City of Gonzales
PUBLIC WORKS / CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: May 5, 2025
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Public Works Director/City Engineer THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2025-17 Approving Execution of an MOU with CalFire for Public Works Maintenance Services
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council Adopt Resolution 2025-17, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to use Fire Camp Crews for Select Public Works Maintenance Services.
BACKGROUND
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) jointly operate 35 conservation camps, commonly known as Fire Camps, in 25 counties across California. Participants in the Fire Camp Program are serving state prison sentences and are housed at minimum security facilities with CDCR supervision. When working on public works type projects, a Cal Fire captain is responsible for participants’ custody.
Custody transfers back to CDCR staff when the crew returns to the fire camp.
The participants train as first responders and provide services during natural disasters and perform basic public works maintenance services. The program hopefully provides for job opportunities after an inmate’s release, including advanced training and criminal record expungement.
The closest camp to Gonzales is the Gabilan Conservation Camp just north of Soledad. The camp’s primary mission is to support emergency response teams during events like fires, floods, and other natural or manmade disasters. Fire crews have performed the following service to local communities:
AGENDA
ITEM
15 • City of Monterey: Greenbelt fire fuel reduction and habitat restoration. Crews removed invasive non-native plant species, dead plants and trees. Reforestation with native plants and trees; erosion control and greenbelt maintenance.
• Marina Dunes: planting of indigenous flowers, abatement of weeds, and falling of dead trees. • State Parks: Removing dead trees, restoring historical sites, building bridges, clearing hiking trails and removing small bridges in advance of the winter rain season. • City of Carmel: Install flood control measures and clear non-native vegetation along waterways. • City of Del Rey Oaks: Trim and chip willow trees along city streets
REVIEW & ANALYSIS
Executing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cal Fire would allow the City to use the crews at the Gabilan Conservation Camp for routine public works maintenance efforts such as clearing accumulated shrubs and other landscaping from the storm drain basins around the City. The current cost for a fire camp crew is $227/day plus $226/day if a chipper is used.
In conclusion, staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution 2025-17 Approving a MOU with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for select public works maintenance efforts.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: Using a Fire Crew is a low-cost approach to accomplishing basic public works maintenance efforts.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ___ No
Explain: See above Vision.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes No Explain: See above Vision.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes X No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could direct staff to develop other alternatives for maintenance of the storm water basins.
BUDGET IMPACT
Authorizing execution of a MOU with the Cal Fire will reduce the cost for clearing overgrowth landscaping in the various City-owned storm water basins.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommend that the City Council Adopt Resolution 2025-17, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to use Fire Camp Crews for Select Public Works Maintenance Services.
Attachments:
1. Resolution 2025-17
2. MOU with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection