Recap and Look Forward for Board of Supervisors

Upcoming Items  - what’s next at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 7

• Increases to Rental Income Thresholds to be Reviewed
• Initial Phases to Replace SAP Financial System to be Considered
• Reduction in Planning Fees – Board of Supervisors to Review Proposal
• Managing Federal Housing Cuts – Options To Be Discussed at AM Workshop
• Federal Due Process Legislation to be Considered

Check out the Cyberagenda for copies of these reports and others online.

Increases to Rental Income Thresholds to be Reviewed

How much revenue the county can take in via rent is currently capped at $50,000 per month, with a maximum term of 10 years. The county is looking to increase that threshold now that it is moving forward with the purchase of 1600 Los Gamos (commonly known as the Marin Commons) for its eventual use as an Emergency Operations Facility. Staff is recommending that the maximum rental revenue be increased to $100,000 so that leases can be more easily extended or expanded.

Need more info? See the full report and draft ordinance.

Contact: David Speer, Facilities Planning & Development Mgr @ dspeer@marincounty.org

Initial Phases to Replace SAP Financial System to be Considered

The Board will be considering a proposed contract to look at how the county can improve its financial, human resources, budget, and purchasing practices before selecting a new computer system to replace SAP. Staff selected Plante Moran, a consulting firm with over 25 years of experience working with public sector clients. The value of the contract for this first phase of the project is not to exceed $599,250. This item was continued from last week’s agenda.

Need more info? Please see the full report.

Contact: Tim Flanagan, Enterprise Systems Manager @ tflanagan@marincounty.org

Reduction in Planning Fees – Board of Supervisors to Review Proposal

Property owners may soon receive a reprieve from fees affecting tree removal permits, floating home adjustments, use permit renewals and major variances. The Board will be conducting a second reading and considering adoption of an ordinance to streamline the permitting process and substantially reduce permitting fees.  The first reading for this ordinance took place on Jan. 24.

Need more info? Please see the full report and ordinance.

Contact: Tom Lai, Assistant Director of Community Development @ tlai@marincounty.org

Managing Federal Housing Cuts – Options to be Discussed at Morning Workshop

The federal government has cut federal programs that provide various forms of housing and community assistance for low income residents in Marin. How the county will adapt and manage a 19% cut to the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and a 46% reduction in HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) will be the focus of a morning workshop, prior to the regular Board meeting. Recommendations include coordinating with other local partners for additional funds and exploring ways of reducing the number of projects to lower administrative costs.

Need more info? Please see the full report.

Contact:  Roy Bateman, Community Development Coordinator @ rbateman@marincounty.org

Federal Due Process Legislation to be Considered

At the request of Supervisor Kinsey and Supervisor Adams, the board will consider sending a letter of support for the Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011 – Senator Dianne Feinstein’s federal legislation that would strengthen protections to ensure American citizens apprehended domestically cannot be indefinitely detained by the military without due process of law.

Need more info?  See the staff report or draft support letter.

Contact: Eric Engelbart, Management & Budget Analyst, @ eengelbart@marincounty.org

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Wrap Up – what happened at the last Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 31.

• Strategic Workforce Plan Progresses 
• SAP Financial System Replacement –  Continued to Feb. 7
• 21 New Green Businesses  Certified
• Board endorses Action Plan for Marin’s Farmers and Ranchers 
• Retirement Board Welcomes Newest Appointee

Strategic Workforce Plan Progresses

What‘s needed for tomorrow’s workforce and how will we get there today? Last October, the board approved a plan to create a thriving county government organization that delivers high-quality services to the public. 

Staff provided an update on the plan at a workshop prior to the regular board meeting that included: a new partnership with educational institutions for internships to attract the next generation of county workers, ways to optimize volunteers, improve staff leadership skills, and improve wellness,  and new programs to advance women in the workforce.

Need more info? See the full report or view the presentation.

Contact: Barbara Barry, Human Resources Dept @ bbarry@marincounty.org

SAP Financial System Replacement – Continued to Feb. 7

How the county can improve its financial, human resources, budget, and purchasing practices before selecting a new computer system to replace SAP was continued to the Tuesday, Feb. 7 meeting.

Need more info? Please see the full report.

