BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill

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1 Notice and Agenda Special Meeting Thursday, November 8, 2018, 3:00 p.m. BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill To be held at the following location: Joint Administration Office of the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County 1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier California: Special Location: Conference Room E/F Agency Director Alternate County of Los Angeles SULIC YOKOMIZO City of Whittier HENDERSON ALVARADO Hacienda Heights Improvement Association HUGHES LICARI Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County HYDE FERRANTE The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority is a public entity established pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act by agreement with the City of Whittier, County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. Questions about any agenda items can be directed to Andrea Gullo, Executive Director, at Pursuant to Section of the Government Code the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Authority), a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Authority will be held at the call of the Chairperson of the Authority at the above time and place for the purpose of: 1. Receipt of Public Comments. 2. Report from Citizens Technical Advisory Committee. 3. Consent Calendar: a. Approval of Authority Special Meeting Minutes of August 16, b. Receive and file the Authority s Portfolio Earnings Reports and Custom Position by Instrument Type for August and September 2018 prepared by the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector. c. Receive and file Receipts and Disbursements for the Authority for the quarter ending June 30, 2018 as submitted by the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor-Controller. d. Receive and file August and September 2018 and First Quarterly Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) Ranger Reports. e. Receive and file letter regarding encroachment behind 475 West Skyline Drive in La Habra Heights on Authority owned property. f. Receive and file information about Authority volunteers of the year: Lee Willard, Trail Watch Volunteer; Pam Hill, Docent Volunteer; and Licha Gonzales, Overall Volunteer.

2 Notice and Agenda Special Meeting Thursday, November 8, 2018, 3:00 p.m. 4. Verbal report and discussion regarding potential agreement with third party developer regarding mitigation projects that could involve acquisition, restoration and/or long-term maintenance funding for the Authority s Preserve. 5. Verbal update regarding Matrix Oil project along Harbor Boulevard in La Habra Heights and activity adjacent to and within Matrix pipeline easement on Authority owned property. 6. Discussion and possible action authorizing Executive Director to execute a contract with Psomas in the amount of $26,200 for the services of surveying, mapping and creating a legal description for a conservation easement associated with the Monterey Park habitat mitigation restoration project in La Habra Heights. 7. Discussion and possible action authorizing Executive Director to execute a nonbid contract with Nakae and Associates for landscape maintenance services in an amount not to exceed $30, Instruction to negotiators on property negotiations for the following property: A) Assessor Parcel Number Negotiating parties include Board Chairman, Executive Director, and property owner Wang. B) Assessor Parcel Number Negotiating parties include Board Chairman, Executive Director, and property owner Nhan. C) Assessor Parcel Number Negotiating parties include Board Chairman, Executive Director, and property owner King Boris. D) Assessor Parcel Numbers and Negotiating parties include Board Chairman and Authority Executive Director and Executive Officer of Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. (This item can be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section regarding real estate negotiations.) 9. Discussion and possible action regarding conference with legal counsel. Litigation. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy v. City of Whittier, and related cross-complaint Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, et al. v. City of Whittier, et al. (LASC Cases No. BS and BS138796); Prop A Protective Association v. City of Whittier, et al. (LASC Case No. BS145771); Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, et al. v. City of Whittier, et al. (LASC Case No. BS146670); Matrix Oil Corp., et al. v. Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, et al (LASC Case No. BS146928). (This item can be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section [a].) 10. Executive Director s comments, and Board Members statements, responses, questions or directions to staff. 11. Adjournment and announcement of next meeting. NOTE: Members of the public may address the Board of Directors on any item shown on the agenda. NOTE: 72 hours prior to Board of Directors meetings, the entire Board of Directors agenda package is available for review, along with any meeting-related writings or documents provided to a majority of the Board members after distribution of the agenda package, in the office of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, 7702 Washington Avenue #C, in Whittier. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you require a disability-related modification or accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please call Melissa Miller or Andrea Gullo at at least 48 hours prior to meeting.

3 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting August 16, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Held at the Joint Administration Office of the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County 1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, California The Chairman, Bob Henderson, called the meeting to order and a roll call was taken at approximately 3:06 p.m., at Conference Room F of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts offices in Whittier. From City of Whittier: Present: Bob Henderson, Chairman From Hacienda Heights Improvement Association: Present: Mike Hughes, Director From County of Los Angeles Present: Ivan Sulic, Director From Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County: Present: Grace Hyde, Director Also present: Andrea Gullo, Authority Executive Director Melissa Miller, Authority Board Secretary Laurie Collins, Legal Counsel Kenn Hughes, Deputy Chief Ranger, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority Joan Licari, Authority Alternate Director Shannon DeLong, City of Whittier Assistant City Manager Mike Sprague, Whittier Daily News David Cowardin, Whittier resident Jeff Nickell, Whittier resident 1. RECEIPT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. David Cowardin commented that information regarding court decisions should not be discussed during closed sessions to exclude the public, and Counsel Collins noted that if such a discussion includes legal advice and not simply reportage then the discussion must be held in a closed session. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR: a) Approval of Authority Meeting Minutes for July 26, b) Receive and file the Authority s Portfolio Earnings Reports and Custom Position by Instrument Type for July 2018 prepared by the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector. 1

4 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting August 16, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY c) Approval allowing all written resolutions attached to staff reports to be read by title only and waiving further reading. d) Receive and file June and July 2018 and Fourth Quarterly Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) Ranger Reports, and the Habitat Authority s associated consolidated multi-year reports. Chairman Henderson requested that item 2.d be removed from the consent calendar for separate discussion. Director Hyde motioned to approve items 2.a, 2.b and 2.c on this consent calendar, and Director Sulic seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Henderson noted a typo on page 3 of the ranger report. Director Sulic thanked the rangers specifically for their efforts to curb excessive noise in the Preserve, and Deputy Chief Ranger Hughes noted that signage with that intent will soon be posted at trailheads, especially at Hacienda Hills Trailhead. Deputy Chief Ranger Hughes then mentioned an encroachment by Matrix Oil Corporation that has just been found in La Habra Heights, including a large hole dug in preparation for work that has not even received official permit yet, and Chairman Henderson stated that he will be phoning Matrix Oil tomorrow regarding this new situation. Director Sulic motioned to receive and file these reports. Vice Chair Hughes seconded this motion, and the motion passed unanimously. 3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE ITEMS OF THE AUTHORITY BUDGET FISCAL YEAR , AND AMENDING AUTHORITY BUDGET AS NECESSARY. Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report. Chairman Henderson noted that State Compensation Insurance Fund has not yet responded to the City of Whittier s protest regarding the classification change that has caused a substantial increase in the Authority s workers compensation expenses. The Board received and filed this information, taking no action to amend the budget for fiscal year since information should still be forthcoming from the City of Whittier s Controller regarding the Authority s workers compensation classifications and finalized accounting amounts for fiscal year DISCUSSION, RECEIVE AND FILE DRAFT PUENTE HILLS WILDLIFE CAMERA STUDY 2018 REPORT PREPARED BY COOPER ECOLOGICAL MONITORING, INC. Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report, and there was discussion. Chairman Henderson emphasized the report s statement that the results of such monitoring should always be considered as suggestive of patterns as opposed to being proof of patterns. Nevertheless, he expressed encouragement that the wildlife seems to have already 2

5 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting August 16, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY responded positively to the reduction in trail-usage hours, although the animals activity levels have certainly not fully recovered from the recent lengthier trail use. Executive Director Gullo thanked Vice Chair Hughes for alerting her to the report of the study regarding the cascading effects of various species activities being confined to nighttime hours due to conflicting diurnal human pressure. Vice Chair Hughes declared that this reduction in trail-use hours is definitely the correct response to the heretofore increasing human presence on the trails. The Board received and filed this report. 5. DISCUSSION, RECEIVE AND FILE DRAFT PUENTE HILLS PRESERVE 2018 RECREATIONAL USE ASSESSMENT PREPARED BY MIG, INC. Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report, emphasizing the large differences in weather conditions during this most recent survey in comparison to the last one in Vice Chair Hughes stated that temperature makes such a difference in the human activity levels on the trails that it could be even more impactful than the reduction of the trail hours. Chairman Henderson noted that the activity levels at Powder Canyon and Arroyo Pescadero did not see the magnitude of change from 2016 to 2018 that was seen for instance at Hellman Park. Executive Director Gullo said she is investigating the possibility of obtaining similar measurements in a less expensive study, so as to maximize future monitoring of the Preserve. Director Hyde motioned to receive and file this report. Vice Chair Hughes seconded this motion, which passed unanimously. The Board heard item 7 next. 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF AN ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957[b][1].). At 4:15 p.m. Chairman Henderson moved to continue discussion of item 6 in Closed Session. At 4:33 p.m. Chairman Henderson moved to end the Closed Session and the Open Session recommenced. Regarding item 6, the Board decided not to appoint an acting Executive Director during the absence of the current Executive Director, Andrea Gullo. Item 10 was heard next. 7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION ENTITLED ACQUISITION OF TAX DEFAULTED PROPERTY IN HACIENDA HEIGHTS REGARDING ENTERING INTO A CHAPTER 8 CONTRACT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF APN AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR CHAIRMAN TO TAKE ALL ACTION NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO 3

