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Adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation recognizing Lori Mazzella, Deputy County Counsel, upon her retirement from Solano County with nearly 25 years of dedicated public service in the Office of the County Counsel (Supervisor Vasquez)
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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 Lori Mazzella Deputy, County Counsel, upon her retirement from Solano County with nearly 25 years of dedicated public service in the Office of the County Counsel.
SUMMARY:
Lori Mazzella began working for the Office of County Counsel on January 3, 2000, initially assigned to Child Protection Services and litigation support. She was soon assigned to represent Environmental Health (“EH”) Division and quickly became a statewide recognized subject matter in the various functions of that division. Her institutional knowledge of County processes, legacy cases/situations, County/State/Federal codes and regulations along with her network of contacts throughout the state saved her clients tremendous hours of staff time with her wise counsel.
Lori is retiring from Solano County on November 8, 2024 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 FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Lori Mazzella began working for the Office of County Counsel on January 3, 2000, initially assigned to Child Protection Services and litigation support. She was soon assigned to represent Environmental Health (“EH”), an assignment she maintained throughout her tenure in the office, addressing its myriad issues including EH’s role as the Local Enforcement Agency (“LEA”) overseeing solid waste disposal. In 2003, Lori assisted in drafting of the Board’s adoption of county regulations on biosolids spreading and the creation of buffer zones around cities and rural homes. In 2005, she assisted the State’s precursor to CalRecycle’s (California Integrated Waste Management Board) permitting of the Recology’s Jepson Prairie Organics (“JPO”) Facility which was drafted, with her guidance and input, in such a way to provide regulatory certainty with the greatest operational flexibility.
Lori also advised EH in its regulatory role as the Certified Unified Program Agency (“CUPA”) overseeing the use and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. She was instrumental in developing and implementing the CUPA’s Compliance Order process, creating a fair and balanced enforcement approach that ensured compliance while recovering Departmental costs.
Lori contributed to drafting the County’s Solid Waste Independent Hearing Panel Guidelines, which were approved by the Board and became a model for other counties statewide, leading to successful outcomes when the panel was utilized. She also helped draft numerous ordinances and notices related to public health and safety, including retail food protection, public pools, sewage disposal, cleanup of leaking underground tanks and other EH programs.
Over the years, Lori advised the code compliance program, assisting in numerous inspections and abatements by relying on her extensive knowledge of county processes, legal precedents, county/state/federal codes and regulations to ensure public protection while providing property owners a fair opportunity to abate public nuisances. Notably, she worked diligently on one case for over two decades, finally securing a permanent injunction in 2023. Her efforts and knowledge were instrumental in updating the County Code that improved administrative code enforcement processes, resulting in over $265,000 in fines in the first year of implementation.
Lori became a statewide subject matter expert on environmental law through her representation of LEA and the CUPA, serving as the Environmental Law and Regulation Section Chair of the County Counsel’s Association. In this role, she coordinated invaluable education programs for fellow deputies across California.
Lori advised the Resource Management’s Public Works Division on multiple road construction projects and most recently supported General Services’ Capital Projects Management with above-ground construction projects. Lori consistently provided wise counsel, recommending litigation in only one project, which, after many years, ultimately resulted in a successful outcome for the County, including a determination that the contractor had submitting three false claims against the County.
Lori’s integration within various divisions in Resource Management ensured legal consistency and helped shape current departmental practices. She has been an invaluable advisor, resource, and go-to person for management and staff.
Whether it be the numerous Child Welfare appellate briefs she filed over the years or inspection/abatement warrants she drafted, Lori’s excellent analytical and writing skills have consistently convinced judges to rule in favor of the County and have always focused on mutually beneficial results. She spent years working with the Civil Grand Jury on a whole spectrum of issues from potential removal from office to copying fees gaining the trust and respect from each panel she has advised.
While representing the Assessor-Recorder, Lori was quick to discover that a company was attempting to record predatory exclusive listing agreements against vulnerable homeowners’ properties. With Lori’s encouragement, the Board sponsored legislation (AB 1345) to end this practice. In close cooperation with the California Department of Justice, Lori testified before the Legislature, contributing to the passage of the “Residential Exclusive Listing Agreements Act,” which banned the recording of such agreements and made such attempts illegal.
Lori Mazzella is scheduled to retire from Solano County on November 8, 2024 after nearly 25 years of service and her dedication, commitment to detail and unwavering support for her clients, peers and colleagues will be sorely 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 Ms. Mazzella for her dedication and nearly 25 years of service to Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION