The Yolo County Board of Supervisors spent a chunk of time during this week’s meeting discussing whether to amend a policy in order to name the board chambers in honor of Gary Sandy who unexpectedly passed away last year.
During a previous meeting in September 2023, Supervisor Jim Provenza requested to review the policy regarding the naming of county assets and consider renaming the Board of Supervisors Chambers in honor of Supervisor Gary Sandy, who passed away on Aug. 17, 2023.
Supervisor Mary Sandy, who was appointed to her late husband’s seat by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2023, recused herself from the discussion.
The current policy for naming county facilities, which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11, 2020, says that in order to name a county asset in honor of an individual that individual must have demonstrated a high level of service to the county. The policy also states that the proposal for naming in honor of a person can take place two years after retirement or separation from the county or two years after the person’s death.
“This is a board policy, so the board has a wide range of discretion in how to follow that policy, amend that policy or find special conditions that may exist and otherwise waive certain procedural aspects of that policy,” explained Ryan Pistochini, director of General Services, during Tuesday’s meeting.
Provenza argued that the two-year rule should not apply in this case given Sandy’s exceptional commitment to public service and the community.
“We have not had a board member die in office as far back as anyone can remember,” Provenza said. “It’s a special situation because it was Gary Sandy. He is a longtime member of the community as we all know.”
Throughout his career, Sandy served on the Woodland City Council, Yuba Community College Board, Yolo County Fair Board and as Woodland mayor. In 2018, he was elected to the Board of Supervisors to represent District 3 where he was an adamant supporter of several issues including better water conservation, mental health resources in school, ag land preservation and addressing the issues of homelessness.
“He was the subject of a vicious attack, in fact he spoke at a prior victims ceremony which was the result of him being on the City Council,” Provenza continued. “He was attacked for his beliefs or someone’s perception of his beliefs and yet he stayed in public service.
“He worked for UC Davis as their Community and Government liaison where he was an important partner and then as a member of the Board of Supervisors, serving also as chair. He was chair during the lockdown, during the pandemic and he brought us through every single meeting and I believe his leadership was important to getting us through that period. Gary was there for everybody during that time, he didn’t miss a beat.”
Provenza also commended and admired Sandy for continuing his duties as supervisor despite being ill. Following his death, Provenza said many younger staff members and department heads expressed how Sandy was a huge mentor for them in their careers.
Provenza, who was on the board when the policy was passed regarding naming county assets, urged the other supervisors to amend the two-year policy to honor Sandy’s legacy due to his immeasurable contributions to the county. He also noted that when the policy was passed, the board members weren’t thinking about “extraordinary circumstances” like when someone passes away while in office.
“He is so much a part of the Woodland community and of Yolo County that I feel it is necessary to set aside this policy,” Provenza stressed. “Naming the chambers is appropriate and would be very special because these chambers were what he was all about, what he sacrificed for, what he gave his all for and I think it’s important that we do something now and that we recognize his contributions.”
Supervisor Angel Barajas was heavily in support of Provenza, however Supervisor Oscar Villegas was hesitant to break the policy, worried about the message it would be sending to the public.
“We then get accused of making rules that don’t apply to us and getting to change the rules as we see fit and I worry a little bit about it,” Villegas said. “I’m in support of the recommendation, but I’m in support of it a year from now when it meets and complies with the set-out, well-intended ordinance which is not that long.”
Supervisor Lucas Frerichs echoed Villegas’ opinion. While he believed adjustments should be made to the policy, he was not in favor of naming the chambers until after the two-year waiting period.
“I think this is much more nuanced. I have a great deal of respect for Supervisor Sandy but I also have a challenge with having a policy that we throw out when it’s pretty clear what the policy is according to a previous Board of Supervisors,” Frerichs challenged. “Making an exception, no matter how great the individual is and the individual is great, I think we could also just wait the requirement of two years that exists in the policy.”
Barajas pointed out that Provenza will no longer be in office at the two-year anniversary of Sandy’s death next year. Proveza is retiring in December when his term ends.
“Waiting a year to change three lines on a policy, seriously?” Barajas argued. “That’s all I have to say.”
Villegas shot back, proclaiming the issue should have nothing to do about who or who doesn’t get to vote on the item.
“If this is about who gets to vote for it or not vote for it, then in my opinion we’ve lost all perspective,” said Villegas. “This isn’t about who gets to vote. If that’s what it’s about, I’m happy to bring it back next year when Supervisor Provenza is not on the board and say this was Supervisor Provenza’s idea. This is about credit? This has nothing to do with credit. What are we doing?”
Provenza clarified that it had nothing to do with receiving credit but being able to honor Sandy.
Ultimately, the board decided to look at amending the policy on naming county assets and to explore naming the chambers in honor of Sandy with the option to add future supervisors who pass away to the acknowledgement. The motion was passed 3 to 1 with Villegas voting no.
The item will return to the agenda at a later date.
