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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Environmental Board AppointmentsDept. ID AD-13-023 Page 1 of 1 Meeting Date: 8/19/2013 I MEETING DATE: 8/19/2013 SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager PREPARED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager SUBJECT: Approve the appointments of Hemal Patel and Mark Sheldon to the Environmental Board. Statement of Issue: Transmitted for your consideration are the appointments to the Environmental Board of Hemal Patel and Mark Sheldon. There are currently two vacant positions on the Environmental Board due to resignations. Financial Impact: Not applicable. Recommended Action: Approve Environmental Board appointments of Hemal Patel for a first term to expire on June 30, 2015, and Mark Sheldon for a first term to expire June 30, 2015, as recommended by City Council liaisons Mayor Boardman and Councilmembers Hardy and Shaw. Alternative Action(s): Do not approve the appointments and direct staff how to proceed. Analysis: Don Maclean and Deborah Orrill resigned from the Environmental Board. Staff reviewed all of the applications received in 2013 with the City Councilmember liaisons Boardman, Hardy and Shaw and their selections are reflected in this item. Environmental Status: Not applicable Strategic Plan Goal: Improve the City's infrastructure Attachment(s): 1. Hemal Patel redacted application 2. Mark Sheldon redacted application HB -69- Item 5. - 1 ATTACHMENT #1 Item 5. - 2 BB -70- Surfnet - Boards & Commission Application Page 1 of 2 Boards & Commissions Application First Name Last (dame Mark Sheldon Home Address: City Huntington Beach State WCode CA Business Address: City Zip Code State Email Phone Occupation Length of Residency Engineer 23 years United State Citizen Name of Board, Comission, Committee or Task yes Force Environmental Board Submitted: 18 July 2013 Education Background Cornell University, M.S., Mechanical Engineering (minor: Chemistry) California Institute of Technology, B.S. with honors, Engineering and Applied Science Professional Licenses and/or Associations California Engineer -in -Training Certification Combustion Institute (serves on Board of Western States Section) American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) California Hydrogen Business Council (CHBC) Professional Experience have served as a project Leader for engineering research and development projects, specializing in fuel, combustion, and environmental technologies (including emissions control and chemical hazard mitigation). My principal employers since graduate school (reverse chronological order): EERGC Corporation, Irvine, CA, from 1999-2011. General Electric (Energy and Environmental Research) - Irvine, CA Energy and Environmental Research Corporation (EER) - Irvine, CA Business History: EER was a small business (about 100 employees) which merged with GE Energy in 1999, and EERGC was created as a spin-off company (less than 10 employees) to pursue small business contracts and regulatory consulting that GE could not pursue. EER and EERGC were both contract research firms working on combustion -related technology. At EER and GE my focus was on air emissions control in industrial/utility combustors. At EERGC most projects related to aerospace propulsion and fuels/propellants. I was laid off from EERGC in 2011 due to shrinking contract funding that led to the company ceasing business operations in 2012. Since then I have been looking for new opportunities in engineering. In addition to my employment as an Engineer, since 1992 1 have served on the Board of Irle Ranch, Incorporated (IRI) in Gooding County, Idaho. IRI is a family -owned S-Corporation, managing assets for a 350-acre Ranch with a freshwater stream along the banks of the Snake River. Its principal business activities are commercial aquaculture (trout), and limited livestock management on open land. Special Knowledge or Skill From my engineering research work I have developed skills in analysis and problem solving, notably in dealing with chemical reaction (including hazard mitigation) and air emissions issues. 1 have experience in multi - organizational team building, new concept development, and project leadership, and have worked with organizations in the energy, manufacturing, and aerospace sectors. My involvement the Ranch in Idaho has also provided some exposure to (fresh) water quality and land management issues in the context of making an agricultural business work while preserving the quality of the land where it is based. Civic and/or Service Memberships I am a "spouse member" of the local Boeing Aerospace Leadership Chapter (BALC), whose work includes support of local charitable organizations and have participated in their local service projects (beach cleanup). I am also a member/donor of other local organizations, though in some cases am only able to infrequently attend events and am not part of the leadership. Some of these groups are: Bolsa Chica Land Trust (BCLT) Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach Huntington Beach Neighborhood Watch In addition I am involved in the local chapters of ASME and AIAA Professional organizations, which conduct local service http://surfnet/admin/boards_commissions/applicati'HB-71-view.efm?ID=930 7/18/201:Item 5. - 3 Surfnet - Boards & Commission Application Page 2 of 2 projects, principally educational in nature. Civic Interests I make a serious effort to be an active citizen, aware of current Huntington Beach news and public response, participating as an informed vote in local elections and volunteering in campaigns which I believe are worthy of support. My chief interest in civic matters is the quality of life in the community with consideration of long-term impacts of our decisions. Preservation of open spaces such as city parks and beaches, and particularlyu environmentally sensitive spaces like wetlands, is of particular concern. Maintenance of the health of our urban environment also directly affects the well-being of our citizens. These issues not only serve the ends of environmental and public health, but ultimately affect the robustness of our economy as well — a truth in any W' locale and even more so in one which relies heavily on its desirability for tourism and suburban living. Availability (Must be. available for meetingss I do not foresee a problem in attending most meetings at the regularly scheduled times. In fact, since last Fall 2012, 1 have been attending most Environmental Board meetings.as a visitor, and have also participat d in one Environmental Board field trip. I also understand that a certain amount of time outside of meetings is r@Wtred to carry out the responsibilities of the Environmental Board, and take that obligation seriously. Currently I have considerable flexibility in my schedule due to my em ion. Future employment obligati change the details of my schedule, particularly during business hours, but are unlikely to do so mor an would be anticipated for any other professional serving on the Board. (In evaluating work offers I preferably seek opportunities with minimal travel requirements.) How Will You Qualifications Best Serve the Needs of the Community? My background gives me experience in analytical thinking, and experience in dealing with different types of environmental issues. My professional focus on combustion sources and air emissions also appears to be a good complement to the skill sets of the other current Environmental Board members. Why Do You Wish to Serve on a Volunteer Citizen's Body? Environmental health is literally a career motivator for me. I grew up aware of environmental issues, but I felt it was important that long-term choices should be well-informed_ When I found that I had an aptitude in the physical sciences, I pursued an engineering major with a focus on subjects relevant to environmental technology. As a scientistlengineer I consider myself professionally obligated to look at problems and propose solutions that are based on sound science, economics, and ethics. I look forward to the opportunity to use my career experience to give back to the community that has given so much to myself and my wife. Item 5. - 4 HB -72- http://surfnet/admin/boards commissions/application_print_view.cfm?lD=930 7/18/2013 ATTACHMENT #2 HB -73- Item 5. - 5 Surfnet - Boards & Commission Application Page 1 of 1 Boards & Commissions Application First Name Hemal Home Address: Zip Code State CALIFORNIA CA Business Address: Zip Code State CALIFORNIA CA Email Occupation Financial Professional United State Citizen yes Submitted: 19 June 2013 Last Name Patel City Huntington Beach City Phone Length of Residency Name of Board, Comission, Committee or Task Force Environmental Board Education Background Huntington Beach High School Graduate. DePaul University in Chicago graduate with degrees in Environmental Science with a concentration in restoration ecology and mycorrhizal fungi. Political science with a concentration in early child hood education. Along with minors in Italian and Philosophy. Professional Licenses and/or Associations I am Financial Professional with New York Life. Professional Experience I worked in South Africa as a Restoration Ecologist and a game ranger at Kedar Reserve and Kruger National Park for two years. At Kedar Reserve I built a reticulation wetland and made plans for a migratory bird wetland the size of 33 hectares. I am now a Financial Professional with New York Life. Special Knowledge or Skill i have special knowledge in wetland restoration, habitat preservation and avian migration. I am more than familiar with Californian native species of plants, and alien species of plants. I have work with the army core of engineers in college in wetland delineation in the Chicago are and I have worked with private environmental groups as well in wetland restoration. Civic and/or Service Memberships The Senior Citizen Center, and City Gym Civic Interests Senior Citizens Availability (Must be available for meetings) weekends and weeknights. How Will You Qualifications Best Serve the Needs of the Community? It is not my qualifications that can best serve the community but my experiences, passion and loyalty to the environment. Why Do You Wish to Serve on a Volunteer Citizen's Body? yes. Item 5. - 6 urfnet/admin/boards commissions/applicati HB -74- view.drrI —916 6/19/2013