Title
a. Approve and authorize the Department of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks (PWFP) to submit a grant application for up to $140,000 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 Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio in South Monterey County, California;
b. Delegate the authority to the PWFP 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:
a. Approve and authorize the Department of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks (PWFP) to submit a grant application for up to $140,000 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 Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio in South Monterey County, California;
b. Delegate the authority to the PWFP 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 received $3.5 million in grant requests and issued $1.1 million in grant awards. Historically, County Parks has received multiple patrol vessels through this grant program. The last vessel funded by a BSEE grant was purchased in 2014. These 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 response and emergency response at Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio (the Lakes) operated by County Parks. These patrol vessels provide primary response for all emergencies on the Lakes. Last year, 9,248 patrol hours were logged at the Lakes resulting in sixty-four (64) safety-related citations; eight (8) Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests; responses to seven (7) boating accidents and medical incidents, including one (1) fatality and seven (7) major medical responses requiring helicopter/ambulance transport. The critical nature of this response mandates that need for reliable vessels in top shape. County Parks has a need to replace an aged vessel in its fleet, a service-worn 2001 patrol vessel purchased with DBW grant funds with over 3,553 motor hours and an extensive repair history. This vessel is no longer in optimal, reliable form for the rigors of daily use. It is also far beyond its 15 years of required service life.
BSEE’s Fiscal Year 2021/22 application cycle is now open from March 15 to April 30, 2021. The Department of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks (PWFP) requests the approval of the Board of Supervisors to submit an application to BSEE for up to $140,000 in competitive federal grant funds to purchase a replacement patrol vessel and trailer for marine enforcement and public safety patrols at the South County Lakes operated by the County. Attachment A provides an overview of grant application requirements, grant award prioritization criteria, and grant recipient requirements. Should the grant application be successful, PWFP 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 2021 meeting.
FINANCING:
Costs related to staff preparing the grant application and developing specifications for the new vessel and trailer are available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 RMA Adopted Budget, Fund 001, Department 8510 Parks, Appropriation Unit RMA104.
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. These ongoing annual operations and maintenance costs will be included in future County Parks annual budget requests. A requirement of the grant award is that County Parks surrender the retired vessel to DBW for final disposition.
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: Jon Anthony, County Park Ranger Supervisor (805) 237-3825
Approved by: Shawne E. Ellerbee, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Attachment:
Attachment A-BSEE Grant Application Overview
(Attachment is on file with the Clerk of the Board)