6 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting August 16, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY AND COMPLETE THE CONTRACT (This resolution to be read by title only, further reading being waived.). Executive Director Gullo reviewed this item as presented in the staff report, and there was little discussion. Vice Chair Hughes thanked staff for its research on this property, and Executive Director Gullo thanked James Yang at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works for his assistance in gathering the information needed to make the decision about this property. Director Hyde motioned to receive and file this information and therefore not move forward with pursuing the acquisition of this property parcel. Director Sulic seconded this motion, and it passed unanimously. 8. INSTRUCTION TO NEGOTIATORS ON PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: A) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PROPERTY OWNER WANG. B) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PROPERTY OWNER NHAN. C) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PROPERTY OWNER KING BORIS. D) ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS AND NEGOTIATING PARTIES INCLUDE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MOUNTAINS RECREATION AND CONSERVATION AUTHORITY. (This item can be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section regarding real estate negotiations.) Counsel Collins advised that there is no closed session needed for this item today, and she reported that the two parcels indicated as 8.D have still not been cleared from probate. 9. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. LITIGATION. SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY V. CITY OF WHITTIER, AND RELATED CROSS-COMPLAINT LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT, ET AL. V. CITY OF WHITTIER, ET AL. (LASC CASES NO. BS AND BS138796); PROP A PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION V. CITY OF WHITTIER, ET AL. (LASC CASE NO. BS145771); LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT, ET AL. V. CITY OF WHITTIER, ET AL. (LASC CASE NO. BS146670); MATRIX OIL CORP., ET AL. V. LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT, ET AL (LASC CASE NO. BS146928). (This item can be heard in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section [a].) Counsel Collins advised that there is no closed session needed for this item today. Chairman Henderson mentioned the recent appellate court ruling in this case, adding that the ruling could still be appealed to the state Supreme Court since it is an unpublished appellate ruling and that, in any event, the Authority is only a party of interest in the case. 4

7 DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting August 16, 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY The Board heard item 6 next. 10. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S COMMENTS, AND BOARD MEMBERS STATEMENTS, RESPONSES, QUESTIONS OR DIRECTIONS TO STAFF. Director Sulic mentioned a Youth Build community group that could perhaps assist in the Authority s restoration work, and he stated that if there are still traffic problems around the Hellman Park Trailhead then the Whittier Police Department should be assisting in enforcement there. Chairman Henderson said that he d speak with Whittier s city manager about that. Director Sulic also asked that Executive Director Gullo not hesitate to communicate during her absence. Executive Director Gullo noted that the administrative fee for the new Brea mitigation project has been received, and that Chairman Henderson will be attending next week s CTAC meeting in her place. 11. ADJOURNMENT AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING. There being no further comments, or business to be discussed, Chairman Henderson adjourned the meeting at 4:42 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting date is September 27, Approved: Bob Henderson, Board Chairman Melissa Miller, Board Secretary 5

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32 Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill Date: November 8, 2018 MEMORANDUM To: Board Members From: Subject: Andrea Gullo, Executive Director Agenda Item No. 3f) Receive and file information about Authority volunteers of the year: Lee Willard, Trail Watch Volunteer; Pam Hill, Docent Volunteer; and Licha Gonzales, Overall Volunteer. Recommendation: That the Board receive and file information about the above award recipients. Background: In accordance with the Authority s evaluation criteria for volunteer recognition as detailed below, three outstanding volunteers -- Lee Willard, Pam Hill and Licha Gonzales -- are scheduled to be recognized for their valuable contributions at the Authority s annual Volunteer Appreciation luncheon on November 3. As you know our volunteers time is extremely valuable in helping the Authority maintain its trails and provide quality outdoor educational programming to the surrounding community. Since the beginning of the docent program, the Authority has tripled the amount of people it annually reaches. The Authority volunteer program is made up of a group of very talented and conscientious individuals that are helping to promote the agency s mission and stewardship of the Authority s Puente Hills Preserve. In order to qualify for Volunteer of the Year in the below categories, the following Authority criteria must be met: Trail Watch Volunteer of the Year 1. Was not Trail Watch Volunteer of the Year in the previous year, and 2. Volunteer must have one of the top three highest volunteer hours, and 3. Contributed in a unique way (i.e.: worked with rangers on special projects, etc ) OR Demonstrated excellent leadership qualities. Docent Volunteer of the Year 1. Was not Docent of the Year in the previous year, and 2. Volunteer must have one of the top three highest volunteer hours, and 3. Contributed in a unique way (i.e.: was lead docent at all attended programmed events, planned a new program or wrote new curriculum, etc.) OR Demonstrated excellent leadership qualities.

