To: Board of Supervisors
From: Agricultural Commissioner
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of Cooperative Agreement No. 19-0769-000-SG, known as the Bee Safe Program with the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the amount of $4,952.95 and Supplemental Budget (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve Cooperative Agreement No. 19-0769-000-SG, known as the Bee Safe Program Contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture;
2. Authorize the Chair to sign the original agreement and return the signed document to the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for processing;
3. Direct the Auditor-Controller to execute the attached supplemental budget for FY 2019/20 (4/5 vote required); and
4. Grant a waiver from the provisions of the Nuclear Free Ordinance.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
DISCUSSION:
Existing state law recognizes the importance of managed honeybees. Per the California Food and Agricultural Code (FAC), “a healthy and vibrant apiary industry is important to the economy and welfare of the people of the State of California. Protection and promotion of this important industry is in the interest of the people of the State of California.” (FAC Division 13, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 29000). Under state law, county agricultural commissioners are granted authority in the FAC to enforce various apiary and pest prevention laws including registration, identification, placement of hives and inspection and abatement of pests. All these requirements are measures intended to ensure the vitality of the beekeeping industry and to prevent bee pests from being introduced into or spread within the state.
Through Cooperative Agreement No. 19-0769-000-SG, known as the Bee Safe Program, CDFA is providing funding to Humboldt County for activities related to the Bee Safe Program including: reducing stress to bees due to pesticide exposure, reducing pest pressure and increasing foraging opportunities. Work activities will include inspection of incoming bee shipments for pests, collecting and submitting specimens, inspecting beehives for required markings and monitoring treatments. Although Humboldt County possesses a small number of commercial beekeepers, the Humboldt County Beekeepers Association has many active members who are passionate about beekeeping and recognize the important contributions pollinators play in maintaining a healthy environment from which Humboldt County residents derive a benefit. The Bee Safe Program is intended to protect all beekeepers and bees.
The waiver from the provisions of the Nuclear Free Ordinance is requested because the State of California will not modify its “cooperative agreements” to accommodate local ordinances. The agriculture department receives annual subventions from CDFA to offset local costs associated with enforcing certain state-mandated programs administered locally by the commissioner’s office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no net cost to Humboldt County for the Bee Safe Program. All costs for personnel, mileage, and supplies will be reimbursed by the contract. Cooperative Agreement No. 19-0769-000-SG provides a total of $4,952.95 in FY 2019/20 for Agriculture Department activities related to the Bee Safe Program. All costs are billed to CDFA on a monthly basis and payment is made in arrears to Humboldt County, Fund 100, budget unit 261. This item comes to your Board after the effective date of July 1, 2019, due to the late arrival of the agreement from CDFA’s contracts office.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
CDFA
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
One complete copy of Cooperative Agreement No. 19-0769-000-SG
Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A