Previews & Reviews: Board Meeting Highlights
The following provides a list of selected highlights from the Board agenda, and is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the entire agenda. Please check out the Cyberagenda for a copy of the complete agenda as well as copies of these reports and others.
PREVIEWS - Upcoming Items
The next Board meeting is May 22.
Workshop to Discuss Regulatory and Permitting Process Improvements
During a morning workshop, the Board will hear a presentation and provide direction on potential improvements that could be made to the County’s land use and regulatory programs. Staff identified four possible areas that could be further evaluated, including: advocating for statewide reform to the California Environmental Quality Act, providing customers with more choice and flexibility in permitting options, re-evaluating programs identified in the 2007 Countywide Plan in light of existing resources and evaluating whether further changes could be made to the fees charged for permit applications.
Need more info? See the full report.
Contact: Brian Crawford, Community Development Director at bcrawford@marincounty.org
Board to Honor 40th Anniversary of the Environmental Forum of Marin
At the request of Supervisor Sears, the Board will consider adopting a resolution honoring the Environmental Forum of Marin on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. The Environmental Forum of Marin is a local non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the environment by educating its members and the Marin community about environmental issues.
Need more info? See the draft Resolution.
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
Livestock and Crop Report to be Heard
The County’s Agricultural Commissioner will be asking the Board to review and accept the County’s 2011 Livestock and Agricultural Crop Report. If adopted by the Board, it will be submitted to the State and then distributed to various ranchers, educational institutions, businesses and other individuals interested in trends and market prices in the county.
Need more info? See the report.
Contact: Stefan Parnay, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner at sparnay@marincounty.org
Organic Certification Fee Changes to be Considered
The Board will consider a request to increase various fees related to the Marin Organic Certified Agriculture (MOCA) Program that are designed to better reflect the costs of providing services.
Need more info? See the report.
Contact: Stefan Parnay, Deputy Ag Commissioner at sparnay@marincounty.org
Final Actions to be Taken on Animal Control Fee Changes
A public hearing will be held in order to consider the merits of a proposed ordinance to increase animal control fees. The new fees are designed to better reflect the costs of providing the services. A first reading of the ordinance previously took place on May 8.
Need more info? See the report.
Contact: Lisa DeCarlo, County Administrator’s Office, at ldecarlo@marincounty.org
Final Action to be Taken on Tobacco Sales and Second-hand Smoke Ordinances
The Board will be conducting hearings on the merits of two tobacco-related ordinances. The first would require all tobacco retailers to obtain a local county license, which is designed to ensure compliance with county business standards and practices and encourage responsible tobacco retailing. The second ordinance would address smoking in multi-unit housing and would remove language pertaining to youth access to tobacco products. The Board conducted its first reading of the two draft ordinances on May 15.
Need more info? See the staff report for the tobacco sales ordinance or the staff report regarding smoking in multi-unit housing.
Contact: Jack Govi, Acting County Counsel at jgovi@marincounty.org
Board to Honor Employee of the Month
In the afternoon, the Board will be honoring Jodi Olson with the Employee of the Month award. Jodi works as an Appraiser III and is known for her dedicated service and possession of the knowledge and resources necessary to resolve assessment problems for the public.
Need more info?
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
REVIEW: What Happened at the last Board meeting on May 15:
Marin County Honors Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary
At the request of Supervisors Sears and Arnold, the Board adopted a resolution honoring the Golden Gate Bridge on the occasion of its 75th Anniversary.
Need more info? See the resolution.
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
Board Authorizes Request for Additional Prosecution Funds
The District Attorney’s Office has experienced extraordinary costs related to the prosecution of several major homicide trials. After some discussion with the District Attorney, the Board approved his request for $245,000 in additional funds in order to offset these costs.
Need more info? See the full report.
Contact: Peggy Toth, District Attorney Administrator at ptoth@marincounty.org
County Parks and Open Space Unmet Needs Discussed
Linda Dahl, the County’s Director of Parks and Open Space as well as a number of community organizations with interests in the county's park and open space systems and agricultural land preservation provide input to the Board on outstanding needs. Given the limited resources that are presently available, several community members also asked the Board to explore a potential revenue measure for the November 2012 ballot. Following public testimony, the Board directed staff to proceed forward with a poll to determine what level and scope of community support may exist for such a revenue measure. The Board also directed staff to return at a subsequent meeting with additional recommendations regarding the structure of such a measure should the poll indicate sufficient community support exists.
Need more info? See the staff report and letter from community organizations.
Contact: Linda Dahl, Parks Department Director, at ldahl@marincounty.org
Comment letter for San Rafael Airport Recreation Facility Distributed
After much discussion and public testimony, the Board agreed to submit a revised version of a Proposed development would include indoor and outdoor soccer fields, indoor dance and gymnastics training studios and associated site and infrastructure improvements. Although the project site lies entirely within the City of San Rafael’s jurisdictional boundaries, it is located near unincorporated residential communities.
Need more info? See the comment letter.
Contact: Eric Engelbart, County Administrator’s Office at eengelbart@marincounty.org
Tobacco Sales and Second-Hand Smoke Ordinances One Step Closer to Adoption
After making minor amendments, the Board conducted its first reading of two proposed ordinances. The first would require all tobacco retailers to obtain a local county license, which is designed to ensure compliance with county business standards and practices and encourage responsible tobacco retailing. The second ordinance would address smoking in multi-unit housing and would remove language pertaining to youth access to tobacco products. A public hearing on the merits of the ordinances was also scheduled for May 22.
Need more info? See the staff report for the tobacco sales ordinance or the staff report regarding smoking in multi-unit housing.
Contact: Jack Govi, Acting County Counsel at jgovi@marincounty.org
Appointments Made to Bel Marin Keys, Financial Audit and Alcohol & Drug Advisory Boards
- Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board
- Bel Marin Keys Planning Advisory Board
- Financial Audit Advisory Committee
Need more info?
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff, at BOS@marincounty.org
Volunteers Recognized
In the afternoon, the Board recognized four individuals for their dedication and assistance to the County Volunteers program. Honorees included Marcie Lynch, who will receive the Outstanding Supervisor of Volunteers award for providing supervision to a range of volunteers in the District Attorney’s Office over the past 20 years. Ashley Carreira and Sarah Cochrane both received Intern of the Year awards for their assistance in crafting and coordinating the County’s strategic plan to promote healthy eating and active living. Finally, B.K. Cooper was provided the Volunteer of the Year award for the training and expertise he provided to the County’s Urban Search and Rescue team.
Need more info?
Contact: Diane Ooms, Human Resources Department, at dooms@marincounty.org
