Title
Agriculture, Weights & Measures Department recommending Chairman be authorized to sign Agreement 709-S0711 with Thomas Amesbury dba Forester's Co-Op in the amount of $85,000 for a term of two years to provide assistance in implementation of the Noxious Weed Eradication Program in El Dorado County, and adopt recommended findings for same.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
|
|
Total Estimated Cost |
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$83,704 |
|
|
|
Funding |
|
|
Budgeted |
$43,824 |
|
New Funding |
$39,880 |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$83,704 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
Appropriations were included in FY 06/07 budget year and funded by California Department of Food and Agriculture, with an additional $9,720 being awarded to the department to be used by June 30, 2007. FY 07/08 appropriations include new funding of $30,160 through California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Background:
The Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures has been intimately involved in intensive invasive weed survey and eradication projects as state monies have become available. This contract encompasses three control projects in El Dorado County.
The first project will enable the department to continue eradication efforts of Yellow Starthistle along the Highway 50 corridor with a follow up Phase in the FY 07/08 Budget year. This portion of the project is designed to keep Yellow Starthistle from migrating into the pristine Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The second project is designed to treat and survey Spotted Knapweed in the Cleveland Fire area with a follow up Phase in FY 07/08. This portion of the project is a continuation of our previous efforts to eradicate this invasive weed population before it produces a monoculture consisting of hundreds of acres.
The third project will continue a comprehensive weed management plan for protecting the sensitive Lake Tahoe Basin environment through survey, treatment and mapping for "A" rated Noxious Weeds.
The ultimate goal of these projects is to eradicate small, pioneer infestations of noxious weeds in El Dorado County while still economically feasible to do so. The Contract Company is an expertly trained Natural Resource - Geographic Information Services (GIS) company. This company provides the specialized skills, state pesticide licensing, workers compensation coverage and equipment necessary to survey, map, and treat noxious weed populations at specific locations in El Dorado County in an economic and efficient manner.
The Department recommends the Board make findings in accordance with County Charter Article II, Section 210 (b) (6) that it is appropriate to obtain an outside contractor for the Weed Abatement Program for the El Dorado County Agricultural Department because the ongoing aggregate of work is not sufficient to warrant addition of permanent staff and that the timely treatment of all the various weed populations within the County requires a very short time frame to be efficacious.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) Board Chairman will sign two originals of Agreement 709-SO711 with Forester's Co-Op.
2) Board Clerk provides Departent of Procurement and Contracts with (2) originals of Contract for processing and administration of the Agreement.
Contact: Myrna Tow X6647