[00:00:03]
>> GREAT. WELL, GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO
[Roll Call]
THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 5TH, WE'RE BEGINNING TODAY AT EXACTLY 11 O'CLOCK.MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE.
>> ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER ALLISON BROOK.
>> ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL JASON ROSENBERG.
>> TODAY'S MEETING IS BEING HELD PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT.
STAFF IS PROVIDING LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT MAY DO SO BY PROVIDING A COMMENT IN PERSON.
JOINING LIVE VIA ZOOM WITH THE LINK PROVIDED ON THE AGENDA LOCATED ON THE PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE.
IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEETING PROCEDURES, WE WILL BEGIN.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS TODAY
[Approval of Minutes]
IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 6TH MEETING.DO ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE. IS THERE ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS?
>> HEARING NONE WHO HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES?
>> SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> MOTION PASSES 3, 0. THANK YOU.
THEN WE'LL MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, NOT ON THE AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WISH TO SPEAK?
>> NO PUBLIC COMMENTS. NOT ON THE AGENDA.
>> NO PUBLIC COMMENTS. THANK YOU. THEN WE'LL MOVE RIGHT INTO THE ACTION ITEMS,
[Action Items]
THE RECOMMENDATION TO SUPPORT FEDERAL LEGISLATION.WELCOME, FLORA. LOOK AT MARY. [LAUGHTER]
>> HOW MANY GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS STAFF DOES IT TAKE TO PULL UP POWERPOINT.
ERIC FULLER, DIVISION LEAD FOR GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
HAPPY TO PRESENT A FEW BILLS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
FIRST BILL IS BY A MEMBER OF OUR DELEGATION, JOSH HARDER, WHO PRIMARILY REPRESENTS SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, BUT DOES HAVE A DISCOVERY BAY AND A PART OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY.
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD ACTUALLY ESTABLISH A UNDERSECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE THAT WOULD COORDINATE WILDFIRE RESPONSE, AND IT WOULD INCLUDE CROSS AGENCY COLLABORATION, INCLUDING DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, WHO COULD BE BROUGHT IN FOR FIRE FIGHTING PURPOSES.
BUT FOR THE BENEFIT FOR THE PARK DISTRICT, IS IT DOES ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY RECEIVE SOME ASSISTANCE UNDER AND THE COORDINATION WOULD OBVIOUSLY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ABOUT HOW BEST TO PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE IN THE FUTURE, BOTH LOCALLY AND OBVIOUSLY NATIONALLY.
SECOND BILL, A EFFORT TO REVISE THE OLD URBAN PARKS PROGRAM, THE COMMUNITY PARKS REVITALIZATION ACT.
THIS BILL WOULD ACTUALLY ALLOW HARD TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF PARK LANDS IN URBAN AREAS, INNOVATION AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC RECOVERY ACTION IN TERMS OF PREPARING PARKS TO PROVIDE OPEN SPACE FOR BOTH PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.
THE PARK DISTRICT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS SHOULD THIS PROGRAM GET ESTABLISHED, AND IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE OLD URBAN PARKS PROGRAM THAT THE PARK DISTRICT HAD SUPPORTED IN THE PAST.
FEMA CRITICAL STAFFING ACT WOULD REQUIRE FEMA TO KEEP EXISTING STAFF LEVELS PRIOR TO JANUARY 20TH, 2025.
IT ALSO WOULD REINSTATE THE BRICK PROGRAM, WHICH IS BASICALLY A BUILDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.
THAT PROVIDES ADVANCED MITIGATION FUNDING MOSTLY FOR FOOD PROTECTION, BUT ALSO COULD BE USED FOR WILDFIRE.
WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED BRICK FUNDING YET, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE CONSIDERED APPLYING FOR IT.
THEN THE LAST BILL WOULD PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZE EVERY KID OUTDOORS.
THIS IS THE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FOURTH GRADERS TO BE IN A CAR.
IF THEY'RE IN A CAR, THE CAR GETS TO GO INTO FEDERAL LAND FOR FREE IN INTERNATIONAL PARKS FOR FREE.
THIS BILL WOULD ALSO EXPAND THE PROGRAM FOR FIFTH GRADERS AND HOME SCHOOL CHILDREN AGE 10-11, AND IT ALSO PROVIDES $25 MILLION ANNUALLY TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM.
WE HAVE SUPPORTED THIS LEGISLATION IN THE PAST.
WITH THAT, THOSE ARE THE BILLS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR SUPPORT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON EITHER OF THOSE BILLS?
>> GENERAL QUESTION. [NOISE] ON THIS ONE WHERE SPECIAL DISTRICTS ARE INCLUDED.
[00:05:06]
I DON'T HAVE A GOOD FEEL.I'M MAYBE OFF TOPIC A BIT, BUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE WHEN THESE FEDERAL BILLS COME FORWARD TO INCLUDE SPECIAL DISTRICTS THAT WE CAN APPLY FOR THEM, IS THAT SOMETHING WE TEND TO LOBBY FOR OR THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL? DO WE KEEP TRACK OF THOSE AND TRY TO GET US ADDED?
>> THAT'S BEEN A PRETTY FREQUENT ACTION SINCE I'VE BEEN AT THE PARK DISTRICT.
I KNOW NOT EVERY STATE HAS SPECIAL DISTRICTS, SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS TOP OF MINE FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WRITING LEGISLATION.
WE DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS EVERY TIME WE SEE A BILL, WE FIRST OF ALL LOOK TO SEE IF WE'RE ELIGIBLE, AND IF WE'RE NOT, WE ASK OUR ADVOCATE IN DC TO WEIGH IN WITH THE AUTHOR AND TRY TO GET US.
OFTEN WE WILL GET ADDED TO LEGISLATION IF WE ASK.
>> NO. THANKS FOR DOING THAT FOR US.
>> I SHOULD ALSO ADD THERE WAS LEGISLATION LAST YEAR THAT ALMOST MADE IT THROUGH.
IT WAS HELD UP IN THE SENATE BY I BELIEVE RAN PAUL, [NOISE] BUT TO CODIFY A PROCESS AT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THAT WOULD CONSIDER SPECIAL DISTRICT ELIGIBILITY IN ALL FEDERAL PROGRAMS. THAT, AS I SAID, DIDN'T MAKE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING OUR CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION WAS PUSHING FOR AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, AND I IMAGINE EVENTUALLY WE WILL RECONSIDER DOING THAT, SOMETHING MORE BROADER LIKE THAT.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT INFO.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO HARDER'S BILL, THE WILDFIRE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THE FACT THAT IT WOULD MANDATE RESEARCH ON FIREFIGHTER HEALTH AND SAFETY FOCUSING ON RESPIRATORY RISKS AND EXPOSURE.
I REMEMBER HAVING BEEN A FIREFIGHTER FOR THE REGIONAL PARK FOR 30 YEARS, AND WE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.
IT WAS ALWAYS, THOSE CITY FIREFIGHTERS DRESS UP AND WEAR SCOTT PACKS AND FULL PROTECTION ALL THE TIME.
WE'RE JUST BREATHING FRESH, GOOD, CLEAN SMOKE, AND IT'S BEEN PROVEN TOTALLY FALSE.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A DEFINITE BENEFIT TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE WE PRIMARILY DO WILD LAND FIRE FIGHTING.
JUST AS A SIDE QUESTION, AND I'M THINKING OF THIS BILL IN PARTICULAR, DO WE EVER ASK OUR UNION WHO UNIONS ARE VERY POWERFUL AND ASK ME AS A VERY POWERFUL UNION TO JOIN US IN COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT OF THINGS LIKE THIS? I KNOW WE DO IN SOME BILLS THAT ARE, BUT IN THE CASE OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION, DO WE DO THAT? I KNOW WE DO IT IN STATE LEGISLATION, DO WE EVER OR WOULD WE CONSIDER THAT? IT SHOULD BE A ROUTINE THING IN MY MIND IF IT LOOKS LIKE THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY BENEFIT UNION FIREFIGHTERS HERE.
IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION, DO WE DO THAT?
>> I THINK THERE'S CONSIDERATION OF THAT.
I CAN THINK OF A COUPLE OF INSTANCES IN THE PAST AT THE STATE LEVEL.
I DON'T REMEMBER A JOINT EFFORT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL YET, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE CAN CONSIDER.
>> IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC?
>> HEARING NONE. THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM.
IS THERE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE FULL BOARD SUPPORT OF THIS FEDERAL LEGISLATION?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO RECOMMENDATIONS TO OPPOSE FEDERAL LEGISLATION.
>> ERIC FULLER, DIVISION LEAD FOR GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
THIS IS ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT RARE TO HAVE A OPPOSITION RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF.
BUT OUR REAL ESTATE DIVISION ASKED US TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE.
THE LEGISLATION ADDRESSES SOMETHING CALLED RAIL BANKING, WHICH IS THE PROCESS OF PRESERVING A RAILROAD CORRIDOR, SHOULD THE RAILROAD COMPANY OR RAIL LINE NO LONGER BE USED.
THE CONCEPT OF RAIL BANKING IS TO KEEP THE CORRIDOR INTACT.
UNDER THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP THE CORRIDOR INTACT, BUT ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THAT CORRIDOR AS A TRAIL WHILE CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER THE CORRIDOR WILL EVER BE OPENED BACK UP FOR RAIL USE AGAIN IS IN CONSIDERATION.
CORRIDORS LIKE THE IRON HORSE TRAIL AND OTHERS WOULD BE POTENTIALLY AREAS
[00:10:03]
WHERE YOU COULD SEE A RAIL BANKING PROCESS GO THROUGH WITH THE FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD, PROTECTED FOR TRAIL DEVELOPMENT, A TRAIL SPONSOR COMES IN AND ESTABLISHES THE TRAIL, AND THEN THAT CONTINUES IN PERPETUITY UNTIL IF THE RAILROAD WOULD LIKE TO BE USE THE CORRIDOR AGAIN.THIS LEGISLATION, IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY PROHIBIT RAIL BANKING, BUT IT CREATES SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS.
ONE BEING, IF THERE'S ANY TAKING OF PROPERTY FOR THE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT BY THE TRAIL SPONSOR, THE TRAIL SPONSOR NEEDS TO COMPENSATE THE LAND OWNER FOR THAT AS OPPOSED TO THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
ALSO, IT REQUIRES EVERY ADJACENT OWNER WITHIN 30 DAYS TO PROVIDE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT USING THE CORRIDOR AS A TRAIL IS OKAY.
THEN LASTLY, IT CREATES A 90 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS AN OPINION ABOUT WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A TRAIL THERE OR NOT TO VOICE THAT OPINION.
IT REALLY CREATES BARRIERS FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY A TRAIL SPONSOR EFFECTIVELY.
WITH THAT, OUR REAL ESTATE TEAM ASKED THAT WE JOIN RAILS TO TRAILS IN OPPOSING THE LEGISLATION.
THERE'S NO FISCAL IMPACT TO THE PARK DISTRICT TO OPPOSE IT AT THIS TIME.
WORKING WITH THE RAILS TRAILS CONSERVANCY, WE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING TO MAYBE EVEN LATER TODAY TO DISCUSS IF THERE'S ANYTHING AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP PROTECT THE RIGHT OF MAINTAINING THESE CORRIDORS.
MANY OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE GREAT REDWOOD TRAIL IS ONE OF THOSE THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM IN TERMS OF RAIL BANKING WELL, ACTUALLY GOES FROM R IN ALL THE WAY UP TO HUMBOLDT.
RECOMMENDATION IS TO OPPOSE HR 4924.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ANYTHING FROM THE PUBLIC?
>> WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO PROPOSE OPPOSITION TO THIS?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK?
>> HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR. SAY AYE.
>> AYE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.
>> [NOISE] WE'LL MOVE NOW TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS,
[Informational Items]
WHICH WOULD BE FIRST AN INFORMATIONAL DATE ON THE PARK DISTRICT GRANTS FROM MARCH 12TH, 2025 THROUGH OCTOBER 7TH, 2025, AND PROPOSITION FOUR PRIORITIZATION. WELCOME, KATIE.>> GOOD MORNING. KATIE HORNBECK GRANTS MANAGER.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.
FIRST UP, I'LL GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF GRANTS THAT WE'VE APPLIED FOR AND GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED IN THIS TIME PERIOD.
I WAS OUT ON LEAVE EARLIER THIS YEAR, SO THE LAST UPDATE YOU GOT WAS COVERING JANUARY TO MARCH 12TH.
THIS PERIOD IS MARCH 12TH THROUGH OCTOBER 7TH IS WHEN THIS REPORT WAS RUN.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THIS TIME FRAME, WE SUBMITTED 17 APPLICATIONS.
MAYBE I SHOULD ZOOM IN A LITTLE BIT.
WOULD THAT BE HELPFUL? MAYBE NOT, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT. DO YOU WANT TO TRY? IT LOOKS REALLY SMALL ON THAT SCREEN. HERE WE GO.
NOT THAT ONE. WE'RE BACK ON THE OTHER ONE.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE.
THE SECOND ONE ON THE LIST, STRETCH OVER A BIT.
THERE WE GO. THE 2.6 FROM COASTAL CONSERVANCY.
THIS WAS AWARDED OR IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.
THIS GRANT REALLY GOT US OVER THE FINISH LINE IN TERMS OF FUNDING THAT PROJECT.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. IT CAME IN NOT AT THE LAST MINUTE,
[00:15:01]
BUT WHAT WAS REALLY NEEDED TO MAKE SURE WE COULD GO OUT TO BID.>> I TAKE NO CREDIT FOR THIS BECAUSE I WASN'T AROUND, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT EFFORT BECAUSE IT'S NOT INSIGNIFICANT.
THEN MOVING ON DOWN, THERE'S TWO LWCF, LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND.
GRANT APPLICATIONS THAT WE SUBMITTED, THE MAXIMUM THAT YOU CAN REQUEST IN THAT PROGRAM IS SIX MILLION.
WE PUT IN TWO APPLICATIONS, ONE FOR THE PROJECT, FORMER RODDY RANCH PUBLIC ACCESS AND RESTORATION, AND THEN ANOTHER FOR THE SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD STAGING AREA OUT AT THEIR GOOD MARSHALL.
WE'VE MOVED ALONG IN THE PROCESS TO THE NEXT STEP, WHICH IS A SITE VISIT.
IT'S A GREAT SIGN THAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN THESE PROJECTS.
THAT'LL BE HAPPENING LATER THIS MONTH WITH THE STATE PARK STAFF.
ALSO I FLAG THIS BECAUSE FEDERAL FUNDS, ESPECIALLY LWCF, IT'S A LONG TURNAROUND FROM WHEN THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED TO BEING NOTIFIED OF THE GRANT AWARD, AND IF WE ARE AWARDED, THEN IT'S USUALLY SIX MONTHS AT MINIMUM, IF NOT A YEAR OR MORE UNTIL WE SEE THAT A GRANT AGREEMENT IN HAND.
PART OF IT IS JUST THERE'S A LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH.
WE SEE THIS HERE, BUT IT COULD BE MAYBE A YEAR FROM NOW, YEAR-AND-A-HALF.
WE SUBMIT THIS KNOWING THAT WE WANT TO HAVE THAT TIMELINE IN MIND, KNOWING WHERE THEY ARE IN DESIGN AND PERMITTING AND CONSTRUCTION.
THEN THE OTHER THING TO FLAG WITH FEDERAL FUNDS IS THAT WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, IT IS A 50% MATCH REQUIREMENT AND IT HAS TO BE A NON-FEDERAL MATCH.
THAT COMES INTO PLAY AS WE'RE STRATEGIZING WITH OUR FUNDING.
IF WE GOT THIS SIX MILLION, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SIX MILLION IN NON-FEDERAL FUNDS TO MATCH THAT.
I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, LET'S SEE, THE BOTTOM TOO.
THESE WERE RECENT APPLICATIONS WE SUBMITTED TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY RESTORATION AUTHORITY, THEIR MEASURE AA PROGRAM.
THIS IS AN ANNUAL POT OF MONEY.
THEY'RE IN THEIR EIGHTH ROUND.
WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST.
