(a) Should any controversy arise regarding any inconveniences or discomfort occasioned by agricultural operations which cannot be settled by direct negotiation of the parties involved, either party may submit the controversy to a grievance committee as set forth below in an attempt to resolve the matter prior to the filing of any court action.
(b) Any controversy between the parties shall be submitted to the grievance committee within thirty (30) days of the later of the date of the occurrence of the particular activity giving rise to the controversy or the date a party became aware of the occurrence.
(c) The grievance committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed from the community at large by the Board of Supervisors, and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, two (2) of whom shall be engaged in the commercial practice of agriculture, two (2) of whom shall have no financial interest in any agricultural property or operation, and one of whom shall have knowledge of and expertise in agricultural production practices. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the grievance committee, and no decision shall be valid or binding unless taken upon a majority vote of the members present. The Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner shall be the Secretary who shall call meetings as the need arises and shall maintain minutes of each meeting. The committee shall adopt rules of procedure governing the conduct of its meetings. Members of the committee shall receive no compensation for carrying out these duties.
(d) The effectiveness of the grievance committee as a forum for resolution of disputes is dependent upon full discussion and complete presentation of all pertinent facts concerning the dispute in order to eliminate any misunderstandings. The parties are encouraged to cooperate in the exchange of pertinent information concerning the controversy.
(e) The controversy shall be presented to the committee by written request of one of the parties within the time limits specified. Thereafter the committee may investigate the facts of the controversy but must, within twenty-five (25) days, hold a meeting to consider the merits of the matter and within five (5) days of the meeting render a written decision to the parties. At the time of the meeting both parties shall have an opportunity to present what each considers to be pertinent facts. No party bringing a complaint to the committee for settlement or resolution may be represented by counsel unless the opposing party is also represented by counsel. The time limits provided in this subsection for action by the committee may be extended upon the written stipulation of all parties in a dispute.
(f) Any reasonable costs associated with the functioning of the grievance committee process shall be borne by the participants. The Board of Supervisors may, by resolution, prescribe fees to recover those costs. (§ 2, Ord. 1133, eff. January 2, 1992)