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Chief Administrative Office, Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign Agreement 7688 with the El Dorado Hills County Water District, also known as El Dorado Hills Fire Department, to conduct community outreach and education and complete defensible space inspections in County Emphasis Areas in the amount of $195,000, effective upon execution through June 30, 2024.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
California Public Resources Code 4291(PRC 4291) requires most residents to clear hazardous vegetation on their property to provide "defensible space," against wildfire risk. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) identifies Targe Hazard Areas (THAs) annually in which to conduct inspections of homes to educate residents about their responsibilities under PRC 4291. El Dorado County Ordinance No. 5101, Chapter 8.09 Vegetation Management and Defensible Space establishes local requirements for defensible space. The County has modeled its program after CAL FIRE's program by identifying County Emphasis Areas (CEAs) in which to conduct inspections annually. El Dorado Hills Fire Department has a long, successful history of conducting fire prevention inspection services under the auspices of their vacant lot ordinance. The County has contracted with El Dorado Hills Fire since 2021 to conduct inspections in County CEAs and respond to reports of violations of the County ordinance.
The OWPR Coordination Group formed a working group to review the County's ordinance and make recommendations for revisions to the ordinance and implementation of the Defensible Space program. That work is expected to be completed this Fall. In the interim, the working group has recommended the County continue to contract with El Dorado Hills Fire for inspections in the unincorporated area of the West Slope, and to add a contract with Lake Valley Fire Protection District for inspections in the unincorporated area of the Tahoe Basin. The contract with Lake Valley Fire has been executed, and covers the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Under that agreement, Lake Valley Fire will conduct inspections in one CEA and investigate reports of violations during the year for a total of $75,000. El Dorado Hills Fire will conduct inspections in four CEAs and respond to reports of violations through June 30, 2024 for a total of $195,000. Each district will also be responsible for hosting community workshops in each CEA.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to contract with El Dorado Hills Fire Department and direct staff to consider other ways to fulfill program activities.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No change to Net County Cost. Appropriations have been included in the FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Good Governance
Public Safety
CONTACT
Sue Hennike
Deputy CAO