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to the project, said technical assistance has proposed is a volunteer regional conservation processing and involve local stakeholders. -een provided and Phase I is underway, and strategy, which would streamline local project She said the strategy will document important biological resources, it will set priorities for mitigation and conservation, it will include clear standards, set mitigation ratios, and the wildlife agencies will formally approve the plan and provide assurances for those involved. The strategy will take 18 months to develop in three phases, costs are being shared by six agencies, and they expect to get funding from a CalFed grant awarded to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for watershed conservation work. She presented the study area and its boundaries. Mayor Hosterman said approximately 25 people will be invited to participate and she confirmed this would involve land owners, environmental and conservation organizations, developers, and she could provide the Council with a list of participants. Ms. Stern said the first phase includes gathering of information for the baseline data mapping, the second phase includes developing conservation and goals and priorities and a draft conservation strategy; the third phase includes adopting and finalizing the conservation strategy. A joint MOU will commit everyone to the strategy which will be considered for adoption. There is a potential cost savings for the City's CIP projects which would accrue from a streamlined process as well as certainty for project mitigation and it is in line with goals and policies of regional planning sub-element of the 1996 General Plan. They see the advisory group assisting in the development of the strategy, it will consist of technical and non-technical entities, representatives will provide input into the process, applicants were solicited and 5 have been selected from Pleasanton, 4 are part of the advisory group, 1 will be invited as a member of the public and will contribute specific expertise. The first meeting was held last week, will include a public comment period, and all materials will be available on the City's website. She said the total of the first phase is $150,000 and the City has already committed $15,000. Staff is requesting Council authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement committing an additional $15,000 and then contribute up to another $40,000, for a total of $70,000. Councilmember Sullivan confirmed that the result of identification of potential mitigation sites is for governmental capital projects and private projects, as well, and governmental agencies are funding it. He questioned if there could be a reimbursement mechanism from developer benefits. City Manager Fialho agreed and said the Council could condition projects specific to Pleasanton to be reimbursed. He confirmed that the maximum amount of funding was initially requested at $70,000 and Dublin and Pleasanton were uncomfortable in committing the full $70,000 until it saw progress in the process, until other communities committed their fair share, which is now in place. City Manager Fialho said the City is undertaking many capital projects and it is important for the City to identify those mitigation sites. Councilmember McGovern confirmed the committee was not seen as growth-inducing, but more as a potential mitigation area and potential benefit for some of the land owners in selling their conservation easements. Councilmember McGovern referred to the 20 species which would be mapped, and she questioned if habitat would be mapped as well such as for the Callippe Silverspot Butterfly. Ms. Stern said they are looking at the list of species and then look for their habitat. The preliminary list will be subject to discussion by the users group and staff can add the particular species of the Callippe Silverspot Butterfly and see if it meets the criteria to be included on the list, as well as its habitat. She believed this could provide a much better understanding as to what lives and City Council Minutes 9 March 4, 2008