title
Approve Updated Solano County Historical Records Commission By-Laws; and Approve reappointments of Thomas C. Clark, and Douglas J. Rodgers and the appointment of Thomas L. Snyder, MD to the Solano County Historical Records Commission with terms to expire on April 26, 2020
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of General Services recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve Updated Solano County Historical Records Commission (SCHRC) By-Laws; and
2. Approve the reappointments of Thomas C. Clark and Douglas J. Rodgers and the appointment of Thomas L. Snyder, MD to the Solano County Historical Records Commission with terms to expire on April 26, 2020.
SUMMARY:
On June 14, 2016 the Board of Supervisors directed the Department of General Services to proceed with Phase One of the Historical Records Implementation Plan to advance collection and program management of the County’s Historical Records, which included updating SCHRC by-laws and evaluating the composition of the Commission. Subsequently, SCHRC delegated the responsibility for these activities during a public meeting of the SCHRC to the officers of the SCHRC, working in conjunction with representatives of General Services and County Counsel. Changes to SCHRC by-laws (Attachment A and B) include reducing the voting members of the Commission from eight to five citizen members with 4 non-voting, ex-officio representatives from three County Departments (Assessor/ Recorder, Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk, and Library) and one State Agency (California Superior Court, County of Solano) serving in an advisory role to the Board of Supervisors regarding the preservation and public accessibility of Solano County’s Historical Records. The Treasurer has been eliminated as an officer of the Commission since fiscal responsibilities have been previously directed to County staff by the Board.
Based on a recommendation of SCHRC citizen members the reduction in the size of the Commission would be accomplished through attrition and completed in April 2018 in order to retain institutional knowledge during the transition and honor SCHRC membership applications that were received prior to the Board’s direction at the June 14, 2016 meeting. Therefore, two re-appointments of existing citizen members and one new citizen member appointment is recommended as an interim composition of seven voting citizen members during the transition period between 2016 and April 2018. Under the proposed downsizing, General Services and County Counsel would continue to provide staff and legal support to SCHRC.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This action has no financial impact.
DISCUSSION:
Currently, there are 13 SCHRC voting members including eight citizen members (two vacant positions), four County Department representatives (Assessor Recorder, Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk, Library and General Services) and one State Agency representative (Superior Court of California County of Solano). In April 2018, of the 4 expiring positions, only 2 will remain available with two being eliminated. At that time, the final SCHRC member composition will depend on who applies/reapplies for the vacant positions.
While the SCHRC citizen members support the size reduction and proposed composition of the SCHRC in the updated By-laws, the citizen members unanimously voted to recommend that downsizing of the Commission occur through attrition between 2016 and 2018 with an interim composition of seven voting citizen members. The current SCHRC Member Composition, Proposed Interim SCHRC Member Composition, and Final SCHRC Member Composition are shown in Attachment C.
To accomplish the Proposed Interim SCHRC Member Composition, two reappointments of existing citizen members and one new appointment of a citizen member are presented for the Board’s consideration. Also, if the Board approves the updated By-laws, the State Agency representative would be converted from a voting Commissioner to a non-voting, ex-officio Commission member.
Mr. Thomas C. Clark and Mr. Douglas J. Rodgers are existing Commissioners who are seeking reappointment. Mr. Clark has been a Commissioner since 2000 and has served as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary of the Commission. He has worked with libraries and archives since 1969 as a library employee (UC Berkeley, 1969-1974) and a researcher (1978 to present). Mr. Rodgers has served the Commission since June 2012. He has served as Secretary to the Commission. He presently volunteers for the Vacaville Heritage Council, St Mary’s Catholic Church’s Food Locker in Vacaville, and the Solano County Library Literacy Program. Mr. Rogers is a contributing author of articles for the publication, “Solano Historian” which is published by the Solano Historical Society. Dr. Thomas L. Snyder is a retired physician who practiced in the United States Navy and locally in Vallejo and Martinez. He is an active historical researcher, published author of medical and historical papers, presenter/lecturer of medical and historical topics, founder of Vallejo History Sleuths, the current Chair of the Vallejo Architectural Heritage and Landmarks Commission, a past President and Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Solano Sunset, and past Director of the Solano Community Foundation.
ALTERNATIVES:
1) The Board could choose not to approve the revised By-Laws.
2) The Board could choose not to reappoint the existing two Commissioners nor appoint the new Commissioner. This action is not recommended since it is inconsistent with the advisory recommendation of the SCHRC citizen members. In addition, each of the recommended appointments have experience and interest in Solano County history and will advance the current work efforts of SCHRC.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
SCHRC, County Counsel, and the General Services Department developed the updated SCHRC By-Laws. Citizen members of the SCHRC support the proposed actions, including reducing the number of voting SCHRC Commissioners from eight to five through attrition.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION