HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6g. Authorize Fuels Reduction Project Grant Application through the Ready, Set, Go! Program Item 6g
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8599
For Agenda of: 8/16/2022
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Keith Aggson, Fire Chief
Prepared By: James Blattler, Emergency Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR FUELS
REDUCTION PROJECT GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE READY,
SET, GO! PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Fire Department to apply to the Ready, Set, Go! Program’s Fuels
Reduction Project Grant Funding for a grant in the amount of $10,000 to conduct fuel
reduction work along the East Fork of the San Luis Obispo Creek; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the grant documents and
approve the budget changes necessary to appropriate the grant amount upon
notification that the grant has been awarded.
POLICY CONTEXT
The recommended actions are consistent with the City of San Luis Obispo’s Financial
Management Manual, Section 740 - Grant Management Policy. The policy states that
Council will approve all grant applications in excess of $5,000 and delegates receipt and
contract execution to the City Manager.
The work conducted under the grant is in line with the City’s Major City Goal of Climate
Action, Open Space, and Sustainable Transportation by proactively addressing the
climate crisis through fire and flood hazard mitigation efforts and improved resilience.
DISCUSSION
State, federal, and non-profit grants are occasionally offered to assist local governments
with the financial impacts associated with daily operations and/or mandated programs.
The Fire Department actively seeks out these opportunities to enhance the effectiveness
of the Department while increasing fiscal sustainability for the City. A recent grant
opportunity was identified, which is in line with these goals and addresses a current need
for the City: the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Ready, Set, Go! Program
Fuels Reduction Project Grants. A maximum of $10,000 per department is available to
help cover the cost of department staffing, equipment rentals, and/or contractual services
related to wildfire fuel reduction efforts.
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Item 6g
Background
Funding for this grant opportunity is provided by the USDA Forest Service through a
cooperative agreement with the IAFC. The goal of the grant program is to facilitate on -
the-ground fuel reduction projects in communities across the country. The funding
opportunity is for fire and emergency response agencies to put toward implementing or
expanding community fuels reduction projects in their jurisdiction. Funding can support
staffing costs, contractual services, purchase of mitigation PPE, and purchase of small
equipment (valued at less than $5,000).
In coordination with the City’s Fire Department, Natural Resources Office, and Park and
Recreation Department, staff identified the East Fork of the San Luis Obispo Creek as a
high-priority area within the City that needs fuel reduction work. This prioritization was
based on the presence of downed and dead material, proximity to the built environment,
ignition source activity, the program’s required project completion date, and the level of
impact that $10,000 in funding could have.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the August 16, 2022, City Council meeting and will follow
all required postings and notifications. The public will have an opportunity to comment on
this item at or before the meeting.
CONCURRENCE
The Parks & Recreation Department and Office of Sustainability and Natural Resources
concur with the report and proposed application.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378. If the work associated with the grant funding requires environmental review,
staff will not proceed with the project until a review has been completed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: No Budget Year: 2022-23
Funding Identified: Yes
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Item 6g
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $2,500 $0 $ $0
State
Federal
Fees
Other: $10,000 $0
Total $12,500 $0 $ $0
The Ready, Set, Go! Grant Program allows members to apply for up to $10,000 in funding
and requires a minimum hard match of 25% along with an in-kind match of a minimum of
150 hours. The Fire Department and Office of Sustainability and Natural Resources have
identified funding within the existing authorized operating budgets to meet the hard match
requirements and can meet the in-kind hour requirement through the use of the City’s
Open Space Technician Crew and education and promotional efforts. If the project is not
fully funded by the IAFC, the department will look to absorb the remaining project costs
within the approved annual operating budget for fiscal year 2022 -23. If the grant project
is not funded, staff will continue to seek grant funding opportunities to continue fuel
reduction efforts within the City.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies. This is not recommended
as fire service grant opportunities are limited and the grant funds would only serve to
enhance the City’s safety and resilience while increasing fiscal sustainability for the City.
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