FEATURED COLUMNIST
Serving on County, Regional, State and National Commissions By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District
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ach year, the Board of Supervisors makes appointments of its members to local boards and commissions. In addition to serving on the Board of Supervisors (this year as Vice Chair) I also serve on your behalf in a number of other capacities on local, regional and national commissions. Sometimes you may need help on specialty issues that are associated with these commissions so I wanted to give you an overview of these commissions and encourage you to reach out if you have constituent needs associated with any of them. California State Association of Counties Health and Human Services Committee — Vice-Chair he CSAC Health and Human Services Committee has responsibility for the development of policies and proposals relating to: aging and long-term care, alcohol and drug programs, mental health, the Medically Indigent Services Program, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (Cal Works) program, foster care, child welfare
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services, adult protective services, the In-Home Supportive Services program, the General Assistance program and homeless services. Criminal Justice Council — Chair he Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County was created over thirty years ago in an effort to provide a more effective criminal justice system for the citizens of Santa Cruz County. The CJC works to increase coordination and cooperation between criminal justice partners — government, non-profit, educational and others, reduce youth involvement in gang, create a forum for discussion of and recommendations for programs and plans for solutions to criminal issue and provide long-range planning for the criminal justice system. Flood Control and Water Conservation District: Zone 7 — Chair one 7 was formed for the primary purpose of improving the flood carrying capacity of the Pajaro River, Salsipuedes and Corralitos Creek system within the Pajaro Valley floodplain. Zone 7 capital projects are intended to limit the potential for flooding within the floodplain area. Much of the focus is on protecting (and rebuilding) the current levee system to protect life and property in the Pajaro Valley. Library Financing Authority — Chair ncluding members from the cities and county, this joint powers authority exists for the purpose of financing the acquisition,
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construction and improvement of public library facilities. Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) — Board Member LAFCO was created by state law in 1963 to regulate the boundaries of cities and special districts. LAFCO’s objectives are: encourage efficient service areas for services provided by cities, counties and special districts, to guide urban development away from prime agricultural lands and open space resources and to discourage urban sprawl. Monterey Bay Air Resources District — Board Member he Air District is responsible for air monitoring, permitting, enforcement, long-range air quality planning and education related to air pollution as required by the California Clean Air Act and Federal Clean Air Act. The District also provides rebates for fireplace conversions (to cleaner burning options) and electric vehicle lease or purchases. National Association of Counties Telecommunications & Technology Committee — Board Member he National Association of Counties serves as the primary advocacy organization for counties. They advocate county priorities in federal policymaking and allow for information sharing of model county polices and practices to optimize taxpayer resources and provide cost savings. This committee focuses on all matters pertaining to telecommunications and technology policy, including the county role as a telecommunications regulator, service provider, and consumer, cable services technology and implementation, information technology development and implementation, information technology innovation, e-governance, and geo-spatial data collection and utilization.
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Oral Health Access Santa Cruz County Committee — Co-Chair his group of local health industry experts, community leaders, and education advocate improve the oral health of Santa Cruz County by creating data driven strategies that increase access to care and education. Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency — Chair he Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency is a joint powers authority of the County of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation Zone No. 7, the County of Monterey, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, and the City of Watsonville. Formed in 2021, the agency will plan, finance and implement projects and programs to reduce flood risk from the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Regional Transportation Commission — Board Member he RTC sets priorities for the transportation network including highways, major roads, bus and paratransit and the rail corridor. The RTC pursues and allocates funding for all of these transportation elements and adopts policies to improve mobility, access and air quality. Santa Cruz County Consolidated Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board — Alternate he Santa Cruz County Consolidated Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board oversees the activities of the five redevelopment successor agencies in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz Mid-County Water Agency — Board Member he MGA is an 11-member board who oversee the groundwater management activities of the Mid-County Basin Area in Santa Cruz County.
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