City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 16, 2024 FROM: PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES WARD: 1
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3 MILLION FOR FUNDING FROM THE FY 2023/24 WILDFIRE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Adoption of a Resolution authorizing an application for funding and post award administration documents in an amount not to exceed $3 Million from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24 Wildfire Prevention Grants Program offered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire)(“Grant”).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution (Attachment – A) to approve a funding application in an amount not to exceed $3 million for FY 2023/24 Wildfire Prevention Grant Program offered by Cal Fire; If awarded, approve a receipt of funding from the Cal Fire 2023/24 Wildfire Prevention Grants Program, in an amount not to exceed $3 million; With five affirmative votes, and upon grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer or designee, to record an increase in revenue and appropriate an equal amount in expenditures, in an amount not to exceed $3 million in 2023/24 Wildfire Prevention Grant Program accounts to be established by the Finance Department in the City’s Grants and Restricted Funds Accounts; and Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign any and all documents related to this grant application, including but not limited to applications, extensions, and Standard Agreements to apply for, and receive, Grant funds making minor corrections as necessary.
DISCUSSION:
On November 1, 2023 the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) announced the availability of the 2023/24 Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant (“Grant”) which provides funding for wildfire prevention projects and activities in and near wildfire threatened communities that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, and communities. Funded activities include Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Wildfire Prevention Planning, and Wildfire Prevention Education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In Round 1 of the Grant, the City received approximately $1.2 Million for partial remediation and plant removal activities for the 86-acre “Boy Scout Camp” site adjacent to Fairmount Park with Cal Fire Grant funding the removal of invasive plant species, including but not limited to, Tamarisk, Arundo, and Eucalyptus overgrowth in conjunction with a Lake or Streambed Alteration Permit for the Santa Ana River Riparian Restoration, Recreation, and Protection Project. See the map presented as Attachment – B.
In Round 2 of the Grant, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department in partnership with the City Fire Marshall is proposing a supplemental project to perform additional fire prevention and remediation at the Boy Scout Camp site. As part of the application process, an approved Resolution is required before the application will be accepted. The maximum grant application amount is recommended at $3 million, although any actual award is anticipated to be a smaller amount. Activities planned in conjunction with this Grant application are consistent with the City’s approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, adopted in 2018. Activities contemplated under this grant application are also generally consistent with the Santa Ana River Working Group Final Report adopted by the City Council on February 1, 2022.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services is partnering with the Fire Department and Police Department’s Public Safety Engagement Team in coordinating grant activities. Staff has obtained services from a grant writer from the City’s approved panel to assist with the application process at a cost of approximately $7,500. There is no match requirement for this grant.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental Stewardship and Goal 4.5 - Maintain and conserve 30% of Riverside’s natural lands in green space including, but not limited to, agricultural lands and urban forests in order to protect and restore Riverside’s rich biodiversity and accelerate the natural removal of carbon, furthering our community’s climate resilience.
This item aligns with each of the Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Management of the city’s urban forest and landscapes benefit all city residents, businesses and visitors by helping to remove gaseous air pollutants and sequestering carbon.
Equity – Approval of this action (and subsequent grant award) will benefit all who live in or travel through the city.
Fiscal Responsibility – Maintaining city owned landscapes and their infrastructure supports Public Works’ efforts to minimize inefficiencies and maximize reliability.
Innovation – Public Works’ Urban Forestry division is focused on implementing the newest technologies that allow us to maximize our sustainability efforts which include tree planting, inventory management and canopy cover goals.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Public Works’ Urban Forestry division values the need of sustainability and resiliency with fulfilling the current operational needs by utilizing resources such as applying for available grants, that will provide the tools needed for long term planning and guidance to benefit future generations by having advanced technologies, policies and procedures in place to help in the advancement of the urban forest.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $3,000,000. Upon Council approval and grant award, an increase in revenue in the amount of the grant award and an equal amount of expenditures will be appropriated in the fund and program as listed in the table below. PRCSD and the Fire Department will utilize grant funds as outlined below:
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Revenue
Grants & Restricted Programs
2023/24 Santa Ana River Prevention Grant
TBD
$3,000,000
Expenditures
Grants & Restricted Programs
2023/24 Santa Ana River Prevention Grant
TBD
$3,000,000
Prepared by: Pamela Galera, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: A – Resolution
B - Map
Attachment – B
Primary Project Area Map
CalFire Grant Round 2 Resolution ● Page 4