PRETTY MUCH EVERY ROUND WE'LL GET A GRANT AWARD, AND SO WE HAVE ONE FOR KELLER BEACH FOR FIVE MILLION FUNDING THE RESTORATION COMPONENTS OF THAT PROJECT.
THEN HAYWARD MARSH, THEY'RE READY TO MOVE INTO THE FIRST PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION AS EARLY AS NEXT YEAR IF WE CAN SECURE FUNDING.
THIS 12 MILLION IS COVERING THE FIRST TWO PHASES OF THE CONSTRUCTION.
THAT'S ACCESS TO THE SITE PROTECTIONS, AND THEN HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS. YES.
>> CAN THAT GET YOU ALONG THE WAY?
>> ON A LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND.
IF WE APPLY FOR A SIX MILLION DOLLAR GRANT, AND WE HAVE TO MATCH THAT, SAY WE GET THE GRANT, AND WE ONLY GET A 50% GRANT, SO WE WILL ONLY GET TWO MILLION? WILL THEY GIVE US FOUR MILLION, SAY, WE THINK YOU STILL HAVE A GOOD PROJECT.
YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE 50% MATCH. WE'LL GIVE YOU FOUR.
DO THEY DO THAT? IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S THE MAX.
DOES EVERYBODY GO, "I WANT SIX MILLION," AND THEY SAY, "NO WE'RE GOING TO SPREAD THIS AROUND A LITTLE BETTER AND GIVE YOU FIVE MILLION OR TWO MILLION. DO THEY DO THAT?
>> FROM PREVIOUS AWARD LISTS, I'VE SEEN, THEY AREN'T REQUESTING THE FULL SIX MILLION.
THEY'RE JUST EXPENSIVE PROJECTS.
WE'VE REQUESTED UP TO THE MAX BECAUSE WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED IT.
STATE PARKS TYPICALLY HAS NOT COME BACK TO SAY, OH HEY, WE REALLY ONLY LIKE TO GIVE YOU FOUR INSTEAD OF THE SIX. CAN YOU MAKE THAT WORK? THEY LIKE TO AWARD WHAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED.
OTHER AGENCIES LIKE COASTAL CONSERVANCY WCB WILL COME BACK AND SAY, HEY, WHAT'S A WIGGLE ROOM? BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY THEY WON'T.
YOU WILL HAVE A SITE VISIT LATER THIS MONTH, SO WE PROBABLY WILL HASH OUT MORE OF THE BUDGET.
BUT WHATEVER THE GRANT AWARD IS, WE HAVE TO MATCH 50% OF THAT.
IF THEY COME BACK WITH FOUR MILLION, THEN WE SAY OUR MATCH WILL BE FOUR.
>> CONVERSELY, THE MEASURE AA FUNDS, WE'RE ASKING FOR 12 MILLION FOR HAYWARD MARSH.
I KNOW THAT GROUP A LITTLE BIT, AND IT'S ONLY 25 MILLION A YEAR THEY HAVE TO GRANT.
TO SUGGEST THAT WE WOULD GET HALF OF THAT ON THIS SIDE OF THE BAY, THERE'S LOTS OF COMPETITION.
I KNOW IT GETS VERY POLITICAL.
DO THEY JUST SAY, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU 12 MILLION? WILL THEY GIVE US 10 MILLION?
>> THEY'LL COME BACK AND SAY, HEY, WE'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT.
WE NOTE IN OUR APPLICATIONS WITH PROJECTS LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY THAT IT'S SCALABLE.
I THINK THE VERY FIRST STEP IN THAT CONSTRUCTION PHASE IS THE ACCESS AND THAT'S GOING TO COST ROUGHLY, I THINK IT'S LIKE 1.8 MILLION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THEY MIGHT SAY, HEY, YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT WORK DONE NEXT YEAR,
[00:20:01]
SO WE'RE WILLING TO GIVE YOU 1.8, AND THEN COME BACK TO US NEXT YEAR IN THE NEXT ROUND OF FUNDING AND APPLY FOR THREE MILLION OR WHATEVER.WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT STAFF, AND THEY'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE HAYWARD MARSH PROJECT.
THEY'VE BEEN FUNDING IT ALONG THE WAY IN THE DESIGN AND PERMITTING.
THEY'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST WITH COTY HILLS.
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE, I THINK WE SUBMITTED A SIX MILLION DOLLAR APPLICATION.
THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, WE CAN DO THREE-AND-A-HALF.
THERE'S DEFINITELY ROOM FOR NOT NEGOTIATION, BUT SCALING DOWN OUR REQUESTS TO REALLY MEET WHAT THEY WANT TO FUND AND WHAT THEY CAN FUND.
BUT I LIKE TO SWING FOR THE FENCES.
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHO'S SHOWN UP TO THE PARTY.
LET'S ASK FOR WHAT WE NEED AND GO FROM THERE.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. CALL. GO AHEAD.
ARE WE PLACING THE TWO PROJECTS IN COMPETITION FOR THE SAME FUNDING? RODDY RANCH VERSUS SOUTH OF BAILEY, OR ARE WE ANTICIPATING THAT WE COULD GET BOTH OR THAT THIS YEAR, WE COULD GET SIX MILLION FOR RODDY AND NEXT YEAR SIX MILLION FOR SOUTH OF BAILEY.
HOW DOES THAT STRATEGY WORK? I HAVE THE SAME QUESTION FOR THE AA FUNDING?
>> FOR LWCF, THOSE TWO PROJECTS ARE IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER.
THEY'RE SUBMITTED IN THE SAME ROUND, SO THEY'LL BE CONSIDERED EQUALLY AMONGST THE OTHER PROJECTS.
THEY BOTH HAVE MOVED TO THE NEXT STEP IN EVALUATION.
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WE'VE DONE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS AND SOME HAVE MOVED FORWARD, SOME HAVEN'T.
WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, THERE'S A REALLY STRINGENT SCORING CRITERIA FOR EACH PROJECT, SO THEY ACCUMULATE POINTS ALONG THE WAY.
JUST WHATEVER IS SCORING THE HIGHEST IS WHAT MOVES TO THE TOP.
IT'S POSSIBLE ONE WILL JUST SCORE HIGHER BECAUSE OF SOME REASON OR ANOTHER, AND THAT'S JUST WHAT MOVES AHEAD.
FOR THE MEASURE AAS, WE TRY TO SUBMIT AT LEAST ONE PROJECT IN EACH COUNTY EVERY YEAR IF WE CAN.
THEY LIKE TO SEE THAT AS WELL, ESPECIALLY THEIR BOARD. THEY ARE IN COMPETITION.
THE KELLER BEACH PROJECT, TO BE HONEST, WE'VE SUBMITTED IN THE PAST BEFORE AND THEY HAVEN'T REALLY TAKEN TO IT, BUT IT'S OUR ONE PROJECT IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY THAT IS READY TO KEEP GOING AND NEEDS THE FUNDING, SO WE KEEP PUTTING IT FORWARD AND WE TWEAK IT EVERY YEAR AS WE GET FEEDBACK TO TRY TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPETITIVE.
>> I KNOW SUPERVISOR JOYA WANTS TO CHAMPION THESE PROJECTS IN HIS DISTRICT.
BUT IS IT ALSO PART OF THE STRATEGY SO THAT IF FOR INSTANCE, THEY GRANT RODDY RANCH PROJECT FUNDING THIS YEAR THAT WE CAN GO FOR FUNDING AGAIN FOR SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD AND HAVING BEEN SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROJECT, THAT GIVES IT A BOOST FOR FOLLOWING.
>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR THE LWCF PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY?
>> ONE PROJECT WAS NOT SELECTED FOR FUNDING, WE CAN CERTAINLY REAPPLY IN THE NEXT ROUND.
>> WHETHER OR NOT IT SCORES MORE FAVORABLY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCORE SHEET, IT'S PRETTY CUT AND DRY.
YOU MIGHT GET 0.02 VARIANCE IF SOMEONE IS MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS OR THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ASPECT OF, LET'S SA SILEY.
BUT GENERALLY, THERE'S NOT A TON OF WIGGLE ROOM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE BEEN OUT THERE.
>> IT'S UNCLEAR THAT YOU WOULD REAPPLY FOR ONE THAT DIDN'T GET IT?
>> IF THE TIMING WORKS OUT, THEN WE COULD REAPPLY.
IF WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF CONSTRUCTION, LET'S SAY, THEN PROBABLY NOT JUST BECAUSE WE KNOW THE LWCF PROGRAM IS GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR AND FUNDS CAN ONLY BE THERE'S A DATE THAT SET OF WHEN THINGS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
IF THE TIMING WORKS OUT, MAYBE THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DELAYED AND IT'S LIKE, OKAY, GREAT, LET'S GO AGAIN BECAUSE NOW THE TIMING IS GOING TO WORK OUT. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> I WAS TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF STRATEGY.
>> THE LWCF ONE IT'S A LITTLE FUNKY BECAUSE OF HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THE FUNDS.
THERE'S LWCF MONIES WE WERE AWARDED I DON'T KNOW, TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO THAT WE'RE STILL WAITING TO GET THE AGREEMENT ON, AND WE JUST WE'RE LUCKY THAT THE PROJECT ISN'T READY TO GO TO CONSTRUCTION YET.
THAT'S DEFINITELY WEIGHS IN WITH THE STRATEGY.
>> ALL RIGHT. I'LL WRAP UP HERE IN A MINUTE.
[00:25:01]
I THINK THE LAST ONE I DID JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON BRIEFLY IN THE WARD SECTION WAS NUMBER 12.I JUMPED OVER IT. THIS 950,000, WE SUBMITTED TO CALFIRE, AND THEIR WILD PREVENTION PROGRAM.
WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THIS PROGRAM THE PAST AND IN THIS ROUND, WE HAD TALKED TO THEM THAT WHAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON OR WHAT WE'RE PRIORITIZING IS FINDING FUNDS FOR MAINTENANCE WORK OR RE ENTRY FUELS WORK.
WE COMPLETED ALL THIS WORK IN ANTHONY SHABA UNDER OUR COW RECYCLE GRANT WE COMPLETED TWO BIG FMA FUNDED PROJECTS.
THAT'S GREAT, BUT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT AREA AND THAT COSTS MONEY AND VERY FEW PROGRAMS LIKE TO FUND OR WE'LL FIND IT ELIGIBLE TO FUND MAINTENANCE WORK OR RE ENTRY.
CALFIRE IN THIS NEW ROUND HAD UPDATED WHATEVER THEIR REQUIREMENTS ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT WE COULD APPLY FOR FUNDS FOR RE ENTRY AND MAINTENANCE WORK.
THAT'S WHAT THAT 950 IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MAINTAIN, WHY SPEND ALL THAT MONEY IF WE CAN'T MAINTAIN IT.
I THINK I'LL STOP THERE ON THE GRANTS APPLICATION.
IN THE GRANTS AWARDED SEVERAL OF WHAT WE APPLIED FOR THIS YEAR HAPPENED TO GET AWARDED IN THE SAME YEAR, WHICH IS GREAT.
I THINK MAYBE THE NOTABLE ONE IS THE ACQUISITION, THE FRESHE DEER VALLEY PROPERTY.
THAT WAS A COMBINATION OF TWO GRANTS THAT CAME TOGETHER WITH THE LAND STUFF.
I'LL PAUSE HERE AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I CAN ADDRESS ON AWARDS AND APPLIED.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS. OVERALL, IT'S NOT IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME A BALLPARK? HOW ARE WE DOING WITH LIKE PERCENT AWARDED? DO YOU HAVE A FEELING FOR IS THE COMPETITION GETTING HARDER? IS THE MONEY GETTING LESS? JUST A BIGGER PICTURE BESIDES WHAT WE'VE DONE AND BEEN AWARDED.
DO WE HAVE A FEEL FOR WHAT'S THE TEMPERATURE OUT THERE?
>> YEAH, THE POTS OF MONEY ARE EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS POSITION FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN IN IT.
I THINK PART OF IT IS THAT PROJECTS ARE JUST GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE AND I'LL JUST MAKE UP A NUMBER.
IF THEY HAVE 100 MILLION AVAILABLE IN GRANT FUNDING, THEY'LL GET A BILLION DOLLARS IN REQUEST.
IT'S JUST IT'S REALLY INTENSE.
EVERY POINT MATTERS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE ONES THAT ARE SCORED BECAUSE IT'S LIKE YOU COULD HAVE A GREAT PROJECT THAT SCORES A 91, BUT IF YOU DON'T GET A 92, YOU'RE OUT.
PERCENTAGE WISE OF WHAT WE PUT IN AND WHAT'S AWARDED.
I COULDN'T GIVE YOU A NUMBER RIGHT HERE.
BUT WE WANT TO BE PUTTING APPLICATIONS IN FOR ANY PROJECT THAT WE THINK IS GOING TO BE ONE ELIGIBLE AND TWO COMPETITIVE.
THERE'S BEEN PLENTY OF INSTANCES WHERE IT'S LIKE, WELL, WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE.
IT'S A REALLY SMALL POT OF MONEY AND WE JUST HAPPEN TO SQUEAK IN AND GET THE FUNDS.
WE'LL ALWAYS PUT IN IF WE CAN.
THE OTHER TRICKY PART ABOUT KNOWING A PERCENTAGE OF AWARDED AND NOT AWARDED IS SOMETIMES A COUPLE OF YEARS WILL PASS, BEFORE WE FIND OUT IF AWARDED, OR THEY'LL TELL US WE WEREN'T AWARDED AND COME BACK A YEAR LATER AND SAY, ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY THAN WE THOUGHT WE DID IN THAT POT.
ARE YOU STILL INTERESTED? IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO TRACK, BUT I THINK THE MAIN THING I'D WANT TO EMPHASIZE IS THAT WE HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH GRANT AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY AT THE STATE LEVEL, STATE PARKS, WCB, COASTAL CONSERVANCY CALFIRE.
OUR STAFF HAS GREAT RELATIONSHIPS OUT IN THE FIELD WITH THEM AND SO THEY KNOW THAT WE CAN SPEND THE MONEY AND THAT WE CAN COMPLETE THE WORK.
THAT GOES A LONG WAY IN OUR FAVOR.
OFTENTIMES AGENCIES ARE COMING TO US TOO AND SAYING, WHAT'S IN YOUR PIPELINE? WHAT'S THE PRIORITY? CAN WE MEET AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE AND WHAT CAN WORK FOR YOU AND WE'LL SUBMIT APPLICATIONS. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
>> ALSO, I'LL BE BACK FOR A FULL BOARD PRESENTATION, DECEMBER 16, AS I GIVE AN ANNUAL GRANTS UPDATE, AND THAT MIGHT ALSO START TO ADDRESS SOME OF MAYBE OTHER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
>> I THINK OVERALL I'VE SEEN THAT WE DO SUCH A FABULOUS JOB.
I DO KNOW HOW COMPETITIVE IT CAN BE.
I JUST THINK IT'S ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HOW WE SHINE.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK AND THE 4.6 MILLION HERE THAT WE WERE AWARDED.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON, IF THAT'S TRICKLING DOWN TOUGH IN ANY WAY, IF WE'RE [OVERLAPPING].
>> THIS YEAR WAS I THINK TOUGH.
>> THE BELT TIGHTENING KEEPS GOING ON.
>> YEAH, THIS YEAR WAS I'D SAY DEFINITELY TOUGH, ESPECIALLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
PROGRAMS THAT WE ANTICIPATED BEING ANNOUNCED WEREN'T AND EVEN AT STATE PARKS PROGRAMS,
[00:30:03]
WE'VE BEEN WAITING TO HAVE THEM ISSUE A SOLICITATION HAVEN'T, SO IT'S BEEN HARD, BUT WE'VE I THINK VERY FORTUNATE AS AN AGENCY TO GET AS MUCH AS THAT WE'RE GETTING AND I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET THE PROJECTS DONE.>> TO OUR AGENCY AND TO YOUR GOOD WORK.
I HAVE A MORE SPECIFIC OR MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE ME AN ELEVATOR SPEECH ON IT. I'M STILL LEARNING.
BUT THE BATA FUNDS, THE AUTHORITY FUNDS.
