DATE: May 23, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Retroactively approve and authorize grant application submittal to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for Off-Highway Motor Vehicle funds
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively approve and authorize the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator’s previous submittal of a grant application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant funds ($447,075); and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution approving the Sheriff to submit an application to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Grant funds and approving required certifications.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The application was submitted to the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation to meet the preliminary deadline of March 6, 2023, contingent on your Board’s approval; the final application deadline is June 5, 2023. The granting agency is requiring the resolution be included with the application for Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHV) funds. Upon approval by your Board, the resolution will be forwarded to the grant agency to complete the application packet. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the grant application will be withdrawn, which will result in a reduction in enforcement of off-road vehicle laws.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. There is a County match of $111,769 required to receive the OHV funds of $335,306. The required match will be included in the FY 2023-24 Sheriff’s Org 3111 budget request. If the grant application is approved, the Department will return to the Board with any necessary resolutions.
DISCUSSION:
The OHV grant is an annual allocation provided by the State to local agencies for the purpose of enforcing off-road vehicle laws and to meet bi-annually with U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) enforcement staff to discuss OHV concerns and issues. On December 13, 2022, your Board approved the Off-Highway Project Grant Award/Agreement with the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the period of September 6, 2022 to September 5, 2023. The recommended grant application is for a new funding cycle. Most Fresno County off-road vehicle activity is located in the eastern part of the County where the U.S. Forest Service maintains trails in the mountain areas for snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles.
The Sheriff’s Off-Road Safety team has the ability to resolve many off-road related problems that are otherwise difficult for deputies to address. The requested grant monies will enhance off-road enforcement efforts by dedicating additional staff through the use of overtime. These grant monies, if awarded, will also cover the Motorcycle Safety Class, and will provide for the purchase of additional equipment, including snowmobiles and trailers, to enhance off-road enforcement efforts.
In order to meet the grant filing deadline, the grant application was submitted to the California Department of Parks and Recreation contingent upon your Board’s approval. Additionally, in order for the Sheriff to apply for the OHV grant, the State is requiring a resolution by your Board to approve and authorize the Sheriff to apply for these grant funds.
In addition to the standard State and Federal certifications included in the Board of Supervisors Administrative Policy No. 47, the grant also requires the certifications summarized here;
(1) Approves the receiving of grant funding from the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant or Cooperative Agreement Program;
(2) Certifies that the County understands its legal obligations to the State upon approval of the Grant;
(3) Certifies that the County understands the California Public Resources Code requirement that Acquisition, and Development Projects be maintained to specific conservation standards;
(4) Certifies that the Project will be well-maintained during its useful life;
(5) Certifies that the County will implement the Project with diligence once funds are
available and the Applicant has reviewed, understands, and agree with the Project
Agreement;
(6) Certifies that the County will provide the required matching funds;
(7) Certifies the public and adjacent property owners have been notified of this Project
(as applicable); and
(8) Appoints the Sheriff as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all
documents including, but not limited to Applicants, agreements, amendments,
payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for completion of the Project.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #30, December 13, 2022
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Application with Dept. of Parks and Recreation
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai