Serving on Public Commissions, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Serving on Public 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 (IHSS) program, the General Assistance program and homeless services.

Criminal Justice Council — Chair

The Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County (CJC) 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, nonprofit, 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 (NACo) 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.

National Association of Counties — Board of Directors

The Board of Directors for the National Association of Counties (NACo) serves as the primary voice on county policy priorities to our federal partners including the Administration and Congress.

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.

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. n

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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.

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Meet Reef

This week the Pet of the Week for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a very special pup and very good boy — Reef!

Reef is a Shelter favorite, and you will soon know why — he is a real catch! This playful pup came into the Shelter as an owner surrender with his buddy and has been charming us all since. He was an outdoor dog and is looking for a patient adopter who will help him transition from outdoor only lifestyle to an indoor, family pup. While at SCCAS Reef has blossomed — he is in playgroups with several other dogs, goes on lovely walks around the neighborhood and has made friends with staff and volunteers.

This dog has gone to a few events with volunteers and has been a star every time — he loves meeting new people, is so polite and curious but not overwhelmed in new places. He still is working on getting in the car but once he is in, he is very calm and rides well. While he would not be good in a home with a cat, he would love to have a confident resident dog to play with and learn from. Reef charms everyone he meets — if you are looking for a sweet and fun buddy he may be the one you have been waiting for. All human and dog family members must meet prior to adoption at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.

October Adoption Special — ALL Shelter animals will be available for a Donation Based Adoption Fee. The suggested donation is between $20-$200 and adopters can select a fund for their donation to go to: Planned Pethood Fund (low cost/free spay/ neuter) or Extra Mile Fund (specialty lifesaving procedures for homeless animals).

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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Halloween

© Statepoint Media

“Calendar” from page 29

CELEBRATING 2022 ARTIST OF THE YEAR

7 p.m., Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College, 6500 Lower Perimeter Road, Aptos Annie Morhauser, founder of Annieglass and the 2022 Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year, will talk about her life’s work at an event in her honor at the Crocker Theater. A Q&A will follow. Admission is free; seating is first-come, first-served. Masks are required. Her dinnerware and home Annie Morhauser décor products, with a new collection twice each year, are sustainably handcrafted. She has two pieces in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

She employs more than 20 people in her 16,000-square foot production studio on Harvest Drive in Watsonville.

She donates cash and in-kind donations to 400 nonprofits annually.

CHILI COOKOFF

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Bring your appetite and join the fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as professional and amateur chefs compete for the title of Best Chili! 10 am to 4 pm.

Cook-Off Schedule

9am-10am: Chef’s prep (no heat) 10am-1pm: Chili cook time 10am: Tasting kits go on sale for $12. Part of each sale goes to the Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial. 1pm: Public tasting begins 4pm: Winners announced at Neptune’s Stage (beachside of Neptune’s Kingdom)

Food vendors include Scrumptious Fish & Chips, Mattia Pizza, Taquizas Gabriel, Kuki’s Bowls, Cracked Cookies & Aunt LaLi’s.

Alex Lucero and The Live Again Band will perform.

Free admission & free parking; friendly leashed pups are welcome. Bring lawn chairs & blankets — picnic tables also available.

The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation is hosting the popular Beer & Wine Gar-den. For more info: www.foodtrucksagogo.com.

MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR AT RIO THEATRE ON OCT. 28

7 p.m. (Doors open 6 p.m.), Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado.

The Rio Theatre will host the films in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children and students at RioTheatre.com and the day of the event. A portion of tickets sold will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

See the complete playlist at https://www.riotheatre. com/events-2/2022/30/mountainfilm

Monday October 31

APTOS COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN PARADE

3 p.m., Aptos Village Green (in front of New Leaf Market), 448 Granite Way Show off your Halloween costumes. Children of all ages are invited to a parade around the Aptos Village Green. Village businesses will offer treats after the pa-rade.

This is a free family-friendly celebration. Rain will cancel the event. For information, contact the Aptos Chamber of Commerce at (831) 688-1467 or chamberaptos@gmail.com.

Monday October 24

COLLEGE AND CAREER FAMILY NIGHT

6-8 p.m., Cabrillo College, Buildings 1000 (Library) and 1100 (gym), SAC West, Soquel Dr, Aptos

Cabrillo College in Aptos is hosting College and Career Family Night. Activities will be in the Library and the gym. Food trucks will be on hand.

The event, free and open to the public, is a chance to meet university representatives from public, private, and out-of-state colleges and universities.

It is also an opportunity to learn about Cabrillo College’s certificate, degree and transfer opportunities, attend workshops, and explore various resources.

There will be workshops on financial aid and transfer pathways from a community college to a 4-year university. Masks are required inside Cabrillo buildings.

Friday October 28

TRUNK OR TREAT

5-8 p.m. Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s headquarters, 5200 Soquel Ave. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will host Trunk or Treat. This is a free, fun-filled, spooktacular evening of trunk or treating, games, candy, decorated trunks, and food vendors.

Free parking and shuttle service at the Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave., Capitola. https://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzSheriffsOffice

Friday October 28

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY, HALLOWEEN STYLE

4:30-7:30 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley It’s our annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Food Truck Friday at Skypark. Everyone dressed in a costume receives candy at all the food vendors.

Monday October 31 thru Sunday November 7

CAPITOLA PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL

Art Sale: Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jade St. Community Center, 4400 Jade St., Capi-tola Capitola Plein Air will return Oct. 31, when 40 professional artists arrive in Capito-la to paint the town … literally!

Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of seaside Capitola, to paint live for four days.

You’ll find more than 100 paintings on display, for Annapurna ’78 sale, and entered into a compe-tition on Sunday at Jade St. Community Center.

You can vote for the People’s Choice Award, have a meal from the food trucks, and take home a piece of Capitola culture. For full details, visit https://www.capitolapleinair.com/

Saturday November 26

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos Aptos United Methodist Church will host its ninth annual Holiday Boutique. Road signs will direct customers from Highway 1 to the church in Seascape.

Local vendors will offer a wide variety of gift items for sale while church members will sell jams, baked goods and plants.

The boutique attracts customers from across Santa Cruz County and beyond as it provides an opportunity to shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted items. n