HOW COMPETITIVE ARE THOSE? I MEAN, AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT COULD JUST BE A LAG OR I THINK I UNDERSTOOD WE MIGHT HAVE AN ONGOING.
>> CAN YOU JUST TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT?
>> YES. GREAT QUESTION. I'LL CLARIFY SOMETHING.
IN THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT, WE HANDLE OR MANAGE BOTH COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS. THEN ALSO THIS DATA MONEY ISN'T REALLY TECHNICALLY A GRANT IT WASN'T COMPETITIVE, BUT IT IS AN OUTSIDE SOURCE OF FUNDS THAT'S NOT LIKE A REVENUE, SO IT IS HANDLED BY OUR GRANTS DEPARTMENT.
YOU'LL SEE OCCASIONALLY THINGS LIKE THIS POP UP WHERE WE GO INTO A COOPERATIVE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR THEM TO PASS THROUGH THE FUNDS FOR A VERY SPECIFIC PROJECT.
WITH DATA, I WANT TO SAY IT WAS LIKE 2017, 2018, WE WENT INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM FOR THE BRIDGE YARD BUILDING.
I THINK IT WAS LIKE $500,000 A YEAR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SPECIFICALLY FUND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE BRIDGE YARD BUILDING.
IN 2020, I THINK, WE ENTERED INTO A SECOND AGREEMENT, A SEPARATE ONE FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS TO RECEIVE FUNDING FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AT THE PARK.
THE OBSERVATION PIER, THE RESTROOM AREA, THE PARKING LOT.
WE WOULD REQUEST ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND SPEND THE FUNDS DOWN OVER THE YEAR.
BOTH OF THOSE AGREEMENTS ENDED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND WE'VE NEARLY SPENT ALL THE FUNDS, AND SO WE APPROACHED THEM AND ASKED IF WE COULD ENTER INTO ANOTHER FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT, AND THIS TIME, COMBINING BOTH THE BRIDGE YARD AND THE OPERATION MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK AREA.
THAT AGREEMENT JUST GOT APPROVED BY THEIR BOARD, SO WE'LL BE ROUTING IT FOR SIGNATURES AND SUCH, BUT IT'S ANOTHER FIVE YEARS WITH AN ANNUAL INSTALLMENT, I THINK IF IT LIKE 375 OR SOMETHING.
>> WOW, THAT'S PRETTY DETAILED FOR PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.
[LAUGHTER] NO, THAT'S IMPRESSIVE.
THAT'S WHY I DON'T SEE IT DOWN BELOW.
THERE'S A LAG BETWEEN WHEN THE OTHER ONES ENDED AND THE NEW ONE'S GOING TO KICK IN.
>> THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN OVERLAP, WE SUBMIT TO THEM PROPOSED BUDGET OF HOW WE'LL SPEND THE FUNDS, WHAT THE CONCESSIONAIRE.
SEEING LIKE THESE ARE TOP IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED IN THE BRIDGE YARD BUILDING, AND THEN PARK STAFF WILL COME TO US AND SAY, WE NEED A PEER CLEANER, WHATEVER IT IS, AND WE'LL PRESENT THAT TO DATA AND THEY APPROVE IT AND WE SPEND THE MONEY DOWN.
>> WHAT ARE THE OTHER ONES ON HERE JUST FOR MY EDUCATION THAT AREN'T COMPETITIVE IS THAT BOTHER THE ONLY ONE ON?
>> ON THIS LIST, THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE.
I'M TRYING TO THINK OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
WHEN MIGHT BE ANOTHER GOOD ONE?
>> THE QUARTER IS COMPETITIVE.
BOTH OF THOSE WERE APPLICATIONS WE SUBMITTED.
THIS ISN'T ON THIS LIST BECAUSE WE APPLIED FOR IT LAST YEAR.
BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE AN AGENCY, MAYBE DON'T QUALIFY FOR A GRANT FOR WHATEVER REASON, AN AGENCY WILL APPROACH US AND SAY, HEY, DO YOU WANT A PARTNER AND WE COULD PASS THROUGH FUNDS TO YOU.
CITY OF OAKLAND APPLIED FOR A NOA GRANT TO DO, WELL, I THINK IT'S A NUMBER OF THINGS, BUT THEY HAD APPROACHED US AND ASKED IF WE WANTED TO BE A PARTNER, AND SO WE PROPOSE THERE'S A CERTAIN AREA ALONG THE OAKLAND ESTUARY THAT NEEDED HAD SOME MARINE DEBRIS.
WE SAID, WE WOULD LOVE TO GET FUNDING FOR THIS CLEANUP AND THEY LOOPED US IN AND THEY GOT AWARDED AND WE'LL PASS THROUGH.
IS NOT TECHNICALLY A GRANT WE'RE NOT KNOW THE GRANTEE APPLICATION, BUT YOU WOULD SEE THAT ON THIS LIST BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING WE'RE MANAGING AND TRACKING AND WOULD SHOW UP IN OUR PROJECT BUDGET BOOK.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO.
>> DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, WHEN THERE WAS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY, FEDERAL MONEY, AND CLIMATE FEDERAL MONEY.
I USED TO ALWAYS ASK YOU THE QUESTION, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES BOTH IN HOUSE AND THROUGH CONSULTATION TO BE AGGRESSIVELY GOING AFTER ALL THE MONEY THAT IS OUT THERE AND THAT WE'RE ELIGIBLE FOR, I DON'T FEEL THAT COMPULSION TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT IN THESE TIMES,
[00:35:05]
STATE AND OTHERWISE, BUT I WILL ANYWAY.I ASSUME THAT WE'RE WELL STAFFED AND WE HAVE THE CONSULTING RESOURCES WE NEED TO APPLY FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR.
>>YES. EVERY YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, I REQUEST FUNDS TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS WE HIRE CONSULTANTS OR GRANT WRITERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO DO THE BULK OF OUR GRANT WRITING.
THAT CAN BE ITS OWN FULL TIME JOB, AND SOME OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE JUST VERY TECHNICAL.
THAT SUPPORT DEFINITELY GOES A LONG WAY BECAUSE ME AND MY TEAM A LOT OF OUR WORK IS JUST MANAGING WHAT WE HAVE AND MAKE SURE WE'RE IN GRANT COMPLIANCE AND WHATNOT.
BUT THE OTHER BIG SUPPORT THAT WE GOT FROM THE BOARD WAS, I THINK IS BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, HAD APPROVED A CONTRACT WITH A FIRM TO REALLY HELP US MANAGE OUR STORM DAMAGE RESPONSE.
FOR EVEN GOING BACK TO 2017 AND 2023 AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING ALL THE THINGS WE NEED FOR FIMA AND BOTH IN REPORTING, BUT ALSO JUST ANTICIPATING SOMEDAY THERE WILL BE ANOTHER STORM, [LAUGHTER] WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE JUST BETTER PREPARED AND THAT FIRM WILL HELP US MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO GET AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE AGENCY.
>> ANSWER A QUESTION MIGHT BE FOR ERIC AND THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ADMINISTRATION THAT WE USED TO REFER TO AS TIGER OR BUILD OR WHATEVER IT WAS.
IS THAT PROGRAM STILL IN EXISTENCE OR IS IT GONE? WE USED TO REGULARLY APPLY FOR THAT FUNDING AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT FOR A YEAR OR TWO, AND I'M ASSUMING IT'S JUST GONE.
>> ERIC FULLER, DIVISION LEAD GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
THE PROGRAM IS STILL TECHNICALLY ON THE BOOKS.
IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY FUNDING IN IT, AND IT'S BACK TO BEING BILLED, I BELIEVE.
THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ACT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR REAUTHORIZATION.
THERE HAD BEEN SOME HEARINGS ON IT PRIOR TO THE SHUTDOWN, AND WE EXPECT THERE TO BE ADDITIONAL HEARINGS NEXT YEAR.
AS PART OF THAT PROCESS, THEY'LL DECIDE WHETHER TO REAUTHORIZE THE BUILD PROGRAM AND THEN IT WILL HAVE TO GET FUNDED THROUGH THE APPROPRIATION PROCESS.
IT STILL EXISTS, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY A VIABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO APPLY TO IT.
>> THAT'S WHAT I ASSUMED. THANK YOU. CURIOUS.
>> I HAVE A TWO PART UPDATE TODAY.
ONE WAS THIRD STANDARD GRANTS SUPPLY GRANTS AWARDED, AND THEN THE SECOND PART WAS A PART 4 PROJECT.
>> KATIE, I ALWAYS WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE, MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
>> THANKS. YOU PIQUED MY INTEREST ON THE WAGGA GRANTS.
I NOTICE THE TWO UP THERE ARE FOR 25 TO 27 THAT WERE APPLIED FOR IN APRIL.
NOW WE PROBABLY FOR 600,000 MORE IN SEPTEMBER.
I THOUGHT THESE WERE AUTOMATIC THINGS.
THIS IS A BIG DEAL, AND NOW WE'VE GOT A THIRD MUSCLE THAT'S GROWING, AND IT'S IN THE NEWS.
IT'S A BIG DEAL. EVERYBODY'S FRIGHTENED TO DEATH.
WHY WOULD THEY HOLD BACK FUNDS FROM AN ORGANIZATION LIKE US WHO ARE RIGHT HERE DOING THE RIGHT THING, HIRING STAFF AND REALLY DOING THE INSPECTIONS WE WANTED TO DO? THERE'S NEVER ANY RESISTANCE, IS THERE?
>> NO. THE CALIFORNIA DIVISION BOATING AND WATERWAYS, IT'S A TWO YEAR GRANT PROGRAM, SO YOU DON'T GET TO PICK THE PERIOD OF TIME.
WE TYPICALLY ARE APPLYING EVERY OTHER YEAR.
WE APPLIED IN THE SPRING BECAUSE OUR CURRENT GRANT WAS GOING TO BE EXPIRING IN OCTOBER, SO WE WANTED TO HAVE THAT LINED UP.
WE WEREN'T SELECTED FOR FUNDING THIS ROUND.
WE TYPICALLY GET SOMETHING, THIS ROUND WE DID NOT, I THINK MAYBE IT WASN'T ON HERE.
YOU'LL SEE IT IN THE NEXT UPDATE, BUT WE APPLIED FOR ANOTHER GRANT FOR QUARTER FUNDING THROUGH US FISH AND WILDLIFE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET AWARDED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
I THINK IT PARTLY GOES BACK TO COMPETITIVE POTS OF FUNDING.
[00:40:02]
I ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT THE ULTIMA LANDFILL OPEN SPACE FUND, AND HAVE LOTS OF MONEY.DO WE EVER APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM THEM? I DON'T RECALL IN THE PAST, THERE'S PILES OF MONEY AND THAT IT'S AVAILABLE.
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO FOLLOW UP. IT SOUNDS VERY FAMILIAR.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING I REMEMBER APPLYING FOR IN MY TIME HERE, BUT LET ME DO SOMETHING THAT IS ULTIMA. WHAT WAS IT AGAIN?
>> ULTIMA LANDFILL OPEN SPACE.
I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU, DENNIS.
I WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE WERE WITH PART 4 PROJECT PRIORITIZATION.
WHICH IS GREAT TIMING BECAUSE WE'RE OBVIOUSLY IN THE BUDGET SEASON AND PROJECT PRIORITY IS A BIG CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE HAVING.
JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS TO NOTE ON THIS LIST.
THIS IS ONE IT'S NOT LISTED BY PRIORITY LEVEL, AND IT'S A LIVING LIST.
AS PROJECTS MOVE ALONG IN THEIR PROCESS, THEY'LL GET ADDED ON HERE OR IF A PROJECT IS STALLED OUT OR WE'RE JUST NOT GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT FROM AGENCIES TO APPROVE, MAYBE WE REMOVE IT FROM THE LIST.
THIS IS NOT LIKE A SET IN STONE LIST HERE.
IF YOU'RE THINKING LIKE, HOW COME, SOMETHING IS NOT ON HERE.
A GREAT EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE NORTH BASIN PROJECT OUT AT E SHORE.
IT'S IN EARLY PLANNING RIGHT NOW.
ONCE WE GET FURTHER ALONG AND THE BOARD HAS APPROVED A CONCEPT, WE WOULD THEN START REACHING OUT TO OUR AGENCIES TO FIGURE OUT. YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT'LL PROBABLY BE A GREAT PROJECT FOR PROP 4 FUNDING.
IT'S JUST NOT QUITE READY ENOUGH TO BE ON THIS LIST.
THESE ARE THE PROJECTS THAT ARE THE MOST READY TO GO.
YOU'VE PROBABLY HAVE HEARD THIS IN PREVIOUS BOARD MEETINGS.
THEY'RE FURTHER ALONG IN DESIGN OR PERMITTING.
WE COULD GO OUT TO BID IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.
THOSE ARE BIG INDICATORS FOR OUR GRANT AGENCIES IN THEM CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT TO AWARD A PROJECT, IS HOW READY IS THIS? CAN YOU SPEND THE MONEY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.
THEY DON'T LIKE TO AWARD PROJECTS AND THEN JUST SEE THEIR FUNDS SIT THERE FOR YEARS.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO THEN GO BACK TO THEM AND SAY, HEY, WE WOULD LIKE MORE MONEY FOR A DIFFERENT PROJECT BECAUSE WHAT THEIR RESPONSE HAS BEEN IS, PLEASE SPEND THE MONEY THAT WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN YOU.
WE'RE STRATEGIC AND WHAT WE PUT FORWARD TO THEM AND WE DON'T WANT TO GO TOO SOON, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TRUE TO OUR WORDS.
WHEN I SAY EARLIER, WE HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS, PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE'RE GOOD ABOUT SPENDING THE MONEY IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I LIKE TO SAY WE GET PAID FOR THE PROJECTS WE COMPLETE, NOT THE GRANTS WERE AWARDED.
IT'S SUPER FUN TO GET MONEY, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER IF WE DON'T FINISH OUR PROJECTS.
I CAN JUST SCROLL THROUGH A COUPLE OF THESE HIGHLIGHT SOME.
THE SOUTH OF BAILEY AND THE FORMER RODDY RANCH, I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE'RE GOING AFTER LWCF FUNDS.
THAT'S NOT PROP 4, BUT WE CONSIDER THAT AS PART OF WHAT OUR FUNDING STRATEGY IS.
THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES I'VE NOTED, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT COULD HIT DIFFERENT NEEDS.
PROJECT LIKE FORMER RODDY RANCH IS GREAT BECAUSE THERE'S BOTH PUBLIC ACCESS AND RESTORATION, AND THERE'S A SIZABLE DOLLAR AMOUNT IN EACH AREA.
WE COULD APPROACH ONE AGENCY TO FUND RESTORATION AND MAYBE ANOTHER AGENCY FUNDS MORE PUBLIC ACCESS.
WCB HAS ALREADY FUNDED THE FORMER RODDY RANCH PROJECT.
LAST YEAR, WE GOT A LITTLE OVER A $2 MILLION GRANT FOR THAT AND THEY'RE JUST SPECIFICALLY FOR RESTORATION.
WE'VE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THEM AND COASTAL CONSERVANCY AND OTHER GRANT AGENCIES, PROPOSING GOING OVER THIS LIST WITH THEM, TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE PROJECT IS, WHAT THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE, WHAT BUCKETS OF FUNDING THEY HAVE UNDER PROP 4 THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT.
THEM GIVING US FEEDBACK ON WHAT THEY'RE MOST INTERESTED IN OR YES, PLEASE DO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION OR WHY DON'T YOU WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR, WE WANT TO SEE IT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER ALONG THAT THING.
LET ME SEE WHAT I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO APPLY FOR ANY PROGRAM THAT POPS UP THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE GOING TO HIT THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
A LOT OF TIMES IT'S NOT JUST IT NEEDS TO BE IN A CERTAIN AREA, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE HITTING A CERTAIN HABITAT OR MAYBE THERE'S A CERTAIN PUBLIC ACCESS COMPONENT.
WHATEVER IS GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE AND COMPETITIVE, WE'LL PUT IN AN APPLICATION FOR REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH DISTRICT FUNDS HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATED.
