HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-2026 Community Partnership Agreement with the Land Conservancy of SLO County
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND
THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
This COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, hereinafter referred to as the
Agreement, is made and entered into in the City of San Luis Obispo on ___________________
by and between the CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, a municipal corporation (hereinafter referred
to as “CITY”), and LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, a California non-profit
organization (hereinafter referred to as “LCSLO”). The CITY and LCSLO are individually referred
to as a “party” or collectively as the “parties”.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the CITY and LCSLO have a long-standing public / private partnership
stretching over thirty years where the two entities have engaged in mutually beneficial community
projects including conservation planning efforts, land conservation projects, land and stream
restoration projects; an historic preservation project; public engagement and education; and,
community awareness and fundraising for one another’s projects; and
WHEREAS, select examples of such projects include the Saving Special Places
conservation plans; acquisition and / or conservation easements at Maino Open Space, Stenner
Springs Natural Reserve, Bowden Ranch Open Space, Froom Ranch Open Space, and, most
recently, Dixon Ranch; wetland and floodplain enhancement at Filipponi Ecological Reserve,
numerous fish passage improvement projects along Prefumo Creek, Stenner Creek, and San
Luis Obispo Creek; ongoing invasive species treatment work and participation and support for the
Octagon Barn Center and Bob Jones Pathway, among many other endeavors between CITY and
LCSLO; and
WHEREAS, CITY’s 2025-27 Financial Plan feature a Major City Goal work plan for Open
Space, Climate Action, and Resilience, including section 4 “Protect, sustain and advance open
space and natural and historic resources” with sub-section 4. being most pertinent “Pursue priority
land conservation opportunities to expand the Greenbelt, identify funding opportunities and
resources, and engage with priority landowners on an annual basis”; and
WHEREAS, LCSLO has set forth a request for CITY to participate in funding a currently
active conservation easement project, and CITY has solicited a proposal from LCSLO for its
services in providing invasives species treatments within CITY open space property; and
WHEREAS, the CITY desires to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the
CITY and LCSLO to advance open space protection and land stewardship goals; and
WHEREAS, the CITY has determined that partnerships with community organizations to
provide shared services to the community are of great benefit and LCSLO has expressed a
willingness to continue these shared services, in partnership and in cooperation with CITY; and
WHEREAS, LCSLO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is uniquely qualified to provide
the services contemplated under this Agreement due to its more than 40 years of experience
delivering conservation planning and land protection projects, as well as its extensive experience,
credentials, and professional licenses related to land restoration and invasive species treatment
projects within the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt.
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4/28/2026 | 9:10 PM PDT
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, obligations and covenants
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. TERM. The duration of this Agreement shall be for a period of approximately three (3) years,
commencing on April 21, 2026 and continuing to June 30, 2029 (the “Term”), which may be
extended upon the mutual written agreement of the parties.
2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. Initially, the CITY and LCSLO intend to engage in certain
projects relating to land protection and land restoration and invasive species treatment and in
connection therewith the parties intend to implement those projects in accordance with the
financial terms outlined in Section 2.1, below.
2.1 PAYMENT TO LCSLO. The CITY shall provide funding to LCSLO for certain known
project efforts, described below:
A. CITY will provide matching grant funds in the amount of $65,000 for LCSLO’s
Righetti-Fiscalini Ranch project. CITY and LCSLO shall enter into a separate grant
agreement (the “Righetti-Fiscalini Grant Agreement”), which shall provide that the
CITY’s funds will be delivered directly to an account established for the transaction
upon notification from LCSLO. The terms of the Righetti-Fiscalini Grant
Agreement shall be subject to the mutual written approval by the CITY and LCSLO.
B. CITY has requested LCSLO’s services for invasive species treatment work at
various CITY open space properties. CITY shall issue a Purchase Order (the “City
Purchase Order”) in the amount of $43,155 pursuant to LCSLO’s proposal and
scope of work, which shall be incorporated into the City Purchase Order. CITY
shall remit payment to LCSLO on a reimbursable basis upon receipt of periodic
invoices from LCSLO in accordance with the City Purchase Order. The City
Purchase Order shall be subject to the mutual written approval by the CITY and
LCSLO.
3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The CITY’s Sustainability & Natural Resources Official
may authorize minor modifications from time to time within the scope of their financial and/or
operational authority, to the Roles and Responsibilities as they may deem necessary or
appropriate to the partnership between the CITY and LCSLO. Any material amendment or
modifications to the Roles and Responsibilities shall be upon mutual written consent of both
parties, in accordance with paragraph 6, below.
A. SCOPE OF SERVICES
i. Both parties agree to collaborate on the land conservation and land restoration
projects identified at paragraph 2.1, above.
ii. Both parties will consider prospective additional project opportunities as they
arise during the Term of this Agreement. Any additional project opportunities
that CITY and LCSLO elect to pursue together under this Agreement shall be
subject to available funding and staff resources of each of the parties and
would be facilitated and administered through an appropriate contractual
agreement or purchasing method. Through this Agreement, it is CITY’s
express intent to identify LCSLO as a preferred partner and vendor for project
activities as described herein.
iii. CITY and LCSLO staff will meet and coordinate project administration and
implementation on an as-needed basis.
