Riverside County Board of Supervisors have bare minimum to hold meeting

RIVERSIDE - The Board of Supervisors had the minimum number of members on hand to legally conduct a meeting today but was forced to end proceedings early when one supervisor left to tend to other affairs.

Under state law, legislative bodies must have a quorum available to carry out government business, and in Riverside County, that means three supervisors in attendance.

Board Chairman Marion Ashley and Supervisors Kevin Jeffries and John Tavaglione convened the meeting on schedule but were under pressure from the outset after Tavaglione announced the need for an early departure, apparently to address matters specific to his Second District.

Supervisor John Benoit was out of town, according to his chief of staff, Michelle DeArmond.

''He'll be back in time for next week's meeting,'' she said. ''He's away on family time. It was planned in advance. Chairman Ashley was aware of it and in support of it.''

Ashley declared the meeting adjourned before the board could consider Flood Control & Water Conservation District issues. The Regional Park and Open Space portion of the agenda was also postponed, as was the Riverside Community Housing Corporation segment and a general plan amendment proceeding -- all of which will be taken up next Tuesday.

The board last ran into major challenges conducting its regular Tuesday business in the fall of 2009. Like then, the county is short one supervisor following the November departure of Jeff Stone, who is now representing the 28th state Senate District. His Third District supervisorial seat is empty.

Gov. Jerry Brown will decide who completes the two years left on Stone's term as supervisor. The governor's staff has told City News Service that candidates are being considered for appointment, but when that appointment may be made remains uncertain.

In December, Benoit said he had received word from the governor's appointments secretary, Mona Pasquil, that the goal was to have a candidate selected before the end of this month.

Ashley told City News Service last week that not having the full complement of supervisors in place hadn't posed a significant challenge.

''If this went on for many more months, it would become a problem,'' he said.