Title
Consider adopting a resolution authorizing the Monterey County Cannabis Program Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to receive grant funding in the amount of $150,000 to conduct an equity assessment to identify marginalized segments within Monterey County and groups of individuals most impacted by economic disparities and cannabis arrest/conviction rates which will inform the creation of a local equity program.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Adopt a resolution authorizing the Monterey County Cannabis Program Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to receive grant funding in the amount of $150,000 to conduct an equity assessment to identify marginalized segments within Monterey County and groups of individuals most impacted by economic disparities and cannabis arrest/conviction rates which will inform the creation of a local equity program; and
2) Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
As presented at the Cannabis Standing Committee on January 22, 2020, Program staff made the application for the Tier-1 grant on March 5, 2020. This type of application is for the funding of an equity assessment used to inform the creation of a local equity program. A local equity program would foster equitable ownership and employment opportunities and ensure the cannabis industry is representative of the county’s population by supporting populations and communities that have been negatively or disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs.
Program staff have identified a resource with experience in policy analysis and program evaluation to conduct the equity assessment: Dr. Kim Judson and Dr. Ignacio Navarro from the Institute for Community Collaborative Studies (ICCS) of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Dr. Ignacio and Dr. Kim Judson from CSUMB will conduct the equity assessment within Monterey County through the design and implementation of primary and secondary data collection instruments and subsequent analysis. Primary data collection includes surveys, focus groups, and interview questions while secondary data collection represents drug related arrest and conviction rates by demographic within Monterey County.
These inputs will be incorporated into the following deliverables: preliminary data analysis report, initial data analysis report, draft status report, final status report, and presentation of the findings to Monterey County Cannabis Program and key stakeholders within the County. Each deliverable allows for County review and input. Both parties intend to carry the momentum of the equity assessment and key learnings into the next round of grant applications in early 2020 to apply for Type 2 funding for assistance for cannabis equity program applicants and licensees.
The Program was informed of the Type 1 award of $150,000 on April 15, 2020. To receive this grant funding, a resolution is required from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors authorizing the jurisdiction to enter into the grant agreement and designating by title the individual who is authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the jurisdiction.
Because oversight of the cannabis equity assessment resides in the Cannabis Program, staff recommends identifying Program Manager Joann Iwamoto as the designated individual to sign the grant agreement via the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development electronic signature platform, DocuSign.
Below are key provisions of the grant agreement:
o Grant Term: Grant funds shall be expended between May 15, 2020 through August 31, 2021
o Grant Scope/Description: The Grantee agrees to use the grant award in according with the submitted Budget
o Grant Award Disbursement: The grant award will be issued in one disbursement upon execution of the agreement and presentation of a resolution passed by the governing body of the Grantee
o Unused Grant Funds: Any amount not expended within the Grant Term shall be returned to Go-Biz
o Documentation and Reporting Requirements: The Grantee must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of Go-Biz that the grant award was expended for eligible uses in accordance with the Budget
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The CAO IGLA Legislative Program and Strategic Grants Services Program, Health Department Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Program, and Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Advocacy assisted the Program in preparation of this report and the report and Grant Agreement have been reviewed by the Office of County Counsel.
FINANCING:
Monterey County’s Cannabis Program is funded in County Administrative Office - Department 1050, Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division - Unit 8054, Cannabis. Approval of this recommendation will not result in additional general fund contributions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The Cannabis Business Permit and its internal processes enhance the ability for the Cannabis Program to meet the Board of Supervisors expectations, the Cannabis Program Strategic Plan and Goals while supporting our Cannabis industry in sustaining legal and responsible operators.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Myles Echenique, x3032
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO, x 5145
Attachments:
A: Resolution
B: Grant Agreement