Important note: The following recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 21, 2015. The Board approved an amendment on June 28, 2016, extending the program to June 30, 2017. That report is attached below.
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Marlene Finley, Parks Director
Subject: Measure A agreement with the Student Conservation Association for Conservation Crews
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Student Conservation Association to provide Conservation Crews, for the term of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, in an amount not to exceed $341,000.
Background:
In November 2012, San Mateo County voters approved Measure A, a ten-year half-cent general sales tax, to maintain the quality of life for all County residents by providing essential services and maintaining and/or replacing critical facilities. The Board addressed these critical needs in the initial two-year cycle by allocating Measure A funds to the Big Lift and Prevention and Early Intervention for At Risk Children; a new Public Safety Dispatch Center; procurement of new fire engines and safety equipment; after school and summer reading programs; capital improvement projects and maintenance of county parks and more.
Using the Shared Vision 2025 guiding principles, the San Mateo County Manager’s Office established a FY 2015-2017 Measure A application process to enable County Departments and community-based organizations to submit letters of intent for programs and projects.
In March 2015, the Measure A Subcommittee reviewed all the letters of intent and made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. San Mateo County Parks received $5.0 million for FY 2015/2016 and for FY 2016/2017 from Measure A. Parks was asked to include a prioritized list of six grants to six grantees for $2,632,000 in the two year budget. This proposed agreement is one of the six Measure A grants being brought to your Board.
Since 1957, the nonprofit Student Conservation Association (SCA) has served as America’s conservation corps protecting and restoring national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces in all 50 states. Since 2008, County Parks and SCA have built a tremendous partnership to provide educational opportunities for high school-aged youth and young adults with hands-on conservation and natural resource management in San Mateo County Parks.
Discussion:
For FY 2015/2016, six SCA programs will be implemented using Measure A grant funds as well as cash and/or in-kind donations from San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation , SCA, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Job Train.
SCA will provide bi-annual reports and payment requests at the end of the summer season and at the end of our school year. The bi-annual reports and payment requests will be based on task orders related to habitat restoration or facility improvement work.
Performance Measures:
|
Measure |
FY 2014-15 Actual |
FY 2015-16 Projected |
|
Linear Feet of County Trails Restored |
N/A |
2,100 |
SCA crews will provide close to seven thousand hours of volunteer hours to help restore County trails.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form. Approval of this resolution will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community by introducing youth to natural resource conservation and preservation and projects that will provide them with valuable skills and knowledge about open space and urban park lands management.
Fiscal Impact:
The funding agreement has a not-to-exceed amount of $341,000 which will be used for Conservation Crews. Funding comes from the Parks Measure A Grant List previously approved by your Board. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Important note: This is a copy of the official report -- item 6 on the Board's agenda.