REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 10, 2025
FROM
BRADY GERGOVICH, Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer, Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for services related to the Noxious Weed Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Revenue Agreement No. 23-878 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (State Revenue Agreement No. 23-0303-000-SA), for the Noxious Weed Program, to extend the term by 30 months, for a total agreement term of July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027, and to increase the agreement amount by $55,190 from $42,400 to a new total not to exceed amount of $97,590.
(Presenter: Brady Gergovich, Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer, 387-2115)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The revenue agreement amendment specifies a term from July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027, for a new maximum reimbursement not to exceed $97,590. Sufficient appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures (AWM) 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets. Services, according to the revenue agreement, will be procured from an outside vendor by AWM through a competitive bid process until the revenue agreement is exhausted.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This amended revenue agreement revises the Agreement to be effective July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027 and to increase the Agreement amount by $55,190 for a new total not to exceed the amount of $97,590. The original agreement was based on an effective time frame and funding available from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
The Amended State Revenue Agreement will reimburse AWM for the procurement of weed control services from an outside vendor.
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a noxious weed known to invade eastern North America and the Pacific Northwest and has been found in San Bernardino County; this is the first known infestation in California. Garlic Mustard grows in very dense patches, with the potential to harm wildlife and reduce biodiversity. As it can harm the environment, and this is the only known infestation in California, early detection and rapid response techniques are used to contain and potentially eradicate this species from the region.
After the prioritization of Garlic Mustard, weeds designated as A or Q-rated and noxious weeds listed on California Code of Regulations Section 4500 that occur in the project area would then be prioritized for treatment if funding and resources permit.
The grant funds will be used to remove all second year (adult and flowering) garlic mustard plants from the project area during each growing season. The procured services from a vendor will include:
• Stopping removal work when seeds begin to be released from mature plants; submitting a California Environmental Quality Act Notice of Exemption and obtain any necessary permits or clearance from the United States Forest Service (USFS), if required.
• Obtaining the necessary Right of Entry from private property owners or will work with AWM Staff to ensure access to the property (previous surveys have been completed along 2.5 miles of Hook Creek - during the growing season, the vendor will map and photograph all known locations/polygons and enter polygon/population and location data into CalFlora.org).
• Surveying for additional locations upstream and downstream of known Garlic Mustard locations in Hook Creek.
• Working with project partners to help plan and implement field work including AWM, USFS, the local Weed Management Area (WMA), and/or UC Cooperative Extension.
On August 22, 2023 (Item No. 7), the Board approved Agreement No. 23-878 with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (State Agreement No. 23-0303-000-SA) for the Department of Agriculture / Weights & Measures to procure weed control services for the abatement of the noxious weed Garlic Mustard, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, for a maximum reimbursement of $42,400.
On May 7, 2025 AWM received the Amended State Revenue Agreement in the amount of $97,590 for the period of July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027. This item is being presented to the Board at this time as this is the first date available for presentation following the required operational, fiscal and legal reviews.
This revenue agreement aligns with the County and Chief’s Executive Officer’s goals and objectives by working with other agencies to preserve the County’s wildlands by abating the noxious weed, Garlic Mustard.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Brett Davison, Deputy County Counsel, 387- 5455) on May 14, 2025; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) May 16, 2025; Finance (Eduardo Mora, Administrative Analyst, 387-4376) on May 20, 2025; and Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on May 20, 2025