DATE: April 25, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Grant Application and Revenue Agreement with the California Fire Safe Council
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively authorize the Department of Public Works and Planning’s submittal of a grant application to the California Fire Safe Council for 22 CALFIRE County Coordinator Grant Program funds, in the amount of $175,000, to develop County-wide collaboration and coordination between various wildfire mitigation groups;
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Revenue Agreement with the California Fire Safe Council for 22 CALFIRE County Coordinator Grant Program funds to develop County-wide collaboration and coordination between various wildfire mitigation groups, in the amount of $175,000, effective upon execution through July 31, 2024; and
3. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Governing Body Resolution.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions would allow the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) to receive California Fire Safe Council 22 CALFIRE County Coordinator Grant Program funds. The grant will fund a County Coordinator position to partner with representatives from wildfire mitigation groups, agencies, and community partners to build a coordinated, County-wide mitigation strategy. This item pertains to locations in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department would not be eligible to fund a County Coordinator position.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended revenue Agreement (Agreement) represents a grant award in the amount of $175,000. The competitive grant allocation does not require matching funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5512 FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget to offset costs associated with providing services.
DISCUSSION:
The California Fire Safe Council provides CALFIRE County Coordinator grants to assist Counties with wildfire mitigation outreach and coordination. The objective of the County Coordinators Grant is to educate, encourage, and develop County-wide collaboration and coordination amongst various wildfire mitigation groups. Eligible costs include administrative costs relevant to County-wide coordination efforts, including but not limited to the salary, support, and administrative costs for a designated County Coordinator.
There is a need to improve County-wide wildfire mitigation, outreach, and coordination. On November 15, 2022, the Department submitted a competitive on-line grant application to continue building and enhancing partnerships with wildfire mitigation groups, agencies, and community partners, contingent upon your Board’s approval. On January 23, 2023, the California Fire Safe Council notified the Department that the County’s grant application totaling $175,000 was selected for funding.
Coordinated hazard tree removal projects with the Fire Safe Councils and the Sierra Resource Conservation District in the County of Fresno began in 2016, as a result of the bark beetle tree induced die-off. As the bark beetle tree die-off continued and escalated throughout the County, these wildfire mitigation groups provided services to the community that complement the County’s overall goal to protect lives and property.
The Department proposes to provide the required services with current staff assigned to the Tree Mortality/Forest Health Program. However, the grant allows contracting for services to assist the County in meeting the grant’s objectives. In addition to building upon current partnerships with wildfire mitigation groups and developing a coordinated, County-wide mitigation strategy, the Department proposes to build a region-wide GIS mapping tool for the public to view current and future wildfire mitigation projects.
The Agreement is effective upon execution through July 31, 2024. The Agreement contains a dispute resolution procedure requiring both parties to first seek resolution through mediation or arbitration of any dispute that may arise from the Agreement. In addition, the County and the State may terminate the Agreement upon providing the other party a 30-day written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with California Fire Safe Council
On file with Clerk - Governing Body Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino