Highlights of the Marin County Board of Supervisors Recent Meeting

County of Marin - Supervisor Sears

Current Board Actions and Issues

Highlights of the Marin County Board of Supervisors’ Recent Agendas

  

Previews & Reviews:  Board Meeting Highlights

Courtesy of Supervisor Kate Sears, the following provides a list of selected highlights from recent Board meetings (November 6th and 13th and December 4th), and is not meant to be an exhaustive list. 

There were no meetings on November 20th or 27th. The next Board of Supervisors’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11th. Please go to the Cyberagenda for complete agendas as well as staff reports and other attachments. 

 

REVIEW OF NOVEMBER’S MEETINGS:

Water Quality Control Board Staffing Agreement

The Board approved an agreement with various local agencies (the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District and the Association of Bay Area Governments) to fund a dedicated Regional Water Quality Control Board staff person who would be charged with expediting the processing of requests for permits and services for the next two years.

Need more info? See the full report on the water quality staffing request

 

Accelerated Payment of Unfunded Pension Liability

 

Following up on their October 2nd workshop, the Board authorized a $32.2 million one-time contribution, or roughly 70% of the available one-time sources, towards the County's unfunded pension liability.  It is anticipated that this one-time payment would generate ongoing annual savings beginning in Fiscal Year 2014-15. 

 

Need more info? See the report on the pension payment

 

Coastal Program Amendments

On October 2nd, the Board discussed a number of Local Coastal Program Amendments relating to Agriculture and Biological Resources, although due to time constraints was unable to finish its review of all the proposed amendments.  On November 13th, the Board considered those remaining policy amendments. 

 

Need more info? See the report on the Coastal Program Update

 

Countywide Plan Amendment

On September 11, 2012, the Board approved an amendment to the 2007 Countywide Plan that included minor grammatical changes, updates to flooding and land use maps, new language to further explain the role of community plans, and other minor changes.  On October 2, 2012, the Board considered technical changes to three policies related to affordable housing.  Per their request at that meeting, staff returned with language to clarify that increased densities for affordable housing may be considered, on a case-by-case basis, subject to certain conditions. 

 

Need more info? See the report on the Countywide Plan

 

Budget Planning for Fiscal year 2013-14

The Board heard an informational briefing on the County's Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget planning and considered a request to approve the distribution of budget instructions to County departments.  The County's financial outlook is generally improving, but risks of further cuts from the state and federal government remain.  Staff currently project a General Fund operating gap of approximately $4.3 million,  or about 1% of the County's operating budget.  

 

Need more info? See the report on FY 2013-14 budget planning

 

Emergency Operations Facility Construction Cost Budgeting

In November 2011, the County purchased the property at 1600 Los Gamos, portions of which are planned to be used for the County's Emergency Operations Facility.  The Board considered a staff recommendation to allocate $3.9 million in one-time reserves towards construction and capital costs associated with the facility. 

 

Need more info? See the report on 1600 Los Gamos

 

FROM THE DECEMBER 4TH MEETING:

 

California FIRST Energy Upgrade Financing Program

 

The Board authorized the County to join the California FIRST Program, which will provide financing for local property owners to install renewable energy, energy efficiency and water efficiency improvements on their property. The cost of installing energy efficiency and other upgrades such as solar panels is the issue most often cited by property owners as the reason for not pursuing these types of projects. This program allows owners to complete the work with local licensed installers and have the cost paid back over time as part of their property tax bill, similar to the way bond measures for local projects like schools and libraries are assessed. If a property owner chooses to participate, improvements would be financed by contractual assessments on their property. The Marin Energy Authority will serve as the program liaison for the County.

 

Need more info? See the report on the CaliforniaFIRST program 

 

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

 

In May, 2011, the Board approved an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) pilot program that included funding agreements to install three EVCS at three different County public facilities.  County staff gave an update to the Board on how the program has been operating. 

 

Need more info? See the report on electric vehicle charging stations 

 

Living Wage Ordinance

 

Marin County implemented its current Living Wage Ordinance (LWO) in 2002, which requires County contractors and subcontractors to provide their workers with sufficient income to meet basic needs.  Because the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3.2% over the past year, staff recommended and the board approved an increase in the living wage from $10.05 to $10.35 per hour for those employees with benefits, or from $11.55 to $11.90 for those without benefits. 

 

Need more info? See the living wage report 

 

MarinKids Presentation

 

The MarinKids organization, which advocates for the general welfare of all children and youth in Marin County from birth to 18 years, presented their new Action Guide, which provides a look at how Marin’s children and youth are faring on key indicators of academic performance, access to healthcare and childhood obesity. 

 

An electronic copy of the Guide and collateral materials can be found on their website at www.marinkids.org/publications <http://www.marinkids.org/publications>  or call 415-526-5729 to receive printed copies.