ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
4.	Authorize Expenditure of Budgeted Funds for Purchase of a Back-Up Backpack Electrofisher for Carmel River Steelhead Rescues
Meeting Date:			February 28, 2008	Budgeted:	Yes (in mid-year adjustment)
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/	Aquatic Resources/
			General Manager	Line Item No.:	Fisheries 2-3-2 G
Prepared By:			Cory Hamilton/	Cost Estimate:	$6,000
			Kevan Urquhart
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on February 20, 2008 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The District needs a reliable backup electrofisher for the steelhead rescue program. The District’s existing backup unit is outdated and is no longer serviceable by the manufacturer. This electrofisher is approximately 12 years old. Under the District’s Memordandum of Agreement (MOA) with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) for the steelhead rescue program, and as will be required by our pending federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10 Permit for steelhead rescues, any electrofisher used must be serviced every other year by the manufacturer. It is critical to have a reliable backup electrofisher available during the rescue season. It takes approximately three to four weeks to have an electrofisher serviced and ready for field activities.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the District Board authorize expenditure of budgeted funds in a not-to-exceed amount of $6,000 for the purchase, and shipping of a LR-24 Backpack Electrofisher from Smith-Root, Inc., pending approval of the Fiscal Year 2008 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment (see Item 19). Staff recommends purchasing the same electrofisher model that the District already has in order to a) keep accessory components interchangeable, which will reduce costs, and b) optimize employee safety through the use of identical electrofishers they are already familiar with.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The initial Fiscal Year 2008 Budget included $5,000 for the purchase of a backup electrofisher for the steelhead rescue program, but the mid-year Budget adjustment that the Board will vote on later in the agenda has increased this amount to $6,000. Year-to-date savings from other parts of the Fisheries Budget will be used to cover the increased costs. The actual cost of the electrofisher, including shipping is $5,968.00.

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