AN DISTRICT FUNDS WE DON'T USE, WHETHER THAT'S GENERAL OR WW, FF,
[00:45:01]
ANYTHING WE DON'T USE, JUST GOES BACK INTO THE POT.WE WON'T STOP APPLYING FOR PROJECTS JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE WW MONEY IN THERE.
AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, ANY DISTRICT FUNDS THAT ARE USED, WE PUT BACK.
WE REALLY TRY TO GET AS MUCH GRANT FUNDING OR OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY AS WE LIKE TO SAY AS POSSIBLE, UNTIL THE LAST SECOND IF WE CAN.
I THINK MAYBE I'LL PAUSE HERE AND JUST SEE IF THERE'S ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS YOU HAD ON THE PROP 4 PROJECT PRIORITIZATION.
HAVING SEEN THIS LIST AND OTHER CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON WITH FUNDING.
>> PROP 4 IS SPECIFICALLY A CLIMATE RESILIENCE POT OF MONEY.
I'M JUST A LITTLE CONFUSED ON THE TITLE OF THE ATTACHMENT V, PLACE OF PROP 4.
SOUNDS LIKE O PROJECTS, AND THEN THE FINAL COLUMN OF POTENTIAL GRANT FUNDERS.
IS THAT PARTNERING FOR THAT MONEY, IS THAT MATCHING FOR THAT MONEY? IS THAT IN ADDITIONAL TO PROP 4 MONEY?
>> THESE AGENCIES, IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
WE DON'T HAVE OUR OWN LITTLE PROP 4 LIST OF PROJECTS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO JUST BE FOCUSED ON OUR PROP 4 THING.
WE WANT TO SEE ALL WHAT ARE ALL THE FUNDING OPTIONS FOR A PROJECT.
SOME OF THESE AGENCIES, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE BOTH PROP 4 AND PROP 68 AND THEIR OWN GENERAL FUND AND SOMETHING ELSE.
THESE ARE OUR PROJECT PRIORITIES.
BECAUSE THEY'LL SAY, WELL, THAT'S NOT REALLY PROP 4, BUT WE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM THAT FULL LIST.
THIS IS LIKE A PROP 4/GENERAL PARK DISTRICT PROJECT PRIORITIES.
THEY'RE NOT A LIMIT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW JUST WHAT OUR FULL SCOPE IS BECAUSE YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE.
THEY OFTEN WILL GIVE INSIGHT AND SAY, YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY TALK TO THIS AGENCY, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO FUND THAT COMPONENT.
>> THERE'S ANOTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION, I THINK, I DON'T KNOW IF I ANSWERED IT.
>> THAT MAKE SENSE. I GUESS I'D BE CURIOUS WHICH ONES REALLY ARE HIGH PRIORITY, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THE CPP CRITERIA AND SCORING CARD AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME YESTERDAY TALKING ABOUT WW MONEY AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONES ARE MOST READY, WHICH ONES, IN THIS CASE, AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST.
I'M PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE WE REALLY ARE CLIMATE RESILIENCE.
SOME OF THESE DO HAVE MORE OF A PROP 4 OR CAN BE OR PIECED OFF OR PARCEL.
THINGS LIKE DYING TREES ARE RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE, THE WATER QUALITY, AND THAT BOTH OF THOSE HAVE VARIES PROJECT COSTS AND FUNDING GAP PREPARING FOR TRUE CLIMATE RESILIENT SHOVEL READY PROJECTS THAT TRULY ARE A PROP 4 LIST IS JUST OF AN INTEREST.
I'M NOT SURE I'M ASKING A QUESTION OR RAMBLING AT THIS MOMENT.
BUT I THINK THAT YOU HEAR WHAT I'M SAYING OR MY CONCERN.
>> PROP 4 HAS VERY SPECIFIC LINE ITEMS.
>> WITH SPECIFIC STATE AGENCIES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUCKETS OF MONEY.
I THINK YOU'RE ALIGNING THESE PROJECTS WITH THOSE BUCKETS AND THEY'RE ALL RESILIENCE RELATED, BUT I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABILITY ON WHO THE AGENCY IS THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT BUCKET OF MONEY.
>> I CAN LOOK AT THAT LAST COLUMN TO AS OTHER BUCKETS OR.
>> WELL, THEY'RE ALL VERY LINE ITEMS THAT ARE GOING TOWARDS FIRE MITIGATION OR SEA LEVEL RISE.
>> THERE'S CATEGORIES THAT ARE FOCUSED ON SHORELINE ACCESS, FOR INSTANCE.
>>WITH THE NEED FOR LEVIES AND LIFTING THEM UP AND ALL OF THAT FOR PREPARING IN THE FUTURE.
>> WHEN PROP 4 WAS PASSED AND WE STARTED SETTING UP MEETINGS WITH AGENCIES.
THE FEEDBACK WAS WE WANT TO SEE WHAT THE DISTRICT'S PROJECT PRIORITIES ARE, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN THE CONTEXT OF PROP 4, BUT WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON AND WHAT'S IN THE PIPELINE AND WHAT'S READY.
THAT'S REALLY HOW THIS IS PRESENTED.
I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE PROJECTS ON THIS LIST ARE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROP 4.
THERE'S MAYBE ONE, THAT YOU'D PROBABLY HAVE TO MAKE A STRONG ARGUMENT ONE OR TWO, THAT THEY MIGHT LIKE SQUINT THEIR EYES AT.
BUT WHAT WE NEED FUNDING FOR THAT'S READY.
[00:50:04]
LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A LIVING LIST.IF I WERE TO COME BACK TO YOU IN A YEAR, SEVERAL OF THESE PROJECTS WILL PROBABLY BE UNDERWAY, SO WE'LL MOVE ON OTHER PROJECTS THAT HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS THAT WE WANT TO GO GET MONEY FOR.
>> I CAN'T HELP BUT ASK ABOUT ONE BECAUSE WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME YESTERDAY AND IN OUR E MAILS, THE POINT ISABEL IS ON HERE.
IT'S A LEVY LIKE THING TO ME. IT'S A RESILIENCE.
IT GOT POT HOLES AND COLLECTING WATER OUT THERE.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROP 4 MONEY AND PARTNERS.
HOW DO WE DECIDE? WE'VE GOT THESE DIFFERENT POTS OF MONEY.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO THROW IT IN THE BUDGET AND ACQUISITION MONEY VERSUS HOW HIGH OF A PRIORITY IS THAT TO WAIT FOR PROP 4 MONEY VERSUS THROW IT IN OUR BUDGET AS MOVING ACQUISITION MONEY WHEN THERE'S MAYBE SOME STAKEHOLDERS WHO AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
I GUESS IT'S NOT A QUESTION FOR YOU, OR MAYBE HOW ARE YOU COORDINATING WITH THE WW ACQUISITION TRANSFERS WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THESE AND BALANCING THOSE WITH THE TIMELINE.
>> WE'RE VERY MUCH IN COORDINATION.
I REPORT TO K DIGNAN, WHO'S OUR ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER, AND I KNOW SHE'S PRESENT TO YOU ON THIS.
BUT FOR POINT ISABEL, THE FUNDING GAP IS THREE MILLION.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO FUND.
THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED IS FROM AN LWCF GRANT, AND SO WE HAVE TO FIND A 50% MATCH THAT'S NON FEDERAL.
I THINK THAT GRANT WAS 5.4 MILLION, AND SO WE NEED TO FIND 5.4 MILLION IN NON FEDERAL.
THAT'S A DRIVER AND WHETHER THAT'S COASTAL CONSERVANCY.
MAYBE IT'S WW. COASTAL CONSERVANCY HAS INVITED US TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THIS PROJECT.
WE'LL REQUEST THE FUNDING GAP, AND THEY MAY SAY, WELL, WE CAN GIVE YOU TWO, IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO FUND THIS.
WHEN THE PROJECT MANAGER SAYS, KATIE, WE'RE READY TO GO OUT TO BID, AND DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, ANSWER YES OR NO AND THEY'LL GO OUT TO BID.
IF THE BOARD WERE TO APPROVE, YES, WE'LL GO AND MOVE THAT WW ACQUISITION FUNDS INTO THIS PROJECT.
THAT TO ME, I'M STILL GOING TO GO LOOK FOR MONEY.
IT'S GOOD THAT THAT'S IN THERE BECAUSE AT LEAST WE CAN SAY, HEY, WE POTENTIALLY HAVE THE MATCH.
WE COULD POTENTIALLY GO OUT TO BID IF WE NEED TO.
BUT IT DOESN'T PREVENT OR STALL ME OUT FROM GOING AFTER FUNDS.
>> I JUST WANT TO VOICE GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THIS EXERCISE THAT YOU WENT THROUGH HERE.
BECAUSE EVER SINCE PROP 4 WAS PASSED, WE'VE BEEN ASKING ERIC TO WHAT'S IN THIS FOR US? WHAT POT POSSIBLY EXISTS THAT WE CAN GO AFTER? WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE IS TRANSLATING THAT.
WE'VE HAD THE MEMORANDUMS AND THE BREAKDOWNS ON WHAT POTS NOW EXIST UNDER PROP 4, BUT THIS ALLOWS US TO TRANSLATE THAT INTO VERY REAL PROJECTS.
I JUST WANTED TO VOICE APPRECIATION FOR THAT.
IT'S HUGELY HELPFUL TO ME TO NOW BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT PROP 4 CAN DO FOR US.
ASSUMING THAT SOME OF THESE COME THROUGH.
JUST ONE THOUGHT, RENOVATE AMPHITHEATER AT BIG BREAK.
MAYBE THERE'S DELTA CONSERVANCY MONEY.
FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, THEY'RE PRETTY BOOKED IN TERMS OF THEIR INITIAL PROP 4 ALLOCATION RIGHT NOW, BUT IN FUTURE TIME, THERE MAY BE DELTA CONSERVANCY MONEY.
>> YEAH. WE'VE HAD SOME GRANTS FROM THEM IN THE PAST, A GREAT AGENCY TO PARTNER WITH.
>> NOTHING ELSE? WELL, I GUESS MY ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE THIS MEASURE PASSED IN 2024? AS LAST YEAR.
IT SAYS THE MONEY WILL BE ALLOCATED 10 BILLION THROUGHOUT A NUMBER OF YEARS THEY SAY.
ANYBODY MIGHT BE ERIC'S ANSWER.
IS SOME GOING TO BE DIVVIED OUT THIS YEAR OR IS THE BUDGET CRISIS IN CALIFORNIA GOING TO STOP THAT? OR HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING?
>> NOT SURE WHO WANTS TO ANSWER THIS SIR.
>> I HAVE THE MONEY. I WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU.
I'M SURE THE POLITICIANS THAT NEED MONEY WANT TO PULL IT OUT OF THERE, HOLD IT BACK.
>> THEY HAVE ALLOCATED BUDGET TO THESE AGENCIES LIKE THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY HAS RECEIVED 300 MILLION OR SOME AMOUNT THAT THEY WILL THEN DEVELOP GRANT GUIDELINES FOR HOW WE WOULD APPLY FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE FUNDS.
[00:55:06]
IT IS A YEAR BY YEAR WHERE THE BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR, SIGNS OFF AND THERE'S AN ALLOCATION TO THE STATE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS. IT'S THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THOSE GUIDELINES AND THEN THEY'LL AND WE GET.>> THERE'S A LEG OF A COUPLE OF YEARS, PROBABLY?
I DON'T THINK IT'LL BE A COUPLE OF YEARS.
>> WE ANTICIPATE THERE IS FUNDING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AT THE STATE LEVEL FROM PROP 4.
IN FACT, WE WERE PART OF THE COALITION THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN DOUBLING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY RECEIVES.
BUT IT WAS I BELIEVE 68 MILLION FOR THIS NEXT YEAR AND THAT'S JUST FOR ONE SPECIFIC PROGRAM.
OVERALL, I BELIEVE THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY IS SUPPOSED TO GET SOMETHING LIKE 100 MILLION FOR SHORELINE RESILIENCY.
THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS IN FUTURE STATE BUDGETS, AND THOSE FUNDS GO DIRECTLY INTO THE GRANT PROGRAM, WE WILL BE APPLYING TO.
>> AM I CORRECT IN GUESSING THAT CALFIRE AND CAL OES PROBABLY GOT A BIG LION SHARE FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION?
>> CALFIRE ACTUALLY RECEIVED A ADVANCE ALLOCATION AND THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY FOR FIRE RESILIENCE RECEIVED AN ADVANCE ALLOCATION EVEN BEFORE THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED.
THEN THEY GOT ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU. ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> KATIE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PRESENTATION.
>> OUR NEXT ITEM IS THE STATE LEGISLATION YEAR END REVIEW.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LISA BALDER LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY MANAGEMENT ANALYST, AND I'LL BE CO PRESENTING WITH ERIC ON THIS NEXT ITEM.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH SOME WONDERFUL NEWS.
THE PARK DISTRICT DID SPONSOR TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION THIS YEAR, AND I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS.
I WORK WITH JASON ROSENBERG, OUR ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK JENNIFER GAL HOUSE FROM OUR CONSULTANT TEAM WHO'S ON THE PHONE TODAY TO HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST BILL, THE PARK DISTRICT SPONSORED IS OUR AB 769.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC RESOURCES MODERNIZATION LEGISLATION.
BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, THE PARK DISTRICT OPERATES UNDER THE SECTION OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE.
IT GUIDES OUR WORK AT THE STATE LEVEL.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED WHEN WE WERE ESTABLISHED AND IT HADN'T COMPREHENSIVELY BEEN LOOKED AT SINCE THEN.
LOTS OF EDITS AND CHANGES HAD GONE IN MANY FROM OUR PREDECESSORS, AND THERE WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN AND MAKE SOME AMENDMENTS BASED OFF OF THINGS THAT WE NO LONGER NEEDED THAT PARK DISTRICT WAS REFLECTED WITHIN THE CODE SECTION OR THAT WE FELT COULD HELP TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESSES.
ONE OF THE MORE NOTABLE ONES, THAT WAS A CHANGE WAS AN INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATIVE LIMIT TO 150,000 FOR EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND MATERIALS.
THAT CHANGE WAS MADE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
WE'LL BE BRINGING THAT CHANGE BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE NOVEMBER 13TH BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE NOVEMBER 18TH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING BECAUSE IT DOES NEED TO BE REFLECTED IN THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES, SHOULD WE CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ACCEPTING THAT AT A LOCAL LEVEL.
THAT'S AN EXCITING CHANGE THAT THE STATE HAS GIVEN US OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD MOMENTUM WITH TO MOVE PROJECTS AND SERVICE DELIVERY FORWARD.
>> LISA. COULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT? I DIDN'T GET 150 MILLION OR $150,000 LIMIT FOR.
>> THE PURCHASING OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND MATERIALS.
OUR ADMINISTRATIVE LIMIT FOR LABOR AS GUIDED BY THE STATE CONTINUES TO BE $50,000.
BUT THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO BUY A PRINTER THAT'S OVER 50,000 OR ANY LARGER GOOD.
I'VE HAD COLLEAGUES JOKE THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BUY A CXT FOR THAT AMOUNT.
>> THAT'S TRUE. THAT MEANS THE LIMIT IS NOW 150 FOR WHERE YOU DON'T NEED BOARD APPROVAL.
>> THAT MEANS THAT THE BOARD HAS THE DECISION TO MAKE COMING UP.
AT THE NOVEMBER 13TH MEETING AND THE 18TH MEETING, WE'RE SEEKING A RECOMMENDATION FROM YOU ALL TO MAKE THAT POLICY DECISION TO ALIGN WITH THE NOW STATE POLICY.
>> I WASN'T SURE IF THAT'S A QUESTION. [OVERLAPPING] GIVE IT. LET'S GO.
>> THE DIRECT BENEFIT OF THIS TO US IS THAT IT LESSENS THE BURDEN OF OUR CONSENT CALENDAR.
[01:00:03]
WE WON'T BE GETTING AS MANY.WE'RE GOING TO BUY THREE TRUCKS FOR $75,000.
