To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: M. Christina Rivera 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Reappointments of Steven Worrell, Jennifer Kuszmar, and Ariana Reguzzoni to the Sonoma Resource Conservation District Board, each for a term of four years to begin December 4, 2024 and end December 3, 2028. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
Rule 50 of the Board Rules of Procedures states that the Clerk of the Board shall put forward appointment recommendations to the Board for countywide positions. The Sonoma Resource Conservation District Board of Directors approved and put forward the current recommendation. The current item recommends appointment of Steve Worrell to the Sonoma Resource Conversation District (SRCD).
Discussion:
Resource Conversation Districts (RCD’s) are established under California Public Resource Code Division 9. Resource conservation Districts are locally governed with independent boards of directors. The SRCD is steward of public and private funds and is subject to transparency and accountability laws that require public meetings, open records, annual audits, and financial reporting. The SRCD was formed established in 1946 by local agriculturalists to address critical natural resource concerns in Sonoma County. The SRCD’s 15 District Directors serve approximately 85% of Sonoma County working toward improving the control of runoff, the preservation or control of soil erosion, the development and distribution of water, and the improvement of land capabilities.
Per Article 7. District Directors, section 9314 (b) (1) of the California Public Resource Code Division 9 “As an alternative to the election of directors, the board of directors may, by a resolution presented to the board of supervisors of the principal county, request the board of supervisors to appoint directors, except those first elected.
September 26, 2024, The SRCD Board of Directors approved the recommended reappointment of current SRCD Board members Steve Worrell, Jennifer Kuszmar, and Ariana Reguzzoni.
Steve Worrell is a registered civil engineer with experience designing winery, agricultural and food process wastewater treatment systems. He has worked on many aspects of the land-water nexus including evaluating water demand, water availability, quality and treatment. His current work includes leading the engineering division of a wastewater technology company. Steve is a current SRCD Board Member.
Jennifer Kuzmar obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from Cal Poly Humbolt before entering the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewardship Program where her work focused on fisheries restoration, forestry, and land conservation. Jennifer is a current SRCD Board Member.
Ariana Reguzzoni is a communications and marketing professional working with organizations focused on natural resource conservation and sustainable agriculture. Ariana earned an ecological horticulture certificate and Bachelors in Community Studies from the University of California Santa Cruz before completing her Masters in Journalism at the University of Berkeley. A current SRCD Board Member, Ariana is also an organic gardener and flower lover.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
8/20/2024 Appointment of Jennifer Kuszmar (Agenda Item 29)
3/26/2024 Appointment of Steve Worrell (Agenda Item 36)
9/22/2020 Appointment of Ariana Reguzzoni (Agenda Item 14)
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: N/A
California Public Resource Code Division 9