To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing Execution of Cooperative Fire Programs - Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement No. 1CA05359 for County Service Area #4 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Regarding the Provision of Fire Protection Services Within Humboldt County
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Waive the requirements of the Humboldt County Nuclear-Free Ordinance with regard to Cooperative Fire Programs - Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement No. 1CA05359 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection;
2. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the County Administrative Officer, or a designee thereof, to execute Cooperative Fire Programs - Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement No. 1CA05359 for County Service Area #4 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the provision of fire protection services within Humboldt County for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024, and any amendments thereto, along with any and all other certifications, agreements and documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate for the County of Humboldt to accept and secure its obligations thereunder;
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed certified copy of the attached Resolution to the County Administrative Office for submission to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; and
4. Direct the Human Resources Director, or a designee thereof, to provide the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection with any and all necessary certificates of insurance.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
County Service Area #4 Property Assessment Fund 3970
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 4114, and other provisions of state law, the State of California, by and through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CalFIRE”), maintains fire prevention and suppression forces, including, without limitation, equipment, personnel and facilities, necessary to prevent and extinguish forest fires.
For many years, the County of Humboldt has contracted with CalFIRE to provide fire protection services in County Service Area # 4 during the non-fire season. County Service Area #4 includes the community of Westhaven, the unincorporated area surrounding the City of Trinidad and the unincorporated area adjacent to U.S. Highway 101 stretching approximately ten (10) miles north of Trinidad. The residents of County Services Area #4 formed an assessment district to pay for fire protection services provided by CalFIRE on a year-round basis. The maximum benefit assessment was approved by property owners through an election conducted on May 6, 2003 (Item F-3). The maximum assessment per benefit unit is currently set at Twenty-Nine Dollars ($29) plus an annually adjusted inflation factor based on the Consumer Price Index.
CalFIRE has offered to continue to provide mutually advantageous fire and emergency services through Cooperative Fire Programs - Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement No. 1CA05359 (“Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement”). The proposed Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement pertains to the provision of fire protection services within County Service Area #4 and funds the employment of three (3) firefighters, including operating expenses, at the CalFIRE station located in Trinidad. Please note, Exhibit E of the Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement (Attachment 2) was intentionally left blank.
Historically, the Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has included services for both Fire Protection and Dispatch. This year, the agreements have been split into two distinct documents to better define service type and the respective funding mechanisms. As such, your Board is receiving one agreement each for Fire Protection Services and Fire Dispatch Services which share the same term limits. These items are being brought to your Board separately (see file 21-706 for the dispatch contract).
The attached resolution authorizes the County Administrative Officer, or a designee thereof, to execute the Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement with CalFIRE regarding the provision of fire protection services within Humboldt County for the period of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024, and any amendments thereto, along with any and all other certifications, agreements and documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate for the County of Humboldt to accept and secure its obligations thereunder. It should be noted that the Board must waive the requirements of the Humboldt County Nuclear-Free Ordinance in order to adopt the attached resolution, since CalFIRE will not modify the Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement to incorporate the requirements thereof.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement with CalFIRE has a maximum amount payable of $840,995 for the period of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024, which equates to a savings of approximately $22,000 annually from the prior year’s cost.
Approximately $525,000, or an estimated total of $175,000 annually, of the costs associated with the provision of fire protection services will be covered by the benefit assessment fees collected by County Service Area # 4. The remaining costs, which total $315,995, will be covered by the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing Execution of Cooperative Fire Programs - Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement No. 1CA05359 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Regarding the Provision of Fire Protection Services Within Humboldt County
2. Cooperative Fire Programs - Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement No. 1CA05359 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Regarding the Provision of Fire Protection Services Within Humboldt County for Fiscal Year 2021-22 through 2023-24
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: F-3, C-5, C-10
Meeting of: 05/06/2003, 10/08/2019, 06/23/2020
File No.: 19-1334, 20-769