Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Heather Forshey, Director, Environmental Health Services
Subject: Application and Acceptance of All Available Recreational Beach Monitoring Program Funds from the State Water Resources Control Board
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The County of San Mateo to apply for and accept all available funds from the State Water Resources Control Board for Recreational Beach Monitoring Programs for Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2024-25; and
B) The Chief of the San Mateo County Health or designee to execute in the name of San Mateo County all necessary applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and all other documents necessary for the purposes of securing grant funds, implementing the approved grant projects, and carrying out the purposes specified in the grant applications for Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2024-25.
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BACKGROUND:
Section 115875 - 115915 of the California Health and Safety Code (CA Code) requires coastal counties to perform beach sampling and public notification on coastal and San Francisco Bay beaches. Monitoring standards have been developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
Environmental Health Services (EHS) collects water samples to evaluate the presence of unhealthy levels of bacteria. When bacterial counts exceed CA Code standards, the public is notified by beach postings, website updates, email notification and a telephone hotline. The purpose of the public notification is to help reduce and/or prevent the spread of disease.
DISCUSSION:
EHS has been receiving grant funds from CDPH and SWRCB for recreational beach monitoring programs since 1999. CDPH and SWRCB grantees are generally given a three-week turnaround to submit a fully executed contract. To meet this compressed timeline, EHS is requesting that this Board authorize the Chief of San Mateo County Health, or designee, to approve all necessary documents. Those documents include applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and all other documents necessary for the purpose of securing grant funds, implementing the approved projects and carrying out the purposes specified in the grant applications EHS submits.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form and content.
It is anticipated that County beaches are open for use 99% of the time.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
Measure |
FY 2021-22 Actual |
FY 2022-23 Estimated |
Percentage of time County beaches are open for use |
99% |
99% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement covers Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2024-25. Revenue and expenditures associated with the grants will be included in EHS’ respective budgets. Because the County is receiving funds, there is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.