To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Chase Takajo, 521-1872
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Targeted Grazing Services
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
In an ongoing effort to manage vegetation, reduce fire hazard, and maintain Sonoma County Water Agency facilities:
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Chasin’ Goat Grazing for targeted grazing services through December 31, 2021, in the not-to-exceed amount of $300,000.
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) facilities have substantial open space areas that require vegetation management on an as-needed basis for natural resource management, reduction of fire fuels, and control of nuisance plants in specific locations. Use of livestock is quieter than mechanical and manual vegetation control, does not involve the use of toxic chemicals, can reduce soil compaction, and can encourage the growth of native vegetation. Livestock may also be able to reach locations inaccessible to other methods of vegetation management.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water facilities have substantial open space areas that require vegetation management on an as-needed basis for natural resource management, reduction of fire fuels, and control of nuisance plants in specific locations. By utilizing goat grazing services, Sonoma Water is collaborating with local agriculture in an effort to better manage vegetation growing on its facilities. Use of livestock provides a more eco-friendly method for vegetation management than mechanical and manual vegetation control. It also does not involve the use of toxic chemicals, increases vegetation biodiversity, and encourages the growth of native species.
Livestock also provides a cost effective way to manage different types of vegetation that may be on difficult terrain and is inaccessible to other methods of vegetation management.
SELECTION PROCESS
On May 17, 2018, the County of Sonoma’s Purchasing Department completed a competitive selection process to create a list of qualified targeted grazing service providers. In the interest of efficient use of County resources, Sonoma Water selected Chasin’ Goat Grazing (Service Provider), a local firm, from the list Purchasing compiled:
1. Chasin’ Goat Grazing
2. Ecosystem Concepts
3. Francis Cornett
4. Goats R Us
5. Living Systems
6. Sonoma Mountain Institute
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Service Provider will provide goat grazing vegetation management services. Cost is determined by acreage of vegetation cleared and also the type of vegetation that is being cleared. There is a cost benefit to using grazing in areas where the terrain and vegetation type make it difficult and time-consuming to using regular hand crews.
The total agreement amount is $300,000. The term end date is December 31, 2021.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 18-19 Adopted |
FY19-20 Projected |
FY 20-21 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budget appropriations for as-needed grazing services of $75,000 and $25,000 per year are included, respectively in the Flood Control Zones, and Water Transmission System. No additional appropriations are required.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None