Conservancy - - CA Public Resources

Section § 32604

This section outlines the responsibilities of the conservancy focusing on the San Gabriel River, the lower Los Angeles River, and their watersheds. The conservancy must set policies and priorities for these areas, emphasizing projects that enhance recreation, greening, aesthetics, and wildlife habitats without compromising water quality or flood control. It requires approval of projects that align with set policies and the creation and periodic updating of a comprehensive plan for San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and open spaces. This plan must be supported by local governments and water associations and should address unused public spaces, recreational needs, and incorporate relevant principles from existing master plans.

The conservancy shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish policies and priorities for the conservancy regarding the San Gabriel River and the lower Los Angeles River, and their watersheds, and conduct any necessary planning activities, in accordance with the purposes set forth in Section 32602.

(b) Give priority to river related projects that create expanded opportunities for recreation, greening, aesthetic improvement, and wildlife habitat along the corridor of the river, and in parts of the river channel that can be improved for the above purposes without infringing on water quality, water supply, and necessary flood control.

(d) Prepare a San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and Open Space Plan to be approved by a majority of the cities representing a majority of the population, the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County, the Central Basin Water Association, and the San Gabriel Valley Water Association. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following elements:

(1) A determination of the policies and priorities for the conservation of the San Gabriel River and its watershed, the lower Los Angeles River, and the San Gabriel Mountains, in accordance with the purposes of the conservancy as set forth in Section 32602.

(2) A plan for incorporating, as relevant, the principles and planning work contained within the Los Angeles River Master Plan prepared by the County of Los Angeles.

(3) An identification of underused existing public open spaces and recommendations for providing better public use and enjoyment in areas identified in the plan.

(4) An identification of, and a priority program for implementing, those additional low-impact recreational and open space needs, including additional or upgraded facilities and parks that may be necessary or desirable.

(e) Update the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and Open Space Plan to include the priorities for conservation and enhanced public use within the Dominguez Channel watershed and Santa Catalina Island.

San Gabriel River lower Los Angeles River watersheds recreation opportunities greening projects aesthetic improvement wildlife habitat flood control water quality open space plan Los Angeles River Master Plan public spaces utilization recreational needs Dominguez Channel watershed Santa Catalina Island

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 718, Sec. 4. (SB 1122) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Section § 32605

This law section outlines the composition of a board with 15 voting members and 9 non-voting, also called ex officio members. The voting members include representatives from various government bodies and associations related to Los Angeles and Orange County areas, such as the County Board of Supervisors, city governments bordering the San Gabriel River and Mountains, Gateway Cities, and various water associations. Some representatives are appointed by governors, the Senate, or the Speaker of the Assembly from nominated lists.

The non-voting members include high-level officials or their representatives from agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, and California Departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation. Additionally, two non-voting members are state legislators from the Senate and Assembly, participating in board activities as long as it doesn't interfere with their legislative duties.

The board shall consist of 15 voting members and 9 ex officio, nonvoting members, as follows:

(a) The 15 voting members of the board shall be the following:

(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, or his or her designee, who represents the area or a portion thereof contained within the territory of the conservancy, appointed by the Governor.

(2) Two members of the Governing Board of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, one of whom shall be a mayor or city council member of a city bordering along the San Gabriel River, and one of whom shall be a mayor or city council member of a city bordering the San Gabriel Mountains area. One member shall be appointed by a majority of the membership of that governing board, and one member shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules from a list of two or more potential members submitted by the governing board. If the governing board fails to provide to the Senate Committee on Rules a list of two or more potential members, at least 30 days prior to the date a current member’s term of office expires, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a mayor or city council member of a city bordering along the San Gabriel River or the San Gabriel Mountains, or a member of the public who resides within the territory of the conservancy.

(3) Two members of the Board of Directors of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, one of whom shall be the mayor of the City of Long Beach or a city council member of the City of Long Beach appointed by the mayor, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly from a list of two or more potential members submitted by the executive committee of the Board of Directors of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. The executive committee shall submit lists of potential members to the Speaker of the Assembly until an acceptable member is appointed.

(4) Two members of the Orange County Division of the League of California Cities, both of whom shall be a mayor or city council member of a city bordering along the San Gabriel River or a tributary thereof. One member shall be appointed by a majority of the membership of the city selection committee of Orange County, and one member shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of two or more potential members submitted by the city selection committee.

(5) One member shall be a representative of a member of the San Gabriel Valley Water Association appointed by a majority of the membership of the board of directors of the San Gabriel Valley Water Association.

(6) One member shall be a representative of the Central Basin Water Association appointed by a majority of the membership of the board of directors of the Central Basin Water Association.

(7) One member shall be a resident of Los Angeles County appointed by the Governor from a list of potential members submitted by local, state, and national environmental organizations that operate within the County of Los Angeles and within the territory of the conservancy and that have participated in planning for river restoration or open space, or both, or river preservation.

