INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: November 14, 2024
Subject: Applications for Appointments to the Fish and Wildlife Committee At-large Seat #3, At-large Seat #4 and At-large Alternate Seat
Submitted For: John Kopchik
Department: Conservation and Development Department
Referral No: IOC 24/4
Referral Name: Advisory Body Recruitment
Presenter: Maureen Parkes
Contact: Maureen Parkes, maureen.parkes@dcd.cccounty.us
Referral History:
Fish and Wildlife Committee “FWC” Membership Structure & Appointment Process
There are 10 members on the FWC: one from each Supervisor’s District, four At-large members,
and one At-large Alternate. A current roster indicating the Supervisorial District or At-large seat
that the member represents, their appointment and term expiration dates, as well as their city of
residence or employment is attached. The terms expire on a rotational basis, so as to have
internal continuity on the FWC. The five district seats are nominated by the corresponding
Supervisor. When one of these membership positions is available, the public may submit an
application directly to the Supervisor’s office. For the four At-large positions and one At-large
Alternate position, the FWC publicizes the vacancies to recruit candidates. The Internal
Operations Committee considers applications from all interested individuals, conducts interviews
and recommends appointments to the Board.
Public Notice of Vacancies and Application Availability
An application for membership for the two At-large positions and one At-large Alternate
position on the FWC was distributed to the Fish and Wildlife Committee and the Contra Costa
Watershed Forum email distribution lists as well as posted to the FWC website on August 8,
2024. A press release was sent to local newspapers and a flier was sent to County libraries. The
announcement appeared in the news sections of the County and DCD’s websites, noted in e-newsletters by three District Supervisors, posted on the Department of Conservation and
Development’s (DCD) social media sites, and added to CCTV’s County Net which appeared on
Comcast Channel 27, Astound Channel 32, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
The terms for the two At-large positions and one At-large Alternate position will be four years
starting January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2028.
Referral Update:
Application Review
The deadline to receive applications was November 4, 2024. Nine (9) applications were received
for the At-large and At-large Alternate seat vacancies. Those include applications from Phillip
Cardenas, Courtney Coon, Thomas Ehrich, Robert Kearsley, Tom Morehouse, Martin O’Connor,
Olivia Ortega, and Jeffry Tibbetts. One incumbent, Nicole Balbas (At-large Seat #3) applied as
well. During the current term, which began January 1, 2021, the At-large Seat #3 incumbent
attended 22 of 24 meetings. All nine (9) applications are included as attachments to this memo in
alphabetical order. All applicants have been invited to interview with the Internal Operations
Committee on November 14, 2024.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
INTERVIEW applicants for the At-large #3, At-large #4 and At-large Alternate seats on the Fish and Wildlife Committee and DETERMINE recommendations for consideration by the Board of Supervisors, for terms of office beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2028.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
No fiscal impact.
Attachments:
• FWC Roster
• Applications:
o Nicole Balbas
o Phillip Cardenas
o Courtney Coon
o Thomas Ehrich
o Robert Kearsley
o Tom Morehouse
o Martin O’Connor
o Olivia Ortega
o Jeffry Tibbetts