BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Enter Into Agreements Under a Watersheds Stewardship Partnership Program to Support Volunteerism, Youth Engagement, Workforce Development, and Environmental Education.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Enter Into Non-Consulting Services Agreements with Qualified Nonprofit Organizations Under the Watersheds Stewardship Partnership Program for a Total Combined Amount Not to Exceed $750,000 Over a Five-Year Period.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Watersheds Stewardship Partnership Program is intended to provide a consistent mechanism for Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) to partner with nonprofit organizations on project-specific efforts that advance watershed operations and environmental stewardship while creating opportunities for volunteerism, youth engagement, workforce development, environmental education, and community involvement (see Attachment 1). Staff requests that the Board authorize the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to approve, execute, and administer qualifying non-consulting services agreements under the program. The agreements are expected to range from $5,000 to $50,000 and would be funded through existing budgeted funds.
Potential services may include invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, creek cleanups, litter and debris removal, volunteer stewardship events, and related watershed stewardship activities. Valley Water would develop agreements for specific Watersheds projects by matching identified operational or environmental stewardship needs with qualified nonprofit organizations that have the capacity and relevant experience to perform the work. Each agreement would be tailored to the project scope and available budget, reviewed through Valley Water’s normal legal, administrative, and budget processes, and submitted to the CEO for approval.
Granting contract approval authority to the CEO would allow Valley Water to establish these small, project-specific agreements efficiently when opportunities arise, rather than returning to the Board for approval of each individual agreement. The authority would be limited to a five-year period, an annual cap of $150,000, and a total combined cap of $750,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
The program is expected to provide positive community benefits by expanding opportunities for residents, youth, schools, and community organizations to participate in watershed stewardship, environmental education, and cleanup activities. The action does not result in adverse environmental justice impacts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No additional funding or appropriations are requested through this action. Agreements executed under the program would be funded through existing, budgeted Watersheds funds and would be limited to small-scale agreements generally ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The total combined value of all agreements would not exceed $750,000 over five years, with an annual cap of $150,000, and each agreement would remain subject to the availability of budgeted funds.
CEQA:
This action authorizes small, project specific agreements and does not approve a specific physical project. Any work performed under an agreement must be within the scope of activities analyzed in the certified Stream Maintenance Program (SMP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and comply with applicable SMP avoidance measures, mitigation, and permit requirements. Work outside that scope would require separate CEQA review before implementation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Watersheds Stewardship Partnership Program Description
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Jennifer Codianne, 408-630-3876