County General Services Association
Spring Meeting, April 23-24, 2009
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Minutes
Attendees:
Name Title County
Aki Nakao GS Director Alameda County
April Heinze GS Director San Diego County
Bob Nisbet (Treasurer) GS Director Santa Barbara County
Ed Buonaccorsi GS Administrator City of Santa Rosa
Paula Shimizu Deputy Director Sonoma County
Kevin Carruth Emeritus Member Santa Clara County
Hal Cypert (President) Associate Director Tulare County
John Newton (Asst. to Pres.) Emeritus Member Sacramento County
Jose Obregon GSD Director Sonoma County
Julie Mefferd (Secretary) GSA Director Stanislaus County
Kevin Carruth GSA Director, Retired Santa Clara County
Spencer Bole GS Director Solano County
Paul Grossgold GS Director Ventura County
Rich Hall GS Director Butte County
Katie Perez Deputy Director San Luis Obispo County
Dave Kronberg Interim Director Facilities, Fleet Santa Clara County
Mike Lango GS Director Contra Costa County
Tom Coburn Facility Program Manager Nevada County
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I. Introductions and Agenda Review
President Hal Cypert opened the session at 8:34 a.m.
Introductions and Agenda Overview.
II. Presentation: Energy Solutions, Ashu Jain, Chevron
Financing Energy Projects, Marty Garrett, Chevron
III. Presentation: Performance Measures for Facilities, Paul Grossgold, Ventura County
Discussion: Performance measures start with measuring the right thing and having properly
defined terms. Important to look at industry standards (IFMA, CCFSA) and focus
on outcome based measures. Efficiency and effectiveness measures. Action
item: Ask CCFSA to bring information to CGSA. Also, Ventura has an
independent audit of Fleet they are willing to share.
IV. Presentation: Award presentation to Mike Lango as past president of CGSA.
V. Discussion: Stimulus Bill. Larger counties have a strike team comprised of cross
departmental representatives (energy, emissions, etc.) to create a comprehensive
approach for what goes to the BOS. One application per program is the norm.
Counties who didn’t get funds from DOE (formula) are still able to apply to CEC
(competitive and formula) for funds. Looks as though nothing available for
buildings. CSAC, LOF have posted info, www.recovery.gov, list serves are
available for updates on available funds. Some lead times are short (60 days).
There are concerns on the back end by Auditor and CC on compliance.
CGSA Spring 2009 Minutes Page 1 of 4
VI. Presentation: AB 811 – Solar Districts, Bob Nisbet, Santa Barbara County
GSA is no longer responsible for AB 811 in Santa Barbara County. Financing is
the key component. Solarization is not the only avenue. Weatherization, dual-
paned windows, HVAC, etc. are all viable components. Sonoma sent feasibility
report (available on CGSA website). Market? Volume? Outcome? Program
developed and reported to the BOS (available on CGSA website). Sonoma
County is committed to reducing green house gases through efficiency or retrofits
of existing housing. Program has only loaned $1.45 million to date. Assessment
follows property and becomes primary property obligation. Residential has seen
more than commercial due to these issues. Perhaps a more global approach is a
solution.
VII. Discussion: CGSA Academy VII Planning
John Newton – Attendance is down overall for CGSA meetings. Typical turnout is
30 from CGSA and 8-15 from the energy group. Room obligation has been 10-
room nights short of late costing the association for the shortage. CGSA reserved
80 rooms for the academy last year with all filled. If the association books to the
same level and the trend continues down it will deplete the treasury.
Survey from four months ago indicated 80 people were planning to attend the
Academy. Budget changes since then. October 8, 9 (Thurs/Fri) were better days
according to the survey. Academy can be 2 days or 2.5 days. (PM session on
Wednesday.)
Should we have a minimum number of attendees? If that minimum isn’t reached,
cancel the Academy? Consensus from the group is that the Academy should
continue regardless of numbers and momentum would be hard to rebuild.
Due to budget times it is important to focus on outcome:
Professional growth and development
Innovation/transformation
Improving internal processes
Broadening staff horizons
Expanding management/leadership
To increase participation, architects, fleet, facilities groups to be included as part of
the Academy. Potentially, cities can be invited, as well.
