Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jim Eggemeyer, Director, Office of Sustainability
Subject: Resource Conservation District Agreement Amendment
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District to increase the amount by $227,592 to an amount not to exceed $612,835.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) is a special district within San Mateo County that provides comprehensive and integrated services around wildlife, water, climate, and agriculture to the local community. Its service area encompasses a significant part of the county, mostly along the Pacific coast. On July 1, 2017, your Board approved a contract with the RCD for an amount not to exceed $385,243 for services related to water quality improvement and natural resource protection.
As part of AB 939 and AB 1826, the State (CalRecycle) requires that jurisdictions throughout California implement programs to reduce the amount of waste generated and disposed of in landfills including composting and organics recycling. However, in many parts of the county, there is a lack of such infrastructure, making compliance with State mandates difficult. The RCD is well positioned to assist with these efforts.
In addition, in 2015, the County launched Sea Change SMC, which is a County program addressing the issue of sea level rise. In 2018, Sea Change SMC released a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (Assessment) for the entire Bayshore and the North Coast (Half Moon Bay north). The County worked with a broad coalition of governments and community stakeholders to develop the Assessment. The County is planning to work with RCD to complete a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability assessment for the South Coast region.
DISCUSSION:
The RCD has experience working in the coastside region of the county, and has expertise in composting and organics recycling programs. It has also been a strong County partner in providing assistance with various water quality and resource protection projects throughout its service area. It is well positioned to provide similar services with regard to composting, waste reduction, and stakeholder engagement projects, due to technical expertise and relationships with many of the communities in the area.
The recommended amendment with the RCD includes the addition of various projects around composting, waste reduction education, and stakeholder engagement. Examples of these projects include:
• Providing technical assistance for residents and businesses interested in on-site composting
• Coordinating a school composting demonstration project in Half Moon Bay
• Conducting a feasibility study for composting facilities for agricultural producers and equestrian facilities
• Working with Half Moon Bay High School on a local horse manure composting program
• Piloting a Brussels sprout and eucalyptus green waste composting project
• Working with Elkus Ranch to design a manure bunker and composting program with an outreach component
• Developing a carbon farming demonstration project with select ranches and farms
• Providing stakeholder engagement and outreach services around sea level rise
The Office of Sustainability requests a waiver of the requirement for competitive procurement given that this is an agreement with a public entity, as per County Admin Memo B-1.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment(s) of the County’s fiscal obligations up to a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate) without Board approval.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
Approval of the resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community through the implementation of various on-site composting, composting education, and carbon farming programs. Approval of this resolution also contributes to the 2025 Shared Vision outcome of a Collaborative Community by developing relationships with various organizations and communities throughout the county on waste reduction issues.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Appropriations for the services related to the Agreement have been included in the Office of Sustainability’s FY 2017-19 Recommended Budget and will be included in future fiscal years as needed.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Amendment to Agreement with RCD