Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a Four-Year Agreement with United States Government for Predator Management Services at Alameda Point for a Total Four-Year Compensation Amount Not-to-Exceed $120,000.
The City previously certified an Environmental Impact Report for Alameda Point. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15163, none of the circumstances necessitating further CEQA review are present. This action is also categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources). (Base Reuse and Economic Development 29061822, 29161822)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed agreement between the City of Alameda (City) and United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (APHIS Wildlife Services) is for work required under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS’) August 2012 Biological Opinion on the Proposed Naval Air Station Alameda Disposal and Reuse Project (BiOp) that was prepared for the Navy’s Conveyance of Alameda Point to the City and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and the City’s 2012 Predator Management Plan for Lands West of Main Street (PMP). The proposed agreement would provide four (4) years of predator management services at Alameda Point to protect endangered California Least Terns (least terns) and other federally protected species.
In recent years, staff executed a series of one-year agreements with APHIS Wildlife Services for predator management services west of Main Street during the least tern breeding season to reduce the risk that predator activities would impede successful breeding. APHIS Wildlife Services are trained and have been approved to conduct this work by USFWS. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the proposed agreement, which would provide a funding mechanism for predator management for four additional years; the total compensation would be an amount not to exceed $120,000.
BACKGROUND
According to the BiOp, Alameda Point is “the largest and most stable breeding colony [of least terns] in the . . . Bay Area.” The former runway area on the western portion of Alameda Point mimics the sandy beaches that least terns prefer as nesting sites. A colony of least terns has nested each summer at Alameda Point since at least the 1970s. Under the BiOp, and the BiOp-mandated Predator Management Plan, the City must avoid and minimize impacts to these small migratory birds and their habitat, with special focus on avoiding harm during their mid-April to mid-September breeding season.
Predator Management at Alameda Point has been conducted since 1999 - if not earlier - and was originally funded by the Navy. APHIS Wildlife Services assisted in the development of the City’s PMP, and APHIS Wildlife Services is specially trained to perform the work necessary to comply with the BiOp; per the PMP APHIS Wildlife Services “personnel are trained in a variety [of] predator management and removal techniques, and have appropriate permits to conduct such activities.”
DISCUSSION
The BiOp requires that the PMP “ensure that an average of 20 hours per week of predator management activities are conducted from March 25 through August 7, of each year [and that] such predator management will continue in perpetuity.” The PMP implements this requirement and establishes the management activities required to comply with the BiOp.
Under the PMP, the City has entered into a series of short-term agreements - ranging between one and three years -- with APHIS Wildlife Services to conduct this work. Instead of continuing to execute short-term agreements, staff is seeking to authorize this work through the end of the 2030 breeding season through a four-year agreement. The proposed amendment would have a retroactive start date of October 1, 2025, and terminate on September 30, 2029.
|
APHIS Wildlife Services Agreement by Contract Year |
|
Year 1 (for work through September 2026) |
$30,000 |
|
Year 2 (for work through September 2027) |
$30,000 |
|
Year 3 (for work through September 2028) |
$30,000 |
|
Year 4 (for work through September 2029) |
$30,000 |
|
Agreement Total: |
$120,000 |
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the Agreement with APHIS Wildlife Services for a four-year term, in an amount not to exceed $120,000, in compliance with the BiOp and PMP.
• Direct Staff to negotiate different terms and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement that includes such terms if acceptable to APHIS Wildlife Services. This could cause a disruption in predator management activities at Alameda Point and is not recommended.
• Do not authorize an agreement with APHIS Wildlife Services, and direct staff to negotiate with a separate service provider. Any alternative provider would need to be approved by USFWS and receive additional permits to conduct the required services. This could cause a disruption in predator management activities at Alameda Point and is not recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed Agreement would be funded by the Alameda Point (29061822) and Alameda Point Tidelands (29161822) budget for professional services. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the 2012 Alameda Point Predator Management Plan for Lands West of Main Street, the 2012 Biological Opinion, and the Municipal Code. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City previously certified a Final Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda Point Project on February 4, 2014, which incorporates the activities performed under this agreement as mitigation measures studied in the report. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15163, none of the circumstances necessitating further CEQA review are present.
On a separate and independent basis, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a four-year agreement with United States Government for Predator Management Services at Alameda Point for a total four-year compensation amount not-to exceed $120,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director
By,
Alexis Krieg, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement