Supes to Ponder Drake Blvd. Speed Limit Change, Body Art Ordinance, Fire Fee

Previews (upcoming items) and Reviews (a wrap-up) of the last Board meeting posted every Thursday on Patch.

Previews

Upcoming Items for the Board meeting on Aug. 21.

1. Board to Recognize State Actions Regarding California Dream Act
2. Report on New Statewide Fire Fee
3. Contract with Homeward Bound to be Considered
4. Responses to Grand Jury Reports to be Considered
5. County Projects to be Budgeted
6. New Ordinance Related to Body Art and Piercing Establishments to be Considered
7. Change to Sir Francis Drake Blvd Speed Limit to be Considered
8. Time extension for Watershed Program Engineer to be Considered
9. Appointment to be Made for Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy

Reviews

Wrap up of the last Board meeting on Aug. 14.

1. Update on County Innovation Programs Provided
2. Appointments Made for Law Library & Workforce Investment Board
3. Employee of the Month Honored

Previews

1. Board to Recognize State Actions Regarding California Dream Act

At the request of Supervisor Kinsey, the Board will adopt 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. Report on New Statewide Fire Fee

The Board will hear 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 to be Considered

The Board will consider authorizing 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. Responses to Grand Jury Reports to be Considered

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.

Per the requirements of state law, the Board will be adopting 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 to be Budgeted

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 will consider rolling 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. New Ordinance Related to Body Art and Piercing Establishments to be Considered

In order to address the public health risks posed by tattoo, piercing, and permanent cosmetics, the Board will consider 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 Sept. 18, 2012.

Need more info? See the Full Report on body arts

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

7. Change to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Speed Limit to be Considered

Should the Board authorize a change to the speed limit along portions of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard? Based upon 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 Ave. 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 to be Considered

In 2008, the Board authorized implementation 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. Staff is recommending that this position be extended 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 to be 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

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Reviews

10. Update on County Innovation Programs Provided

Last year, the County launched several pilot programs designed to promote and reward innovative ideas with the goal of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of County government services, lowering ongoing costs, and creating staffing efficiencies. The Board heard an update on the second round of the Innovation Grants Program, which awarded $73,157 in one-time funds for three separate projects that are estimated to achieve $100,000 in annual on-going savings. Projects included an electronic ticketing system for Marin Center events, a new records management and training system for the Fire Department, and electronic poll books for the Elections Department.

Need more info? See the Full Report on the Innovations Programs

Contact: Mike Aycock, County Administrator’s Office at maycock@marincounty.org

11. Appointments Made for Law Library & Workforce Investment Board

• Law Library Commission
• Workforce Investment Board

Need more info?

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

12. Employee of the Month Honored

In the afternoon, the Board honored Victoria Gould with the Employee of the Month award. Victoria has worked in the District Attorney’s Office for the past 17 years. Whether heading up the records department, subpoenaing witnesses, or running files to court, Victoria has consistently proven her ability to resolve problems calmly, quickly, and competently.

Need more info?

Contact: Geoffrey Iida, Deputy District Attorney at giida@marincounty.org