Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David Canepa, District 5
Supervisor Don Horsley, District 3
Subject: Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations Ordinance, Pilot Program, and Grant Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation:
A) Introduction of an ordinance authorizing, on a pilot basis, the permitting of Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations ("MEHKO") in San Mateo County, and waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety; and
B) Adopt a resolution:
1. Approving the allocation of $238,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the extent eligible and available, or other funds as determined by the County Manager, to the Environmental Health Services Division of San Mateo County Health to cover the cost of operating a pilot MEHKO permitting program; and
2. Authorizing the establishment of a MEHKO Grant Program, pursuant to which individual grants of $2500 shall be made to up to 25 MEHKO permitholders, who meet eligibility requirements, including demonstrating that they have either individually or as a small business suffered a negative economic impact from the pandemic, to be used for startup costs, and approving the allocation of $62,500 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the extent eligible and available, or other funds as determined by the County Manager, to the MEHKO Grant Program.
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BACKGROUND:
California Assembly Bill 626 ("AB 626") chaptered on September 18, 2018 and amended by Assembly Bill 377 ("AB 377") chaptered on October 7, 2019 (collectively, the "MEHKO State Law") established Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations ("MEHKOs") as a new category of food facility under the California Retail Food Code, Health and Safety Code section 113700, et seq. ("CRFC"). The MEHKO State Law authorizes the use of home kitchens for small-scale, direct food sales by home cooks to consumers, providing appropriate flexibility in food types an...
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