Alameda County Municipal Code Ch. 2.122 Agricultural Advisory Committee

There is in the county an agricultural advisory committee hereinafter referred to as the "committee."

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)

The purpose of the committee is to act as a technical advisory panel of experts to the board of supervisors and to other public agencies, including cities and districts, on matters involving the economic enhancement of agriculture and environmental conservation on applicable agricultural lands in Alameda County, and to implement the requirement of Measure D adopted by the electorate of Alameda County in 2000 calling for the periodic convening of an advisory panel of experts to make recommendations to enhance the economic viability of agriculture and ranching, and to minimize environmental impacts.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)

The committee shall:

A. Provide leadership and direction in formulating policies relevant to agriculture and environmental conservation, and advise the planning commission and the board of supervisors on applicable planning, zoning, and development proposals in the agricultural areas of Alameda County;

B. Make recommendations to enhance the economic viability of agriculture and to minimize undesirable environmental impacts;

C. Provide active participation and leadership in the development of an open space preservation plan and promote agricultural community involvement in the plan;

D. Undertake and direct special studies funded through Alameda County relating to preservation and economic enhancement of agricultural land; protection of soils, plants and wildlife habitat; water resources; property taxation; and determination of compatible uses; among other topics;

E. Participate periodically in the review of Alameda County's guidelines for the Williamson Act;

F. Report to the board of supervisors and other bodies, as appropriate, on effects of proposed local, state and federal legislation affecting agricultural resources;

G. Advise and work with city, county, district governments, special interest groups, and individuals concerning conflicts between agriculture, urban uses and environmental quality;

H. Advise and work with city, county, state, federal, special interest groups, individuals, and other entities and district governments concerning open space program funding;

I. Advise Alameda County departments on the impact of programs affecting agriculture; and

J. Determine the committee's work schedule, procedures, budget and work products; and adopt rules for the administration of this chapter.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)

The committee shall consist of nineteen (19) regular members and nine ex officio members.

A. Regular Member Qualifications. Regular members shall be technical representatives of their profession or field and advocates for economically and ecologically viable agriculture and open space in Alameda County. They shall demonstrate expertise by documented work in their field of expertise, by professional association and/or by academic achievement. They shall be able and committed to meet regularly and should be able to communicate effectively with interested members of the public.

B. Categories of regular members required to be Alameda County Residents:

1. Cattle/Livestock Management. Must be a large parcel owner of Alameda County (or representative) with expertise and professional involvement in cattle/livestock production;

2. Cattle/Livestock Management. Must be a small parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County (or representative) with expertise and professional involvement in cattle/livestock production;

3. Field/Row Crops Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County (or representative) with expertise and professional involvement in field or row crop production;

4. Nursery/Floriculture/Horticulture Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County or representative with expertise and professional involvement in the production of these materials or products;

5. Viticulture/Orchards Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant of Alameda County or representative with expertise and professional involvement in the production of grapes or orchard produce;

6. Equestrian Management. Must have expertise and professional involvement in Alameda County as a horse facility operator, breeder, and/or trainer.

7. Cannabis Management. Must be a parcel owner or tenant in Alameda County or representative thereof with expertise and professional involvement in the production of cannabis.

8. Young Producer. Must be a high school junior or senior, member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), the United States Pony Club, or 4-H Club who is preparing for a career in agriculture.

9. Urban Agriculture. Must be a resident of Alameda County with expertise and either professional or scholastic involvement in urban-rural agroecosystems, urban agriculture or, peri-urban agriculture.

