Agenda Report
January 24, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
SPONSOR AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION
CORPS TO REMOVE NON-NATIVE VEGETATION IN THE ARROYO
SECO
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines in accordance with Article 19, Class 1, Existing Facilities, and Class 4, Minor Alteration of Land, as well as statutory exemption from CEQA to prevent and mitigate a wildfire emergency;
2. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a sponsor agreement between the City of Pasadena and the California Conservation Corps, State of California to assist with non-native vegetation removal in the Arroyo Seco and find neither Competitive Bidding nor Competitive Selection are required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(h) and Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(A)(3), contracts with other governmental entities.
BACKGROUND:
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is a state development program that provides young adults, ages 18 to 25, and military veterans through the age of 29 educational opportunities and job skills training through working on environmental projects and responding to natural and man-made disasters. These young adults, also known as Corpsmembers, are thoroughly vetted before joining the program. Corpsmembers must be California residents, pass the screening process and initial training to be part of the program.
In July 2021, the Los Angeles and Pomona CCC satellite locations were allocated approximately $416,000 from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to work on greenhouse gas reduction projects. Such projects include removing dead and dying trees, brush and vegetation to reduce wildfire intensity and spread.
MEETING OF 01/24/2022 AGENDA ITEM NO. _6 ___ ~
Execute A Sponsor Agreement with the California Conservation Corps January 24, 2022
The CCC contacted the City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS) seeking the City's sponsorship and participation. As a sponsoring agency, the City will not be financially responsible for any labor costs associated with the project as Corpsmembers, will be compensated directly by CCC. The City's role will be to provide orientation and hands-on training with operating different pieces of equipment and power tools that are typically used in the Parks Division.
For the purpose of this agreement, Corpsmembers will work on fire hazard mitigation maintenance projects in the Lower and Central Arroyo Seco and the Hahamongna Watershed Park from February 2022 to June 2022. The proposed scope of work will include:
• General roadside clearing to reduce fire intensity and firebrand impact to the Arroyo Seco
• Removal of annual grasses and undesirable non-native plants • Trim non-native grasses to three inches in length or less and leave in place • Disperse large branches in place when chipping is not possible When work cannot be completed due to inclement weather or excessive heat, PRCS staff will provide in-classroom training that will include, but will not be limited to, safety training, turf management, irrigation repair and installation, fertilization, plant and tree identification, and sports field maintenance.
The City has previously partnered with CCC to provide training and environmental education to young adults while performing conservation work. Prior work in 2014 included trail restoration, brush and trail clearance and, the enhancement, restoration, and conservation of native plants in the Lower Arroyo Seco.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
This project is consistent with the Arroyo Seco Master Plan to reduce fire hazards in critical areas, and is compatible with the City's Climate Action Plan to protect essential habitat corridors and key habitat characteristics. In addition, the project is consistent with the City Council's goals to improve, maintain, and enhance public facilities and infrastructure and support and promote the quality of life and local economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines in accordance with Article 19, Class 1, Existing Facilities, and Class 4, Minor Alteration of Land, as well as statutory exemption from CEQA to prevent and mitigate a wildfire emergency .
Execute A Sponsor Agreement with the California Conservation Corps January 24, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
Per the terms of the agreement, the City will not incur any direct costs as Corpsmembers will be compensated directly by CCC. City staff will provide guidance and training during the project, and these costs will be absorbed within the PRCS operating budget.
Prepared by:
Tsega Selassie
Management Analyst IV
Approved by:
Respectfully submitted,
L E, Acting Director
Parks, Recreation and Community Services