(8) One member, appointed by the Governor, who is a resident of a city, not otherwise represented on the board at the time of the member’s appointment, bordering the Lower Los Angeles River. The Governor shall make the appointment from a list of two or more potential members submitted by the executive committee of the Board of Directors of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. The executive committee shall submit lists of potential members to the Governor until he or she appoints a member.

(9) One member, appointed by the Governor, who is a resident of a city, not otherwise represented on the board at the time of the member’s appointment, bordering the San Gabriel River. The Governor shall make the appointment from a list of two or more potential members submitted to the Governing Board of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The governing board shall submit lists of potential members to the Governor until he or she appoints a member.

(10) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, or his or her designee.

(11) The Secretary for Environmental Protection, or his or her designee.

(12) The Director of Finance, or his or her designee.

(b)

(1) Seven of the ex officio, nonvoting members shall be the following officers or an employee of each agency designated annually by that officer to represent the office or agency:

(A) The District Engineer of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

(B) The Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region of the United States Forest Service.

(D) The Director of the Orange County Public Facility and Resource Department.

(E) A member of the San Gabriel River Watermaster, appointed by a majority of the members of the San Gabriel River Watermaster.

(F) The Director of Parks and Recreation.

(G) The Executive Officer of the Wildlife Conservation Board.

(2)

(A) Two of the ex officio, nonvoting members shall be the following:

(i) One Member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.

(ii) One Member of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(B) A member appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall meet with the conservancy and participate in its activities to the extent that participation is compatible with his or her duties as a legislator.

board composition voting members non-voting members Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley Gateway Cities Orange County San Gabriel River San Gabriel Mountains water association governor appointments Senate Committee on Rules Speaker of the Assembly ex officio members local government representation

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 677, Sec. 1. (SB 355) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Section § 32606

This law section outlines the terms and conditions for voting members of a board. Typically, members serve two-year terms, but there are exceptions. If a board member stops holding the office that qualified them for the board, or if they stop representing a specific group, their membership ends immediately. Similarly, if a Governor-appointed member moves out of the required area, their position becomes vacant immediately. There are special conditions for members appointed under certain circumstances, allowing them to serve until a successor is appointed, even if it extends beyond the two-year term.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the term of each voting member of the board shall be two years. Any vacancy shall be filled within 60 days of its occurrence by the appointing authority.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), no person shall continue as a member of the board if he or she ceases to hold the office that qualifies that person to be appointed as a member of the board, or in the case of the member appointed pursuant to paragraph (5) or (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 32605, ceases to represent a member of the association. The membership on the board held by the person shall terminate immediately upon ceasing to hold that qualifying office or membership. Except as provided in subdivision (c), the position of any member appointed by the Governor shall be deemed vacant immediately if the member ceases to be a resident of the applicable territory.

(c) The term of each of the members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 32605 shall be two years, or until the member’s successor is appointed, whichever is longer.

board membership terms voting member qualifications board member vacancy two-year term qualifying office residency requirement appointing authority successor appointment immediate vacancy Governor appointment representation requirements

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 789, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Section § 32607

This law section outlines that the board members will elect their leadership, including a chairperson and vice chairperson, and any other necessary officers. The board decides the terms for these roles.

The conservancy can hire an executive officer and any additional staff it needs if those roles can't be filled by current personnel, contract workers, or volunteers. Additionally, the board must approve all contracts for specialized services that the current staff can't provide.

(a) The voting members of the board shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, and other officers, as determined to be necessary, from among the board members. The terms of those offices shall be determined by the board.

(b) The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other necessary staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel, by others on a contract basis, or by volunteers, and may enter into contracts for services requiring knowledge, experience, and ability not possessed by the conservancy staff. All those contracts shall be approved by the board.

board election chairperson vice chairperson officers executive officer conservancy staff contract services board approval employment staff roles volunteers specialized services contract basis leadership terms personnel needs

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 789, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Section § 32608

Part-time board members can earn up to $75 for each regular meeting they attend, with a maximum of 12 meetings per year. They will also have their necessary expenses covered. However, any board member can choose to waive this compensation if they want.

Members of the board who are not full-time public employees shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed seventy-five dollars ($75) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings per year, and the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Any member may waive compensation.

board member compensation part-time board members meeting attendance payment waiving compensation necessary expenses reimbursement maximum meetings per year earnings per meeting 75 dollar limit expense coverage voluntary waiver board meeting participation compensation limit public service roles meeting frequency cap reimbursement for duties

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 789, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Section § 32609

This section explains how the board conducts its meetings and makes decisions. A quorum, which means enough voting members are present to hold a meeting, is reached when most of the board members are there. All meetings must follow the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act, ensuring they are conducted openly. For the board to make any decisions on issues, more than half of the members need to agree, as long as a quorum is present.

(a) A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the board. All meetings of the board shall be held in accordance with the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(b) Any action of the board affecting any matter shall be taken by a majority vote of the membership of the board, a quorum being present.

quorum voting members board meetings Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act majority vote decision-making open meetings board actions government transparency meeting rules public meetings California board procedures

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 789, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)