To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to Apply For, and Accept, Funding Made Available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for, and if awarded, accept and administer funding made available through the 2021-2022 California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grants Program; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide a fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Humboldt County Department of Public Works for submission to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grants Program
DISCUSSION:
The California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grants Program provides funding for local projects and activities that address the risk of wildfire and reduce wildfire potential to forested and forest adjacent communities. Funded activities include, without limitation, hazardous fuel reduction, fire planning and fire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Activities funded under this program are consistent with those recommended in the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (“CWPP”). Staff recommendations aim to support the County of Humboldt’s continued role in working towards the Wildfire Preparedness and Disaster Preparedness goals of the Humboldt County CWPP Countywide Action Plan.
In December 2021, staff submitted a pre-application to the 2021 Evacuation Route Planning and Development Grant Program; a pilot program administered by the California Fire Safe Council and funded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 2021-2022 Prevention Grants Program. The Evacuation Ready Humboldt 2022 Project was selected for funding, pending a full application process. The proposed project was developed in collaboration with staff from the Department of Public Works, Office of Emergency Services and Planning and Building. The Three Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand Dollar ($333,000.00) grant includes funding for the purchase of evacuation supplies, including mobile message boards; road name signs that will be posted to mark the crossroads of priority county and non-county-maintained roads; and sheds that can be assembled in high priority locations for the secure and strategic storage of evacuation control supplies. It will also support a consulting contractor to work closely with county staff to assess top priority evacuation route needs and develop strategies to meet them; identify data/information gaps and develop recommended strategies to fill those gaps; and gather new, and improve on existing, data that will support continued and enhanced evacuation planning.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to conduct all negotiations, and enter into, execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to complete the proposed project supported by the Fire Prevention Grants Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This Fire Prevention Grants Program award will provide much-needed revenue to supplement the funds that the county is already investing in community wildfire preparedness. A supplemental budget will be brought to the Board for approval when the grant agreement is executed.
The expense of preparing the applications for funding made available through the California Climate Investments Fire Prevention Grants Program will be covered by a fiscal year 2021-2022 General Fund allocation provided by the Board of Supervisors to the Department of Public Works and other planning grant sources already budgeted for, Natural Resources Planning budget unit 1720-289. One (1) of the intended uses of the General Fund allocation was to research funding sources and write grant proposals to support actions recommended in the Humboldt County CWPP.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for, and if awarded, accept and administer funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grants Program. However, this alternative is not recommended because of the community fire safety benefits that could be gained through the proposed project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to Apply for, and Accept, Funding Made Available through the California Climate Investments Fire Prevention Grants Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No: N/A