COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Agriculture/Weights and Measures

DATE:

October 22, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 30, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths vote

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Fred W. Crowder, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

SUBJECT:

Agreement (#10-0429) 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, 2011 through December 31, 2012

RECOMMENDATION:

1.

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement (#10-0429) with California Department of Food and Agriculture to fund San Mateo County Weed Management Area invasive weed projects for the term of January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012 in an amount not to exceed $36,223.00; and

2.

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) recognizing unanticipated revenue in the amount of $15,293 and increasing appropriations in contractual services.

BACKGROUND:

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 nine weed project grants in the form of state standard agreements with the County Agricultural Commissioner to the SMCWMA for local weed projects.

DISCUSSION:

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 under this state agreement include eradication of slender false brome led by Mid-peninsula Regional Open Space District and restoration of native grasslands at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve led by the San Mateo County Parks Department.

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 and 2010 to date included woodland habitat protection through noxious weed removal, habitat restoration and protection of endangered and native plants. These WMA state agreements are usually for two or three years. The grant funds may not be fully utilized until the final year of each project.

The revenue authorized by this Agreement was not included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2010-11 Adopted Budget. Unanticipated revenue of $15,293 and a corresponding appropriation will be added to the FY 2010-11 Adopted Budget by an ATR. Grant funds totaling $13,903 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, $1,390, for administrative costs for FY 2010-11. The rest of the Agreement revenue will be included in the FY 2011-12 and FY 2012-13 Recommended Budgets. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and the agreement as to form and content.

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 100% of the grant funding will be utilized by the recipients by the end of the agreement.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2009-10
Actual

FY 2010-11
Projected

Percent of WMA grant funds utilized.

70%

100%

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012. The total Agreement amount of $36,223 provides reimbursement for the approved SMCWMA projects. The revenue authorized by this Agreement was not included in the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer FY 2010-11 Adopted Budget. With the proposed ATR, $15,293 will be appropriated in an expenditure account. Approval of the Resolution, agreement and ATR will allow the County to secure and disburse 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.