Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Steve Monowitz, Community Development Director
Subject: Consideration of a resolution authorizing the filing of the California Department of Conservation Williamson Act Participation and Open Space Subvention Act Survey and designation of an authorized representative.
County File Number: PLN 2017-00354 (County of San Mateo)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Planning and Building Department to file the California Department of Conservation Williamson Act Participation and Open Space Subvention Act Survey and designation of an authorized representative.
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BACKGROUND:
As part of the County’s participation and implementation of the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act) and the Open Space Subvention Act of 1972, where local property tax revenue foregone as a result of participation is partially replaced, the California Department of Conservation requests the completion of its annual Williamson Act Participation and Open Space Subvention Act Survey (Survey).
The state’s Survey documents the level of statewide participation in the Williamson Act as well as provides an opportunity for jurisdictions to apply and receive subvention payments under the Open Space Subvention Act to which the County received its last payment of $59,338 for fiscal year 2006-2007. The Survey also serves to identify the fiscal impacts to jurisdictions across the state as a result of the elimination of subvention payments by to the state to local jurisdictions beginning in the 2010 fiscal year. State subvention payments were reduced by the state to a total of $1,000 statewide in fiscal year 2009; no subvention payments have been issued by the state since fiscal year 2010. In addition, the Survey provides information to the state legislature and general public regarding the status of the Program statewide.
Pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14 (Natural Resources) Division 6 (Resources Agency) Article 2 (General Provisions) Section 14111(a), application for subvention payments requires a resolution by the governing body authorizing the filing of the report (Survey) and designation of an authorized representative. Although subvention payments have not been reinstated, if this were to occur in the future, the County would be eligible to file an application with adoption of this resolution.
Elements of the survey include: number of new contract enrollments, non-renewals, and cancellations; acres assessed under contract, non-renewal, or by other enforceable restriction; and dollar amount of potential subvention funds should these funds be reinstated.
Adoption of the resolution is consistent with General Plan Policy 9.49 (Coordination with Other Public Agencies and Private Interests) which identifies close coordination between the County and Federal and State agencies, cities, special districts and private interests to maintain accurate land use data and to inform them of County land use policies.
Adoption of the resolution is not considered a “project” (Public Resources Code 21065) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is, therefore, not subject to CEQA.
County Counsel has reviewed the resolution as to form.
Adoption of this resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 of a Livable Community by assuring the County participates in the statewide effort to monitor Williamson Act contracts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact is identified with the adoption of the resolution other than minimal staff time to complete the annual Survey. Should state subvention payments become available in the future, the County may be eligible to receive such payments to offset the loss of property tax revenue for participation in the Williamson Act program.