Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute an Agreement with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) in the amount not to exceed $8,000, for the provision by the Monterey County Health Department/Environmental Health Laboratory to RCAC, of drinking water testing services, for the period retroactive to January 27, 2021 through March 31, 2021; and
b. Approve non-standard risk terms in Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute an Agreement with Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) in the amount not to exceed $8,000, for the provision by the Monterey County Health Department/Environmental Health Laboratory to RCAC, of drinking water testing services, for the period retroactive to January 27, 2021 through March 31, 2021; and
b. Approve non-standard risk terms in Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Health Department’s Environmental Laboratory performs water testing to ensure safe drinking water for Monterey County residents. From January to March 2021, the Environmental Laboratory performed RCAC-requested water testing for analytes indicative of microbial and chemical contamination on a fee-per-service basis, which is the laboratory’s standard procedure.
RCAC received grant funding from a non-County source to test well water in disadvantaged communities. After the services were performed, RCAC’s grantee declined to release funding to RCAC to pay the Monterey County Health Department’s Environmental Laboratory unless there is an Agreement between RCAC and the Monterey County Health Department. Therefore, a retroactive Agreement is requested for the period of January 27, 2021, through March 31, 2021, not to exceed the amount of $8,000.
During 2021 the Health Department Public Health Bureau experienced significant staff changes and redirections while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the agreement with RCAC was delayed.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Initiative: 1. Empower the community to improve health, and 4. Engage MCHD workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; and 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved the Agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
This agreement authorizes RCAC to pay the Monterey County Health Department for services already rendered. There is no cost to the General Fund to approve this agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services, promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst I
Approved by:
_____________________________Date: __________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
Agreement