To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Accept and Administer Funding Made Available through the 2021 County Coordinators Grant Program and Approval of the Associated Supplemental Budget (4/5 vote required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Humboldt County Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to execute a grant agreement with the California Fire Safe Council and any other documents, including, without limitation, professional services agreements, necessary to accept and administer funding made available through the 2021 County Coordinators Grant Program; and
2. Approve, and authorize the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller to post, the attached supplemental budget request and make technical corrections as needed (4/5 vote required).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) as part of the California Climate Investment Program; awarded through the California Fire Safe Council’s 2021 County Coordinators Grant Program
Northcoast Resource Partnership Fund (1720)
DISCUSSION:
In September of 2021, the County of Humboldt, by and through its Department of Public Works - Natural Resources Planning, submitted an application to the 2021 County Coordinators Grant Program. The application was developed in coordination with Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chair, Virginia Bass, the County Administrative Office, members of the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council, and other wildfire preparedness partners. Letters of support were submitted by the Acting County Administrative Officer at that time, CAL FIRE, the University of California Cooperative Extension Humboldt-Del Norte office, the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District, and the Mid-Klamath Watershed Council.
The objective of the 2021 County Coordinators Grant Program is to educate, encourage, and develop countywide collaboration and coordination among various wildfire mitigation groups operating within counties containing State Responsibility Area lands. The project proposed in the County of Humboldt’s application aimed to catalyze progress on the implementation of the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan through enhanced countywide collaboration resulting in increased capacity and partnerships among local wildfire mitigation groups and ultimately, reduced risk of loss from catastrophic wildfire. A team approach was proposed to both educate and learn from these groups as they collectively work to broadcast a shared vision of a wildfire resilient Humboldt County.
In November of 2021, the County’s application was selected for funding and the California Fire Safe Council increased the original budget request for $135,000 to an award of $175,000. Staff is now requesting that the Board authorize the Humboldt County Public Works Director, or a designee thereof, to accept and administer an award of $175,000 to fund the implementation of the Humboldt County Coordination Team Project (“Coordination Team Project”).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Acceptance of the funding made available through the 2021 County Coordinator Grant Program will bring $175,000 of state funding into Humboldt County to support continued work to reduce the vulnerability of rural communities to damage from wildfire. The recommended supplemental budget for fiscal year 2021-22 will increase appropriations in the Public Works Natural Resources Planning budget (1720289) by $175,000.
Acceptance of the funding made available through the 2021 County Coordinator Grant Program will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Humboldt County Fire Safe Council and the California Fire Safe Council.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to accept the funding made available through the 2021 County Coordinator Grant Program. However, this alternative is not recommended because of the community fire safety benefits that will be gained from implementation of the Humboldt County Coordination Team Project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. California Fire Safe Council County Coordinators Proposal and Support Letters
2. California Fire Safe Council 2021 County Coordinators Grant Award Announcements
3. Supplemental Budget Request Regarding the 2021 County Coordinator Grant Award
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A