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December 2, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award and Appropriation: Accept Wildfire Mitigation Grant Funds from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for Wildfire Mitigation Activities and Amend the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Budget to Appropriate Funds
Report Number: 25-0253
Location: Funding for wildfire mitigation activities, including vegetation thinning and removal, is provided for wildland-urban interface areas, Surrey Ridge, Elevado Canyon, Choya Canyon, and segments of Proctor Valley Road.
Department: Fire
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation grant of $604,230 and appropriating funds for that purpose. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The Fire Department applied to the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation for assistance with funding wildfire mitigation activities and supporting equipment to reduce the wildfire hazard in the city of Chula Vista. The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation secured grant funding for the Chula Vista Fire Department through the San Diego River Conservancy Directed Grant Program in the amount $604,230.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
This item was approved at the July 10, 2025 meeting of the Measure A Citizen’s Oversight Committee, where the committee determined the use of the Fire Department's Measure A available one-time fund balance for the City’s grant match to acquire a remote -controlled masticator and utility truck to be in compliance with the Measure A spending plan.
DISCUSSION
The City of Chula Vista’s Hazard Mitigation Plan ide ntifies wildfire as a highly significant threat to the community. With numerous residential neighborhoods and commercial structures located adjacent to wildland and open space areas, the city remains vulnerable to wildfire impacts. In March 2025, Cal Fire released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps designating moderate, high, and very high hazard areas within Chula Vista. These zones encompass more than 21,000 structures and 13,000 acres.
The Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD) has been proactive in addr essing this threat through planning, public education, and vegetation management. The establishment of the CVFD Hand Crew provides a year - round resource dedicated to the City’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program. This program reduces wildfire risk in the wi ldland-urban interface, protects lives and property, and promotes healthier landscapes more resilient to fire. These efforts not only create safer communities and recreational areas but also improve firefighter safety by keeping wildfires smaller and more manageable.
The San Diego River Conservancy, through its Directed Grant Program funded by Proposition 4 (Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024), makes funding available for wildfire prevention and risk-reduction projects. The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation, whose mission is to make San Diego the safest county in the nation from fire-related incidents, partnered with CVFD to apply for this funding.
CVFD’s application requested support for hazardous fuels reduction projects in key wildland-urban interface areas, including Surrey Ridge, Choya Canyon, Elevado Canyon, and along Proctor Valley Road. Funding was also requested for specialized equipment to support vegetation thinning and removal, and for a tow vehicle to transport personnel and equipment.
The San Diego River Conservancy Board of Directors approved the application and awarded the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation $604,230 to support CVFD’s wildfire mitigation projects and purchase of related equipment.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying re al property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
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CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the acceptance of $604,2 30 in grant revenues from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and an increase to appropriations of $604, 230 to the Personnel Services and Supplies & Services categories of the Fire Grants Section of the State Grants Fund. The grant requires a City match of $344,230. Matching funds will be provided through in -kind services from Hand Crew labor costs and one-time fund balance appropriation from Measure A to the Other Capital category of $149,230. Funding from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and mat ching funds from Measure A will completely offset these costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There will be recurring operating costs (fuel, general/preventative maintenance, etc.) over the expected life of the equipment. This expense will be considered as part of future annual operating budgets in the Measure A Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. San Diego Regional Fire Foundation Grant Award – Letter of Commitment Staff Contact: Marlon King, Emergency Services Manager
Harry Muns, Fire Chief
Tom Doyle, Principal Management Analyst