Title
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Assistant County Administrative Officer to:
a. Apply for and accept grant funds from the California Department of Conservation's SALC funding opportunity in the amount of $192,500 to fund the development of an equity focused Community Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; and
b. Enter into, execute, and deliver a State of California Grant Agreement as required by the SALC, subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Assistant County Administrative Officer to:
a. Apply for and accept grant funds from the California Department of Conservation's SALC funding opportunity in the amount of $192,500 to fund the development of an equity focused Community Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CCAAP); and
b. Enter into, execute, and deliver a State of California Grant Agreement as required by the SALC, subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The State of California, Department of Conservation (DoC) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), dated February 25, 2020 , under the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) grant program for local jurisdictions to create plans that will decrease greenhouse gas emissions while preserving agricultural lands and prevent the conversion of those lands to other uses with higher emissions intensities.
The NOFA relates to the guidelines for the competitive funding for these grants. To apply for and accept this award, the County must submit a Resolution adopted by the County Board of Supervisors to the DoC.
Therefore, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt this Resolution to allow the Assistant County Administrative Officer to apply for and accept this award; enter into, execute, and deliver a State of California Department of Conservation Grant Agreement; and meet SALC requirements for funds awarded to the County.
The State of California Department of Conservation Grant Agreement and its General Terms and Conditions are included as attachments to this staff report.
Following consultation between the CAO office and RMA, staff proposes that the County submit an SALC grant application as described in the Planning Grants Program NOFA dated February 25, 2020 in the amount of $192,500. This is about the average amount awarded to winning planning grants. Staff estimates that the CCAAP could be completed for this cost.
If awarded to the County, funds would go towards the following Climate Action planning efforts:
1) CCAAP Strategy Evaluation
Staff intends to work with a contractor to develop a methodology to evaluate and prioritize potential
initiatives to include in the CCAAP. This methodology shall include surveying, evaluating, and prioritizing existing County and community programs for including in the plan and must consider quantitative and qualitative criteria related to environmental factors (e.g. GHG emissions, criteria air-pollutants, etc.), economic factors (e.g., operation and maintenance costs, job creation, funding sources, etc.), social factors (e.g., implementation issues, impact to disadvantaged populations, social return on investment etc.), and other factors (e.g. political support, timeframe to implement, etc.). Staff plans to rely on the contractor to evaluate the potential for implementing proposed initiatives, including the forecast of likely penetration rates, public adoption rates or scenarios among target sectors, and the identification of potential inhibitors to success. Staff will also ask the contractor to develop an ongoing measurement and evaluation plan to ensure that results can be measured. Any CEQA Certification that is undertaken for the CCAAP would also require significant work from the contractor.
2) CCAAP Draft and Publication
Staff intends to apply to obtain assistance from a Civic Sparks program Climate Fellow to assist in the drafting and review of CCAAP language, the facilitation of the working groups strategy sessions, and its public engagement strategy. The Civic Spark program provides post-graduate level professionals for a one-year period to state and local governments to implement climate projects including Climate Action Plans. A Climate Fellow is an incredibly low-cost and efficient asset that the County can take advantage of to assist in the development of the CCAAP. Many jurisdictions find that, in addition to a consultant and non-profit partner, they require at least two full-time staff dedicated to the development of a robust Climate Action Plan. A Climate Fellow can ensure that the County achieves a robust plan and strategy to implement adopted programs Additionally, Staff intends to use a small portion of the funding for publication of the Climate Action Plan.
3) Community Engagement
Community Engagement is a substantial and powerful component of the CCAAP process. Staff intends to host a variation of the following as part of the engagement process for the CCAP.
a) Business Roundtable
b) Ag Showcase
c) Student Competition
d) Strategic Working Groups
e) Social Media Campaign for public engagement with interactive gamification strategies
These activities may require some funding to ensure that the engagement process is interactive and well-rounded despite the distance that may be required due to COVID-19 but will mainly be conducted through staff and the Climate Fellow.
Upon an award of SALC grant funds, staff will 1) request proposals to obtain professional services under the grant application; and 2) return to the Board of Supervisors to obtain approval to award contracts to successful responders as appropriate.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in consultation with the RMA. The Office of the County Counsel reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form and legality. The Sustainability Program Manager will execute the Planning Activities associated with the award funds.
FINANCING:
Adoption of this Resolution will allow the County to apply for and accept up to a $192,500 award under the
SALC Grant Program. This program requires a 10% match, 5% of which can be in-kind and 5% of which must be a cash match. This amounts to $8,750 that will be needed should the County be awarded funds. Staff is requesting that those funds be allocated from the General Fund should the award be made. However, the award funds may also be used towards staff time and at least $8,750 from the grant funds will reimburse the County's General Fund for staff cost as a result of this project over the next two years, covering the $8,750 that is required to match.
Should additional revenues and appropriations be required to complete the work funded by this grant opportunity, the County Administrative Office will present a Budget Augmentation to the Board through their Budget Committee for consideration and approval
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Climate action planning is essential to the health and safety of the County’s future. Setting strategies for meeting 2030 climate targets will help the County to mitigate risk in an economically and socially just manner.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
X_Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Report prepared by: Ashley Paulsworth x5455
Report approved by Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer x5145
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board
Attachments:
SALC 2020- Grant Guidelines & Applications
2020 SALC Grant Resolution
SALC FY 2019-20 Planning Grant Application
SALC FY 2019-2020 Planning Grant Agreement