Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Steve Monowitz, Director of Planning and Building
Subject: Acceptance of Grant from the California Department of Water Resources for the San Mateo County Drought Resilience Plan and Task Force
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of a grant from the California Department of Water Resources, in an amount not to exceed $125,000 for the San Mateo County Drought Resilience Plan and Task Force.
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BACKGROUND:
Senate Bill (SB) 552 requires all counties to improve drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems and domestic wells within a county’s jurisdiction by establishing a standing Drought and Water Shortage Task Force (Task Force) and developing a County Drought Resilience Plan (County DRP).
In response, the California Department of Water Resources created the County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Program, under which counties could request up to $125,000 in financial assistance or direct technical assistance to support their planning efforts.
The Planning and Building Department is currently working on a project to update the Safety Element of the General Plan. A Safety Element is a State-mandated element that identifies potential natural and human-caused hazards that could affect residents, businesses, and services in a community. The purpose of a safety element is to establish a framework that identifies and anticipates these hazards and prepares the community to minimize risks and harm resulting from these hazards. The current scope of the Safety Element update effort includes work to address drought and other climate change related hazards. The County has an existing agreement with PlaceWorks to support the Safety Element update efforts.
DISCUSSION:
In December 2023, the Planning and Building Department applied for funding from the Department of Water Resources’ County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Program (Program) to create a San Mateo County Drought Resilience Plan and Task Force (Project). The purpose of the Project is to help the County meet the SB 552 requirements. This Project will expand on the County’s existing efforts to update the Safety Element of the County’s General Plan to address drought and other climate change related hazards.
In February 2024, the Department of Water Resources approved the County’s funding request and authorized a grant in an amount not to exceed $125,000. This funding from the County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Program will help fund both the existing drought-related scope of the Safety Element update project and additional work necessary to meet the requirements of SB 552. Staff anticipates returning to this Board with an amendment to the existing PlaceWorks agreement to incorporate the additional work after execution of the grant agreement with the Department of Water Resources.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As the Project will be grant funded, no fiscal impact is anticipated.
ATTACHMENT:
A. Draft Funding Agreement Between the State of California Department of Water Resources and County of San Mateo