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B. CITY OBLIGATIONS
i. CITY will be available for monthly reoccurring meetings, or as needed, with
LCSLO during the Term.
ii. CITY shall remit approved payments to LCSLO as outlined and in accordance
with the Righetti-Fiscalini Grant Agreement and City Purchase Order described
above.
iii. CITY shall provide administrative support for grant management and reporting.
iv. CITY shall coordinate timing and access to CITY’s open space properties
where invasive species treatments will occur.
v. CITY will coordinate with LCSLO on any press releases, media, or public
communications related to the Scope of Services.
C. LCSLO OBLIGATIONS
i. LCSLO will be available for monthly reoccurring meetings, or as needed, with
CITY during the Term.
ii. LCSLO will dutifully carry out the Scope of Services.
iii. LCSLO shall submit requests for payment or periodic invoices to CITY as
outlined and in accordance with the Righetti-Fiscalini Grant Agreement and
City Purchase Order described above.
iv. LCSLO shall provide CITY with a copy of the recorded Deed of Conservation
Easement upon completion of the Righetti-Fiscalini project and carry out the
perpetual duties of monitoring and enforcement of the Righetti-Fiscalini
conservation easement interest.
v. LCSLO shall provide notification of timing and access to CITY’s open space
properties where invasive species treatments will occur.
vi. LCSLO shall at all times maintain its 501(c)3 non-profit status
4. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This written Agreement, including all writings specifically
incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute the complete agreement between the
parties hereto. No oral agreement, understanding or representation not reduced to writing and
specifically incorporated herein shall be of any force or effect, nor shall any such oral
agreement, understanding or representation be binding upon the parties hereto.
5. AGREEMENT TERMINATION. Either party may terminate the Agreement for convenience
provided that 30 days written notice is given. The Agreement may be terminated by either
party for cause, provided that written notice has been given in the manner specified herein
stating the reasons for the intended termination and providing the other party at least 10 days
to cure any alleged breach. If the party receiving notice fails or refuses to cure the alleged
breach within 10 days, or to make substantial progress toward cure to the satisfaction of the
party demanding cure, this Agreement may be terminated 10 days after receipt of the notice
as specified herein.
6. AGREEMENT AMENDMENTS. Except as otherwise stated in Section 3 of this Agreement,
any amendment, modification or variation from the terms of this Agreement shall be presented
in writing by CITY and / or LCSLO and shall be effective only upon final written approval by
an authorized representative of each of the parties.
7. INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
A. Each party to this Agreement shall make the other party, its officers, agents,
employees and volunteers as separately additionally insured through a CG 20 26 or
equivalent, blanket endorsement or section of the policy no later than October 1 of
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each year. Each party agrees to provide commercial general liability insurance with
coverage at least as broad as Insurance Services Office form CG 00-01, in an amount
not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily
injury, personal injury, and property damage, including without limitation, blanket
contractual liability.
B. Each party agrees to provide a minimum liability and property damage insurance
coverage of one million dollars ($1,000,000).
C. Each party shall maintain worker’s compensation insurance at a level that is consistent
with state law requirements.
8. HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION
A. CITY agrees to defend, indemnify, protect and hold LCSLO 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
LCSLO’s employees, agents, officers or volunteers, which arise from or are connected
with or are caused or claimed to be caused by the acts or omissions of the CITY, and
its agents, officers, employees or volunteers, in performing its responsibilities
hereunder, and all expenses of investigating and defending against same; provided,
however, that the CITY duty to indemnify and hold harmless shall not include any
claims or liability arising from the negligence or willful misconduct of LCSLO, its
agents, officers, employees or volunteers.
B. LCSLO 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 the
CITY employees, agents, officers or volunteers, which arise from or are connected
with or are caused or claimed to be caused by the acts or omissions of LCSLO, and
its agents, officers, employees or volunteers, in performing its responsibilities
hereunder, and all expenses of investigating and defending against same; provided,
however, that LCSLO’s duty to indemnify and hold harmless shall not include any
claims or liability arising from the negligence or willful misconduct of the CITY, its
agents, officers, employees or volunteers
9. NOTICE. All written notices to the parties hereto shall be sent by USPS Mail, postage prepaid
by registered or certified mail addressed as follows:
CITY: City Manager
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
LCSLO: Executive Director
Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
1137 Pacific Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Notices given pursuant to this section shall be deemed effective five (5) calendar days after
deposit with USPS Mail. Either party may change its address for notices from time to time by
giving written notice of such change in accordance with this section.
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11. AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT. Both CITY and LCSLO do covenant that each
individual executing this Agreement on behalf of each party is a person duly authorized and
empowered to execute agreements for their party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed
the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO:
________________________________ ________________________________
Teresa Purrington Whitney McDonald
City Clerk City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM: LAND CONSERVANCY SAN LUIS OBISPO
COUNTY:
________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick Kaila Adriane Dettman Hooker
City Attorney Executive Director
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