Content – 2 tracks, 2 sessions on Wednesday PM. 2 tracks, 2 sessions Thursday
AM. Thursday PM group meetings. Friday AM plenary sessions (CSAC, CEC).
Hot topics. Emerging trends. Regulatory changes, metrics, performance
indicators, process improvements, innovations. 1-2 counties give an overview of
GSA department. County profile. Big, mid/small county operations.
Leadership/management strategies/track.
Bob Nisbet (Santa Barbara) is going to convene a group via email that are willing
to assist Paula Shimizu with academy planning.
VIII. Business Meeting
Treasurer’s Report
Dues payment report was presented. Corrections made. Treasurer’s Report was presented
and approved. Paul Grossgold (Ventura) moved to approve Treasurer’s Report. April Heinze
(San Diego) seconded. Report was approved.
CGSA Service Excellence and Innovation Awards
CGSA Spring 2009 Minutes Page 2 of 4
This year’s nominations are due June 1. Paul Grossgold (Ventura) will send out an
announcement.
Future Meetings
Summer 2009 – San Diego, August 6 and 7. Hotel (619-232-3861) is $147 per night. Room
nights are August 5 and 6. Topics to include fleet (Sonoma), performance metrics (San
Diego). Hal Cypert (Tulare) to send email for baseball game headcount.
Fall 2009 – (Academy) Santa Barbara, October 7-9,
Winter 2010 – San Luis Obispo, January
Spring 2010 – Sonoma (Santa Rosa), April
Friday, April 24, 2009
IX. County Roundtable Discussion
o Mike Lango (Contra Costa)
Budget is experiencing cuts. $15M cuts. Layoffs effective May 1.
Significant service level impacts.
New bid for office supplies anticipated to be published in May and effective
July 1.
Real estate asset management plan. FCA last year. Update real property
inventory and looked at life cycle cost. Developing policy.
Labor MOU’s in negotiation. Management is developing a union.
Morale is impacted by current economic times.
GSD only county department that published a performance report.
o Aki Nakao (Alameda County)
Working with departments to define space needs and developing
appropriate allocations with current budget constraints.
$178M gap in budget. Reduction heavily weighted towards general fund.
Looking at even bigger gaps in 2012 ($400M?).
$35M grant for Juvenile Justice Program Youth Camp.
Courts would like a new courthouse.
Several capital projects moving forward.
o Dave Kronberg (Santa Clara)
Job Flyer for Facilities & Fleet Director. FFD May 15, 2009.
o April Heinze (San Diego County)
Holding ISF rates flat. No major cuts or expansion.
Capital Projects moving forward. Medical Examiners facility should be near
completion for next CGSA meeting.
Looking at consolidating space and reducing leases as a cost saving
mechanism.
Preparing for water cuts.
o Kevin Carruth
Santa Clara position is worth looking into.
o Katie Perez (San Luis Obispo)
Budget shortfall. Some service reductions (custodial).
General staffing issues due to current economic times.
o Bob Nisbet (Santa Barbara County)
GS is holding steady. No layoffs.
10% budget cuts which were presented to the BOS.
Furlough benefits are being weighed for the coming fiscal year.
Working on building a courthouse for the AOC.
Working on a climate action plan. Using Contra Costa’s plan as a model.
Academy idea to ask a CEO to come and speak.
o Tom Coburn (Neveda County)
2.5% cuts across all departments. A few layoffs. Reduced services.
CGSA Spring 2009 Minutes Page 3 of 4
Expansion of jail and land.
First ESCO project in process.
Courts have transferred. County insisted that County maintain the
buildings.
o Paul Grossgold (Ventura County)
GSA holding steady, but planning for continuing decline in forward years.
Retirement fund and matching has been painful.
Patrol car refurbishment RFP impending.
Service Excellence counsel up and running to improve processes based on
value stream analyses.
o Rich Hall (Butte County)
22% staffing reductions in GSD. Service level reductions.
2 months of GSD staff time dedicated to fires in summer of 2008.
o Julie Mefferd (Stanislaus County)
Budget cuts and staffing reductions.
o Hal Cypert (Tulare County)
Only minor cuts.
Service estimate guide discussion with departments went well.
X. Meeting was adjourned at 10:05.
CGSA Spring 2009 Minutes Page 4 of 4