MARIN/SONOMA MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT

City Boards, Commissions, and Committees

The City Council appoints members to various boards, committees, and commissions, including:

This application is for appointment by the Sebastopol City Council to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District.

Summary

Founded in 1915, the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District is a California Special District protecting public health across Marin and Sonoma counties through science-based, environmentally responsible integrated vector management. The District prevents mosquito-borne illness and manages vector threats (ticks, rodents, and other disease-carrying organisms) while collaborating with state, federal, and local agencies.

The Sebastopol City Council is seeking a qualified resident to fill a current vacancy on the District’s Board of Trustees. The appointee will serve the remainder of the existing term, which concludes December 31, 2026. Trustees serve without salary but receive a monthly expense allowance of up to $100 for meeting-related costs (per CA Health & Safety Code §2030(b)). Light supper is typically provided prior to evening meetings.

Composition and Qualifications

To be eligible for appointment by the Sebastopol City Council, applicants must:

• Be a registered voter (elector) of the City of Sebastopol
• Reside within the portion of Sebastopol located inside the District boundaries
• Be willing to file a Statement of Economic Interest (FPPC Form 700) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter
• Be willing to take the Oath of Office and Loyalty Oath upon swearing-in

Note: The full District Board includes up to 24 trustees appointed by cities and counties across the two-county service area.

Application Process

When a vacancy on a board, committee, or commission occurs, City Staff prepares a press release that is distributed to local media, including the Press Democrat. The vacancy is also announced at City Hall and on the City of Sebastopol’s website.

Applications for vacancies are obtained from the Responsible Department’s office (for this Committee; the responsible Department is the Public Works Department and support from the Administrative Services Department). Completed applications are submitted to the Responsible Department’s office. Typically three to four weeks after the vacancy announcement deadline, the completed applications are forwarded to the City Council in a regular agenda packet for public review and interviews and/or appointments. The City Council interviews all applicants at a meeting open to the public. The official appointment of Commission, Board, or Committee members is made at a City Council meeting.

Terms of Office

Board, commission, and committee members generally serve two, three, or four-year overlapping terms. There is no monetary compensation or benefits for board, commission, or committee members.

The City Council may reappoint incumbent members or fill vacancies with new appointees. Some bodies limit the number of consecutive terms an individual may serve.

For this appointment, the selected individual will fill a vacancy and serve the remainder of the term, which expires December 31, 2026. Reappointment for a subsequent full term may be considered by the City Council upon expiration. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council.

Members are expected to serve their full terms of office; however, when a member must resign, due to personal or professional circumstances, he/she should send a letter to the City Council stating the effective date of the resignation. A member shall be removed from office upon three affirmative votes of the City Council, based on one of the following grounds:

• At the pleasure of the City Council, without cause.
• If he/she is absent from three consecutive meetings, unless permission by a majority vote of the board, committee, or commission had been granted as reflected in the official minutes of the body.
• If he/she is convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.
• If he/she ceases to be a qualified board, commission, or committee member per the City of Sebastopol Municipal Code.

General Responsibilities of Boards, Commissions, and Committees

City boards, commissions, and committees shall have the following general powers, duties, and responsibilities in addition to those set forth in the Sebastopol Municipal Code and various Resolutions:

• To establish rules and regulations governing the election of their officers, the holding of meetings, and the conduct of business for these meetings.
• To use all appropriate techniques in crystallizing and testing public sentiment on major public issues in their respective fields.
• To hold official hearings as required by law or requested by the City Council.
• To advise and recommend on City policies and procedures pertinent to their respective activities and functions.
• To support and adhere to all City policies promulgated by the City Council and to establish needed interim policies in the absence of the same.
• To provide information and promote good public relations between the City and the general public.
• To perform such other related functions as may be assigned to them by the City Council.

Desirable Characteristics in Applicants

While membership on City boards, committees, and commissions requires no specific qualifications, unless explicitly spelled out in the Board, Commission, or Committee creation, there are desirable characteristics for which the Council will be looking as they review applications:

• Familiarity with Community: The Council would require appointees to be familiar with the physical, social, and economic make-up of the City. Applicants should have demonstrated an active interest and involvement in the community.
• Familiarity with Major Issues: While it will be assumed that applicants are familiar with the specific issues that are being addressed by the board, committee, or commission for which they are applying, it is also expected that applicants be aware of issues that will impact all sectors of City programs and services.
• Knowledge of the Board, Commission, or Committee: During the application process, applicants should become familiar with the responsibilities and role in the City’s policy-making structure of the board, committee, or commission for which they are applying.
• Commitment to Serve: When appointed, members are expected to serve their term of office. While personal or professional circumstances might prompt an unexpected resignation, applicants who are aware of any reasons why they may not be able to complete a full term or attend regularly scheduled meetings should indicate this on the application. While time commitments will vary depending upon schedules and workload, members are expected to attend all scheduled meetings. In addition to attending scheduled meetings, members may be expected to participate in study sessions or serve on subcommittees.
• Relationship with the Community: As a member of a City board, committee, or commission, your actions will reflect on the City of Sebastopol, and you are required to relate to the community with impartiality and courtesy.
• Commitment to City Policy: The City Council has adopted ordinances and policies following an appropriate public process. As an appointed board, committee, or commission member, your duty is to abide by such policies rather than implement personal preferences.

Tips for Applying for a City Board, Commission, or Committee

• Type or neatly print your application. Due to the quantity of applications the Council must review, a neat application is appreciated.
• Answer all questions on the application. The Council reviews your application to gain an understanding of your background and experience, and what skills and talents you believe you could bring to a particular board, committee, or commission. Don’t forget to sign and date your application.
• Attend one or two meetings of the board, committee, or commission for which you are applying. Find out what the current issues are, and what issues may be coming in the future. Review the minutes of past meetings, available on the City website or at City Hall depending on the appointment being applied for. (As this is a new committee, it would be beneficial to review former budget committee meetings for reference to enterprise funds).
• Talk to a current member. (As this is a new committee, it would be beneficial to talk to the budget committee members or city staff for reference to enterprise funds). Current members can share their experience with you, give you an estimate of the time commitment involved, and discuss what they see as current and future issues for the City.
• If you have questions about the function and role of members, talk with the City staff liaison to the board, committee, or commission you are applying for. The City Clerk can provide contact information for City staff members who are assigned to work with the boards, committees, and commissions. It is important to note that City staff members cannot and do not recommend or lobby for any applicant.
• Find out City Council’s priorities and interests. Attend City Council meetings and review meeting minutes. Council meeting videos are archived on the City’s website.
• Review the Code of Ethics for Appointed and Elected Officials, and the Brown Act, available by request from the City Clerk’s Office and understand that if you are appointed to a board, committee, or commission, you will be required to complete two hours of Ethics Training (online training).
• Statements of Economic Interest: Applicants may be required to fill out a Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest.
• Prepare for the interview. Although we do not know what specific questions the Council will ask, we suggest that you clarify for yourself why you are applying for a specific board, committee, or commission, understand its role and function, and be familiar with the current issues it is examining.
• Treat the interview with the City Council as a business or job interview. Understand that the City Council is not only considering what experience, skills, and talents you bring; they are interested in how you will represent the City.