Memorandum
Date: June 10, 2025
To: The Honorable Eddie Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Subject: (a) Consideration and Discussion of the Public Defender Oversight Committee membership; and (b) Consideration of Appointment of Committee members
Executive Summary:
On November 22, 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of a committee to assist in overseeing the Public Defender Program on the recommendation of the Grand Jury. The committee was comprised of the following members:
• 2 members of the General Public
• 2 members of the Board of Supervisors (one will be alternate)
• 1 County Administrative Officer (or designee)
• 1 representative of the Courts
• 1 local Attorney who does not accept indigent defendant representation and not employed by the County of Lake
In 2023, the Lake County Board of Supervisors authorized the creation of a statutory Public Defender’s Office in Lake County (CA Govt Code Section 27706). Ray Buenaventura was appointed Chief Public Defender by your Board on October 16, 2023. Due to the change of operations from a contract to a county department, the recommendation would be to remove the County Administrative Officer from the membership and add the Chief Public Defender to this role.
Additionally, applications from the individuals below have been received for consideration.
Mark Bice, New Applicant - General Public
Michael Green, New Applicant - General Public
Mitchell Hauptman, New Applicant - Local Attorney
Melanie Lim, New Applicant - General Public
Alison Mannwieler, New Applicant - General Public
Matthew O’Day, New Applicant - Local Attorney
Heather Rulka, New Applicant - Public General
Mary Wilson, New Applicant - General Public
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: (a) Direction to Staff on the membership of the Public Defender Oversight Committee; and (b) Appoint qualified members to this committee.