POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: VIII C
MEETING DATE: 3/28/2023
TITLE
Formation of Arena Cove Advisory Committee
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report; decide whether to create Committee; appoint 2 Councilmembers
ANALYSIS
At the January 11, 2022 meeting, the City Council created an “Arena Cove and Pier Ad Hoc Committee” comprised of then-Vice Mayor Barbara Burkey and Councilmember Richey Wasserman. The purpose of the committee was to discuss matters pertaining to Arena Cove and Point Arena Pier, including the potential formation of a Harbor District.
Since the end of 2022, the Ad Hoc committee has not met as Councilmember Wasserman is no longer on the City Council. Recently Mayor Burkey and city staff met with Arena Cove Stewards to discuss items affecting Arena Cove.
At the meeting it was suggested that an Arena Cove Advisory Committee be formed which includes members of the City Council and public to discuss and make recommendations to the full City Council.
Advisory committees are a structured way for the public to share their opinions and perspectives, study issues, and develop recommendations in a focused, small group structure. Their mandate consists of giving advice, of formulating opinions, or of making recommendations on questions where the topic affects the community. Members do not need to be residents of the City to participate.
The advisory committee does not have formal authority to govern the organization and does not issue directives which must be followed. Rather, the advisory committee serves to make recommendations and/or provide key information and materials to the Council.
In general, advisory committee members are volunteers. Most advisory committees have Council members and citizen representatives.
The purpose of the Arena Cove Advisory Committee would be to provide the City Council with consensus recommendations and potential actions regarding Arena Cove that reflect the surrounding community, not just the residents of Point Arena.
Potential issues for discussion and recommendation could include an Arena Creek study and restoration; Arena Cove Park rehabilitation; an Arena Cove Master Plan; and recreational improvements to the Cove in general.
An open-ended advisory committee would be subject to the noticing and legal requirements of the Brown Act. Meetings would need to have an agenda, be open to the public and noticed properly, the same way as City Council meetings.
Staff suggests a committee of two Councilmembers and three members of the public with a regular monthly meeting. The City could open an application process for appointment to the Committee or not. City staff would provide support to the committee.
FISCAL IMPACT
Some additional staff time supporting the Committee.
ATTACHMENTS
None
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
_________________________________
Paul Andersen, City Manager