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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08162011 - C.60RECOMMENDATION(S): AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board to sign a letter inviting organizations to sponsor the 4th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium, to be held in Antioch on November 17, 2011. FISCAL IMPACT: None to the General Fund. Staff from the Department of Conservation and Development and from the Department of Public Works are working with other organizations to plan and organize the Symposium as part of on-going efforts to coordinate community involvement on creek and watershed issues. Staff time is covered by the Departments' existing budgets. With a grant from the Department of Public Works' Community Watershed Stewardship Grant Program, the Urban Creeks Council (a non-profit organization) has hired a coordinator to manage planning for the event. There will be some direct costs associated with the symposium including the costs of facility rental, printing and postage, supplies, equipment rental, CCTV filming and snacks and lunch. Total direct costs are estimated to be $5,000 - $8,000. The costs of lunch preparation will be donated by volunteer chefs, but the costs of food will be covered by a charge APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 08/16/2011 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: John Kopchik, 925-335-1227 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: August 16, 2011 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C.60 To:Board of Supervisors From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation & Development Director Date:August 16, 2011 Contra Costa County Subject:Countywide Creek and Watershed Symposium FISCAL IMPACT: (CONT'D) paid by attendees eating lunch. Other than the lunch charge, the event will be free to attend. Direct costs will be covered by funds to be raised from sponsors and co-sponsors. To date, outside organizations have contributed or committed to contribute a total of $1,450. If more funds are raised than required to cover direct costs, the excess funds will reimburse a portion of the Department of Conservation and Development's staff time and a portion of the Department of Public Works' Community Watershed Stewardship Grant. BACKGROUND: The 4th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium (“Symposium”), entitled the “Contra Costa County Watersheds: Changing Landscapes, Evolving Perspectives," is an event which provides an opportunity for interested individuals representing a wide variety of organizations and perspectives to assemble and learn about timely and significant issues regarding the health of creeks and watersheds. The day-long Symposium will be held at the Antioch Community Center on November 17, 2011. The event will focus on a variety of issues related to creeks and watersheds, including the Delta, the need for and value of watershed stewardship, how the landscape and natural resource constraints have changed since western settlement, how neighboring regions grapple with these challenges and the many public and private organizations working on these matters here at home. The Symposium is being organized through the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (“CCWF”). The CCWF is an open committee of some fifty organizations, including state and local agencies, local non-profit environmental and education organizations, community volunteer groups, and private citizens. The work of CCWF participants is premised on the notion that actions in a watershed are inter-related and, therefore, that broad participation and cooperation is needed to effect change. Members of the CCWF work together to find common approaches to making our water resources healthy, functional, attractive and safe community assets. The Department of Conservation and Development and the Department of Public Works provide staff support to the CCWF. The past three quadrennial symposia had an attendance of between 250 and 350 people. CCTV filmed and broadcast the prior three events and has been asked to do so again this year. The cost to attend has traditionally been minimal or free. The 2011 event is proposed to be free, though participants will be asked to pay for the cost of the provided lunch. Sponsorship contributions make this possible. Sponsorship requires a minimum contribution of $1000 or in-kind services of equal or greater value. For Co-Sponsorship, the minimum contribution is $100 or in-kind services of equal or greater value. The County already qualifies as a Sponsor by virtue of its in-kind support. Sponsors and co-sponsors of the 2007 Symposium included Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Water District, East Bay Regional Park District, Mt. View Sanitary District, California Coastal Conservancy, Save Mount Diablo, California Department of Fish and Game, Friends of Alhambra Creek, the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and many more (see attached materials for complete list). The Contra Costa Watershed Forum will be soliciting sponsorship and co-sponsorship of the Symposium through distribution of a letter signed by a coalition of organizations. The text of the proposed letter is attached. The letter sent in 2007 is also attached to illustrate to number of signatories that will be pursued this year. Staff is recommending that the Chair be authorized to sign the 2011 letter requesting sponsors and co-sponsors. Attachments: • 2011 letter requesting sponsors and co-sponsors • 2007 letter requesting sponsors and co-sponsors • Brochure used for the 2007 Symposium CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: The sponsorship request letter would not be signed by the Board Chair. