To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with Babcock Laboratories, Inc. for Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory to Provide Water Testing
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the Master Service Agreement between Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory (HCPHL) and Babcock Laboratories, Inc. for HCPHL to provide water testing for Babcock Laboratories, Inc.,
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the Master Service Agreement, and
3. Authorize the Public Health Director, or designee thereof, to sign any future amendments or associated documents directly related to the agreement upon review and approval County Counsel and Risk Management.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
State Water Resources Control Board, Public Health Fund (1175)
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory (HCPHL) provides a variety of testing services, ranging from clinical testing to environmental testing. Often, HCPHL has worked with state entities, such as the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on miscellaneous projects. Currently, Babcock Laboratories, Inc. is working with SWRCB on a project to identify the source of fecal bacteria in several water streams within California. One of the areas of interest is Jolly Creek, located in Arcata. Babcock Laboratories, Inc. and SWRCB have identified the HCPHL as an ideal candidate to perform local testing of water samples from Jolly Creek, due to the proximity to the creek and HCPHL’s capacity to conduct qualified testing.
Sampling of water will be conducted by City of Arcata staff in the Environmental Services Department and volunteers from the local non-profit organization, Humboldt Baykeeper. Samples will then be dropped off at HCPHL and analyzed via a process called Microbial Source Tracking (MST), a newer technology to determine the source of any fecal bacteria present in the water. MST results will depict whether the fecal bacteria originated from humans, dogs, birds, or cows. Identifying the source of the contaminant would allow for informed mitigation strategies, to attempt to clean up Jolly Creek.
This Master Service Agreement before your Board today would allow the HCPHL to provide water testing services and be reimbursed by Babcock Laboratories for testing services provided upon execution, through June 30, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of this agreement with Babcock Laboratories, Inc. will allow HCPHL to be reimbursed for testing services provided, in Fund 1175, Budget Unit -435 Laboratory upon execution through June 30, 2022. While it is currently unknown how many samples total will be tested by HCPHL in the current 2020-21 Fiscal Year (FY), or in the 2021-22 Fiscal Year, revenue will be collected in accordance with the approved county fee schedule. The laboratory is funded by Public Health Realignment and Fees for Service, so this revenue will reduce the amount of Realignment required to fund the HCPHL. There are sufficient appropriations in FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 budgets. There is no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
State Water Resources Control Board
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could not approve this agreement; however that is not recommended as it would not allow the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory to receive reimbursement for providing water testing services for the State Water Resources Control Board, to identify the cause of pollution of Jolly Creek in the Arcata area.
ATTACHMENTS:
Master Service Agreement with Babcock Laboratories, Inc.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: TBD