ACTION: ____________________________

Clerk/Secretary

Department: City Manager Item No: C10

Prepared by: Kaitlyn Elliott-Norgrove, Management Analyst Meeting Date: June 8, 2021

Approved by: Amanda Lee, Assistant City Manager Patrick Johnson, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar

SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENT FIRE PREVENTION GRANT

PROGRAM APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2021- , authorizing California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program Application. CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: (1) Fiscal Responsibility, (2) Continue to Improve the Image of the City, and (3) Public Safety. PRIOR ACTION: No prior action. STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program, known also as the CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Grant Program, provides funding for local projects and activities that address the risk of wildfire, reduce wildfire potential, and increase community resiliency. Funded activities include hazardous fuel reduction, fire prevention planning, and fire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The City seeks $400,000 to develop a fire prevention plan, conduct fuel reduction activities throughout the City and the Vista Fire Protection District, and facilitate citywide coordination related to fuel reduction activities. Fuel reduction activities will focus on approximately 150 acres in six prioritized areas, which are indicated in Exhibit 3. The grant application is included as Exhibit 2. Staff recommends approving the submission of an application to the California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program and authorizing the City Manager to sign all related documents. FISCAL IMPACT: Following the award of a grant, staff will submit a budget adjustment to program the funds in the City’s Fiscal Year 2021/22 Operating Budget. EXHIBITS: 1. City Council Resolution No. 2021- , authorizing California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant

Program Application 2. California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program Application 3. Area Map

AGENDA

REPORT

CITY COUNCIL

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

SUCCESSOR AGENCY

BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT

JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY

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00098291 2

RESOLUTION NO. 2021-

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENT

FIRE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION

The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:

1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:

A. The Governor of the State of California in cooperation with the California StateLegislature has enacted the State of California Climate Investments, which provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for fire prevention programs.

B. The State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has beendelegated the responsibility for the administration of the program within the State, setting up necessary procedures governing application by local agencies, non-profit organizations, and others under the programs.

C. The City of Vista will enter into an agreement with the State of California to carryout a fuel reduction planning and implementation program.

2. Action.

The City Council:

A. Approves the filing of an application for “California Climate Investment FirePrevention Grant Program.”

B. Certifies that said applicant has or will have sufficient funds to operate andmaintain the project.

C. Certifies that funds under the jurisdiction of the City of Vista are available tobegin the project.

D. Certifies that said applicant will expend grant funds prior to March 15, 2025.

E. Appoints the City Manager or a designee, to conduct all negotiations, executeand submit all documents including, but not limited to applicants, agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project.

[Continued on page 2.]

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RESOLUTION NO. 2021- CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA PAGE 2

00098291 200098291.DOCX

3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vistaheld on June 8, 2021, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

APPROVED AS TO FORM: DAROLD PIEPER, CITY ATTORNEY

By:

APPROVED Darold Pieper

20210525140453

JUDY RITTER, MAYOR

ATTEST: KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK

By:

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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) California Climate Investments

Fire Prevention Grants Program Project Scope of Work

Project Name: Fuel Reduction Planning and Implementation in Vista

Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377

Project Description Summary: Please provide a paragraph summarizing proposed project including the location, habitable structures, acres treated, etc. (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

The Vista Fire Department (VFD) requests $400,000 to develop a fire prevention plan, conduct fuel reduction activities throughout the City of Vista and the Vista Fire Protection District, and facilitate citywide coordination related to fuel reduction activities. There are approximately 37,000 habitable structures within an area of 36.5 acres for which VFD is responsible. Fuel reduction activities will focus on approximately 150 acres in six prioritized areas.

A. Scope of Work

This item is broken into project specific criteria depending on the type of project being proposed: planning, education, or hazardous fuel reduction. Please answer one section of questions that pertain to the primary activity type for your project.

Section 1: Hazardous Fuel Reduction/Removal of Dead or Dying Tree Projects 1. Describe the geographic scope of the project, including an estimate of the number of

habitable structures and the names of the general communities that will benefit.

VFD serves approximately 120,000 residents in the City of Vista and the Vista Fire Protection District, covering 36.5 square miles in northern San Diego County (19 square miles in the City and 17.5 miles in the Vista Fire Protection District). An estimated 37,000 of habitable structures are in this area.

2. Describe the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes of the project.

Wildfires are a threat year-round in California, and Vista is no less vulnerable. The goal of this project is to reduce the risk of wildfire by removing fuels within VFD’s service area. Specific objectives include: 1) Developing a plan that prioritizes areas for fuel reduction and organizes best practices and strategies, and 2) clearing fuels in Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) and other areas prone to fires, including areas bordering State Responsibility Area (SRA).

Specific project outcomes will include: 1) Partnering with a consultant to develop the fuel reduction plan, 2) conducting fuel reduction activities in six prioritized areas over a two-year period throughout Vista and neighboring unincorporated communities, and 3) protecting habitable structures and community assets.

