To: Board of Supervisors
From: Agricultural Commissioner
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Cooperative Agreement No. 21-0288-000-SG, known as the Bee Safe Program with the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the amount of $7,232.25
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve Cooperative Agreement No. 21-0288-000-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, then return the signed agreement to the Agricultural Commissioner’s office for processing;
3. Grant a waiver from the provisions of the Nuclear Free Ordinance.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
DISCUSSION:
Under state law, county agricultural commissioners are granted authority in the California Food and Agriculture Code (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 spreading within the state. Per the 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).
Cooperative Agreement No. 21-0288-000-SG, known as the Bee Safe Program, provides funding to Humboldt County for activities related to the Bee Safe Program including notifications to pesticide users of bee hives, 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 there are only a small number of commercial beekeepers in Humboldt County, the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office works closely with the Humboldt County Beekeepers Association (HCBA) and its commercial and hobbyist members because of the important role pollinators play in maintaining a healthy, properly functioning environment. The Bee Safe Program is intended to protect all beekeepers and bees. In the past year working closely with the HCBA, the department eradicated the first known introduction of small-hive beetle into Humboldt County and has assisted beekeepers with identifying and managing outbreaks of American Foulbrood Disease, a bacterial brood disease that is highly contagious and is endemic in wild bee populations. This item comes to your Board after the effective date of July 1, 2021, due to the late arrival of the agreement from CDFA’s contracts office.
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 General Fund for the Bee Safe Program. All costs for personnel, mileage, and supplies will be reimbursed by the contract. Cooperative Agreement No. 21-0288-000-SG provides a total of $7,232.25 in fiscal year 2021-22 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. Revenue and expenditure accounts were previously funded in the adopted budget for FY 2021-22 in anticipation of this agreement, so no supplemental budget accompanies this request.
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. 21-0288-000-SG
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-4
Meeting of: 7/28/2020
File No.: 20-912