To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk of the Board
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Consider Reappointments and Appointments to the Headwaters Fund Board
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Consider the Headwaters Fund Board recommendations to reappoint Walter Geist and Brian Papstein to a second three-year term;
2. Consider the recommendations of the Headwaters Fund Selection Subcommittee to appoint Rusty Hicks and Walter Gray III as the two new Board members to each serve an initial term of two years;
3. Approve the recommendation that Serah Blackstone-Fredericks be an alternate to fill the next vacancy as a result if one of the reappointments or appointments are not supported by the full Board of Supervisors; or be appointed to the next vacancy which will occur in 2025 when Carl Hansen completes his term limit.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: A Diverse, Equitable & Robust Economy
Strategic Plan Category: 2001 - Promote strong economic resiliency and growth
DISCUSSION:
The Headwaters Fund Board was established by the Board of Supervisors in 2003 and acts as the advisory body to your Board regarding funds gained from the acquisition of the Headwaters Forest Preserve by state and federal governments. The Headwaters Fund invests in projects through grants and loans with the goal of helping residents of Humboldt County achieve increased economic opportunity, prosperity and quality of life.
Pursuant to Section 8.b of the Headwaters Fund Board Manual, “the Headwaters Fund Board shall make recommendations for reappointment of the Board of Supervisors who may then accept the reappointment by a majority vote. In the event a recommendation for reappointment is rejected by the Board of Supervisors, the seat shall be deemed vacant at the expiration of the term and the selection process as defined in Section 5 shall commence.”
Headwaters Fund Board members are initially recommended to the Board by the Headwaters Fund Board Selection Subcommittee composed of the County Administrative Officer or their designee, the Treasurer-Tax Collector and two Supervisors. Supervisor Bohn and Supervisor Wilson currently serve on this subcommittee.
After a Headwaters Fund Board member serves an initial term of two years, recommendations for reappointment come to the Board of Supervisors from the Headwaters Fund Board, which may result in reappointment for up to two subsequent terms of three years each. However, these appointments are at-large, so the Board of Supervisors may use their discretion to make the appointments or reappointments.
There are two reappointments being presented at this time. The Headwaters Fund Board took action to support the reappointment of members Geist and Papstein during their Oct. 8, 2024 meeting.
There are two current vacancies following the resignation of former members Catsos and Brown.
The Headwaters Fund Board Selection Subcommittee interviewed five applicants (Attachments 2-6) and recommends the appointment of Rusty Hicks and Walter Gray for the two vacant positions with a term end date of Nov. 5, 2026. The subcommittee further recommends that Serah Blackstone-Fredericks be an alternate recommendation to fill the next vacancy if the reappointments or appointments should not be supported by the Board of Supervisors or that Blackstone-Fredericks be appointed to the next vacancy which will occur in April 2025 when Cark Hansen terms out.
All appointed members to the Headwaters Fund Board will be required to comply with the California Fair Political Act Form 700 requirements as well as completing the Ethics 1234 training every two years.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Headwaters Fund
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF COMMENDATIONS:
This is an at-large Board, so the Board of Supervisors has full discretion over the appointments. The Board could choose not to reappoint or appoint the recommended members from the subcommittee. This is not recommended as the subcommittee has interviewed all applicants.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Headwaters Fund Board Recommendation Letter
2. Rusty Hicks Application
3. Serah Blackstone-Fredericks Application
4. Nicholas Kohl Application
5. David Tillotson Application
6. Walter Gray Application
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: March 12, 2024, July 23, 2024
File No.: 24-305 & 24-1106