RESOLUTION NO. ________
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHMOND TO ENTER
INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE REGENTS OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, WEST CONTRA COSTA FIRE SAFE
COUNCIL TO DEVELOP, SUPPORT, AND MAINTAIN A FIREWISE
DEMONSTRATION GARDEN AT FIRE STATION 63
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond, the Regents of the University of California on behalf of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and its UC Cooperative Extension Contra Costa County for its Master Gardener Program, and the West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council desire to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaboratively develop, support, and maintain a demonstration garden, the Firewise Demonstration Garden (Garden) at Richmond Fire Station #63, located at 5201 Valley View Road, Richmond, CA 94803; and
WHEREAS, the Garden will provide evidence-based best practices for sustainability, Firewise landscaping and gardening based on Defensible Space principles, and to educate Richmond and West Contra Costa residents on wildfire preparedness, plant selection, ember mitigation, home hardening, and other fire resilience strategies; and
WHEREAS, the MOU will be in effect for three (3) years from the date of the last party’s signature and may be renewed for an additional three (3) years at the end of the period with the written consent of all parties; and
WHEREAS, the MOU specifies that each party shall perform its responsibilities independently and shall not act as an officer, agent, employee, or volunteer of any other party, and that no partnership or joint venture is created through this agreement; and
WHEREAS, all parties agree to provide and maintain, at their own expense, a program of insurance, or self-insurance, covering the activities and operations of their respective officers, agents and employees for the term of this MOU.
WHEREAS, the parties agree to defend, indemnify, and hold each other harmless from liability, loss, or claims arising from the performance of the MOU, to the extent caused by the negligent or intentional actions of the indemnifying party, its officers, agents, or employees; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond grants the UC Master Gardeners and WCCFSC the right of access to the Garden for purposes of development and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, adopting a resolution to enter into an MOU will align the City of Richmond with other regional efforts, as similar demonstration gardens have been successfully implemented in Marin and Sonoma Counties during 2023–2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Richmond:
1. The City Manager for the City of Richmond is authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regents of the University of California and West Contra Costa County Fire Safe Council in order to develop, support, and maintain a Firewise demonstration garden at fire station 63, as provided within the MOU.
*****************************
(This section to be completed by Clerk’s Office)
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a _________ meeting held on _____________ by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
________________________________________
Clerk of the City of Richmond
(SEAL)
Approved:
_______________________________
Mayor
Approved as to form:
____________________________
City Attorney