got off to an aggressive start in recruiting new and expanding existing businesses here. And while the County lost a number of businesses due to the economy, TCEDA expects to make several major announcements in 2010 that should help the local economy considerably.

The Board authorized Waste Management to implement a two cart recycling program in the areas they serve beginning next year. Although I was not in favor of extending the contract until 2022 without going out to bid, I am very much in favor of reducing, reusing, and recycling. We hired an illegal dumping enforcement officer this year, as well. His efforts should begin to be evident as folks learn that Tuolumne County has an active enforcement program.

Over the years, County residents and communities have experienced negative economic and quality of life outcomes as state and federal government agencies have not given serious consideration or even evaluated in much depth local concerns, needs and interests. This year a majority of the Board stepped up to voice concern relative to several state and federal resource decisions that will impact the local economy.

Given the loss of the SPI mill and other businesses in recent years, the fact that Tuolumne County contains 76% public lands, strong historic, traditional, and cultural ties to the land, and the fact that state and federal statutes give counties the ability to be involved in their decision-making processes early on, it is critical that this happen. In addition, the Board signified its intent to establish and maintain productive and beneficial relationships with other levels of government.

One vehicle to encourage that to happen – federal and state agency coordination – was controversial, but the Board did not reverse an action in 2007 to initiate coordination with federal and state agencies. The Board’s dialog led to a Sonora Area Foundation grant to Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and the Environment (TuCARE) to work with community and economic stakeholders on a draft land use plan to establish local policy for planning and management of federal and state lands and resources.

The plan doesn’t establish environmental policy (numerous advocates, federal, state, and local statutes, and policies already exist for the protection and enhancement of the natural environment). Rather, the plan deals with the human environment (which is interrelated with the natural environment). It’s important to note that the land use plan does not revise or impact existing state, federal, or local laws, nor does it allow the public to make federal and state agency decisions. It will primarily apprise agencies of local policies and values that must be better factored into decision-making and management actions in Tuolumne County.

The draft land use plan will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors’ Planning Committee on Thurs., Jan. 7^th at 1:30 pm in the Board Chambers. Consideration of approval by the Board will follow later in the month or in February.

General Activities in 2010 (in addition to weekly Board meetings, review of agenda materials, and committee assignments.)

• The County completed and dedicated the Hope House, a transitional housing program for kids aging out of the foster care system;
• Along with key community and agency leaders, formed the Safety Net Agencies  Planning Group to help bridge agency shortfalls and service gaps in light of the state’s budgetary problems which inspired a Sonora Area Foundation campaign that raised over $500k to expand efforts to meet the most basic needs of our struggling neighbors;
• Worked with leaders of ATCAA’s food bank, University Cooperative Extension, Ag Advisor’s office, Master Gardeners, and others to plan and seek funding for community gardens to provide extra food for the food bank, local wholesale market, and individuals;
• At Supervisor John Gray’s request, initiated new supervisor orientation meetings with all department heads;
• Worked to improve County/federal agency communication and problem solving;
• Participated in an advisory committee for the Tuolumne County Courts to plan and implement a community mediation program to reduce the number of court cases;
• Participated in ATCAA/Central Sierra Connect’s efforts to determine local need for Broadband and expand its adoption;
• Supported a successful effort for Habitat for Humanity to obtain funding to purchase property in Jamestown for a multiple unit housing project;
• Involved in local foster children placement issues, participated in foster parent networking group, and County’s Peer Quality Review process;
• Served on the Sonora Regional Medical Center’s Civic Advisory Board and Dawn’s Light Grief Counseling advisory board;
• Participated in Cities, Counties, Schools Partnership Summit on Governance examining potential reform measures in light of state budget and governance problems;
• Worked with the Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District, The Stewardship Council, and other agencies to ensure Kennedy Meadows is locally owned and managed;
• Convened first joint board meeting with Tuolumne Utilities District on water issues, attended City and County of San Francisco Tuolumne River stakeholders meetings;
• Monitored State Delta Water Bills and related water issues and legislation, worked with Senator Cogdill’s staff and TUD to analyze and educate County staff and Board members;
• Participated in planning and the Department of Water Resources’ Integrated Regional Water Management Program (IRWMP) interview that resulted in local IRWMP’s designation for funding of future watershed projects;
• Reviewed and commented on United States Forest Service (USFS) Travel Management Rule Plan EIR, California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) fish stocking EIR/EIS, and USFS planned removal of Relief Cabin by PG&E;
• Requested California Legislature and Congress to increase efforts to support and fund fuels management; and
• Commented on proposed new electricity transmission line to New Melones by Transmission Agency of Northern CA (TANC).

Chair District 3-related Activities

• Held monthly district office hours in Tuolumne, Twain Harte, and Mi-Wuk Village, town hall meetings, and published over 75 blog posts on County, District 3, and state issues;
• Worked with community members to convert Mi-Wuk Village library branch into the volunteer-staffed Mi-Wuk Village Little Library in the Woods Community Center with T1 Internet service;
• Sought funding for Tuolumne parking & alleyway studies, partnered with Tuolumne community members o hold various public and town hall meetings to discuss the Tuolumne Community Plan, parking and alleyway studies, Memorial Hall use, and law enforcement  issues;
• Facilitated donation of Lyon’s Reservoir Trail parking area in Twain Harte to honor Supervisor Jim Peterson, sought and obtained additional implementation funding for Twain Harte trail, attended Sheriff’s Town Hall meeting;
• Participated in Pinecrest Circulation Study Stakeholder Group, supported Dodge Ridge Transit Bus;
• Attended meetings with Strawberry Property Owners Association, Cold Springs Property Owners Association, Tuolumne Township and The Women’s Improvement Society of Tuolumne,  Mi-Wuk Homeowners Association, Twain Harte Homeowners Association, and Pinecrest Permittees; and
• Established Snowplowing Advisory Committee.

Looking ahead in 2010

There remains much to be done in 2010. Several 2009 Board goals were not accomplished this year due to the extraordinary amount of staff time expended on budget revisions. One of our first actions on January 5^th will be to revisit those goals.

To give our kids a future and a hope and to ensure economic prosperity and quality of life, the Board must establish a youth advisory board to better understand what our kids would like Tuolumne County to look like in the future. It should also prioritize funding for a Resources Analyst to better stay on top of important decisions being made by other agencies, and fund the Board-approved but unfilled grant writer position.

Broadband should also continue to be an emphasis, especially in the Hwy 108 Corridor so we can nurture existing and a new generation of entrepreneurs and diversify the economy. We will also continue working with community fire districts and the City of Sonora to maximize fire protection Countywide.

Efficiency, transparency, and the accountability of County government must continue to increase next year. I am hopeful that it will be the year – my fourth year of advocating for it – that we implement online Board agenda management and video streaming to increase access to our meetings and citizen participation. Finally, the Board must continue to cultivate strong relationships with other government agencies: local, state, and federal. Our future depends on it.

So thanks to my colleagues for electing me Board Chair in 2009. I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thanks also to staff, our videographer, Kathleen Conneau, audio streaming technician, Jim Garaventa, members of The Tuesday Club (regular spectators), and the public for the respect and honor given to this supervisor and the office of Board Chair.

Next year will have a new Chair (likely current Vice Chair Liz Bass) and new challenges, budgetary and otherwise. Counties, Tuolumne included, will be required to cut services further to continue to live within our means. There will be new crises with which to deal.

You can anticipate more of the worst, more of the best, and more uncertainty. But come what may, I promise you one thing for sure. Next year will go by just as quickly as did 2009. Maybe quicker.