LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors has voted to create an 11-member ad hoc committee that will be tasked with addressing equity and inclusion and will include the county, municipal and tribal governments.
The creation of the committee follows the board’s Feb. 23 presentation of a proclamation that promoted “tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.”
That proclamation, brought forward by board members EJ Crandell and Tina Scott, committed to holding a visioning session to develop recommendations for, among other things, “meaningful actions and activities that will build bridges where there may be walls,” fostering tolerance, promoting nonviolence, focusing resources on underlying causes and conditions that lead to inequitable resource and justice distribution, and relevant solutions for social injustices.
For Tuesday’s meeting, Board Chair Bruno Sabatier had the matter agendized, recommending in his written report to the board that “as an important next step,” the board form a seven-member ad hoc committee to plan for the community visioning forum.
He told fellow supervisors members on Tuesday that he was recommending Crandell and Scott represent the board on the committee, which also was to have one representative of law enforcement and four community members.
However, as the discussion progressed, the board supported expanding the recommended membership to include more voices, in particular, the local city and tribal governments.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said that since the proclamation’s reading last week, the county had been contacted by several people who have a strong interest in serving on the committee.
Sabatier said he was messaged during the Tuesday meeting about offering two seats representing the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.
“I would love to see the cities involved in this and not take up the four seats of the community members,” said Scott, adding that the committee needed to include the entire county, not just the unincorporated areas.
Sabatier suggested adding the two seats for the city, bringing the total number of seats to nine.
Supervisor Moke Simon, who is in tribal leadership for Middletown Rancheria, said it’s good to include all local governments, which he said includes the county’s seven tribal nations.
Sabatier said he appreciated Simon’s comments and asked him for his thoughts on correctly adding tribal membership.
“Obviously, that’s the question,” said Simon, noting each tribe has its own government. He suggested having at least one or two tribals seats, noting he hadn’t talked to all of the local tribal leaders. He added that they wouldn’t want the committee to be overly burdensome.
Crandell, who also is a local tribal member, suggested letting each of the tribes choose how they would like to be represented on the committee.
Scott said she was open to adding seats for all seven local tribes. While having too many members may make it hard to come to a conclusion, “I definitely don’t want to limit seats at the table,” she said.
Sabatier suggested starting with the updated size of nine members and then come back with a plan on how to implement tribal membership.
Huchingson told the board that “11 is a workable number” and suggested approving that number of seats, which would include tribal representatives, and see how it works. “You’ll be further along if you go with that.”
Supervisor Jessica Pyska asked if they would need a facilitator. With the committee size growing, she said she thought someone would need to keep it on track, be in charge of agendas and minutes, and facilitate meetings. Sabatier said he would leave it up to Scott and Crandell to work through how the committee would operate.
Scott said she didn’t want to move forward without having seats representing the native community.
“Everybody will be welcome to come to this meeting,” she said, noting it will be interesting to see who shows up.
Scott moved to approve an 11-member ad hoc committee and agreed that she and Crandell would reach out to the local tribes to find out how they would like to be represented.
Simon seconded the motion and the board approved it 5-0.
Sabatier thanked everyone for the conversation and said he’s looking forward to what the group will look like.
To apply, visit the county’s Electronic Advisory Board Application.
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