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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
Agriculture/Weights and Measures
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DATE:
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December 4, 2009
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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January 26, 2010
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Four-fifths
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Gail M. Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
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SUBJECT:
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Agreement (#09-0653) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to fund San Mateo County Weed Management Area invasive weed projects for the term of January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011
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RECOMMENDATION:
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A)
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Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with California Department of Food and Agriculture for the control and eradication of invasive weeds for the term January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011 in an amount not to exceed $30,745; and
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B)
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Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing unanticipated revenue in the amount of $18,370 and increasing appropriations in contractual services.
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BACKGROUND:
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Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) sections 7270-7274 provide the authority for the establishment of Weed Management Areas (WMA) and outline provisions for dissemination of state funds to local organizations by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). To date, all counties in the state are represented by a local WMA. The Board authorized participation of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, the Department of Parks and the Department of Public Works in the San Mateo County Weed Management Area (SMCWMA) by approval of the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 18, 2001 (Resolution No. 64965). Since 2001, CDFA has awarded four weed project grants in the form of state standard agreements with the County Agricultural Commissioner to the SMCWMA for local weed projects.
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DISCUSSION:
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CDFA has issued an Agreement to the Agricultural Commissioner for the disbursement of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for weed projects specified in the Agreement. CDFA disburses the weed project grant monies through the County Agricultural Commissioner’s office. The monies are “passed through” to members of the SMCWMA for the specific weed projects. Approved projects include protection of endangered fountain thistle habitat led by Acterra Stewardship Program, and eradication of slender false brome led by Mid-peninsula Regional Open Space District.
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A WMA brings together interested landowners and managers, special districts, and the public to address their common weed problems. Activities typically include mapping and inventory of weed infestations, establishment of local demonstration projects, and coordination of control projects using integrated weed management strategies. By controlling the spread of noxious weeds, these strategies protect and enhance the value of parkland, open space, agricultural lands, and natural plant and animal communities. Projects funded in 2009 included woodland habitat protection through noxious weed removal, habitat restoration and protection of endangered and native plants.
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The revenue authorized by this Agreement was not included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget. Unanticipated revenue of $18,370 and a corresponding appropriation will be added to the FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget by an ATR. Grant funds totaling $16,700 will be disbursed to the SMCWMA participants in arrears following completion of their grant work requirements. The County will be reimbursed ten percent of the grant funds, $1,670, for administrative costs for FY 2009-10. The rest of the Agreement revenue will be included in the FY 2010-11 and FY 2011-12 Recommended Budgets. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and the agreement as to form and content.
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Approval of this agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Environmentally Conscious Community by supporting Weed Management Area activities that protect agriculture and the environment from harmful exotic invasive weeds introduced into California. It is anticipated that 50 net acres of invasive weeds will be treated.
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Performance Measure(s):
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Measure
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FY 2008-09
Actual
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FY 2009-10
Projected
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Net Acres of Invasive Weeds Treated
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N/A
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50 acres
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The term of this Agreement is January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2011. The total Agreement amount of $30,745 provides reimbursement for the approved SMCWMA projects. The revenue authorized by this Agreement was not included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget. With the proposed ATR, $18,370 will be appropriated in an expenditure account. Approval of the Resolution, agreement and ATR will allow the County to secure and disburse ARRA grant funding for local weed control projects. There is no Net County Cost or obligation to expend County general fund monies associated with this Agreement or ATR.
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