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Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377 2

3. Provide a clear rationale for how the proposed project will reduce the risksassociated with wildfire to habitable structures in the WUI.

Fuel reduction planning and implementation will reduce the risks of wildfires to habitable structures in the WUI. The largest space in which fuel reduction will be conducted is near Green Oak Ranch, which, to its north and west is surrounded by residential subdivisions. This open space feeds into the Agua Hedionda Creek, which travels directly into the City of Carlsbad. Elsewhere in the City, creek beds travel throughout well-populated residential developments.

4. Identify any additional assets at risk to wildfire that will benefit from the proposedproject. These may include, but are not limited to, domestic and municipal watersupplies, power lines, communication facilities and community centers.

Wildfire poses risk to assets of the City of Vista, the City of Carlsbad, and the County of San Diego. Assets include, but are not limited to, cell towers; water supplies; San Diego Gas & Electric transmission power lines; fire stations; community resources such as parks, health and medical clinics, and schools.

5. Is the scale of the project appropriate to achieve the stated goals, objectives andoutcomes discussed in Item 2 above?

Yes, the scale of the project is appropriate to achieve the stated goals, objectives, and outcomes. The project ensures comprehensive fuel reduction in areas of the city that are vulnerable to fire and in heavily populated neighborhoods.

6. How will the project/activity utilize the left over woody biomass? Will theproject/activity use a biomass facility to reduce greater greenhouse gas emissions?

N/A

B. Relationship to Strategic Plans

Does the proposed project support the goals and objectives of the California Strategic Fire Plan, the local CAL FIRE Unit Fire Plan, a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), County Fire Plan, or other long term planning document? (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

The consultant will work with VFD to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and fuel reduction priorities. The proposed project, including the development of the CWPP and fuel reduction activities, will align with the 2021 California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Action Plan, specifically with Community Risk Reduction. The project will also align with the California Strategic Fire Plan through the prevention of fire through resource assessments and pre-fire management activities such as hazardous vegetation removal.

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Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377 3

C. Degree of Risk

1. Discuss the location of the project in relation to areas of moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zone as identified by the latest Fire and Resource Assessment Program maps. Fire hazard severity zone maps by county can be accessed at: http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/fire_prevention_wildland_zones_maps.php

The City of Vista is surrounded to the north, south, and east by areas of fire hazard. A Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone is located in the LRA, in South Vista, stretching southwest from the Green Oak Ranch area and into Carlsbad. To the north and east, the City of Vista is neighbored by Medium, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, which are part of the VFD’s response area. 2. Describe the geographic proximity of the project to structures at risk to damage from

wildfire in the WUI. (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

The ridges on both sides of the Green Oak Ranch-area canyon are approximately 2,500 feet in length and have changes in elevation that rise from 20 feet at the base of the northern slope to approximately feet 150 from the base of the Southern slope with estimated 20-degree to 40-degree slope faces. On the city’s eastern side, habitable structures vary in their distance to wildfire risk. D. Community Support

1. Does the project include any matching funds from other funding sources or any in-kind contributions that are expected to extend the impact of the proposed project?

No, there are no matching funds from other sources or any in-kind contributions. 2. Describe plans for external communications during the life of the project to keep the

effected community informed about the goals, objectives and progress of the project. Activities such as planned press releases, project signage, community meetings, and field tours are encouraged.

VFD, in partnership with the City of Vista’s Communications Department, will engage the communities affected by the fuel reduction activities through press releases at the beginning and conclusion of activities, social media posts, project signage, virtual and in-person community meetings, and field tours after the reduction work is completed. 3. Describe any plans to maintain the project after the grant period has ended. The City of Vista Public Works Department manages routine weed abatement and fuel reduction activities, contracting with a landscaping company that specializes in those functions. After the grant-funded fuel reduction activities, the Public Works Department will maintain the cleared spaces.

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Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377 4

4. Does the proposed project work with other organizations or agencies to address fire

hazard reduction at the landscape level? (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

VFD will coordinate with the Vista Fire Protection District and the Carlsbad Fire Department to address fire hazard reduction through this project. E. Project Implementation

1. Discuss the anticipated timeline for the project. Make sure to take seasonal restrictions into account.

The anticipated timeline for this project is as follows:

November – December 2021: Contract with consultant for plan development January – March 2022: Develop CWPP April – December 2022: Perform fuel reduction in priority areas

identified by CWPP January – December 2023: Perform fuel reduction maintenance

2. Verify the expected timeframes to complete the project will fall under the

March 15, 2024 deadline. Yes, the project will be completed before the March 15, 2024 deadline.

