TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to process a refund totaling $482,666 to California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP), for unspent funds and interest earned during Fiscal Years 2017 through 2021 from the Health and Human Services Department Tobacco Education Prevention Program (TEPP). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (TEPP) was created in 1988 after the passage of the first tobacco tax, Proposition 99. The goals of the program were to mitigate public health harms associated with the consumption of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. Over the years, TEPP has educated retailers, worked on expanding secondhand smoke protections, supported tobacco control policies, assisted with implementation of tobacco policies, supported Long Beach residents in quitting smoking, and provided prevention and engagement activities for youth. During the grant period of 2017 through 2021, the program had seven project objectives focused on:
1. Working with behavioral health providers to refer clients to quit smoking services
2. Increasing the availability of smoke-free outdoor dining options
3. Decreasing availability of flavored tobacco products
4. Increasing compliance with the City of Long Beach’s (City) smoke-free bus stop policy
5. Maintaining a youth coalition to promote youth engagement in tobacco control
6. Increasing the availability of smoke-free multi-unit housing options
7. Engaging Long Beach community members in creating a comprehensive tobacco control strategy for 2022-2025
Over the past five years, this funding has allowed TEPP to host annual summer youth leadership programs. These programs bring youth from across the City to the Health and Human Services Department for eight weeks to learn about community engagement and tobacco control; convene a working group with Long Beach Police Department and Long Beach Transit to identify strategies to increase compliance with the bus stop Ordinance and post signage notifying the public of the policy at bus stops; educate and support implementation for new tobacco policies such as the smoke-free patio Ordinance and the two flavored tobacco ban Ordinances; and provide ongoing presentations and outreach on secondhand smoke, quitting smoking, and youth tobacco prevention.
Due to COVID-19 related restrictions and the temporary suspension of in-person events such as health fairs and classes, TEPP was unable to conduct many of the activities initially planned for Fiscal Years 2021-2022 (FY 21-22). Restrictions impacted travel and local mileage, which further affected the programs’ ability to execute planned activities. In addition to the impact the COVID-19 local and State-wide Health Order(s) had on the program’s ability to conduct in-person activities, many key staff budgeted on TEPP were partially redirected to help support efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, TEPP was unable to fully expend the grant funds and is required to return unspent funds back to the California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on November 10, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on November 22, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 13, 2022, to allow the Health Department to expedite the refund check to the California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The approval of this recommendation will result in a refund to the California Department of Health totaling $482,666 from the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by funds available. The amount refunded includes $35,664 in interest earnings. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER