To: Board of Supervisors
From: Family & Human Services Committee
Report Title: Appointments to the Economic Opportunity Council
☐Recommendation of the County Administrator ☒ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
REAPPOINT Devlyn Sewell to Private/Non-Profit Seat #5, Karen Coleman to Private Non-Profit Seat #2, Jessica Cisneros to Low-Income Seat #5, Nicola Lopez to Low Income Seat #1, Desire Medlen to Low Income Seat #3, Karanbir Bal to Private/Non-Profit Seat #3, and Monisha Merchant to Private/Non-Profit Seat #4, and APPOINT Christian Dean to Private/Non-Profit Alternate Seat #1, all with terms ending June 30, 2027, on the Economic Opportunity Council, as recommended by the Family and Human Services Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
On January 7, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2020/1 adopting policy amendments governing appointments to boards, committees, and commissions that are advisory to the Board of Supervisors. Included in this resolution was a requirement that applications for at-large/countywide seats be reviewed by a Board of Supervisors committee.
The Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) is a tripartite advisory board to the Board of Supervisors and the Employment and Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau for Contra Costa County administration of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).
The duties and responsibilities of the EOC include: reviewing fiscal and programmatic reports submitted by Community Services Bureau (CSB) staff; reviewing performance of Community Services Block Grant contractors and the Weatherization program services; selecting EOC officers and appointing members to committees; making recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors on all proposals and budgets related to Community Services Block Grant and Weatherization programs; and requiring and receiving budget and other reports prepared by CSB staff every other month along with an Annual Report.
The Economic Opportunity Council includes 15 members and 2 alternates, divided equally among three "sectors”, the Public Sector, the Low-income Sector, and the Private/Non-Profit Sector. There are 5 Public Sector seats; five (5) Low-Income Sector seats and one (1) Low-Income Sector alternate seat; and five (5) Private/Non-Profit Sector seats plus one (1) Private/Non-Profit Sector Alternate seat.
On June 9, 2025, the Family and Human Services Committee approved the recommendation of the below individuals for appointment and reappointment to the Economic Opportunity Council, all with terms ending June 30, 2027.
|
SEAT |
NAME |
|
Private/Non-Profit Seat #5 |
Devlyn Sewell |
|
Private/Non-Profit Seat #2 |
Karen Coleman |
|
Low-Income Seat #5 |
Jessica Cisneros |
|
Low Income Seat #1 |
Nicola Lopez |
|
Low Income Seat #3 |
Desire Medlen |
|
Private/Non-Profit Seat #3 |
Karanbir Bal |
|
Private/Non-Profit Seat #4 |
Monisha Merchant |
|
Private/Non-Profit Alternate Seat #1 |
Christian Dean |
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to appoint and reappoint members is likely to reduce public participation in advising policy development.