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; Taylor Acosta, Stewardship Specialist, (707) 565-7343
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth District
Title:
Title
Service Agreement with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation (Property No. 0155)
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the General Manager of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to execute a service agreement for Rare Plant Surveys, Management, and Habitat Restoration Services on Haroutunian South (District-Protected Land) not to exceed $89,165 effective for three years ending on April 20, 2029.
(Fifth District)
end
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) owns and manages the Haroutunian South property, a vernal pool preserve located south of Santa Rosa that supports federally and state-listed endangered plant species, including Sonoma sunshine, Sebastopol meadowfoam, and marsh silverpuff. Ongoing surveys, monitoring, and adaptive management are required to maintain and enhance the ecological health of this sensitive habitat.
Consultant services are required to conduct annual rare plant surveys, provide technical expertise, and implement habitat management activities to support these conservation objectives. The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation (Laguna Foundation) has extensive knowledge of the site and has conducted prior monitoring and management work on the property and is available to begin work upon contract execution.
Ag + Open Space proposes to enter into a three-year agreement with the Laguna Foundation to provide rare plant survey, management, and habitat management services at Haroutunian South.
Discussion:
Ag + Open Space is committed to the long-term protection, restoration, and management of its conservation properties, including the Haroutunian South vernal pool preserve. This vernal pool habitat supports rare and endangered plant species and requires ongoing monitoring and adaptive management to maintain ecological function and prevent degradation from invasive species, thatch accumulation, and other stressors.
Ag + Open Space proposes a three-year professional services agreement with the Laguna Foundation to provide rare plant survey, management, and small-scale habitat restoration and management services at Haroutunian South. The Laguna Foundation has a long history of working on this property and possesses specialized expertise in Sonoma County vernal pool ecosystems and rare plant monitoring, making them uniquely qualified to perform this work. The agreement will support the following key tasks:
1. Rare Plant Surveys - Annual surveys of Sonoma sunshine, Sebastopol meadowfoam, and marsh silverpuff to document population size, distribution, and habitat conditions.
2. Data Summary and GIS Deliverables - Preparation of survey summaries and GIS data to inform management decisions.
3. Technical Support and Adaptive Management - Ongoing coordination with Ag + Open Space staff to provide management recommendations, including grazing strategies and habitat enhancement measures.
4. Grazing Management - Development of grazing prescriptions and monitoring to improve habitat conditions and support native species.
5. Invasive Species Management - Targeted, small-scale removal of invasive perennial grasses in defined buffer areas around vernal pools to prevent encroachment into sensitive habitats.
These services will enable Ag + Open Space to make informed, science-based management decisions and implement effective stewardship practices that protect and enhance rare plant populations and their associated habitats over time.
Competitive Selection Process:
The Laguna Foundation has specialized expertise in vernal pool and wetland ecology as well as management and restoration of these important habitats. Further, the Laguna Foundation has in-depth knowledge of the Haroutunian South property in particular, as its staff have been collecting field data on the property since 2009. The Laguna Foundation has provided annual reports on the status of rare plant species and management recommendations for the property to Ag + Open Space historically since 2020. The Laguna Foundation is prompt and professional in their communication with the Ag + Open Space and are available to begin work upon contract execution. For these reasons, Ag + Open Space did not conduct a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify and screen qualified consultants for this agreement; the Purchasing Agent has approved a Single Source Waiver (Attachment 3).
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
N/A
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No.
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 25-26 Adopted |
FY 26-27 Projected |
FY 27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$28,875 |
$29,713 |
$30,577 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$28,875 |
$29,713 |
$30,577 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$28,875 |
$29,713 |
$30,577 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$28,875 |
$29,713 |
$30,577 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Adequate appropriations exist in the FY 25-26 budget and will be incorporated into the projected budgets.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
1. Professional Service Agreement with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation
2. Notice of Exemption
3. Single Source Waiver
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A