To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Adoption of Resolution to authorize the Director of Public Health, or designee, to apply for and sign agreements between the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the County of Humboldt, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health, Division of Environmental Health (DEH) regarding the State Beach Safety Monitoring Program Grants for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the resolution authorizing the Director of Public Health, or designee, to apply for funding for fiscal years 2019-20 through 2021-22 from the SWRCB (Attachment 1);
2. Approve and authorize the DHHS-Public Health Director, or designee, to enter into and execute grant agreements and grant agreement amendments with the SWRCB for DEH’s Consumer Protection program in Fund 1175, Budget Unit (BU) 406- Consumer Protection; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one certified original, signed copy of the resolution to Public Health Administration.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
Since February 2003, your Board has approved the State Beach Safety Monitoring Program Grants with the SWRCB for DEH’s Consumer Protection program to fund water quality testing of beaches in Humboldt County. 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 Public Health 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 Humboldt County and Water Board websites to provide information to the public regarding the water quality and safety of these frequently-used beaches.
Your Board previous adopted a multi-year resolution, Resolution No. 14-75, authorized the Director of Public Health, or designee, to directly apply for and sign agreements with SWRCB. Resolution No. 14-75 expired on June 30, 2019.
The SWRCB has recently requested a 3-year resolution by your Board authorizing the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to directly apply for and sign agreements with SWRCB. The DHHS DEH recommends that your Board adopt the resolution and authorize the Director of Public Health, or designee, to apply for and sign grant agreements with SWRCB for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. Additionally, the resolution will authorize the Director of Public Health to execute all agreements, amendments, invoices or other documents related to the administration of these grants.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Adoption of this resolution will give Public Health the ability to accept State Beach Safety Monitoring Program Grant funds for the next 3 fiscal years. The grant funds provide an additional $35,000 per year to support salary, training and Public Health Laboratory costs associated with beach water monitoring. These funds were included in proposed county budget in fund 1175, BU 406- Consumer Protection for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 and will be included in the annual county budget process for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22. No matching funds are required and there is 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 and by creating opportunities for improved safety and health
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The 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 DEH to monitor local beaches and reduce the county’s ability to protect the health and safety of the public. All other counties adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, south of Humboldt to the United States border, monitor select ocean beaches.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution granting authority to the Director of Public Health, or designee, to apply for and sign agreements and agreement amendments with the SWRCB on behalf of the County for fiscal years 2019-20 through 2021-22.
2. Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 14-75 approved on October 7, 2014.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-8, C-11, C-8, C-8, C-4, C-17
Meeting of: 7/21/2009, 7/13/2010, 3/27/2012, 10/23/2012, 6/0/2013, 3/18/2014, 10/7/2014
File No.: N/A