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BOOK 10i PuE 50 CR -512 SCRUB MITIGATION -- WABASSO SCRUB MANAGEMENT PLAN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - SMITH I ZOVIA I WN NO IM D!' The Board reviewed a Memorandum of March 25, 1997: TO: James Chandler County Administrator THROUGH: James W. Davis, P.E. Public Works Director Robert Keating, A.I.C.P _ Director, Community De el p At FROM: Roger D. Cain, P.E. County Engineer SUBJECT: CR512 Scrub Mitigation, abasso Scrub Property Management Plan Professional Services Agreement DATE: March 25, 1997 DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS In 1995, the Board of County Commissioners authorized the selection of Smith Environmental Services, Inc., to draft a scrub jay habitat mitigation plan to address permitting requirements associated with the CR512 widening project. Subsequently, in September, 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a biological opinion and authorized the County to proceed with the C.R. 512 project, contingent upon the County implementing its scrub jay habitat mitigation plan on the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area property. The habitat mitigation plan submitted by the County and accepted by the FWS requires "habitat suitability monitoring" within the areas to be restored and managed on the Wabasso Scrub property. This required monitoring includes color -banding the resident scrub jay sub -population to document reproductive success. Smith Environmental Services has submitted a scope of services and cost estimate for implementation of the required monitoring program (attached), for approval consideration by the Board of County Commissioners. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS County environmental planning staff has indicated that the required monitoring, particularly the color -banding of a federally protected species, is beyond the expertise of staff. Therefore, contracting with a specialist for the monitoring is warranted. However, because the Wabasso Scrub property is the first of a number of scrub properties that the -County will be managing, staff thinks this is a good opportunity for staff to observe and learn monitoring techniques that staff can implement in the future on other scrub management properties. Concerning the attached scope of services from Smith Environmental Services, Inc., since the firm drafted the approved scrub jay habitat mitigation plan and is already familiar with the Wabasso Scrub property from the standpoint of management and monitoring. needs, staff thinks it is appropriate for the County to select the firm without need for a formal competitive bidding process. As proposed, the total cost of monitoring is estimated to be $7,333, plus not exceeding $500 in reimbursable expenses (see Attachment A of the Scope of Services). APRIL 19 1997 44