THIS ALLOWS THE GENERAL MANAGER THE BREADTH OF ADMINISTRATION TO JUST MAKE THOSE PURCHASES.
HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. OUR SECOND PARK DISTRICT SPONSORED LEGISLATION IS SB 392.
THIS IS THE EAST BAY HILLS CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
THIS BILL IS RECOGNITION BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THAT WE AS AN AGENCY DO IN PROTECTING THIS LANDSCAPE.
IT RECOGNIZES THE EAST BAY HILLS AS THE PARKS OPERATED AND MANAGED BY EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT ALONG THE RIDGE LINE AS WELL AS THOSE ADJACENT, SUCH AS LAKE TEMESCAL AND SBRONT RIDGE.
THE LEGISLATION ALSO RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE HISTORICAL EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED IN THE HILLS, SUCH AS THE IDENTIFICATION OF RAINBOW TROUT.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE PARK DISTRICT IS BECAUSE IT'S NOW A STATE RECOGNIZED PROGRAM AND CONSERVATION PRIORITY.
WHEN FUTURE BOND MEASURES MOVE FORWARD OR CONVERSATIONS AROUND DIRECT FUNDING FROM THE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION FUND OCCUR.
WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING TO GO TOWARDS THE INTENT OF THIS PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE WORK BROADLY THAT WE CONDUCT WITHIN THE EAST BAY HILL REGION, INCLUDING WILDFIRE MITIGATION, STEWARDSHIP, CONSERVATION, AND EQUITABLE PUBLIC ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE.
IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS ON OUR SECOND SPONSORED BILL, I'M GOING TO PASS IT OVER TO ERIC TO SPEAK TO SOME OTHER BILLS THIS COMMITTEE SUPPORTED.
>> THANK YOU. ERIC FULLER, DIVISION LEAD GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.
THE FIRST BILL IS A PROGRAM THAT THE STATE FUNDS THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND AND IT'S ADMINISTERED BY STATE PARKS.
WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO IS EXTEND THE $30 MILLION A YEAR ALLOCATION TO THE HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND UP THROUGH 2035.
THE PARK DISTRICT HAS RECEIVED A FAIR BIT OF FUNDING CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES IN EVERY YEAR.
WE'VE RECEIVED 21 GRANTS AND $4.3 MILLION TOTAL THROUGH ALLOCATIONS FROM THE HABITAT CONSERVATION FUND.
HAPPY TO SEE THIS LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW THIS YEAR.
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD ESTABLISH A TRAILS CONSERVANCY PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
IT SAYS HERE THAT DEPUTY SECRETARY OF ACCESS WOULD ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM, AND IT'S INTENDED TO PROVIDE DIRECT FUNDING FOR NON MOTORIZED TRAILS TO MORE OF THE NATURAL SURFACE TRAILS THAT THE PARK DISTRICT HAS.
THE PROGRAM DID ADVANCE, BUT IT DIDN'T ADVANCE ALL THE WAY TO THE GOVERNOR.
IT'S NOW A TWO YEAR BILL, AND I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IN THE LEGISLATION ITSELF, THERE IS NO FUNDING ALLOCATION, SO FUTURE BUDGETS WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE FUNDING.
I IMAGINE THAT'S INTENDED TO TRY TO GET THROUGH THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS THIS YEAR IN A LEANER BUDGET YEAR.
AB 1426, THE DIABLO RANGE CONSERVATION PROGRAM WOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED A STATEWIDE AREA OF SIGNIFICANCE FROM CARQUINEZ STRAIT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO KERN COUNTY.
THEN WITHIN THE LEGISLATION, IT CREATES A FUNDING PROGRAM WITHIN WCB TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE DIABLO RANGE.
IT WOULD INCLUDE ALSO A DONATION ACCOUNT, SO PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING OR LAND TRUST FUNDING COULD GO INTO THE ACCOUNT.
LEGISLATION WAS HELD ON SUSPENSE BECAUSE OF THE FISCAL COST.
HOWEVER, ASSEMBLY MEMBER REBECCA BAUER-KAHAN HAS INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION, ESSENTIALLY RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RANGE AND IT'S A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, SO NOT A BINDING PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
WE EXPECT THAT TO BE BASICALLY PASSED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT AND WORK WITH SAVE MOUNT DIABLO AND SEEING WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS.
EXISTING TRAILS FOR NATURE ACCESS.
THIS IS BUILDING UPON LEGISLATION THAT THE PARK DISTRICT SPONSORED LAST YEAR, THAT IF THERE'S PRE EXISTING RANCH ROAD OR FIRE ROAD IN A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT THE PARK AGENCY, AND THIS LITERALLY WAS ONLY ORIGINALLY FOR THE FOUR PARK AGENCIES CREATED UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE 5,500.
IF YOUR PARK AGENCY PURCHASE THAT ROAD, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH CEQA TO USE THAT RANCH ROAD OR FIRE ROAD AS A TRAIL.
[01:05:03]
THIS LEGISLATION WAS SPONSORED BY SONOMA COUNTY PARKS.THEY WANTED THAT SIMILAR AUTHORITY, AND SO THIS WAS PASSED AND ADDED SONOMA COUNTY PARKS ESSENTIALLY TO THE LIST OF AGENCIES THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THE CEQA EXEMPTION.
>> AB 454 CALIFORNIA MIGRATORY BIRD ACT.
THIS WILL, BECAUSE IT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW, OFFER SOME LEVEL OF PROTECTION IF THERE IS A FEDERAL IMPACT ON THE MIGRATORY BIRD ACT.
THIS CODIFIES ALL DESIGNATIONS THAT WERE MADE UNDER THE FEDERAL PROGRAM PRIOR TO JANUARY 1ST AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND SO WE SUPPORTED THIS LEGISLATION AND IT IS NOW SIGNED INTO LAW.
AB 900. THIS ACTUALLY WAS A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD IN TERMS OF STEWARDSHIP AND RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR ONGOING FUNDING FOR STEWARDSHIP AS PART OF 30 BY 30.
AS WE INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ACREAGE, THAT IS PROTECTED OPEN SPACE AND PROTECTED WATERWAYS, THERE WILL NEED TO BE FUNDING FOR ONGOING STEWARDSHIP.
THIS LEGISLATION RECOGNIZES THAT WITHIN THE 30 BY 30 REPORT, WE NEED TO BE CONSIDERING HOW STEWARDSHIP IS ADDRESSED AS THESE PROPERTIES COME ONLINE AND CONTINUE TO BUILD TOWARD A GOAL OF 30%.
AB 846 INVOLVES INCIDENTAL TAKES OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES WHEN CONDUCTING VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECTS.
IF YOU HAVE APPROVED PLAN, YOU TAKE YOUR PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE THEM WITHIN 90 DAYS TO RESPOND AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU WOULD GET AN INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMIT OR NOT.
THE LEGISLATION POTENTIALLY COULD BENEFIT THE PARK DISTRICT, BUT IT WAS PUT ON SUSPENSE IN THE SENATE AND IS NOW A TWO YEAR BILL.
THEN AB 616, CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY PARKS PROGRAM SIMPLY AUTHORIZES STATE PARKS TO PROVIDE PASSES TO THE CALIFORNIA LIBRARY FOR ACCESS TO STATE PARKS.
THE FUNDING IS DEPENDENT UPON APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE.
BUT IT WAS A BILL THAT WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE AND HELD ON SUSPENSE AND IS NOW A TWO YEAR BILL, BUT IT WOULD PROVIDE THE AUTHORITY FOR STATE PARKS TO ISSUE THOSE PASSES. PLEASE.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE US OVER THE LAST FEW BILLS. AB 259.
THIS AIMED TO EXTEND THE ALTERNATIVE TELECOMMUTING POLICY, WHICH IS WHEN A MEMBER OF A BODY HAS ADJUST CAUSE FOR NEED OF TELECOMMUTE UNTIL 2030.
THIS PASSED THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY, BUT WAS NOT HEARD IN THE SENATE AND WE ARE AT THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR BILL CYCLE.
AB 269 WAS EXPANDING THE DAM SAFETY AND LOCAL ASSISTANCE CLIMATE PROGRAM.
THIS BODY SUPPORTED IT TO EXPLORE WHAT COULD BE POSSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING AND ADDRESSING SOME OF THE DAMS WITHIN PARK DISTRICT LANDS.
IT WAS NOT HEARD AND IS NOW A TWO YEAR BILL.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRACK ALL BILLS THAT THE BODY SUPPORTED INTO 2026.
THIS WAS A REQUEST FOR AS NEW TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, THAT IT FEATURED A WILDLIFE PASSAGE ELEMENT PROACTIVELY IN THE PLANNING AND DESIGN.
IT WAS HELD IN THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS DUE TO INCURRED COSTS AND HAS BECOME A TWO YEAR BILL.
THE DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE.
ACR 36 RECOGNIZED THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS WEEK.
THIS IS ONE THAT WE SUPPORT ANNUALLY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
SB 55, CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A STATE PARK PASS FOR GOLD STAR FAMILIES, AND DUE TO ADDITIONAL COSTS WAS HELD IN SUSPENSE ON ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS.
SB 88. THIS WAS FOR THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD TO PUT TOGETHER A REPORT ON THE LIFE CYCLE EMISSIONS FROM DIFFERENT FOREST AND AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS PROJECTS.
THE GOVERNOR VETOED THIS BILL, AND HIS REASONING WAS HE FELT IT WAS DUPLICATIVE TO CURRENT REPORT AND DATA TRACKING.
IT'S BECOME A TWO YEAR BILL, AND IT EXTENDS THE BRAN ACT PROVISIONS TO SUBSIDIARY BODIES REQUIRING POSTED AGENDAS AT ALL LOCATIONS, VISIBLE ON CAMERA PARTICIPATION DURING THESE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
THESE TELECOMMUTE BILLS ARE ONES THAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE CONTINUE BEING A PART OF CONVERSATION.
[01:10:01]
SOME OF THEM GET FOLDED INTO EACH OTHER, SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN CODIFIED, BUT WE DO EXPECT IT TO BE A TREND GOING INTO 2026.THIS IS REFLECTIVE OF THE BILL ERIC SPOKE TO ON THE MIGRATORY BIRD ACT.
AGAIN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE CONTINUE TO NEXT YEAR WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AIMS TO CODIFY A PIECE OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION, THAT'S A THREAT, RISK, OR REMOVED.
THIS ONE HAS BECOME A TWO YEAR BILL, BUT IT'S SEEKING TO BRING ELEMENTS OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT TO THE STATE LEVEL.
THIS LEGISLATION WAS SIGNED INTO LAW.
IT WAS SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY OUR COLLEAGUES AT MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY, AND IT PROVIDES A DEFINITION TO ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY RECOGNIZES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT NATIVE SPECIES AND BIODIVERSITY PLAY WITHIN THE ECOSYSTEM.
THE INTENT BEHIND THIS BILL WAS THAT VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SHOULDN'T JUST MEAN REMOVING VEGETATION, BUT IT SHOULD ALSO RECOGNIZE THE BIO ECOSYSTEM IN WHICH THAT VEGETATION IS EXISTING AND TAKE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION TO WHAT IS REMOVED AND WHAT IS SUPPORTED WITHIN THE AREA IN TERMS OF FIRE TOLERANT VEGETATION.
SB 769 REQUIRES ALL STATE AGENCIES, PLANS AND POLICIES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOALS OF 30 BY 30.
IT WASN'T HEARD AND WILL CONTINUE INTO 2026, SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRACK THAT FOR YOU ALL.
SB 707, WAS A BILL SIGNED INTO LAW.
AGAIN, THIS IS WITHIN THAT BROWN ACT TELECOMMUTE AREA.
THIS BILL WILL REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE BODIES, LIKE OURS WHEN PROVIDING PUBLIC MEETINGS TO HAVE A TWO WAY PARTICIPATION VIRTUALLY, WHICH WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY.
THIS BILL ALSO HAS REQUIREMENTS AROUND LANGUAGE TRANSLATION FOR POPULATIONS, WHICH INCLUDE 20% OR MORE WHO SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH.
AT THIS TIME THE EPA DOES NOT HAVE A LANGUAGE WHICH MEETS THAT REQUIREMENT, BUT WE WILL BE LOOKING INTO WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT ARE NEEDED TO CREATE THAT EXPANDED ELEMENT IN OUR PROGRAM.
THEN AB 339 IS ANOTHER BILL THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW.
THIS BILL REQUIRES PUBLIC AGENCIES TO HAVE A 45 DAY WRITTEN NOTICE BEFORE PROPOSALS QUOTES CONTRACTS RELATED TO CONTRACT OF SERVICES COME FORWARD FOR LABOR REPRESENTING ORGANIZATIONS.
WITH THAT, THAT IS THE FULL SCOPE OF LEGISLATION THAT THIS BODY SUPPORTED.
I WANT TO THANK FLORE CANTO, WHO PUT THIS PRESENTATION TOGETHER, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS?
>> EXCUSE ME, THIS COMMITTEE HAS BEEN BUSY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE JENNIFER VALE HOUSE WHO WE PARTNER WITH ON OUR STATE SPONSORED LEGISLATION, AND SHE ALSO HELPS PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT ON THE BILLS THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUPPORTS ON.
>> SHE'S A PART OF OUR ADVOCATE TEAM.
>> GREAT. WELL, IF THERE'S NOTHING, THANK YOU.
GREAT PRESENTATION, AND WE SEEM TO HAVE SOME SUCCESS IN OUR EFFORTS.
I APPRECIATE IT FROM EVERYBODY.
>> HEARING NONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JENNIFER, DID YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHTS OR REFLECTIONS FROM THIS PAST YEAR ON OUR SPONSORED BILL OR OTHERS THAT YOU WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE COMMITTEE?
>> I LOOK AT THE SCREEN. PARDON ME, JENNIFER. I'M SORRY.
>> HI. I THINK THAT WE'RE DOING VERY WELL IN THE LEGISLATURE.
THE DISTRICT IS VERY WELL RECEIVED AND THOUGHT OF, AND WE HAVE A GREAT MEMBERSHIP IN BOTH HOUSES THAT REPRESENT YOUR JURISDICTION.
WE PROBABLY HAVE SOME THINGS WE'D STILL LIKE TO PURSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN UNABLE TO, AND I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT SHOT AT DOING THAT.
I THINK WE PROBABLY WANT TO BRING SOME LEGISLATIVE STAFF TO SOME FIELD TRIPS TO FURTHER ENGAGE THEM IN THE BEAUTY OF YOUR AREA.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY AT THE MOMENT, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> MY GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT HAS BEEN IN THE INABILITY TO GET THE AUTHORITY FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF OUR PACK TO ATTEND REMOTELY EASIER.
BECAUSE WE'RE ONE OF THESE JURISDICTIONS WHERE FOR THE FAR REACHES OF OUR TWO COUNTIES, IT'S A LONG TREK TO OAKLAND.
I THINK WE'VE BEEN TAKING A SHOT AT THAT LEGISLATION NOW FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, AND IT JUST KEEPS HITTING ROADBLOCKS.
IS THERE ANY POTENTIAL FOR THAT TO GET THROUGH IN ONE OF THESE TWO YEAR BILLS?
>> I THINK COVID CHANGED THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE VIEWS REMOTE PARTICIPATION QUITE A BIT,
[01:15:03]
AND THE STATE DEFINITELY LAGS IN TECHNOLOGY AS OPPOSED TO THE REAL WORLD.SOME OF THAT WILL HAVE TO COME TOGETHER, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A BIT OF A BATTLE.
>> WELL, I HOPE WE KEEP IT UP BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO, IF I HAVE A VACANCY AND WANT TO APPOINT SOMEONE FROM BRENTWOOD, THAT'S QUITE A TREK HERE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? NOTHING FROM PUBLIC? WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JENNIFER.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GREAT WORK.
>> YEAH. NICE TO SEE YOU ALL OF YOU[OVERLAPPING].
>> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON ANYTHING?
>> THANKS VERY MUCH. WE'LL MOVE NOW TO AN INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.
>> STANDING HERE. LISA ALINGER, LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY MANAGEMENT ANALYST.
BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THEN THE FULL BOARD IN MAY OF 2024.
IT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD AS AN EFFORT TO CENTRALIZE ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS IN THE EAST BAY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS TEAM.
WE SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME A PART OF THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION, AND SO DRIVING MORE BANDWIDTH AND SUPPORT THERE.
THE PROGRAM BEGAN HAVING MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AROUND OCTOBER OF 2024, AND WE'RE CONTINUING THROUGH DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
I DO WANT TO THANK LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT ELSA GRANVONE FOR ALL OF HER WORK ON THIS PROGRAM.
TO DATE, WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING WITH ALL OF OUR WATER DISTRICT PARTNERS.
WE HAVE MET WITH 75% OF OUR CITY PARTNERS AND 60% OF OUR COUNTY SUPERVISOR PARTNERS, NOT INCLUDING EVENTS AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS THAT WE'VE HOSTED WITH SOME OF THE ENTITIES THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A FORMAL SIT DOWN MEETING WITH.
[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, REALLY.
AS DISCUSSED WITH THIS BODY AND THE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE'RE SEEING A NUMBER OF THEMES AND TRENDS COME OUT OF THIS MEETING.
THEY RELATE BOTH TO THE DISTRICT PLAN AND HOW OUR COMMUNITIES WOULD LIKE TO SEE US CONTINUE SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF CITIES ARE THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE, AND AS WELL AS JUST OUR BROADER WORK AS AN AGENCY.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PUBLIC TRANSIT TO PARKS, SECURING FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIP, BALANCING ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION WITH PUBLIC ACCESS, AND LET'S SEE, ADVANCING WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARE ALL COMMON THEMES THAT WE'RE HEARING IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.
WE'LL BE CONTINUING TO HAVE THEM WITH THOSE REMAINING ENTITIES THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.
AT THAT POINT, AS COMMITTED TO WITHIN THE PILOT PROGRAM, OUR TEAM WILL BE BRINGING BACK A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW TO FORMALLY CODIFY THIS PROGRAM WITHIN OUR TEAM.
PREVIOUSLY, DIFFERENT TEAMS HAD ENGAGED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT YOU ALL IN DOING YOUR WORK AND TO SUPPORT THE AGENCY, WE'D REALLY LIKE TO HAVE SOME CLEAR VISION AND GOALS THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AT A LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL.
TODAY, FOR CONVERSATION WITH THIS BODY, WE WANTED TO BRING FORWARD JUST SOME PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AROUND LANGUAGE AND THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE ENGAGE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
IN OUR INITIAL PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD IN MAY OF 2024, WE TALKED ABOUT TRACKING AGENDAS, WHICH OUR PLANNING TEAM DOES.
WE TALKED ABOUT CONFERENCES FOR ENGAGING AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVING THESE MEETINGS CAN HOLD AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE HAD FORMAL AND INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ALL ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND THE DRAWBACKS OF SIMPLY THE MEETING FORMAT.
WE WANTED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND COMMUNITY MEETINGS, THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS LIAISON MEETINGS TODAY.
IN YOUR PACKET ON PAGES 46 AND 47, WE HAVE A HIGH LEVEL DRAFT DEFINITION AS WELL AS A MATRIX OF THOSE DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENGAGEMENT.
WE DO SEE BENEFIT IN ALL OF THESE FORMS. WE USE THESE TOOLS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE L LIAISON MEETING AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO REALLY HAVE A LOT OF PRODUCTIVE MOMENTUM ON THE PROGRAMS AND PRIORITIES OF THE AGENCY.
OUR HOPE IS TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM YOU ALL TODAY THAT WE CAN FOLD INTO OUR RECOMMENDATION AND OUR REPORT AND ULTIMATELY GUIDE RECOMMENDED DEFINITION TO BRING FORWARD WITHIN THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES THAT WOULD CODIFY THE WAYS AND THE PATHWAYS IN WHICH WE WORK, ENGAGE, AND SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS.
THAT WAY, AS WE'RE STANDING UP DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEETINGS,
[01:20:03]
DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVENTS, WE HAVE CLEAR DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE EXPECTATIONS.I'M HAPPY TO GO OVER BOTH, BUT I'LL GO OVER AT A HIGH LEVEL AND THEN WE CAN DIVE IN AS YOU ALL HAVE QUESTIONS.
OUR FIRST ONE AS LISTED IN THE DOCUMENT IS STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICE MEETINGS.
THIS IS WHAT WE'VE REALLY BEEN SUPPORTING THROUGH THIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM, OUR INFORMAL MEETINGS WITH THE MAYORS AND STAFF LEADERSHIP AT LOCAL AGENCIES.
BECAUSE OF THE INFORMAL NATURE OF THESE MEETINGS, A VARIETY OF TOPICS ARE ABLE TO COME UP, WHEREAS IN A BROWN AC SETTING, IT'S REALLY SPECIFIC AND GUIDED BY THE AGENDA.
THAT'S BEEN AN ASSET IN THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE DISTRICT PLAN BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO WEAVE THROUGH JUST ALL OF TOPICS AS WELL AS ANY PRIORITY ISSUES THAT OUR PARTNERS HAVE TO BRING BEFORE US.
WE DEFINITELY WANT TO BE MEETING WITH PARTNER AGENCIES REGULARLY AND NOT JUST WHEN THERE'S AN EMERGENCY OR A RUSH DECISION.
WE WANT TO HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT TRUST, AND WE'VE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND VISIBILITY OF THE PARK DISTRICT THROUGH THESE MEETINGS.
EVERY AGENCY THAT WE'VE MET WITH HAS COMMITTED AND MOVED FORWARD WITH PUTTING US IN THEIR NEWSLETTER, HIGHLIGHTING OUR EVENT AND PROGRAMS, AND JUST SHARING THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.
THEY HAVE ALSO SHARED INPUT AND GUIDANCE ON HOW WE CAN BEST ENGAGE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WHO ARE THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, THE MORE FORMAL INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS? WHAT ARE THE BIG EVENTS WITHIN THAT AREA THAT THE PARK DISTRICT CAN COME OUT TO AND ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY BROADLY? THAT'S BEEN A REALLY BIG ASSET OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND PARTICIPATING IN THEM.
THE SECOND ITEM ON THIS LIST IS A COMMUNITY MEETING.
AN EXAMPLE OF A COMMUNITY MEETING IS WE HAD ONE RECENTLY AT DOLAN CANYON.
WE ALSO SEE OUR WALK AND TALK PROGRAM IS FITTING INTO THIS DEFINITION, WHERE WE'RE MEETING AT A PARK DISTRICT SITE WITH AN ELECTED PARTNER.
WE'RE HAVING A GOOD TIME, BUT EVERYONE'S LEAVING KNOWING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT US.
THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT OUR PROJECTS, OUR PATHWAYS, GOING FORWARD THE DISTRICT PLAN.
THESE COMMUNITY MEETINGS ARE PUBLIC EVENTS WHERE THERE'S NOT A DECISION AT THE END, BUT RATHER A CONVERSATION THROUGHOUT THAT BRINGS VISIBILITY TO OUR PROGRAM.
IT ENHANCES RELATIONSHIPS, AND IT'S A REALLY GOOD TIME.
THEN OUR THIRD ITEM IS OUR LIAISON MEETINGS.
WE HAVE HAD TWO LIAISON MEETINGS SO FAR THIS YEAR AND WE'RE WORKING TO STAND UP A THIRD ONE.
A LIAISON MEETING IS MORE OF A FORMAL MEETING STRUCTURE BETWEEN THE PARK DISTRICT AND A SECONDARY ELECTED BODY.
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF A LIAISON MEETING IS IT'S GUIDING TOWARDS A JOINT DECISION OR POLICY ACTION WITHIN THAT MORE FORMAL SETTING.
OUR HOPE WITH THIS TRAPPER OF MEETING FORMATS IS THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR INFORMAL CONVERSATION, THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND VISIBILITY OF THE PARK DISTRICT'S WORK.
THERE'S A CLEAR AND DEDICATED PATHWAY FOR JOINT POLICY DECISION MAKING AND GUIDANCE ON ISSUES OF SHARED INTEREST.
WITH THAT, I WOULD VALUE HEARING THOUGHTS FROM THE COMMITTEE, AS I NOTED, THESE ARE ALL VERY DRAFT FORM, BUT THEY'RE DRAWN FROM THE INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD TO DATE.
>> ANY COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS? COMMITTEE MEMBERS?
>> YOU'RE DESCRIBING THE THEMES THAT WE'RE HEARING AT THESE MEETINGS ON A VERY HIGH LEVEL, YOU'RE GROUPING THEM TOGETHER INTO THESE CATEGORIES.
AN AREA WHERE I REMAIN A BIT CONFUSED IS TRANSLATING THIS INTO THE DISTRICT PLAN, BOTH HOW WE PURSUE THE DISTRICT PLAN AND WHAT THE DISTRICT PLAN ENDS UP INCLUDING WITHIN ITS SCOPE.
I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, WHEN I'M DOING TABLING ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT AT EVENTS, AND I TALK ABOUT THE DISTRICT PLAN, WHAT I GET BACK IS NOT THESE HIGH LEVEL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EQUITABLE ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY, AND SO I GET, WE NEED A TRAIL HERE [LAUGHTER] OR WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT SLOWING BICYCLES DOWN? IF I BRING UP THE DISTRICT PLAN, I TEND TO GET VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES THROWN BACK AT ME DEPENDING ON WHO I'M TALKING TO.
SOME OF THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE MEET WITH THESE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS, THE MAYORS, OR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR, WHOEVER WE'RE MEETING WITH.
WE ALSO GET VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES THROWN BACK AT US.
WHAT ARE YOUR LONG TERM PLANS FOR THE MARTINA SHORELINE?
[01:25:03]
OR WE WOULD REALLY LIKE THAT TRAIL THROUGH THE ALHAMBRA HIGHLANDS.HOW THEN DO WE TRANSLATE THAT INTO THE SCOPE OF THE DISTRICT PLAN? OR ARE THERE OTHER VEHICLES FOR TRYING TO ADDRESS WHAT WE HEAR AT THESE LIAISON MEETINGS? TO ME, THIS REMAINS A BIG PICTURE ISSUE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN OUR OUTREACH ON THE DISTRICT PLAN AND WHAT ITS SCOPE IS.
I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING IT FOR A YEAR OR SO AND I'M STILL CONFUSED.
IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE CAPTURING INFORMATION FROM THESE MEETINGS, THE DISTRICT PLAN IS THE CATALYST FOR CONVERSATION AND WE ARE GATHERING THEMES AND SHARED ISSUE FOCUS AREAS.
HOWEVER, WE'RE NOT WAITING ON THE DISTRICT PLAN TO GIVE DIRECTION ON THOSE LOCAL ISSUES AND PROJECTS SINCE OUT OF EVERY MEETING, THERE'S A SERIES OF FOLLOW UP ITEMS. OUR TEAM IS TAKING HIGHLY DETAILED NOTES IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.
WE THEN PUT THOSE NOTES TOGETHER.
THE BOARD HAS RECEIVED TWO MEMOS SO FAR THAT HAVE THE HIGH LEVEL THEMES FROM THE DISTRICT PLAN OUTCOMES OF THE CONVERSATION, AS WELL AS DETAILED NOTES FROM EACH MEETING ON THOSE REALLY SPECIFIC TRAIL PARK AT VARYING TOPICS.
THEN AS THOSE DIFFERENT PROJECTS COME UP, AT A STAFF LEVEL, WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE LETTERS OF SUPPORT, ENGAGE ON PLANNING DOCUMENTS, SHARE BEST PRACTICES, AND FOLLOW UP SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SPECIFIC TOPICS THAT COME UP IN THOSE MEETINGS.
THE DISTRICT PLAN IS WHERE WE'RE DRIVING THOSE THEMES THAT WE'RE FINDING.
HOWEVER, FOR THE PROJECTS AT THE CAPITAL LEVEL AND THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL, WE'RE CONTINUING TO MOVE THOSE ITEMS FORWARD AT A STAFF LEVEL, AS AN OUTCOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS.
>> MY CONCERN IS THAT WE'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT INTENDING TO CAPTURE ALL THESE THINGS IN THE DISTRICT PLAN, ALL THESE THINGS BEING NEW TRAILS AND NEW PARKLAND AND SUCH, BUT HOW ELSE ARE WE GOING TO CAPTURE THEM AND HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT FOLLOW UP IS GOING TO HAPPEN? I'LL GIVE YOU A VERY SPECIFIC EXAMPLE BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT.
BRENTWOOD, IT WAS SUGGESTED TO US THAT IT'D BE GREAT IF WE DID MORE PROGRAMMING CONNECTED WITH THE MARSH CREEK TRAIL THROUGH BRENTWOOD.
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, THAT IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA BECAUSE, ONE, I THINK OUR BIG BREAK NATURALISTS WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT.
THEY DO DO MARSH CREEK THEMED PROGRAMMING, BUT IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS IN OAKLEY SO THE FOLKS IN BRENTWOOD DON'T SEE THAT.
HOW DO WE CAPTURE THAT? HOW DOES THAT GET TRANSLATED INTO ACTUALLY HAPPENING BECAUSE IT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA?
>> WHO'S THIS FOR? IN TERMS OF HOW THAT GETS CAPTURED, AS I NOTED, WE DO TAKE THOSE MEETING NOTES, AND THEN ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WE'RE SHARING THE MEETING NOTES IN THOSE ACTION ITEMS WITH OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF TEAM.
>> THEN THE EXECUTIVE STAFF TEAM SEES WHAT'S COMING UP THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE THOSE EXCELLENT IDEAS IN THOSE GREAT NUGGETS AND BRING THEM THEN TO THEIR DIVISION LEADS TO INTEGRATE INTO STAFF WORK PLANS.
WE'RE DEFINITELY SHARING EVERY THING THAT'S CAPTURED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS BROADLY AND MOVING THEM FORWARD AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
>> THAT'S WONDERFUL TO KNOW. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST HAD TWO. I THINK THAT'S SUCH A PERFECT EXAMPLE BECAUSE THAT'S A SPECIFIC THING THAT WE FOLLOW UP ON, BUT IT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S GENERAL THAT HELPS INFORM THE DISTRICT PLAN.
WE KNOW THEIR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS ARE INTERESTED IN PROGRAMMING.
WE CAN FOLLOW UP SPECIFICALLY, BUT WE CAN ALSO TAKE NOTES AND SAY, THIS IS A THEME THAT CAME UP.
SAME THING WITH TRAILS AND ALL THE OTHER COMPONENTS.
WE CAN NOTE THAT AS A THEME AND FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE TEAM MEMBERS TO MOVE THAT WORK FORWARD.
>> THAT'S EXCELLENT. IN TERMS OF MY ADVOCACY INVOLVED IN THE DISTRICT PLAN, I THINK I'LL JUST KEEP GOING WITH THINGS THAT ARE TOO SPECIFIC AND [LAUGHTER] ALLOWING THE SCOPE TO DEVELOP ON ITS OWN.
I'M JUST HOPING THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE NEW PLAN IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS ADDRESSED IN THE 2013 PLAN WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF EXISTING AND POTENTIAL AND FUTURE PARKLANDS AND TRAILS.
SOME OF WHAT I'M HEARING ABOUT THE TRAIL, FOR INSTANCE, IN ALHAMBRA HIGHLANDS, WOULD OR DOES EXIST IN THE 2013 PLAN, AND I WOULD ADVOCATE TO CARRY IT INTO THE NEW PLAN.
I'M JUST FOCUSED ON AT WHAT POINT DOES THAT GET INCLUDED IN A FUTURE CHAPTER OF THE NEW PLAN?
[01:30:02]
I'M JUST RELATING WHAT THOUGHTS ARE GOING THROUGH MY HEAD AS I'M REVIEWING YOUR MEMO. THANK YOU.>> CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE INFO? YOU SAID WE HAD TWO SO FAR, THE THIRD ITEM, THE LIAISON MEETINGS.
WHAT ARE THOSE? WHAT WERE THE TWO?
>> WE'VE HAD A LIAISON MEETING THIS YEAR WITH THE CITY OF PLEASANTON.
