REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 9, 2021
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application for the 2020 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Approve grant subapplication, including the Local Match Fund Commitment Letter and Project Maintenance Letter, in the amount not to exceed $999,221 to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) as the administering agency and applicant for the 2020 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the purpose of securing funding to support a potential community fire hazard mitigation project in and around the mountain communities of Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks.
2. Find the potential community fire hazard mitigation project and expenditure of HMGP and SBCFPD funds on public and private properties in and around the mountain communities of Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks:
a. Accomplishes the SBCFPD purposes identified in Health and Safety Code section 13862 of fire protection, as well as the protection of lives and property.
b. Meets the public safety needs of the population of the County of San Bernardino pursuant to Government Code section 26227.
3. Authorize SBCFPD Fire Chief/Fire Warden to proceed with the following actions on behalf of SBCFPD in relation to the 2020 HMGP:
a. Execute and file documents with CalOES for submittal of the grant subapplication.
b. Act as signatory for the grant reimbursement claims, performance reports, and other documents required to administer the grant.
c. Execute any non-substantive grant amendments to extend the performance timelines upon review of County Counsel.
4. Authorize the SBCFPD Fire Chief/Fire Warden to execute any non-substantive amendments in relation to the 2020 HMGP subapplication upon review by County Counsel.
5. Direct SBCFPD Fire Chief/Fire Warden to transmit all documents and amendments in relation to the 2020 HMGP subapplication to the Clerk of the Board of Directors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item seeks approval to submit a 2020 HMGP grant subapplication in the not-to-exceed amount of $999,221. This includes a federal share amount from CalOES of $749,416 (75%) and a required local match of $249,805 (25%). The 2020 HMGP grant also includes certain SBCFPD post-grant maintenance obligations at SBCFPD’s cost, estimated at $201,245 over a four-year period. As part of the subapplication submission, a Local Match Fund Commitment Letter (Exhibit A) and Project Maintenance Letter (Exhibit B) are required stating that SBCFPD is committed to meeting the matching funds and necessary maintenance requirements for the 2020 HMGP. SBCFPD would fund these commitments without the need for additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 2020, there were over 20 Fire Mitigation Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations for California. The FMAG declarations provide hazard mitigation assistance directly to areas affected by wildfire through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) HMGP. The HMGP is offered by FEMA to support hazard mitigation activities to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property caused from a natural hazard event.
The Apple Fire near Oak Glen burned in excess of 33,424 acres. The El Dorado Fire, which started in Yucaipa, burned in excess of 22,744 acres. Because of these recent devastating wildfires, SBCFPD was qualified to submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) to CalOES, the administrating agency for the HMGP program, for HMGP funds. The NOI was a request for CalOES to invite SBCFPD to apply for funding under the HMGP program for a proposed project within the FMAG declared areas. On December 9, 2020, SBCFPD received notification from CalOES inviting SBCFPD to apply as a subapplicant with CalOES for the HMGP program.
Approval by the Board of Directors (Board) of the subapplication submission will allow SBCFPD to apply for 2020 HMGP funding and potentially support hazard mitigation activities in and around the communities of Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks. The proposed project intends to prevent life and property loss by reducing the rate of fire spread and intensity accomplished through the elimination of fuels, thus protecting the mountains and surrounding communities from the devastating and catastrophic effects of wildfire by addressing defensible space measures and hazardous fuels reduction activities on public and private properties. This, in turn, protects lives and properties, as well as reduces SBCFPD emergency response activities and costs. The proposed project supports hazard mitigation activities as identified in the San Bernardino County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan approved by FEMA on July 13, 2017.
The potential community fire hazard mitigation project and expenditure of HMGP and SBCFPD funds on public and private properties in and around the mountain communities of Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, and Angelus Oaks: a) accomplishes the SBCFPD purposes in Health and Safety Code section 13862 of fire protection, as well as the protection lives and property; and b) meets the public safety needs of the population of the County of San Bernardino pursuant to Government Code section 26227.
As a requirement of subapplication submission, a Local Match Fund Commitment Letter (Exhibit A) stating that SBCFPD has committed to meet the matching fund requirements for the 2020 HMGP program must be sent to CalOES. Another requirement of application submission is a Project Maintenance Letter (Exhibit B) stating that SBCFPD is committed to perform the necessary maintenance for the entire useful life of this project for four years after completion of the project.
Per County Policy 05-13, Board approval is required to submit an application if the application is legally binding. By providing the Match Letter and the Maintenance Letter, SBCFPD is committing to the local match and maintenance requirements, should SBCFPD’s subapplication be approved and accepted.
If the HMGP subapplication is successful, SBCFPD will return to the Board for review of the potential project under the California Environmental Quality Act and acceptance of the 2020 HMGP funds/approval of subgrant award agreement. Any needed appropriation and revenue adjustments would also be requested at that time.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 2, 2021; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on February 2, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on February 2, 2021.