To: Board of Supervisors
From: Agriculture and County Counsel
Meeting Date: February 25, 2020
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Department Contact: |
Jim Donnelly |
Phone: |
234-6830 |
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Department Contact: |
Matthew Kiedrowski |
Phone: |
234-6885 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of Ordinance Adding Chapter 10A.15A to the Mendocino County Code Establishing Additional Prohibitions on the Propagation, Cultivation, Raising and Growing of Genetically Modified Organisms in Mendocino County
(Sponsors: Agriculture and County Counsel)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Ordinance adding Chapter 10A.15A to the Mendocino County Code establishing additional prohibitions on the propagation, cultivation, raising and growing of genetically modified organisms in Mendocino County; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On February 26, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted an urgency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on cultivation of genetically modified organisms. A second urgency ordinance extending the temporary moratorium was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 9, 2019. Intro and waive reading of this Ordinance came before the Board of Supervisors on February 4, 2020.
Summary of Request:
The moratorium was established out of a concern that the definitions in the County’s existing, voter-adopted Chapter 10A.15 were not broad enough to encompass newer techniques being used to manipulate genetic material. The current urgency ordinance is set to expire on February 24, 2020.
County staff has prepared a new Chapter 10A.15A that includes the language of Chapter 10A.15 as well as broader definitions of “genetically modified organism” and “genetic engineering.” The adoption of Chapter 10A.15 will allow the Board of Supervisors to make amendments to the definitions and other sections of Chapter 10A.15 in the future if necessary. The proposed ordinance is exempt from CEQA review for various reasons, as set forth in the ordinance.
On February 4, 2020, the Board also gave direction to staff to continue to work with various stakeholder groups regarding potential additional changes to the definitions in the ordinance. Today’s agenda item is only second reading and adoption of the new Chapter 10A.15A. Staff has had initial meetings with stakeholders on this matter and additional meetings will occur. Staff will bring forward any further amendments to the definitions in Chapter 10A.15A at a separate Board meeting in the future.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide direction to staff.
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
budgeted in current f/y: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
if no, please describe: |
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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: Yes
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CEO Liaison: Darcie Antle, 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: Lindsey Dunham, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Adopted |
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Date: February 26, 2020 |
Executed Item: Ordinance Number: 4459 |
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