Title
Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board make the following appointments to the Strategic Economic Enhancement Development (SEED) Committee for a term of two (2) years commencing upon appointment:
1) Thomas Conwell Jr. (Commercial Real Estate Broker, Managing Director);
2) Les Heinsen (Owner/President Credence Corp. dba: Element 79 Vineyards);
3) Perry McLain (Businessman, PMC Aquatics, LLC.);
4) Bryce Miller (Executive Director, Business Development, Marshall Hospital);
5) Christine Noonan (General Manager/Owner Delfino Farms);
6) Carl Ribaudo (President/Chief Strategist, SMG Consulting); and
7) David Spaur (Retired City Manager, Consultant, S2 Consulting, LLC.).
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
SEED Committee Member Selection Process and Recommendations
The open recruitment process commenced in July 2024 and concluded in the first week of September 2024. Outreach included: the Board Clerk’s office posting a Notice of Vacancy on their website; a posting on the Economic Development webpage; email blasts to the email listserv for Economic Development; social media posts by the County’s Public Information Officer; and direct outreach by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, and other Funding Agreement partners to their respective memberships and email lists. A total of 12 applications were received.
At the conclusion of the recruitment period, staff reviewed applications for thoroughness, including whether questions contained in the supplemental questionnaire had been appropriately addressed to meet the criteria enumerated in Article III, Section G of the SEED Committee formation resolution:
1. Current resident of El Dorado County
2. Executive and/or industry experience
3. History of community leadership
4. Background and skills needed on the Committee
5. Strategic planning skills
6. Ability to attend meetings in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, including authorized remote participation.
It should be noted that although one (1) applicant has their residence listed as Fair Oaks, they also have a residence in El Dorado County, which does not preclude them from applying and/or being appointed to the Committee.
Throughout the review process, staff sought to cast as wide a net as possible to ensure that the broadest range of industry sectors was recognized, with committee members having commensurate professional experiences. Question number five on the supplemental questionnaire was critical in ascertaining the industries and sectors in which applicants had deep experience. While some applicants checked many boxes on question five, staff reviewed for overall professional knowledge and aimed to align committee membership with the candidates' greatest strengths, while ensuring representation from each Supervisorial District.
In this regard, staff is confident that the following industries are well-covered by the recommended SEED Committee applicants:
• Agribusiness
• Biomass/Clean Energy/Sustainability
• Construction
• Creative Economies (Arts and Culture)
• Event Venues/Rural Industries
• Education/Vocational Training
• Finance and Capital
• Healthcare
• Non-profits
• Utilities
• Tourism
• Outdoor Recreation
• Real Estate/Housing/Commercial Real Estate
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the appointments as recommended and appoint individuals not specifically enumerated in this Board item.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
On January 3, 2023 (Legistar File 22-2090), the Board directed the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) to submit a report to the Board regarding the structure of the Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee (CEDAC) and any recommendations. The Board also directed that all appointments to CEDAC be put on hold until the CAO provided the report on the structure and recommendations.
On February 21, 2023 (Legistar File 23-0359), the Board received and filed a report concerning CEDAC. Consequently, at their March 7, 2023 meeting, (Legistar File 23-0431), the Board made appointments to CEDAC for Supervisorial Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 and appointed two (2) Board members to an Ad Hoc Committee responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding CEDAC. The remaining at-large position remained unoccupied.
On November 9, 2023 (Legistar File 23-2007), the Board made an appointment to CEDAC for Supervisorial District 4.
On March 19, 2024 (Legistar File 24-0430), the Board directed staff and the Ad Hoc Committee to return to the Board with revisions to the SEED Bylaws reflecting Board direction and staff's recommendations along with a proposed work plan that aligns with the County's Strategic Plan element of Thriving Economy and directed the Economic and Business Relations Manager to use this opportunity to bring back something that he fully supports, even if it is different than what the Board has previously directed or what has been done in the past.
On June 18, 2024 (Legistar File 24-0898), staff brought forth the proposed Bylaws and Resolution 111-2024. Following a discussion, the Board made a motion to direct staff to resolve inconsistencies between the Bylaws and Resolution and return to the Board on July 16, 2024, with a Consent Calendar item reflecting those changes. The Board proceeded to adopt the Resolution and Bylaws at its July 16, 2024 meeting.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Clerk of the Board
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this Board item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Update Committee/Commission database.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Thriving Economy: Develop a Countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan focused on managed growth and economic stability.
CONTACT
Christopher Perry, Economic and Business Relations Manager
Planning and Building Department