To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ryan Pedrotti 707-521-6209
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Sonoma State University for Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative, in a form approved by County Counsel, through June 30, 2026, in the not-to-exceed amount of $285,516.
end
Executive Summary:
The agreement will continue to support and build on existing collaborations between Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and Sonoma State University (SSU) through a program called the Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability (WATERS) Collaborative. The WATERS Collaborative engages SSU students and faculty to assist Sonoma Water with programs related to water management, stream maintenance, water supply, energy, and sanitation services; as well as research and provide recommendations for addressing complex regional water management issues.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Since the founding of SSU, faculty, students, and staff have been engaged in activities surrounding the regional management of water resources, energy, and sustainability. These activities have been enhanced by the campus’ location next to approximately one mile of Copeland Creek, where much of the restoration work is performed.
Collaborations between Sonoma Water and SSU faculty and students have been ongoing for many years through the WATERS Collaborative. Through this program, SSU students have worked on over 100 water resource projects and programs. Many SSU student interns have been engaged in a variety of Sonoma Water programs in environmental education and restoration.
The continuing goals of the WATERS Collaborative are to: 1) create a trained and local workforce of SSU graduates with knowledge, expertise, and interest in water management issues; 2) support contributions of SSU students, faculty, and staff to Sonoma Water projects and programs; 3) improve the effectiveness of Sonoma Water's stream maintenance, water supply, energy, and sanitation activities; and 4) engage a more diverse cross section of SSU students and faculty and a broader network of water management organizations in addressing regional water management issues.
Regarding the fourth goal above, Sonoma Water and SSU are striving to grow and diversify the WATERS Collaborative to include other water management organizations in the region. The intent of this effort is to engage a broader cross section of SSU students and focus SSU intellectual assets towards larger regional water management issues that our region faces. Sonoma Water and SSU have initiated efforts to establish formal collaborations with the Russian River Watershed Association, the North Bay Watershed Association, and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Building these relationships will help achieve this diversification goal and allow a phased reduction in Sonoma Water’s financial contributions to the WATERS Collaborative over the life of this agreement and the establishment of new financial support from other sources.
SELECTION PROCESS
A competitive selection process was not completed, and a Single/Sole Source Waiver was obtained from the County of Sonoma, General Services Department, Purchasing Division.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the agreement, SSU will:
1. Lead restoration work of the riparian zone along the SSU campus portion of Copeland Creek.
2. Teach a land use and water resources planning course.
3. Develop and implement the Laguna Water Quality and Invasives Research Soil and Water Assessment Tool Team to train students in water research techniques.
4. Develop water-related research grants for SSU faculty and conduct a water research symposium for faculty and students.
The agreement includes authorization for the General Manager to make changes to lengthen time schedules or make minor modifications to the scope of work, which do not increase the amount paid under the agreement, in a form approved by County Counsel.
The agreement includes two options for Sonoma Water to extend the term for a period of one year each by providing written notice to SSU thirty days in advance of the expiration date of the amended agreement and of the first extension option. The extension will be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by Sonoma Water and SSU.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
4/28/2020: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma State University for Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative to provide research and investigation services and develop recommendations for addressing regional water management issues. Cost $280,000; term end April 28, 2023.
11/15/2016: Approved second amended agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma State University to expand the scope of work to include supporting the Sonoma State University native plant propagation class and native plant nursery. Cost $338,778; agreement term extended three years for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $591,247; term end December 31, 2019.
12/10/2013: Approved first amended agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma State University to expand the scope of work to include greater collaboration opportunity across additional disciplines and a web-based reporting approach. Cost $204,318; agreement term extended three years for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $252,469; term end December 31, 2016.
06/19/2012: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Sonoma State University to develop a program called the Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative. Cost $48,157; term end December 31, 2013.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY 25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
$95,172 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $57,103 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for Flood Control Zone 1A, budgeted amount of $28,552 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for Flood Control Zones 2A, and budgeted amount of $9,517 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for Flood Control Zone 3A, funded by property taxes. FY 2024/2025 and FY 2025/2026 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
|
|
|
|
Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None