Agenda Item #14.3
For Council Meeting of: February 25, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PAUL LOWENTHAL, DIVISION CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF TWO GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS, F002943 TO CAPRA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, CORP, AND F002944 TO THERESE OYARZUN DBA GOATS R US FOR GRAZING SERVICES AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
It is recommended by the Fire and Finance Departments that the Council, by two separate resolutions, approve two General Service Agreements for grazing services: 1) General Services Agreement No. F002943 to Capra Environmental Services, Corp, Roseville, California in the amount of $125,000; and 2) General Services Agreement No. F002944 to Therese Oyarzun dba Goats R Us, Orinda, California, in the amount of $125,000, for a total not to exceed $250,000 for both contracts.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department submitted Purchase Requisition R167038 requesting Purchasing to bid and award two vendors with a two-year contract with three one-year options to extend for grazing services for various locations in the City. Grazing is a component of the wildfire risk reduction strategy employed by the Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD). Grazing livestock will be deployed into the various city owned open space and undeveloped areas within the city and will graze hazardous vegetation to reduce the threat of wildfire at that location.
BACKGROUND
Based on recommendations from the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which the City Council accepted and approved on August 25, 2020, targeted grazing activities were identified as a critical method of reducing the fuel load in areas throughout the City. One of the key objectives outlined in the CWPP was to assist public and private entities with taking meaningful actions to reduce wildfire intensity and provide greater community protection. The actionable items to support this objective included securing a contract for grazing that can be utilized on City-owned parcels where grazing activities can directly benefit the community.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
Not applicable.
ANALYSIS
Grazing services can be more efficient than mechanical and hand work in certain geographical locations. Lands can be cleared quickly utilizing livestock and can be functional 24 hours a day. Additionally, grazing allows for easier and safer access to areas difficult for mechanical or hand crew removal due to slope and rugged terrain.
This item aligns with the City Council Mission, Vision, Values, Goals and Priorities by maintaining sustainable infrastructure, achieving organizational excellence, and addressing climate change through taking this holistic approach through the safety of the community.
On October 22, 2024, Invitation for Bids (IFB) 24-44, solicited by the City of Santa Rosa for grazing services, was opened. Five proposals were received, one offer was deemed nonresponsive, and four offers were considered responsive to the solicitation. A tabulation of the responsive and responsible bids received is listed below:
Bidder
Price
Capra Environmental Services Corp
$94,752
Therese Oyarzun dba Goats R Us
$149,868
Blue Tent Farms
$159,479
Chasin Goat Grazing LLC
$188,119
The Agreement with Capra Environmental Services Corp will be the primary contract with Therese Oyarzun dba Goats R Us as the backup contract if needed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the entirety of the two grazing contracts will come out of the PG&E Vegetation Management Project account (P05109). This is a one-time expenditure for both two-year contracts with three one-year options to extend services. There is no anticipated maintenance cost associated with these contracts.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the proposed action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution 1 / Exhibit A – F002943 Agreement, Capra Environmental Services Resolution 2 / Exhibit B – F002944 Agreement, Goats R Us
PRESENTER
Paul Lowenthal, Division Chief Fire Marshal
Jennifer Myles, Acting Purchasing Agent
APPROVAL OF TWO GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR GRAZING SERVICES PAGE 3 OF 3