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Board adopts lead‑poisoning prevention week resolution; staff update county lead‑abatement program
Summary
Solano County adopted a resolution recognizing National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and received an update on a new lead‑based paint abatement program funded by settlement money. Staff said the program will offer $30,000 and $10,000 tiers, target pre‑1978 homes in high‑risk areas and has faced contractor capacity and uptake challenges.
The Solano County Board approved a resolution recognizing October 20–26 as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and heard a staff briefing on the county's lead‑based paint abatement program and CLPP (Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program).
Trey Strickland of Environmental Health described the new abatement program, which was developed after a 2022 board approval and is intended to reduce lead hazards in residences most likely to expose children. "We have two tiers of abatement available: a $30,000 tier that would cover larger projects and a $10,000 tier for smaller projects," Strickland said, noting the program will prioritize pre‑1978 homes with children age 5 and under or pregnant residents and properties located in high‑risk areas identified by CalEnviroScreen data.
Dr. Matias, the county public‑health officer, told the board there is no safe level of lead in the body and described the program's case management: "In the past fiscal year...the lead program identified 134 clients who exceeded the threshold; of those, one child was seen as significantly poisoned," he said, adding that a few additional severe cases have emerged in the current fiscal year and that the county is currently case‑managing nine children who meet the state's definition of significant toxicity.
Staff and supervisors discussed outreach and operational hurdles: the county has struggled to find certified contractors and lead‑inspection firms willing to bid smaller projects; staff said they are exploring bundling smaller jobs and job order contracting to attract vendors. Environmental Health reported it has received four applications to date, two stalled because no assessment contractor was available, and one completed assessment by a company identified in the presentation (Aurora).
County staff also described funding and timing: the lead‑abatement settlement will deliver roughly $5 million to the county in total; the county has received a little more than $3 million to date and will receive funds annually with a final payment in 2025. Staff said outreach materials are translated into English, Spanish and Tagalog and that a pilot program is underway to refine costs and logistics.
Provenance: Presentation and discussion introduced at item 16 (SEG 1230) and board adopted the resolution later in the session (SEG 2291–2303).
