Skip to main content
header-left
File #: 23-987    Version: 1 Name: JWL Retirement resolution
Type: Resolution-Presentation Status: Presentation
In control: County Counsel
On agenda: 12/5/2023 Final action: 12/5/2023
Title: Adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation recognizing James W. Laughlin, Deputy County Counsel, upon his retirement from Solano County with over 34 years of dedicated public service in the Office of the County Counsel (Supervisor Mashburn)
District: All
Attachments: 1. A - Retirement Resolution, 2. Minute Order

title

Adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation recognizing James W. Laughlin, Deputy County Counsel, upon his retirement from Solano County with over 34 years of dedicated public service in the Office of the County Counsel (Supervisor Mashburn)

 

body

Published Notice Required?     Yes ___ _  No _X__  

Public Hearing Required?         Yes ____ No __X_

 

DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:

 

County Counsel recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation recognizing James W. Laughlin, Deputy County Counsel, upon his retirement from Solano County with over 34 years of dedicated public service in the Office of the County Counsel.

 

SUMMARY:

 

James (“Jim”) W. Laughlin began working for the Office of County Counsel on November 13, 1989, initially assigned the Department of Environmental Management and Planning Commission. After a brief stint assigned to represent the Child Protective Services, Jim returned to his natural habitat in the land use assignment where he skillfully advised on zoning and development codes, specific plans, and individual public and private development proposals for consistency with the Orderly Growth Initiative adopted in 1994, as well as the County’s 2008 General Plan which he helped draft.

 

From controversial gun club permits to moratoriums on cannabis dispensaries to the siting and assessment of windmills, Jim’s calm demeanor in the face of controversy have proven invaluable to staff and residents alike ensuring comprehensive and meaningful public participation in county land use matters.

 

Jim retired from Solano County on November 24, 2023 leaving behind an incredible legacy of a very dedicated and talented public servant with big shoes to fill. 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the Resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.

 

DISCUSSION:

 

Jim’s advice and efforts have had a significant impact on every aspect of the County. From water to solid waste to windmills, Jim has advised and participated in several precedential legal decisions affecting the County. For example, Jim was instrumental in determining that Measure E, a 1984 voter initiative that precluded the importation of more than 95,000 tons of solid waste from outside the county, was unconstitutional and spent nearly 5 years litigating the matter before the California Supreme Court finally agreed with him. He was successful in defending the certification of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the County’s approval of the Montezuma Wetlands project in Friends of Suisun Marsh et al. v. Solano County. He proved critics wrong with a project that has since demonstrated to be an incredible success in contributing to the sustainability of the multi-billion dollar economic engine that the Bay Area Ports provide for the region and the nation by beneficially re-using dredge materials to sustain and create nearly 1,500 acres of wetlands habitat restoration. Dealing with water in a different form, Jim was involved in the planning that resulted in the formation of the Rural North Vacaville Water District and was successful in defending its formation and collection of assessments in Not About Water v. Solano County et al.

 

Jim advised the Airport Land Use Commission on its adoption of the first Travis Air Force Base Land Use Compatibility Plan (TALUP) in 1990, an amendment in 1994, and most importantly, its plan in 2002 which established land use compatibility policies applicable to future development in the vicinity of Travis Air Force Base ensuring that future land uses in the surrounding area will be compatible with the realistically foreseeable, ultimate potential aircraft activity at the base and successfully defended the TALUP before the California Supreme Court in Muzzy Ranch Co. v. Solano County Airport Land Use Commission. 

 

However, Jim’s talents have not been confined to the County’s boundaries. In addition to the cases mentioned above, Jim has been extremely proactive in offering his talents to draft amicus briefs, a shorthanded version of the Latin phrase of “amicus curiae” meaning “friend of the court,” to support other public agencies. Such efforts earned him the recognition of his peers in the County Counsel’s Association in 2008 in appreciation of his contributions in the Witt Home Ranch, Inc. v. County of Sonoma case which involved an interpretation of the Subdivision Map Act and whether a map recorded in 1915 by the mere fact of being recorded, created legally subdivided parcels. The knowledge he gained in that case served the County well when he successfully argued before the appellate court in Abernathy Valley, Inc. v. County of Solano, that an ancient map recorded in 1909 did not create a subdivision in the heart of Suisun Valley.

 

On behalf of both the County and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Jim was successful in requesting that the California Supreme County invalidate and order the depublication of G.I. Industries v. City of Thousand Oaks, arguing that the central purpose of both CEQA and the Brown Act is to foster better-informed governmental decision making and neither should be interpreted in a manner that elevates form over function, or that needlessly creates opportunities for “gotcha” litigation.  Most recently, Jim was successful once again in gaining the California Supreme Court’s attention when he requested the depublication of another ancient map case, Crescent Trust v. City of Oakland, where Jim was so persuasive, the Supreme Court took the request to depublish one step further and has granted review.

 

Not only has Jim been a “friend of the court,” but Jim has been a friend to our fellow counties as well, stepping in to advise when the other County Counsel’s offices were otherwise conflicted, providing excellent advice and contributing to the professional reputation of Office of the Solano County Counsel. He will be greatly missed.

 

ALTERNATIVES:

 

The Board may choose not to adopt this Resolution or approve the plaque of appreciation. This is not recommended as it is an opportunity to acknowledge Mr. Laughlin for his dedication and over 34 years of service to Solano County.

 

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:

 

None.

 

CAO RECOMMENDATION:

 

APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION