City Council Agenda and Packet 2023 04 11

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LL Cityof CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Louisville AGENDA ITEM 4C COLORADO • SINCE 1878 SUBJECT: AWARD CONTRACT TO GRAMA GRASS AND LIVESTOCK, LLC FOR 2023 REGENERATIVE GRAZING SERVICES ON SELECT OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES DATE: APRIL 11, 2023 PRESENTED BY: ADAM BLACKMORE, DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE EMBER BRIGNULL, OPEN SPACE SUPERINTENDENT BRENDAN CLOSE, SENIOR NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST SUMMARY: The City of Louisville Open Space Division would like establish a sole source contract with Grama Grass and Livestock, LLC to provide regenerative cattle grazing services: for vegetation management to reduce presence of invasive plants; for wildland fuels reduction to inhibit intensity of potential future wildfires; and for deposition of organic matter to improve soil health within City of Louisville Open Space properties. Regenerative grazing is a more intensive management of cattle than conventional continuous approach, implementing high stocking rates for short duration with longer rest periods to simulate historic bison grazing regimes and stimulate native grass root production. Regenerative grazing operators offer services typically not available from most Cow/Calf operators, like frequently moving and fencing herd, monitoring soil health for chemical, biological and physical indicators and focusing on increasing native biodiversity. Background: On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire burned more than 6,000 acres in Boulder County. Fire and winds severely impacted communities and the natural environment in unincorporated Boulder County, Superior, and Louisville consuming native vegetation and exhausting soil organic matter thereby reducing available nutrients and increasing soil erosion vulnerability. As part of the recovery process, the City of Louisville Open Space Division is implementing regenerative grazing practices and several wildland fuels reduction treatments within properties to benefit soil health and mitigate potential future wildfire in an effort to rehabilitate native plant communities and be more resilient in potential future wildfire events. FISCAL IMPACT: This expenditure was not originally appropriated in the 2023 Budget. Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Director and City Manager recommend approval of this contract in the amount of $26,543. City Council may need to approve an operational budget amendment at a later date to cover the expenses associated with regenerative agriculture land management practices. The initial term of this Agreement shall be from the Effective Date CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION