Item #05
Date: February 1, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Professional Services Agreement with Heron Pacific, LLC, Doing Business As Wildlands, Inc.
Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) approve a Professional Services Agreement of $13,800 to Heron Pacific, LLC, to transplant seven (7) Elderberry shrubs located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant Ponds and 2) authorize the Finance Director to make a supplemental appropriation of $13,800 to account number 51-510-5405 (Capitol Projects).
Rationale for Recommendation:
Transplant of seven elderberry shrubs is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of a mitigation plan to contribute to preservation of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB) as a species.
Background:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires that mitigate the effects of their projects on the valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) (VELB), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) The beetle’s life cycle is dependent on the valley elderberry plant as part of its habitat. Such Elderberry shrubs are located in the City’s wastewater ponds, which are required to be decommissioned. As part of the mitigation plan, the City is required to relocate 7 Elderberry shrubs to the USFWS-approved River Ranch VELB Conservation Bank in Yolo County, California. Wildlands Inc. specializes in environmental/habitat mitigation and is experience in transplanting these plants.
Discussion & Analysis:
The consultant has provided a proposal and scope of work for the transplant of the seven shrubs. The above cost includes the necessary maintenance and monitoring costs in perpetuity in accordance with the July 9, 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service VELB Guidelines. All work will be performed under the terms and conditions of the USFWS Biological Opinion issued for the project. A qualified Wildlands biologist will oversee all transplant work conducted.
Fiscal Analysis:
The cost of mitigation will be an eligible cost for the DWR funded wastewater pond decommissioning project and reimbursed to the City. Staff is recommending authorizing the Finance Director to make a supplemental appropriation of $13,800 to 51-510-5405 (Capital Projects).
Attachments:
1) Consulting Agreement
2) Wildlands Proposal