ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
9.	CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF FILTERS, CHILLERS, AND ULTRAVIOLET STERILIZERS FOR THE REARING TROUGHS AT THE SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY
Meeting Date:		April 14, 2008	Budgeted:	Yes
From:		Darby Fuerst,	Program/	Aquatic Resources/
		General Manager	Line Item Nos.:	Fisheries 2-3-1 G/ 2-3-1 A
Prepared By:		Beverly Chaney	Cost Estimate:	$17,200
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on April 14, 2008 and recommended ________.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: In 2007, eight rearing troughs were installed at the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF or Facility) for holding, rearing, and treating small juvenile steelhead rescued from the lower Carmel River. These troughs were a critical component of the Facility’s operations in 2007. Staff has determined that the addition of chillers to further reduce water temperature in the tanks should reduce fish mortality. In order for the chillers to maintain the lower temperatures, the troughs need to be operated in a semi-recirculated manner, so filters and sterilizers are necessary for good water quality. Each trough will be equipped with a chiller, filter, and ultraviolet (UV) sterilizer. Purchase of the chillers was included as a separate line item as part of the District’s Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Budget under Sleepy Hollow Facility Operations. Extra funds needed for the purchase of the filters, and UV sterilizers and bulbs will come out of the Facility’s General Operations and Maintenance budget line item.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the District Board authorize expenditure of budgeted funds in a not-to-exceed amount of $17,200 for the purchase and shipping, of the eight chillers, filters, and UV sterilizers and replacement bulbs from Aquatic Eco-Systems (AES) in Florida. Staff worked with the technical staff at AES to design the proper arrangement and set-up of these components. AES also gave staff a bulk discount of approximately 10-12% on the purchasing price of the items. The Administrative Committee reviewed this item at its April14, 2008 meeting and voted _ – _ to _________ the expenditure.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The Mid-Year 2007-2008 Budget includes $15,100 for the purchase of water chillers for eight new rearing troughs for the SHSRF (Line Item 2-3-1 G). The actual cost of the chillers, including shipping, is approximately $13,100. A total of $4,100 is also needed for filters and UV sterilizers to match with the chillers, and $2,000 of this amount can be covered under the funds budgeted for the chillers. The Mid-Year 2007-2008 Budget included $40,400 for General operations and maintenance of SHSRF (Line Item 2-3-1 A). The approximately $2,100 extra needed for the purchase of the filters and UV sterilizers will come out of that fund. Installation of the components will require a moderate amount of fisheries staff time. U:\staff\word\committees\Admin\2008\20080414\09\item9.doc