3. Describe the milestones that will be used to measure the progress of the project. Milestones used to measure the progress of the project include:

• Identifying and contracting with a consultant to develop a CWPP • Completing a CWPP • Identifying and contracting with a consultant to perform fuel reduction activities

throughout the City • Clearing priority areas at risk of wildfire of dangerous fuels

4. Describe measurable outcomes (i.e. project deliverables) that will be used to

measure the project’s success. The measurable deliverables of this project are the development and adoption of a CWPP and the performance of fuel reduction activities. Specific activities that will measure the project’s success include hazard fuel breaks, shaded fuel breaks, and the mastication of road edges.

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Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377 5

5. If applicable, how will the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) be met? (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

Environmentally harmful methods will not be used for fuel reduction activities. F. Administration

1. Describe any previous experience the project proponent has with similar projects. Include a list of recent past projects the proponent has successfully completed if applicable. Project proponents having no previous experience with similar projects should discuss any past experiences that may help show a capacity to successfully complete the project being proposed. This may include partnering with a more experienced organization that can provide project support.

The City of Vista and VFD have previous similar experience. On an ongoing basis, the City manages weed abatement and fuel reduction throughout the City. Both the City and VFD are prepared to manage a project of this scope. 2. Identify who will be responsible for tracking project expenses and maintaining project

records in a manner that allows for a full audit trail of any awarded grant funds. (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

VFD, in partnership with the City of Vista’s Finance and Public Works Departments, will manage the tracking of project expenses and maintain project records, as well as assuring compliance with goals, objectives, and outcomes. G. Budget

A detailed project budget should be provided in an Excel spreadsheet attached to this grant application. The space provided here is to allow for a narrative description to further explain the proposed budget. 1. Explain how the grant funds, if awarded, will be spent to support the goals and

objectives of the project. If equipment grant funds are requested, explain how the equipment will be utilized and maintained beyond the life of the grant.

Activity Grant Amount

Development of a fire prevention plan $60,000.00 Fuel reduction activities $300,000.00 Administrative costs (10%) $40,000.00 Total Project Cost $400,000.00

2. Are the costs for each proposed activity reasonable for the geographic area where

they are to be performed? Identify any costs that are higher than usual and explain

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Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377 6

any special circumstances within the project that makes these increased costs necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the project.

Yes, the proposed activity costs are reasonable for the geographic area where they are to be performed. 3. Is the total project cost appropriate for the size, scope, and anticipated benefit of the

project? Yes. 4. Identify all Indirect Costs and describe why they are necessary for a successful

project implementation. Administrative expenses to be paid by the Fire Prevention Grants must be less than 12% of the total grant request (excluding equipment).

The budgeted administrative expenses to be paid by this grant will support the time of the Public Works and Code Enforcement Departments. Public Works manages the contract for fuel reduction, while Code Enforcement ensures that spaces to be cleared of fuels are also clear of encampments. 5. Explain each object category in detail and how that would support meeting the grant

objectives. (Please type in blank space below. Please note there is no space limitations).

VFD’s request is divided into three categories: 1) Development of a fire prevention plan, 2) fuel reduction activities, and 3) administrative costs. These categories will determine if the grant project is successful. H. California Climate Investments

The space provided here is to allow for a narrative description to further explain how the project/activity will reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. 1. How will the project/activity reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions? By reducing fuels that increase wildfire risk, VFD will reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by clearing out vegetation and growth that may spark or contribute to the spread of wildfires. Additionally, by clearing fuels in waterways and along trails, alternate modes of transportation may be encouraged with safe access to these routes. Cycling and pedestrian activity will contribute to the reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions, too. 2. Is the project located in a Low-Income or Disadvantaged Community? If not, does

the project benefit those communities. Please explain. Yes, the project is located in Low-Income Communities as defined by AB 1550. According to CalEnviroScreen 3.0, the project is also located in communities with the

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Project Tracking Number: 20-FP-MVU-0377 7

lowest scores for environmental health. Maps representing this information are included with VFD’s application. 3. What are the expected co-benefits of the project/activity (i.e. environmental, public

health and safety, and climate resiliency)? This project benefits the community on several fronts. Through community engagement and outreach, and the clearing of fuels around habitable structures, the project will benefit public health and safety. The City of Vista’s open spaces and waterways will also benefit, as the fuel reduction activities will lead to the reduction of waste and garbage. 4. When are the Greenhouse Gas emissions and/or co-benefits expected to occur and

how will they be maintained? Greenhouse Gas emissions are not expected to occur during this project.

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20-FP-MVU-0377-MAP

May 19, 2021Disclaimer: Map and parcel data are believed to be accurate, but accuracy is not guaranteed. This is not a legal document and should not be substituted for a title search,appraisal, survey, or for zoning verification.

±1 inch = 6,400 feet

Print Date: 0 0.8 1.60.4mi

GREEN HIGHLIGHTS denote VFD's six fuel reduction priority areas. The southernmost area includes three total areas.

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