Supervisors Address Immigration, Drake Blvd. Speed Limit, Body Art

Previews (upcoming items) and Reviews (a wrap-up) of the last Marin County Board of Supervisors meeting posted every Thursday by the County of Marin staff.

Previews

There is no board meeting on Aug. 28.

Reviews

Wrap-up of the last board meeting on Aug. 21.

1. Board Recognizes State Actions Regarding California Dream Act
2. New Statewide Fire Fee Discussed
3. Contract with Homeward Bound Adopted
4. Grand Jury Report Responses Adopted
5. County Projects Budgeted in Current Fiscal Year
6. Ordinance Related to Body Art and Piercing Establishments Adopted
7. Sir Francis Drake Blvd Speed Limits Reviewed
8. Time Extension for Watershed Program Engineer Adopted
9. Appointment Made for Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy

Reviews

1. Board Recognizes State Actions Regarding California Dream Act

At the request of Supervisor Kinsey, the Board adopted a resolution supporting the recent state actions relating to the California Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). This package of state laws allows children who were brought into the U.S. under the age of 16 without proper immigration documentation who have attended school on a regular basis and otherwise met in-state tuition and GPA requirements to apply for student financial aid benefits.

Need more info? See the Resolution on the California Dream Act

Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org

2. New Statewide Fire Fee Discussed

The Board heard an update from the County’s Fire Department regarding a new state mandate charging homeowners in rural areas throughout the state up to $150 a year for state fire prevention services, regardless of whether or not they are already served by a local fire protection district. Since the fee was imposed at the state level, the County has no ability to reverse, correct, or adjust the fee for Marin County residents.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the fire fee or the state website www.firepreventionfee.org

Contact: Jason Weber, Interim Fire Chief at jweber@marincounty.org

3. Contract with Homeward Bound Adopted

The Board authorized a new $925,000 contract with Homeward Bound of Marin in order to provide shelter for persons experiencing homelessness throughout Marin County. The programs provided by this organization provide a key component of the County’s safety net services.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the Homeward Bound contract

Contact: Lisa Sepahi, Policy Analyst at lsepahi@marincounty.org

4. Grand Jury Report Responses Adopted

The Marin County Civil Grand Jury recently published three reports entitled:

• “Pre-Schoolers Learn to Share – Can Local Governments?" which included a number of findings and recommendations related to the potential for increased sharing of services by various public agencies and special districts throughout the County;
• "Restorative Justice: Its Time Has Come In Marin County”, which provided findings and recommendations related to restorative justice programs provided by the County of Marin; and
• “The Marin Youth Alcohol Crisis: One City’s Response”, which provided findings and recommendations related to addressing the problem of alcohol abuse by Marin County’ youth population.

After adding additional minor clarifying language to the report on Restorative Justice, the Board adopted formal responses to each of these reports.

Need more info? 

See the Draft Response to the Report on Shared Services
Contact:  Eric Engelbart, County Administrator’s Office at eengelbart@marincounty.org

See the Draft Response to the Report on Restorative Justice
Contact: Janell Hampton, County Administrator’s Office at jhampton@marincounty.org

See the Draft Response to the Report on Youth Alcohol Abuse
Contact:  Jacalyn Mah, County Administrator’s Office at jmah@marincounty.org

5. County Projects Budgeted in Current Fiscal Year

In order to ensure that previously authorized projects can continue to be completed in the current fiscal year that began on July 1, 2012, the Board authorized staff to roll over approximately $6.3 million in appropriations from the prior fiscal year.

Need more info? See the Full Report on current year appropriations

Contact: Mina Teymourtash, Department of Finance at mteymourtash@marincounty.org

6. Ordinance Related to Body Art and Piercing Establishments Adopted

In order to address the public health risks posed by tattoo, piercing, and permanent cosmetics, the Board conducted a first reading of an ordinance that would allow County Environmental Health Services staff to regulate establishments providing these services. A hearing on the merits of the proposal is tentatively scheduled on September 18, 2012.

Need more info? See the Full Report on body arts

Contact: Becky Ng, Community Development Deputy Director at rng@marincounty.org

7. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Speed Limits Reviewed

Per state law, the County must periodically conduct engineering and traffic safety tests to determine prevailing speeds on its roads. Based upon data provided by County engineers, staff is recommending that the speed limit be maintained on several stretches of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and increased from 30 to 35 mph between Mountain View Avenue and the Madrone Picnic Area. A full hearing on the merits of the proposal is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 11.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the proposed speed limit

Contact: Bob Goralka, Senior Civil Engineer at rgoralka@marincounty.org

8. Time Extension for Watershed Program Engineer Adopted

In 2008, the Board authorized implem entation of a watershed program as one of its top priorities. Following resolution of legal challenges to the program in 2010, an associate engineer was hired in order to manage the program. The Board authorized an extension of this position for an additional year in order to continue watershed project implementation.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the watershed program staffing

Contact: Tracy Clay, Principal Civil Engineer at tclay@marincounty.org

9. Appointment Made for Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy

• Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy

Need more info?

Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org