33 Page 2 Agenda Item 3f Overall Volunteer of the Year 1. Was not Overall Volunteer of the Year in the previous year, and 2. Volunteer must have one of the top three combined (Trail Watch and Docent) highest volunteer hours, and 3. Contributed in a unique way (i.e.: worked with rangers on special projects, etc ) OR Demonstrated excellent leadership qualities. The attached description of the volunteer-of-the-year winners and their valuable contributions was generated by staff Terri Hernandez, Authority Interpretive Programs Coordinator. We ask that the volunteers contribute at least 48 hours annually, and all of the award winners contributed much more than that as described in the attached.

34 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY 2018 VOLUNTEER AWARD RECIPIENTS Trail Watch Volunteer of the Year 2018 Lee Willard lives in Whittier and first began volunteering for the Habitat Authority in 2011 as a docent. The following year he completed Trail Watch training and has since spent countless hours hiking the trails and reporting back to Rangers. Lee loves our hills and has long been active with Hills for Everyone, Friends of the Whittier Hills and Sierra Club. In 2012, Lee was awarded our Trail Watch Volunteer of the Year. This past year he donated 78 precious hours in helping the rangers keep the Preserve trails safe and clean. He is an asset to our Trail Watch program and we greatly appreciate his service! Docent Volunteer of the Year 2018 Pam Hill is a Whittier resident and geology teacher. She has been a Docent volunteer since 2015 and in 2017 she completed Trail Watch training. Pam holds multiple degrees and teaches at Cal State Long Beach, but still finds the time to hike, help us with Hills Alive, Trail Watch, Jr. Rangers and various special activities. She previously was recognized as our Overall Volunteer of the Year in 2016, and this past year she donated 83 hours as a volunteer Docent, and additional hours out hiking the trails. We don t know how she does it, but we very much appreciate it! Overall Volunteer of the Year 2018 Eloise, Licha, Gonzales, of Rowland Heights, became a Docent in 2011 before joining the Trail Watch team in Since that time, Licha has been active in virtually every aspect of volunteering here at the Preserve, and in 2015 she was awarded our Trail Watch Volunteer of the Year. Volunteering 250 hours this past year alone, she helps with Little Explorers, Hills Alive, public awareness efforts, Trail Watch, and tirelessly works to repair vandalized ropes in our restoration areas. She also helped launch our latest education campaign affectionately known as Doggy Duty, providing a water station for hot pooches and some valuable education for their guardian owners.

35 Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill Date: November 8, 2018 MEMORANDUM To: Board Members From: Subject: Andrea Gullo, Executive Director Agenda Item No. 6) Discussion and possible action authorizing Executive Director to execute a contract with Psomas in the amount of $26,200 for the services of surveying, mapping and creating a legal description for a conservation easement associated with the Monterey Park habitat mitigation restoration project in La Habra Heights. Recommendation: That the Board approve a reimbursable contract with Psomas for surveying services as described below. Background: The Board approved entering into a mitigation agreement between the Authority and Monterey Park Retail Partners, LLC (Monterey) on December 8, 2016, and it was executed on February 7, The agreement outlined that Monterey would be responsible for implementing habitat mitigation for 15 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat on Habitat Authority owned property in Powder Canyon within La Habra Heights. In accordance with section 4D of the agreement, Monterey is responsible for the costs of the survey to map and generate a legal description for the conservation easement in Powder Canyon. The 15-acre conservation easement will be held by a local joint powers authority, the Watershed Conservation Authority. To date the mitigation restoration is proceeding on course. Monterey hired LSA Associates to act as their biological monitor, and the Authority has been overseeing the activities. The Authority was provided $115,000 for project oversight in addition to $300,000 for Authority access fees. Seeding and planting will occur this winter, and the conservation easement needs to be recorded by February 7, 2019 in accordance with the mitigation agreement and U.S. Fish and Wildlife requirements. In accordance with the Authority s Purchasing Policies, contracts over $10,000 need Board approval. Scope of the proposed contract is as follows: The survey contract will cover preparing a legal description and accompanying plat, digital file in shapefile format, and PDF of map drawing to demark the proposed 15-acre Monterey

