Agenda Item
3 24-0074 Subject: Goat Grazing Service For Vegetation Management
From: Oakland Fire Department
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution: (1) Waiving The Fixed, Sealed Bid, Price-Based Bid Process; And (2) Authorizing The City Administrator To Enter Into A Professional Services Agreement With Ecosystems Concepts, Inc. (ECI) For Goat Grazing Services For A Two Year Term From April 1, 2024 Through March 31, 2026, In An Amount Not To Exceed One Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,600,000.00) With An Option To Extend The Agreement For Two Additional Years In An Amount Not To Exceed One Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,600,000.00) And Without Return To Council, For A Total Contract Amount Not To Exceed Three Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,200,000.00) For The Entire Four Year Period
Goat grazing is very important to protect Oakland from another firestorm. However, there are not enough fire inspectors, and the city needs to hire more people immediately. Last year, after my house passed the fire inspection, I looked and found my neighbors out of compliance. I then looked and found that my house was out of compliance. It turns out that about one-half of the houses were out of compliance. The Fire Inspectors did not spend enough time doing their job. We need more fire inspectors to prevent another firestorm. Please hire them immediately before the next inspection, or we could have another fire that destroys Oakland.
Regarding. Item 3, the goat-grazing contract, am hoping that you will approve the continuation of this important fire prevention measure. This was discussed at the recent Oakland Firesafe Council meeting and it's great that the contracts will be in place when they are needed (instead of getting held up during the delays of fiscal closing in the summer). It's great that the current contractor will continue and that Martin Matarrese will continue in his position for a year so that he can train up a new staff member to fill his role in the future, Thanks for your support!