DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $100,000 in Grant Funding From Pacific Gas & Electric for the No-Cost Residential Chipping Program and Defensible Space Resident Assistance Program
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to accept and appropriate $100,000 from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for No-Cost Chipping Program and Resident Assistance Program.
SUMMARY
The Fire Department was awarded $100,000 from PG&E to help fund the no-cost Residential Chipping Program and Defensible Space Resident Assistance Program (RAP) to assist residents who are unable to cut and stack tree limbs due to limited physical abilities and/or economic barriers.
Staff is requesting that Council adopt the attached resolution to accept and appropriate the $100,000 in grant funds from PG&E for the Fire Department’s 2023 vegetation management program.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Hayward Fire Department (HFD) has developed a vegetation management program to assist the residents of Hayward and Fairview Fire Protection District (FFPD) high-fire hazard areas to create defensible space since 2012. This program consists of, but is not limited to, a no-cost residential chipping service and a residential assistance program. The vegetation management program relies heavily on grant funding.
The Chipping Program is an incentivized program for residents in high-fire areas to continue the maintenance of pruning the lower limbs of trees, removing dead materials, and aged shrubs. The Department’s goal is to host a Chipping Program in the Spring and Fall of every year. All applicants to the Chipping Program must reside in the Wildland Urban Interface of Hayward and FFPD. Residents can express interest using an online application form and will be put on a first come first serve list for scheduling.
The Residential Assistance Program (RAP) was developed to help those residents who were unable to cut and stack the limbs on their own in preparation for the Department’s no-cost chipping program due to limited physical abilities and/or economic barriers to participating. The program has since evolved into creating defensible space around their home as well. All applicants for the RAP are required to meet a criterion (income, age, and ability to perform the work) and provide proof of disability (SDI statement) or economic hardship to HFD to participate. HFD staff and the contractor will meet with the homeowner to prioritize fuel reduction needed for defensible space. The selected contractor assists approved residents by cutting vegetation and subsequently chipping and leaving the chips for ground cover or removing them from the site. Applications for the program are reviewed and selected based on need and high fire hazard concerns.
In 2022, the Department provided assistance to 161 homes, hauled away 833 cubic yards of material, and cleared approximately 94 acres. The Department also assisted 8 homes with the Resident Assistance Program.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The improved quality of maintenance on these properties will have a positive impact on local residential areas by increasing property value by maintaining curb appeal and neighborhood beautification standards.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not directly relate to any of the six priorities outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
FISCAL IMPACT
This funding source does not require a match and will have no impact on the City’s funds. These grant funds will allow the Fire Department to procure supplies and services it would not be able to within its current operating budget.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
This grant project helps to sustain the community by reducing human ignitions and the frequency of large fires. It also manages the wildland urban interface to maintain or re-establish native vegetation. All of which can make a Bay-friendly environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
No public contact was needed to accept the grant.
NEXT STEPS
If the Council authorizes this action, staff will appropriate the funding into the Fire Department’s Fund 240 budget and continue the chipping and RAP services to the community.
Prepared by: Norma Marples, Acting Management Analyst Recommended by: Garrett Contreras, Fire Chief
Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager