Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, Health System
Heather Forshey, Director, Environmental Health Services
Subject: Application and Acceptance of all Available Recreational Beach Monitoring Program Funds from the California Department of Public Health and 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 California Department of Public Health and the State Water Resources Control Board for Recreational Beach Monitoring Programs for Fiscal Years 2018-19 through 2022-23; and
B) The Chief of the Health System 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 2018-19 through 2022-23.
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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:
EH 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, we are requesting that your Board authorize the Chief of the Health System, 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 we submit.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form and content.
This resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community by providing funding for beach sampling and public notification on coastal and bay beaches, thus preventing adverse health effects to individuals swimming in affected areas. It is anticipated that the County’s ocean beaches will be open and safe for recreational use 99% of the total days in FY 2017-18.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2016-17 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Projected |
|
Percent of total days that ocean beaches were open for use |
99% |
99% |
|
|
|
|
FISCAL IMPACT:
Revenue and expenditures associated with the grants will be included in EH’s respective budgets. Because the County is receiving funds, there is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.