RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION 1) TRANSFERRING SPECIFIC VECTOR CONTROL OPERATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE SAN MATEO COUNTY MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT; AND 2) AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO MAINTAIN STAFFING SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ASSIST THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, a cornerstone of Public Health is to ensure vectors that may carry and transmit diseases to humans are controlled; and

WHEREAS, the goal of a successful Vector Control Program is to protect the residents of San Mateo County from disease, discomfort, annoyance and economic loss from insects and animals; and

WHEREAS, San Mateo County Environmental Health Division staff have, for many years, responded to requests for assistance and complaints about pests and vectors, educating the public about how to keep homes and businesses free from vectors, and minimize diseases transmitted by vectors; and

WHEREAS, in 1953 the San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District (SMCMAD) was established to control mosquitoes in the eastern part of the County from Skyline Blvd. to the San Francisco Bay and all cities south of San Bruno; and

WHEREAS, in 2003 the SMCMAD expanded services to include the entire County and all twenty cities, with the mission to safeguard the health and comfort of the citizens of San Mateo County through a planned program to monitor and reduce mosquitoes and other vectors; and

WHEREAS, the SMCMAD offers many of the same services and educational opportunities provided by Environmental Health; and

WHEREAS, San Mateo County Environmental Health Division and the SMCMAD have collaborated for many years to survey the County for disease-carrying vectors; and

WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code 101285 requires Board of Supervisors action to transfer all or a portion of vector control services or any portion of the function of providing vector control services to any mosquito abatement and vector control district formed pursuant to the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District Law, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 3.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors directs and authorizes the transfer of the following responsibilities of the Vector Control Program to the SMCMAD:

1.

Conduct rodent and insect inspections and educate homeowners on proper environmental and structural modifications to limit infestations; and

2.

Inspect rodent bait stations in creeks as per contracts with the cities and County, inspect rodent bait blocks in sewers, creeks, and utility vaults; and

3.

Initiate rodent control baiting operations when rodent populations reach extreme levels where an imminent disease outbreak may occur or a serious public health threat has resulted; and

4.

Oversee and maintain contracts between pest control operators and cities and the unincorporated County; and

5.

Provide educational services to residents regarding wildlife interactions and

problems, and enhance wildlife control programs.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors directs and authorizes the Director of Health to maintain staffing sufficient to assist the Mosquito Abatement District and to address potential disease transmission via vectors at businesses and properties currently regulated by the Division.

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