Title
Parks, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sign Amendment I to the Participating Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest for restroom maintenance on the Rubicon Trail, extending the term to January 3, 2026, revising the Scope of Work to clarify duties, adding a provision for paid sick leave requirements, and changing department contacts, with no other changes.
FUNDING: Eldorado National Forest Agreement Funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
El Dorado County and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) El Dorado National Forest were issued a Cleanup and Abatement Order in April 2009 for the Rubicon Trail. The order listed several issues, including sanitation issues, that needed to be addressed to protect water quality. The solution the County developed with the help of our partners was to install a restroom at Ellis Creek and ten construction-style restrooms along the trail, which are serviced by El Dorado County Parks staff and equipment.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), under a requirement of their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), installed two additional restrooms along the trail, the maintenance for which have become the responsibility of the Forest Service. The Forest Service does not have the capability to provide routine cleaning and toilet pumping due to the remote location and lack of adequate resources. County Parks is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the trail within the County, including the locations for these two new facilities, and already maintains seven other restrooms along the trail.
On November 10, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved and authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to sign Participating Agreement 21-PA-11050300-004 with the USDA, Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest for restroom maintenance of Forest Service-owned facilities on the Rubicon Trail. This agreement ends June 15, 2025 (Legistar file 20-1357). In exchange, the Forest Service reimburses the County for the U.S. Forest Service's share of actual expenses incurred to maintain two of the twelve toilets, not to exceed $9,200.
The amendment to the agreement would extend the agreement for one additional trail season, to January 3, 2026. The remaining funds in the agreement totals $2,050, which would only partially cover the cost for the full season of staff time and consumables used in servicing the restroom. The Forest Service is not currently able to negotiate terms for a new agreement, but they expect to negotiate a new five-year agreement by the end of the calendar year.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve this item, the Forest Service would need to identify another solution in order to service their restroom facilities along the trail for the 2025 season.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 20-1357 - November 10, 2020 - The Board Agreement 21-PA-11050300-004 for restroom maintenance of Forest Service-owned facilities on the Rubicon Trail. This agreement ends June 15, 2025.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
United States Forest Service
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This revenue will offset expenses for staff that assist with Rubicon restroom maintenance.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Zachary Perras, Parks Manager