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I N E L D O R A D O H I L L S ■ FEBRUARY 19, 2025
NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL AT EDHCSD ■
Board of directors meeting shuts down
Noel Stack Editor The El Dorado Hills Community Services Board of Directors meeting ended before it began on Feb. 13. Board President Stephen Ferry refused to open the meeting at 5:30 p.m., announcing to the crowd at the Norm Rowett Pavilion, “We’re not going to start this meeting until the unelected person sitting up here at the dais leaves. Thank you.” Ferry was referring to Director Chuck King, whose status as an active board member is being questioned after he submitted a letter announcing his resignation last month only to rescind that resignation two days later. “I am not leaving, so it’s up to him to decide what he wants to do,” King responded to Ferry Thursday evening. “I am a member in good standing, and no action … has been taken against me.” King had previously shared that a family crisis, health issues and ongoing board disputes prompted his resignation but after personal matters were addressed, he realized he wanted to remain on the board. “Most importantly, I did not submit my resignation to the clerk of the board, as is required — reference California Government Code, Section 1750(f) — for the resignation to be official,” King explained in an email to Village Life. “My status as a director in good standing has been confirmed by EDHCSD general counsel.” At a special meeting on Feb. 5, King did leave the premises after being told he was no longer a valid board member, according to
General Manager Hornstra bows out
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Noel Stack Editor
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El Dorado Hills Community Services District staff and board members listen to comments at the meeting that wasn’t on Feb. 13. minutes included in the Feb. 13 agenda packet. He was also absent at the Feb. 12 special meeting. On Feb. 6 counsel Derek Cole reiterated his earlier opinion that he “did not believe Mr. King had resigned in the exact manner required by law” and noted the other four directors needed to provide direction to staff on whether they will recognize King as a director. Cole also maintained that Ferry “has acted well beyond his authority” by having King’s photo removed from the pavilion, taken his name off CSD letterhead, cut off King’s District email, directed press releases and communicated the purported resignation to the El Dorado County Elections Office. An item on the Feb. 13 agenda asked directors to provide direction on the proposal to remove Ferry as board president. Ferry later told Village Life he rejected the agenda when it was sent to him “and even tried to modify the agenda (in writing) with no response at all.” Ferry read policy Feb. 13 that states he does,
WHAT’S NEXT? • The EDHCSD Board of Directors regular meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27. Closed session is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by open session at 6:30 p.m. The new agenda will be posted on edhcsd.org. • The district is expected to post a notice of vacancy on the board of directors. Applications for the open seat will be accepted and the board plans to appoint a new director, according to board President Stephen Ferry.
CHUCK KING
STEPHEN FERRY
as board president, have the right to individually act on behalf of the board. “Duties include, but are not limited to, approving agendas, signing checks, minutes, ordinances and resolutions,” he read. “Notice, ‘duties include,’ but are not limited to.” Hoping to move last Thursday’s meeting for-
ward, Cole shared his legal opinion based on precedent that all five board members could continue with the meeting and if later it’s determined King did not have a right to hold his seat, it wouldn’t invalidate any board action “because there was a good faith ■ See MEETING, page A5
Watch the recorded portion of the Feb. 13 meeting online at eldoradohillscsd.org/about/ board_of_directors and select the Board of Directors Meetings – Agenda Packets link.
Citing a deteriorating environment and personal reasons, El Dorado Hills Community Services District General Manager Mark Hornstra resigned effective Feb. 13. “When I accepted the role of interim general manager and later general manager, I understood the many challenges the MARK HORNSTRA district faced and believed my experience would help address them effectively, ethically, and professionally,” Hornstra wrote in his resignation statement shared with Village Life. “However, in recent months, the environment has deteriorated to the point where I can no longer fulfill my duties effectively, making it impossible for me to continue in this role.” Hornstra joined the EDHCSD team in September 2021 and served as director of Parks & Recreation prior to accepting the interim general manager’s role in January “Unfortunately, 2024. He became the the ongoing and permanent GM last spring. increasing challenges In his resignaas well as personal tion letter, Hornstra thanks his staff and attacks toward staff the board, noting it has been a privilege to have reached a level serve the community. that is hindering my “Unfortunately, the ongoing and increasability to lead and ing challenges as well as personal attacks toward maintain a positive staff have reached a and productive level that is hindering my ability to lead and environment for all maintain a positive and productive environment involved.” for all involved,” he — Mark Hornstra explained. “As a resident of this community, I remain hopeful that the district is able to continue providing outstanding programs, parks and recreational facilities, and that the board and staff will find the leadership necessary to successfully navigate the difficult challenges ahead,” he concluded. “I wish the district and all those involved success in the future.” Hornstra was unanimously selected in January 2024 to replace former GM Kevin Loewen, who resigned in December 2023 after several questions arose regarding Loewen’s conduct and possible contract violations. A detailed report released in summer 2024 confirmed Loewen’s activities related to contract work with a company that also has a contract with the EDHCSD “created a situation where his personal, financial interests could conflict with the district’s interests.” The report also accused Loewen of with■ See HORNSTRA, page A5
INSIDE NEWS VOL. 32 ■ ISSUE NO. 4 FOR GUARANTEED WEEKLY DELIVERY, SUBSCRIBE BY CALLING 530 3445000
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