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C. 87

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	October 22, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Funding for the 6th Quadrennial Countywide Creek and Watershed Symposium

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/22/2019

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
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor

ABSENT:

Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Maureen Parkes, 925-674-7831

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 22, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

DIRECT the Auditor/Controller to release a total of $4,961.40 from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD) to cover expenditures related to hosting the 6th Quadrennial Creek and Watershed Symposium, as recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The recommendation will have no impact on the County General Fund. A portion of the fines from violations of fish and game regulations in the County is deposited in the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund, which has a current balance of approximately $330,000. State law defines how money in this fund may be spent and the Board of Supervisors is responsible for authorizing specific expenditures. Providing funds to cover some costs related to hosting the Symposium is consistent with the expenditure criteria established by State law.

BACKGROUND:

The Contra Costa County Flood Control District contracts with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD) to organize the Contra Costa Watershed Forum. This year, they have contracted with CCRCD to also coordinate the Symposium and lead the planning efforts. Funding for the event includes contributions from the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, CCRCD, CCTV, Martinez Oral History Society and others, as well as organizations that are willing to donate funds as a sponsor.

CCRCD submitted a request to the Fish and Wildlife Committee to allocate Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds in the amount of $4,961.40 to cover some of the costs associated with hosting the 6th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium. The Fish and Wildlife Committee considered CCRCD's request on July 17, 2019 and unanimously approved a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to fully fund the request.

The 2019 Symposium will be a celebration of the Contra Costa Watershed Forum's 20 year history. The Symposium will be on December 5, 2019 and held at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California. Organizers anticipate that 350 to 400 people representing a wide variety of organizations and perspectives will attend to learn about significant issues regarding the health of creeks and watersheds in the County. The theme of the Symposium is "Creating a Culture of Conservation". Symposium topics will include youth engagement, the confluence of art and the environment, and celebrating the accomplishments of watershed groups in the last 20 years. Obi Kaufmann, author of The State of Water, is confirmed as the keynote speaker. The program will include presentations from professionals working on watershed issues, a poster session, awards ceremony, refreshments and a catered lunch. Some of the events planned include a reception to end the festivities on December 5th, and a day of optional field trips on December 6th where attendees have the opportunity to view some of the sites and projects discussed on the first day of the Symposium.

There a registration fee of $25 for participants. This covers the cost of lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and an evening reception. Sponsorship contributions such as that recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Committee cover other costs incurred in hosting the event. Specifically, these funds will contribute to covering costs for the meeting room, redesigning the Symposium logo, printing of programs, posters, banners, name tags, and a commemorative coffee mug as part of the welcome packet for attendees.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

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