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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6f. Authorize the Fire Department to apply for Grant Funding through California Climate Investment (CCI) Wildfire Prevention Grant Program Item 6f Department: Fire Cost Center: 8599 For Agenda of: 2/20/2024 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief Prepared By: Nicole Vert, Business Analyst 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 purchase specialized equipment for wildfire fuel reduction work; 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 the project, if awarded”; and 3. Authorize the City Manager, or Fire Chief as 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 awarde d. 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 delegate 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. Additionally, the work under this grant is in line with the City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the Climate Adaptation and Safety Element. Page 129 of 199 Item 6f 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 approximately $160,000 in grant funding to purchase two chippers, which are needed to improve staff’s ability to conduct hazardous fuel reduction efforts in-house. The funds will cover only the purchase of two chippers, staff will complete the work within the scope of their jobs as capacity allows. One of the two chippers being requested is a standard pull-behind chipper that can handle the volume of vegetation generated through hazardous fuel removal. The second chipper is a track chipper which would allow for access to remote fuel removal projects with a low impact to the surrounding environment. The areas where the chippers will be used include both wildland-urban interface areas of the city along with the riparian corridors. 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 $117 million is being allocated to Cal Fire’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program in Fiscal Year 2023-2024 from the CCI Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and General Fund. The recommended funding amount is $3,000,000 or less for this program with an equipment purchase cap of $750,000 cumulative total. 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 (Attachment A) 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 and execute and submit all documents necessary for the completion of the grant project. Page 130 of 199 Item 6f Public Engagement This item is on the agenda for the February 20, 2024, 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: 2023-24 Funding Identified: Yes Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Total Budget Available Current Funding Request Remaining Balance Annual Ongoing Cost General Fund $7,969.86 $151,427.26 $0 State $ Federal $ Fees $ Other: $ Total $7,969.86 $151,427.26 $0 The Cal Fire CCI Wildfire Prevention Grant Program allows applicants to seek up to $3,000,000 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 a hard match of 5%, of $7969.86, and foregoing the allowable inclusion of indirect costs of 12%. The matching funds will be absorbed within existing appropriated fuels management budgets. Staff will assess workload capacity as part of the project planning to ensure staff bandwidth is available to complete the project within the period of performance of 5 years. This recommendation allows for a lower requested amount from the grantor and limits the financial impact on the City. Ongoing maintenance costs of the chippers would be offset through the savings generated by not requiring the rental of the chipping equipment or utilizing contract services. Work has not begun as the costs for weekly rental of chipping equipment have been prohibitive. If the grant project is not funded, staff will continue to seek grant funding opportunities to continue fuel reduction efforts within the City. Page 131 of 199 Item 6f 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 2024 Cal Fire CCI Wildfire Prevention Grant Page 132 of 199 R ______ RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2024 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 St ate, 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 protect 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 and Safety Element of the City’s General Plan, and Community Wildfire Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, if awarded, the Fire Department will enter into an agre ement 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, 2030. Page 133 of 199 Resolution No. _____ (2024 Series) Page 2 R ______ SECTION 5. Appoints the Fire Chief, or their designee, to conduct all negotiat ions, 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 _______________ 20 24. ___________________________ 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 Page 134 of 199