Subject:
Title
Ratification of the County Administrator's approval of the emergency agreement with 3B Cattle LLC for a Land Manager at Cross Bar & Al Bar Ranch.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Ratify, confirm, and enter into the minutes the approval by the County Administrator of the emergency agreement with 3B Cattle LLC for Land Manager services at Al Bar and Cross Bar Ranch.
• This contract is for land management services on the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch property.
• Contractor responsibilities include 24-hour site security, fire line maintenance, wildfire suppression, gate and fence maintenance, infrastructure and building maintenance, road grading and upkeep, mowing, tree/debris clearing, nuisance wildlife control, and assistance to County and third-party personnel, as needed.
• Emergency agreement is to 3B Cattle, LLC, the current land manager that has been in residence for five years under contract to The Forestry Company.
• The original prime contractor, The Forestry Company, previously subcontracted with 3B Cattle, LLC, for these services.
• The Forestry Company chose not to extend their services creating an operational dilemma necessitating County Administrator approval of services.
• Funding for this project is derived from the Water Operating Fund.
• Contract term is to be 12 months, during which Request for Proposals will be solicited for a 5-year contract for Land Management Services.
• The County Administrator has delegated authority under Code Section2-181(b) 1 to approve this emergency purchase with receipt and file to the Board of County Commissioners. Staff requested approval under the emergency code due to the time sensitive need for services.
Contract No. 23-0620-E Emergency agreement for Cross Bar & Al Bar Ranch Land Manager; in the not to exceed amount of $347,654.72 for a duration of twelve months.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where practical
3.2 Preserve and manage environmental lands, beaches, parks, and historical assets
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
The purpose of this Emergency agreement is to retain the current resident land manager that shall be responsible for the multi-faceted land management requirements at the Cross Bar / Al-Bar Ranch property in an emergency capacity so there is no interruption of services. Previous prime contractor under which this service was sub-contracted chose not to sign the 5-year renewal option with the County.
During the 12-month duration of this Emergency agreement, the County will solicit an RFP to secure a long-term services agreement for land management services to include maintenance of the land and for the support of the forestry operations, ecological management, and wildlife habitat restoration activities. It is the intention to have three separate contracts with three specialized vendors; one to provide consulting and management supervision for the forestry operations defined as the Forestry Services Contract; one to provide oversight of habitat restoration activities and total ecosystem
management defined as the Ecological Consulting Services Contract; and one for the labor and supply materials necessary to manage the land, plant the pine seedlings, maintain agricultural operations, and support the wetland augmentation, and habitat restoration activities, and other environmental programs defined as the Land Management Contract.
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Background Information:
Pinellas County owns approximately 12,381 acres inclusive of the Cross Bar / Al Bar Ranch in north central Pasco County. The Cross Bar Ranch is currently utilized as a regional well field operated by Tampa Bay Water (TBW). A mixed-use Ecosystem Management Plan is currently being implemented which balances water supply operations and resource protection, silviculture, agricultural operations, protection of wildlife, and habitat restoration activities. The property has been managed through a consolidated contract with a prime contractor, The Forestry Company, and two subcontractors, 3B Cattle and Quest Ecology.
Fiscal Impact:
The total cost of the Agreement is $347,654.72 (Agreement No. 23-0620-E, pg. 3) Per the Agreement between Pinellas County and 3B Cattle LLC (Granicus Item 23-0246D, Agreement) 3B Cattle LLC will invoice monthly as per Exhibit C - Payment Schedule.
Staff Member Responsible:
Megan Ross, Director, Utilities
Merry Celeste, Division Director, Purchasing & Risk Management
Joe Lauro, Director, Administrative Services
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Agreement