To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: David Guhin 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Appointment of Omar Lopez to serve on the Fire Memorial Task Force beginning May 12, 2026, through the completion of the Fire Memorial installation. (Countywide)
End
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>.
The Memorial Task Force consists of a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including representatives of families who lost loved ones in the fires, first responders, artists, and arts workers from across the County of Sonoma. Creative Sonoma reviews applications, recommendations, and self-nominations from potential members and recommends Fire Memorial Task Force members for appointment by the Board of Supervisors. As part of the review process, Creative Sonoma will interview potential Memorial Task Force members as needed. The current item recommends appointment of Omar Lopez to the Fire Memorial Task Force to fill the unscheduled vacancy due to the resignation of Alma Bowen in April 2025.
Discussion:
Pursuant to the Fire Memorial Work Plan previously adopted by your Board, Creative Sonoma recommends the appointment of Omar Lopez to the Fire Memorial Task Force, for a term beginning May 12, 2026, through to the completion of the Fire Memorial installation initiative. This appointment fills an unscheduled vacancy due to the resignation of Alma Bowen in April 2025.
On July 11, 2023 (Item 61), the Board of Supervisors approved the appointments Alma Bowen, Cyndi Forman, Paul Lowenthal, Margie Maynard, Tammy Sakanashi, Jessica Tunis and Pamela Van Halsema. On December 6, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved the Fire Memorial Work Plan (Work Plan) to develop and install a Fire Memorial in honor of the lives that were lost in the 2017 Sonoma Complex Wildfires. The Work Plan included the establishment of a Fire Memorial Task Force (Task Force) to oversee specific aspects of the project, including:
• create project goals and themes for the memorial
• oversee the artist selection and community engagement processes
• participate in community engagement
• select the artist(s)
• support the development of the project concept
• advocate for the project when it is being developed and again when it is completed
The Work Plan also described the potential composition of the Task Force as approximately seven (7) members, who represent a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including first responders and representatives of families who lost loved ones in the fires. Task Force members include:
• families directly affected by displacement, loss of family
• first responders
• public health / behavioral health responders
• artists and arts professionals
• people affected by taking in displaced people, volunteering to assist with critical services, etc.
• local government officials
The recommended candidate meets the eligibility criteria set forth in the Fire Memorial Work Plan, is willing and able to meet the requirements for serving on the Task Force and is available to serve through the completion of the Fire Memorial initiative.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
Approve the Appointments of Alma Bowen, Cyndi Forman, Paul Lowenthal, Margie Maynard, Tammy Sakanashi, Jessica Tunis and Pamela van Halsema to the Fire Memorial Task Force <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6277659&GUID=BE768CAE-3E37-4A23-97EB-9B435FCE908E>
Approve the Fire Memorial Work Plan <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5948414&GUID=B4D7D117-71CA-4019-8B5B-129F4B5125C0&Options=&Search=>
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Application Recommended for Appointment
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: