Serving on County, Regional, State and National Commissions, By Zach

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Serving on County, Regional, State and National Commissions

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

Each 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

The 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 services, adult protective services, the In-Home Supportive Services program, the General Assistance program and homeless services.

Criminal Justice Council — Chair

The 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

Zone 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

Including members from the cities and county, this joint powers authority exists for the purpose of financing the acquisition, 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

The 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

The 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.

Oral Health Access Santa Cruz

County Committee — Co-Chair

This 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

The 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

The 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

The 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

The 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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SPECIALTY SCREEN & GLASS SHOP

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Meet Lobo!

Lobo is a 3-year-old German Shepherd who has been at the shelter for a few months and has really come out of his shell. He is a calm and playful boy who loves both people and dogs.

He is fully house trained, listens well, and walks easily on a leash. He’s an affectionate, communicative, and attentive companion who doesn’t bark very often. He loves to play fetch and shred stuffed animals. Lobo loves belly rubs and to put one or both paws on your knees to come in for scratches.

We don’t know his history with children so families looking to adopt him will have to visit him first. If you’re looking for your new best friend please visit Lobo at 1001 Rodriguez St, Santa Cruz between noon and 5 every day.

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n •••

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter:

Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062

Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

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SUPERVISOR FRIEND TO SPEAK

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Seascape Golf Course, 610 Clubhouse Dr, Aptos Join the Aptos Chamber a networking lunch meeting with 2nd District Supervisor Zach Friend for timely updates. There will be time for questions and community updates. Lunch will be either indoors or outside, COVID-19 dependent.

Reservations are required. $35 General admission/$30 members paid in advance, $35 day of. Call the Aptos Chamber at (831) 688-1467, or send a check to 7605 Old Dominion Court, Aptos CA 95003, or online at aptoschamber.com.

Thursday February 24

JOBY AVIATION JOB FAIR

4-6 p.m., Online Conference The Monterey County Workforce Development Board will host a virtual job fair for Joby Aviation (https://www. jobyaviation.com/).

Joby Aviation has open engineering, manufacturing and generalist positions for expanding locations in Marina and Santa Cruz. Experience requirements vary by position.

Attendees will be able to speak with Joby’s recruiting team and apply for open positions. Resumé required. Register at www.montereycountywdb.org/joby-aviation/

Friday February 25 thru Sunday February 27

2022 BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

7 p.m., Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec presents the 2022 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Santa Cruz at the Rio Theatre.

This event benefits the UCSC Wilderness Orientation Willie Williams Scholarship Fund and Adventure Rec student scholarships.

Each year, nearly $20,000 in scholarship funds are awarded to UCSC students based on financial need, affording them the chance to share in outdoor adventures.

Each night features a different lineup, Maple, Larch and Spruce. Tickets are $25 for Saturday and $23 for Friday and Sunday. To buy tickets, visit https://recreation.ucsc.edu/adventure/banff

Saturday February 26 Sunday February 27

CLAM CHOWDER COOKOFF

The Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off is hosted by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Awards are given for Best Chowder in each category, plus People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Best-Themed Booth

The participants will be lined up across the Boardwalk offering their chowders to the public as part of the competition. Tasting Kits are $12 each and include six taste tickets, spoon, cup and a People’s Choice ballot. Visit beachboardwalk.com/clam-chowder-cook-off/ for more details.

Tuesday March 1

MARDI GRAS PARTY TO BENEFIT APTOS HISTORY MUSEUM

5-7 p.m., Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Ct, Aptos Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” or Carnival, a celebration kickoff before Easter.

Come celebrate with great appetizers, music and more at the Seacliff Inn.

Bring your beads and masks. There will be prizes for the best dressed, a no-host bar featuring Bourbon Street classics, and Uke4Joy will provide the music.

Help raise funds for the Aptos History Museum by bidding on silent auction items and a 50/50 Raffle. Tickets are $40 general/$35 for museum members. Call (831) 688-1467 or aptoshistory.org for information and reservations. Let the good times roll!

Wednesday March 2

TITANS OF TECH 2021

7-10 p.m., Online Seminar (In-person if possible, location TBA) Santa Cruz Works’ annual Titans of Tech features community members who have made an impact on the Santa Cruz tech community that year, plus Hometown Heroes, who helped us get through the year of COVID and wildfires.

Organizers hope this will be an in-person + streaming event. For tickets, available mid February, see santacruzworks.org

Thursday March 3

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP FOR DIVERSE REPRESENTATION

6:30-8 p.m., Online Seminars This is the second of five seminars which focus on a specific topic and include a panel of speakers, small group discussions for networking, and provide an opportunity for connection for mentorship in the political field.

Session 2: How to Build a Campaign — Steps to take to start a campaign, developing a team, developing a winning message, fundraising, issues specific to diverse women running. Resources and connections for running. Upcoming sessions:

Thursday, May 12: City Councils

Thursday, July 7: School Boards

Thursday, Sept. 8: Commissions & Groups For details, see https://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/ legislators/womens-legislative-network/institute-for-electedwomen-california.aspx. n

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The basin management goals are: ensure water supply reliability for current and future beneficial uses, maintain water quality to meet current and future beneficial uses and prevent adverse environmental impacts.

Santa Cruz-Monterey-Merced

Managed Medical Care Commission — Board Member

This commission is the governing board for Central California Alliance for Health The board has fiscal and operational responsibility for the health plan, sets policy and strategic priorities for the organization and oversees health plan service effectiveness.

The board is comprised of members of government, the Alliance’s health care partners and the public in the Santa Cruz, Monterey and Merced counties.

Santa Cruz County Sanitation District — Board Member

The Sanitation District is responsible for the collection of wastewater within the district’s boundaries and environmental compliance.

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As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts.

If I can be of any help on these commissions or in my capacity on the Board of Supervisors please don’t hesitate to contact me at 454-2200.