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: Schools will be included in outreach activities for the Symposium. Youth may be included in the content of the forum, which is still under development. ATTACHMENTS Draft Sponsorship Letter 2011 Sponsorship Letter 2007 CCC Symposium 2007 4th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium Contra Costa County Watersheds: Changing Landscapes, Evolving Perspectives November 17, 2011 Antioch Community Center August xx, 2011 Subject: Invitation to Sponsor or Co-sponsor the Fourth Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium Dear Sir or Madam, A group of local government, regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations is in the process of planning a one-day symposium to be held November 17, 2011 at the Antioch Community Center on the subject of planning and managing creeks and watersheds in Contra Costa County. The preliminary title for the event is Contra Costa County Watersheds: Changing Landscapes, Evolving Perspectives. 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 300 people attended each of the first three symposia in 1999, 2003 and 2007. The 1999 event was the catalyst for the formation of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF), a partnership organization of government agencies and non-profit organizations working to identify common ground on multi-objective enhancements to the health of creeks and watersheds in the county. The 2003 event was coordinated by the CCWF and was the venue for release of the Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas. In 2001 and 2005, the CCWF hosted a series of smaller evening symposia in different areas of the county to provide an opportunity for local residents who may not be able to come to an all day conference to learn about watersheds in the county. The 2007 symposium focused on the past, present and future of creeks and watersheds in the county, and included a panel discussion on the Delta. To continue the tradition of public involvement in creek and watershed issues, the 2011 symposium is intended to accomplish the following: 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) Recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to watersheds in the County; d) Identify functions and responsibilities of creek-related organizations (Flood Control, Contra Costa Clean Water Program, watershed organizations, environmental education organizations, etc.) Potential speakers and topics for the symposium include: • the release of a historical ecology report on Contra Costa County and a presentation on the report • speakers on the history of the Delta as it relates to current issues • a speaker on innovative bioengineering methods and developing regional partnerships in the South Yuba River (part of the San Francisco Bay watershed) • engaging young people in creek and watershed activitites • a presentation on incorporating urban creeks into city planning • 60-second presentations from groups actively restoring creeks in the County, awards program and new techniques for audience feedback Invitation to Sponsor or Co-Sponsor Symposium August xx, 2011 Page 2 of 2 Your involvement in helping to conduct this event and achieve these objectives would be most welcome. Please consider joining this effort as a recognized Sponsor or Co-Sponsor. By participating in the following ways, you can help ensure that the event enjoys broad participation and that the event is free to attend (though there would be a charge for the provided lunch). Symposium Sponsors provide one or more of the following: a) contribute $1000 or more to the symposium and/or related activities; or b) make an in-kind contribution of equivalent value by playing a substantial role in, and contribute significant time to, planning 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; or b) make an in-kind contribution of equivalent value by assisting with planning or hosting the creek and watershed symposium. Assistance with the planning and hosting of the symposium could include: • participation in planning committee meetings • managing an aspect of the planning process (poster session, materials, 60-second agenda item, food) • help with set-up and clean-up on the day of the event • help staffing registration on the day of the event All Sponsors and So-sponsors will be recognized from the podium and in the program on the day of the event. Additionally, Sponsors and Co-Sponsors identified by September xx, 2011 will be listed in the formal announcement and invitation to 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 wish to discuss the options for “in-kind” sponsorship or co-sponsorship, please contact Emma Maack at emma@urbancreeks.org or Abby Fateman at abigail.fateman@dcd.cccounty.us. Checks can be mailed to: Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, c/o Creek and Watershed Symposium, 651 Pine Street, North Wing, Fourth Floor, Martinez, CA 94553. Please make your check payable to Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development, and include “Abigail Fateman, Creek and Watershed Symposium” on the check. 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 Gayle B. Uilkema, Chair (additional signatories to be included) Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Subject: Invitation to Sponsor or Co-sponsor the Third Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium August 22, 2007 Dear Sir or Madam; A group of local government, regulatory agencies, and non-governmental organizations is in the process of planning a one-day symposium to be held November 15, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at the 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 Contra Costa County Watersheds: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. 