To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tyra Harrington, Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement Manager
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program Application
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve a resolution authorizing Permit Sonoma to submit a grant application for, and receipt of, a Board of State and Community Corrections Grant Cohort 3 to support the enforcement of the existing cannabis ordinance.
end
Executive Summary:
Permit Sonoma request Board authority to submit a grant application to provide the Permit Sonoma Code Enforcement Division additional staff, tools and equipment to enforce cannabis regulations. Although not required at the time of proposal submission, the Board of Supervisors must approve a resolution authorizing Permit Sonoma to apply, negotiate, execute, and submit all documents, including applications, agreements, and payment requests that may be necessary to complete the grant. There is no county matching and/or leveraged funds requirement for participation in this grant.
Discussion:
In 2020, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) first began making grant funding available in periodic phased funding groups called cohorts to local governments to assist with law enforcement, fire protection, or other local programs addressing public health and safety associated with the implementation of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Sonoma County was one of ten jurisdictions receiving first cohort grant funding in 2020, of $1 million over a three-year grant period from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2023.
On October 19, 2022, the BSCC announced availability of third cohort of Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program funding of $150 million. The funding is available through a competitive process for projects that address local impacts due to the legalization of cannabis in California. Activities and strategies must fall within four Project Purpose Areas (PPAs): 1) Youth Development/Youth Prevention and Intervention; 2) Public Health; 3) Public Safety; and 4) Environmental Impacts.
Total funding available for this third cohort of the Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program (Prop 64 PH&S) is $150 million and will be funded for a five-year grant project cycle approximately commencing on May 1, 2023 and ending on April 30, 2028;
Permit Sonoma will apply for $3 million and intends to use grant funds to continue to finance the implementation of the county’s proactive cannabis enforcement program and upgrade tools and equipment, as follows:
• Contracting with an outside vendor to provide current periodic aerial imagery of the unincorporated areas of the county at various times during the outdoor cannabis cultivation season
• Purchase of two-way radios to maintain communications between field staff and other agencies while inspecting both permitted and unpermitted sites.
• Purchase of a vehicle suitable to safely transport county staff to and from remote cultivation sites
• Purchase of new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as well as repairs and updates to existing UAVs.
• Other small tools and equipment as required for cannabis abatement
• Funding may also be used to support additional staffing to satisfy grant workload. A separate item will follow if grant funding is awarded.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
June 2, 2020 - Resolution authorizing 2020 grant application (Resolution No. 20-0195) (https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4549946&GUID=04BCD4E6-6975-4CD8-ACB6-B899A286B44F&Options=&Search=)
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
If the County’s application is successful, this grant will provide the department with up to $3 million as outlined in the attached Board Resolution. This grant does not require local matching funding and no additional general fund is anticipated.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
A. Resolution
B. Proposed Template Grant Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Not applicable