HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/2009, C10 - SUPPORT FOR MOSQUITO, VECTOR AND DISEASE CONTROL ASSESSMENT J
counat M.6,4D� 6-16-09
j ac,Enaa REpoRt 610
CITY OF SAN ' LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Bill Statler, Director of Finance&Information Technology 's
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR MOSQUITO, VECTOR AND DISEASE CONTROL
ASSESSMENT
RECOMMENDATION
Support formation of the mosquito, vector and disease control assessment by authorizing
the City Manager to vote in favor of the assessments for City-owned properties.
DISCUSSION
Background
As set forth in Resolution No. 9602 (Attachment 1), it has been the City's longstanding policy to
support the formation of a "vector" (disease carrying insect and rodents such as mosquitoes and
rats) control assessment district in order to help mitigate the public health problems associated
with mosquitoes and other pests. The County Board of Supervisors has approved the next step in
the formation of this type of district by authorizing a vote of property owners in approving
assessments. Ballots are due to the County by June 23, 2009. A summary of the ballot measure
is provided in Attachment 2.
About the Proposed Assessment District. If approved by a majority vote of property owners
(with votes weighted by the amount of the assessment), about 90,000 parcels County-wide would
be affected. The proposed assessments would raise about $1.1 million annually, with the
proceeds restricted to solely to the mosquito, vector and disease control program.
Assessments are apportioned based on parcel size and property type. Under this assessment
methodology, the annual assessment for a single family residence in San Luis Obispo is $9.80 in
2009-10. Annual assessment increases are limited to changes in the Los Angeles Area consumer
price index, not to exceed 3%. A link to the Engineer's Report detailing the apportionment
methodology is on the County's web site home page at www.slocountv.ca.gov.
Proposed City Assessments
The City has received assessments for 135 properties, with annual assessments ranging from 4
cents per year(grazing land)to $316.60 for the corporation yard. The total annual assessment for
all City properties is $1,760.23, for an average assessment per parcel of $13.04. Properties
include parks, open space, fire stations, corporation yard, police station, City Hall, water
treatment plant, water reclamation facility and parking lots and structures.
i I
Support for Mosquito,Vector and Disease Control Assessment Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT
As noted above, the City's annual assessment for 135 properties is $1,760.23. Based on a
detailed review of parcel locations and use, this annual cost will be allocated between funds as
follows:
Fund Assessment
General Fund 1,218.92
Parking Fund 69.03
Water Fund 360.89
Sewer Fund 111.39
Total $1,760.23
If the measure passes, adequate resources are available in each fund to accommodate these
modest costs.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could choose to either not vote at all or oppose the assessment. Given past Council
support for forming an assessment district,these options are not recommended.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 9602 (2004 Series)requesting formation a vector control district
2. Mosquito, vector and disease control measure summary
G:Administration/VectorContm]Assessment District/CAR.6-16-09
��D -'O—L
achi�e11t
Y_ J-
RESOLUTION NO.9602 (2004 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
REQUESTING THAT THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUPPORT THE FORMATION OF A VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, it has been found that the disease West Nile virus, a serious threat to the
health of our community,has been discovered within San Luis Obispo County; and
WHEREAS, West Nile virus has caused the deaths of at least four people with the State
of California,and infected over one hundred more; and
WHEREAS, the West Nile virus is spread to people and.animals by mosquitoes infected
with the disease; and
WHEREAS, other health problems associated with mosquitoes and other pests can only
be effectively addressed in a regional fashion; and
WHEREAS, the County of San Luis Obispo is one of the only counties within the State
that currently does not have a Vector Control District in place.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo that the formation of a Vector Control District within the County of San Luis Obispo
should have a high priority with the Board of Supervisors and should be authorized for voter
approval at the earliest possible time.
Upon motion of Council Member Settle, seconded by Council Member Ewan,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Ewan, Mulholland and Settle, Vice Mayor Schwartz
and Mayor Romero
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 31'day of August, 2004.
Mayor David F. Romero
ATTEST:
Audrey Ho r
City Clerk
R 9602
MOSQUITO, VECTOR AND DISEASE CONTRMOM&
by the San Luis Obispo County Mosquito and Vector Control Program
In early May, ballots will be mailed to property owners in San Luis Obispo County for a proposed Mosquito,
Vector and Disease.Control Measure. If approved,this measure would fund year round services for:
•Improved control and elimination of mosquitoes and vectors using environmentally safe approaches.
•Improved testing and control of disease outbreaks associated with rodents,ticks or fleas.
•Improved control of the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and other vectors,including:encephalitis,
canine heartworm,and West Nile Virus.
The Mosquito, Vector & Disease Control Why Is This Measure Needed?
Measure Uncontrolled mosquito populations are a health risk.
