To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director, or Designee Thereof, to Cancel Outdated Environmental Health Services Agreements with the Incorporated Cities and Replace with the New Board-Approved Template
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director, or a designee thereof, to cancel outdated agreements, where they exist, for Environmental Health services between the County of Humboldt and incorporated cities within the County of Humboldt, to be replaced by the new Board of Supervisors approved agreement template.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The County of Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Branch, Division of Environmental Health (DEH) provides a variety of services for regulated facilities throughout the county, including those located in incorporated cities. Services such as restaurant inspections and plan reviews, pool inspections, body art facility inspections, hazardous materials management oversight, solid waste handling facility inspections, well permitting, and onsite wastewater treatment system design and inspections are provided on a regular basis. The authority and responsibility for completing these services is articulated in local referenda, local codes, and State law; and, when completed within city limits, outdated agreements.
DEH also responds to a variety of complaints from the community ranging from rabies reports to foodborne illness to hazardous materials spills and more. Complaints come from residents of incorporated cities of the county and are frequently associated with properties within city limits.
Approval of this item will allow the Public Health Branch Director, or their designee, to cancel the outdated agreements which ideally will be replaced by current, County Counsel approved agreements based on a template previously approved by the Board of Supervisors (see attached). The outdated agreements provide for termination upon one fiscal year’s notice. The goal is for all cities that wish to partner with the county to receive DEH services to enter into an updated, Board approved agreement.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of this item is not anticipated to have financial impact on the Public Health Fund, or General Fund as outdated agreements with incorporated cities will be replaced with current agreements.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no expected staffing impact as DEH is already staffed and providing these services within most incorporated cities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
City of Arcata, City of Blue Lake, City of Eureka, City of Ferndale, City of Fortuna, City of Rio Dell and City of Trinidad
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose not to approve this item, however this would leave the relationship between DEH and incorporated cities inaccurately described by old agreements and with diminished authority to provide public health protections. Without updated authority granted by new agreements, new programs implemented by DEH would be limited to unincorporated areas of the Humboldt County community.
ATTACHMENTS:
BOS Approved City MOU Agreement Template
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 12/17/24
File No.: 24-1637