HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/2011, C11 - FIRE SAFE COUNCIL 383 GRANT REQUEST r�
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C ITY O F SAN LU I S O B I S P O
FROM: Charlie Hines, Fire Chief CH
Prepared By: Rodger Maggio, Fire Marshal
SUBJECT: FIRE SAFE COUNCIL 383 GRANT REQUEST
RECOMMENDATION
1. Authorize Fire Department to submit a grant application of $5,000 to the San Luis
Obispo County Fire Safe Council 383 Grant Program to fund vegetation management
and wildland fuel reduction in the City-owned Open Space.
2. Appropriate $5,000 in the Fire Department Hazard Prevention budget if grant is
awarded.
3. Authorize the City Manager to accept and execute all grant related documents.
DISCUSSION
The City of San Luis Obispo has natural reserve and open space areas adjacent to
residential neighborhoods in the outlying areas of the City. Over time, the vegetation in
these areas can become dense and provide ready fuel for wild fires if not properly
managed. This vegetation, being in proximity to homes, becomes a hazard that may
threaten the structures should a fire occur. By modifying the vegetation, by mowing
weeds, cutting and removing overgrown brush, and thinning and pruning trees, structures
are more likely to survive a wild fire event, and fire crews are provided with room to
defend structures from the advancing fire front.
Staff has been working with Cal Fire for the use of CMC inmate crews and has already
completed two understory vegetation management projects this spring. Two more
projects are being proposed for this summer. Staff is working with the City's Natural
Resource Manager and the Park Rangers on these projects in order to meet mutual
objectives of managing the vegetation and preserving native habitat. Park Rangers will be
onsite while work is performed to assure that sensitive habitat is not disturbed.
The Fire Department has applied and been awarded a $5,000 grant through the San Luis
Obispo Fire Safe Council. The City's matching obligation will be "in kind" and provided
by the hours spent by the Fire Marshal and Natural Resources Manager to develop the
project descriptions and contracts, and grant documents, as well as site work supervision
and oversight by Fire department and Park Ranger staff.
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FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of these projects is estimated at $10,000, of which the grant funding would
pay $5,000. The remaining costs associated with these projects are staff planning,
preparation and implementation time. No matching funds are required for the grant other
then the aforementioned "in kind" cost. There is no additional impact to the General
Fund.
CONCURRENCES
The Natural Resources Manager and the Parks and Recreation Director concur with the
recommended action.
ALTERNATIVE
The Council could decide not to accept the grant monies. This is not recommended as
fire service grant opportunities are limited, and the grant funds will serve to enhance the
effectiveness of the Fire Department and the safety of wildland-urban interface
communities.
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