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demonstration garden. Given that significant funding would be needed to cover the development and operation of the demonstration garden, the Master Gardeners requested the MOU be negotiated and established prior to the City's approval of construction. City staff began discussions with UC Master Gardener Program staff and Master Gardeners in late 2019. Due primarily to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiations were completed this year and the final MOU is included as Attachment 1. DISCUSSION Memorandum of Understanding The MOU covers the responsibilities of both the Master Gardener Program and the City of Pleasanton. It is written to guide the development and operation of the demonstration garden at such time as the City approves construction of Phase 2 of the Master Plan. As designated by the Master Plan, the responsibilities of the Master Gardener Program are centered on the development and maintenance of the demonstration garden, including funding the cost of water and electricity used at the site by their program. The responsibilities of the City include: providing water and electricity connections and critical infrastructure such as parking, paths, and restrooms (all included in Phase 1 of the Master Plan); providing limited trash collection services; and supporting the Master Gardener's programming by allowing free access to the community rooms at the Learning Center (Phase 4 of the Master Plan) and sharing program information through the City's communication channels and Activities Guide, as determined by the City. The term of the MOU is set as an initial five-year period, with the option to reissue for a second five-year period (ten-year total term possible). It is understood that all the phases of the Community Farm Master Plan will very likely not be implemented during the MOU term. Additional amendments to this MOU may be necessary once the City begins construction of the initial phases of the Community Farm, and as the Master Gardeners begin to develop and plan for operations at the demonstration garden. Staff requests the City Manager be authorized to execute future necessary amendments to clarify and/or provide additional detail to the terms of the MOU, as it relates to the responsibilities of the Master Gardener Program and the City of Pleasanton. Limited Use of Site by Master Gardeners Prior to Demonstration Garden Development — Cover Crop Planting While the Master Plan for the Community Farm did not contemplate uses in advance of those outlined by the plan's phasing, the Master Gardeners and the City have a mutual interest in supporting limited and appropriate activity at the site in line with future planned uses. In particular, separate from the MOU, the Master Gardeners have expressed interest in establishing a cover crop at the Community Farm (Sub -Area 7) site, prior to implementation of the Master Plan phases. This initial and limited use of the site by the Master Gardeners will allow for the soil to be naturally enriched and better prepared for future uses. Installation of a cover crop will require'some initial work at the site, which the Master Gardeners have requested be completed by the City. Staff proposes this Page 4 of 5