Meeting Date: 5/3/2016
Board agendas are posted on the Thursdays prior a Tuesday meeting. Board agendas usually are posted between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Use the Cyberagenda page to view complete agendas, meeting minutes and links to webcasts.
Highlights of the May 03, 2016 Board Meeting:
- Employee of the Month
- Employee Team of the Quarter
- Resolution for Retiring Marin IJ Reporter Nels Johnson
- Area Plan for Aging Annual Update
- Proposed Amendment to Anti-Smoking Ordinance
- Priorities of Marin County Child Care Commission
- Skydiving Standards at Gnoss Field
- Paramedic and Ambulance Fees for CSA 28
- Appointments to Advisory Boards and Commissions
- Medical Cannabis Dispensary Program Implementation and Fees
Preview
No earlier than 9:30 a.m., the Board will present the Employee of the Month award for March 2016 to Ethan Simpson of the Department of Public Works.
Review
Supervisor Katie Rice read the following:
Ethan Simpson, a senior communications technician who has served the County since December 2010, is the Employee of the Month for April. As a valuable member of the Communications Division, Ethan's work touches all the public safety communications in the county, cities and districts and ensures the quality of the systems. He performs many expert tasks, is an excellent technician and an exemplary employee.
Ethan demonstrates pride, energy, and a willingness to help his co-workers. Ethan is a true leader and has an ability to motivate others to strive for their best. Ethan freely and clearly explains complex subjects and takes the time to make sure they are understood. He is not satisfied with the status quo; instead he strives for excellence seeking better ways to serve the County and its citizens. His strength of character was recently witnessed during a vehicle rollover accident on Highway 101 while on the job. Ethan did not hesitate to run to the accident scene and render first-aid to the injured party.
Congratulations, Ethan, on being chosen Employee of the Month.
Contact: Angela Nicholson, Assistant County Administrator
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Preview
The Board will present the Outstanding Employee Team of the Quarter award to the Water Rescue Task Force Team.
Review
Supervisor Katie Rice read the following:
The Fire Department created a Water Rescue Task Force after noticing an alarming increase in water-related fatalities and near fatalities in their response area. The team was charged with collecting and analyzing data to verify the increase of water-related incidents and recommending an appropriate plan for required equipment, training, and funding. The task force collected many years of data that revealed an increase in water-related incidents and confirmed the County’s station locations are optimal to respond to these events.
The team recommended the creation of a Coastal Incident Response Plan and created a comprehensive plan to incorporate and increase the department’s capabilities. The team applied for grant funding, managed the purchase and implementation of equipment and completed all necessary training for the water rescue program. The department’s new Coastal Incident Response Plan is well-developed, comprehensive and has been fully implemented. It is now the model that is used statewide. Since its implementation Marin County Fire Department has rescued or recovered more than 25 people in its response area.
The County of Marin is grateful for this vital service to the community and is proud to honor the Water Rescue Task Force as the outstanding Team of the Quarter. The members are Chris Martinelli, Bret McTigue, Todd Overshiner, Richard Wonneberger, Graham Groneman and Jesse Rudnick.
Need more info? See the news release about the Water Rescue Task Force.
Contact: Jason Weber, Fire Chief
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Preview
The Board will hear a request for a resolution commending Nels Johnson of the Marin Independent Journal upon his retirement. Johnson started at the newspaper in 1972 and covered the County government for 10 years, then returned to the County beat in 2008 until his final day at work, April 28. In all, he served on the staff for 44 years.
Review
The Board approved the resolution and congratulated Nels Johnson, showering him with praise, small gifts and playful one-liners.
Need more info? See the resolution commending Nels Johnson and a tribute column to Nels in the Marin IJ.
Contact: Brent Ainsworth, Public Information Officer
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Preview
The Board will hear a presentation from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging, on the Area Plan for Aging Annual Update. State and federal laws mandate that the local Area Agency on Agency create an area plan every four years that identifies community needs, priorities and proposed usage of aging services funds. The Marin County Commission on Aging approved the Area Plan at its April 7 meeting following a public hearing. Staff recommends that the Board approve the update and authorize the Board President to sign a Letter of Transmittal.
