To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Christina Rivera 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Board of Supervisors Countywide Appointments to Various Board, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve the following Countywide Appointments:
A) Approve the appointment of Michael Bucchianeri as an alternate member to the Assessment Appeals Board for a term beginning September 5, 2022, and ending on September 4, 2025.
B) Approve the appointments of Laura Grygera and Colin Thoma to the Developmental Disabilities Board (Area IV) for a term beginning May 9th, 2023, and ending when a replacement has been chosen.
C) Approve the appoint of Lieselotte (Lilo) Kangas to the Independent Citizens’ Pension Committee for a term beginning May 9th, 2023, through May 9th, 2025.
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Executive Summary:
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>.
Rule 50 of the Board Rules of Procedures states that the Clerk of the Board shall convene staff to review prospective countywide appointments and make appointment recommendations to the Board. The current item submits recommendations for positions on the Assessment Appeals Board, Developmental Disabilities Board (Area IV), and the Independent Citizens’ Pension Committee.
Discussion:
ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD:
The Assessment Appeals Board constitutes the Board of Equalization for Sonoma County and has the power to equalize the valuation of taxable property within the county for the purpose of taxation, as provided by applicable law. The Board consists of three members and three alternates. Appointees must have a minimum of five years professional experience in this state as one of the following: certified public accountant or public accountant, licensed real estate broker, attorney, property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized professional organization, or a property appraiser certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers, or a property appraiser certified by the State Board of Equalization. Appointment terms are for three years, beginning the first Monday in September of term year start.
The Assessment Appeals Board supports a critical role in resolving valuation disputes between property owners and the Assessors’ Office. When an appeals Board is not appointed, or does not have quorum, the Board of Supervisors shall serve as the County Board of equalization. The Assessment Appeals Board has received historically low applicant submissions. The current application is the first received since 2019. Prior to that Clerk of the Board received one application in 2017. Clerk of the Board has been working with the Communications division to advertise the vacancy and recruit interested applicants across social media platforms and in the County newsletter. In the future, Clerk of the Board aims to circulate the vacancy notification to additional community groups with the intention to bolster interest from a more diverse applicant pool.
Michael Bucchianeri has worked as an appraiser for over 17 years. Michael holds a certification for Certified Luxury Home Appraiser (CLHA) in addition to a Certified Real estate Appraiser (CREA) designation from the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers. Additionally, Michael previously served on the Board of the Real estate Appraiser Association of the North Bay for six years.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES BOARD (IV):
The duties of the Developmental Disabilities Board include:
1) Protect and advocate the rights of all persons with developmental disabilities
2) Conduct or cause to be conducted public information programs to increase awareness of developmental disabilities and their prevention and the habilitation of developmentally disabled persons.
3) Encourage and assist in the establishment of citizen advocacy organizations to work with individuals with developmental disabilities.
4) Review the policies and practices of publicly funded agencies to determine if they are meeting their statutory obligations.
5) Assist in the preparation of a state plan for developmental disabilities services by accumulating and supplying information on available services and priorities.
6) Cooperate with coordinating and planning bodies and county governmental groups.
7) Encourage the development of needed services of good quality and coordinate services to prevent duplication of services and unnecessary expenditure.
The Board is composed of 17 members, half with developmental disabilities or their parents or guardians and half representing the general public. Four members appointed by each Board of Supervisors of participating counties including Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, five members appointed by the Governor per: Section 4570 et seq Welfare and Institutions Code of the State of California - For more information please visit www.scdd.ca.gov <http://www.scdd.ca.gov>.
Laura Grygera is the mother of an 18-year-old son who has Autism and works for the State of California as Protective Supervision Caregiver. She brings first person experience and knowledge to the board and would like to be of service to the community during her time on the board. She is interested in working with youth to improve social opportunities and provide recreational access for teens and young adults with disabilities so they can continue to create community, friendships, and peer support structures.
Colin Thomas works for the Disability Service and Legal Center as a Systems Change Advocate and has served on the Bicycle and pedestrian Committee focusing on the barriers people with disabilities face when encountering unsafe walkways, bike paths, poorly maintained or missing sidewalks, and dangerous intersections throughout the County. Colin is an advocate for persons with disabilities and the importance of their voices regarding issues that are important to them within the county.
INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ PENSION COMMITTEE:
The Board has adopted pension Reform as one of its key priorities, with a goal of ensuring a fair, equitable, and sustainable pension system for taxpayers and employees alike. In April 2017, the Board created the new Committee to represent the best interests of the entire community in a non-partisan manner, and to help improve communication between the County and residents on pension issues. The scope of the Committee is intended to improve accountability and transparency of the County’s pension reporting and provide a way for the County to engage citizens in the process of developing and refining its pension reform strategies. The Board approved Resolution #17-0177 on April 25, 2017, outlined the Committee scope, which is focused on enhancing the County’s pension reporting and improving accountability and transparency.
Lieselotte “Lilo” Kangas was an insurance and financial services professional for over thirty years in Sonoma County. Self-employed for most of her career, she was a broker to multiple carriers providing financial services including life, health, and long-term care insurance; retirement plans and annuities; as well as life settlements to community members. A graduate of both the Santa Rosa Junior College and later Sonoma State University she is passionate about serving her community by applying her knowledge and experience to this role.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
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Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Michael Busshianeri application for Assessment Appeals Board
Laura Grygera application for Developmental Disabilities Board (AREA IV)
Colin Thoma application for Developmental Disabilities Board (AREA IV)
Lieselotte “Lilo” Kangas application for Independent Citizens’ Pension Committee
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None