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Adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation honoring Matthew Geisert, Hazardous Materials Specialist Supervisor, upon his retirement from the Department of Resource Management with 31 years of public service, including 18 years of dedicated service to Solano County (Chairwoman Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution and plaque of appreciation honoring Matthew Geisert, Hazardous Materials Specialist Supervisor, upon his retirement from the Department of Resource Management with 31 years of public service, including 18 years of dedicated service to Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Matthew Geisert will be retiring on September 30, 2019 as a Hazardous Materials Specialist Supervisor with the Department of Resource Management after 18 years of excellent service to Solano County and its residents, and with a total of thirty-one years of public service at the federal and local level.
Mr. Geisert obtained his Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the Southern Illinois University in 1987 and began his public service career in 1988 by working for the US Department of Labor-Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). At OSHA, Mr. Geisert helped improve worker safety by investigating chemical accidents that occurred at various facilities. As a result of his diligent investigative work he received OSHA’s special achievement award. Mr. Geisert then worked as a Hazardous Materials Specialist for the Yolo County Environmental Health Division from 1990 to 2000, and he received Yolo County’s customer service award in 1998.
Mr. Geisert began his career with the Department of Resource Management on November 27, 2000 as a Senior Environmental Health Specialist. He was assigned work in the Local Oversight Program responsible for the cleanup of leaky underground fuel tanks and for compliance inspections at various hazardous materials and hazardous waste facilities throughout Solano County. In 2001 Mr. Geisert was recognized by his peers and received the Department’s Star Performer Award for his excellent service to the regulated community and residents. Mr. Geisert was then promoted to the Environmental Health Supervisor on March 31, 2002. This position was reclassified as the Hazardous Materials Specialist Supervisor in 2003.
Mr. Geisert’s knowledge and experience coupled with his pragmatic approach and willingness to take on additional responsibilities made him a valuable member of the Department’s supervisory team and a resource to the County. As a Hazardous Materials Specialist Supervisor, Mr. Geisert was primarily responsible for overseeing the hazardous materials section within the Environmental Health Division to ensure the safe storage, handling, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and waste and cleanup of leaking underground fuel tanks. He provided guidance and training to staff, ensured the County complied with state mandated regulatory program requirements, oversaw the successful completion of multiple state audits of the programs, and found opportunities to provide trainings to businesses to enhance compliance.
Mr. Geisert was also instrumental in development of new programs, or refinement of existing programs, to comply with state mandates. For example, he was a member of the Governor’s Interagency Refinery Task Force (IRTF) and assisted in the development of statewide refinery safety regulations known as the Program 4 that became effective in October 2017. Program 4 requirements were designed to prevent the accidental release of hazardous substances from refineries and enhance safety by requiring the refineries to adopt safer designs and processes and encouraging a workplace safety culture. As part of this process Mr. Geisert developed a Program 4 requirements inspection checklist and a guidance document for use during refinery inspections, which was the first checklist to be developed and served as a template for other agencies throughout the state. Mr. Geisert also helped to develop the Waste Tire Enforcement program through a grant from CalRecycle. From December 2009 to December 2017 Mr. Geisert was assigned supervision of the land use, sewage disposal and well programs in Environmental Health in addition to his supervision of the Hazardous Materials section. In this capacity he provided guidance to staff in these programs, interacted with developers, contractors and consultants, and helped developed Solano County’s Local Agency Management Plan for permitting and inspection of the onsite waste water systems or septic systems, which was approved by the State Water Boards in 2016.
Mr. Geisert has also been called upon by other Departments and agencies to assist with issues related to hazardous materials. For example, he often served as a technical expert for General Services in review of projects or contracts involving hazardous materials or site cleanup. He also provided technical expertise to the Solano County Administrators Interagency Hazardous Materials Team.
Needless to say, Mr. Geisert’s career has been exceptional. He has provided invaluable support to the Department of Resource Management, its employees, and the public, exhibiting a “can-do”, willing to help, a pleasant and positive attitude and unique sense of humor that has earned him the respect of all whom he has worked with. While he will be missed, we are glad that he will have all the time necessary to travel and to play with his grandchildren. We wish him well in all his future endeavors.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing this agenda item is nominal and is absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the plaque are included in the Board’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to present a plaque of appreciation. This is not recommended as it is an opportunity to acknowledge Mr. Geisert’s dedicated service to Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There were no other agencies involved in the preparation of this report, though Mr. Geisert has worked collaboratively with many County departments, interagency groups, and state and federal agencies in his tenure with Solano County.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION