Title
Approve and authorize the General Manager of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency to accept a donation of funding for chain link fencing valued at $4,500.00 from Cypress Creek Apartments.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the General Manager of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency to accept a donation of funding for chain link fencing valued at $4,500.00 from Cypress Creek Apartments.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) is responsible for the operations and maintenance of portions of the Reclamation Ditch mainstem. Within the City of Salinas (City), a portion of the Reclamation Ditch had a lack of enclosure, leading to entering of trash in the waterway that creates a serious health, life, and safety hazard.
The purpose of the fencing work was to clear and keep trash away from the ditch, with the goal of improving and maintaining water quality in compliance with federal and state trash laws. The MCWRA carried out the fencing work with partial grant funds made available by the City for homelessness encampment resolution and that the type of fencing work consisted of steel chain link fencing. The fence is 160 feet in length and was initially bid $9,000.00. The work was performed by Cypress Coast Fencing, and work commenced on January 11th, 2024. Cost of work was totaled at $10,419.00.
MCWRA proposed that Cypress Creek Apartments, managed by Greystar Business Services, help to fund the project. MCWRA asked Cypress Creek Apartments to assist with funding by means of a 50/50 split of the initial bid, an offer which Cypress Creek Apartments accepted. This resulted in the donation of $4,500.00.
The MCWRA Board of Supervisors is empowered to accept this gift in order to serve a public purpose, here, operation of the Reclamation Ditch and protection of water quality.
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires, by regulation, that local officials that accept gifts for local agency purposes document the transaction and post information about the transaction on the agency website if the fair market value is worth more than $2,500. Upon approval of acceptance of the donation, the MCWRA will comply with the FPPC regulation and will post the appropriate information on the MCWRA website.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and assisted with this donation.
FINANCING:
The expense and reimbursement for the fence will fall within the FY 23-24 approved budget for the Reclamation Ditch, Fund 122.
Prepared by: Mallory Roberts, Water Resources Hydrologist, (831) 682-8978
Approved by: ________________________________________________
Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-8982
Attachment:
1. Letter to Cypress Creek Apartments Proposing Split Funding Effort
2. Letter fence work Cypress Creek ownership approval
3. Before and After Photos