Contact: Tim Flanagan, Enterprise Systems Manager @ tflanagan@marincounty.org

21 New Green Businesses Received Certification

From the reduction of water consumption, lighting and energy upgrades and conservation, to the reuse of office furnishings and dishware, businesses in Marin are going and getting green. This month, .

Since 2002, this program has provided opportunities for local businesses to embrace solutions that will protect the economic and environmental resources of our community. It recognizes businesses for going beyond compliance with regulatory requirements and conducting operations that are good for both their bottom line and the environment. 

The 21 honored, certified businesses are:

1)    Aloha Moving & Storage, Inc., San Rafael

2)    Clough Construction, San Rafael

3)    EAH Housing, Inc., San Rafael

4)    Equitable Mortgage Group, San Rafael

5)    Five Little Monkeys, Novato

6)    Fresh Starts Catering & The Key room, Novato

7)    Gallenson McDaneld EA LLC, Larkspur

8)    , Fairfax

9)    Landmark Builders, Novato

10) Law Offices of Plastiras and Terrizzi, San Rafael

11) Marin Bocce Federation, San Rafael

12) Marin Energy Authority, San Rafael

13) , Fairfax

14) Marin Modern Real Estate, San Rafael

15) The Outdoor Art Club, Mill Valley

16) Parkway Properties Investment Corporation, San Rafael

17) Rocco’s Pizza, Mill Valley

18) Snader and Associates, San Rafael

19) Sprout Classrooms, Greenbrae

20) Wild Birds Unlimited, Novato

21) Workshops that Work, Tiburon

The total of green businesses in Marin County is now 426. 

Need more information, or want to see a complete list of those businesses?  Please see the full report. Contact Dana Armanino, Planner @ darmanino@marincounty.org 

Board Endorses Action Plan for Marin’s Farmers and Ranchers

Did you know that 50% of the land in Marin is farms or ranches, and the majority is third to fourth generation family-owned? How to keep Marin’s agriculture and family farms viable and sustainable was the focus of the Marin Agriculture Support Action Plan reviewed by the Board. 

Steps include providing a shared and centralized facility for processing, packaging and distributing Marin products, and establishing apprenticeship programs and “work experience” courses for the “next gen” of farmers and employees. Marin is already the first to have an organic farming and gardening apprenticeship program sponsored in part by the College of Marin. The plan also includes development of a campaign that makes local Marin agricultural goods and services accessible so that consumers know what is grown locally.  

Need more info? Please see the staff report and action plan. Also, see for yourself amazing but true facts about Marin’s agriculture in the video Discover the Abundance, found at http://www.marincounty.org/Home/Main/Newsroom

Contact David Lewis, Director – UC Cooperative Extension @ djlewis@marincounty.org

Library Lobby Areas Receive Redefining Remodels

County library lobbies are getting a remodel, thanks to Measure A and the public’s vote of confidence.

The purpose of the lobby remodels is to create a more functional and attractive customer experience. In 2010, Marin County voters overwhelmingly approved Measure A – a revenue plan designed to provide critical funding for library services and facilities. Approximately $2 million of Measure A revenues have been identified for facility upgrades, including accessibility upgrades.

The Board reviewed and approved a $168,000 contract with Group 4 Architecture + Planning Inc. for various Library facility upgrades. The project includes limited interior remodels of lobby, main service desk and related areas. The exact scope for five libraries (Novato, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Civic Center and Marin City) will be confirmed during the Schematic Design phase.

Need more info?  Please see the staff report.  Contact:  Damon Hill, Library Services Manager @ ddhill@marincounty.org

Retirement Board Welcomes Newest Appointee

The Board appointed to the Retirement Board Kim Stevens of San Anselmo, a research analyst and portfolio manager for the investment management industry. After asking several questions of the four candidates on pension reform, sustainability and future of defined benefit plans, and personal philosophy on investing public monies, Stevens was selected to fill the post left vacant by former board member Jim Phillips, who resigned last year. The Retirement Board is the nine-member board responsible for oversight of the Marin County Retirement Association, which administers the pension plan for county employees and nine other districts.  

The above is a recap of major decisions made by the Marin County Board of Supervisors at its most recent meeting. It is not intended to be an official record or minutes of the meeting. For official minutes, please see our website at http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/BS/archive/meetings.cfm