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): Second
Title:
Title
Petaluma River Watershed Cleanup and Public Outreach
End
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, 2029, in the not-to-exceed amount of $172,200. (Second District)
end
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 and continue the Adopt-A-Creek Program. These events and other public outreach will help to improve knowledge of local habitat and 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 cleanup events that remove trash and debris from creeks to improve water quality and 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, 5,100 volunteers helped remove over 102,000 pounds of garbage and debris from 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, an Adopt-A-Creek Program (Program) component has been added to Sonoma Water’s partnership with the Friends of the Petaluma River. Under the Program, a number of sites are identified for long-term stewardship with the City of Petaluma and Sonoma Water. Friends of the Petaluma River conducts outreach to engage community groups, leads the trash cleanup events, and conducts monitoring and restoration activities at these select locations.
PROPOSED AGREEMENT
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 continue the 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 with annual reports that will be presented to the Zone 2A Advisory Committee.
The cost is $57,400 per year for a total of $172,200. The agreement start date is July 1, 2026; the term end date is June 30, 2029.
Through the proposed agreement, the General Manager will be delegated the authority to approve a written amendment 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 term end date and by executing an agreement amendment.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan Alignment:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Protect and sustain our watersheds to maintain water resources, ecosystems and communities.
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.
This agreement directly supports Sonoma Water’s strategic goal of protecting and sustaining local watersheds by reducing pollution, improving creek and river health, and engaging the community in long-term stewardship. Through coordinated cleanup events, public outreach, and the Adopt-A-Creek Program, the partnership enhances water quality, supports healthy ecosystems, and fosters community involvement essential to maintaining resilient watersheds.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
07/13/2021: Authorized Sonoma Water’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Friends of the Petaluma River for watershed cleanup events and public outreach. Cost $216,000; term end June 30, 2026.
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.
04/25/2017: 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 March 31, 2017.
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 December 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 December 31, 2011.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
$57,400 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $57,400 is available from FY 2026/2027 appropriations for the Petaluma Zone 2A Flood Control Zone fund, which is funded by property taxes. FY 2027/2028 and FY 2028/2029 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:
Attachment 1: Agreement with Friends of the Petaluma River
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.