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 Zamora, Director, Community Health

SUBJECT:

Application and Acceptance of all available Recreational Beach Monitoring Program funds from the California Department of Public Health and State Water Resources Control Board

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1)

Authorizing the County of San Mateo to apply for and accept all available grant funds from the California Department of Public Health or the State Water Resources Control Board for Recreational Beach Monitoring Programs for Fiscal Years 2008-09 through 2012-13.

2)

Authorizing the Director of the Health Department or designee to execute in the name of San Mateo County all necessary applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and all documents necessary for the purposes of securing grant funds and to implement the approved grant projects and carry out the purposes specified in the grant applications for Fiscal Years 2008-09 through 2012-13.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

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

This Resolution contributes to this commitment and goal by providing funding for beach sampling and public notification on coastal beaches thus preventing adverse health effects to individuals swimming in affected areas.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09
Projected

Percent of days that ocean beaches were open for use

99%

98%

BACKGROUND:

The California Health and Safety Code requires coastal counties to perform beach sampling and public notification on coastal and San Francisco Bay beaches. Environmental Health collects water samples for the presence of unhealthy levels of bacteria. When bacterial counts exceed State standards, the public is notified by beach postings, website updates and a telephone hotline. The purpose of the public notification is to help reduce and/or prevent the spread of disease. Monitoring standards have been developed by California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

DISCUSSION:

Some results of State regulations of Environmental Health’s monitoring program are an increase in sampling frequency and an increase in the number of signs which need to be posted when bacteriological standards are exceeded. Partial funding from the State is available to offset the increase in costs for beach monitoring programs.

Environmental Health has applied for and received grant funds from CDPH for recreational beach monitoring programs since 1999. Grantees are generally given a three-week turnaround to submit a fully executed contract. To meet this timeline authorization is requested to allow the Director of the Health Department or designee to approve all necessary documents. Those documents include agreements, amendments, payment requests, and all documents necessary for the purpose of securing grant funds, implementing the approved projects and carrying out the purposes specified in the grant applications we submitted.

The Resolution has been reviewed by County Counsel as to form and content.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no direct fiscal impact to approval of the Resolution. Any additional revenue and associated expenditures will be included in annual operating budgets.