In February 2015, the City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement (Agreement) to Native Solutions for the North Dunes Habitat Restoration Project (Project) in the total amount of $80,000 and with a five-year term. This firm was initially selected through a Request for Proposal process and interview. The fifth and final year of the term corresponds to the current Fiscal Year 2018/19 which ends on June 30, 2019.
Native Solutions founder Joey Canepa has been instrumental in leading the City's effort to restore, improve, and protect the sensitive native dune habitat and endangered species at the North Dunes. The Project is clearly on track to meet the goals and success criteria outlined in the Del Mar Master Plan's North Dunes Habitat Restoration Plan and the Council's Coastal Development Permit.
The original fee estimate of $80,000 was intended to cover all work tasks identified in the original Agreement over the entire five year term; however, many additional tasks were assigned by the City, particularly over the past two years. Thus, as of the end of Fiscal Year 2017/18, all funding has been expended one year before the end of the term of the Agreement.
Additional tasks that were beyond the original scope of work in the Agreement include, but are not limited to: mapping, tree survey, monitoring field activities such as volleyball courts relocation, stump removals, and cable railing installations, project site inspections with stakeholders, and presentations to the City Council, Forest and Beach Commission, and the Planning Commission.
Amendment No. 1 would provide an additional $33,000 budget so that Native Solutions may proceed with the Project without delay through June 30, 2019.