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C.100

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	October 6, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

5th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/06/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Mike Carlson 925-313-2321
cc:	John Kopchik Abby Fateman Mike Carlson

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: October 6, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

AUTHORIZE the Public Works Department to plan and organize the 5th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium, to be held in Pleasant Hill on December 3, 2015, and to work with potential sponsors to help fund the event.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Staff from the Public Works Department and the Department of Conservation and Development are working with other organizations to plan and organize the Symposium as part of on-going efforts to coordinate community involvement on creek and watershed issues. Staff time is covered by the existing budget in each department.

BACKGROUND:

The 5th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium (“Symposium”) is an event which 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 the Pleasant Hill Community Center on December 3, 2015. The event will focus on a variety of issues related to creeks and watersheds, including climate change, the Lower Walnut Creek Channel project, and the status and health of various animals in our watersheds as a measure of watershed health.

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 non-profit 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 inter-related 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 Public Works Department currently provides staff support to the CCWF after years of this work being done by the Department of Conservation and Development.

The past four quadrennial symposia had an attendance of between 250 and 350 people. CCTV filmed and broadcast the prior four events and will be asked to do so again this year. The cost to attend has traditionally been minimal or free. The 2015 event is proposed to be free, though participants will be asked to pay for the cost of the provided lunch. Sponsorship contributions make this possible. Sponsorship requires a minimum contribution of $1000 or in-kind services of equal or greater value. For Co-Sponsorship, the minimum contribution is $100 or in-kind services of equal or greater value. The County already qualifies as a Sponsor by virtue of its in-kind support. Staff is currently working on identifying potential sponsors and co-sponsors.

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.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The department would not have authorization to plan the fifth Watershed Symposium.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

Schools will be included in outreach activities for the Symposium. Youth may be included in the content of the Symposium, which is still under development.