DEPARTMENT: Development Services
SUBJECT:
Consideration and recommendation of the SEP-HCP budget for biological services for the current year.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2019 Bexar County entered into a contract with Blair Wildlife Consulting for biological
services for the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP-HCP). The initial contract was for a maximum annual payment of $220,000.00. The City of San Antonio and Bexar County each paid $50,000.00 and any amount billed in excess of that amount would come from the SEP-HCP revenues. Per the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) both Bexar County and the City of San Antonio share joint responsibility to fund and manage the SEP-HCP program.
The contract was extended in 2020 under the same terms as the 2019 contract. Bexar County and the City of San Antonio are seeking a second contract extension. This contract increases the maximum payment to Blair Wildlife Consulting to $340,000.00. This increase is attributed to the following:
• $50,000 - Base contribution for program implementation services
• $45,000 - Cicurina genetics study
• $75,000 - Preserve establishment, management & monitoring services for 3 potential new karst preserves (estimated at $25,000/preserve)
SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS CONTRACTS:
Initial Term: March 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020
Contract Total : $220,000
• $50,000 from Bexar County
• $50,000 from COSA/DSD
• Total $120,000 to be paid from SEPHCP Revenues
o $70,000 from Deposit Warrant 385490 = SEPHCP Revenues for the construction of a fence around a previously donated karst feature which can only be done under certain weather conditions to avoid disturbance of the protected endangered species within the karst
o $50,000 from SEPHCP revenues
• A total of $170,039.91 was actually paid.
• Services paid for:
o GCSNA KFAS Management and monitoring
o Meetings and coordination
o Annual reporting
o Application review and processing, and preserve evaluations
o Karst Surveys to support potential preserve establishments
o Northern preserve management and monitoring
o Panther Springs preserve management and monitoring
o Government Canyon preserve management and monitoring
o Genetic studies of cave dwelling cicurina spiders
1st Extension:
March 31, 2020 - March 31, 2021
Contract Total : $220,000
• 50,000 from Bexar County
• $50,000 from COSA/DSD
• Total $120,000 to be paid from SEPHCP Revenues
o $70,000 from Deposit Warrant 385490 = SEPHCP Revenues for the construction of a fence around a previously donated karst feature which can only be done under certain weather conditions to avoid disturbance of the protected endangered species within the karst
o $50,000 from SEPHCP revenues
• A total of $149,382.41 was actually paid.
• Services paid for:
o GCSNA KFAS Management and monitoring
o Meetings and coordination
o Annual reporting
o Application review and processing, and preserve evaluations
o Karst Surveys to support potential preserve establishments
o Northern preserve management and monitoring
o Panther Springs preserve management and monitoring
o Government Canyon preserve management and monitoring
o Genetic studies of cave dwelling cicurina spiders
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the budget allocating a maximum payment of $340,000.00 broken down as follows:
• Bexar County Maximum Contribution: $50,000.00
• City of San Antonio Maximum Contribution: $50,000.00
• SEP-HCP Fund Maximum Contribution: $240,000.00