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C. 8

To:	Contra Costa County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	October 22, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

6th Quadrennial Contra Costa Watershed Symposium. Project No. 7505-6F8513

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:	Michelle Cordis, (925) 313-2381
cc:	Allison Knapp, Deputy Chief Engineer Tim Jensen, Flood Control Michelle Cordis, Flood Control Beth Balita, Finance Catherine Windham, Flood Control

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
,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conversation District (FC District), or designee, to plan and organize the 6th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium (Symposium), to be held in Moraga on December 5, 2019, and to work with potential sponsors to help fund the event, Countywide.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Flood Control District staff time is covered by FC District Funds.

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 St. Mary’s College on December 5, 2019. 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 and habitats in our watersheds as a measure of watershed health.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

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 past five 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. With increased costs to provide an excellent quality symposium as in previous years, the 2019 event is proposed to have tickets at approximately $25 per person. Sponsorships help defray event costs, approximately $80,000 of FC District funds. Sponsorship levels include varying numbers of tickets as well and advertisement opportunities. Sponsorship Levels are listed here: http://cocowaterweb.org/2019symposium/. The FC District already qualifies as a Sponsor by virtue of its in-kind support. The CCRCD will also be receiving approximately $5,000 from the Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund. CCWF is currently working on identifying additional potential sponsors and cosponsors.

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:

If this Board Order is not approved, the FC District will not have authorization to plan the 6th 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.