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a. Approve a Standard Agreement with Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist, where the Base budget is $25,000 and the Contingency budget is $3,750, for a total amount not to exceed $28,750 to provide tree risk assessment(s) for trees located in the public rights-of-way and on County property identified for preservation/trimming/removal by Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Program, Countywide, for a term from January 13, 2016 to September 30, 2016;
b. Approve a Funding Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company where the Base budget is $25,000, the Contingency budget is $3,750, and the County contract administration fee is $3,170, for a total amount not to exceed $31,920 to allow funding to Monterey County for costs incurred by Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist, to provide tree risk assessment(s) for trees located in the public rights-of-way and on County property identified for preservation/trimming/removal by Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Program, Countywide, for a term from January 13, 2016 to September 30, 2016; and
c. Authorize the RMA Director to execute the Standard Agreement, Funding Agreement and future amendments to the Agreements where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or change the approved Agreement amounts.
(REF150075; PG&E Gas Pipeline Program/County Property Tree Risk Assessment)
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PROJECT INFORMATION:
Planning File Number: REF150075
Consultant: Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist
Project Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Project Name: Tree Risk Assessment(s)
Plan Area: Countywide
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a Standard Agreement with Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist, where the Base budget is $25,000 and the Contingency budget is $3,750, for a total amount not to exceed $28,750 to provide tree risk assessment(s) for trees located in the public rights-of-way and on County property identified for preservation/trimming/removal by Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Program, Countywide, for a term from January 13, 2016 to September 30, 2016; and
b. Approve a Funding Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company where the Base budget is $25,000, the Contingency budget is $3,750, and the County contract administration fee is $3,170, for a total amount not to exceed $31,920 to allow funding to Monterey County for costs incurred by Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist, to provide tree risk assessment(s) for trees located in the public rights-of-way and on County property identified for preservation/trimming/removal by Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Program, Countywide, for a term from January 13, 2016 to September 30, 2016; and
c. Authorize the RMA Director to execute the Standard Agreement, Funding Agreement and future amendments to the Agreements where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or change the approved Agreement amounts.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On July 30, 2015, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) met with County staff and made a presentation regarding their upcoming community gas safety work in addressing potential risks to their gas transmission pipelines (Attachment A). PG&E is currently undergoing the process of pipeline testing and replacement throughout Monterey County. Access to pipelines for emergency situations is one key to pipeline safety. Tree roots damage pipelines. In addition, lightning striking a tree on or near a pipeline poses additional risk to damaging a pipe. PG&E proposes tree and vegetation removal on public and private property throughout the County and the removal of over 800 trees on County-owned property alone. PG&E will be dealing with private property owners directly. However, PG&E would like the County’s input on so-called “franchise trees” they propose to either keep, trim, or remove on public rights-of-way or County property. These trees are located throughout the County along the Highway 101 corridor from King City to the San Benito County line, Highway 68, Espinosa Road, Old Stage Road, Dolan Road, and San Juan Road.
Because the County does not have the resources or expertise to make the determinations, PG&E offered to pay for the services of a Certified Arborist, to work on the County’s behalf, to perform Tree Risk Assessments to determine if trees along the gas transmission pipelines should be removed or maintained. The assessments consider the safety of people and property through a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The assessments will provide the County with the information needed to allow PG&E to proceed with tree removal or to maintain trees within the pipeline rights-of-way. The Arborist will make recommendations to the County in the form of a written report.
This Standard Agreement (SA) with Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist (Attachment B), and related Funding Agreement (FA) with PG&E (Attachment C), Project Applicant, will allow for completion of tree risk assessment(s) for trees located in the public rights-of-way and on County property identified for preservation, trimming, and/or removal by PG&E’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Program for a total SA amount not to exceed $28,750 ($25,000 Base budget and $3,750 in Contingency budget) and a total FA amount not to exceed $31,920 ($25,000 Base budget, $3,750 in Contingency budget and $3,170 for Contract Administration). The term of the SA and FA is from January 13, 2016 to September 30, 2016.
The costs for this SA are to be covered through the FA with PG&E and are related to the completion of tree risk assessment(s) for PG&E’s Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Program. The FA also covers the County’s contract administration fee associated with processing of the SA and FA.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The following offices have reviewed the Agreements as to form and legality, and fiscal and insurance provisions, respectively:
Office of the County Counsel
Auditor-Controller’s Office
Risk Management Office
FINANCING:
Pursuant to the terms of the FA with PG&E, Project Applicant, and the County, the expenses of Michael L Bench, Consulting Arborist, to provide tree risk assessment(s) and fees associated with County contract administration will be funded through budgets established in the FA. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Prepared by: Laura M. Lawrence, R.E.H.S, Planning Services Manager, Ext. 5148
Approved by: Mike Novo, Director, RMA - Planning, Ext. 5192
Carl P. Holm, AICP, Director, RMA, Ext. 5103
All attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - PG&E Presentation - Community Pipeline Safety Initiative
Attachment B - SA with Michael L. Bench, Consulting Arborist
Attachment C - FA with PG&E