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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03072006 - C.57 Cw '89 7 Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa ?4: r ids FROM: FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMITTEE County .5'A.COIi4' DATE: March 7, 2006 SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS TO HOST A SYMPOSIUM TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO AVOID AND MINIMIZE CONFLICTS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS AUTHORIZE the Fish and Wildlife Committee to spend no more than $4000.00 from the Fish-and Wildlife Propagation Fund to host a symposium to educate the general public about resources available to avoid and minimize conflicts between people and wildlife in Contra Costa County. FISCAL IMPACT No impact to the general fund. No more than $4000.00 from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund will be used to cover any expenses to host this event. State law defines how money in this fund may be spent, but the Board of Supervisors is responsible for authorizing specific expenditures. The fish and wildlife education component of the symposium is consistent with the expenditure criteria established by State Law. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:C'0/ v /Daniel Pellegrini Chair, Fish &Wildlife Committee RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR_RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE (S): ACTION OF BOA DON 7 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OT,fiER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS v UNANIMOUS (ABSENT I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS ATRUE AND AYES: NOES: CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON aTHE ryDATE Z�SHOWN. Contact: Kae Ono (925)335-1230 ATTESTED cc: Community Development Department JOHN CULLEN, dLERK OF THE County Administrator's Office BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND Clerk of the Board COUNTYAD INISTRATOR Auditor-Controller BY: -- L / ' DEPUTY 1. R Appropriation from Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund for a symposium March 7, 2006 Page 2 of 2 REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND Residents of Contra Costa County enjoy having greenery and wildlife very close to their residences. However they often do not welcome wild animals scavenging through their garbage or damaging their landscaping. They call the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, Animal Services Department, Community Development Department and Lindsay Wildlife Museum to ask questions on how to deal with wildlife problems. Many people read newspaper articles written by Mr. Gary Bogue from the Contra Costa Times on how to deal with pets and wildlife. In the early 1990s, a panel discussion was held with key organizations in the County that deal with fish and wildlife resources, including the County Animal Services Department, the Mosquito and Vector Control District and the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. This was attended by approximately 30 people, mainly people who already worked in this field. It was filmed by Contra Costa Television and it has been aired periodically on Contra Costa Television ever since. County agencies and non-profit organizations provide services and/or information to address conflicts with wildlife. But each specializes in particular species. For example,the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District deals with problems with the West Nile Virus, which some mosquito species carry to mammals. The County Animal Services Department and Lindsay Wildlife Museum mainly deal with mammals, but they also get calls from residents on non-mammal species. The Committee felt that it was important to invite all these agencies and organizations into one public forum to present updated information on the full range of services that they offer to educate the public on how to deal with wildlife. Also,the Committee published the Wildlife In Your Backyards! Brochure two years ago,which lists common wildlife problems and potential solutions in Contra Costa County. The symposium will be an excellent opportunity to make this publication available to the public. The Committee intends to host this event on May 9, 2006 at the Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek in the afternoon. The Committee anticipates an audience of 100 to 150 people. On January 18, 2006, the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend that no more than $4000.00 from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund be used to cover staff time and expenses to host this event. This expenditure would be 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. Board of Supervisors' participation would be most welcome. The eventwill be an open, public meeting subject to the Brown Act and Better Government Ordinance, and any interested individuals are welcome to attend.