6. DIRECT staff to implement the recommendations of the Public Protection Committee and Planning Commission in Resolution No. 2015/170 related to the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Ordinance; and  
  
7. DIRECT the Department of Conservation and Development, Community Development Division to post a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.

None. Administration and enforcement of the Deemed Approved Ordinance is funded by a $400 annual fee that is paid by Deemed Approved establishments and collected by the office of the Tax Collector.

Project Background  
  
Through the efforts of the District 5 Supervisor, Federal D. Glover, it was brought to the attention of the Board of Supervisors that a type of alcoholic beverage product known as “alcopops” has been contributing to under-age drinking in the County. Alcopops are defined as flavored malt-beverage products that are sold in bright, colorful packaging with labels similar to those of non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas, teas, lemonades, fruit punches, energy drinks, and slushes; and therefore, they are attractive to minors. On June 3, 2014, the Board of Supervisors delegated to the Public Protection Committee (PPC) the task of reviewing the County Code, Chapter 82-38—Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Ordinance, or the “Deemed Approved Ordinance”, (see Exhibit #1) in order to determine what changes could be made to the ordinance in order to better regulate the sale of alcopops by liquor stores and other outlets. Because the Deemed Approved Ordinance is administered and enforced by the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD), the PPC delegated the task to the Department. Subsequently, DCD staff developed a 4-phase work plan (see Exhibit #2) to examine the overall adequacy of the Deemed Approved Ordinance and to explore possible amendments that could be made to specifically address the sale of alcopops in unincorporated areas of the County.  
  
Accordingly, DCD, in cooperation with Health Services-Public Health Division staff, developed proposed amendments to the Deemed Approved Ordinance that the Public Protection Committee could recommend to the Board of Supervisors in order to help affected communities in a real and meaningful way. DCD staff presented their proposed findings and recommendations to the PPC at its meeting on October 27, 2014 (see Exhibit #3). Subsequently, on December 16, 2014, the Board of Supervisors approved the findings and the proposed ordinance changes, and referred them to the Planning Commission for consideration (see Exhibit #4). The proposed policy revisions and ordinance amendment were presented to the Planning Commission for review and approval on March 24, 2015 (see Exhibit #5) and were approved on consent with a recommendation by the Commission for the Board’s ultimate approval.  
  
Proposed Ordinance Changes  
  
The proposed amendment would add language to Section 82-38.814(d)(9) that would authorize the County to prohibit the sale of alcopops at any establishment not in compliance with the Deemed Approved Ordinance. It would also add text to Section 82-38.810 regarding the posting requirements of the Deemed Approved Performance Standards notice and requiring the posted performance standards notice to be a 11”x17” in size and the font size on the notice to be 20-point type. County Counsel has reviewed the proposed revisions to the Deemed Approved Ordinance and has provided the proposed revised ordinance, which the Planning Commission has recommended for approval (see Exhibit #6). A redlined version highlighting the specific changes to the ordinances is also attached (see Exhibit #7).  
  
Along with the proposed code changes, various implementation procedures and strategies are also being recommended in Resolution No. 2015/170 order to better coordinate the efforts of the Department of Conservation and Development with other County departments and agencies for implementation and enforcement of the Deemed Approved Ordinance. Such policy revisions would include establishing protocols with the Office of the Sheriff, the Tax Collector, and the Health Services Department for improved information and data sharing concerning Deemed Approved alcohol establishments in the unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.

The recommendations of the Public Protection Committee and the Planning Commission would not be accepted and the proposed policy revisions and ordinance amendment would not be enacted.

The board order is for an amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Ordinance to restrict the sale of alcopops, under certain conditions, in order to prevent access by children under 21 years of age. The recommended action, therefore, promotes the following two of the five targeted outcomes: (2) Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood; and (5) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.

CLOSED the hearing; FOUND for purposes of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), that the proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); ADOPTED Ordinance No. 2015-10, which amends the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Ordinance to restrict the sale of alcopops under certain conditions and establish new posting requirements for alcohol retail sales locations, as amended today in regard to the font size on signage; ADOPTED Resolution No. 2015/170, which approves Public Protection Committee and Planning Commission recommendations related to the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Ordinance; DIRECTED staff to implement the recommendations of the Public Protection Committee and Planning Commission in Resolution No. 2015/170 related to the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Ordinance; and DIRECTED the Department of Conservation and Development, Community Development Division to post a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.