C. Categories of regular members that may reside outside of Alameda County in the event that desired candidates cannot be identified within the county:

1. Agritourism. Must have expertise and professional involvement operating and marketing a diversified, agriculturally-based business that derives income from tourism. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

2. Agricultural Land Trust. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the creation and maintenance of conservation easements on agricultural lands including grazing lands. This includes the development, implementation and oversight of agricultural easements. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

3. Agricultural Economics. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the economics of agriculture and agricultural enhancement programs. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

4. Recreation/Parks Management. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the management of recreation trails and parks. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

5. Resource Conservation District (RCD). Member of Alameda County resource conservation district board of directors or staff;

6. Watershed Ecology/Management. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the field regarding watershed health (including wetlands and riparian corridors), water quantity and quality, effects of irrigation projects, multiple land uses and compliance with existing regulations. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

7. Water Resources. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the field regarding agricultural water resources, quantity and quality, and the delivery of water to agriculture lands. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

8. Rangeland Ecology. Must have expertise and professional involvement in conservation and management of ecosystems on rangelands including grazing practices, wildlife management (including corridors), riparian habitat conservation, and other interactions between ranching and the natural environment. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

9. Plant Ecology. Must have expertise and professional involvement in the distribution and life histories of native and non-native plants; in the successful restoration of native flora and control of invasive plant species; and in cropland ecology. Experience in Alameda County preferred;

10. Wildlife Biology. Must have expertise and professional involvement in wildlife and wildlife habitat management (including wildlife corridors), i.e., successfully managing reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and insects. Must be knowledgeable about rare and sensitive species and possess an ability to discuss and propose effective plans for protecting those species on and around agricultural lands, parks, and open spaces. Experience in Alameda County preferred.

D. Appointment and Term of Regular Members. The board of supervisors shall appoint the regular members. They shall serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors and shall have terms of three years. No regular member shall serve more than two terms in succession representing the same category or more than two successive additional terms representing a different category. A regular member shall remain on the committee following expiration of the term being served until he or she is reappointed to a successive term or until a successor is appointed. The board of supervisors shall fill any vacancy on the committee, and may utilize the committee to screen the applicants' qualifications; the person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the unexpired term of the person he or she succeeds.

E. Ex officio members shall be the following persons:

1. Alameda County planning director (or designee);

2. Alameda County agricultural commissioner (or designee);

3. A representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service;

4. A representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

5. A representative of the California Department of Fish and Game;

6. A representative of Zone 7, Alameda County flood and water conservation district;

7. A representative of the University of California Cooperative Extension;

8. An agricultural lending expert.

9. A representative of Las Positas College.

Ex officio members serve as long as they represent the entity that selected them to serve as ex officio members of the committee.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13; Ord. No. 2017-54, § 1, 12-5-17; Ord. No. 2021-21, § 1, 5-6-21; Ord. No. 2022-36, § 1, 9-20-22)

The committee shall select the following officers from its membership:

A. A chairperson selected from the regular members who shall be responsible for the conduct of all meetings and the calling of special meetings, and who shall be the official representative of the committee except when a representative is otherwise designated;

B. A vice-chairperson selected from the regular members who shall serve in the absence of the chairperson, and who shall succeed to the office of chairperson if that office falls vacant before the term is expired;

C. A secretary selected from the ex officio members who shall be appointed by the chairperson subject to confirmation by the committee. The secretary shall maintain all records and conduct correspondence of the committee, prepare agendas and give notice of meetings and shall certify all official documents and resolutions of the committee;

D. Selection of officers shall be held at the first regular scheduled meeting of the committee and annually thereafter.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)

A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the regular positions that are filled. A quorum must be present for the committee to take any action.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)

Meetings of the committee shall be held as follows:

A. Regular meetings shall be held four times per year or quarterly, pursuant to a schedule of dates, times and places determined at the first meeting of the committee following adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter and annually thereafter.

B. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or nine regular members upon seventy-two (72) hours written notice of the time and place and business to be conducted.

C. All meetings shall be conducted in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. (Government Code § 54950 et seq.)

D. Subcommittees of committee members may be established as necessary by the chairperson.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)

The community development agency will provide primary staffing to accomplish the work of the committee as outlined in a budget approved by the board of supervisors. The committee may make recommendations to staff and the board of supervisors to hire consultants as required.

(Ord. 2001-56 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. 2013-25, § 1, 7-16-13)