To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Chase Takajo 707-521-1872
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Funding of Creek Stewardship Program with City of Santa Rosa
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with City of Santa Rosa, in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board, for funding and implementation of the Creek Stewardship Program through June 30, 2031, in the not-to-exceed amount of $615,000 paid by Sonoma County Water Agency to City of Santa Rosa.
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Executive Summary:
Under the proposed agreement, the City of Santa Rosa (City) will provide a full-time staff position in its Utilities Department that will act as the Creek Stewardship Program Coordinator (Program Coordinator). Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) will fund half of this position, and the Program Coordinator will work half-time on stewardship programs in Zone 1A flood control channels. Sonoma Water’s obligation under the agreement is not to exceed $615,000 through June 30, 2031.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water, City, and County of Sonoma (County) are co-permittees for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System storm water permit. As part of the permit work plan, Sonoma Water agreed to develop and support an Adopt-A-Creek Program that would increase citizens' awareness of the value provided by the creeks within the permit boundary by providing opportunities for groups and individuals to assist in creek cleanups, trail maintenance, and public outreach. The permit boundaries are the city limits of Santa Rosa; therefore, the project incorporates all creeks within the city limits of Santa Rosa.
The Santa Rosa Creek Master Plan (adopted in 1993 by the Santa Rosa City Council, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, and Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors, and updated in 2013) includes goals for (1) encouraging community use of creeks to learn about natural processes and habitat, (2) caring for the creeks through adopt-a-stream programs, and (3) providing docent-guided walks.
Sonoma Water and City have implemented the Creek Stewardship Program (Program) since 2002, through four previous Joint Funding Agreements. Involvement in the Program fulfills Sonoma Water's commitment to develop an Adopt-A-Creek Program. In 2013, the California Stormwater Quality Association presented the Creek Stewardship Program with the “Outstanding Stormwater News, Information, Outreach and Media Award.”
Program Goals and Objectives:
1. Implement, support, and realize the benefits of a successful Creek Stewardship Program that maximizes community involvement to help maintain, restore, and protect creeks.
2. Increase residents’ awareness of the values provided by the creeks within the Program area by providing outreach materials along with stewardship and educational activities in conjunction with local community, youth, and environmental organizations.
3. Recruit, train, and support volunteers to report problems and help maintain and enhance creeks.
4. Provide timely and effective response to reports regarding creek-related maintenance, environmental, safety, and recreational issues.
5. Designate a Program Coordinator to organize volunteers, coordinate educational and stewardship activities, facilitate City and Sonoma Water communication and cooperation, and integrate the expertise and resources of the community into the Program.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY CITY
Under the proposed agreement, the City will provide a full-time staff position in its Utilities Department that will act as the Program Coordinator. Sonoma Water will fund half of this position, and the Program Coordinator will work half-time on stewardship programs in Zone 1A flood control channels. Funding will be provided using flood control Laguna-Mark West Watershed Zone 1A maintenance funds. The Program Coordinator will organize volunteers, coordinate educational and recreational activities, facilitate City and Sonoma Water cooperation, and integrate the expertise and resources offered by community organizations into the Program.
Over the course of the agreement, Sonoma Water will expend a total of $615,000. The term end date is June 30, 2031.
Under the agreement, Sonoma Water’s General Manager will have the ability to extend the term of the agreement for up to two additional years by providing written notice to the other party thirty days in advance of the expiration date. The extension would be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by the parties.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy: Protect, enhance, and monitor natural resources, watershed conditions, and ecosystem health that are vital to the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek watersheds.
Action: Support collaborative efforts to improve habitat and pursue restoration opportunities that provide integrated regional benefit.
Funding the City of Santa Rosa’s Creek stewardship program helps support habitat enhancements, riparian restoration, and public outreach within the City's boundaries. This agreement provides funding for developing, supporting, and supervising stewardship and educational opportunities for the community to increase residents’ appreciation and support for creeks' environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
05/14/2019: Board approved agreement between Sonoma Water and City for Funding and Joint Implementation of Creek Stewardship Program. Cost $536,000 to Sonoma Water, $252,000 paid by City to Sonoma Water; term ends June 30, 2025.
09/10/2013: Board approved agreement between Sonoma Water and City for Funding and Joint Implementation of Creek Stewardship Program. Cost $486,000 to Sonoma Water, $255,000 paid by City to Sonoma Water; term ended June 30, 2019.
03/18/2008: Board approved agreement between Sonoma Water and City for Funding and Joint Implementation of Creek Stewardship Program.
05/07/2002 Board approved agreement between Sonoma Water and City for Funding and Joint Implementation of Creek Stewardship Program.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$95,000 |
$98,000 |
$101,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$95,000 |
$98,000 |
$101,000 |
|
Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$95,000 |
$98,000 |
$101,000 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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|
|
|
Total Sources |
$95,000 |
$98,000 |
$101,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
A budgeted amount of $95,000 is available from FY 2025/2026 appropriations for the Flood Control Zone 1A fund.
FY 2026/2027, FY 2027/2028, FY 2028/2029, FY 2029/2030, and FY 2030/2031 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:
Attachment 1: Draft Agreement with City of Santa Rosa
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.