COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Agriculture/Weights and Measures

DATE:

January 19, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 9, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Agreement (#09-0663) with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for light brown apple moth quarantine inspection services for the term of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 in an amount not to exceed $140,553.58

RECOMMENDATION:

A.

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for light brown apple moth quarantine inspection services to prevent the spread of this economically important plant pest for the term of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 in an amount not to exceed $140,553.58; and

B.

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing unanticipated revenue in the amount of $77,387.58 and increasing appropriations in various accounts ($77,387.58).

BACKGROUND:

In 2008, the Board approved the first Agreement with California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to initiate the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Program. This contractual agreement will reimburse the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer for costs associated with LBAM mandated regulatory activities required for the implementation of the Federal Domestic Quarantine Order and the California State Interior Quarantine Order concerning LBAM. County pest prevention regulatory activities subject to reimbursement include quarantine inspections of nursery stock shipments and nursery growing grounds, issuance of compliance agreements to affected parties such as nurseries, green waste producers/processors and producers of agricultural commodities, supervision of mandated quarantine treatments and administrative support activities as outlined in the approved workplan.

LBAM is a pest native to Australia that has become established in New Zealand, New Caledonia, Hawaii and the British Isles. The first San Mateo County detection of LBAM was confirmed in April 2007. This pest attacks a wide variety of native, ornamental, fruit, and vegetable plants. The statewide LBAM pest exclusion program protects the agricultural industry, home gardens, and the environment. Federal, state and Canadian quarantines imposed on all infested counties have impacted the ability of the County’s agricultural industry to ship plants and produce. Nursery stock and other regulated commodities cannot move outside the quarantine area without certification from the local Agricultural Commissioner.

DISCUSSION:

The County will receive a maximum of $140,553.58 as reimbursement for 2,597 personnel hours to be expended on LBAM regulatory activities, including additional workload that will be covered by Extra Help Biologist/Standards Specialist hours. Staff will perform inspections and will oversee required quarantine treatments of nursery stock at wholesale production nurseries and crop field locations throughout the county. CDFA and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continue to revise LBAM quarantine enforcement protocols. The personnel hours outlined in the Agreement workplan include maximum hours to be expended. Actual expenditures may be less depending on final CDFA and USDA revisions to LBAM inspection requirements. The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget includes $63,166 authorized by this Agreement. Additional revenue ($77,387.58) will be recognized and appropriated by an ATR, including appropriations to Salaries and Benefits and other expenditure accounts for program operating costs and vehicle replacement charges.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Memo, Resolution, and Agreement as to form and content. This contract is late because of delays at CDFA.

Approval of this Agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of Environmentally Conscious Community by supporting LBAM regulatory activities that protect agriculture and the environment from the spread of a harmful exotic moth introduced into California. Due to expanding LBAM populations, it is anticipated that the number of agricultural operations requiring treatment and recertification because of LBAM finds will increase to 15%.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2008-09
Actual

FY 2009-10
Projected

Percent of agricultural operations requiring recertification for shipping

11%

15%

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The total Agreement revenue amount is $140,553.58. A portion of this revenue ($63,166) is included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2009-10 Adopted Budget. With the proposed ATR, unanticipated revenue of $77,387.58 will be recognized and appropriated in a number of expenditure accounts to support program Salaries and Benefits and other operating costs. There is no Net County Cost or obligation to expend County general fund monies associated with this contract.