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): Second
Title:
Title
Petaluma River Watershed Cleanup and Public Outreach
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Friends of the Petaluma River for watershed cleanup events and public outreach through June 30, 2026, in the not-to-exceed amount of $216,000. (Second District)
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Executive Summary:
In an ongoing effort to promote community awareness of watershed issues, reduce pollution in the watershed, and ensure maximum efficiency for flood control within the Petaluma River Watershed, Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) is partnering with Friends of the Petaluma River to remove trash and debris from creeks in the Petaluma River Watershed, as well as to begin an Adopt-A-Creek Program (Program). These events and other public outreach will help to improve knowledge of local habitat, watershed health, and promote community awareness of watershed issues.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Since 2009, Sonoma Water has partnered with local governmental and volunteer stakeholders to conduct trash cleanup events to remove trash and debris from creeks to improve water quality, flood conveyance, and keep oceans and beaches clean. These events are also intended to increase awareness of watershed issues in the community and foster civic responsibility for maintaining creeks.
Over the past several years the partnership between Sonoma Water and Friends of the Petaluma River has been very successful. During the Sonoma Water-sponsored cleanup events, 790 volunteers helped remove over 13,000 pounds of garbage and debris out of the Petaluma River Watershed. The trash cleanup events also provide education to volunteers on watershed awareness and conservation.
In addition to the trash clean-up events, this Agreement adds an Adopt-A-Creek Program (Program) component to Sonoma Water’s partnership with the Friends of the Petaluma River. The Program will look to identify a number of sites for long-term stewardship with the City of Petaluma and Sonoma Water. Friends of the Petaluma River will create community groups, lead the trash clean ups, and conduct monitoring and restoration activities at these select locations.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, Friends of the Petaluma River will coordinate with the City of Petaluma, the Sonoma Resource Conservation District, and other watershed stakeholder groups to identify sites, conduct community outreach, garner volunteers, staff events, and conduct trash cleanup events at approximately six sites throughout the Petaluma River Watershed. In addition, Friends of the Petaluma River will create an Adopt-A-Creek Program and conduct other community outreach during the term of the Agreement. Friends of the Petaluma River will provide Sonoma Water with progress reports after each event and will present an annual report to the Zone 2A Advisory Committee.
The cost of services will not exceed $216,000, with a maximum expenditure of $43,200 per year based on the cost of each event. The agreement start date is July 1, 2021; the term end date is June 30, 2026.
The agreement includes two options for Sonoma Water to extend this agreement for a period of one year each by providing written notice to Friends of the Petaluma River thirty days in advance of the expiration date of the agreement and of the first extension option.
Prior Board Actions:
04/30/2019: Authorized Sonoma Water's General Manager to execute an agreement between Sonoma Water and Friends of the Petaluma River for watershed trash cleanup events. Cost $42,400; term end March 31, 2021.
4/25/2017: Authorized Sonoma Water's General Manager to execute an agreement between Sonoma Water and Friends of the Petaluma River for watershed trash cleanup events. Cost $42,400; term end March 31, 2019.
04/15/2015: Approved agreement between Water Agency and Friends of the Petaluma River for Fall and Spring Petaluma Watershed Trash Cleanups. Cost $37,750; term end 3/31/17.
05/11/2012: Approved agreement between Water Agency and Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District for Petaluma Watershed Fall Trash Cleanups. Cost $25,000; term end 12/31/2014.
11/17 /2009: Approved agreement between Water Agency and Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District for Petaluma Watershed Fall Trash Cleanups. Cost $28,000; term end 12/31/2011.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
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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 |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $43,200 is available from FY 2021-2022 appropriations for the Petaluma Zone 2A Flood Control fund, which is funded by property taxes. FY 2022-2023, FY 2023-2024, FY 2024-2025, and FY 2025-2026 appropriations will be budgeted in those fiscal years.
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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:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.