HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5l. Authorization to apply for CA Fire Foundation 2023 Statewide Climate-Related Wildfire & Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Grant Item 5l
Department: Fire
Cost Center: 8599
For Agenda of: 6/20/2023
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief
Prepared By: James Blattler, Emergency Manager
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR THE CALIFORNIA FIRE
FOUNDATION 2023 STATEWIDE CLIMATE-RELATED WILDFIRE &
DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS GRANT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize the Fire Department to apply to the California Fire Foundation 2023 state-
wide climate-related wildfire & disaster prevention and preparedness grant in an
amount up to $25,000 and sign a required City Council Authorization Letter; 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.
This grant opportunity is aligned with the City’s Climate Action, Open Space &
Sustainable Transportation and Economic Recovery, Resiliency & Fiscal Sustainability
Major City Goals through the ability to prevent or prepare for climate-related natural
disasters through fiscally responsible methods.
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 Fire Department: the California Fire Foundation’s 2023 State-wide climate-related
wildfire & disaster prevention and preparedness grant.
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Item 5l
The grant opportunity provides funding for projects that actively address wildfire
preparedness and/or prevention needs, which protect and enhance the public’s safety or
the safety of California’s firefighters and other first responders including (1) vegetation
mitigation & fuels reduction, (2) education, planning and/or community outreach
campaigns, (3) personal protective equipment, and (4) specialized firefighting equipment.
Per the funding notification, requested amounts should not exceed $25,000 as requests
outside this range will only be considered on an as-needed basis.
Staff is scoping out a fuel reduction project targeting San Luis Obispo Creek at the East
end of San Luis Drive to remove dead, and downed vegetation, hazard trees and
vegetation categorized as “ladder fuels” which can carry fire from the understory to tree
canopies where fire can spread faster and produce more significant ember cast. This are a
is a high priority due to its proximity to the Cal Fire designated Very High Fire Severity
Zone and the threat from potential of a roadside vehicle fire ignition source. Additionally,
staff is exploring the use of this funding to enhance wildfire readiness resource
accessibility for non-English speaking community members.
In this cycle, funding priority is being extended to applicants whose projects benefit
disinvested California communities or historically marginalized populations, serving areas
of heightened fire risk as defined by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
The Fire Department will coordinate with the Office of Sustainability and Natural
Resources and Parks & Recreation Department to develop a grant project meeting the
grant’s funding priorities.
Per the California Fire Foundation, applicants are required to include a signed governing
body authorization letter (Attachment A) approving the acceptance of funding that may
be awarded as a result of submitting the application.
Background
Created in 1987, the California Fire Foundation, a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable
organization, provides public safety prevention education initiatives, and emotional and
financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they
protect. The Foundation’s mandate includes an array of programs that honor fallen
firefighters and provide survivor and victim assistance, as well as public safety education
initiatives aimed at preventing injuries and death from preventable safety hazards.
Public Engagement
This item is on the agenda for the June 20, 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 Office of Sustainability and Natural Resources concurs with the report and proposed
application.
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Item 5l
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: 2023-24
Funding Identified: Yes
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $0 $0 $0 $
State $0 $0 $0
Federal $0 $0 $0
Fees $0 $0 $0
Other: $25,000 $0 $0
Total $25,000 $0 $ $
The California Fire Foundation 2023 state-wide climate-related wildfire & disaster
prevention and preparedness grant does not require any City matching funds. Awards
are expected to be announced in Fall 2023. If the project is not funded by the Foundation,
the department will look for other external funding opportunities to accomplish unfunded
climate-related wildfire & disaster prevention and preparedness projects.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could decide not to pursue the grant monies. This action is not
recommended by staff 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 - City Council Grant Authorization Letter
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City of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114, slocity.org
June 20, 2023
TO: California Fire Foundation
1780 Creekside Oaks Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95833
SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION 2023 STATE-WIDE CLIMATE-
RELATED WILDFIRE & DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS
GRANT
Dear California Fire Foundation,
As authorized by City Council through consent agenda action taken at the June 20,
2023 City Council meeting, the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department has
approval to accept funding that may be awarded as a result of the California Fire
Foundation 2023 State-wide Climate-Related Wildfire & Disaster Prevention and
Preparedness grant application in an amount up to $25,000.
_______________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
__________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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