This week was Environmental Services Agency part 2. We were at the Millbrae library, which, let me tell you, is *nice*. Definitely worth a visit.
We heard from Planning & Building Division: they are responsible for the San Mateo County "General Plan" - a policy document for land use. Policies and goals in several areas - (incomplete list) landu se, transportation, safety, housing, cultural concerns. There are also other specific policy documents in these areas and others. Then, there is the zoning ordinance which implements the General Plan. The zoning ordinance creates zoning districts wach with development standards (e.g. setbacks) and allowed uses. Design standards are also specified (mostly for coastside and bayside) to manage how buildings look and blend in with surroundings. "Planning entitlements" are permits & variances which are the result of the review process for each of these districts. This process is through staff and/or commissions/committees. Inspections (uniform building codes) and code enforcement (zoning violations) also under this division. Code enforcement is done on a complaint based system.
The Ag Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and measures was next. She's the one who's name you see on the gas pump seals.
The Ag Cmsr inspects products grown in SMC and exported and products grown elsewhere and imported here. Inspects scales & scanners. Local enforcement for fed & state laws (environment, safety laws). Works under 3 state agencies (missing in notes). $3mil budget - 26% covered by general fund, rest covered by state conteacts or by inspection fees & charges. Staff of 36, 28 permanent, 8 seasonal employees for insect trapping. Servies across county. Regulates all pesticide use - ag spraying, pest-control, landscapers, etc - for purposes of public safety, worker safety, and environmental protection. Also provides pesticide info to homeowners. Ag Commissioner's Pest Prevention Program - protect crops and wildlands - pest exclusion - inspection at SFO of domestic air cargo and at big nurseries importing plants. Also Pest Detection Program. Ag Cmsr also regulates farmer's markets - ensure that vendors are really farmers (must be certified). Regulate organic produce by spot inspecting paperwork trail.
Weights & Measures function - inspect weighing & measuring for accuracy - taxi meters, stores, gas stations, etc - they do accept complaints - try to respond within 24 hours.
$181 million total produce productoin in county - leading vegetable crop is mushrooms.
Discussion about ag concerns & housing issues (since thats the theme of this year's Citizens Academy) - ag industry is the only one providing housing for employees - 40/160 of the growers. Need for more housing - e.g. Moon Ridge farm labor development. Also talked about ag/urban conflict - on coastside most land is zoned for ag and the county is committed to ag industry.
Call for pariticpation on county's agriculture commission.
Few minutes on LAFCO (local agency formation commission) - hear calls to create new cities, ditsricts, etc. Regulates jurisdictional boundaries. Each county has a LAFCO, belong to state org of LAFCO's.
The library director was next. San Mateo Library system serves residents of 11 cities and unincorporated areas. Cities own their own facilities, but the county operates each one. 130 full time staff. Members have access to databases online. The director spoke about how the internet has actually benefitted the library system. Part of the Peninsula Library System (where the other city libraries are part of). PLS is one of 15 co-op systems in the state. Economies of scale, and PLS libraries share catalogs - 38 libraries. Most material can be borrowed between PLS libraries -> small fee for delivery. In most cities, libraries are funded from general funds. SML system run under Joint powers authority. Circulation in PLS has grown by 36% in 10 years, SML grown by 57%. PLS - 7Mill items circulated last yeard. SML considers the web site their 13th branch.
As for the housing issues related to libraries - libraries are supported by property taxes - but very hard to have housing for employees. Also, homelessness is an issue for libraries since homeless use libraries as shelter.
[Sorry for just getting this up now - running a week or two behind in getting my notes up on the blog.]
