To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Adoption of Resolution to Execute Agreements with the California State Water Resources Control Board Regarding the State Beach Safety Monitoring Program Grants for Fiscal Year 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the resolution authorizing the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director, or designee thereof, to apply for funding for Fiscal Year 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28, from the State Water Resources Control Board (Attachment 1); and
2. Approve and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director, or designee thereof, to enter into and execute grant agreements with the State Water Resources Control Board for the Environmental Health Division’s Consumer Protection Program; and
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director or designee thereof, to execute all subsequent amendments, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations, and documents directly related to the grant agreements after the review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return two certified original, signed copies of the resolution to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
Health risks are associated with recreational swimming in water with elevated concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria. Since February 2003, the Board has approved the State Beach Safety Monitoring Program Grants with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the County of Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health (DHHS - PH) Environmental Health Division (DEH) Consumer Protection (CP) Program to fund water quality testing of beaches with high recreational use in the County of Humboldt. Each year, from April through October, ocean water samples are routinely taken at Clam (north of Mad River and Strawberry Creek), Moonstone, Luffenholtz and Trinidad Beaches. Water samples are delivered to the DHHS - PH Laboratory to test for bacteriological contamination. DEH posts beach warnings and re-samples if state bacteriological standards are exceeded. Information and test results are posted on the County of Humboldt and Water Board websites to provide information to the public regarding the water quality and safety of these frequently used beaches.
The Board previously adopted a multi-year Resolution, Resolution No. 22-61, that authorized the DHHS - PH Branch Director, or designee thereof, to directly apply for and sign agreements with SWRCB. Resolution No. 22-61 expires on June 30, 2025.
The SWRCB has requested a Resolution by your Board authorizing the DHHS - PH Branch Director, or designee thereof, to directly apply for and sign agreements with SWRCB for the next three (3) Fiscal Years. The DHHS - PH DEH recommends that your Board adopt the Resolution and authorize the DHHS - PH Branch Director, or designee thereof, to apply for and sign grant agreements with SWRCB for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Additionally, the Resolution will authorize the DHHS - PH Branch Director to execute subsequent amendments, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations, and documents directly related to the grant agreement after the review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management, and the County Administrative Office.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175) Environmental Health Consumer Protection (406)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1175,406) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
FY27-28 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
34,225 |
34,225 |
34,225 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
34,225 |
34,225 |
34,225 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1175,406) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
FY27-28 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
34,225 |
34,225 |
34,225 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
34,225 |
34,225 |
34,225 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Adoption of this resolution will give DHHS - PH DEH the ability to accept State Beach Safety Monitoring Program Grant funds for the next three (3) Fiscal Years. The grant funds provide between $30,000 and $36,000 per Fiscal Year to support salary, training and DHHS - PH Laboratory costs associated with beach water monitoring. These funds will be included in the proposed county budget for Public Health Fund (1175), Environmental Health Consumer Protection Budget Unit (406) for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and will be included in the annual budget process for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and 2027-28. No matching funds are required.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There are no anticipated impacts on staffing directly associated with the adoption of this resolution or the related grants.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The California State Water Resources Control Board
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve this Resolution. However, due to lack of funding, this would result in the inability of the DHHS - PH DEH to monitor these beaches and notify the public of potential health risks. All other counties adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, south of Humboldt to the United States border, monitor select ocean beaches.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Board of Supervisors, County of Humboldt, State of California Resolution Template
2. Board of Supervisors, County of Humboldt, State of California Resolution No. 22-61
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 7/21/09, 7/13/10, 3/27/12, 10/23/12, 6/04/13, 3/18/14, 10/7/14, 7/30/19, 5/24/2022
File No.: N/A, N/A, N/A, N/A,16-0381, 14-0930, 19-1050, 22-617