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El Dorado County Fish and Game Committee, in collaboration with the Clerk of the Board, recommending the Board Approve the Final Passage (Second Reading) of Ordinance 5103 to repeal County Ordinance Code Article XII. Fish and Game Committee, Chapter 2.20.820 et. seq. (Ordinances 550, 1017, and 3359, respectively) in support of Good Governance Objective 2.1 which directs staff to review all ordinances. (Cont. 6/25/19 Item 37)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On June 25, 2019 (Item 37) the Board approved Introduction (First Reading) to repeal Article XII. Fish and Game Committee, Chapter 2.20.820 et. seq. of the County code, pursuant to Board Policy A-3 and continued to matter to July 16, 2019 for Final Passage (Second Reading).
On June 11, 2019 (Item 21) the Board approved conceptual approval to repeal Article XII. Fish and Game Committee, Chapter 2.20.820 et. seq. of the County code, pursuant to Board Policy A-3, and directed staff to prepare the ordinance and a resolution to ensure the uninterrupted service of the Fish and Game Commission.
In addition to the proposed name change from Fish and Game Committee, this matter seeks Board approval to make minor changes to the membership of the commission, primarily establishing a 6-year term limit for the two at-large members.
In August of 2018 the Fish and Game Committee began discussions to recommend amendments to ordinance code Chapter 2.20, Article XII - Fish and Game Committee. A final draft of the proposed changes was provided to the Clerk of the Board in late February of 2019 and minor revisions took place in March of 2019. Upon review of the requested modifications by Counsel and following conversations between the Clerk of the Board and committee member Kurt Mikkola, it was determined this would be an appropriate time to request the Board contemplate replacing the current ordinance code provisions (Section 2.20.820 et. seq.) with a resolution of the Board. This effort is the direct result of Good Governance Objective 2.1 to review and update all ordinances which includes a provision to reduce the volume of ordinances where it is feasible to do so. Staff has determined there are no statutory requirements that demonstrate a Fish and Game Committee needs to be established by County ordinance.
At their regular meeting of April 24, 2019, the Clerk of the Board met with the Fish and Game Committee to provide an update on the necessary steps to accomplish the proposed changes. Upon receiving concurrence from the Committee, the Clerk prepared this agenda item and will work with Counsel and the Committee as needed to affect the recommended changes.
In regards to the proposed changes, generally speaking the current complement of members and the designated scope and purpose of the committee will remain intact. The committee plans to recommend the term of the two at-large members be six (6) years for continuity purposes. Neither the current ordinance, nor section 2.20.010 of the El Dorado County Code provides for a specified term for at-large appointees.
Summary Provided by the Committee
A summary of the proposed amendments to be included in the resolution, as provided by the Committee is shown below.
• The original ordinance establishing the El Dorado County (EDC) Fish and Game Committee was established 35 years ago.
• During the last 5 years, the Committee has become increasingly active in the challenges EDC faces re. fish, wildlife and related issues such as land rehabilitation, wildlife impacts, and many environmental topics.
• The Committee reviewed the original ordinance and determined that it did not adequately reflect many of the issues now before the Committee.
• The Committee wishes to formally update and modernize the ordinance to reflect the modern Committee’s increasingly active role.
• The proposed amendments more accurately and specifically reflect the expanded role of the Committee.
• The amended ordinance and establishing Resolution provides for and formalizes an improved template for realizing the mission and duties of current and future members of the Committee.
• The proposed amendments may improve EDC collection of California state fish and game propagation funds.
• The Committee does not expect the ordinance amendments or establishing Resolution to create any increased costs to EDC.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to provide conceptual approval.
The Board may direct the committee and/or staff to take other action.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this matter.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chairs signature on the resolution and ordinance. Ordinance numbers to be repealed are 550, 1017, and 3359.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance, Objective 2.1
CONTACT
Larry Nelson, Chair, Fish and Game Committee
Kurt Mikkola, Members, Fish and Game Committee
Jim Mitrisin, Clerk of the Board