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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08052003 - C.131 Centra Costa TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County FROM: Transportation, Wafer and Infrastructure Committee DATE: August 5, 2003 SUBJECT: COUNTY-WIDE CREEK AND WATERSHED SYMPOSIUM SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1) ACCEPT report from Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee on preliminary planning for a countywide creek and watershed symposium, to be held in Walnut Creek on November 12, 2003; 2) AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board to sign a letter inviting organizations to sponsor the symposium; 3) AUTHORIZE Community Development and Public Works staff to participate in hosting the symposium; 4) AUTHORIZE the Public Warks Deputy Director to request time at an upcoming Mayors' Conference for a brief report on the proposed symposium; 5) AUTHORIZE CCTV to record and broadcast some or all of the symposium proceedings; 5) AUTHORIZE Community Development and Public Works staff to publish and release the Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Atlas at the symposium (funded by a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board); and 7) AUTHORIZE the Community Development and Public Works staff to assist with the implementation of a creek signage chant made previously by the Board of Supervisors to the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District with funds from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fuad. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: (!:; L - Su rvisor John Gioia/Supervisor Millie Greenber RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S), ACTION OF BOARD ON August 5, 2003 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ASSENT #AYES: NOES: I H REBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND ABSENT N ABSTAIN: CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Content: John Kopchik (925) 3351227 cc: Community Development Department ATTESTED higust 5, 2003 County Administrator's Office, attn: Patricia JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK OF THE Burke BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND Public Works, attn: Mitch Avalon, Don t COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Freitas CCTV: attn: Chris Verdugo BY: . , DEPUTY Report on November 12, 2003 Creep and Watershed Symposium August 4, 2003 Page 2 of 2 FINANCIAL. IMPACT There will be some direct costs associated with the symposium, primarily relating to postage, lunch(which will be covered by a modest charge on attendees that want lunch), partial cost of the room (Walnut Creek is willing to underwrite most but not all of the cost), printing costs, and any equipment rental needs(stage platform,tablecloths, coffee and hot water dispensers, etc.). This Board Order authorizes staff to pursue outside funding to cover these costs. Possible funding sources for the symposium include the Fish and Wildlife Committee (via the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund; the Committee will consider a grant application for$10,000 at their August 20 meeting), and funds raised from sponsors and co-sponsors(last time more than$5000 was raised from$500 and $50 contributions from sponsors and co-sponsors respectively). There will also be indirect costs associated with staff time spent in organizing the event. Staff costs will be covered within the budgets of the Contra Costa County Water Agency(for Community Development)and the Flood Control and Water Conservation District (for Public Works). Costs to develop the Watershed Atlas will be covered from an approved grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. Costs to place the creek signs in locations selected by the Public Works Department will depend upon how many signs are produced and how many locations are selected for installment. Installation will either be covered within existing budgets and as part of staffs daily routine, or a separat report will be made to the Board identifying a source of funds. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND Four years ago, the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee initiated discussions on a holding a countywide creek and watershed symposium and convened a small planning group to organize the event. On April 7, 1999, the County joined with an array of other sponsors and co- sponsors to host the first-ever countywide conference on creek and watershed issues. The event held in Walnut Creek attracted more than 300 attendees and led to the formation of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, a partnership organization coordinated by the Community Development and Public Works Departments. The Watershed Forum has discussed the possibility of holding a 2nd such event for some time, and recently scheduled a quadrennial follow-up for November 12, 2003. The City of Walnut Creek is again willing to provide a facility (this time the newer, more spacious Shadelands facility on Ygnacio Valley Road). A subcommittee of the Watershed Forum has been formed and is beginning to plan an agenda, identify potential speakers, and work out other logistical details. The Watershed Forum plans to coincide the release of the Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas (a