Agenda Item #13.1
For Council Meeting of: April 16, 2024
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PAUL LOWENTHAL, DIVISION CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
FIRE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: FIRST AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING F002662 WITH CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH BAY, INC. FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION SERVICES AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Fire Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Santa Rosa and Conservation Corps North Bay, Inc. for vegetation management and hazardous fuel reduction services extending the term of the agreement to June 30, 2025 and increasing compensation by $150,0000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $200,000; and 2) approve and delegate authority to the City Manager to execute amendment(s) to exercise any of the three one-year options in the Agreement as necessary, up to an amount not-to-exceed the total budgeted amount for the Agreement approved by Council for that year, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With the changes to ecology locally and excessive growth of hazardous vegetation in many areas, the Fire Department has experienced increased needs and services for the mitigation of this growth in the City. The vegetation management work can be performed by contractors for the City.
BACKGROUND
The Vegetation Management Program uses the City of Santa Rosa’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to establish program needs and priorities. The purpose of the CWPP is to enhance protection of human life and reduce the wildfire threat to community assets such as homes, commercial structures, critical infrastructure, businesses, and natural and historic resources within the City. Services to clear publicly owned lots and other areas within the city limits where vegetation management is needed. Upon notification by the City, the contractor will remove hazardous vegetation.
On July 13, 2023, the City Manager executed a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Santa Rosa and the Conservation Corps North Bay, Inc. to provide week abatement and vegetation management services for the City in an amount not to exceed $50,0000. The Term of the agreement was from June 30, 2023 through June 30, 2024, and upon mutual written agreement by both parties, could be extended for up to three additional one-year terms.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On August 18, 2020 Council accepted and approved the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
ANALYSIS
The Fire Department anticipates increased needs throughout the wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, specifically the open space owned and maintained by the City of Santa Rosa.
Funding is being requested in a not-to-exceed amount of $200,000 per year for a one-year term with three one-year extension options available. Services are required on an as-needed basis and cannot be predetermined. The not-to-exceed award amount is based primarily on approved available budgeted funds only.
FISCAL IMPACT
This contract is funded through Fiscal Year 23-24 under the PGE Settlement Vegetation Management fund P05109 and will be funded in subsequent fiscal years through the budget approval process.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from the provisions of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and no further environmental review is required. Further, the vegetation management services would maintain existing properties within the City, resulting in no expansion of use, which qualifies for CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Exhibit A – First Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding
PRESENTER
Paul Lowenthal, Division Chief Fire Marshal
AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT F002662 WITH CONSERVATION CORPS NORTH BAY, INC. FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION SERVICES PAGE 3 OF 3