Report Prepared by: Irene Segura, Recreation Coordinator, Parks and Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Contract Number S2180027 with the State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program in Order to Provide Hunting and Bird Watching Opportunities at the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant and Approval to Accept $8,105.50 into Account 024-1216-360.01-01 to Administer the Program, Increase the Revenue Account in the Amount of $1,052, and Appropriate the Same to the Contingency Account 024-1201-542.34-00
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting a Resolution and agreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide hunting and bird watching opportunities at the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant property through the SHARE program, increases the revenue account 024-1216-360.01-01 by the amount of $1,052, and appropriates the increased amount to the contingency account 024-1201-542.34-00.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council- Adopt a motion:
A. Approving Resolution 2021-91, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, approving contract number S2180027 with the State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program; and,
B. Increasing the revenue account 024-1216-360.01-01 in the amount of $1,052, appropriating the same amount to the contingency account 024-1201-542.34-00; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager or the Deputy City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021-22 Proposed Budget
DISCUSSION
The California Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program assists with facilitating public access to private lands, by providing private landowners or their representatives, annual incentive payments in return for providing public use of their land for wildlife dependent recreational activities. The activities that will be offered at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) through the SHARE program are bird watching and dove, waterfowl and pheasant hunting.
The City of Merced first entered in to the 3-year SHARE agreement in 2013. Prior to 2013, all hunting permits for the WWTP were sold by the City’s Parks and Community Services Department, which generated approximately $2,840. The SHARE program allows the City to continue selling permits on certain days, but also pays the City for the permits issued through CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. This year’s contract will bring in $8,105.50 for the SHARE hunt dates. In order to proceed with the program, the City is required to adopt a Resolution supporting the SHARE program, and the respective Agreement (See ATTACHMENTS 1 & 2).
The program is beneficial for the City as well as the community residents. The term of the contract has been modified to reflect the SHARE hunt dates, which occur intermittently from September - January.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
A portion of the revenue and expense is included in the FY2021-22 Proposed Budget. Staff budgeted $7,054, but is receiving $8,105.50, so we are recommending an increase to the revenue 024-1216-360.01-01 and expense 024-1201-542.34-00 accounts by the additional amount of $1,052.
ATTACHMENTS
1. SHARE Resolution
2. SHARE Agreement