TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop - Chief Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Abigail Flores - BOS Staff Aide I
SUBJECT: Out of Country Travel Request
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize out of country travel for Board Chair Amber Manfree; Board Vice-Chair Liz Alessio; Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures Tracy Cleveland; and Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Director Brian Bordona to attend the Great Wine Capitals Annual 2026 Conference in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand from October 17-23, 2026, for a cost not to exceed $33,000. (Fiscal Impact: $33,000 Expense; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Global Network of Great Wine Capitals (GWC) is a network of major global regions that encourages international winery tourism and facilities economic, academic, cultural, and agricultural exchanges between member regions. Recognizing the global significance of the wine industry in Napa County, the Board of Supervisors has emphasized the importance of participating in the GWC, which provides a forum to discuss economic issues relevant to the county and the local wine industry.
All Napa County officials will serve as GWC Delegates and will therefore participate in workshops and events that address issues affecting the San Francisco/Napa County wine region. Additionally, they will participate in the GWC Delegate and Business Delegate meetings. Workshops and events will focus on various issues including wine tourism, geology, identity, heritage, health, aesthetics, and ecosystems.
Authorization for Napa County officials to participate in the Great Wine Capitals (GWC) was approved by the Board of Supervisors on August 7, 2007, Board Policy Section 8 I (B)(4)(f).
Requested Action:
Authorize out of country travel for Chair Amber Manfree, Vice-Chair Liz Alessio, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures Tracy Cleveland, and Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Director Brian Bordona to attend the Great Wine Capitals Annual 2026 Conference in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand from October 17-23, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Agricultural Commissioner Subdivision 16000-01 & Planning Building & Environmental Services, Subdivision 17000-00. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The Board of Supervisors have discussed the County's involvement in the Great Wine Capitals on several occasions and have decided on its value added to the Napa County wine industry with the participation of County officials. Section (E) of Part 1, Section 8B, Rule 24 of the Napa County Policy Manual establishes the policy for appointments of Napa County representatives to the Great Wine Capitals General Assembly Conferences. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
It is anticipated that the County will participate in future years and that the associated costs will be budgeted according to actuals. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Napa County would lose representation at a collaborative event of the world’s wine industry. |
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Strategic Initiative: |
Preserve Napa County’s Agricultural Legacy |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.