HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5f. Authorize the Fire Department to apply for Cal Fire Grant Funding Item 5f
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8599
For Agenda of: 2/21/2023
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief
Prepared By: James Blattler, Emergency Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR WILDFIRE
PREVENTION ACTIVITIES GRANT FUNDING THROUGH CAL FIRE’S
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENT (CCI) WILDFIRE PREVENTION
GRANT PROGRAM AND PROVIDE A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO SLO
COUNTY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Fire Department to apply for funding under Cal Fire’s CCI Wildfire
Prevention Grant Program to conduct fire fuel reduction work, purchase
specialized equipment, and complete a comprehensive update to the City’s
Vegetation Management Plan; and
2. Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
San Luis Obispo, California, authorizing the Fire Department to apply for the
California Climate Investment’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program and carry out
project, if awarded”; and
3. Authorize the Fire Department to provide a letter of support to the SLO County Fire
Safe Council to seek a planning project under the Cal Fire CCI Wildfire Prevention
Grant Program that benefits the city; and
4. 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 hazard mitigation efforts and improved resilience.
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Item 5f
Additionally, the work under this grant is in line with the City’s Community Wildfire
Protection Plan and the Climate Adaptation and Safety Element.
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 Cal Fire California Climate Investment Wildfire Prevention Grant Program.
In coordination with the City’s Fire Department, Natural Resources Office, and Park and
Recreation Department, staff recommends seeking funding for three immediately
achievable priorities related to wildfire preparedness:
(1) An estimated $200,000 for hazardous fuel reduction used to remove accumulated
dead and downed vegetation in the San Luis Obispo Creek and high-hazard trees
located near homes
(2) Approximately $50,000 to purchase a specialized track chipper to improve staff’s
ability to conduct fuel reduction efforts in-house, and
(3) An estimated $100,000 for wildfire prevention planning used to h ire a consultant
to complete a comprehensive update to the City’s Vegetation Management Plan
with the addition of the Riparian areas that traverse the city.
Staff will continue to fine-tune the request as the deadline to apply for the grant is March
15, 2023, but recommends an approximate request of $350,000 to generate a competitive
and realistic grant application.
In addition to the aforementioned grant application, the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe
Council is seeking the same funding opportunity to carry out wildfire prevention projects
throughout the County. One possible project includes vegetation management planning
for the Reservoir Canyon area above San Luis Drive and East of Johnson Avenue. The
project would cross jurisdictional boundaries into City managed land, and the Fire Safe
Council requires a letter of support affirming the city as a project partner in their grant
request.
Background
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Wildfire Prevention
(WP) Grants Program is funded by the State of California General Fund and with Cap -
and-Trade auction proceeds appropriated by the California Legislature to agencies that
administer California Climate Investments. Up to $115 million is being allocated to C al
Fire’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program in Fiscal Year 2022-2023 from the CCI
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and General Fund. The maximum allowable
funding amount cap is $5,000,000 for this program with an equipment purchase cap of
$750,000 cumulative total.
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Item 5f
Cal Fire’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program provides funding for wildfire prevention
projects and activities in and near fire-threatened communities that focus on increasing
the protection of people, structures, and communities. Funded activities include
hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education
with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
With the award, Cal Fire requires that a resolution from the applicant’s governing body be
signed affirming the application for the grant was authorized, certifying that sufficient
funds are available to operate and maintain the project, and that grant funds will be
expended before the grant deadline. Finally, the resolution appoints a staff member to
conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents necessary for the completion
of the grant project.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the February 21, 2023, 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 & 2023-24
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $0 $0 $ $
State $0 $350,000
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $0 $350,000 $ $
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Item 5f
The Cal Fire CCI Wildfire Prevention Grant Program allows applicants to seek up to
$5,000,000 in funding with a cap of $750,000 in cumulative equipment costs . This
program does not require a match, although the existence of matching funds is a positive
factor. As such, staff recommends utilizing in-kind hours and foregoing the allowable
inclusion of indirect costs of 12% as part of the request to provide a match towards the
funding and will assess workload capacity as part of the project planning to ensure staff
bandwidth is available to successfully complete the project within the period of
performance. This recommendation allows for a lower requested amount from the grantor
and limits the financial impact on the City. If the grant project is not funded, staff will
continue to seek grant funding opportunities to continue fuel reduction efforts within the
City.
There would be no city financial impact related to the Fire Safe Council securing a grant
that benefits 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.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution authorizing the Fire Department to apply for the Cal Fire CCI Wildfire
Prevention Grant
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2023 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO
APPLY FOR THE CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS WILDFIRE
PREVENTION GRANTS PROGRAM AND CARRY OUT PROJECT, IF
AWARDED
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California in cooperation with the
California State Legislature has enacted State of California Climate Investment, which
provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for fire prevention
programs; and
WHEREAS, The State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has
been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State,
setting up necessary procedures governing application by local agencies, non -profit
organizations, and others under the program ; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department seeks funding
opportunities to help accomplish projects that p rotect the people, structures and
communities of San Luis Obispo through wildfire prevention ; and
WHEREAS, the Cal FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant Program is aligned with the
Major City Goal of Climate Action and Open Space, the Climate Adaptation Safety
Element and Community Wildfire Protection Plan; and
WHEREAS, if awarded, the Fire Department will enter into an agreement with the
State of California to carry out the City of San Luis Obispo Wildfire Prevention project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Approved the filing of an application for “California Climate
Investments Wildfire Prevention Grants Program”; and
SECTION 2. Certifies that the City has or will have sufficient funds to operate and
maintain the project; and,
SECTION 3. Certifies that funds under the jurisdiction of the Council of the City of
San Luis Obispo are available to begin the project.
SECTION 4. Certifies that the City will expend grant funds prior to the grant
deadline of March 15, 2029.
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Resolution No. _____ (2023 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 5. Appoints the Fire Chief, or a designee, to conduct all negotiations,
execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements,
amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion
of the aforementioned project.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 2023.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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