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PUBLIC WORKS - Interim-Director Tom Provine and Deputy Director Jessica Riske-Gomez
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION - Project update and status report for Phase I of the Hazard Tree Debris Removal project closeout and Phase II initiation
b) AGREEMENT - Request approval and authorization for the Interim Director of Public Works to sign the Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Tehama County, extending the agreement’s term from December 31, 2025, to June 30, 2026, to accommodate changes in project approach and timeline for woody debris removal associated with the Park Fire
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Financial Impact:
No additional funds added to agreement.
Background Information:
Project Update (as of Bidder’s Meeting held on November 12, 2025):
• The mandatory bidder's meeting for subcontracted removal was successfully held, and final contracting is underway.
• Site assessments and load mapping are complete for all priority corridors.
• The project remains within budget and is on track for completion within the amended timeframe.
o Delays were experienced in project preparation for Phase II but are now back on track.
• Tehama County has received full reimbursement of the 75% Cal Fire cost share for Phase I activities and have been placed in the Disaster Relief Reserve Fund.
• As of this date, the project is now in full compliance with the County’s adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan, strengthening eligibility for additional state and federal cost-share.
• The County has submitted a formal cost-share waiver request to the State of California, and we are hopeful that additional contributions beyond the standard 75% will be awarded. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Action Item Request:
In response to the 2024 Park Fire, the County of Tehama entered into a second agreement with the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County (RCDTC) to manage and dispose of woody material left within County rights-of-way following the initial emergency hazard tree felling operations. That agreement was approved on June 24, 2025, with a not-to-exceed amount of $840,000.00 and a termination date of December 31, 2025
Since that time, the RCDTC has worked in coordination with Public Works staff to implement the scope of work, which included subcontracting for tree and wood removal, field inventory, prevailing wage compliance, and environmental oversight by a Registered Professional Forester
However, during implementation, several factors required modification to the original approach:
• Adjustment in processing methods: Originally anticipated biomass haul-out was supplemented with additional chipping and staging to adapt to site-specific access issues, disposal costs, and market fluctuations.
• Field conditions and permitting coordination: Unanticipated issues in landowner coordination, road access constraints, and verification of right-of-way boundaries caused delays in staging and hauling operations.
• Weather and seasonal restrictions: Wet conditions and red flag warnings restricted safe heavy equipment access during several critical windows in fall and winter 2025.
• Ongoing mapping and compliance activities: Additional time was required to finalize monitoring, documentation, and mapping activities needed for reimbursement and auditing.
As a result, Amendment No. 1 to the agreement was prepared to formally extend the term through June 30, 2026, allowing the RCDTC to complete the full scope of work in a safe, environmentally compliant, and cost-effective manner
No increase to the contract amount is requested at this time. All other terms and conditions of the original agreement remain in full force and effect.