Memorandum
Date: February 6, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of
Directors
From: Douglas Gearhart, Air Pollution Control Officer
Subject: (Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors) - Consideration of this Amendment to 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, and a Request for Direction Regarding Updates to the Board on the MOU.
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. After four recruitments and hiring an executive recruiter, Mendocino County was able to hire a Deputy Air Pollution Control Officer. They were hired as Deputy, as they did not have Air District specific experience, but they have good knowledge of air quality issues and management. Mendocino County Administration and Board have requested an extension of the MOU to assist in training the Deputy, in hopes they will transition to the Air Pollution Control Officer once they have the knowledge and experience needed to run a regulatory agency.
As APCO, I continue to be willing to assist Mendocino County, on a limited basis as defined in the MOU. As a Deputy has been hired and has been working for several months with good success, the MOU is amended to extend the termination date from January 31, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The day to day operations will primarily be performed by the Deputy, and I will be available to assist them as needed. The duties of the APCO will transition to training, some oversight, and signature authority to comply with regulatory requirements. I anticipate providing this Boar...
Click here for full text