ITEM: CONSENT CALENDAR

9. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF MITIGATION FUNDS TO CONTRACT FOR TWO FIELD BIOLOGY ASSISTANT POSITIONS

Meeting Date: June 16, 2003 Budgeted: Yes

Program/Line Item No.: 2-1-3-C

Staff Contact: Cynthia Schmidlin Cost Estimate: $37,000

General Counsel Approval: N/A

Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on June 10, 2003 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: Contract employees have been hired annually as Field Biology Assistants to complete riparian habitat mitigation monitoring tasks and assist in a variety of Carmel River management activities. Funding for a total of 2,000 hours for these positions is included in the budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003-2004. Authorization is requested to rehire two contract Field Biology Assistants, with those individuals entering into agreements with the District for up to 1000 hours of work between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the expenditure of funds to rehire two contract employees as Field Biology Assistants for up to 1,000 hours each (a total of up to 2,000 worker-hours) during FY 2003-2004. These employees would be paid from $13.50 to $15.50 per hour, based upon experience in the position. The Administrative Committee considered this item at its June 10, 2003 meeting and voted 2 to 0 to recommend approval.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The anticipated $37,000 for hiring two Field Biology Assistants during FY 2003-2004 is budgeted under the Riparian Habitat Monitoring Program 2-1-3-C, Field Biology Assistants (Account No. 4-7870.21). A similar amount was budgeted during FY 2002-2003. The Board should note that other than an hourly wage, these employees receive no District benefits except for those required by law (e.g., workers compensation coverage).

BACKGROUND: Since the summer of 1992, the District has hired one or two Field Biology Assistants to conduct biological monitoring tasks for riparian mitigation projects. In addition to assisting with vegetation monitoring tasks, the interns support staff in all aspects of the irrigation and erosion protection programs. The District has hired two Field Biology Assistants to help with riparian projects since certain monitoring tasks are better completed with a team of field assistants.