Travis County Commissioners Court
February 2, 2010,
Item 4
>> number 4 is to approve resolution from the sustainable food policy board declaring Commissioners court support for community gardens.
>> thanks so much for being her.
>> thank you for being here.
>> I'm marla camp, chair the sustainable food policy board.
this is sherry flemming our wonderful staff person who helps us with everything from the county.
on behalf of the sustainable food policy board I very much appreciate Commissioner Eckhardt putting the next two resolutions forward.
we are very much looking forward to working with the county on making our local food economy stronger, providing healthier new trirk --nutritious and environmentally friendly food for our citizens, for all citizens in our county.
>> and joe geezel man is sitting to your left.
sherry flemming, this resolution is so much fun because it crosses over several lines of goals for the county.
it has health and human service component, it has an economic development component, it has a land use component.
with that, I will read it.
i'll take a big breath on it.
whereas the sustainable food policy board exists to advice county policy makers on ways to enhance local production of quality food and its accessibility to residents in Travis County, and whereas the sustainable foods policy board was charged to, one, explore new means for county to improve the locally food economy, including sustainel, accessibility and quality of food and our environment, and to, assess county departments in the coordination of their efforts, and three, review availability and recommend measures to promote the mess investigations of agricultural land in Travis County, and four, recommend to the county adoption of measures that will improve existing local food production by adding new programs, send tis, projects, regulations for services, and whereas community gardens provide opportunities to introduce residents to growing, harvesting and eating new treasur--nutritious food, now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court supports sustainable responsible community gordoning in Travis County and directs county staff to facilitate the creation, function and stability of responsible community gardens through, one, streamlining and process of designation of a qualified community garden which includes, a, define or reduce the qualified community garden as a responsible community garden which will include using water conservation practices, composting and nonpolluting growing practice.
b, waive insurance and nonprofit requirements.
could be based on gardening as a park land activity.
c, identify and map public lands that would be appropriate for community gardens.
d, support efforts to gauge interest and public size community gardens.
two, naming a staff person in Travis County to support community members in establishing and sustaining responsible community gardens who will help community garden representatives outside the city limits and in Travis County navigate represents related to community gardens.
three, encouraging relevant utility boards in the county to create a special designation and water rate for responsible community gardens that applies to said community gardens facility states start-up ap does not include wastewater fees.
under that subheading three there is a, this structure can be based on best practices in similar counties, b, waive start-up fees related to installation of taps and meter, c, exempt responsiblerd daance from residential water restrict unce , d, investigate and propose lowest possible rate options.
and four, direct the comprehensive plan committee and contractors to protect and encourage the growth of responsible community gardens.
i move approval.
>> second.
>> any other comments?
>> that resolution says it all.
>> y'all are working with the Texas agricultural department?
>> yes.
the ag life extension in health and human services, absolutely.
they are working with and attending the sustainable food policy board committees and providing consultation where requested.
>> so is that the same as Texas agriculture department?
>> yes.
>> that Commissioner staples is--
>> you're talking about the actual state agency with agriculture.
i don't know that we have had an opportunity to engage with them just yet.
i can assure you that the sustainable food policy board has been very busy and very aggressive in moving forward with the charge that both the county and the city have given them.
i'm sure that is on their list.
>> I wouldn't overlook the land office.
i think in the past the state land office also was looking into community gardens.
i think we worked on one project way back in '95 or '96 for Travis County.
might check with them and see what they have also available.
>> thank you.
>> all in favor.
that passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 2:15 PM
