To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis (707) 547-1911; Chase Takajo (707) 521-1872
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Second
Title:
Title
Fisheries Biology and Field Studies Course at Casa Grande High School Funding Agreement with United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc., in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board, for funding of the fisheries biology and field studies course at Casa Grande High School in support of Sonoma Water’s Stream Maintenance Program through June 30, 2028, in the not-to-exceed amount of $120,000, and to extend the term of the agreement for two additional years at the same terms.
(Second District)
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Executive Summary:
The Fisheries Biology and Field Studies course for students at Casa Grande High School (Program) includes field work and public outreach related to Adobe Creek in Petaluma. Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) maintains easements throughout the Petaluma River watershed (Flood Control Zone 2A) for the purpose of stream, creek, and channel maintenance. Sonoma Water will benefit from the Program through stream and vegetation maintenance activities, and student internship development through instruction in fisheries biology and watershed restoration.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
In 1983, United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc. (United Anglers) adopted Adobe Creek to rebuild Adobe Creek’s wildlife habitat. As part of this effort, United Anglers developed the Adobe Creek Restoration Project at Casa Grande High School (Project).
As part of the Project, United Anglers conducts the Program. The Program field work curriculum includes field studies and stream maintenance, such as identification and removal of invasive species, canopy development, and debris removal. Students learn about fisheries and watershed management and conduct flood control and stream maintenance activities, including vegetation maintenance, planting, and debris removal. The Program outreach curriculum includes public outreach to educate riparian landowners about debris management issues.
Sonoma Water maintains easements throughout Flood Control Zone 2A for the purpose of stream, creek, and channel maintenance. Sonoma Water will benefit from the Program through stream and vegetation maintenance activities, and student internship development through instruction in fisheries biology and watershed restoration.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, United Anglers will conduct the following Program activities:
Field Curriculum: United Anglers will implement a field work curriculum including field studies for fisheries research and stream maintenance, such as identification and removal of invasive plant species, canopy development, and debris removal; fisheries and watershed management; and flood control and stream maintenance activities, including vegetation maintenance, planting, and debris removal.
Outreach Curriculum: Upon notice from Sonoma Water, United Anglers will also conduct public outreach to educate riparian landowners about debris management issues and assist in the removal of detrimental debris and garbage in streams located in the Petaluma river watershed, as directed by Sonoma Water. Sonoma Water will receive a summary report for each landowner contacted.
Presentations: United Anglers will give annual presentations to Sonoma Water summarizing work performed by students in the previous year.
The cost of services will not exceed $120,000; the term end date is June 30, 2028.
Under the agreement, the General Manager will have the ability to extend the term of the agreement for up to two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the expiration date. The extension would be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by the parties.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A.
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Environmental Stewardship.
Strategy: Protect, enhance, and monitor natural resources, watershed conditions, and ecosystem health that are vital to the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds.
Action: Support collaborative efforts to improve habitat and pursue restoration opportunities that provide integrated regional benefit.
Field work conducted under the Program includes stream maintenance such as identification and removal of invasive species, canopy development, and debris removal, as well as flood control activities, which protect the Petaluma River watershed and support its ecosystem health.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
07/19/2022 Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc., for funding of the fisheries biology and field studies course at Casa Grande High School in support of Sonoma Water’s Stream Maintenance Program. Cost $105,000; term end June 30, 2025.
05/21/2019 Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc., for funding of the fisheries biology and field studies course at Casa Grande High School in support of Sonoma Water’s Stream Maintenance Program. Cost $75,000; term end June 1, 2022.
06/06/2017 Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc., for funding of the fisheries biology and field studies course at Casa Grande High School in support of Sonoma Water’s Stream Maintenance Program. Cost $50,000; term end June 1, 2019.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Expenditures |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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|
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General Fund/WA GF |
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|
|
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State/Federal |
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|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $40,000 is available from FY 2025/2026 appropriations for the Flood Control Zone 2A Fund. FY 2026/2027 and FY 2027/2028 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Agreement with United Anglers of Casa Grande, Inc.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.