HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.8(a)--Authorize Application for Community Wildfire Defense Grant � � �' � � �
� � � ' � �' � � ' � ` CITY OF REDDING
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: February 18, 2025 FROM: Jerrod Vanlandingham, Fire
ITEIVI NO. 4.8(a) Chief
***APPROVED BY***
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jvanlandingham@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org
SUBJECT: 4.8(a)--Authorize Application for Community Wildfire Defense Grant
Recommendation
Authorize the City of Redding Fire Department to submit an application to the United States
Department of Agriculture for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant in the amount of
$4,600,000, to initigate wildfire dangers and implement recommendations in the Community
Wildfire Protection P1an.
Fiscal Impact
This Community Wildfire Defense Grant reguires matching funds of 25 percent ($1.15 millian).
I�owever, the grant offers a"Cost-Share Waiver" for underserved communities and according to
Community Wildfire Defense website, the City of Redding (City) qualifies to have the match
waived. If the match is not waived the match funds would be covered by in-kind staff services by
City staff. The duration of the grant is five years.
If awarded, the grant would cover the fu11 costs of four current City Parks Division employees,
the current Fire Prevention Specialist position, 10 percent of wages for two current RPD Park
Rangers and two current Fire Prevention Officers. Currently, considering the five-year term, the
City would pay $6,446,'747 for these positions. If the City does not receive a cost-share waiver,
the 25 percent match of $1.15 million would be paid "in kind" from the $6,446,747 employee
costs.
If and when the Community Wildfire Defense grant is approved, acceptance of the grant wi11 be
presented to City Couneil (Council) for consideration including any staff im�pacts.
Alte�^native Action
The Council could choose not to authorize the Redding Fire Department (RFD) to apply for
grant funding for all or part of the request.
Report to Redding City Council February 12,2025
Re: 4.8(a)--Authorize Application for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Page 2
Background/Analysis
On January 21, 2025, the Council accepted the Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP).
By accepting the CWPP, RFD staff is now authorized to apply for grants for fuel mitigation.
projects that were previously unavailable to the Redding community. At this time, RFD has
identified the 2025 Community Wildfire Defense Grant as the best potential grant available.
Currently, the City is administering a wildfire grant to mitigate fuels in the Su]phur Creek Hill
region. This region has been listed in the CWPP as a high priority fuel mitigation project area.
The current grant covers the cost of mitigating 300-acres of City property and the wages of
several City Parks Division employees.
RFD is requesting the Council's approval to apply for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant.
This grant would augment the first grant's project by adding an additional 700-acres of City
property, already identified in the CWPP. The scope of the grant is mitigating fuels, providing
public education, and facilitating enforcement actions.
Fuel mitigation wi11 follow the prescribed methods as outlined in the CWPP. Actions wi11
include the thinning of understory vegetation and restoring properties to more fire-resilient
landscapes. These mitigation efforts will also enhance fire suppression effectiveness by reducing
available fuels to burn. Less fuel equals smaller fires and smaller probabilities that a fire would
spread into the community.
Public education will cover defensible space, evacuation procedures, and emergency
preparedness. Education wi11 primarily come from face-to-face opportunities at events and
neighborhood meetings.
Enforcement actions would include but are not be limited to patrolling undeveloped lands that
pose a fire risk to the community for illegal �res during north wind events or red flag conditions
as defined on page 23 of the CWPP. Staff would also perform educational outreach to explain
the dangers and consequences of illegal fires to those they encounter on their patrols.
Wildfire is a widespread public concern. Working with other departments to manage the City's
undeveloped land will demonstrate proper defensible space as identified in the CWPP.
Envi�^onmental Review
This is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no further
action is required.
Council P�^io�ity/City Manage� Goals
• Public Safety– "Work 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 stab1e10—year Financial
Plans for all funds."
• 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.°
