Rotating Chairs is just a healthy organization practice. It helps develop meeting skills for all members of the MAC. Term limits for MAC members is also a healthy practice for these councils. As community leaders we should always be looking to develop an interest in civic matters among all residents of our communities. Failure to do so can make it tough to develop new ideas and different ways of looking at life in the community. The demographics of our communities changes over time. Turnover in community governance positions encourages fresh ideas.
County proposes two-year office limit for Castro Valley, Fairview MAC Chairs
- By : Michael Kusiak
- Category : Featured Story, Governance, MAC
- Tags: #ElectTheCVMAC, Castro Valley MAC, Fairview MAC, MAC, Municipal Advisory Council
Featured Story
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Alameda County has proposed a office limit of no more than two consecutive years for a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Chair. At an evening workshop on February 27, 2018, County staff discussed this proposal, along with edits to the Castro Valley MAC’s “Rules and Procedures” to make officer titles gender neutral, near the end of the workshop for members of the Castro Valley and Fairview MACs about the actions and legal responsibilities of MACs as land use advisory councils.
The Castro Valley MAC’s “Rules and Procedures” — posted by Castro Valley Matters on our website after discovering that Alameda County had not posted them on any County websites — have not been amended since 1990. Under the proposal, the officers of Chair and the Vice Chair would not be permitted to serve more than two consecutive years in these positions that set agendas and help run MAC meetings.
County staff and Supervisor Nate Miley emphasized a desire for the two councils to be run in a “consistent” manner. “We want consistency so that it doesn’t confuse the staff, the clerk, or the board, or the planning office, or my office,” Miley said. He added that rotating chairs is a common practice for entities like the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and other similar public bodies. The issue of rotating the chair “has been an issue that has come up in the past,” and he wanted the MACs to get in the habit of having the chair rotate on a regular basis so “that other people have the opportunity to serve in a leadership function.”
“If there aren’t people prepared to step forward, then that itself is an issue,” Miley said.
Marc Crawford, whose term on the Castro Valley MAC expires in May 2018, has served as the council’s Chair since 2012. Chris Higgins, who was recently appointed to the newly-formed Fairview MAC for a term that expires in October 2020, serves as that council’s Chair. Per Alameda County policy, appointees may serve for a maximum of 12 consecutive years on a MAC.
Each MAC will work with Miley’s staff to develop revised rules and procedures that are mutually consistent. Both councils would adopt the revised rules and procedures at a future date.
The Castro Valley MAC was established in 1981, and the Fairview MAC was established in 2017. Both are appointed bodies. Castro Valley Matters continues to advocate for elected representation for Castro Valley by making the MAC an elected body.
Check out the Castro Valley’s MAC’s current “Rules and Procedures”(last updated in 1990). Here are the proposed revisions for the Castro Valley MAC. Here are the proposed “Rules and Procedures” for the Fairview MAC.
