TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Aaron Bert |
425-556-2786 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Chris Stenger |
Deputy Public Works Director |
|
Public Works |
Steve Hitch |
Engineering Manager |
|
Public Works |
Tom Hardy |
Environmental Scientist |
TITLE:
title
Approve $282,420 Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) 2023-24 Agreement between the City of Redmond and the Washington State Department of Ecology
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) maintains stream and habitat restoration sites throughout the City of Redmond. Maintenance is typically required by permit approvals for the first 5-10 years after project completion and ongoing maintenance is necessary for long-term project success.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Utilities Strategic Plan
• Required:
Contract over $50,000
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
WCC Agreement begins October 1, 2023.
OUTCOMES:
Maintenance is a crucial activity to the success of restoration and mitigation associated with capital improvement projects. Approximately 100-acres of maintenance sites are distributed around the City (Attachment A).
The value of site maintenance goes far beyond permit compliance. Maintenance of restoration sites involves control of invasive weeds, litter patrol, replacement planting, and other activities important to overall project success. This regular site maintenance enhances already completed projects, building on the initial investment, as well as improving the aesthetics of sites.
WCC members are typically college-age students learning restoration techniques and gaining job skills. A crew consists of six staff that work a 40-hour work week, for 41 weeks, primarily managing noxious weeds and installing replacement plantings at City capital improvement projects. In addition, the crew helps with volunteer events, native tree planting, habitat assessment, small stream maintenance projects, site monitoring, and de-fishing stream projects. This year’s contract also includes 4-weeks of an additional crew time to assist with planting in the winter and noxious weed control in the spring. The contract with the Washington State Department of Ecology is included in Attachment B.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$282,420
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
00214
Budget Priority:
Healthy & Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Stormwater Operations $282,420
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
10/3/2023 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Approve |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
10/17/2023 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
Agreement is for work between October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The City would not meet its maintenance obligations for previously permitted CIP projects. In addition, this lack of maintenance would compound, and future maintenance would be more expensive.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: WCC 2023-24 Restoration and Maintenance Map
Attachment B: WCC 2023-24 Agreement