Politics & Government

Marin Supervisors Recap and Look Ahead

A summary of actions from the last Board of Supervisors meeting and items on the agenda for today.

 

Upcoming Items  - what’s next at the Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 14

1.     Designation of San Quentin as a “Priority Development Area” Reviewed

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2.     Medical Marijuana ID Card Fee Increases Discussed

3.     Actions to Dissolve Redevelopment Agency Considered

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4.     Board to Allocate Funds for Roads, Reserves and Replacement Vehicles

5.     Vacancy on Parks & Open Space Commission to be Filled

 

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

Wrap Up – what happened at the last Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 7.

 

6.     Reduced Planning Fees – BOS Approves Proposal

7.     Rental Income Thresholds Upped

8.     Initial Phases to Replace SAP Financial System Approved

9.     Managing Federal Housing Cuts – Options Discussed at Workshop

10.  Federal Due Process Legislation Supported

 

Upcoming Items:

1. Designation of San Quentin as a “Priority Development Area” Reviewed

The board will consider adopting a resolution to nominate the San Quentin Peninsula as a Priority Development Area in the Bay Area’s Sustainable Communities Strategy. Such a nomination would make the area eligible for future incentive-based planning grants and local transportation funding. Although the redevelopment of San Quentin Prison is unlikely within the near future, the board may wish to signify continued interest in the property in the context of the regional planning process. This item was continued from the Jan. 31 meeting.

Need more info? Contact Stacey Laumann, Planner @ slaumann@marincounty.org

2. Medical Marijuana ID Card Fee Increases Discussed

The board will be considering a request from Health and Human Services to increase fees for the medical marijuana identification card program. If adopted by the board, the County fee would increase from $23.50 to $32.50 for Medi-Cal beneficiaries and from $47 to $65 for all others. The state portion of the fee ($33 and $66, respectively) would remain unchanged. 

Need more info? See the full report. Contact: Rochelle Ereman, Epidemiology Program Services Mgr @ rereman@marincounty.org

3. Actions to Dissolve Redevelopment Agency Considered

In the wake of the recent State Supreme Court ruling upholding state legislation dissolving redevelopment agencies statewide, the board will be considering a report on the dissolution of the Marin County Redevelopment Agency. Staff will provide a briefing and overview of the responsibilities and next steps as the County takes over as the successor agency to the Marin County Redevelopment Agency.

Need more info?  See the full report. Contact: Leelee Thomas, Principal Planner @ lthomas@marincounty.org

4. Board to Allocate Funds for Roads, Reserves and Replacement of Vehicles

The board will consider a request from the County Administrator to allocate $14.8 million one-time funds left over from the last fiscal year. Out of that, staff is recommending $2 million be allocated for road and storm damage repairs; $5 million to further address the County’s unfunded liability toward retiree health care; and $611,000 to the County’s vehicle replacement reserve. An additional $7.2 million would be reserved for future uncertainties and high priority one-time projects.  

Need more info? See the full report. Contact: Dan Eilerman, Deputy County Administrator @ deilerman@marincounty.org

5. Vacancy on Parks & Open Space Commission to be Filled

Last week, the Board of Supervisors conducted interviews for one at-large vacancy on the County Parks and Open Space Commission. This Tuesday, they will conduct one final interview (Larry Kennings of Mill Valley). Following that interview, they will make an appointment from the list of applicants. The Parks and Open Space Commission’s primary duties are to make recommendations on the formulation of plans, strategies, policies, rules and regulations related to the county parks, open space, and trail systems.

Need more info? An overview of the Parks and Open Space Commission can be found here.

 

Wrap Up:

6. Reduced Planning Fees – BOS Approves Proposal

Property owners will soon receive a reprieve from fees affecting tree removal permits, floating home adjustments, use permit renewals and major variances. The BOS conducted a second reading (the first reading for this ordinance took place Jan. 24) and approved the adoption of an ordinance to streamline the permitting process and substantially reduce permitting fees to achieve outcomes more efficiently.

Need more info? Please see the full report and ordinance. Contact: Tom Lai, Assistant Director of Community Development @ tlai@marincounty.org

7. Rental Income Thresholds Upped

How much revenue the County can take in via rent is currently capped at $50,000 per month, with a maximum term of ten years. Staff asked 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. With this acquisition, the Board of Supervisors agreed that the County will realize significant revenues and approved staff's recommendations for increasing the maximum rental revenue to $100K so that leases are 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

8. Initial Phases to Replace SAP Financial System Approved

The board approved a 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, who brings objectivity in evaluating business systems. Plante Moran's role is to help improve county business practices by looking at best practices.

The Board of Supervisors approved the contract, which will cost $599,250, as an  appropriate scale of investment, requesting that there also be a way to look at measuring our results. 

Need more info? Please see the full report. Contact Tim Flanagan, Enterprise Systems Manager @ tflanagan@marincounty.org

9. Managing Federal Housing Cuts – Options Discussed at Workshop

The federal government has cut federal programs that provide various forms of housing and community assistance for low-income residents in Marin. The board grappled with how the County will adapt and manage a 19% cut to the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and a 46% cut in HOME Investment partnerships Program (HOME) at a morning workshop, prior to the regular board meeting. The board heard staff’s suggestions to improve coordination with other local partners for additional funds and explore 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

10. Federal Due Process Legislation Supported

At the request of Supervisor Kinsey and Adams, the BOS has sent a letter of support for the Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011 - Senator Dianne Feinstein's federal legislation strengthening protections to ensure American citizens apprehended domestically cannot be indefinitely detained by the military without due process of law. The County Board of Supervisors agreed to support the Act, and stressed its commitment to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Need more info?  See the staff report or draft support letter. Contact: Eric Engelbart, Management & Budget Analyst, @ eengelbart@marincounty.org

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


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