To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: M. Christina Rivera 707-565-2341
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
2023 Calendar Items of Significant Interest
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve the Board’s Second Half Revised Calendar of Significant Items.
end
Executive Summary:
Annually the Board discusses strategic priorities and Board content for consideration. In this report, the County Administrator’s Office recommends inclusion of new board actions that are deemed to be of significant public interest. The Board’s approval of the remaining Board item products for the second half of the 2023 calendar year will confirm workload priorities.
Of the 63 items included in the originally approved 2023 Calendar for the 1st half of the year, 51 or about 80% have been completed. The remaining 12 are a combination of either work postponed and/or deleted mostly because the action was covered in within another effort. See attachment 3.
For workload planning, it is important to remark that before the changes identified in this report, starting in August most of the Board Regular meetings for the remainder of the year are projected to have at least 5 hours each of significant presentations and discussions for items of significant community interest. Leaving limited capacity for unanticipated time sensitive items, which may require postponing work into 2024.
Finally, one of the new items directed by the Board on 6/6/2023 is the Agricultural Access Verification Program to consider changes. Staff is requesting the Board identify a board date for this item to return.
Discussion:
Twice annually the Board reviews proposed items of significant public interest. Per the Board Rules of Procedures Rule 45 <https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/board-of-supervisors/about-the-board/board-rules-of-procedures/x-other> (Attachment 1), this item is the mid-year review of the Calendar of Significant Interest. The 2023 Board Calendar was approved at the February 28, 2023, Board meeting.
The review provides an opportunity for the Board to discuss policy priorities and to give direction to the County Administrator regarding significant items through the remainder of the calendar year. Attachment 2 includes an update with summary of available time.
Any new items added by Board majority during today’s review and approval may require staff to reprioritize existing projects. At this time, based on calendar meetings availability and staff capacity the County Administrator proposes the following Calendar changes for the Board’s considerations:
1. New on [Date to be Determined] Ag Pass Program Revisions. On 6/6/2023 during the Fire Readiness presentation, the Board directed staff (Emergency Management, Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, and Office of Equity) to collaborate with Sheriff Office leadership to present program changes. As of this writing AB 1141 <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1141> is anticipated to be re-introduced in 2024. Proposed language expands access certification to irrigate, harvest, or other activities necessary for the care of agricultural crops. If passed, the bill will require State Fire Marshal to develop a curriculum for agricultural and livestock producers the to be developed by July 1, 2024.
2. New on 7/17/23 *Special* Board Meeting. Appoint the Board’s Chair and Vice-Chair to the Public Financing Authority (PFA) associated with the City of Santa Rosa Downtown Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District. The PFA is the governing entity that will discuss and develop the Infrastructure Finance Plan (IFP or Plan), which will detail the projects to be developed in Downtown Santa Rosa and identify the funding stream to be assumed for financing of the projects.
3. Postpone from 8/15/23 to 2024:
a. Veteran’s Building Review to Include Potential State Legislative Measure. Due to staffing limitations more time is needed to develop a workplan to complete needed research and develop legislative options recommendations.
b. Community Engagement, Language Access, and Racial Equity Access plans updates due to workload of staff and extensive subject matter requiring additional time to research and study for meaningful recommendations.
c. ARPA Update as the Equity Center and/or Racial Equity Results Based Accountability scorecard and the Turn the Curve conversations with the CBOs need additional time complete.
4. Move from 8/22/23 to 9/12/23. Presentation on the County’s Regional Solid Waste Plan. This item will present the findings of the 2022 Solid Waste Regional Capacity Study for future waste management needs: as well as the designation of new land for future landfill expansion, initiation of further analysis as per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) stipulations, engagement with stakeholders and negotiating terms for the project.
5. New to 10/24/2023 as Consent. Ag + Open Space will return to the Board to present a fourth round of Vegetation Management grant funding to be awarded 2024 from the approximately $9 million of available PG&E funds.
At the 2023 Budget Hearings the Board gave direction to the County Administrator to provide updates in the current item on funds governed by the Board of Supervisors and Board of Directors and recommendations for tribal funds.
6. Move from 8/22/2023 to 12/12/23 Tribal Funds Update. This will include an update on fund balances related to the Graton, Dry Creek, and Lytton funds; an update on ongoing funds expected to be received; an update on current programmed uses for ongoing and one-time funds; as well as recommendations for potential uses of unprogrammed funds.
7. New to be added to October as consent. Health Services Department in collaboration with Public Infrastructure will provide an information only report presenting the assessment process underway intended to address facilities needs required to modernize and update Animal Services operations.
8. New to be added to the 11/7/2023 Fiscal Forecast to include Fund Balances Review. The County Administrator and Auditor-Controller-Tax Collector will present an overview of funds governed by the Board and their intended uses as part of the Fall Budget Forecast.
Behavioral Health Housing Unit Project in 2024
Finally, for the Board’s and the public’s awareness a review of the Behavioral Health Housing Unit (BHHU) <https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/sonoma-public-infrastructure-(formerly-gs)/divisions/facilities-development-and-management/what-we-do/projects-group/bhu-housing-unit> at the Main Adult Detention Facility project is expected to be part of the 2024 calendar. The BHHU is a 32,000 square foot 72-bed mental health detention facility project selected for a $40 million funding award in the state’s 2014-15 budget through Senate Bill 863 to address local jail construction and programming space needs. The original timetable called for the project to be completed in September 2019. Unfortunately, events have intervened to delay the project significantly, which have consequently resulted in a considerable increase in the estimated cost increase. Staff from the Sheriff’s Office, Health Services Department, Public Infrastructure Department, and the County Administrator Office will explore options to: (1) provide essential mental health services for those in custody; and (2) enhance diversion programs to reduce inmate populations.
Prior Board Actions:
February 3, 2023 - Calendar Walk to Review Significant Items worked for 2024.
February 28, 2023 - Approval of the 2023 Significant Items Calendar with identifying revisions.
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Board Rules of Procedures - Rule 45 Referrals to Staff
Attachment 2: Initial adopted 2023 Board Calendar of Items of Significant Interest
Attachment 3: 2023 Items of Significant Interest | First Half of the Year Completion Comparison
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None