To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Adoption of Resolution to Authorize the Director of Public Health, or Their 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, 2022 through June 30, 2025.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the resolution authorizing the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to apply for funding for the next three fiscal years (2022-23 through 2024-25) from the SWRCB (Attachment 1); and
2. Approve and authorize the DHHS-Public Health Director, or their designee, to enter into and execute grant agreements and grant agreement amendments with the SWRCB for DEH’s Consumer Protection (CP) program in Fund 1175, Budget Unit (BU) 406 - Consumer Protection; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return two certified original, signed copies 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 CP 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 previously adopted a multi-year Resolution, Resolution No. 19-73, authorized the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to directly apply for and sign agreements with SWRCB. Resolution No. 19-73 expires on June 30, 2022.
The SWRCB has requested a Resolution by your Board authorizing the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to directly apply for and sign agreements with SWRCB for the next three years. The DHHS DEH recommends that your Board adopt the Resolution and authorize the Director of Public Health, or the Director of Public Health’s designee, to apply for and sign grant agreements with SWRCB for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. 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 three fiscal years. The grant funds provide between $30,000 and $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) 2022-23 and will be included in the annual county budget process for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25. 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 these beaches in an effort 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. Beach Grant Resolution for fiscal years 2022-23 through 2024-25.
2. Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 19-73 approved on July 30, 2019.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-8, C-11, C-8, C-8, C-4, C-6, C-17, C10
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
File No.: 16-0381, 14-0930, 19-1050