To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Michael Thompson / 707-521-1863
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
In an ongoing effort to enhance public awareness, increase understanding and identify solutions for complex flood protection and water management issues:
A) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Sonoma State University for Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative to provide research and investigation services to improve the effectiveness of the Sonoma County Water Agency's stream maintenance, water supply, energy, and sanitation services, and to research and develop recommendations for addressing complex regional water management issues. The total agreement amount is $280,000. The term end date is April 28, 2023.
B) Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to amend the agreement provided amendments do not cumulatively increase the total amount of the agreement beyond $280,000, extend the term, and make modifications to the scope of work.
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Executive Summary:
This item requests authority for Sonoma County Water Agency’s (Sonoma Water) General Manager to execute an agreement with Sonoma State University (SSU) for Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability Collaborative. The total agreement amount is $280,000. The term end date is April 28, 2023.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Since the founding of Sonoma State University, faculty, students, and staff have been engaged in issues surrounding the regional management of water resources, energy, and sustainability. These activities have been enhanced by the campus’ location on Copeland Creek.
Collaborations between Sonoma Water and SSU faculty and students have been on-going for many years through a program called the Watershed Academics to Enhance Regional Sustainability (WATERS) Collaborative. Through this program, student have worked on over a hundred water resource topics. Many SSU student interns have been engaged in a variety of Sonoma Water programs in environmental education and restoration. The proposed agreement will continue to support and build on these existing interactions between Sonoma Water and SSU.
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; and 3) improve the effectiveness of Sonoma Water's stream maintenance, water supply, energy, and sanitation activities. A fourth goal has been added for the proposed agreement extension which is to 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.
With regard to the fourth goal articulated above, Sonoma Water and SSU are striving to grow and diversify the WATERS program to include other water management organizations in the region. The intent of this effort is to engage a broader cross section of students and focus SSU intellectual assets towards larger regional water management issues that our region faces. 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 have been initiated. Achieving this diversification goal will allow a phased reduction in Sonoma Water’s financial contributions to the WATERS program over the life of this agreement, and the establishment of new financial support from other sources.
SSU shall secure additional funding from other sources for years 2021 and 2022 to complete the scope of services. Depending on the level of outside funding secured, Sonoma Water understands that the scope of work for years 2021 and 2022 may be amended.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed agreement, SSU will:
1. Maintain and update the WATERS website
2. Develop, evaluate, and identify research topics
3. Engage faculty and students in watershed management needs
4. Perform outreach
5. Engage additional organizations to support and partner in WATERS projects
6. Lead restoration work of the riparian zone along the campus portion of Copeland Creek (1 mile)
7. Teach a land use and water resources planning course
8. Develop a student internship program with Sonoma Water and Permit Sonoma
9. Develop and implement the WATERS Confluence program for Sonoma State University faculty and students
The cost of services will not exceed $130,000 in calendar year 2020, $75,000 in calendar year 2021, and $75,000 in calendar year 2022. The total agreement amount is $280,000. The term end date is April 28, 2023.
Prior Board Actions:
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
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Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$130,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$130,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
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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 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$130,000 |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $130,000 is available from FY 2019/2020 appropriations for the Flood Control Zones 1A, 2A, and 3A, funded by property taxes. FY 2020/2021 and FY 2021/2022 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: Agreement with Sonoma State University
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None