WE MOST RECENTLY HAD ONE WITH THE LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT, AND WE'RE WORKING TO STAND UP LIAISON MEETING WITH THE CONTRA COSTA WATER DISTRICT.
LIAISON MEETINGS, THEY ARE FORMAL BROWN ACT MEETINGS BETWEEN OURSELVES AND A SECONDARY DISTRICT, CITY, ETC.
WITH THE AGENDA, WE GO THROUGH THE POSTING REQUIREMENTS.
WE HAVE A FORMAL PROCESS IN THE MEETINGS, FORMAL MEETING MINUTES, AND IT DOESN'T ALLOW TO VEER OFF THE AGENDA TOPICS, SO WE DO HAVE TO STICK TO THE SPECIFIC AGENDA TOPICS.
THE HOPE IS THAT THESE CAN BE USED AS A TOOL, WHEN A SPECIFIC POLICY OR JOINT DECISION NEEDS TO BE GUIDED AS AN OUTCOME OF THE MEETING.
HISTORICALLY, HOW LIAISON MEETINGS ARE DEFINED IN OUR BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES, IT'S A LIST OF MEETINGS.
IT'S A LIST OF ENTITIES THAT WE'LL HAVE MEETINGS WITH.
SOME OF WHICH WE HAVE ACTIVE AND REGULAR MEETINGS, SOME OF WHICH WE HAVEN'T HAD MEETINGS DURING MY TIME AT THE PARK DISTRICT.
OUR HOPE WITH BRINGING FORWARD A DEFINITION IS IT CREATES A PATHWAY THAT WE COULD HAVE LIAISON MEETINGS WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL PARTNER ACROSS THE REGION WHEN THERE IS A CLEAR REASON AND A CLEAR ISSUE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, AND SO IT CAN EXPAND WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR THESE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK ALL THREE, SO MAYBE NOT.
WE'RE ALWAYS GUIDED BY THE BROWN ACT.
I WAS JUST CONFUSED THAT YOU'D SAY THAT NO MORE THAN THREE ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND YET IF IT IS POSTED IN THIS CASE, FORMAL, WE COULD BE THERE.
>> THERE'S A LITTLE INVOLVE NO MORE THAN THREE, AND THEN THE NEXT SQUARE SAYS, GOVERNED BY THE BROWN ACT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A LITTLE DISCONNECT THERE.
I THINK THE THINKING WAS IN THE PAST, IT'S BEEN NO MORE THAN THREE ON THE LIAISON COMMITTEE, SO IT WOULDN'T BE THE FULL BODY.
HOWEVER, YOU ARE CORRECT, IT WOULD BE A BROWN ACT MEETING, SO YOU COULD BE THERE.
>> I WAS APPROACHED BECAUSE I WENT TO THE EAST BAY MUD MEETING ONCE.
THEY DO PRESENTATION PER WARD EVERY YEAR.
THEY HAVE A PUBLIC MAYBE, THAT FALLS TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
YOU SAID THAT'S A WALK AND TALK, BUT WITH THE COMMUNITY MEETING ALSO BE THE PLACE WHERE IF WE HAD SEVEN WARD MEETINGS UPDATES, WHERE YOU MEET, IT'S LIKE COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR OR BREAKFAST WITH THE WARD OR WHATEVER.
>> EXACTLY. IT'S GOING TO BE AN INFORMAL EVENT, IT COULD BE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHINE WITH WARD 1 [LAUGHTER] OR W-H-I-N-E, I DON'T KNOW BUT SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
>> EXACTLY. IT'D BE AN INFORMAL PUBLIC MEETING SETTING.
IT COULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE TO YOUR POINT, HAVE A FUN SPIN TO IT, A THEME TO IT.
FOR EXAMPLE, GOING INTO 2026, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, OUR TEAM WOULD PROBABLY LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THEY WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE PRIORITY COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE DISTRICT PLAN PROCESS ACROSS THE DIFFERENT WARDS.
WE CAN CELEBRATE, WE CAN BRING VISIBILITY TO THE PARK DISTRICT, BUT IT'S REALLY CREATING INVOLVEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE A PART OF THE MEETING IN THE GATHERING RATHER THAN OBSERVING.
>> WHAT CAME OUT OF THE EAST BAY MUD 1 WAS THE PARTICULAR WARD MEMBER.
HER PRESENTATION, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS ON CLIMATE ACTION, WHICH IS ONE OF YOUR BULLETS THAT'S COMING UP FROM YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LIAISONS.
DOES THAT THEN TURN INTO A LIAISON MEETING, OR IS THAT, IF THEY WANT TO COORDINATE AND SHARE THEIR 500 PAGE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WITH OUR THOUGHTS ON? DOES THAT THEN BECOME A LIAISON MEETING AND A PUBLIC HEARING IF THAT BOARD?
>> NOT NECESSARILY. WE COULD EXPLORE A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.
I THINK WHAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO IS WE WOULD WANT TO SPEAK WITH THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WANTS TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH OUR BOARD.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE WANT THIS MATRIX AND PATHWAY.
SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ON THIS MATRIX IS PRESENTATIONS TO OUR BOARD MEETING.
IT SOUNDS LIKE IF SOMEBODY HAS A CLIMATE PLAN THAT THEY'D LIKE OUR FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO HEAR, A GREAT PATHWAY TO DO THAT WOULD BE TO WORK WITH THEM TO GET THEM ON AN EAST REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT BOARD AGENDA WHERE THEY COULD PRESENT THAT AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE ENTIRE BODY.
>> THERE'S JUST A LOT OF GRAY AREAS IN HERE OF HOW THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
IN THAT CASE, IT WOULD BE ELECTED TO ELECTED, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WITH SOME POLICY OR SPECIFICS THAT I'VE SEEN BEFORE IS IF THERE'S SOME OTHER ELECTED IS GOING TO BE IN THE ROOM AT THIS COMMUNITY MEETING OR WHATEVER, THEN WE GET INVITED.
>> THESE SUMMARIES I SEE ARE GREAT.
I THINK I'VE RAISED THIS WITH YOU BEFORE.
[01:35:02]
WHAT'S REALLY INTERESTING, OUR WARD IS VERY INTERESTING, PARTICULARLY MINE BECAUSE I CROSSED BETWEEN ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA.I GUESS DIRECTOR ECCLES DOES AS WELL, BUT IT'S NOT SO BLATANT BECAUSE THE POLITICS OF THE EAST BAY, RICHMOND AND EL SRIDO ARE MORE ALIGNED WITH ALAMEDA, AND ALSO HOW THEY'RE STRUCTURED.
WHEN WE'RE HAVING THESE STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICE MEETINGS OUT IN AN AREA WHERE WE ROTATE, I'VE DONE IT MYSELF.
BY THE TIME YOU'RE DONE YOUR FIRST YEAR, YOU'RE BARELY CATCHING UP AND YOU'RE NOT THE MAYOR ANYMORE.
HOW DO WE HAVE CONSISTENCY, AND I'VE RAISED THIS TO MAKE SURE WE AT LEAST HAVE THE VICE MAYOR THERE? I KNOW THE MAYOR HAS SOME SAY ON THAT, BUT WE PUSH BACK AND SAY, WE REALLY WANT YOUR VICE MAYOR AND/OR I THINK WE'VE HAD CITY MANAGERS.
BECAUSE THERE'S NO CONSISTENCY, AS BIING, THEY'RE GONE, AND BY THE TIME WE MEET WITH THEM, SO WE'RE DOING ALL THIS WORK.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING A LOT OF GOOD WORK, DOCUMENTING, BUT IN THESE SMALLER TOWNS, THEY JUST ROTATE THROUGH AND THERE'S NO CONSISTENCY OR FOLLOW UP.
I HAD THAT WITH ORINDA, SHE'S NO LONGER THE MAYOR IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. TO THAT POINT, YES, WE ARE INVITING THE CITY MANAGERS TO ALL MEETINGS, BUT ALSO THE HOPE IS THAT THESE AREN'T A ONE-POINT-IN-TIME MEETING, BUT THAT WORK HAVING THESE SHARED GOALS TOGETHER WITH THE LOCAL PARTNERS.
HOPEFULLY, THEY HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON, THIS IS HOW WE WORK WITH THE PARK DISTRICT.
THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS TOGETHER THROUGH THOSE CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS.
WE WANT TO BOTH CENTRALIZE THIS WORK WITHIN OUR TEAM AND THEN MOVE IT FORWARD WITH THOSE SHARED GOALS AND VISIONS.
>> I JUST THINK THE ONUS IS ON US.
I'VE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE TRYING TO GET POLICIES PASSED IN THE 19 CITIES AND COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA TO TRY TO PUSH THE STAFF AND ELECTED MEETINGS LIKE SORRY, WE HAVE TO HAVE YOUR VICE MAYOR, WE HAVE TO HAVE YOUR CITY MANAGER THERE.
IT WILL NOT EXIST OTHERWISE IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES.
IT JUST WILL NOT EXIST. [OVERLAPPING].
>> EVERY NEW MAYOR COMES IN, AND HAS THAT OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THEIR PARTICULAR ISSUES.
>> TO THE POINT OF THE ROLE THAT WE CAN TAKE IS BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING SUCH DETAILED NOTES IN ALL THESE MEETINGS, WE CAN BE SURE TO BRIEF YOU ALL GOING INTO THE NEXT MEETING AND SAY THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE WITH THIS ENTITY, THIS WAS OUR CONVERSATION, THESE WERE OUR OUTCOMES, THESE ARE OUR GOALS TODAY.
OUR HOPE, TOO, IS RIGHT NOW, IT'S A FIRST, IT'S A PILOT.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH IT, BUT I LOVE A GOOD SYSTEM AND SO WE'RE HOPING TO BUILD OFF OF THAT WORK AND PROVIDE YOU ALL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT GOING FORWARD.
>> IF I COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION THERE, I THINK THESE SUMMARY NOTES WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE ON THE NEW BOARD SERVICES PROGRAM, THE ONLINE PLATFORM THAT YOU'LL HAVE AND YOU COULD HAVE ACCESS TO AS WELL TO MAYBE HAVE A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THESE MEETINGS.
>>THEN THE COUPLE I'VE DONE, THE CONVERSATIONS VARY. THEY TIE IN WITH THIS.
EVERY TIME YOU GET A NEW MAYOR, IT CHANGES IN THESE SMALLER TOWNS, PARTICULARLY HOW YOU MEET AND HOW THEY RUN THEIR MEETINGS.
BUT HOW DO YOU QUANTIFY, FOLLOW UP AND MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN? HOW DO WE PRIORITIZE, LET'S SAY, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE DISTRICT PLAN? AGAIN, CAN WE DO MORE TO DRIVE THE AGENDA AS DIRECTOR COFFEY WAS SAYING, TO GET WHAT WE WANT OUT OF IT? SURE WE'LL GET YOUR EIGHT CONCERNS, BUT FOR SURE, WE'VE CHOSEN OUR ONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK WITH EVERY CITY IN OUR DISTRICT THIS YEAR, WHETHER IT'S CLIMATE CHANGE OR EQUITY OR THE DISTRICT PLAN.
THE COUPLE I'VE HAD, I DON'T KNOW, WE WEREN'T PUSHING OUR, I DON'T WANT TO SAY AGENDA, OUR PRIORITIES.
>> I THINK AGAIN [OVERLAPPING].
>> AS MUCH AS IT'S A BIG OPPORTUNITY.
I LOVE THE PROGRAM AND I JUST WANT TO USE IT TO OUR BEST.
>> THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY IS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ON IT, AND I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE HOPING.
THIS YEAR, THIS PILOT, IT HAS BEEN THE DISTRICT PLAN AS THE FOCUS.
THEY'VE BEEN A BIT MORE OF A FREE FORUM DIALOGUE TO REALLY SEE WHAT'S TOP OF MIND, HOW STRONG OF AWARENESS ARE THE PARK DISTRICT SERVICES TO THESE DIFFERENT PARTNERS? ARE THEY AWARE THAT WE HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT? WE'VE BEEN BRINGING A LOT OF INFORMATION FORWARD THROUGH THESE MEETINGS THAT WHETHER WE'RE RECEIVING THAT INPUT, SHARING THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERY VALUABLE.
THEN GOING FORWARD, WE'RE HOPING TO ALIGN THIS PROGRAM WITH OUR BROADER LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND GUIDE GOALS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOALS OF THE AGENCY.
THEN AS WE'RE REACHING OUT TO CITIES AND PARTNERS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS, WE HAVE SPECIFIC ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WITH SPECIFIC GOALS THAT ARE GUIDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THIS HAS BEEN FAIRLY BROAD AND WE'RE HOPING TO BUILD OFF THESE CONVERSATIONS TO START ACTUALLY MOVING THE WORK FORWARD.
[01:40:02]
>> THANK YOU. LET'S MY SENSE AND SEEING HOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE LOCAL GROUPS.
I'M GLAD THIS WAS PUT TOGETHER BY THE BOARD BEFORE ME IN 2024.
IT'S A REFINING AND GOOD IDEA.
>> THANK YOU, LISA. AS YOU KNOW, I LOVE THIS PROGRAM.
GETTING TOGETHER WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, I THINK IT'S BEEN TRULY A SUCCESS AND JUST REALLY VERY INTERESTING.
>> I'LL USE SOME EXAMPLES AND I LIKE THE WAY YOU'VE GOT THE PURPOSE, THE PARTICIPANTS' FORMALITY, BLAH, BLAH AND MOVING ALL ALONG.
JUST TO START OFF WITH THE LIAISON COMMITTEE WITH HAYWARD.
BUT SURELY, WE'VE NEVER TALKED ABOUT ANY TOPIC.
IT'S JUST A SHOW AND TELL GENERALLY.
I UNDERSTAND WE CAN CHANGE THAT, AND I HOPE WE DO.
BUT ARE WE SCHEDULING A MEETING WITH HAYWARD HARD AT SOME POINT?
>> I WAS ON. YES. I WAS LOOKING IN TERMS OF WHEN I WAS PUTTING THE PERCENTILES TOGETHER FOR THIS PRESENTATION AND HARD IS ON THE LIST, WE'RE REACHING OUT TO THEM AND WORKING TO SCHEDULE A CONNECTION.
>> EXCELLENT. I SEE IT PROGRESSING REALLY WELL BECAUSE IF WE HAVE A STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICE MEETING, THE DECISION MAKING WON'T BE THERE, BUT I THINK THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF ISSUES.
WE'VE GOT A TRAIL THAT WE COULD SHARE THAT THEY'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TALK TO US ABOUT IN A LIAISON MEETING BEFORE WE'VE CHANGED THE FORMAT.
THEN ONCE WE DID THAT, I THINK THAT WILL BE BROUGHT UP.
THEY GOT A $26 MILLION GRANT FOR AN EAST WEST TRAIL GOING THROUGH TWO PARKS, MAYBE THREE.
IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE FOR US TO JOIN THEM, BUT WE'VE NEVER HAD THE FORMAT TO FORMALLY TALK TO THEM.
I WOULD ASSUME THAT IF WE GO ON THIS ELECTED MEETING WITH THEM, THEN UNDER DECISION MAKING, IT DOESN'T INVOLVE ANY DECISION MAKING, BUT DISCUSSING IDEAS AND EXPLORING OPPORTUNITY.
THEN WE WOULD MOVE OVER TO A FORMAL LIAISON MEETING AT THAT POINT AND SAY, NOW LET'S REALLY TALK ABOUT THIS TRAIL.
IF WE DO HAVE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK OUT, WE THEN BRING IT TO THE FORMAL BOARD MEETING.
>> THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PATHWAY OF HOW A LIAISON COMMITTEE COULD BE STOOD UP.
IS THAT IN THIS ELECTED OFFICE MEETING WITH A LOCAL ENTITY, IT'S IDENTIFIED THAT A SHARED POLICY DECISION AND CONVERSATION IS NEEDED IN A FORMAL SETTING.
