Memorandum
Date: August 8, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors
From: Douglas Gearhart, APCO
Subject: Authorize the APCO to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) By and Between County of Mendocino and the Lake County Air Quality Management District for Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) Duties Through October 1, 2023.
Executive Summary:
As your Board is aware, the Lake County APCO has been providing APCO services to Mendocino County while updating their job descriptions and recruiting a replacement for the retired APCO. These services have been ongoing since February, 2022. The majority of this work is performed remotely and via teleconference. Five recruitments have occurred with no results yet. An Executive Recruiter has been hired and the first round of interviews did not result in a viable candidate. I am requesting authorization to extend the existing MOU for up to two months as the County of Mendocino Board does not meet in August, so an extension can not be formally adopted until September. The delay occurred as a result of the hopeful outcome of the first recruitment round with the executive recruiter. This round was completed in Mid-July. Mendocino County Admin staff has requested continuation of the MOU to assist in finishing the recruitment and interviews as well as assisting in the transition. A formal extension will be processed once as soon as the Mendocino County Board has their next meeting.
As APCO, I continue to be willing to assist Mendocino County, on a limited basis as defined in the MOU. The MOU was written for up to 6 month, and I am requesting an up to 2 month extension until the Mendocino County Board can meet and discuss the MOU and consider alternative long term options if the recruitments continue to be unsuccessful.
The assistance provided to Mendocino County ensures that Lake County is not adversely impacted by air pollution from Mendocino County activities that are not adequately regulated due to lack of oversight. Lake County is downwind of Mendocino County, so providing these services helps prevent impacts in Lake County.
Pursuant to the attached MOU, with the approval of your Board, the LCAQMD will extend the term of the existing MOU for services of the APCO, Douglas Gearhart for up to an additional 2 months (August 1 through September 30, 2023). In exchange for these services, Mendocino County will pay the Lake County Air Quality Management District the hourly rate listed in the MOU for up to a maximum of 10 hours per week.
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Recommended Action:
That the Board of Directors Authorize the APCO to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) By and Between County of Mendocino and the Lake County Air Quality Management District for Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) Duties for up to 2 months, effective August 1, 2023.