COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 9, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian J. Zamora, Director, Community Health

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the City/County Association of Governments

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with the City/County Association of Governments to provide public outreach services for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for the term July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, in an amount not to exceed $311,320.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The Agreement with the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) contributes to this commitment and goal by providing the necessary funds to implement important environmental protection programs.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09

Projected

Percentage of total days that ocean beaches were open for use

99%

98%

BACKGROUND:

C/CAG is a joint powers agency. It is the administrative and policy-making authority responsible for program implementation and compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region. The cities, towns and the County of San Mateo are all co-permittees under a single Phase I NPDES stormwater permit. The San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP) funding comes exclusively from C/CAG. C/CAG supports public education and outreach through the distribution of funds to organizations to provide expertise in managing their Public Information and Participation (PIP) Subcommittee.

Environmental Health Division (Division) manages programs that are vital to ensuring hazardous and damaging wastes do not pose a threat to public health or the environment. Since 1999, the Division has received funds annually from C/CAG to manage the PIP Subcommittee with the goal to increase the public’s knowledge and understanding of stormwater related issues. Effective July 1, 2007, C/CAG has required an agreement to manage the PIP Subcommittee; funds for services will be rendered upon execution of the agreement.

DISCUSSION:

The SMCWPPP strategy to reduce pollution is to increase the number of individuals reached through public education. SMCWPPP employs various methods to increase public education and outreach. Throughout the year, Environmental Health coordinates and disseminates the integrated SMCWPPP, Household Hazardous Waste and Used Oil Collection outreach material at local events such as city festivals and the County Fair, as well as school assemblies at many of the elementary schools. In addition, SMCWPPP creates new brochures, promotional items, pamphlets, and a website to disperse the message of water pollution prevention to a greater audience. The projects for FY 2008-09 include teacher training to increase stormwater and watershed awareness, continuation of the Integrated Pest Management education and Point of Purchase Campaign, coordination of California Coastal Cleanup Day within the County, and purchase of air time for television commercials developed by SMCWPPP.

Funds granted to Environmental Health under this Agreement are dependent on the availability of C/CAG funds. The Agreement is late due to delays in C/CAG’s approval. County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. The appropriation and revenue for FY 2008-09 is $311,320 and is included in the Environmental Health FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this program.