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Association of Bay Area Governments, League of California Cities, etc. Rather than take <br /> pieces, we should wait until completion of that process. <br /> <br /> Jim Duncan, 617 Angela Street, said that in times of fiscal deficits it seems <br /> reasonable to disband BCDC and refer its operation to the California Coastal Commission <br /> and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. This would eliminate <br /> needless duplication and expense to the taxpayer. BCDC was originally formed in 1965 <br /> to control the unrestricted filling of the Bay tidelands, which has been done. The <br /> mechanisms put in place are still in effect and control the filling of the Bay. This <br /> Commission is now trying to expand its areas of responsibility. The California Coastal <br /> Commission now controls all the tidelands from the Oregon state border to the Mexican <br /> border, so why do we make an exception for the San Francisco Bay. The Regional <br /> Water Quality Control Board also does the same as BCDC in controlling the quality of <br /> the Bay waters. The new arrangement will still give local control of issues. Nine of the <br /> twenty-seven members of the Commission are from counties adjacent to the Bay and will <br /> be transferred to the Water Quality Control Board. Mr. Duncan believes BCDC has <br /> demonstrated arrogance and insensitivity to local municipalities, citizens and other <br /> agencies it has worked with in order to promote its own agenda. Even Senator Petris, <br /> one of the founders of the agency, has indicated that BCDC is exceeding its bounds. In <br /> times of fiscal responsibility, less but more responsible government is important and he <br />_ feels the City should support the Governor in this proposal. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr believed Mr. Duncan had made good points. She finds it ironic that <br /> for some time the desire has been to consolidate commissions and the first proposal that <br /> comes before us is opposed because of the desire to keep local control. Local control is <br /> the same argument that can be used for every agency. How many water districts or <br /> sewer districts are needed? She agrees with consolidation and "local control" has to have <br /> some flexibility. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti agrees with Ms. Mohr. There are twenty-seven commissioners on <br /> this board and it is a wonder anything gets accotnplished. She would prefer Council not <br /> take action on this at this time. She is open to hearing discussion from the Mayors' <br /> Conference, but agreed that Mr. Duncan had very good points. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis felt Mr. Duncan could be right. She is an advocate of local control, <br /> but that is where her problem arises; government is going through a restructuring process <br /> and everyone realizes some consolidation is necessary. She has trouble with the State's <br /> chief executive saying you shall not have this commission. That conclusion may be <br /> reached eventually, but in order for consolidation to work it must start from the ground <br /> up. She believes that will happen. This is an irrational system, but it is a process of <br /> reaching consensus with people in different jurisdictions and restructuring. She did not <br /> <br /> 03/07/95 19 - <br /> <br /> <br />