book of maps and statistics on the creeks and watersheds of the County, paid forwith funds from a $80,000 Proposition 13 grant) with the date of the symposium. Staff from the Community Development and Public Works Departments are seeking Board authorization to again play a central role in organizing the event. Preliminary list of objectives for the 2+,d Symposium, as tentatively framed by the Watershed Forum: a) Improve outreach on creek and watershed issues and seek to involve individuals and groups that have not been involved before; b) Identify what the Forum and others (i.e. individual Forum participants) accomplished in the past four years and lessons learned c) Identify creek and watershed funding sources/ opportunities d) ►identify new science /techniques developed in the past four years e) Identify new regulations developed in the past four years f) Identify functions and responsibilities of creek-related organizations(Flood Control, Army Corps, Contra Costa County Clean Water, Contra Costa Clean Water Program, SWRCB, etc.) g) Explore innovative policy ideas relating to creeks and watersheds Watershed Atlas: The Watershed Atlas is a countywide reference document on the creeks and watersheds of Contra Costa County. The Atlas will contain a variety of countywide and watershed specific reference maps, creek and watershed statistics, contact information for watershed groups, and a bibliography of existing watershed documents. The Community Development Report on November 12, 2003 Creek and Watershed Symposium August 4, 2003 Page 3 of 3 Department is working with the Public Works Department and the Watershed Forum to develop the Atlas. A Proposition 13(2000)grant from the State Water Resources Control Board is funding the effort. Staff plans to complete the Atlas in time to release it at November 12 symposium and seeks the Boards authorization to do so. Creek Signage: In addition to the symposium, the Watershed Forum participants identified the goal of placing creek name signs on local creeks to raise awareness among the public of their nearby creek resources. A survey in the County found that 26%of the people who own property along a creek were not aware of the existence of that creek. Illegal dumping, avoidable pollution and other problems can be partially addressed through better community awareness. Through the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund program, the Board of Supervisors (as recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Committee)awarded$8,000 to the Contra Costa Resource ConservationDistrict(CCRCD), on the behalf of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum, to produce creek signs.A Sub Committee of the Forum is currently working on hiring a designer to create the signs. The Sub Committee is also working with the County Public Works department to create the new signs, partially reusing old, obsolete signs. Once the signs are completed (current estimates are that more than 400 signs can be created within the $8000 budget), the signs will be provided to all cities and the County, who will install the signs at their discretion. We expect to roll out the first signs at the November symposium. Staff seeks Board authorization to assist CCRCD and the Watershed Forum with the grant by placing the signs in appropriate locations, as determined by the Public Works Department. .QNTRST W D SY Re. Invitation to the upcoming Contra Costa County Creek & Watershed Symposium and Request for Sponsors and Co-Sponsors Dear: A group of local government, regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations is in the process of planning a symposium to be held November 12, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. at Shadelands Arts Center in Walnut Creek on the subject of planning and managing creeks and watersheds in Contra Costa County. The preliminary title for the event is Progress, Opportunities and Challenges: Making a Difference in the Watersheds of Contra Costa County. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the forthcoming symposium and to invite your participation in and/or financial support for hosting what we hope will be a constructive and valuable event. More than three hundred people attended the first creek and watershed symposium in the spring of 1999, which led to the formation of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum. The Watershed Forum is an association of organizations and individuals working on creek and watershed issues in Contra Costa County, including City and County agencies, special districts, watershed groups, environmental education organizations, landowners, and conservation advocacy organizations. Conceived by Watershed Forum participants, the Vd symposium is being planned through the organization with hopes of expanding the process to include all organizations and individuals with an interest in this topic. The main purpose of this event is to review and analyze what has occurred in our watersheds since the first symposium, and to develop new ideas and plans for further improvements in the future. The guiding objectives for the symposium are: 1) Improve outreach on creek and watershed issues and seek to involve individuals and groups that have not been involved before; 2) Identify what the Forum and others (i.e. individual Forum participants) accomplished in the