Memorandum
Date: May 13, 2025
To: The Honorable Eddie “EJ” Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Douglas Gearhart, APCO
Subject: (Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors) Consideration of Re-Appointment for Robert Bridges to the Lake County Air Quality Management District Hearing Board pursuant to Health and Safety Code
Executive Summary:
California Health & Safety Code Section 40801 requires one Legal Professional, one Professional Engineer, one Medical Professional, and two Public Members be represented on the Hearing Board.
Robert Bridges has served as the Public Member on the LCAQMD Hearing Board for the past 3 years. Mr. Bridges previously served as Senior Deputy County Counsel for the County of Lake from 1977-2013. As a Senior Deputy County Counsel he worked with the LCAQMD for 36 years and therefore has a good knowledge and understanding of air quality and issues that come before the Hearing Board. Mr. Bridges has shown a strong interest in the community and environmental matters and is a long time resident of the County. Mr. Bridges is able to represent the public at formal and evidence-based hearings given the knowledge he has of the LCAQMD and how important air quality is.
The Hearing Board has rarely met in recent years, but prior years has met up to 8 times a year. The hearing process is both legalistic and technical in nature. Continuing Hearing Board members, as has been the case for the present Hearing Board, has helped greatly in making the process work smoothly and in the public’s interest. Because of infrequent meetings, the advantages of having experienced Hearing Board members, and the fact that Mr. Bridges has indicated his willingness to continue, we ask that you reappoint him.
Staff believe the LCAQMD is fortunate to have Members with such strong credentials, history, and unique understanding of our community and environmental matters and are willing to continue to serve on the LCAQMD Hearing Board.
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Recommended Action: Re-appoint Robert Bridges as the Public Member to the LCAQMD Hearing Board for a three-year term.