DATE: June 22, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: FY 2020 Community Power Resilience Allocation
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Ratify the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning’s previous execution of a retroactive Agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for Community Power Resiliency Allocation, effective July 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021 ($157,500);
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning to sign all corresponding reports and claims, as required by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2020-21 appropriations and estimated revenues for Public Works and Planning Fund 0230, Subclass 12150, Org 9301, in the amount of $157,500 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will approve and ratify the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning’s (Director) execution of the retroactive grant agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Community Power Resiliency Allocation, in the amount of $157,500. Approval of the second recommended action will authorize the Director to sign all corresponding reports and claims as required by CalOES to administer the recommended agreement. Approval of the third recommended action will ensure sufficient spending authority in the Department of Public Works and Planning’s Org 9301 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget. Funds may be expended on eligible activities that support critical infrastructure and resiliency, with a particular focus on public safety, vulnerable communities, and individuals with access and functional needs. This item pertains to locations in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department would not receive these resources to help the residents of County Service Area 43W and Raisin City Elementary School with additional preparedness measures, such as procuring fixed, long-term emergency electrical generation equipment.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The Agreement was received March 12, 2021 and is retroactive to July 1, 2020. Although the State required the Agreement to be signed within 20 calendar days upon receipt, the Agreement was signed by the Director, contingent upon your Board’s approval, on May 14, 2021. Despite the delay, the County was awarded the full allocation amount of $157,500.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Financial assistance provided through CalOES will provide the County with grant funding in the amount of $157,500 to secure critical equipment for an essential water system in the event of a power outage event. No matching funds are required. Funding is expected to be used in FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22. Recommended action three will ensure sufficient spending authority in the Department’s Org 9301 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget. Sufficient appropriations will be included in FY 2021-22 Budget Request. There are no pending invoices for the retroactive time period.
DISCUSSION:
On October 25, 2019, as utility-initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) continued to impact residents across California, Governor Gavin Newsom launched the Local Government PSPS Resiliency Program to mitigate the power outage impact on Californians by supporting continuity of operations and efforts, to protect public health, safety, and commerce in affected communities. On October 9, 2020, the Community Power Resilience Allocation to Special Districts Program was released to support California special districts with additional preparedness measures in response to power outage events. On February 23, 2021, your Board retroactively approved and authorized the Department of Public Works and Planning’s previous submittal of the grant application.
The grant funding will be used to secure equipment, including, but not limited to, a generator and transfer switch, for the essential water system that provides water services to CSA 43W, including their residents, Raisin City Elementary School, the water fountain, and baseball facility, during a power outage event. The generator and transfer switch will serve as a back-up power source to the well and booster pumps. Water services are critical to the health and safety of communities and the public, making it a priority to be equipped and prepared for an outage. The Department’s goal is to have a water system that is resilient and dependable.
Funds were allocated to California special districts, with special districts receiving up to $300,000. A total of $20 million will support competitive grants available to California special districts that have an identified critical facility or facilities or provide critical infrastructure. The County was awarded $157,200.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #28, February 23, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with the Cal OES
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 9301)
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck