CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA PACKET

Page 2 of 3 areas in need of protection and to make plans for their acquisition. As of July 18, 2025, the total amount available in the open space fund for the eastern area was $21,998,732, and the total amount available for the western area was $3,366,874, for a total of $25,365,606 in Open Space Committee funds. Five percent of the funds would amount to $1,268,280.30. DISCUSSION UC Davis Expenditure On May 16, 2025, the Open Space Committee approved moving forward with a three-year consulting agreement (2025–2027) with UC Davis for the development of a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) methodology and an associated web-based tool, as outlined in the attached scope of work (Attachment 1). The total cost of the project is not to exceed $246,803, with an annual billing estimate of approximately $82,000. The project aims to enhance the Committee’s ability to prioritize land conservation efforts by incorporating data related to wildlife activity, habitat potential, and regional habitat connectivity, including connections across major transportation corridors. The web tool to be developed will provide additional support for the Committee’s funding decisions related to land and conservation easement acquisitions. On July 18, 2025, the Committee recommended approval of $25,000 to the Tri-Valley Conservancy to conduct a study assessing the ecological, agricultural, and recreational values of lands located in unincorporated eastern Alameda County, generally for the area east of Greenville Road between Interstate 580 and the South Bay Aqueduct (Attachment 2). The study will include a literature review, aerial imagery analysis, and on-site surveys to identify occurrences of special-status species, sensitive vegetation communities, wildlife corridors, and trail opportunities, as well as to compare existing and proposed land uses. The results will inform both near-term grant-making decisions and long-range planning, aligning with the goals of the East Alameda County Conservation Strategy (EACCS) and the Settlement Agreement. As the Open Space Committee does not hold contracting authority, the City of Livermore will serve as the contracting agency for these contracts. In accordance with Section 7.4.7 of the Settlement Agreement, the proposed expenditure must also be approved by the Board of Supervisors and each participating city council. The City of Livermore and the Alameda Board of Supervisors concurred with the expenditure of funds during their September meetings. Expenditures for both contracts would total $271,803 and would not exceed the five percent of Open Space funds ($1,268,280.30) allotted for contract services. EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY Advancing the Committee's land conservation efforts in Eastern Alameda supports the preservation of open space that enhances environmental sustianability in the region. OUTREACH No outreach was conducted, as this item is a routine matter of City business. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Not applicable, as this item is a routine matter of City business. Page 43 of 399