past four years and lessons learned 3) Identify creek and watershed funding sources/opportunities 4) Identify new science/techniques developed in the past four years 5) Identify new regulations developed in the past four years 6) Identify functions and responsibilities of creek-related organizations (Flood Control, Army Corps, Contra Costa County Clean Water, Contra Costa Clean Water Program, SWRCl3, etc.) 7) Explore innovative policy ideas relating to creeks and watersheds In addition, the Watershed Forum plans to release the Contra Costa Watershed Atlas at the November symposium. The Atlas will be countywide reference document on the creeks and watersheds of the County, and will include statistics, maps, contact information, and a bibliography of references for major watersheds. Your involvement in helping to plan and conduct this event would be most welcome. Please consider joining this effort as a recognized Sponsor or Co-Sponsor: Symposium Sponsors provide one or more of the following: a) contribute$1000 or more to the symposium and/or related activities b) play a substantial role in, and contribute significant time to, planning, developing and hosting the creek and watershed symposium Symposium Co-Sponsors provide one or more of the following: a) contribute $100 or more to the symposium and/or related activities b) agree to send a representative to the creek and watershed symposium and assist with developing and hosting the symposium by either participating in finalizing the preliminary symposium agenda and other materials or setting up a poster or small display at the symposium Sponsors and Co-Sponsors identified by August 31, 20013 will be recognized in printed announcements for the symposium. If you would like to register your interest in sponsoring or co-sponsoring this event, wish to provide comments on the information in this letter, or would simply like to receive more information or help out, please contact Kae Ono at the Contra Costa County Community Development Department(phone (925) 335-1230; Fax: (925) 335-1299; e-mail: koro(a,ed.co.contra-costa.ca.us; address: 651 Pine Street, North Wing-Fourth Floor, Martinez, CA 94553). Please make your check payable to Contra Costa County community Development Department, Attn: Creek and Watershed Symposium. We hope this information on the upcoming Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium is helpful and that you will consider becoming involved. Please join in making this event a positive step towards improving our creeks and watersheds. Sincerely, Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 77! r-----------------------------------------------------., I There will be other signatories to this letter, but we do not 11 w ; know exactly who they will be at this point. Possible 11 organizations that will sign this invitation letter Include Contra Costa County Flood Control District, Contra Costa E Clean Water Program, Contra Costa Economic Partnership, j State Regional Water Quality Control Board, Contra Costa � Resource Conservation District, Aquatic Outreach Institute � and Friends of Pinole Creek and/or Friends of Alhambra Creek. When their signatures are collected, your signature r will be transferred to the final invitation letter. + r --------------------------------------------------- s + u- Re: Invitation to the upcoming Contra Costa County Creek & Watershed Symposium and Request for Sponsors and Co-Sponsors Dear: A group of local government,regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations is in the process of planning a symposium to be held November 12, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. at Shadelands Arts Center in Walnut geek on the subject of planning and managing creeks and watersheds in Contra Costa County. The preliminary title for the event is Progress, Opportunities and Challenges: Making a Difference in the Watersheds of Contra Costa County. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the forthcoming symposium and to invite your participation in and/or financial support for hosting what we hope will be a constructive and valuable event. More than three hundred people attended the first creek and watershed symposium in the spring of 1999, which led to the formation of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum. The Watershed Forum is an association of organizations and individuals working on creek and watershed issues in Contra Costa County, including City and County agencies, special districts, watershed groups, environmental education organizations, landowners, and conservation advocacy organizations. Conceived by Watershed Forum participants, the 2nd symposium is being planned through the organization with hopes of expanding the process to include all organizations and individuals with an interest in this topic. The main purpose of this event is to review and analyze what has occurred in our watersheds since the first symposium, and to develop new ideas and plans for further improvements in the future. The guiding objectives for the symposium are: 1) Improve outreach on creek and watershed issues and seek to involve individuals and groups that have not been involved before; 2) Identify what the Forum and others (i.e. individual Forum participants) accomplished in the past four years and lessons learned 3) Identify creek and watershed