COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

July 20, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 11, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Renewal of Resolution Authorizing the Agricultural

Commissioner/Sealer to Sign State Standard Agreements and

Memoranda of Understanding for Various Programs and Services

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer to sign State standard agreements and memoranda of understanding for various programs and services that do not exceed $50,000 per agreement.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

The renewal of this Resolution will continue to expedite the processing of State agreements and reduce staff administrative time.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2006-07
Actual

FY 2007-08
Projected

Percent of revenue received for State agreements of less than $50,000

100%

100%

BACKGROUND:

In June 1998 the Board approved Resolution 61988 which authorized the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer to sign standard agreements and memoranda of understanding with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) in amounts not to exceed $50,000 per agreement. The Board renewed this authorization for an additional three years in June 2001 (Resolution 64487) and June 2004 (Resolution 66688). This Resolution expires three (3) years from the date of its approval unless extended by action of the Board.

CDFA and CDPR will accept the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer’s approval and signature on standard agreements and memoranda of understanding providing the County submits a letter or Resolution that outlines the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer’s authority to sign these documents. Many counties throughout the State continue to use this streamlined approval process for State contracts involving their Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.

DISCUSSION:

Streamlining the contract approval process has reduced the time, effort and delays associated with the previous approval procedures at both the State and County level. In past years significant staff hours were expended by the Division, County Manager’s Office, and Clerk of the Board to prepare and forward contract documents to the Board for approval and signature, and then on to the State for further processing. Prior to June 1998, these ongoing contracts were routinely renewed by placement on the Consent Agenda.

These State agreements are for subventions that do not involve significant levels of funding. Examples of current State contracts which would continue to be processed under signature of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer include the Nursery Inspection Agreement ($6,926) and Pesticide Data Entry Agreement ($7,924).

Major State agreements for significant funding and program services such as Pest Detection ($551,750), High Risk Pest Exclusion ($405,807), and the Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter ($328,999) will continue to be approved by formal Board Resolution and signature.

This Resolution sunsets three (3) years from the date of Board authorization unless extended by the Board. The Resolution has been reviewed by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Net County Cost associated with this Resolution, which would allow the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer to sign contracts through September 2010. If the Board approves the renewal of this Resolution, the overall County staff time spent on the approval process for these small contracts will continue to be minimal.