November 7, 2023
City Council
DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
Subject:
Wildfire Prevention Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) and Richmond Resolution
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
The City of Richmond previously has contributed $3,500
as its share of funding for the creation of this MOU.
On September 28, 2021, the City Council approved a
resolution on forming a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to work jointly with other East Bay jurisdictions on Wildfire Safety and Prevention. In addition, the City Council
received a presentation about this MOU on September
19, 2023.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond agreed in 2021 to engage in
meetings with other East Bay Public Agencies to explore creating a Joint Powers Agency (JPA) to work together
on wildfire safety and prevention in the East Bay Hills.
Later, it was decided that a JPA was too complex, and
the group decided that coordination would be better
achieved through a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) structure among the participating
agencies/districts. In addition, this item includes a
resolution to adopt an Overall Wildfire Risk Reduction
and Response Policy to be presented to the regional
group once convened.
AGENDA
REPORT
November 7, 2023
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the City of Richmond to
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
among jurisdictions in the East Bay Hills to form a wildfire coordinating group to improve regionwide collaboration
on wildfire mitigation activities and reduce wildfire risk throughout the East Bay Hills; in addition, ADOPT a
resolution on an Overall Wildfire Risk Reduction and
Response Policy to be presented to the regional group
once convened - Vice Mayor McLaughlin (510-620-
6636).
DISCUSSION:
On September 28, 2021, the City Council adopted a resolution in support of considering a Joint Powers Agency (JPA) among the more than 20 municipalities, counties and fire districts in the East Bay Hills, including the City of Richmond, to facilitate coordination of wildfire safety and prevention.
Vice Mayor McLaughlin attended the meetings regarding this. At a certain point in the discussions, it became clear that the group would prefer that agencies establish a coordinating group via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the participating agencies rather than the more complex governance structure of a JPA.
Meetings have occurred regularly over the past year two years. A smaller working group was established to come up with a draft MOU which both the Vice Mayor and the Fire Chief have participated in.
On June 28, 2023, some 40 public officials representing 28 jurisdictions met to discuss the MOU to facilitate coordination of wildfire prevention in the high-risk area of the East Bay Hills. The MOU itself was drafted by Shayna van Hoften, a partner with the Hanson Bridgett law firm working with counsel from several of the agencies represented at the meeting.
The next step is for the officials of the two counties, the cities and the fire districts in the area, to officially enter into the MOU.
The MOU, a resolution introducing it, and a list of all attendees at the June 28th meeting are attached. In addition, a resolution is included providing an Overall Wildfire Risk Reduction and Response Policy. This policy will be presented to the entire regional working group once meetings begin.
After approval of the MOU by all participating agencies, the first meeting of the new Wildfire Prevention and Coordination Group will be scheduled.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – MOU
November 7, 2023
Attachment 2 – Resolution to adopt the MOU
Attachment 3 – List of all attendees at the June 28 meeting Attachment 4 – Policy statement from Richmond to be presented to the regional working group once convened