To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Ryan Pedrotti 521-6209
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Implement Stormwater Education Program
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with West Yost Associates, Inc., for Sonoma County Water Agency to implement a Stormwater Education Program through June 30, 2021, in the amount of $30,000 (West Yost Associates, Inc., is paying Sonoma County Water Agency).
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Executive Summary:
This item requests authorization for Sonoma County Water Agency’s (Sonoma Water) General Manager to execute an agreement with West Yost Associates, Inc. (West Yost) to implement a Stormwater Education Program. This program will include classroom presentations and field trips focusing on stormwater education for students in communities not previously receiving these programs.
Discussion:
The federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) provides the California Water Boards with the authority and framework for regulating stormwater under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Program. The United States Environmental Protection Agency delegates its federal permitting program to the State of California. Cities and local jurisdictions that operate municipal storm water systems must obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit coverage for discharges of municipal storm water into United States waters. Large and small municipal sewer system operators must comply with MS4 permits issued by the State Water Board or applicable Regional Water Board. Education and outreach is a component of the MS4 permit.
The Russian River Watershed Association is a coalition of eleven cities, counties, and special districts in the Russian River Watershed that came together in 2004 to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement. West Yost is assisting the Russian River Watershed Association in meeting the primary objectives of their Proposition 1 grant to develop a regional Stormwater Resource Plan for the entire Russian River Watershed. The Stormwater Resource Plan will identify projects that maintain and restore pre-development hydrology and improve water quality by limiting pollutants carried in storm water runoff from entering local waterways and encourage the use of green infrastructure practices to manage storm water runoff. Under the proposed agreement, West Yost will pay Sonoma Water to implement stormwater education programs as part of the Proposition 1 requirement. Sonoma Water is a member of the Russian River Watershed Association and has partnered with them on multiple regional education projects.
Sonoma Water’s Water Education Program provides classroom visits, field trips, and curriculum materials for teachers and their students. The program’s goal is for students to become environmental stewards and informed citizens who can examine the world through an inquisitive, scientific lens.
The Water Education Program services Russian River Watershed Association member agencies within Sonoma Water’s service area, including the cities of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, and Cotati; and the Town of Windsor. The Water Education Program includes:
• ZunZun musical assembly program
• Third and fourth grade classroom programs
• Middle school classroom programs that provide hands-on STEM activities with wind and solar power
• Annual Water Awareness Poster Contest and Calendar
• Fifth grade classroom and field trip program
• Climate Literacy and Understanding Global Change teacher workshops
• Stormwater education programs
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY SONOMA WATER
Under the proposed agreement, West Yost will pay Sonoma Water to implement a Stormwater Education Program. Services under the proposed agreement include classroom presentations, field trips, and ZunZun musical assembly programs focusing on stormwater education for students in unincorporated Sonoma County, Cloverdale, and Ukiah. Stormwater education includes teaching students the connection between their streets and homes and local creeks and rivers, what types of pollution end up in waterways, and how pollution impacts water quality for aquatic life.
Under the proposed agreement, Sonoma Water will invoice West Yost for services at the same rates Sonoma Water allocates to its internal projects and programs up to a maximum of $30,000. Sonoma Water is recovering its actual costs of providing services to West Yost. This agreement covers services rendered through June 30, 2021.
Prior Board Actions:
11/19/2019: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and West Yost Associates, Inc., for implementation of a Stormwater Education Program through June 30, 2020, in the amount of $40,000.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 19-20 Adopted |
FY20-21 Projected |
FY 21-22 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
30,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
30,000 |
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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 |
30,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
30,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $30,000 is available from FY 2020/2021 appropriations for the Water Conservation fund. Offsetting revenue in the amount of $30,000 will come from West Yost. No additional appropriation is required.
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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:
Agreement with West Yost Associates, Inc
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None