To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution for the Proposition 64 Public Health & Safety Grant Program 2020-2023
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution No._____ (Attachment 1) authorizing the Sheriff’s Office to submit the governing board resolution for the Proposition 64 Public Health & Safety Grant program and if awarded, accept grant funds and sign any documents required by Board of State and Community Corrections for participation in the program;
2. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Proposal Checklist (Attachment 2);
3. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Applicant Information Form (Attachment 3);
4. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Letter of Eligibility (Attachment 4);
5. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Certification of Compliance (Attachment 5);
6. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Criteria for Non-Governmental Organizations Receiving Grant Funds (Attachment 6);
7. Authorize the Chair of the Board, County Administrative Officer, Sheriff, Undersheriff or Deputy Director Sheriff’s Administration to execute all the necessary reimbursement claims, applications, contracts, and agreements and amendments thereto, in the name of the County of Humboldt, and all other documents required by the Board of State and Community Corrections; and
8. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return completed and signed copies of all attachments to the Sheriff’s Office in original and email formats to Katie Collender for submittal to funding agency.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC)
DISCUSSION:
Proposition 64 is The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act and was passed by Californians on November 8, 2016. The BSCC Board approved the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety (Prop 64 PH&S) Grant Program Request for Proposals on February 13, 2020. This makes available $24.7 million dollars available through a competitive process. This program has four focus areas, including public safety, to fund projects that address the local impacts of cannabis legalization. Per Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 34019, subd. (f)(3)(C), the BSCC will provide grant funds to local governments that assist with law enforcement, fire protection, or other local programming to address public health and safety associated with the implementation of the Act. This will be the first Prop 64 PH&S Grant cycle.
According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, as of 2019 Humboldt County holds the highest number of cannabis cultivation licenses. The legal cultivation industry can also be used by illegal growers, including those associated with Drug Trafficking Organizations, as a cover. With high numbers of permits and grows, Humboldt County is in dire need of additional enforcement resources. Trespass growers often leave a trail of environmental destruction in need of assessment and restoration. These illegal marijuana-related activities pose a serious short- and long-term threat to the community and to the burgeoning legal marijuana cultivation industry.
The Sheriff's Office, on behalf of Humboldt County, will submit for this grant opportunity to address unmet social demands from marijuana legalization. If awarded, this will fund a new Community Services Officer (CSO) focused on youth outreach and prevention, with an emphasis on the Southern Humboldt community. It will allow for an additional Deputy Sheriff to assist with the investigation of marijuana-related crimes, and to work with the CSO on youth education. A Crime Analyst position will be created to assist with intelligence gathering and analysis, and to use available data to better inform the distribution of department resources to fight marijuana crimes. In partnership with the Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC), a local non-profit dedicated to the research and conservation of wildlife and their ecosystems, the program will address public health and environmental fallout associated with illegal marijuana grows.
If awarded, BSCC will fund a 36-month cycle beginning Oct. 1, 2020 and ending on Sept. 30, 2023.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The county would receive up to $1,000,000 in funding over the three-year grant cycle. This would support county staff and consultants working to address needs relating to illegal marijuana activity. There is no other financial obligation associated with receiving the grant, and there would be no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs while enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
California Board of State and Community Corrections
Integral Ecology Resource Center
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could deny the request to, if awarded, accept the grant funds. This is not recommended as these grant funds are integral to the continuation of the county’s marijuana control programs. In order to continue these programs without grant funding the department would have to seek funding elsewhere or request additional monies from the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Governing Board Resolution
Attachment 2: Proposal Checklist
Attachment 3: Applicant Information Form
Attachment 4: Letter of Eligibility
Attachment 5: Certification of Compliance
Attachment 6: Criteria for Non-Governmental Organizations Receiving Grant Funds
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A