Some committee posts just go begging

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Wanted: A City Council member interested in

controlling Orange County’s mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats and other

unwelcome creatures. Expected to attend monthly board meetings of the

county’s Vector Control District. Noncompetitive compensation of $50 per

meeting is part of the deal.

The spot remains open, even after Mayor Gary Adams announced his

appointments last week for most of the 36 city and regional committees on

which council members serve. The Vector Control District didn’t seem to

have any takers.

“I don’t have anybody that has accepted it yet,” Adams said, laughing.

“It may be a committee that’s hard to have an interest in. Dealing with

pests and rodents countywide doesn’t appeal to everyone.”

While the city’s elected officials might just want to give mosquitoes

and rats a reprieve for now, some council members said they were happy

with their appointments.

“I think I’ll have plenty to do this year,” said Councilwoman Norma

Glover, who will sit on the city’s aviation, finance and general plan

update committees, among others.

While council members do not receive extra money for city committee

meetings on top of their $900 monthly stipend, a few of the regional

boards pay some compensation.

Apart from the Vector Control District, the county’s Sanitation

District ($100 per meeting plus mileage,) the San Joaquin Hills

Transportation Corridor Agency ($120 per meeting plus mileage) and the

Southern California Assn. of Governments ($120 per meeting, but no

mileage allowance) pay for attendance.

It may sound like a cash cow, but former Councilwoman Jan Debay said

the money really just covers the costs.

“It’s not a gold mine,” she said, adding that the payments get taxed.

Debay said the checks she received for attending Sanitation District

and SCAG meetings only covered her travel, outside meals and dry-cleaning

expenses.

And while the money might cover costs, it does not make up for lost

work time, said Councilman Dennis O’Neil, who is an attorney and receives

about $2,400 a year for attending meetings of the San Joaquin Hills

Transportation Corridor Agency.

“But you’re not doing it for the money; it’s not a money deal,” he

said, adding that the number of regional and local boards and committees

has grown over time.

“It’s a job, that’s what it is,” O’Neil said. “Everybody who comes to

that position understands that and that’s the way it goes.”

Glover said she may have more time to spend on city issues than other

council members since she does not work, but adds, “I have to run my home

and do the things that a married woman has to take care of, which in

itself is a job.”

Councilman John Heffernan said he would like to focus on crucial

issues, such as John Wayne Airport and the proposed commercial airport at

the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, rather than spread council

members’ time too thin over too many committees.

Glover said the city already has cut back on council committees, such

as those on public works, parks and beaches and legislative action.

“I feel comfortable with what we’re doing,” she said.

While still trying to convince one of his colleagues to take on the

Vector Control District job, Adams said he also is looking for citizens

interested in community member positions on city committees.

“We do need some interest in [the ad hoc telecommunications

committee],” he said, referring to a board charged with looking at

updating the city’s decade-old telecommunications policies.

City Manager Homer Bludau said community membership on committees may

need more publicity.

“Maybe we just need to do a little better job of marketing our needs,”

he said. “There are a number of people out there [that would be

interested] if they were more aware of the opportunities.”

FYI

Newport Beach accepts applications for community member positions on

its aviation, environmental quality affairs and harbor quality

committees, among others, all year and keeps them on file for two years

in case positions become available. Information: (949) 644-3005.