TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop - County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Ximena Espinosa - BOS Staff Assistant I
SUBJECT: Out of Country Travel Request
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize out of country travel for Chair Joelle Gallagher; Great Wine Capitals Executive Committee Member Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza; Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Brian D. Bordona; and Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures Tracy Cleveland to attend the Great Wine Capitals Annual 2024 Conference in Verona, Italy from October 20-24, 2024 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 cities 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.
Supervisor Pedroza, who serves on the GWC Executive Committee, will attend the Executive Committee meeting, and participate in its agenda. Supervisor Pedroza will also participate in workshops and events that address issues affecting the San Francisco/Napa County wine region. Additionally, as GWC Delegates, Chair Gallagher, Planning Director Bordona, and Agricultural Commissioner Cleveland will attend the GWC Delegates and Business Delegates meetings. They will participate in workshops and events focused on various issues affecting wine regions, 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, under the GWC Policy [Part 1, Section8B, Rule 24-E].
Requested Action: Authorize out of country travel for Chair Joelle Gallagher; Great Wine Capitals Executive Committee Member, Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza; Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Brian Bordona; and Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures Tracy Cleveland to attend the Great Wine Capitals Annual 2024 Conference in Verona, Italy from October 20-24, 2024.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN 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, and Environmental Services 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 importance 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 Assemblies. |
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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 accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Napa County would lose representation at a collaborative event of the world’s wine industry. |
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.