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HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.9(a)--Zogg Fire Funds CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL Recommendation Approve and authorize the following: (1) Accept $4,050,000 in financial contributions related to the Shasta County District Attorney's Office Zogg Fire Civil Prosecution - $3,550,000 for the Redding Fire Department and $500,000 for the Redding Police Department; (2) Adopt Resolution approving and adopting the 2nd Amendment to Budget Resolution No. 2023-060 appropriating $558,930 and approving an additional full-time Fire Inspector for the Redding Fire Department; and (3) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to appropriate the remaining funds as necessary and execute any associated agreement necessary for receipt of the funds. Fiscal Impact There is positive fiscal impact to the General Fund by accepting these funds and additional services will be offered to the public. Alternative Action The City Council could choose not to accept the funds and provide staff with alternate direction. By not accepting the funds, the Fire Department would not be able to hire an additional Fire Inspector and the Police Department would not be able to run targeted operations to combat illegal campfires and perform arson investigations. Background/Analysis An investigation by Cal Fire determined that the Zogg Fire, started on September 27, 2020, was the fault of PG&E. On June 20, 2023, Shasta County’s District Attorney notified the City of Redding (City) of a financial contribution in the amount of $4,050,000 related to the civil settlement with PG&E. MEETING DATE: July 18, 2023 ITEM NO. 4.9(a) FROM: ***APPROVED BY*** bschueller@reddingpolice.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 4.9(a)--Accept $4,050,000 from Zogg Fire Settlement Funds Bill Schueller, Chief of Police Report to Redding City Council July 11, 2023 Re: 4.9(a)--Zogg Fire Funds Page 2 The Redding Fire Department (RFD) will receive a contribution of $3,550,000. Of this amount $3,500,000 will be used to hire an additional full-time Fire Prevention Inspector, required equipment, and other expenses related to the new inspector. $50,000 will be used for fire investigation training and expenses. These funds are expected to fund the inspector for ten years. Required funds will be budgeted on a yearly basis. The additional Fire Inspector will allow RFD to address the increased workload the Department has experienced over the last several years. Currently, RFD has two Fire Inspectors who responded to 437 calls for services and made 28 arrests in 2022. Each call for service requires a comprehensive origin and cause investigation. Property inspections have risen and there are many state-mandated inspections that are delayed or missed due to staff limitations and priorities. Adding a Fire Prevention Inspector will ensure fire and life safety investigations are completed thoroughly and on time. Inspectors will have the time to investigate arson fires as well. All of the above reduces the risk of liability to the City. These funds will cover the cost of a Fire Inspector's wages and benefits and all related equipment for ten years. The Redding Police Department (RPD) will receive $500,000. These funds will be used to run targeted overtime operations to combat illegal campfires in fire prone areas within the City limits. Funds will also be used for arson investigations and arson investigation training. The additional funds will greatly assist RPD in preventing devastating fires within the city limits. These funds are expected to last several years and will be budgeted on a yearly basis. Environmental Review This project is not defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no further action is required. Council Priority/City Manager Goals • Public Safety - "Work together to improve all aspects of public safety to help people feel secure and safe where they live, work, and play in the City of Redding." • Budget and Financial Management – "Achieve balanced and stable 10-year Financial Plans for all funds." Attachments ^Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2023-____ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF REDDING APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE 2nd AMENDMENT TO CITY BUDGET RESOLUTION NO. 2023-060 APPROPRIATING $558,930 FOR THE SHASTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ZOGG FIRE CIVIL PROSECUTION SETTLEMENT, INCLUDING A FULL-TIME FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTOR FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING THAT Budget Resolution No. 2023-060 be and is hereby amended as follows: FUND DIVISION DESCRIPTION INCREASE DECREASE 102 1450 Police Grants $ 150,000 102 1551 Fire Grants $ 408,930 THAT account titles and numbers requiring adjustments by this Resolution are as follows: USE SOURCE OF FUNDS OF FUNDS Decrease (Increase) Beginning Balance 102-1550-3149010-FZOGG Legal Settlement Revenue 408,930$ 102-1450-3149010-PZOGG Legal Settlement Revenue 150,000$ Increase(Decrease) Expenditures 102-1550-4900111-FZOGG Full Time Regular 94,800$ 102-1550-4900171-FZOGG Worker's Comp 7,120 102-1550-4900173-FZOGG Group Insurance 21,240 102-1550-4900175-FZOGG Retirement Program 66,960 102-1550-4900177-FZOGG Medicare 1,380 102-1550-4900142-FZOGG Overtime Scheduled 28,800 102-1550-5077501-FZOGG Fuel 3,050 102-1550-5187501-FZOGG Special Equipment 7,860 102-1550-5335002-FZOGG Safety Meetings & Training 11,500 102-1550-7300004-FZOGG Office Remodel 80,000 102-1550-7500008-FZOGG Computer Equipment <$5,000 17,720 102-1550-7600012-FZOGG Small Truck 68,500 101-1403-4900142-PZOGG Overtime Scheduled 50,000 101-1403-4901831-PZOGG Cross Charge to Police (50,000) 101-1403-4901971-PZOGG Cross Charge from Police 50,000 102-1450-5335001-PZOGG Employee Training 50,000 102-1450-5200001-PZOGG Investigation Analysis 50,000 Total 558,930$ 558,930$ PERSONNEL FY 2023-24 Fire Prevention Inspector 1 FTE THAT the purpose is to appropriate $558,930 for the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office Zogg Fire Civil Prosecution Settlement, including a full-time Fire Prevention Inspector for fiscal year 2023-24. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Redding on the 18th day of July, 2023, and was duly adopted at said meeting by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MICHAEL DACQUISTO, Mayor ATTEST: FORM APPROVAL: SHARLENE TIPTON, City Clerk BARRY E. DeWALT, City Attorney