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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12082009 - SD.11RECOMMENDATION(S): APPROVE and AUTHORIZE a one-time transfer of up to $100,000 from the Livable Communities Trust to U.C. Cooperative Extension to provide adequate funding through June 30, 2010, as recommended by Supervisors Piepho and Glover. FISCAL IMPACT: There will be no impact to the County General Fund. 100% of the funding for this allocation will be from the Livable Communities Trust. A seperate request will be submitted to the Board for approval of increased expenditure and revenue appropriations should the Board approve this action. BACKGROUND: Funding to continue the Cooperative Extension programs is needed to extend through the end of the fiscal year. The community has responded by soliciting individual and corporate grants and the volunteer efforts to design and host a state fair booth for the County resulted in additional funding. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 12/08/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes:Speakers: Harriett Burt, UCCE Master Gardeners; Shelley Murdock, Cooperative Ext. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Tomi Van de Brooke, 925-820-868 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: December 8, 2009 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: SD.11 To:Board of Supervisors From:Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Date:December 8, 2009 Contra Costa County Subject:Allocation to U.C. Cooperative Extension – Contra Costa Programs • Safe, healthy and accessible food • Clean water and a healthy environment • Good nutrition and well-nourished residents • Healthy youth who contribute to healthy communities • An improved local economy • 4-H Program BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) o 4-H is celebrating over 100 years of service offering an educational program to assist youth in their development. • Agriculture • Master Gardener o Master Gardener volunteers provide information, problem solving expertise and educational opportunities about home gardening to Contra Costa County residents. • Nutrition o Bringing University resources and research-based information to individuals, families and youth to enhance their well-being. • Urban Horticulture o Current information on integrated pest management, non-point pollution reduction, green waste, urban forestry and the selection and care of horticultural plants is provided by the Urban Horticulture Program. • Wood Durability o Improving the long-term performance of wood and wood-based construction materials, bringing the gap between wood resources and human needs. • Youth Development o With the use of research, extension of knowledge and public service, we aim to work collaboratively with community and statewide partners to provide young people with the opportunity to develop the relationships and competencies they will need to become productive and contributing members of our community/society. The UC Cooperative Extension’s programs benefit all cities and all citizens throughout the County. They pride themselves on delivering the most cost-effective programs in the most efficient manner by drawing upon experts from throughout the UC system, utilizing over 600 trained volunteers, and working cooperatively with over 150 diverse public and private agencies/organizations. More than 2/3 of Contra Costa County is in agriculture and open space. Agriculture brings in over $71 million directly and over $2.1 billion indirectly to our local economy. It assures county residents a safe and affordable local food supply. Our programs protect the County’s food supply and the local economy. Contra Costa has 1,300 miles of waterways. Over one-half of our residents obtain their drinking water directly from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta bordering our county. Our programs protect the County’s water supply. 253,468 Contra Costa residents are children ages 0-17 years who require leadership, citizenship and life skills in order to contribute to society as adults. Only 43.8% of Contra Costa youth that are old enough for college are college-ready. Our programs increase the number of youth ready for college and engaged as citizens. 59.5% of Contra Costa adults, especially those who are low-income, are overweight or obese with a disproportionate number from poverty. Overweight and obesity result in chronic disease and increased health costs passed on to governmental agencies and taxpayers. Our programs improve nutrition and reduce public health costs. 31% of county residents are food insecure; 33.4% of Contra Costa children are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Our programs improve food security for children and families. 60% of the pesticides that make their way into public waterways originate with Contra Costa homeowners and home gardeners. Our award winning programs reduce this pollution. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: The U.C. Cooperative Extension - Contra Costa programs would not be funded beyond February 2010 and the county would lose approximately $3 million in U.C. funding, with benefits derived to the County through improvements to pest management, water quality, healthy communities, youth development, etc. ATTACHMENTS Memo from Task Force MEMORANDUM: November 17, 2009 TO: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors FR: Sub-Committee on U.C. Cooperative Funding Supervisors Mary Nejedly Piepho Supervisor Federal Glover RE: U.C. COOPERATIVE FUNDING The Subcommittee (Supervisors Glover & Piepho) met three times with stakeholders from UC Cooperative and County Staff to discuss future funding for the U.C. Cooperative program. In addition there was outreach to the Mayor’s Conference asking the cities and towns to consider funding the partnership. We are pleased to report that short-term funding is being secured to carry the programs through the end of this fiscal year from the following sources: $100,000 Up to amount from Livable Communities Trust (one time only fund) $75,000 An Appropriation from the Agriculture Department $50,000 CC Futures Contract Funds $5,622 Individual and Corporate donations $4,414 California State Fair Booth Participation Award $4,216 Contract for Services with UC Davis After careful review of the U.C. Cooperative Extension programs and benefits derived to Contra Costa County and its residents, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors direct the County Administrative Officer to reinstate funding to previous levels effective in the 2010-2011 budget. The Cooperative Extension program leverages nearly $3 million each year from its partner to the County’s investment of less than 10% or $305,000 in non-monetary staff support. Contra Costa County Supervisors and residents have expressed significant support for this program and, given its 90% match from other funding sources, it should be retained by the Contra Costa County.