To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Economic Development Board
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ethan Brown 707-565-7589
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Reappointment of Robin Bartholow to the Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District Board of Directors for a term beginning April 7, 2024 and ending on April 6, 2028. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
In August 2014, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors authorized a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to form an economic development district with Mendocino County called the Sonoma-Mendocino Economic Development District (SMEDD). The United States Economic Development Administration (EDA), which designates such districts, requires that the district governing bodies be “broadly representative of the principal economic interests of the region”.
The current SMEDD Board consists of nine seats:
• Four appointees from Sonoma County
• Four appointees from Mendocino County
• One at-large appointee
Per the JPA, Sonoma County shall appoint four Directors. Three of the Directors shall be from the Sonoma County business community, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, or the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board. This item requests that the Board approve the reappointment of Robin Bartholow from the Workforce Investment Board as a governing body member to the SMEDD for the term of April 7, 2024 to April 6, 2028.
Discussion:
The Board of Supervisors are responsible for appointments to over 75 Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces. Vacancies and upcoming expiring appointments are posted on the County’s list of Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces website: <https://sonoma-county.granicus.com/boards/w/808bd6e42edf8e0f>. This item requests that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approve the reappointment of Robin Bartholow to the Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District Board of Directors.
Per the JPA, Sonoma County shall appoint four Directors to the Sonoma-Mendocino Economic Development District (SMEDD). The term of the appointments shall be for four (4) years, subject to reappointment. This item requests that the Board approve the reappointment of Robin Bartholow as a governing body member to the SMEDD for a new four-year term, starting April 7, 2024. If reappointed, this will be Robin Bartholow’s third term on the SMEDD Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors have powers to adopt rules and policies for operations of the SMEDD, approve an annual budget and work program, and hire staff. The Directors oversee implementation and updates to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the district. The specific responsibilities of the SMEDD Board of Directors is described by the JPA (see Attachment 1).
The primary responsibility of the SMEDD is to engage in regional economic development planning. To guide economic development planning, the District creates a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) (<https://www.smedd.org/files/50964a421/SMEDD-2022-CEDS-Final-ADA.pdf>) every five years. In 2022, the EDA approved the District’s most recent CEDS. The CEDS is comprised of four goals, and the SMEDD Board of Directors is responsible for identifying, supporting, and facilitating projects that align with the goals of the CEDS.
Robin Bartholow grew up in Sonoma County and spent 12 years working for the North Coast Builders Exchange as the Director of Workforce Development and the Director of the North Bay Construction Corps. During this time, Robin spent three years as Chair of the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board. After her Workforce Development Director role at the North Coast Builder’s Exchange, Robin served as the Deputy Executive Director for the Sonoma County Farm Bureau for two years and has recently taken a new professional position as the Director of Sustainability for the Redwood Empire Goodwill.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
August 9, 2022: Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement.
April 7, 2020: Approve the reappointment of Robin Bartholow and Michael Nicholls as governing body members to the Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District for the term of April 7, 2020 to April 6, 2024.
December 8, 2015: Approve the appointment of Robin Bartholow, Steve Herron, Pam Chanter and Mike Nicholls as governing body members to the Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District for terms from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019.
Fiscal Summary
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There are not fiscal impacts related to this item.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
There are not staffing impacts related to this item.
Attachments:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: