Title
Planning and Building Department recommending the Board:
1) Award Request for Proposal 19-905-081 for the provision of imagery services, to Planet Labs, Inc., which will be used for geographic information systems to provide updated satellite imagery of the County with the primary use of identifying illegal cannabis cultivation;
2) Make findings that it is more feasible and economical to contract for the provision of imagery services with Planet Labs, Inc.;
3) Authorize the Planning and Building Department to negotiate a 3-year Agreement for Services with Planet Labs, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $492,975;
4) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute said Agreement, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management review, including minor revisions as required; and
5) Authorize the Chair to execute an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Adopted Budget, increasing expense for the first year of the Agreement and budgeting cannabis tax revenue sufficient to cover the first year cost (4/5 vote required). (Est. Time: 15 Min.)
FUNDING: Commercial Cannabis Tax. (General Fund)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
During cannabis meetings in the County over a three year period the subject of illegal cannabis grows was a major topic. These grows threaten County neighborhoods by not following health and safety rules. In addition, with the regulated commercial cannabis market coming to El Dorado County, the illegal grows will be undercutting the legal market.
To help combat the illegal cannabis grows in the County, staff have been looking for innovate methods that are not as resource intensive and reach more illegal grows. Currently, Code Enforcement and Sheriff’s Office staff take complaint calls on illegal grows, which takes considerable time and resources to verify and complete the investigations. In an effort to find a more efficient and effective method to combat illegal grows, staff in the Chief Administrative Office, Planning and Building Department and ...
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