APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO
ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE
PROTECTION (CALFIRE) TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT IN THE
REMOVAL OF DEAD AND DYING TREES AND VEGETATION FROM
JOAQUIN MILL ER PARK AND OTHER PARK AREAS IN THE VERY
HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE OF THE CITY OF OAKLAND
WHEREAS, the series of historic wildfires throughout California and the Western United States in recent years demonstrates that the impacts of global climate ch ange will continue to have potentially devastating local effects throughout the region; including habitat destruction, loss of life, economic impacts, infrastructural damage, and public health hazards associated with air quality; and
WHEREAS, Joaquin Miller Park is located in a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ), where there is substantial and immediate risk of fire due to dry, dead, and damaged fuel sources such as dead or damaged trees; and
WHEREAS, fuels reduction in forested areas creates breaks in fuel continuity, thereby removing ladder fuels which cause fires to spread from the forest floor to tree crowns and become uncontrolled and catastrophic; and
WHEREAS, targeted fuel s reduction around paved roa ds, buildings, fences, active recreation areas, and other infrastructure in Joaquin Miller Park will create defensible spaces that protect these areas from destruction during a wildfire; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland (City) has a need for assistance in perfor ming such fuels reduction and defensible space projects at Joaquin Miller Park; and
WHEREAS, the City has the opportunity to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CAL FIRE to provide ongoing support in the removal of dead and dying trees and vegetation from Joaquin Miller Park; and
WHEREAS, the City has met with a CALFIRE representative and identified specific target areas for fuels reduction and defensible space projects in Joaquin Miller Park; and
2 WHEREAS, upon entering into this MOU, CALFIRE would bring in hand crews to perform fuel management projects in Joaquin Miller Park; and
WHEREAS, these crews would be comprised of members of the California National Guard based at the San Jose Armory and a fire engine crew from Sunol, all of whom shall be supervised by CALFIRE Captains and Fire Apparatus Engineers; and
WHEREAS, this proposed work would be provided at no cost to the City; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 504(l) of the City Charter requires that the City Council authorize the City Administrator to enter into an agreement between the City and other agencies or organizations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council authorizes the City A dministrator to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Forestry a nd Fire Protection (CALFIRE) to provide ongoing support in the removal of dead and dying trees and vegetation from Joaquin Miller Park and other park areas in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone of the City of Oakland, by providing hand crews to perform fuel management at no cost to the City; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That in accordance with Article IV, Section 401(6) of the City Charter, the MOU authorized by this resolution shall be approved by as to form and legality before execution, and a copy of the fully executed document shall be placed on file with the Office of the City Clerk.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
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