Agenda Item Wording:
title
Request Authorization from City Council to enter into contract with JFS Enterprises Inc. for $285,000 to remove permanent vegetation at the Eastside Regional Park, accept grant funding from the Department of Water Resources in the amount of $313,500, and appropriate funds of $346,350 for the project.
body
Deadline for Action: While there is no deadline for this action, staff is attempting to proceed with this program before the heavy rainy season, historically beginning in early January.
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Rhett Anderson, (559) 713-4531
Department Recommendation: It is the recommendation of City staff that the Council authorize staff to enter into a contract for land clearing services with JFS Enterprises Inc. for an amount of $285,000; appropriate $346,350 from the Park Impact Fund for the entire project, and accept grant funding from the Department of Water Resources in the amount of $313,500
Background Discussion:
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is actively working with local agencies to supplement funding for clearing permanent crops in order to permanently develop land to be more suitable for groundwater recharge and flood mitigation. This funding opportunity is being provided through a subset known as the Flood Diversion Equipment and Recharge Enhancement initiative. In March of 2023, the City of Visalia began diverting flood water via pumping out of the Kaweah system in order to alleviate surface water flows that would ultimately deposit to the Tulare Lake Region, causing further damage to the area. The supplemental funding for land clearing, informally referred to as "Rip and Chip", provided by DWR will aid the City in efforts to remove orchards originally designated for agricultural use, for the purposes of permanent clearing and removal of permanent crops for the purpose of floodwater mitigation during ...
Click here for full text