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 300 people attended the first two symposia in 1999 and 2003. The 1999 event was the catalyst for the formation of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF), a partnership organization of government agencies and non- profit organizations working to identify common ground on multi-objective enhancements to the health of creeks and watersheds in the County. The 2003 event was coordinated by the CCWF and was the venue for release of the Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas. In 2001 and 2005, the CCWF hosted a series of evening symposia in different areas of the County to provide an opportunity for local residents who may not be able to come to an all day conference to learn about watersheds in the County. Each session was attended by 60 to 150 people. To continue the tradition of public involvement in creek and watershed issues, the 2007 Symposium is intended to accomplish the following: 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) Recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to watersheds in the County; d) Identify functions and responsibilities of creek-related organizations (Flood Control, Contra Costa Clean Water Program, watershed organizations, environmental education organizations, etc.); e) Explore the historical conditions in our creeks and watersheds to better understand the challenges and opportunities we face today; f) Learn about innovative activities in other areas of the state, including the City of San Luis Obispo; g) Take a Contra Costa-focused look at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, its problems and proposed solutions; and h) Consider what the future could and should hold for our creeks and watersheds. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CREEK AND WATERSHED SYMPOSIUM ~~ A Project of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum ~~ Your involvement in helping to conduct this event and achieve these objectives would be most welcome. Please consider joining this effort as a recognized Sponsor or Co-Sponsor. By participating in the following ways, you can help ensure that the event enjoys broad participation and that the price to attend is modest. 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 at least one 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, setting up a poster or small display at the symposium or assisting the registration desk on the day of the symposium. Sponsors and Co-Sponsors identified by October 1, 2007 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: kono@cd.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 Mary Piepho Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Mayor Sue Rainey City of Walnut Creek Don P. Freitas Contra Costa Clean Water Program Manager Daniel Pellegrini Chair, Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee Mitch Avalon Deputy Chief Engineer, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Carol Arnold District Manager, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District William Chilson Watershed and Lands Manager, Contra Costa Water District Steve Abbors Manager of Watershed and Recreation, East Bay Municipal Utility District Shirley Skaredoff Chair, Friends of Alhambra Creek Joe Mariotti Chair, Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed David R. Contreras District Manager, Mt View Sanitary District Linus Eukel Executive Director, Muir Heritage Land Trust Rich Walkling Project Manager, Natural Heritage Institute Bruce Wolfe Executive Officer, SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Ron Brown Executive Director, Save Mount Diablo Phil Stevens Executive Director, Urban Creeks Council Pat O’Brien General Manager, East Bay Regional Park District YESTERDAYTODAY TOMORROW Contra Costa CountyCreek and Watershed Symposium651 Pine Street, 4th Floor, North WingMartinez, CA 94553-0095CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WATERSHEDS:To:Cost: $20 (Advanced payment by check perferred)Lunch: Provided. Registration: Mail to: CCC-C&W Symposium 651 Pine Street, 4th Flr., North Wing Martinez, CA 94553 Attn: Kae Ono FAX to: EMAIL to: ONLINE at: For more information, call (925) 335-1230 or visit www.cocowaterweb.orgREGISTRATION FORMCreek and Watershed SymposiumName:Title:Affi liation (if any):Address:Phone:Fax:Email:Lunch Selection: Meat VegetarianCREEK AND WATERSHED SYMPOSIUM3rd QuadrennialContra Costa CountyNovember 15, 2007 Walnut Creek, CACity of Walnut CreekContra Costa Clean Water ProgramCCC Board of SupervisorsCCC Community Development DepartmentCCC Fish and Wildlife CommitteeCCC Flood Control and Water Conservation DistrictContra Costa Resource Conservation DistrictContra Costa Watershed ForumEast Bay Regional Park DistrictFriends of Alhambra CreekMt. View Sanitary DistrictThe Dow Chemical CompanyUrban Creeks CouncilSYMPOSIUM SPONSORSAgricultural-Natural Resources Trust of CCCCalifornia Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Coastal ConservancyCalifornia Invasive Plant CouncilCity of ClaytonCity of ConcordCity of Lafayette Creeks CommitteeContra Costa County Farm BureauContra Costa Water DistrictEast Bay Municipal Utility DistrictFriends of Five CreeksFriends of Mt. Diablo CreekFriends of Pinole Creek WatershedFriends of the CreeksKIDS for the BAYLifeGardenNatural Heritage Institute Save Mount DiabloSan Francisco Bay Joint VentureSan Francisco Estuary InstituteSan Francisco Estuary ProjectSan Francisco Regional Water Quality Control BoardSPAWNERS c/o The Watershed ProjectThe Watershed ProjectU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Army