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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC24150 MOU w/the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Santa Rosa Mountains VICREQUEST: VLL CITY OF PALM DESERT Community Services Division Staff Report Request for Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management for Ranger Services and a Portion of Administrative Costs for the Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Information Center (Contract No. C24150) SUBMITTED BY: Frankie Riddle, Senior Management Analyst DATE: August 15, 2005 CONTENTS: 1. Staff Report 2. Memorandum of Understanding Recommendation: By Minute Motion: 1) Authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for a one-year period retroactive to January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2005; 2) authorize payment to the BLM for that same time period in the amount of $7,000. Discussion: In the past, the City of Palm Desert has entered into a three-year MOU with the BLM in the amount of $7,000 per year. This agreement provided for services of a ranger and a portion of the administrative costs for the Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Information Center. The Planning Department is in the process of creating a comprehensive MOU, which will include all services provided to the City by the BLM, including the cost for the ranger, administration, trails, and other services. The BLM has delayed the submission of its annual billing awaiting final completion of the comprehensive program; however, since it is August and they have been providing these services since January, staff is recommending that the City Council authorize payment to the BLM for the period of January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2005, in the amount of $7,000. The Planning Department advises that the new MOU will be completed and submitted to the City Council by the end of the year, which will better define the services required of the BLM. Staff recommends that the Mayor be authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the BLM for a one-year period retroactive to January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2005, and that payment be authorized to the BLM in the amount of $7,000 for that same time period. Frankie Riddl ,,Senioanagement Analyst Department Head: 46# Robert P. Kohn Director of Special Programs val: Shell . Gilligan :CM/Comr(urity Services ge%j` Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance arlos L. 0, ga, City Manager MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND THE CITY OF PALM DESERT This Memorandum of Understanding is between the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs -South Coast Resource Area (hereinafter referred to as "BLM"), and the City of Palm Desert, California (hereinafter referred to as the "City"). BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With an annual visitation of 20,000, the BLM's Santa Rosa Mountains National Scenic Area is located on Highway 74 adjacent to the City. The Visitor Center disseminates information to the public on the environmental and cultural resources within the Scenic Area as well as recreational opportunities available in the Scenic Area and the Coachella Valley. The City donated the land on which the Center is located to the BLM, and the City has been instrumental in supporting the construction and operation of the Center. It is the common objective of the BLM and the City to provide a quality visitor experience to tourist and locals alike. STATEMENT OF WORK: The BLM shall provide a full-time employee to serve the Visitor Center Manager and open the Center to the public at least four days per week. The BLM will provide funding for the operation and the maintenance of the Center including utilities, repairs, and janitorial service. The BLM will include the Visitor Center and areas within the boundaries of The National Scenic Area in a law enforcement patrol sector. BLM will provide the equivalent of a full-time law enforcement ranger to patrol the sector. BLM will provide law enforcement services to the Visitor Center, including response to alarms and request for site security. At the beginning of the City's fiscal year, BLM will provide a report of the prior year's expenditures for Visitor Center operations and maintenance, law enforcement, services and programs provided, and visitor information for the Santa Rosa patrol sector. The City shall provide a minimum of $5,000 per year to assist BLM in paying for the operation and maintenance of the Visitor Center and a minimum of $2,000 per year towards the labor costs associated with the Santa Rosa sector of law enforcement ranger. HOLD HARMLESS: The BLM agrees to defend, indemnify, protect, and hold the City and its agents, officers, and employees harmless from and against any and all claims asserted or liability established for damages or injuries to any person or property, including injury to BLM's employees, agents, or officers which arise from or are connected with or are caused or claimed to be caused by the acts or omissions of BLM, and its agents, officers, or employees in performing the work or services herein and all expenses of investigating and defending against same; provided, however, that BLM's duty to indemnify and hold harmless shall not include any claims or liability arising from the established sole negligence or willful misconduct of the City, its agents, officers, or employees. TERM OF THE MOU: This MOU will terminate as of December 31, 2005, unless extended through mutual agreement of the BLM and the City. The BLM must notify the Citv of Palm Desert 60 days prior to expiration of MOU if renewal is desired. Either party may terminate the agreement upon giving the other party 60 days notice. Palm Springs -South Coast Resource Area Date Bureau of Land Management Buford A. Crites, Mayor Date City of Palm Desert