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
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Public Works Director to apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program in order to fund implementation of the Humboldt Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP); and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide a fully executed original copy of the attached resolution to the Humboldt County Department of Public Works for submission to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program
DISCUSSION:
The California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant 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). The recommended action will allow the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to prepare and submit a grant application to support CWPP implementation.
The proposed CWPP implementation project, if funded, will involve roadside vegetation management to facilitate safe evacuation and emergency response, assistance with creating and maintaining defensible space for the elderly and disabled, and chipper days to assist with the disposal of green waste generated from creating and maintaining defensible space. These wildfire preparedness activities will be tested as model programs that can be modified as necessary and replicated in the future when other grant opportunities arise. The grant application for funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program is due on Dec. 19, 2018, and notification of grant selection for funding will be issued in April of 2019. If the proposed CWPP implementation project is selected, a grant agreement will be due on Aug. 30, 2019 and work will begin in September of 2019.
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 apply for, and accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget, your Board authorized a General Fund allocation to the Department of Public Works - Natural Resources budget (revenue account 1720-289) to be used, in part, to research funding sources and write grant proposals to support actions recommended in the Humboldt County CWPP. Due to this allocation, there are sufficient funds in the Natural Resources budget to prepare the application for funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program. There will be no additional expense required by the General Fund this fiscal year by approving this item.
If awarded, the funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program will provide much-needed revenue to supplement the funds that the county is already investing in community wildfire preparedness and roadside vegetation maintenance. Matching funds will be committed to the proposed CWPP implementation project, based on the existing annual activities conducted by Department of Public Works staff. In addition, matching fund contributions will be generated through the participation of partner organizations and community groups that will assist with outreach within their respective areas of Humboldt County.
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and advancing local interests in natural resource discussions, building inter-jurisdictional and regional cooperation, providing for and maintaining infrastructure, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations, and seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors 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 accept, if awarded, funding made available through the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program. However, this alternative is not recommended because of the community fire safety benefits that could be gained through the proposed CWPP implementation project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 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
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: Click or tap here to enter text.
Meeting of: Click or tap here to enter text.