INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: November 24, 2025
Subject: Recommendations for Appointment to the Hazardous Materials Commission
Submitted For: Grant Colfax, Director
Department: Health Services
Referral No: IOC 25/3
Referral Name: Advisory Body Recruitment
Presenter: Adam Springer, Health Services Department
Contact: blingenf@cchealth.org
Referral History:
The Hazardous Materials Commission was established in 1986 to advise the Board, County Staff and the mayor’s council members, and staffs of the cities within the county, on issues related to the development, approval and administration of the County Hazardous Waste Management Plan. Specifically, the Board charged the Commission with drafting a Hazardous Materials Storage and Transportation Plan and Ordinance, coordinating the implementation of the Hazardous Materials Release Response Plan and inventory program, and analyzing and developing recommendations regarding hazards materials issues with consideration to broad public input, and reporting back to the Board on referrals to the Commission.
Referral Update:
The terms for Business #2 seat and Business #2 Alternate seat will expire on 12/31/2025. The bylaws of the Commission provide that Business #2 seat and its alternate be nominated by the Industrial Association, screened by the Internal Operations Committee and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Industrial Association has nominated Mark Hughes for Business #2 seatand Amy McTigue for Business #2 Alternate seat reappointment (attached). The terms for these seats expire on 12/31/2029.
The Environmental Engineering Firms primary seat is currently vacant and the Environmental Engineering Firms Alternate seat will expire on 12/31/2025. The bylaws of the Commission provide for two (2) representatives of environmental organizations, with all applicants to any of the two “Environmental Organization” seats to be nominated by an environmental organization, but that no particular environmental organization will have an exclusive right to nominate an individual to any one of the two aforesaid seats or their alternates, and therefore, which environmental organizations are represented on the Hazardous Materials Commission rests with the Internal Operations Committee and ultimately the Board of Supervisors. Innovex Environmental Management, Inc., has nominated Ronald Chinn for reappointment to the Environmental Engineering Firm seat; Mr, Chinn is the current alternate for this seat. The terms for these seats will expire on 12/31/2029.
The Environmental Justice Representative Seat and Environmental Justice Representative Alternate Seat will expire on 12/31/2025. The bylaws of the Commission provide that One (1) environmental justice representative, being a layperson from a community that is highly impacted and burdened by hazardous material facilities and releases, who will be able to represent community interests, screened by the Internal Operations Committee, and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Hazardous Materials Commission received three applications and after conducting interviews voted to recommend Maureen Brennan for Environmental Justice Representative and Sharon Pinkstaff for Environmental Justice Representative Alternate. The terms of these seats will expire on 12/31/2029.
Business #1 seat will expire on 12/31/2026, however, Fred Glueck will be retiring from his position on the Commission effective 12/31/2025. The bylaws of the Commission provide that Business #1 seat and its alternate be nominated by the West County Council of Industries, screened by the Internal Operations Committee and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Commission will bring recommendations to the Internal Operations Committee once the Business #1 seat vacancy has been posted in compliance with the Maddy Act.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER recommending to the Board of Supervisors the reappointment of Mark Hughes to the Business #2 seat and Amy McTigue for Business #2 Alternate seat and the appointment of Ron Chinn to the Environmental Engineering Firm seat, all to terms ending December 31, 2029; and the appointment of Maureen Brennan to the Environmental Justice Representative seat and Sharon Pinkstaff to the Environmental Justice Representative Alternate seat, to complete the current terms will expire December 31, 2025 and to new terms ending December 31, 2029 on the Hazardous Materials Commission, as recommended by the Commission.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
No fiscal impact. Commissioners serve without compensation.