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SAFER advisory onboarding covers roles, Bagley‑Keene rules and meeting logistics
Summary
The onboarding meeting reviewed the advisory group’s charter, responsibilities and Bagley‑Keene open‑meeting constraints; Chief Counsel Lauren Marshall emphasized avoiding serial meetings and public‑notice requirements while staff covered meeting cadence, materials and travel reimbursement policies.
State Water Board staff used the Feb. 12 SAFER onboarding session to review advisory expectations, legal constraints under the Bagley‑Keene Open Meeting Act, and meeting logistics.
Lauren Marshall, Office of Chief Counsel, told advisory members the group is an advisory body required by statute to provide input on the Fund Expenditure Plan and related SAFER policies but that it does not have decision‑making authority. "Bagley‑Keene is designed to promote government transparency and ensure agency deliberation is conducted in public," Marshall said, and she reviewed rules that apply to the advisory group: public notice of meetings, teleconference rules (members should appear on camera where feasible), prohibition on serial communications that amount to a quorum, and the need to avoid private email chains that join a majority of members.
Alma Lopez and staff explained member expectations (attendance, two‑year terms, accessing materials two weeks before meetings) and reiterated that staff will share calendars and the FEP timeline. Travel reimbursements are available when employers do not provide reimbursement; staff cautioned that reimbursement processing can take time. Staff also said they expect to hold quarterly meetings, plan at least two in‑person meetings this year, and will provide materials and meeting recordings on the SAFER calendar.
The meeting closed with administrative announcements (no public comments were submitted) and a project update: Adam Rausch reported that a Pescadero school consolidation funded through SAFER and other sources has finished construction and now receives safe drinking water.
Next steps: the board staff will distribute meeting materials, follow up on calendar invitations, and confirm the March 12 first quarterly meeting date.
