To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): PermitSonoma, Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tyra Harrington, Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement Manager, Melissa Struzzo, Health Program Manager, Department of Health Services
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Grant Application to the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve a resolution authorizing Permit Sonoma and the Department of Health Services to submit a grant application for, and receipt of, a Board of State and Community Corrections Grant to support the expansion of substance abuse and education programs and to support the enforcement of the existing cannabis ordinance.
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Executive Summary:
Permit Sonoma and the Department of Health Services requests for the Board to authorize submittal of a grant application to expand upon existing public health programs relating to cannabis prevention and education and to provide the PermitSonoma Code Enforcement additional tools and equipment to enforce cannabis regulations.
Discussion:
The Board of State and Community Corrections is making grant funding available to local governments to assist with law enforcement, fire protection, youth substance use prevention and intervention, or other local programs addressing public health and safety associated with the implementation of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act;
Total funding available for this Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program (Prop 64 PH&S) is $24,700,000 and will be funded for a three-year grant project cycle commencing on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2023;
The Department of Health Services intends to use awarded grant funds to expand its existing cannabis-related participation in programs including:
• Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Division , is a participant in Friday Night Live (FNL) a CA Statewide youth initiative that works to increase protective factors and build a strong sense of self and broaden school and community engagement
• Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Division, is a participant in [Cannabis] Decoded, a statewide youth marijuana prevention education campaign that educates youth and young adults about the facts on cannabis. This campaign aims to provide reliable, factual information so that young people have the tools they need to make informed decisions that impact their health and futures
• The Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Division, currently offers a court-mandated Driving Under the Influence (DUI) prevention and education program that works with 4,000+ criminal justice-involved youth and adult participants annually to reduce the rate of DUI recidivism and increase the knowledge of the impact of impaired driving on the individual, families and the community
The Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement Section intends to use any awarded grant funding to implement a proactive cannabis enforcement program and upgrade tools and equipment by:
• Contracting with an outside vendor to provide current periodic satellite imagery of the unincorporated areas of the county at various times during the outdoor cannabis cultivation season
• Purchase of a vehicle suitable to safely transport county staff to and from remote cultivation sites
• Other small tools and equipment as required for cannabis abatement
Prior Board Actions:
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Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
If the County’s application is successful, this grant will provide Permit Sonoma and the Department of Health Services with up to $1,000,000. This grant does not require local match funding and no additional County funding is being requested.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
The Department of Health Services expects a County cost share will be incorporated through staff hours dedicated to the implementation of the expansion of existing programs using existing budgeted staffing levels. Similarly, Permit Sonoma anticipates use of existing staff to implement the use of enhanced enforcement tools and equipment.
Attachments:
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Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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