Title
Chief Administrative Office, Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR), recommending the Board of Supervisors adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 051-2023 officially designating the Chief Administrative Officer as the “Applicant’s Agent for Non-State Agencies” for the purposes of receiving funds through the Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
FUNDING: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On March 22, 2022, the Board took action to designate $3,375,000 of excess contingency funds as matching funds for a federal Hazard Mitigation Grant to conduct defensible space, home hardening, and hazardous fuels reduction in the County.
In March 2022, following the Board's approval of the matching funds, the OWPR applied through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant to conduct defensible space, home hardening, and hazardous fuels reduction in the County. A section of the Weber Creek drainage south of Highway 50 was identified as the project area, based on risk assessment criteria determined by the Advisory Committee to the OWPR. The total project cost was $13.3 million, with a County match of 25%, or $3.3 million.
In September 2022, CalOES invited the County to participate in the California Wildfire Mitigation Program Pilot Project in lieu of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant. The California Wildfire Mitigation Program is a pilot program put together by CalOES and CAL FIRE, and is funded in part by FEMA to support California homeowners with protecting their property from wildfire damage through defensible space and home retrofitting. This new grant would expand the County’s funding for the Weber Creek project to approximately $25 million dollars and reduce the County’s match to between 5% and 7%, or up to $1.5 million. The application has been submitted and was approved by the California Wildfire Mitigation Joint Powers Authority.
In February 2023, CalOES notified the County that the grant request has been approved at the State-level and began the process of requesting supporting forms and information required by CalOES to complete the grant process. One such requirement is action by the Board of Supervisors to provide a “Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies.” Although the County has policies in place which meet the intent of this resolution, CalOES requires a resolution specifically tied to this grant application.
ALTERNATIVES
If the resolution is not approved, the County will not be able to participate in the grant program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
22-0491 On March 22, 2022, The Board of Supervisors designated $3,375,000 of excess contingency funds for a federal Hazard Mitigation Grant.
23-0078 On January 10, 2023, the Board of Supervisors received a program update from the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience which included an update on the status of the Hazard Mitigation Grant.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has approved the resolution
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of the resolution. If the grant is ultimately awarded, the County will be required to provide a grant match of approximately $1.5 million, which is included in the FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to complete the Certification section of the OES-FPD-130, Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution Non-State Agencies.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Sue Hennike, Deputy CAO