To: Board of Supervisors
From: Board of Supervisors
Meeting Date: January 22, 2019
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Department Contact: |
Ted Williams |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 20 min. |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Authorization to Waive Permit Fees Associated with the Gualala Air Ambulance Landing Pad at Redwood Coast Medical Services (RCMS)
(Sponsor: Supervisor Williams)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Receive the update regarding waiving all or a portion of permits fees associated with the Gualala Air Ambulance Landing Pad at RCMS, based upon issues associated with Health, Safety and Welfare; direct Planning and Building Services staff to proceed with permit issuance; and provide possible direction to staff regarding the fiscal options associated with the fee waiver.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None.
Summary of Request:
The permitting fees associated with the Gualala Air Ambulance Landing Pad are approximately $20,000. This Helipad was constructed in the mid 1980s. RCMS is currently pursuing reclassifying the facility from an “EMS landing site” to a “heliport” that would hold a “Heliport Permit” granted by Caltrans Division of Aeronautics. This would formalize the existing use and enhance operational safety. The availability of Air Ambulance service can be life saving, but depends on pilot discretion and is greatly impacted by coastal fog. The proposed reclassification will not introduce major changes to the existing use, but will increase the pad’s safety for crew and patients. No new buildings, fuel storage or other public or private uses are proposed. Its use will continue to be for medical emergencies only, as has been the case for the past 33 years. The 2002 Gualala town plan includes requirements which are believed to be impossible to meet. In consulting with Planning and Building Services, there may be the possibility of addressing the zoning on three parcels, effectively reducing the cost of the RCMS landing pad to approximately $9,700 for a Coastal Development Use Permit and Airport Comprehensive Land Use consistency review. Due to the health, safety, welfare issues associated with emergency response to that remote area of our County and the ability to transport injured citizens in the event of an emergency and/or as transport to outlying medical facilities, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors waive the permitting fees for this project and direct staff to proceed with the permitted process.
As Planning and Building Services is primarily a General Fund department, the Board of Supervisors may considering directing that the department absorb the costs associated with waiving the fees within their current appropriations (the majority of the fees are related to salaries, which are already including in their current adopted budget) with an understanding that the department would anticipate a slight decrease in permit revenues. Alternatively, the Board of Supervisors could direct staff to work with the Executive Office during the Mid-Year Budget presentation on increasing the Planning and Building Services budget should there be any unanticipated discretionary revenues to consider.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not waive the fees and provide additional direction to staff.
Supervisorial District: District 5
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: Planning and Building Services BU 2851 |
budgeted in current f/y: N/A |
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current f/y cost: Estimated between $9,700 - $20,000 |
if no, please describe: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Janelle Rau, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Meribeth Dermond, Deputy Clerk II |
Final Status:Approved |
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Date: January 24, 2019 |
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