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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board consider the following related to the Vegetation Management Program:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 128-2019, revising the personnel allocation for the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness Division, adding 1.0 FTE Administrative Analyst;
2) Request the Auditor-Controller to establish two new general fund org codes within the chart of accounts for the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness Division;
3) Authorize the Chair to execute a budget transfer to move appropriations from Department 15 to the EMS/Preparedness Division, increasing appropriations in Salaries and Benefits and Services and Supplies in the newly created orgs by a total of $291,000, and reducing related appropriations in Department 15 by an equal amount; and
4) Authorize the Chief Administrative Office to request a proposal from Cal Fire for the provision of defensible space inspections within the unincorporated area of the County in accordance with the County's Vegetation Management and Defensible Space Ordinance, Chapter 8.09. (Est. Time: 10 Min.)
FUNDING: General Fund (3/5 vote to move appropriations).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Board of Supervisors adopted the Vegetation Management and Defensible Space Ordinance on April 30, 2019 (Legistar #19-0630). Responsibility for developing and implementing a program to support and enforce the ordinance has been placed within the EMS and Emergency Preparedness Division of the Chief Administrative Office. The addition of one FTE Administrative Analyst I/II is recommended to develop the program and conduct public outreach and education in preparation for full enforcement of the ordinance beginning June 2020.
This position will work with Cal Fire, local fire districts, and the Fire Safe Councils to develop an implementation plan to educate the public about the ordinance and its requirements and to coordinate enforcement. During the summer and fall of 2019, efforts will focus on program development, public education and establishing the capacity to begin inspections during June 2020 as outlined in the ordinance. The position will also research grant opportunities to support the program. Human Resources has reviewed this request and a memo supporting the addition of this position is attached.
The ordinance expands on the current requirements of California Public Resource Code 4291, which is enforced within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) by Cal Fire. It is recommended that the County contract with Cal Fire to expand its inspections within the County to include the requirements of the County’s ordinance and to increase the total number of inspections performed within the County. Cal Fire utilizes seasonal, trained Defensible Space Inspectors to inspect properties in high hazard zones which are identified annually. Cal Fire would hire, train, and manage additional inspectors to provide inspection services to the County, within those high hazard zones. County staff would administer the citation and abatement functions.
By initially expanding on the work Cal Fire already does within the County provides for uniformity in how the inspections are conducted. Utilizing Cal Fire to conduct the inspections minimizes potential for coordination issues and duplication of effort. In the first year inspections will be limited to the high hazard zones. As the program develops and is evaluated, there is the potential to expand inspections, and possibly involve local fire districts to inspect within their service areas.
The approved FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget includes $291,000 in Department 15 set aside to support the first year of implementation of the Vegetation Management program. The attached draft budget transfer identifies the object accounts that will be impacted by the final budget transfer. The Board is asked to request the Auditor to create org codes to include this function within the chart of accounts for the CAO EMS-Emergency Preparedness Division and to authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer form to transfer the set-aside appropriations to the newly created orgs.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to provide staffing and funding to enforce the ordinance.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Adoption of the Vegetation Management and Defensible Space Ordinance on April 30, 2019 (Legistar #19-0630).
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Human Resources, Cal Fire
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for this purpose is included in the Recommended Budget; however, it is anticipated that future year costs for full implementation of the program will exceed the $291,000 appropriated this fiscal year.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Provide a fully executed copy of the resolution to Katie Lee in Human Resources. The CAO will provide a signature-ready budget transfer form once the org codes have been established.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Sue Hennike