APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO: ( A)
ENTER INTO AN AGREEM ENT WITH THE CALIFOR NIA FIRESAFE
COUNCIL TO ACCEPT GR ANT FUNDS IN THE AMO UNT OF ONE
HUNDRED AND SEVEN THOUSAND T WO HUNDRED AND SEVEN TY-
FIVE DOLLARS ($107,275); (B) APPROPRIATE AND ADMINISTER SAID FUNDS; AND (C) EXPE ND GRANT FUNDS IN AC CORDANCE WITH THE CITY’S PURCHASIN G REQUIREMENTS FOR T HE PURPOSE OF FUEL MITIGATION AND GOAT GRAZING SERVICES IN 2025
WHEREAS, following the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, the Oakland Fire Department initiated several innovative strategies to ensure that the city and its residents never had to endure another tragic event like the devastating Firestorm; and
WHEREAS, understanding the year -round threat, the Oakland Fire Department is committed to working with experts, neighbors and fire safety advocates to explore any and all strategies to prevent wildfires within our jurisdiction , with a keen focus on furl mitigation and early detection; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland Fire Department has one of the most comprehensive wildfire prevention programs in California. Annually, the Fire Department inspects 25,000+ private and city-owned parcels, conducts year round fuel mitigation on thousands of acres in the hills, executes many miles of roadside clearing projects, and deploys one of the largest herd of goats in the state to mitigate and remove over 1,000 acres worth of hard to reach, hazardous combustible fuels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted a resolution in 2019 making Wildfire Prevention a citywide priority. From that, a coordinated Wildfire Prevention Working Group was initiated that includes representatives from every City department, and serves as a consistent reminder that every department in the city government has a role to play in the prevention and response to a major emergency, including wildfire; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the City Council adopted a citywide vegetation management plan, a strategic document outlining actions to control and manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk by clearing flammable fuels and creating defensible space around structures and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, also in 2024, the Oakland Fire Department applied for and was awarded a one hundred and seven thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollar ($107,275) grant from the
2 California Firesafe Council to cover costs associated with the department’s goat grazing contract, a key component of the City’s ten-year Vegetation Management Plan. This $107,275,000 grant also requires matching funds from the grantee; and
WHEREAS, the use of goats in Oakland’s high fire hazard severity zones has proven to be beneficial for wildlife habitat by controlling invasive plants, improving soil health, and reducing wildfire risk; and
WHEREAS: goat grazing can enhance the quality and diversity of vegetation, making it more suitable for various wildlife species, while also helping to create fuel breaks, making it more difficult for fires to spread and potentially saving habitats from destruction; and
WHEREAS: the acceptance of this grant aligns with the citywide priority to advance holistic community safety and this new grant funding will allow the Oakland Fire Department to expand the area which the goats typically graze each year, while saving the city money; and now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council authoriz es the City Administrator to: (A) enter into an agreement with The California Firesafe Council to accept grant funds in the amount of one hundred and seven thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars ($107,275); (B) appropriate and administer said funds; and (C) expend grant funds in accordance with the City’s purchasing requirements for the purpose of fuel mitigation and goat grazing services in 2025; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: The Firesafe Council grant funding will be allocated to the Fire Department in the following manner: Fund 1010 (General Purposed Fund); Organization 20371 (Vegetation Management); Account 54911 (Services: Contract); Project 10048383 (Vegetation Management); Award 23496; and Program PS23 (Fire Prevention Bureau). This $107,275,000 grant requires matchings fund from the grantee; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the hundred percent (100%) matching funds— one hundred and seven thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars ($107,275)—shall be appropriated from OFD Vegetation Management funds originally budgeted for goat grazing in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and carried forward by encumbrance to Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3441140/AS