Agenda Item #13.1
For Council Meeting of: April 21, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PAUL LOWENTHAL, FIRE MARSHAL, FIRE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING NUMBER F003065 WITH COUNTY OF SONOMA PROBATION DEPARTMENT FOR WEED ABATEMENT SERVICES AGENDA ACTION: MOTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Fire Department recommends that the Council, by motion, approve the First Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma Agreement Number F003065 for Weed Abatement services provided by the County of Sonoma Probation Department in an amount of $68,000, for a total amount not to exceed $167,000 and authorize the City Manager to make non-substantive changes to the Amendment, subject to approval by the City Attorney, and execute the Amendment. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item will approve a First Amendment to MOU Number F003065 with County of Sonoma through the Sonoma County Probation Department for Weed Abatement services for the Fire Department.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure by providing weed abatement for City owned parcels to help prevent wildfire risk.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
On June 5, 2025, Request for Quotes (RFQ) 25-46 was opened by the Buyer to establish a one-year MOU for weed abatement services.
ANALYSIS
It was determined that the Fire Department would open two separate agreements for weed abatement services. One for private parcel weed abatement and one for City parcel weed abatement service. County of Sonoma Probation was awarded the contract for City parcel weed abatement services in the amount not to exceed $99,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item has no impact on FY 2025-2026 budget. Current budgets within the Fire Department will meet the requirement for appropriations as previously approved by Council. Upcoming budget adoptions in the years FY 2026-27 through FY 2027-28 will continue to capture this expense.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), which exempts minor public or private alterations in the condition of land that do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. The proposed weed abatement activities involve the removal of grasses and other vegetation on City-owned parcels for fire prevention and will not result in significant environmental impacts.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – First Amendment to MOU
PRESENTER(S)
Jared McDaniel, Assistant Fire Marshal
AMENDMENT TO MOU NUMBER F003065 WITH COUNTY OF SONOMA PROBATION FOR WEED ABATEMENT SERVICES PAGE 3 OF 3