To: Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Misti Arias, General Manager 707-565-7360; Sheri Emerson, Stewardship Manager 707-565-7358
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Amendments to As Needed Land Management Agreements
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the General Manager of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to execute amendments to two land management service agreements totaling $225,000, effective through 3/5/2028, as follows:
A) Amend an agreement with Conservation Corps North Bay, Inc., to add $75,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $150,000.
B) Amend an agreement with Prunuske Chatham, Inc., to add $150,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $300,000.
end
Executive Summary:
Since 1990, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) has protected over 123,000 acres across the county. Currently, the Ag + Open Space owns and manages over 1,300 acres. In accordance with the Board-approved Stewardship Manual and Fee Lands Strategy, properties owned by Ag + Open Space may require maintenance, management, and occasional repair to protect the conservation values for which the lands were protected.
In 2024, seven service providers were selected pursuant to a request for proposals process to help satisfy a broad list of land management needs to safeguard the resources currently protected and to evaluate resources that should be protected into perpetuity. Due to an anticipated need for additional vegetation management and related services, staff proposes to amend two of the seven contracts to add additional funds not to exceed $225,000.
Discussion:
In 2024, the Ag + Open Space conducted a Request for Proposals process to identify and screen qualified contractors for land management services including but not limited to:
• Erosion control, road maintenance and repair;
• Fence construction and repair;
• Vegetation management, fire abatement, and fuel load reduction;
• Invasive plant and animal species removal;
• Hazardous materials and conditions remediation.
Seven providers were awarded three-year service agreements for a total amount not to exceed $800,000. Each service provider was selected based on its ability to fulfill District needs in specific land management tasks. Given the breadth and depth of expertise required for many of these projects, and the cyclical and unpredictable nature of the work, Ag + Open Space has utilized these as-needed contracts since 2024 to complete various land management tasks. Each contract has been and continues to be utilized in accordance with project needs because selected service providers each offer different specialized expertise.
Ag + Open Space proposes to amend as-needed service agreements with Conservation Corps North Bay and with Prunuske Chatham, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $225,000. The proposed amendments will assist Ag + Open Space in completion of additional, time-sensitive, specialized land management work on Ag + Open Space-owned properties. This work includes additional fuels management activities in anticipation of a potentially severe wildfire season, and also some specialized land management tasks associated with ensuring the success of a habitat restoration project area.
Both service providers are based in Sonoma County, with significant experience working in our unique ecological landscapes, and offer a diverse set of skills. Each provider has extensive expertise in vegetation management, fire abatement and fuel load reduction, and experience utilizing best practices when working in ecologically sensitive habitat restoration areas. Both providers are available to complete this additional work in a timely manner.
Ag + Open Space anticipates the need to issue a new Request for Proposals for a new set of land management service contracts in mid-2027.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
March 5, 2024: Board approved seven service agreements for As-Needed Land Management Services on District-protected lands totaling $800,000 effective for three years.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The additional $225,000 requested for these two contract amendments will be divided equally over three fiscal years. This funding for land management services is appropriated in the FY 2026-2027 adopted budget and will be incorporated in the projected years’ budgets.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
1. Amendment to Professional Service Agreement with Conservation Corps North Bay
2. Amendment to Professional Service Agreement with Prunuske Chatham, Inc
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
1. Original Agreement with Conservation Corps North Bay
2. Original Agreement with Prunuske Chatham, Inc.