To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Agriculture/Weights & Measures
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tony Linegar, 565-2371
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Sonoma County Vineyard and Orchard Development Ordinance (VESCO) Ad-Hoc Committee Update
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Receive update on the Sonoma County Vineyard and Orchard Development Ordinance (VESCO) Ad Hoc Committee.
B) Adopt a resolution authorizing a budgetary adjustment programming $32,568 of General Fund contingencies to finance County Counsel costs related to the VESCO Ad Hoc Committee and related activities. (4/5th Vote Required)
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Executive Summary:
This action is to update the Board of Supervisors on the scope of work, timeline, and progress of the VESCO Ad-Hoc Committee, and authorize the use of General Fund contingencies to cover County Counsel costs incurred to-date and anticipated costs for the remainder of the Fiscal Year.
Discussion:
An Ad-Hoc Committee was formed on May 7, 2019 through the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, with Supervisors Gore and Hopkins appointed as members. The purpose and scope of this Ad-Hoc Committee is being defined to review the Sonoma County Vineyard and Orchard Development Ordinance (VESCO) to explore opportunities to reduce the regulatory, time, and financial burdens to the grape growers by streamlining the process associated with the replanting of vineyards. In addition, this Ad-Hoc Committee will review the contracted engineering services in advance of issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for engineering services in the late spring of 2020. These adjustments will not impact existing applicable environmental standards.
The Ad-Hoc Committee met with industry representatives on July 29, August 12, and September 19, 2019 to gather information on industry concerns. The Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures also conducted a VESCO workshop on August 8, 2019 to provide information to engineers and geologists on how to streamline the permitting process. That workshop was attended by the Ad-Hoc Committee, engineers, geologists, and environmentalists. Additional stakeholder outreach is planned prior to Staff bringing options and recommendations to the Board by conducting a workshop in February 2020. Any potential ordinance changes will be presented to the Board in late spring 2020.
Prior Board Actions:
5/07/19 Closed Session - Formation of Ad-Hoc Committee
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$32,568 |
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Total Expenditures |
$32,568 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
$32,568 |
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Total Sources |
$32,568 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
County Counsel has spent 83 hours to-date, and expects another 35 hours for the remainder of the Fiscal Year, working with the Ad-Hoc Committee and reviewing technical changes and improvements to the VESCO ordinance. If approved, this item will program $32,568 of General Fund contingencies to offset those costs.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A