Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Hybrid Meeting In-Person and via ZOOM
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Greg Bradbard, Mike Burrows, Chris Carrillo, Mark Cloud, Ken Coate, Sandra Cuellar, Jennifer Cusack, Kevin Dyerly, Otis Greer, Fran Inman, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Bill Lemann, Miguel Mendoza, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, Vikki Ostermann, Bansree Parikh, Catherine Pritchett, Thomas Rice, Karen Richmond, Dan Roberts, Elizabeth Romero, Kate Salvesen, Dan Schenkel, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Phil Southard, Sol Teh, Eric Ustation, Pete Van Helden, Ray Wolfe and Marisa Yeager.
Guests: Michael Rivera.
Announcements: 1) Members of Inland action are invited to a reception on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at the Burrage Mansion hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside to express gratitude to the community and sponsors that support them. Rsvp by calling (909) 798-4599.
Lowell King, Chair, presiding.
Motion by M. Burrows/Second by R. Wolfe/Passed: Minutes from September 14, 2021
The second reading was made for the following proposed members:
- The law firm of Crosbie, Gliner, Schiffman, Southard, & Swanson, LLP (CGS3) with offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Bernardino. Primary representative would be Michael Rivera. For more information, please go to their web site- https://www.cgs3.com/
- OneLegacy, an organ, eye and tissue organization in Redlands. Their primary representative would be CEO Tom Mone and E’Tiffany Jones would serve as their alternate. For more information, please go to their web site- https://www.onelegacy.org/about/mission.html
Members will vote next week. Please direct any question or comments to John Mirau, Chair, Nominating Committee or Carole Beswick.
Kristine Scott introduced former State Senator Bill Emmerson, member of the California Little Hoover Commission.
The California Little Hoover Commission (LHC), officially the Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy, is an independent California state oversight agency modeled after the Hoover Commission and created in 1962, that investigates State government operations and promotes efficiency, economy and improved service through reports, recommendations, and legislative proposals. In addition, the Commission has a statutory obligation to review and make recommendations on all proposed government reorganization plans.
The Commission’s staff is nonpartisan, and by statute, the Commission itself is bipartisan. The Commission has four Commissioners from the Legislature: two from each house and each party. Additionally, there are nine Commissioners from the public, and no more than five can be from the same political party. The Commission is also staffed by seven permanent employees and occasional student interns.
The Commission has broad and independent authority to evaluate the structure, organization, operation and function of every department, agency and executive branch of State government, along with the policies and methods for appropriating and administering funds. Unlike fiscal or performance audits, the Commission’s studies look beyond whether programs comply with existing statutes and regulations. They instead explore how programs can and should function today and in the future.
In conducting its work, the Commission focuses on how the State may:
- Improve outcomes of its programs.
- Increase government transparency.
- Reduce spending without sacrificing services.
- Eliminate duplication or wasteful practices.
- Consolidate services or abolish, create and reorganize government to better meet the needs of Californians.
The Little Hoover Commission welcomes the opportunity to work with the Governor, legislators and staff and is available to:
- Support: Offer official support for legislation that implements our recommendations, including writing support letters or providing testimony at legislative hearings.
- Advise: Brief policymakers and staff on issues researched by the Commission and discuss policy or organizational options, past or potential reforms and ideas for legislation.
- Listen and Research: Consider letters from the Governor, members of the Legislature and others requesting future Commission study topics.
The Commissioners select study topics that come to their attention from citizens, legislators, their own experiences, and other sources. Once topics are selected research is conducted under the direction of a Commission subcommittee. Staff conducts research by collecting data, reviewing research and consulting with topic experts. Based on staff research, the Commission subcommittee identifies key issues and schedules public hearings and advisory committee meetings. When the Commission has reached an agreement on the report’s findings and recommendations, the Commissioners vote to adopt the report. The subcommittee and staff then draft potential report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. Finally, the Commission participates in meetings, presentations, hearings, briefings, and writes follow-up letters to encourage the implementation of its report recommendations.
Considered an independent voice for government reform, the Little Hoover Commission is currently working on both Police Officers Training Standards (POST) and Creating Affordable Housing: The State and Local Relationship. Considering the recent and costly recall election (over $270 million) the Commission will likely review California’s entire recall process. Unlike California, many other states do not allow for a recall unless there is some type of misconduct or malfeasance, or the Governor is physically incapacitated. If there is a recall, many states rely on the Lt. Governor to step in until the next general election.
For up-to-date reports, events, and news, subscribe to the Commission’s email list at: http://bit.ly/LittleHooverNews.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28 a.m.