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San Francisco LAFCO schedules workshop on mission and staffing after budget, counsel conflict and hiring discussions
Summary
The Local Agency Formation Commission reviewed budget and CCA work-order balances, authorized a waiver of potential conflicts for its legal counsel, approved a staffing change at the counsel—s firm, discussed options to secure executive-officer services (RGS, contractor RFP, hiring an employee), and agreed to a public workshop on Nov. 30 to define a work plan and next steps.
The San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission spent much of its Nov. 9 special meeting grappling with the agency—s role, funding and how to staff an executive officer after the Board of Supervisors eliminated the city-assigned position in July.
Interim Administrative Officer Angela Calvillo and staff presented LAFCO—s current fiscal picture, including a general fund balance and a Clean Power SF work-order balance. The work-order started at roughly $2.1 million, with about $222,000 remaining in the LAFCO CCA work order as presented to commissioners.
During the meeting the Commission addressed a disclosed potential conflict of interest involving its general counsel—s firm, which also provides labor and employment services to the city. Counsel provided written disclosure and a proposed cure; after discussion and public comment about the conflict, Commissioner Boyle moved to accept the waiver and Chair Sandra Lee Feuer was authorized to execute it. The motion carried without objection.
The Commission then approved a staffing change within its existing legal counsel firm to formalize Teresa Stricker as the primary in‑area counsel (working with Nancy Miller in Sacramento). The firm explained billing practices and said it would minimize overlapping billable hours.
On the question of an executive officer, legal counsel outlined options: contracting with Regional Government Services (RGS) to supply a staffed employee, pursuing a direct RFP to hire a consulting firm or individual as an independent contractor, hiring LAFCO as an employer (which would require new payroll, benefits and workers— comp infrastructure), or arranging a short-term contract while developing longer-term options. Counsel recommended the RFP route for flexibility and speed and noted the LAFCO budget still holds roughly $171,000 that could be used toward near-term staffing costs.
Commissioners debated priorities and capacity. Some members said they want to identify one distinct substantive project that would re-energize the commission—s work and justify staff; others argued that the commission lacks the internal capacity to build a work plan without short-term assistance. Pamela Miller and David Church of the statewide CALAFCO association had earlier framed a range of possible special studies and noted San Francisco—s unique consolidated city–county role.
To break the impasse, the Commission agreed to hold a public workshop to craft a work plan and define staffing scope. Interim Administrative Officer Angela Calvillo suggested a workshop in early December; commissioners settled on a workshop for Nov. 30 at 11:00 a.m., to be publicly noticed, followed immediately by an official LAFCO meeting. Pamela Miller offered to facilitate.
What happened procedurally: motions to accept the legal-waiver and to approve the counsel staffing change passed without objection. The workshop decision was made by consensus and will be publicly noticed; no permanent hiring action was taken at the Nov. 9 meeting.