THEN WE CAN TO YOUR POINT, USE THIS REVISED LIAISON MEETING DEFINITION TO THEN STAND UP THAT FORMAL MEETING TO BRING IT THROUGH THE POLICY PROCESS.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO WITH THIS DEFINITION IS SET UP A FORMAL POLICY PROCESS FOR THE LIAISON MEETINGS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE MEETING TO MEET BECAUSE WE SAID WE WOULD MEET, BUT WE HAVE THE MEETINGS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS AND VISIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THROUGH A DEFINED POLICY PROCESS.
YES, TO YOUR QUESTION AND THEN JUST SOME ADDITIONAL WORDS THERE.
>> THEN I'M THINKING OF MY EXPERIENCES.
WHEN WE WENT TO UNION CITY, VERY FRIENDLY, REALLY GREAT INFORMATION SHARED.
THEY WERE VERY INTERESTED IN THE NEXT PLAN, WHATEVER THE PLAN IS CALLED.
BUT THEY ALSO SAID, REALLY THE MAYOR LIKED SPORTS.
HE'S INVOLVED IN YOUTH SPORTS.
WE WERE ABLE TO EDUCATE HIM AND SAY, THAT'S REALLY NOT WHERE WE'RE THERE, BUT WE DID TALK ABOUT ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES OF HOSTING YOUTH SPORTS TOURNAMENTS, WHICH WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT AT DUM MART AND COREY CAMPGROUND.
INSTEAD OF TAKING YOUR SOCCER KIDS AND HAVING THEM SPEND A BUNCH OF TIME IN A HOTEL, YOU'RE ALWAYS TOGETHER, GO OUT AND CAMP AT DUM MART AND COREY.
ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WAS VERY MUCH.
HE AND HIS DAUGHTER WERE CYCLISTS AND THEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT RIDING UP IN THE HILLS AND DOING THINGS.
I KNOW WE CAN, BUT WHO MAKES THE DECISION OF THAT? THAT'S REALLY NICE AND WE'LL HELP YOU OUT AND WE'LL GIVE YOU BROCHURES UNTIL YOU OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO OPEN UP A WHOLE LOT OF NEW TRAILS BECAUSE HE HAD NO IDEA THE COST.
JUXTAPOSED WITH ALAMEDA COUNTY WATER DISTRICT, WHERE THEY FLAT OUT SAID, WE WANT TO TRADE SOME LAND WITH YOU.
WE WANT TO SELL YOU SOME LAND.
THEY WERE MAKING A PROPOSAL RIGHT THERE, WHICH OBVIOUSLY WE COULDN'T DO.
BUT THEN THE SAME THING IN FREMONT.
THE MAYOR SAID, WHEN MY PET PEEVE, I SAID, HEY, ARE YOU STILL HAPPY WITH YOUR FINEST PARK THAT'S ALWAYS PROMOTED ON ALL YOUR MAGAZINES AND EVERY TIME YOU GET VOTED AS THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD.
IT'S ALWAYS A PICTURE OF MISSION PEAK, OR CARRY LAKES.
I SAID, YOU STILL HAPPY WITH SIX CHEMICAL TOILETS OUT THERE AT THE ENTRANCE TO YOUR SUE PARK AND HE SAID, HE WAS POLITICALLY IN THE PAST, THOSE GUYS DIDN'T WANT TO TOUCH ANYTHING LIKE THAT, AND NEITHER DO WE.
HE SAID HE'S OPEN TO IT AND SO DID MISS SHACKELFORD, THE CITY MANAGER.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT DIFFERENTLY.
I'M WONDERING WITH THOSE THINGS IN MIND, WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
[01:45:02]
IN MY OPINION, IT WOULD BE I WOULD HAVE SAID, RAJ, WE'RE MOVING THIS TO A LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK THIS OVER RIGHT NOW AND MAYBE MAKE SOME DECISIONS HERE, AND BOTH PARTIES MIGHT BE INTERESTED.WITH ALAMEDA COUNTY WATER, I KNOW THAT I WANT TO BUY THE LAND RIGHT AWAY AND I WANT TO TAKE THE LAND THAT THEY WANT TO TRADE.
I KNOW IT HAS TO BE VETTED WITH THROUGH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.
BUT WHO GETS TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS INTERESTING.
DOES IT SINK INTO THE ABLE MIRROR AND GO NOWHERE OR I'M TOLD FROM YOU OR YOU'RE GIVING ME THE IMPRESSION THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, AT SOME POINT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BOARD'S ROLE IS TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
LET'S MOVE THIS TO A LIAISON AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN NEGOTIATE FOR THIS.
WE ALL DREAM IN THESE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS, BUT LET'S TALK REAL BUSINESS IN THE LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
HOW WOULD I GET TO PROMOTE A LIAISON COMMITTEE WITH FREMONT AND SAY LET'S GET RID OF THOSE CHEMICAL TOILETS?
>> I THINK WITH A LIAISON MEETING, YOU WANT TO GET TO THE MEETING WITH A SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO AGREE ON.
IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A PLACE WHERE YOU WANT TO HASH OUT SOMETHING.
THAT COULD BE MORE OF A INFORMAL MEETING WHERE YOU'RE WORKING THROUGH DETAILS.
IT'S THE TIME WHEN YOU BRING THE BODIES TOGETHER, WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A VOTE OR YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION ON A SHARED POLICY GOAL.
BUT YOU CAN HAVE MORE INFORMAL MEETINGS THAT DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BROWN ACT WHERE YOU CAN WORK THROUGH AND TALK THROUGH AGREEMENTS ON THESE DIFFERENT WHATEVER THE AGREEMENT MAY BE.
BUT IT'S REALLY WHERE DO WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER FORMALLY AND MAKE AN AGREE ON SOMETHING.
>> IN TERMS OF THOSE THREE EXAMPLES THAT YOU GAVE, THE REST ROOM, THE CAMPING, ET CETERA, CURRENTLY WHERE THEY'RE GOING AS THEY ARE GOING INTO THE NOTES, WE'RE SHARING THEM WITH LEADERSHIP AND THEY'RE BEING WORKED ON AT A STAFF LEVEL.
WE'RE IDENTIFYING WHOSE WORK PLANS THEY'RE IN, AND AS THOSE DIFFERENT ITEMS COME BEFORE THIS BODY, TO YOUR POINT, HAVING A PATHWAY FOR IDENTIFYING THE LIAISON MEETING WHEN IT MEETS THIS CRITERIA OF A DECISION MAKING POINT, THAT'S HELPFUL FEEDBACK FROM THIS CONVERSATION TODAY, THAT WILL CONTINUE TO INTEGRATE.
>> IS THERE A ROLE FOR THE BOARD IN ANY OF?
>> PERSONALLY, YOU KNOW WHAT I ALREADY SAID.
I WILL SAY TO THE MAYOR OF UNION CITY, IT'S GREAT YOU LIKE TEAM SPORTS.
WE DON'T DO THAT. WE'RE REALLY SORRY.
BUT AS FAR AS TRADING LAND WITH ALAMEDA COUNTY WATER DISTRICT, IS CRITICAL TO VARGAS PLATEAU IN MY OPINION, DO I HAVE ANY ROLE IN THAT OR DOES THE BOARD HAVE ANY ROLE IN THAT?
>> I'M NOT FAMILIAR ON OUR ACQUISITION PROCESSES CURRENTLY.
WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING HERE IS POTENTIAL PATHWAYS TO GO INTO THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES TO GUIDE FUTURE PROCESSES.
I DON'T KNOW IF OUR LEGAL COUNSEL CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
>> I THINK THERE'S A STRUCTURE WE'RE SETTING UP HERE AND THEN IT'LL FEED INTO IT.
THE THREE CATEGORIES THAT LISA LAID OUT IS WHERE THE FEEDBACK COMES IN, IT'S OBVIOUSLY GOING TO GET FED BACK TO STAFF, AND THEN A FOLLOW UP SEEMS APPROPRIATE WITH WHOEVER HAD THAT MEETING TO INTERNAL FOLLOW UP FIRST AND THEN COMING UP WITH THE NEXT STEP AND WHETHER THAT'S WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS, IS INFORMED BY THE PROCESS AND WHAT ABILITY OF THE DISTRICT TO ENGAGE ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE IS.
I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A FLEXIBLE APPROACH BASED ON THE GIVEN ISSUE AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE AGENCIES.
>> I THINK OUR ROLE IS ROUTINELY TO BRING LAND ISSUES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE GENERAL MANAGER AND OUR REAL ESTATE FOLKS.
I SAW FOR SALE SIGN, NOT TOO LONG AGO ON SOME ACREAGE NEAR FRANKLIN CANYON THAT STRUCK ME AS SOME PROPERTY WE OUGHT TO BE INTERESTED IN FOR PURPOSES OF TRAIL CONNECTIVITY.
I SIMPLY TOOK THE LINK TO THE WEBSITE FOR THAT PROPERTY AND SENT IT TO THE GM'S OFFICE AND OUR REAL ESTATE FOLKS.
SOMEDAY I MIGHT FOLLOW UP AND SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY ON THE 18TH, THIS CHARTER OR SOME VERSION OF THIS IS YOUR INTENT IS TO INCORPORATE AND UPDATE THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES?
>> NO. THIS IS JUST A CONVERSATION WITH THIS COMMITTEE TODAY
[01:50:03]
ON SOME PRELIMINARY THOUGHTS AND DEFINITIONS AROUND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.ON NOVEMBER 18, WHAT OUR TEAM IS BRINGING FORWARD WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER IS AN UPDATE TO THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES THAT REFLECTS OUR STATE SPONSORED LEGISLATION.
THESE CHANGES WILL NOT BE PROPOSED ON NOVEMBER 18.
THERE'S STILL VERY MUCH DRAFT FORM.
WE'RE HOPING TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM.
WE GOT SOME GREAT FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL TODAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO INTEGRATE.
WE'LL COME BACK TO THIS COMMITTEE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.
THE IDEA IS THAT IN 2026, WE'D BE ABLE TO RECOMMEND SOME BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINE UPDATES, THAT GET TO THE QUESTION OF WHAT IS THE PROCESS? WHAT ARE THE DEFINITIONS JUST SO WE'RE ALL VERY CLEAR AND USING THE SAME LANGUAGE.
BUT IN TERMS OF NOVEMBER 18, THIS REPORT IS NOT COMING FORWARD.
IT'S SIMPLY THE SPONSORED LEGISLATION.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW.
THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND IN PERSON IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HOW MANY CITIES DO WE HAVE IN?
YOU HAVE THIS OCCUR ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD BE SPECIFIC THAT WE'LL TRY TO GET TO ALL OF THEM IN 18 MONTH OR 36 MONTH PERIOD OR THAT SO THAT NONE OF THEM ARE MISSED.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I WILL SHARE OUR CURRENT FINDING.
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU MANAGE THAT.
WE'RE SO BIG. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THAT?
>> WE'VE MET WITH 75% OF OUR CITIES AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THESE MEETINGS FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS NOW.
IT IS ABOUT TWO YEARS TO GET THROUGH ALL CITIES.
TO YOUR POINT, HAVING THAT LANGUAGE OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A SIT DOWN DISCUSSION AND A ROTATIONAL SCHEDULE WILL BE IMPORTANT.
THERE WILL BE SOME CITIES THAT WILL PROBABLY MEET WITH MORE FREQUENT AS WE HAVE DIFFERENT ITEMS MOVING FORWARD, SUCH AS THE OPENING OF SOUTH OF BAILEY ROAD AT A THORGAN MARSHALL REGIONAL PARK, HOME OF PORT CHICAGO 50 OR OTHER ISSUES.
BUT TO MAINTAIN THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CONVERSATION, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF FEEDBACK.
>> IN THE SAME THING, WE HAVE TWO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS GROUPS, AND SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE OUT THERE.
DON JOYA IS GOING TO WALK AND TALK US TO NO END, AND EVEN OUR CONGRESSMAN MARK DESAULNIER.
BUT IF YOU TAKE SOMEONE LIKE CANDACE ANDERSON, AGAIN, WE HAVE THIS SMALL TOWN, WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT POLITICS BETWEEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THE CITY.
HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE DO INCLUDE AND MAKE IT LIKE WE PUSH ON LIKE, WE WILL MEET WITH YOU, CANDICE IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS OR SOMETHING SO WE HIT THEM ALL VERSUS HERE'S JOHN AGAIN.
JOHN WANTS TO MEET. JOHN WANTS US TO SO.
>> I THINK IT'S A PUSH FROM US TO GET THROUGH EACH ONE AND GET OUR MESSAGE TO EACH ONE THAT MUST BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT.
>> YOUR NAME AND THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM WAS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HISTORY OF THE PARK DISTRICT MEETING WITH SOME ENTITIES MORE THAN OTHERS.
WE REALLY WERE SEEKING TO BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS EQUALLY ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION TO HAVE THAT SHARED UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT BECAUSE WE ALL WORK BETTER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> JUST ONE MORE. IS CITY OF HAYWARD SCHEDULED AT ALL?
>> [INAUDIBLE] EARLIER THIS YEAR.
WE CAN SHARE THE MEETING NOTES FROM THE DISCUSSION.
>> IF I MAY, CHAIR, I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT LISA HAS PUT INTO THIS PROGRAM.
LISA AND ELSA JUST AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK AND JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER.
THANK YOU. I JUST GOING TO DO THAT ALSO.
>> IT IS AMAZING AND IT'S AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK, AND IT'S SO PRODUCTIVE IN MY OPINION. REALLY GOOD.
>> I WILL SAY IT IS AN HONOR TO SUPPORT YOU ALL IN THIS.
WE REALLY HAVE BEEN ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIME THAT YOU'VE BEEN PUTTING TOWARDS IT.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. WE NOW MOVE TO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
[Announcements]
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING TO ANNOUNCE? I HAVE A QUESTION, ERIC.AFTER YESTERDAY'S ELECTION, DID WE GET ANY NEW CONGRESS MEMBERS OR PROPOSED CONGRESS MEMBERS TO OUR DELEGATION? I KNOW I HAVE A NEW CONGRESS MEMBER.
BUT DID WE GET ANY IN THE REGIONAL PARKS? DID IT GERRYMANDER ITSELF INTO MORE.
>> NO, BAY AREA IS OR AT LEAST THE EAST BAY IS LARGELY NOT IMPACTED BY THE NEW LINES.
>> EVERYBODY DOES THAT. EVERYBODY DOES THAT IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS.
CASTELLI HAS HAD THREE CONGRESS MEMBERS IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.
WE JUST KEEP GETTING SHOVED OUT, BUT IT WILL AFFECT US.
ISN'T THERE THAT USED TO BE THOMPSON.
>> HE'S GOT A LITTLE TINY LITTLE SLICE UP NORTH.
DID HE GET MORE OR DID HE GET GERAMANDI OUT OF THE WHOLE DISTRICT?
>> WELL, THE FEDERAL LINES WEREN'T ALTERED.
[01:55:04]
I'M SORRY. YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT MIKE THOMPSON OR JOHNNY GERMAN?>> I'M SAYING THAT CONGRESS MEMBERS WILL NOW HAVE DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS AND BE MOVED AROUND.
I WAS WONDERING IF WE GAINED ANY NEW ONES OR LOST, BECAUSE EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE MOVED AROUND TO ACCOMMODATE CERTAIN THINGS AND GERMANY'S DISTRICT, WHO'S A GREAT FRIEND OF THE DISTRICT AND REPRESENTS MUCH MORE THAN WHAT HIS LAND AND POPULATION WOULD SUGGEST HE WOULD REPRESENT.
WAS THERE ANY CHANCE OF HIM MOVING AWAY? THERE ARE MAPS DRAWN.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF OUR DELEGATION, WELL, THERE MAY BE SOME AROUND THE EDGES THAT ARE NOT IN THE EAST BAY.
HIS DISTRICT MAY HAVE GONE A LITTLE BIT FARTHER NORTH, BUT HE WOULD STILL BE STILL BE COVERING NORTHERN WATERFRONT.
>> HOW ABOUT HARDERS DISTRICT? DOES HE?
>> HARDERS WASN'T ALTERED TOO MUCH, BUT I THINK HE STILL HAS DISCOVERY BAY.
>> GREAT. IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
THIS HAS BEEN VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRESENTATIONS, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.