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San Francisco LAFCO votes to back AB 1581; executive officer flags consultant departure
Summary
LAFCO voted unanimously May 21 to send a letter supporting AB 1581, an omnibus CALAFCO bill making technical clarifications to the Cortese‑Knox‑Hertzberg Act. Executive Officer Brian Goble also told commissioners that their renewable‑energy consultant will not extend its contract when it expires in July.
San Francisco’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) on May 21 voted unanimously to direct staff to draft and send a letter of support for AB 1581, an omnibus bill sponsored by the California Association of Local Formation Commissions (CALAFCO) that seeks technical clarifications to the Cortese‑Knox‑Hertzberg Local Government Act.
Executive Officer Brian Goble told the commission he had included a letter of support in the meeting packet and recommended the commission approve it. “I am asking for your support for legislation being sponsored by CALAFCO,” Goble said during his executive officer’s report. Chair Chan moved to send the letter; Commissioner Zeng seconded. After a public comment period that included calls urging a local clean‑energy build‑out, Commissioners Marr, Singh and Chan voted aye and the motion passed unanimously.
Goble also updated the commission on LAFCO’s renewable‑energy consulting arrangement. He reported that the current contractor will not extend its work beyond its contract expiration on July 17, 2021. “VANR has assessed its staffing situation… and has informed me that they do not wish to extend their current contract for renewable energy consultant services,” Goble said, adding that the firm had left “a great body of work.” He recommended the commission discuss options for replacing that capacity at a later meeting.
Public commenters urged the commission to use any available funds for a local build‑out plan and to coordinate with the Board of Supervisors. Eric Brooks of Californians for Energy Choice suggested directing MOU or other funds toward a city‑led local build‑out plan; Jed Holtzman of 350 Bay Area urged LAFCO to begin backfilling consulting capacity before the executive officer transition to avoid losing momentum.
The commission did not adopt a specific consultant replacement at the meeting; it approved only the support letter motion and left future consultant procurement and staffing for follow‑up discussion.