Review
The Board heard the presentation and approved the annual update.
Need more info? See the staff report and the Area Plan for Aging Annual Update.
Contact: Lee Pullen, Director, Division of Aging, Department of Health and Human Services
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Preview
The Board will hear the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 7.70 of the Marin County Code related to the prohibition of smoking in County facilities and vehicles. Such an amendment would be consistent with the County's mission to protect and promote the health, well-being self-sufficiency and safety of all people in Marin County. Staff recommends that the Board schedule a merit hearing for 10:30 a.m. May 17.
Review
The Board heard the first reading and scheduled a merit hearing for 10:30 a.m. May 17.
Need more info? See the staff report about the proposed ordinance amendment about the prohibition of smoking in County facilities and vehicles.
Contact: Jack Govi, Assistant County Counsel
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Preview
The Board will conduct a hearing about the Consolidated Plan Amendments 2016 Annual Action Plan, including budgets for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The Board approved a Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2015-2019 on May 12, 2015 as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Board approval allowed the County to apply for formula funding from the CDBG Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. After the initial approval, the County must amend the Consolidated Plan each year with an Annual Action Plan to add each year's CDBG and HOME budgets.
Review
The Board conducted the hearing and approved the amendments and budgets.
Need more info? See the staff report about the CDBG Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
Contact: Brian Crawford, Director, Community Development Agency
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Preview
The Board will conduct a merit hearing for an ordinance amending Chapter 12.06 of the Marin County Code pertaining to skydiving standards at Gnoss Field airport in Novato. The need for an ordinance amendment is tied to a commercial skydiving business license application. On March 8, the County received a safety review from the Federal Aviation Administration that clears the way to move forward on a business license.
Review
The Board conducted the hearing and approved the ordinance amendment.
Need more info? See the staff report about the skydiving standards at Gnoss Field airport.
Contact: Raul Rojas, Director, Department of Public Works
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Preview
The Board will hear a request to withdraw an ordinance increasing the Marin County Fire Department’s paramedic and ambulance service fees in County Service Area 28, a 351-square-mile area that includes San Geronimo Valley, Point Reyes Station, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Inverness, Tomales and other West Marin communities. A review of fees showed that they were not in alignment with industry standards and actual costs of providing the service. But County Counsel and the Fire Chief determined that the best course of action is to pursue the increase in a Board resolution as is authorized under the Marin County Code.
Review
The Board approved the request to withdraw the ordinance.
Need more info? See the staff report about the withdrawal of an ordinance increasing paramedic and ambulance service fees for County Service Area 28.
Contact: Jack Govi, Assistant County Counsel
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Preview
The Board will consider one vacancy on the Child Care Commission and one ratification of an Child Care Commission appointment of Kelsey Lombardi made by the Marin County Superintendent of Schools. The Board also will consider four vacancies on the Health Council of Marin, one on the Children and Families Commission, one on the Disaster Council, and one on the Law Library Board of Trustees.
Review
The Board ratified the Child Care Commission appointment of Kelsey Lombardi made by the Marin County Superintendent of Schools, then made the following appointments:
Child Care Commission: Elaini Negussi
Health Council of Marin: Alan Blau, Jennifer Rienks, Sandra Ross, Derice Tao
Children and Families Commission: Gabrielle Leblanc
Disaster Council: Jason Weber
Need more info? See the agenda for details on the interviews/appointments, or the Boards and Commissions webpage.
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Preview
At 1:30 p.m., the Board will conduct a hearing to consider a Medical Cannabis Implementation Program and related fees. The proposed program includes an application guide, an application form and a proposed fee schedule. The approval process is expected to take four to eight months depending on factors such as the quality and comprehensiveness of the application and public input.
Review
The Board conducted the hearing and approved the Medical Cannabis Implementation Program.
Need more info? See the staff report about the Medical Cannabis Implementation Program and related fees, and the draft application guide.
Contact: Tom Lai, Assistant Director, Community Development Agency
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