Corps of EngineersWalnut Creek Open Space FoundationSYMPOSIUM CO-SPONSORSShadelands Arts CenterChecks payable to: Contra Costa County Community Development DepartmentSorry, no credit cards accepted. Cash payments at door OK.Check box if you do not want contact information included in attendance list:Vegan(925) 335-1299kono@cd.cccounty.uswww.cocowaterweb.orgIncluding a Panel Discussion on the Delta and the Peripheral Canal !Please register no later than November 8th to guarantee a seat and meal. Unregistered attendees will be accommodated to the extent possible. Send Registration Information by:Date: November 15, 2007Location: City of Walnut Creek’s Shadelands Arts Center 111 North Wiget Lane at Ygnacio Valley RoadI-680Hwy 24Treat BlvdYgnacio Valley RoadBancr oft Ro ad Oak Grove Road Walnut AveLennon LnN. Wiget LnShadelandsDriveShadelandsArts CenterPHBARTWCBARTNHOW TO GET THERE: Public Transit: From BART Pleasant Hill station. take County Connection Bus #107. From Hwy 680 North/Hwy 24 East: Exit at Ygnacio Valley Road. Turn right. Follow Ygnacio 3 miles. Turn left at North Wiget Lane. From Hwy 680 South: Exit at Treat Blvd. Turn left on Oak Park. Turn left on Treat. Follow Treat 1 mile. Turn right on Bancroft. Turn left on Ygnacio. Turn left on N. Wiget Lane. WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY IN CONTRA COSTA11:10 Contra Costa Watershed Forum Overview Kae Ono and Abby Fateman, Contra Costa County Community Development Department11:15 Who Is Doing What Where? A Whirlwind Tour of What Is Being Done Now By A Wide Array of Organizations To Improve the Health of Creeks and Watersheds in the County LESSONS FROM THE PAST9:30 Why the Past Matters: Understanding our Watersheds through Historical Analysis Mitch Avalon, Deputy Chief Engineer, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District9:40 Historical Ecological Assessment of Contra Costa Watersheds: An Introduction Robin Grossinger, Historical Ecology Program Manager, San Francisco Estuary Institute10:05 Cultural and Human History of Contra Costa Watersheds: How Native Peoples Shaped the Environment Mark Hylkema, Archaeologist, California State Parks10:30 Break10:45 The 30th Anniversary of the Mount Diablo Fire of 1977: A First Hand Account of an Event that Continues to Infl uence How We Manage Our Watersheds Bob Doyle, Assistant General Manager, East Bay Regional Park District WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD2:10 Learning From Pioneers: The City of San Luis Obispo’s Efforts to Incorporate the Health of Creeks and Watersheds in Their Visions for the City Dr. Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager, City of San Luis Obispo 2:45 Break3:00 Pinole Creek Watershed Restoration: From Vision to Reality Drew Goetting, Restoration Design Group3:25 General Comments From the Audience 3:40 The World Shrinks, the World Expands: Watersheds and RelocalizationRob Thayer, Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture, University of California at Davis and Visiting Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, University of California at Berkeley4:10 Concluding Remarks - Don Freitas4:15 Adjourn1:00 Overview Presentation: Worsening Crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Robert Twiss, Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley, Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning1:15 Panel Discussion: 25 Years After Rejecting the Peripheral Canal Should Contra Costa Residents Give This Issue a Fresh Look?Moderator: Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO of California Emerging Technology Fund and Member of the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task ForcePanelists: Byron Buck, Principal, Byron Buck and Associates Greg Gartrell, Assistant General Manager, Contra Costa Water District Tom Graff, Senior Attorney, Environmental Defense Jerry Meral, former Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Dante Nomellini, General Manager and Co-Counsel Central Delta Water Agency MAJOR DECISIONS FOR THE DELTA8:30 Registration Begins. Poster Session. 9:00 Convene 2007 Symposium - Don Freitas, Master of Ceremonies and Manager, Contra Costa Clean Water Program 9:10 Welcoming remarks - Honorable Sue Rainey, Mayor, City of Walnut Creek Welcoming remarks - Honorable Susan Bonilla Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District IVIntroductory remarks - Honorable George Miller U.S. House of Representatives, 7th District (invited)AGENDAPURPOSE OF THE EVENT11:45 Remembering a Forefather of Clean Water Policies: Dr. Teng-Chung Wu David Contreras, General Manager, Mountain View Sanitary District11:50 Presentation of the 2007 Contra Costa Watershed Forum Awards 12:05 Lunch (Courtesy of Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee Chefs)Yesterday yThe 3rd Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium, Contra Costa County Watersheds: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, will be held on November 15, 2007 in Walnut Creek. The purpose of the event is to provide a venue where interested individuals representing a wide variety of organizations and perspectives can assemble and learn about timely and signifi cant issues regarding the health of creeks and watersheds. Noteworthy aspects of the event include an emphasis on understanding past conditions and events, a comprehensive over-view of current activities and who is behind them, inspirational initiatives from inside and outside the region, trends, challenges and opportunities over the long term, and a discussion on the crisis in the Delta and renewed calls for construction of a peripheral canal. You are cordially invited to attend.“Today” Continued...