Minutes - 20070515 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Board agreed to approve participating in consideration of a school-based health center in the Orange County School District and to appoint a liaison to the planning group. Commissioner Foushee volunteered to be the liaison. 7. Reports a. Report -Water Resources Program Proposal The Board received a report on the water resources discussions of the Board of HealthlCommissionfnr the Environment joint work group and the subsequent Water Resources Program Phased Implementation Proposal. Laura Blackmon said that there was a Water Conservation/Water Resources initiative in 2000-2001, there have been quite a few studies, and there has been some discussion through the ERCD about possibly appointing a Water Resources position. Parallel to that, the Health Department began to look at water quality issues associated with health concerns. Last year in the budget there was a request from the two departments for staff to deal with this initiative. There was some discussion by the Board about where this position should be appointed and how many people should be appointed. The two departments were to discuss how to work this out. The boards and the staff met with Andy Sachs from the Dispute Settlement Center to negotiate. Ultimately, the two departments came back and said that it was the Manager's decision. She met with the two department heads to figure this out, and there was a report included in the abstract about job descriptions and a program on page 12 and 13, which is a phased implementation plan for an Orange County Water Resources Program. There will be an inter-departmental team between the two departments, and it will also include Planning and Soil and Water. The team will coordinate the program. The first step is to hire a Water Resources Coordinator housed in ERCD in June 2007. The Water Resources Specialist and the Data Specialist would be hired by the Health Department in July 2008. Page 17 has a rough estimate of the costs of initiating this program. Chair Carey said that this started out with two positions and an unclear concept, and now it is up to six positions and an expanded concept. He said that he appreciates the work, but this may need mare work to help him understand the new program. He thinks that this should be a work session item to discuss the program. Commissioner Gordan commended both departments. She said that there were two things to consider. One thing was that there was a water resources initiative that was approved by the County Commissioners two years ago and funds were set aside for one position. The question was where the position would be and what it would do. The other thing was how this position would function in the County's overall goal of handling water resources. She was glad that a recommendation came back. She said that it is timely to have a Water Resources Coordinator position when the comprehensive plan is being redone. Another urgent issue has to do with droughts and floods. She said that the position could also help with subdivision approvals, help citizens with where to site wells, etc. She suggested that the first position {ERCD Water Resources Coordinator) begin immediately to work on the comprehensive plan as well as draughts and floods and then work with other departments to see what the nature of the water resources program should be. She would like this placed on another agenda to see about starting the ERCD position. Commissioner Foushee asked what is included in the startup costs far the two Health Department positions and Laura Blackmon said that this would include office equipment and supplies. Commissioner Foushee asked if this includes an automobile, etc. Health Director Rosemary Summers said that the startup casts far these positions do include a vehicle because these are field positions. She said they wanted to put all costs upfront, and there may be operational costs down the line.