TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: John Morgan, Environmental Services Director
THROUGH: Chief Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: February 21, 2017
Title
CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH DB ECOLOGICAL SERVICES, INC. FOR MARINE TURTLE MONITORING SERVICES DURING NESTING SEASON
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to renew the marine turtle monitoring services contract with DB Ecological Services, Inc. in the amount of $40,081 for the 2017 Marine Turtle Monitoring Services during Nesting Season (Project No. 2012-070).
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Background:
Prior to the 2015 monitoring season, Staff solicited bids for marine turtle monitoring (Bid No. 2015-02). The contract was for two years with two additional one-year renewal options based on the same price and terms; $40,081 per season renewable by City Commission.
The City of Delray Beach Marine Turtle Conservation program began in 1984. The 2.8 mile long study area begins just north of the Highland Beach/Delray Beach boundary to just south of the Ocean Ridge/Delray Beach City limit. The City of Delray Beach has participated in eight beach nourishment projects since 1973. The most recent sand nourishment project was completed in the fall of 2012 in response to damages incurred by Hurricane Sandy.
As a condition of the beach renourishment permit granted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), sea turtle monitoring must occur yearly each sea turtle nesting season. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), qualifies and issues marine turtle permits under authority granted to the state through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The turtle conservation program requires reporting on hatching and reproduction success rates; also involves inventory and excavation of nests on Delray Beach’s beach. The turtle monitoring task provides the City with vital information about the environmental health of the beach as a nesting habitat for endangered sea turtles.
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