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C. 11

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	August 15, 2023

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

7th Quadrennial Contra Costa Watershed Symposium. Project No. 7505-6F8153

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 08/15/2023

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Michelle Cordis, 925-313-2381

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: August 15, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (FC District), or designee, to host the 7th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium (Symposium), to be held at the Pleasant Hill Community Center on October 26, 2023, to promote watershed stewardship with various community groups and other members of the community.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Symposium is estimated to cost $95,000. Seventy thousand ($70,000) of the total will be funded by a combination of grant funds, sponsorships, ticket sales, and funds from the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District. The balance of $25,000 will be funded by the Contra Costa Flood Control District (250500).

BACKGROUND:

The Symposium is an event that provides an opportunity for interested individuals representing a wide variety of organizations and perspectives to assemble and learn about timely and significant issues regarding the health of creeks and watersheds. The day-long Symposium will be held at Pleasant Hill Community Center on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The theme for the 2023 Symposium is Intergenerational Watershed Stewardship to promote connections between watershed advocates and emerging watershed stewards. The FC District anticipates 300 individuals to participate in the Symposium and breakfast, lunch and an evening reception will be included.

The Symposium is being organized through the Contra Costa Watershed Forum (CCWF). The CCWF is an open committee of some fifty organizations, including state and local agencies, local nonprofit environmental and education organizations, community volunteer groups, and private citizens. The work of CCWF participants is premised on the notion that actions in a watershed are interrelated and, therefore, broad participation and cooperation is needed to effect change. Members of the CCWF work together to find common approaches to making our water resources healthy, functional, attractive and safe community assets. The FC District has contracted with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD) to organize the CCWF after years of this work being done by the Department of Conservation and Development.

The 2023 event is proposed to have tickets at approximately $45 per person (early bird tickets are $40 and student tickets are $15).

The Symposium occurs every four years and is a very highly regarded and much anticipated event. Staff recommends the Board authorize the planning work needed to organize and host this very special and popular event.

Pursuant to Administrative Bulletin No. 114 (County and Non-County Sponsored Events and Activities), the County Administrator’s Office has reviewed and approved the FC District’s request to host the 2023 Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium and recommends approval of this action by the Board of Supervisors.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The FC District will not have the authorization to host the Watershed Symposium and will miss the valuable opportunity to bring attention to the County’s watershed needs and value.