REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of February 25, 2025
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments Annual Membership Dues RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the payment of $3,000 in annual membership dues to the East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments.
BACKGROUND:
On July 23, 2024, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments (EBWC) to coordinate wildfire prevention activities to protect the East Bay Hills in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The members of the EBWC include the following individuals:
County/City Members
Contra Costa County: Supervisor John Gioia
Alameda County: Supervisor Elisa Márquez
City of Berkeley: Councilmember Susan Wengraf (Chair)
City of Hercules: Councilmember Alex Walker-Griffin
City of El Cerrito: Councilmember Paul Fadelli
City of Pinole: Councilmember Maureen Toms
City of Richmond: Councilmember Soheila Bana (Alternate) Rodeo-Hercules FPD: Boardmember Marie Bowman
City of Oakland: Councilmember Janani Ramachandran (Vice Chair) Fire Department Group
Alameda County (Chief William McDonald)
Contra Costa County (Assistant Chief Chris Bachman)
City of Berkeley (Assistant Chief Colin Arnold)
City of Oakland (Chief Damon Covington)
Technical Advisory Members
Alliance of Fire Safe Councils (Jon Kaufman)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Mike Torkelson)
UC Berkeley (Ruben Lizardo)
According to the MOU, if 100% of the EBWC members agree, the coalition may impose dues to fund activities. At their November 14, 2024, meeting, the members determined that additional funding is needed for ongoing operations, and the coalition is requesting that the City authorize annual payments of $3,000 per its new fee structure.
ANALYSIS
The effort to create the EBWC has mainly been driven by volunteers, with professional consulting help financed by funds raised by the coalition. To do the work envisioned, professional help is needed for the organizing, program development, fundraising, and management work required to meet the goals of the strategic framework. As mentioned above, the coalition members approved a one-year budget and fee structure, subject to each agency’s governing body approving the new fee for that agency.
A $75,000 budget has been established for FY 2025. Contra Costa County and Alameda County have agreed to contribute 60% of the total fees annually (split equally). The remaining 40% is proposed to be divided between the local member jurisdictions based on population size (see chart below). There is a proposed minimum fee of $3,000 for all members. It is unclear whether the EBWC dues will increase after FY 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The annual fiscal impact for membership in the East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments is $3,000 annually. There is sufficient funding available in the FY 2024-2025 Annual Budget for this expenditure. Future payments would be considered in the City’s regular budget preparation and approval process.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Staff Report – July 23, 2024, Approval of MOU
Resolution - July 23, 2024, Approval of MOU
MOU for Coordination of Wildfire Prevention Activities to Protect the East Bay Hills in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties WPCG - Overview of Needs to Be Addressed and Related Efforts East Bay Hills Wildfire Prevention & Coordination Presentation