By Zach Friend, County Supervisor, 2nd District
At the beginning of each year, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors makes appointments of its members to local boards and commissions. In addition to serving on the Board of Supervisors I also serve on your behalf in a number of other capacities on local and regional commissions.
Sometimes you may need help on specialty issues that are associated with these commissions so I wanted to give you an overview of the other commissions I serve on, my role and their functions, and encourage you to reach out if you have constituent needs associated with any of them.
Criminal Justice Council – Chair
Including members from the cities and county, school districts, law enforcement and local judiciary the Criminal Justice Council works on collaborative efforts to address county-wide gang prevention and intervention.
Flood Control and Water Conservation District: Zone 7 – Chair
Zone 7 was formed for the primary purpose of improving the flood carrying capacity of the Pajaro River, Salsipuedes and Corralitos Creek system within the Pajaro Valley floodplain.
Zone 7 capital projects are intended to limit the potential for flooding within the floodplain area. Much of the focus is on protecting (and rebuilding) the current levee system to protect life and property in the Pajaro Valley.
Library Financing Authority – Chair
Including members from the cities and county, this joint powers authority exists for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and improvement of public library facilities.
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) – Board Member
LAFCO was created by state law in 1963 to regulate the boundaries of cities and special districts. LAFCO’s objectives are: encourage efficient service areas for services provided by cities, counties and special districts, to guide urban development away from prime agricultural lands and open space resources and to discourage urban sprawl.
Monterey Bay Air Resources District – Board Member
The Air District is responsible for air monitoring, permitting, enforcement, long-range air quality planning and education related to air pollution as required by the California Clean Air Act and Federal Clean Air Act.
The District also provides rebates for fireplace conversions (to cleaner burning options) and electric vehicle lease or purchases.
Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) – Board Member
The RTC sets priorities for improvements to the transportation infrastructure and network of services including highways, major roads, bus and paratransit and the rail corridor.
The RTC pursues and allocates funding for all of these transportation elements and adopts policies to improve mobility, access and air quality.
Santa Cruz County Consolidated Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board – Alternate
The Santa Cruz County Consolidated Redevelopment Successor Agency Oversight Board oversees the activities of the five redevelopment successor agencies in Santa Cruz County.
The purpose of this Board is to oversee and direct the Redevelopment Successor Agencies in the process of dissolving the former redevelopment agencies of Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz Mid-County Water Agency (MGA) – Board Member
The MGA is an 11-member board overseeing the groundwater management activities of the Mid-County Basin Area in Santa Cruz County.
The basin management goals are: ensure water supply reliability for current and future beneficial uses, maintain water quality to meet current and future beneficial uses and prevent adverse environmental impacts.
Santa Cruz County Sanitation District – Board Member
The Sanitation District is responsible for the collection of wastewater within the district’s boundaries and environmental compliance.
California Film Commission – Board Member
I was appointed by Governor Brown to the California Film Commission in 2017.
The commission serves as a liaison between film, television and commercial productions and government, administers the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program and provides location and production assistance including for productions in Santa Cruz County (including some of the recent film productions here).
National Association of Counties (NACo) – Board of Directors
The National Association of Counties (NACo) serves as the primary advocacy organization for counties.
They advocate county priorities in federal policymaking and allow for information sharing of model county polices and practices to optimize taxpayer resources and provide cost savings. Working with NACo, we successfully put the weight of their organization behind a key local priority — funding and improving the Pajaro River levee.
Serving on this board (I was appointed by the California State Association of Counties to the national board) allows for elevating our local county’s voice and needs at the national level.
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As always, I appreciate hearing your thoughts. If I can be of any help on these commissions or in my capacity on the Board of Supervisors please don’t hesitate to contact me at 454-2200 or visit me during my office hours in Aptos, Corralitos, Seascape or Watsonville.