ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
4.	CONSIDER APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURE TO CONTRACT FOR LIMITED-TERM FISH RESCUE POSITIONS AND AMENDMENT TO FY 2013-2014 BUDGET
Meeting Date:			April 21, 2014	Budgeted:	No
From:			David J. Stoldt, General Manager	Program/	Aquatic Resources Fisheries
				Line Item No.:	2-3-2
Prepared By:			Cynthia Schmidlin	Cost Estimate:	Up to $43,647
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on April 14, 2014 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: Increasingly low stream flow conditions, as a result of this critically dry rain year, have necessitated intensive rescues of steelhead juveniles, smolts and adults since March. Beginning rescues this early is unprecedented. To compound matters, the late rains this spring have been enough to increase flow in the Carmel River temporarily, causing steelhead to begin migration to the sea. However, the rain has not been enough to keep river levels from receding soon afterwards. In order to prevent significant steelhead mortality, the District has been performing fish rescues seven days per week, including trapping smolts before they can reach the dry areas of the river.

Intensive rescues, seven days per week, were also required during last year’s dry year. Because of this, the funding for limited-term fisheries staff, approved in the FY 2013-2014 Budget has been exhausted. On January 29, 2014, the Board authorized staff to undertake additional fisheries activities based on assessed conditions, funded from Flood/Drought reserve, which currently has a balance of $443,944. This balance was shown as part of the staff report for the Mid-Year Budget Adjustment, approved by the Board on February 13, 2014. The staff report stated that additional activities undertaken this fiscal year would reduce the Flood/Drought Reserve balance. However the budget was not adjusted to reflect any use of these funds, as the scope of such use had yet to be determined.

Projected need for fish rescues from March 2014 through the remainder of FY 2013-2014 has now been estimated to require contracting with the following limited-term employees: one weekend and relief Fish Rescue Crew Leader for up to 144 hours at $44.00 per hour, two Water Resources Assistants, at $14.75 per hour for up to 477 hours, and six Fisheries Aides, at $13.75 per hour for up to 1638 hours.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the expenditure of funds to contract for limited-term Fish Rescue personnel and amend the FY 2013-2014 Budget Program/Line Item No.: Aquatic Resources Fisheries 2-3-2.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The total cost of the limited-term contracts described above would not exceed $43,647. Limited-term employees receive no District benefits. Costs to the District in addition to their hourly wage are limited to legally mandated payroll taxes and workers compensation insurance premiums.

BACKGROUND: The District has performed fish rescues for the past seventeen years, adding one day of weekend rescues in 2009. Last year, extremely dry conditions on the Carmel River necessitated increasing the rescue schedule, beginning in May, to seven days per week.

EXHIBITS

None

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