To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Redwood Region Audubon Society (RRAS) and the County of Humboldt
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Director of Public Works to sign the attached MOU.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
The Redwood Region Audubon Society is proposing, through the attached MOU, to implement the Third Slough Enhancement Project on the county owned parcel number 01-111-008 which comprises approximately seven (7) acres of wetlands and redwood-spruce forest located at 2769 Lucas Street, between Harrison and Myrtle Avenue. This location is the site of regular illegal dumping which is a strain on county resources to maintain.
RRAS is proposing the following:
a) Periodically removing and managing invasive non-native vegetation.
b) Periodically remove non-hazardous trash and garbage.
c) Periodically evaluate native vegetation and wildlife.
d) Establish native vegetation where feasible.
e) Maintain and clean signage and interpretive materials.
f) Monitor site conditions and report damage, erosion, or other concerns to County staff.
g) Document clean-up activities and acknowledge funder contributions in a manner that does not encourage public access to the site, while recognizing the ecological value of Humboldt Bay’s tributaries and the importance of habitat restoration.
The subject parcel is 7.04 acres in size with a usable area of approximately 1.1 acres. There is a 150 foot wetland setback on the property which is zoned R-4/GO.O. County purchased the property April 11, 1916, to expand the County Hospital. On June 25,1985, county declared property as surplus real property. The county held off on selling the property at that time to allow for the county General Plan amendment for the unincorporated area around the City of Eureka. Property was appraised for $375,000 in 2018 with the intention to sell property to use funds for affordable housing. On January 28, 2020, the county tried to sell property and requested proposals, through public bidding. All interested buyers declined to purchase for primary reasons being terrain, wetlands and uncertain costs to develop.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
This MOU is expected to reduce future cleanup costs to the county as it will allow RRAS access to the site to remove exotic vegetation, bring back native vegetation, and collect non-hazardous illegally dumped materials from the site. A small amount of staff time will be needed for the MOU submittal.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
This MOU will require no additional personnel.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to adopt this MOU. However, this is not recommended as that would result in ongoing cleanup costs charged to the county.
ATTACHMENTS:
MOU
Volunteer encroachment permit
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A