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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 09142010 - C.144RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT report on the Fish and Wildlife Committee's plans to host the tenth annual Fall Forum event for law enforcement agencies to discuss fish and wildlife conservation and enforcement of fish and wildlife regulations in Contra Costa County. DIRECT the Auditor/Controller to release no more than $1,300 from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund for costs associated with hosting this event. FISCAL IMPACT: No impact to the general fund. A portion of the fines collected from violations of fish and game regulations in the County is deposited in the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund (Fund), which has a current balance of approximately $150,000. State law defines how money in this fund may be spent. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for authorizing specific expenditures. The recommended expenditure is for the purpose of education and outreach on wildlife protection issues which is consistent with the criteria established by the State Law. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 09/14/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor ABSENT:Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Contact: Michelle Luebke, 335-1315 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: September 14, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C.144 To:Board of Supervisors From:Chair, Fish and Wildlife Committee Date:September 14, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY FISH AND WILDLIFE PROPAGATION FUND TO HOST THE TENTH FALL FORUM BACKGROUND: Since 1996, the Fish and Wildlife Committee has implemented a structured process for reviewing requests for use of the County's Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund. The intent of this structured review process was to replace case-by-case decision-making with a grant process that enables comparative and efficient review of applications. A specific component of the Fish and Wildlife Committee’s charge is to advise the Board of Supervisors on issues related to the enforcement of regulations protecting fish and wildlife. Since 1997, the Committee has received quarterly reports with summary and detailed information on the issuance and prosecution of citations for offenses such as poaching, fishing without a license, and illegal disposals. The Committee has participated in a number of discussions with law enforcement agencies on the challenges and needs for protecting wildlife resources from illegal activities. The annual Fall Forum event has become a successful means for improving coordination of enforcement issues and providing information on the valuable fish and wildlife resources in the County. The first forum was held in 1999. Participants have indicated these forums have been helpful in providing a forum to identify any opportunities for cooperatively improving the regulatory process to protect fish and wildlife. Participants see the value in the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund which depends on proper enforcement of regulations for wildlife protection. This forum was canceled in 2009 due to the fiscal constraints faced by all public agencies. While these fiscal constraints still exist, the Committee believes the forum is a prudent use of funds that have been dedicated to protection of wildlife resources and, after much discussion, recommends that the forum be held on September 16, 2010. The forum will serve as a meeting of the Fish & Wildlife Committee. The forum will include six poster presentations on current wildlife protection issues. Each year a guest speaker is invited to talk about the valuable natural resources in the County. In 2007, several wardens from the CA Department of Fish and Game spoke on their work in the field. In 2008, Mr. Bob Doyle from East Bay Regional Park District and Mr. Ron Brown from Save Mount Diablo spoke about land and wildlife conservation in the County. This year there will be poster presentations given by recipients of the Fund grant monies as well as a featured talk by Gary Bogue, columnist with the Bay Area News Group. In 2008, the Board authorized the Committee to spend up to $1,200 from the Fund to host the Fall Forum, although the actual costs have been less than the amount requested. This expenditure is consistent with Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (a), which provides that the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund may be spent on public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation and law enforcement. This year, the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend that no more than $1,300 from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund be used to cover any expenses that are not covered through material donations. Although the Sportsmen's Club is allowing the committee to use their facility at no cost, there is a required $100 cleaning fee, which is reflected in the slight increase in the total amount recommended. The Committee members are donating beverages and some groceries. All food preparation will be done by volunteers. Attendance at the 2008 forum was 70 people, so the direct expenses are anticipated to be under $20 per person. Should the Board provide its authorization, the Committee intends to hold the event on Thursday, September 16th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Martinez Sportsmen’s Club in Martinez. Invited attendees would include representatives of the California Department of Fish and Game, Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, Superior Court, Public Defender’s Office, and the East Bay Regional Park District Police. Board of Supervisors’ participation would be most welcome. The event will be an open, public meeting subject to the Brown Act and Better Government Ordinance. Any interested individuals are welcome to attend. There is no charge to attend and enjoy the volunteer-cooked meal. The agenda for this gathering is attached (FallForum_Agenda_091610.pdf). CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Should the Board decide to allocate less than $1300 for the forum, County staff will make adjustments to the event to meet the approved budget. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: ATTACHMENTS Agenda Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee Meeting ~ 10th Annual Fish and Wildlife Fall Forum in Contra Costa County ~ Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010 Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Location: Martinez Sportsmen’s Club, 304 Embarcadero Street, Martinez Please RSVP with your dietary preference by September 9th. (Please see reverse for detailed map and directions) AGENDA 5:00 Reception/sign-in/refreshments Poster presentations by former Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant recipients: • Ariel Mercado, City of Hercules • Carol Arnold, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, and Bert Mulchaey, East Bay Municipal Utility District • Linus Eukel, Muir Heritage Land Trust • Phil Stevens, Urban Creeks Council • Rona Zollinger, Martinez Environmental Studies Academy, and Jerry Roe, Nomad Ecological Consulting 5:30 Welcome and overview (Danny Pellegrini, Fish and Wildlife Committee) 6:00 Fish and Wildlife Outreach (Brett Morris and Jim Hale, Fish and Wildlife Committee) • The purpose of the Fall Forum • Acknowledgement of the relationships created by Judicial process • Summary of the Fish and Wildlife Committee’s interest in the Fish and Game Codes • Opportunities to improve coordination 6:15 Creatures of the Urban Wilderness (Gary Bogue, Bay Area News Group) Dinner: Baby back spare ribs or chicken and salad, courtesy of Fish and Wildlife Committee chefs (vegetarian/vegan menu available upon request) 6:30 Comments/questions/suggestions (including public comment) 6:45 Dessert and open discussion/mixer 7:00 Adjourn Please contact Michelle Luebke at (925) 335-1315 or michelle.luebke@dcd.cccounty.us if you have questions about the Fish and Wildlife Committee or desire additional materials related to this meeting. From Richmond / Hercules on Hwy 4: Exit at Alhambra Avenue and turn left Continue on Alhambra Avenue Turn left at Marina Vista Ave Turn immediately right at Berrellesa Street and cross the train track Turn left onto Embarcadero Street (dirt road) From Antioch/ Pittsburg on Hwy 4: Exit at Alhambra avenue and turn right Continue on Alhambra Avenue Turn left at Marina Vista Ave Turn immediately right at Berrellesa Street and cross the train track Turn left onto Embarcadero Street (dirt road) From Walnut Creek / San Ramon on Hwy 680: Exit at Marina Vista and turn left Continue on Marina Vista Turn right at Berrellesa Street and cross the train track Turn left onto Embarcadero Street (dirt road) From Benicia / Vallejo on Hwy 680: Exit at Marina Vista (first exit after the Benicia Bridge) and turn left Continue on Marina Vista Turn right at Berrellesa Street and cross the train track Turn left onto Embarcadero Street (dirt road)