Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: APPROVAL OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR AN INTERIM
LIVESTOCK OPERATOR AT THE VERONDA FALLETTI
RANCH
Date: July 9, 2024
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve by motion the work plan for the Veronda Falletti Ranch and authorize the City Manager to execute a 6-month license agreement with the proposed operator.
Background
The Veronda Falletti Ranch (Ranch) is a City owned ranch that is intended to serve as a venue for a wide variety of agricultural-based education and events. Currently, the Ranch is operated by two licensees, Farmster (manages the city-owned livestock, compost program, horticulture and high school/adult education) and Sandy Loam (manages K-8 childhood education, chickens and open farm events for all ages).
The City recently received notice that Farmster was winding down operations, effective July 31, 2024. As a result, the City began a search for an interim licensee until a full request for proposals could be conducted.
Analysis/Discussion
Upon learning that Farmster was winding down operations, the City immediately began a search for a new interim licensee. In particular, the priorities are keeping the City-owned animals happy and healthy, keeping the crops on track for the Fall Festival and managing the monthly free compost program. After reaching out to several well-respected people in the agricultural community, the consensus recommendation was Tomi Henry with Fern Homestead in Penngrove (https://fernhomestead.com/ ). The City reached out to Tomi Henry, and after several conversations and site visits, she offered to assist the City at the Ranch.
The proposal for this interim (6 month) work is attached, which largely fulfills the original Farmster work plan except for the addition of a farmstand. This work has been delayed until a permanent operator is selected through an RFP process.
The work would be performed under a 6-month license agreement, similar in form to the existing license agreements with Farmster and Sandy Loam. One outstanding issue is insurance coverage, which Tomi is unable to secure. Staff are currently working with CIRA on potential options but are optimistic that a solution can be found.
Financial Considerations
The proposed interim work plan has a cost of $40,495, which is within the expected remaining budget authorized for Farmster in 2024. As mentioned earlier, obtaining insurance is an outstanding question and there is expected to be an additional cost for insurance during the interim period. The cost of this is currently unknown but is expected to be under $10,000.
Environmental Issues
The proposed approval of a work plan and related license agreement has no effect on the environment. Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review. This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.