Title
a. Approve and authorize the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks to submit a grant application for up to $150,000 in competitive grant funding from the California State Parks Department Division of Boating and Waterways for grant funds to purchase a replacement patrol vessel and trailer for marine enforcement and public safety patrols at Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento in South Monterey County, California; and
b. Delegate the authority to the Public Works, Facilities and Parks Director or designee to conduct all negotiations and sign and submit all documents which may be necessary for the completion of the Grant application.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks to submit a grant application for up to $150,000 in competitive grant funding from the California State Parks Department Division of Boating and Waterways for grant funds to purchase a replacement patrol vessel and trailer for marine enforcement and public safety patrols at Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento in South Monterey County, California; and
b. Delegate the authority to the Public Works, Facilities and Parks Director or designee to conduct all negotiations and sign and submit all documents which may be necessary for the completion of the Grant application.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
California State Parks Division of the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) provides grants to local government agencies to purchase boating safety and law enforcement equipment through the Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment Grant Program (BSEE). Last year, this highly competitive program issued $1.5 million in grant requests and awards. County Parks has been awarded grants to purchase patrol vessels through the program. The most recent was in 2021, when County Parks was awarded a grant and the vessel is currently being manufactured. Patrol vessels are used solely for boating safety and law enforcement and are operated exclusively by Rangers certified by DBW as maritime law enforcement vessel operators.
Patrol vessels provide marine safety enforcement for over 11,120 surface acres of lake waters and critical medical, fire and law enforcement and emergency response at County of Monterey Lakes Nacimiento and San Antonio (the Lakes) which are operated by the Department of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP). Last year, 8,800 patrol hours were logged at the Lakes resulting in five hundred (500) vessel stops; one hundred three (103) safety-related citations; seven (7) Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests; sixty-four (64) public assists; and eleven (11) major medical responses requiring helicopter/ambulance transport. The critical nature of this response mandates the need for reliable vessels in top shape. PWFP will replace an aged 2003 patrol vessel purchased with DBW grant funds with over 2,059 motor hours and extensive repair history. This vessel is 20 years old and is beyond the required service life, and is no longer in optimal, reliable form for the rigors of daily use. BSEE’s Fiscal Year 2023/24 application cycle is now open from March 15 to April 28, 2023.
Staff requests the approval of the Board of Supervisors to submit an application to BSEE for up to $150,000 in competitive federal grant funds to purchase a replacement patrol vessel and trailer for marine enforcement and public safety patrols at the Lakes. Attachment A provides an overview of grant application requirements, grant award prioritization criteria, and grant recipient requirements. Should the grant application be successful, the County will return to the Board for approval to accept the grant award and to purchase the vessel.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel reviewed this report. Due to the timing of the grant application period, the Parks Commission will be provided an update on the status of the grant application at its June 2023 meeting.
FINANCING:
Sufficient funding is available to cover costs related to staff preparing the grant application and developing specifications for the new vessel and trailer available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 PWFP Adopted Budget, Fund 001, Unit 8556, Appropriation Unit PFP058. Should a grant award be made, no cash match is required; however, the County will be responsible for the annual repairs and maintenance costs for the vessel over its 15 years of required service. Future budget requests will include sufficient appropriations for ongoing annual operations and maintenance costs. The grant award requires that the County surrender the retired vessel to DBW for final disposition. Per Attachment A, Overview of the BSEE Grant Application, the grant recipient (County of Monterey) shall agree that the DBW shall be the legal owner of the patrol boat and trailer purchased with the grant funds, while the County of Monterey shall be the registered owner.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives for Health and Human Services, Infrastructure, and Public Safety by proactively seeking grant funding to enhance the County’s ability to offer expanded, safe, and accessible public recreation experience at the Lakes.
Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Dona Luna, Management Analyst III, x5455
Reviewed by: Bryan Flores, Chief of Parks, x6425
Approved by: Randell Ishii, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks, x5647
Attachments:
Attachment A - BSEE Grant Application Overview
(Attachment is on file with the Clerk of the Board)