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HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.2(b)--CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant ProgramC IT Y OF REMDINO�" AN CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 6, 2024 FROM: Steve Bade, Assistant City ITEM NO. 4.2(b) Manager ***APPROVED BY*** n 6, 4n, tevee I S, er 1/26/2024 pi C -i art e : shade@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 4.2(b) --Resolution Authorizing Submittal of a CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant Program Application Recommendation Authorize the following: (1) Adopt Resolution ratifying the City of Redding's application to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Wildfire Prevention Grants Program in the amount of $1,546,413.20 submitted on January 10, 2024; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to appropriate funds should the grant be awarded, and execute any agreements necessary to implement the project. Fiscal Impact The City of Redding's (City) California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Wildfire Prevention Grants (CAL Fire WPG) Program's application requests $1,546,413.20 for vegetation management and reduction of fuel loads on City -owned properties for a project known as the City of Redding Priority Hazardous Fuel Management Project (Project). No match is required for this grant program. The project would potentially span over the next two to three years. Alternative Action The City Council could decline to apply for the funds under this grant opportunity or provide staff with alternative direction. Due to staff workloads and expense, these sites would not be able to be cleared without the funding this grant could provide. Background/Analysis The CAL Fire WPG Program provides funding for wildfire prevention projects and activities in and near fire threatened communities that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, and communities. Funded activities include hazardous fuel reduction, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Report to Redding City Council January 30, 2024 Re: 4.2(b) --CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant Program Page 2 The funding, if awarded, will allow the City to remove fuels on City -owned property previously identified as having high fuel loads. The Project includes four key sites at the north end of Redding for a total of approximately 305 acres that require work to remove vegetation and prevent undesired re -sprouting of invasive vegetation. Activities include reducing hazardous fuel loads in great at -risk areas, followed by annual grazing. After initial treatments, undesired re - sprouted vegetation will be treated with appropriate herbicide applications. During treatments, areas will be re-evaluated to determine if additional fuel reduction is needed. The proposed activities are consistent with the Cal Fire WPG Program's mission to avoid or reduce the severity of potential wildfires, thereby limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The funds from this grant, if awarded, would allow the identified sites to be cleared such that City staff would be able to adequately maintain the locations upon completion of the project. Environmental Review Submitting an application to the Cal Fire WPF Program is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and no further action is required. if awarded grant funds, staff will process the applicable CEQA determination based on the eligible locations and scope of work. Council Priority/City Manager Goals • Government of the 21st Century — `Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today's residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today." Attachments A2024 Cal Fire Grant Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2024- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION (CAL FIRE) WILDFIRE PREVENTION GRANTS PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California, in cooperation with the State Legislature, has enacted State of California Climate Investment, which provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivision for fire prevention programs; and WHEREAS, the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has been delegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary procedures governing the application by local agencies, non-profit organizations, and others under the program; and WHEREAS, the applicant will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carry out the Priority Hazardous Fuel Management Project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Redding hereby: 1. Approves the filing of an application for the "California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program;" 2. Certifies that said applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate and maintain the project; 3. Certifies that funds under the jurisdiction of the City Council of the City of Redding are available to begin the project; 4. Certifies that said applicant will expend grant funds prior to March 15, 2030; and 5. Appoints the City Manager, or designee, to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Redding on the 6th day of February, 2024, and was duly adopted at said meeting by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: TENESSA AUDETTE, Mayor SHARLENE TIPTON, City Clerk CHRISTIAN M. CURTIS, City Attorney