Title
a. Approve Standard Agreement with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County to provide staff and services to address a wide range of fire fuel mitigation issues and objectives for a total amount not to exceed $150,000, for a period of ten months beginning August 28, 2018 to June 30, 2019; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or Contracts/Purchasing Supervisor to execute the Standard Agreement and future amendments to the Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or change the approved Agreement amount; and
c. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 Adopted Budget Fund 001, Appropriations Unit RMA001, to increase appropriations by $150,000, financed by a decrease in appropriations by $150,000 in General Fund Contingencies, Fund 001, Appropriations Unit CAO020 for services to address a wide range of fire fuel mitigation issues and objectives. (4/5th vote required)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve Standard Agreement with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County to provide staff and services to address a wide range of fire fuel mitigation issues and objectives for a total amount not to exceed $150,000, for a period of ten months beginning August 28, 2018 to June 30, 2019; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer or Contracts/Purchasing Supervisor to execute the Standard Agreement and future amendments to the Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or change the approved Agreement amount; and
c. Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 Adopted Budget Fund 001, Appropriations unit RMA001, to increase appropriations by $150,000, financed by a decrease in appropriations by $150,000 in General Fund Contingencies, Fund 001, Appropriations Unit CAO020 for services to address a wide range of fire fuel mitigation issues and objectives. (4/5th vote required)
SUMMARY:
As previously reported to the Board, the Resource Management Agency (RMA) has worked with the fire agencies and members of the Fire Safe Council to establish an agreed approach to fire mitigation. The fire agencies and the Fire Safe Council partners support securing these services through an independent third party, non-governmental agency such as the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCD), and in turn, the RCD has expressed willingness to contract with the County of Monterey (County) for the provision of fire fuel mitigation services.
On July 17, 2018, the Board accepted a report on costs and description of duties for fire fuel mitigation duties in response to wildfire concerns (Legistar File Number 18-723). The RCD would provide services that include identifying grants and other funding mechanisms to ultimately pay for continued services, as well as, fire prevention/protection project implementation. RMA requests that the Board approve a Standard Agreement (SA) with the RCD and allocate up to $150,000 to serve as seed money to establish these services through the RCD.
DISCUSSION:
On July 17, 2018 and as directed by the Board, RMA staff returned to the Board with a report and presentation on costs and description of duties for fire fuel mitigation services in response to wildfire concerns (Legistar File Number 18-723). The Board considered the RMA’s recommendation, and approved one-time funding for the services to be provided out of the General Fund Contingencies. The Board also supported the RMA developing a scope of work and SA, Attachment A, with the RCD to provide services to address a wide range of fire fuel mitigation issues and objectives for a total amount not to exceed $150,000. The proposed SA with the RCD would be for a period of approximately one (1) year through and no later than June 30, 2019.
As a non-regulatory local special district, the RCD can work seamlessly with agencies and the community beneficiaries of the fire fuel mitigation program, to facilitate timely, cost effective services. The RCD has a unique combination of technical expertise, services, and existing trusted relationships with funding partners. This further positions the RCD to access and leverage resources and funds to help sustain the fire fuel mitigation program for the County and the community into the future. The suite of attributes and services the RCD provides will facilitate a coordinated effort to bring public and private partners together to plan and execute critical fire fuel mitigation services. With much of the County at high risk to wildfire, an efficient, coordinated effort by the RCD, the County, fire agencies and private landowners is necessary.
Through the SA, the RCD will coordinate forest fire vegetation management programs and play an active role in the Fire Safe Committee and other community activities. The RCD will coordinate site visits, assessments and planning for creating defensible space, develop forest vegetation (fuel) mitigation/reduction programs to achieve healthy and safe forests, assist with preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents for fire protection agencies and landowners for actions proposed to implement the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), as well as prepare grant proposals and raise funds to support and enhance the fire fuel mitigation program.
The $150,000 is intended to serve as seed money to establish these services through the RCD with the expectation of identifying grants and other funding mechanisms to ultimately pay for continued services, in addition to project implementation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel-Risk Management and Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the SA as to form and legality, and fiscal provisions, respectively.
Additionally, the Fire Safe Council of Monterey County has provided input and the RMA has worked with Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signatories and other partners to finalize the scope of responsibilities for the services in the SA.
Due to timing constraints, the CAO Budget Office and Supervisor Jane Parker, Chair of the Budget Committee, both approved the item proceeding to the Board of Supervisors without Budget Committee review.
FINANCING:
On July 17, 2018, the Board considered the RMA’s recommendation to allocate up to $150,000 to fund the fire fuel mitigation services through a SA with the RCD during Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 where the financing source could come from Cannabis Revenues or General Fund Contingencies. The Board supported the use of one-time funding from General Fund Contingencies.
The recommended action will amend the FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget, Fund 001, Appropriations Unit RMA001, increasing appropriations by $150,000 financed by a decrease in appropriations in General Fund Contingencies, Fund 001, Appropriations Unit CAO020.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The County is prone to significant wildland fires that come with significant costs. Fire prevention can help reduce impacts to the environment and save lives and property. Major fires also impact the economy since they often occur during the height of the tourist season, and comes with great costs to protect/repair public infrastructure. The recommended action supports the Board’s Strategic Initiatives as indicated below:
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Melanie Beretti, Special Programs Manager, (831) 755-5285
Reviewed by: Shawne Ellerbee, RMA Deputy Director of Administrative Services
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
Dated: August 28, 2018
Attachments:
Attachment A - SA with RCD
Attachment B - Resolution
(Attachments on File with the Clerk of the Board)