ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

3.

CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS TO CONTRACT FOR LIMITED-TERM FISH RESCUE CREW LEADER POSITION(S)

 

Meeting Date:

April 15, 2013

Budgeted: 

Included in FY 2012-2013 Budget

 

From:

David J. Stoldt,

General Manager

Program/

Aquatic Resources Fisheries

 

 

Line Item No.: 

2-3-2

 

Prepared By:

Cynthia Schmidlin

Cost Estimate: 

Up to $6,453

 

Kevan Urquhart

 

 

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on April 8, 2013 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  Increasingly low stream flow conditions, as a result of this below-average rain year, will necessitate intensive rescues of steelhead juveniles, smolts and adults beginning as early as May 13, 2013.  The Carmel River is expected to dry to the degree that the District’s regular weekday fish rescue crews are not able to cover enough of the river to reach all of the fish in danger.  In order to prevent significant steelhead mortality, the District has performed weekend fish rescues since 2009. 

 

Regular District employees have been able to serve in the role of Fish Rescue Crew Leader, both during the week and on the weekends during the past two fiscal years. However, the unanticipated disability leave and post-surgical light duty for one of the Associate Fisheries Biologists, will create a staffing shortage in May and June.  The second Associate Fisheries Biologist must devote almost all of his time on operation and maintenance of the Sleepy Hollow Fish Rearing Facility. The Senior Fisheries Biologist is not able to act as Fish Rescue Crew Leader both for weekday and weekend rescues.  In addition he will be absent during the last two weeks for May for long-approved leave.  Therefore, authorization is also requested to hire one or more limited-term Fish Rescue Crew Leaders for up to a total of 152 hours of work. The Fish Crew Leader will be paid an hourly wage of $40.00 per hour.  Mandated payroll taxes and workers compensation insurance premiums will account for an additional $2.45 per hour.   

 

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the expenditure of funds to hire one or more limited-term Fish Rescue Crew Leaders for up to 152 hours of work in May and June of 2013. 

 

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  The total cost of the limited-term contracts described above would not exceed $6,453.   Funding for limited-term Fish Rescue Crew Leader position(s) was not included in the Aquatic Resources Fisheries Project Expenses for FY 2012-2013.  However, the money required will be transferred from the budgeted Contingency Line Item. 

 

BACKGROUND:  The District has performed weekend fish rescues since 2009.  A limited-term Fish Rescue Crew Leader was hired for weekend rescues in 2009 and 2010. 

 

EXHIBIT

3-A      Fish Rescue Crew Leader Job Description

 

 

 

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