The San Luis Obispo County Mosquito and Vector Without this measure there likely will be no mosquito,
Control Program was created in January 2005 with vector and disease control services in the County. As
limited funding from the County General Fund. Due one of the only populated areas in the State without full
to its restricted funding, the Program currently only year round control, the County would be unprepared in
provides limited disease surveillance services and the event of a disease outbreak.This measure is needed
limited mosquito control efforts. to prevent diseases and to protect people, animals
and property from the nuisance and harm caused by
In May 2009, property owners will receive a ballot by mosquitoes and other vectors and to prevent disease
mail that will allow them to decide if comprehensive, outbreaks.
year round mosquito control and vector-borne disease
prevention services should be provided in the County.
If this measure is approved, other disease carrying d .
insects and rodents, such as ticks and rats, would also
be monitored. \
Y`�� .� � it ✓ ��... � � '� �•-, � ," } ��
Technicians would test for disease year-round
Mosquitoes spread diseases like West (Vile Virus Why is this Measure Needed Now?
and encephalitis The recent economic condition is increasing the need
for comprehensive mosquito, vector and disease control
Environmentally Safe Services. services. In fact recently there were 140 confirmed
Mosquitoes would be successfully controlled by using human cases of West Nile Virus in nearby Kern County,
environmentally safe approaches that focus on finding an outbreak that no one predicted, that was attributed
the sources of mosquito breeding (usually stagnant, to high foreclosure rates and unattended properties that
standing water) and eliminating immature mosquitoes may result in increased mosquito breeding sources.
(larvae) before they emerge as adults and begin biting This measure is perhaps more important now because
people and animals. of these factors.
Clo-�f
How Do I Know the Funds Will b„ Used Wisely and for Their Intended.-drposy gachmient Z'
The Measure includes several layers of accountability to ensure that all funds are expended properly on mosquito,vector
and disease control:
• Funds can only be spent on mosquito, vector and disease control services within San Luis Obispo County.
• The budget for the services proposed each year will be presented to the public annually, including a professional
audit.
• The budget and services will be overseen by the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
What Are the Specifics of the Measure?
The measure would provide funding for the following:
Mosauito.Control-Year round control of mosquito sources before immature mosquitoes(larvae)emerge as adults and
begin biting people and animals, using environmentally sensitive methods.
• Mosquito-eating fish would be provided to the public free of charge.
• Certified technicians will identify breeding sources and prevent larvae from hatching.
• Year round identification of additional and new mosquifo-breeding locations.
West Nile Virus Disease Prevention - Enhanced year-round testing for West Nile Virus and other disease prevention
services in locations in which the disease is found.
• Mosquito traps throughout County to provide early warning of disease outbreaks.
{
• Dead-bird testing for presence of West Nile Virus and other diseases.
Resoonse to Service Requests-Property owners and residents could call the Program for a service request.in the area
of their property. A service technician would respond directly to the caller's problem.
Disease Surveillance/Prevention — Innovative state of the art surveillance system would be used to proactively and '
3 routinely identify the presence, absence, location, types and quantities of vectors.This is a critical step in assessing the.
N health risk and establishing an appropriate response to disease outbreaks.
II • Testing and monitoring for diseases carried by mosquitoes, such as encephalitis, canine heartworm, and malaria.
• Surveillance and testing of ticks, rodents and the diseases they carry such as Lyme disease, relapsing fever, plague
and hantavirus.
Community Education- Regularly educate the public about protecting themselves and their pets from diseases carried
by mosquitoes and other insects, and how to prevent mosquito breeding in backyard locations.
• Public education provides awareness and information about vectors, the diseases they carry and how people can
protect themselves.
• The Program would distribute brochures', media releases, group presentations and information on the intemet.
m r,
What are the Proposed Rates?
Single family residential properties „�, "°"•
on one acre or less would contribute
$9.80 per year,while other residential Q
property types would be assessed
according to the number of dwelling
units and size.Commercial,industrial,
and agriculture properties would be
assessed according to their parcelLamle
size and property type.
Additional Information
For additional information on the Mosquito,Vector and
Disease Control Measure, please contact the Mosquito
and Vector Control Program in the Department of
Environmental Health Services at(805)781-5544. Backyard mosquito breeding sources
Page 1 of 1
From: Ehrbar, Barbara
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 5:00 PM
To: Chippendale, Sue
Subject: Phone Call in Opposition to Vector Control District(Item C10)
I just received a phone call from Daniela Amon, a SLO resident who expressed her and her family's
opposition to Item C10. She does not feel the district is needed and is concerned with the ingredients
that might be used in the program since 97.2% of the ingredients are unknown.
Barbara Ehrbar
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
805-781-7114
805-781-7109 (fax)
6/16/2009