funding sources/opportunities 4) Identify new science/techniques developed in the past four years 5) Identify new regulations developed in the past four years 6) Identify functions and responsibilities of creek-related organizations (Flood Control, Army Corps, Contra Costa County Clean Water, Contra Costa Clean i Water Program, SWRCB, etc.) 7) Explore innovative policy ideas relating to creeks and watersheds In addition, the Watershed Forum plans to release the Contra Costa Watershed Atlas at the November symposium. The Atlas will be countywide reference document on the creeks and watersheds of the County, and will include statistics, maps, contact information, and a bibliography of references for major watersheds. Ct7NrRA COSTA COUNTY CREEK AND WATERSHED SYMPOSIC TM Re: Invitation to the upcoming Contra Costa County Creek & Watershed Symposium and Request for Sponsors and Co-Sponsors Dear: A group of local government, regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations is in the process of planning a symposium to be held November 12, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. at Shadelands Arts Center in Walnut Creek on the subject of planning and managing creeks and watersheds in Contra Costa County. The preliminary title for the event is Progress, Opportunities and Challenges: Making a Difference in the Watersheds of Contra Costa County. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the forthcoming symposium and to invite your participation in and/or financial support for hosting what we hope will be a constructive and valuable event. More than three hundred people attended the first creek and watershed symposium in the spring of 1999, which led to the formation of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum. The Watershed Forum is an association of organizations and individuals working on creek and watershed issues in Contra Costa County, including City and County agencies, special districts, watershed groups, environmental education organizations, landowners, and conservation advocacy organizations. Conceived by Watershed Forum participants, the 2nd symposium is being planned through the organization with hopes of expanding the process to include all organizations and individuals with an interest in this topic. The main purpose of this event is to review and analyze what has occurred in our watersheds since the first symposium, and to develop new ideas and plans for further improvements in the future. The guiding objectives for the symposium are: 1) Improve outreach on creek and watershed 'issues and seek to involve individuals and groups that have not been involved before; 2) Identify what the Forum and others (i.e. individual Forum participants) accomplished in the past four years and lessons learned 3) Identify creek and watershed funding sources/opportunities 4) Identify new science/techniques developed in the past four years 5) Identify new regulations developed in the past four years 6) Identify functions and responsibilities of creek-related organizations (Flood Control, Array Corps, Contra Costa County Clean Water, Contra Costa Clean Water Program, SWRCB, etc.) 7) Explore innovative policy 'ideas relating to creeks and watersheds In addition, the Watershed Forum plans to release the Contra Costa Watershed Atlas at the 'November symposium. The Atlas will be countywide reference document on the creeks and watersheds of the County, and will include statistics, maps, contact information, and a bibliography of references for major watersheds. Your involvement in helping to plan and conduct this event would be most welcome. Please consider joining this effort as a recognized Sponsor or Co-Sponsor: Symposium Sponsors provide one or more of the following: a) contribute$1000 or more to the symposium and/or related activities b) play a substantial role in, and contribute significant time to, planning, developing and hosting the creep and watershed symposium Symposium Co-Sponsors provide one or more of the following: a) contribute$100 or more to the symposium and/or related activities b) agree to send a representative to the creek and watershed symposium and assist with developing and hosting the symposium by either participating in finalizing the preliminary symposium agenda and other materials or setting up a poster or small display at the symposium Sponsors and Co-Sponsors identified by August 31, 2003 will be recognized in printed announcements for the symposium. If you would like to register your interest in sponsoring or co-sponsoring this event, wish to provide comments on the information in this letter, or would simply like to receive more information or help out, please contact Kae Ono at the Contra Costa County Community Development Department(phone (925) 335-1230; Fax: (925) 335-1299; e-mail: konocd.co.contra-costa.ca.us; address: 651 Pine Street, North Vying-Fourth Floor, Martinez, CA 94553). Please make your check payable to Contra Costa County community Development Department, Attn: Creek and Watershed Symposium. We hope this information on the upcoming Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium is helpful and that you will consider becoming involved. Please join in making this event a positive step towards improving our creeks and watersheds. Sincerely, Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors