To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Brad Sherwood 707-547-1927
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Federal Advocacy for Small Watershed Program, Conservation, and Watershed Health
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute the Second Amended and Restated Agreement for Federal Advocacy Services Related to Small Watershed Program, Conservation, and Watershed Health with 9b Group, Inc., in a form as the draft presented to this Board. The amended agreement increases the amount by $96,000 and extends the agreement term by two years for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $296,000, and end date of December 31, 2026.
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests authorization for Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) to amend an agreement with 9b Group, LLC (Consultant) to continue providing legislative advocacy on the federal level leveraging funding opportunities for Sonoma Water projects such as Central Sonoma Watershed Project; Alexander Valley watershed planning; and Sonoma County Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Federal legislative tracking, legislative development, and pursuit of funding to offset costs are essential for success in fulfilling Sonoma Water’s responsibilities and strategic plan.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Since 1999, Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors has provided direction regarding future federal funding authorizations, funding requests, and legislative and regulatory issues of importance to Sonoma Water.
Sonoma Water and Consultant entered into an agreement for federal advocacy for professional services beginning January 1, 2021, in the amount of $104,000. The Consultant’s work has been focused on the following:
1) Monitoring of the Farm Bill and appropriations process associated with that legislative development and passage.
2) Advocacy outreach with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture as it relates to Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations funding for Planning of Matanzas Dam Rehabilitation, Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment for Central Watershed Program, and the USDA NRCS Sonoma County Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
A first amended agreement, approved by the Board on December 6, 2022, increased the agreement amount by $96,000 for a new not-to-exceed total of $200,000 and extended the agreement by two years to December 31, 2024.
SELECTION PROCESS
Consultant was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the amended agreement, Consultant will continue to focus on funding strategies related to Sonoma Water’s role as local sponsor with federal partner United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, and funding opportunities related to watershed health, flood management, flooding and fire disasters, emergency watershed protection, natural resources and integrated regional water management, and conservation activities.
The additional cost is $96,000, for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $296,000. The new end date is December 31, 2026.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: 2. Planning and Infrastructure - Implement comprehensive, integrated, and innovative infrastructure planning to strengthen existing services, minimize life cycle costs, and prepare for the future.
Strategy: 2.3 Fund and implement the planned capital and maintenance projects on schedule to ensure reliable services.
Action Item: 2.3.2 Fund Capital Improvement Program budgets to meet infrastructure needs.
The projects supported by legislative advocacy efforts under this agreement directly align with Sonoma Water’s goal to maintain and upgrade critical flood management infrastructure, as well as assist in achieving Sonoma Water’s climate resiliency goals to protect and supply drinking water.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
12/06/2022: Approved first amended and restated agreement between Sonoma Water and 9b Group, Inc. for federal legislative advocacy Cost $200,000; term end December 31, 2024.
03/02/2021: Approved agreements between Sonoma Water and 9b Group, Inc. for federal legislative advocacy. Cost $104,000; term end December 31, 2022.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$48,000 |
$48,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$48,000 |
$48,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$48,000 |
$48,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$48,000 |
$48,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $48,000 is available from FY 2024/2025 appropriations for the Flood Control Zone 1A fund. FY 2025/2026 appropriations will be budgeted in that fiscal year.
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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: DRAFT Amended Agreement
Attachment 2: Competitive Selection Process Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.