36 Page 2 Agenda Item 6 mitigation site as identified in the attached map. The work will include field measurements and setting wooden stakes around the entirety of the conservation easement. The work will be prepared, sealed, and signed by a California Licensed Land Surveyor. Field survey work will need to commence in November 2018 and deliverables shall be provided no later than December 21, The selected firm is expected to provide the following services for the contract: Conduct research of available land records and perform pre-calculations for the survey area Establish horizontal control using global positioning system (GPS) procedures that are referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) Perform a field survey to locate the perimeter of the 15-acre mitigation area Set permanent markers to demark the perimeter of the conservation easement consisting of setting 1 x 2 x 24 wooden lath stakes around the entire perimeter of the boundary at each angle point Tie in a sufficient number of major cadastral corners to be used as the base for the legal description of the conservation easement Calculate the survey data and prepare a record boundary of the parcel affected by the 15- acre restoration area Prepare a legal description and exhibit for the 15-acre conservation easement Deliverables Two paper copies of conservation easement legal description and map stamped; PDF of conservation easement legal description and map provided electronically. Electronic digital files delivered in shapefile format compatible with ArcGIS. Additionally, the consultant will coordinate efforts with the Authority s biological consultant, Land IQ, and Monterey s consultant, LSA. The Authority s consultant assisted with the development and release of the request for proposals to at least seven qualified consultants on October 12, 2018, and the deadline was October 29. Only one proposal was received. This project work is somewhat specialized due to the multipoint survey for the four different habitat polygons on two different assessor parcel numbers within a rural community. The proposal received was from Psomas in the amount of $26,200. The Authority has contracted with Psomas before for surveying services in Powder Canyon, and they performed well. Psomas proposal has been reviewed and is considered complete and qualified. It has also been provided to Monterey and LSA for their review. Monterey is in agreement with the Authority proceeding to hire Psomas. Psomas cost estimate is attached for your reference. Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact with this item. The contract is reimbursable in accordance with the mitigation agreement between the Authority and Monterey.

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39 Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Endowment Provided by the Puente Hills Landfill Date: November 8, 2018 MEMORANDUM To: Board Members From: Subject: Andrea Gullo, Executive Director Agenda Item No. 7) Discussion and possible action authorizing Executive Director to execute a nonbid contract with Nakae and Associates for landscape maintenance services in an amount not to exceed $30,000. Recommendation: That the Board approve a nonbid contract with Nakae and Associates, Inc. for landscaping services for the period of one-year. Background: The Authority has held a landscaping contract annually since The previous long-term landscaping contracts were bid in 2003 and again in 2010 and awarded each time for a five-year period. Amendments were also issued to extend the timeframes. Nakae and Associates was the lowest and most qualified bidder in each instance. Approving this contract will allow for continued maintenance of the Authority s Preserve such as invasive weed removal, post-fire restoration, trailside vegetation maintenance, and trailhead native vegetation maintenance. As is done every year, the various tasks would be implemented only after Nakae provides cost estimates based on approved rates to ensure that the contract budget is adhered. According to Section 3 of the Authority s Purchasing Policies, the Board can authorize non-bid contracts for services if, in part, prior experience and/or professional qualifications have proven that a particular service is more satisfactory or economical for Authority purposes. Nakae is recommended as a non-bid contract because (1) the proposed contractor is known to possess the needed experience and qualifications, and is the most satisfactory for Habitat Authority purposes, and (2) they are uniquely familiar with the Habitat Authority s Preserve. Nakae has served the Authority exceptionally well with several contracts over the years. Their communication, flexibility, coordination, and quality of work has been outstanding. Additionally, they have always stayed within their budgets. Nakae was established in 1984 and incorporated in They are a licensed landscape/general engineering contractor that has projects in California, Utah and Arizona. They have experience restoring and maintaining over

40 Page 2 Agenda Item 7 7,000 acres of native habitats. Their knowledge of native vegetation and invasive weeds found within the Authority s Preserve has been proven over the many years to be extremely effective and beneficial for the Authority s unique needs. The rates for a contract in the amount of $30,000 are attached for your reference. In accordance with the Authority s Purchasing Policies, contracts over $10,000 need Board approval. Fiscal Impact: This proposed action is consistent with the Authority s approved budget for the fiscal year.

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