Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: James C. Porter, Director of Public Works
Subject: Authorization of Grant Applications in Connection with Improving Flood Control in San Mateo County's Areas of Responsibilities
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt resolutions authorizing:
A) The Director of Public Works or his/her duly authorized representative to submit grant applications and required supporting documents that are consistent with the report titled “Improving Flood Control in San Mateo County’s Area of Responsibilities”; and
B) Submittal of a grant application in the amount of $678,689 to the California Department of Water Resources for the County of San Mateo Flood Emergency Alert and Preparedness Project.
body
BACKGROUND:
On February 23, 2016, your Board accepted the report titled “Improving Flood Control in San Mateo County’s Areas of Responsibilities” (Report) and approved Resolution No. 074363 for an Appropriation Transfer Request to begin implementation of the Report recommendations. This included funding totaling $6.2 million from the General Fund over a three-year period to establish a Program to address flood risks in the County’s areas of responsibility as outlined in the Report. This funding is being used for consultant services in connection with flood protection projects identified in the Report and staff time associated with seeking grant funding, collaborating with cities and County resources on specific projects, and project management on projects identified in the Report.
The Report outlines specific projects that may benefit unincorporated County areas and assets. These projects include: Colma Creek, San Bruno Creek, San Francisquito Creek, Bayfront Canal (Unincorporated North Fair Oaks Area), Belmont Creek (Harbor Industrial Area), Daly City Vista Grande Canal (Unincorporated Broadmoor), Coyote Point Area, Pescadero and Butano Creeks, responding to the Community Rating System (CRS), expanding and improving GIS capacity, the County’s stream flow gauges and an early warning notification system, and supporting C/CAG Water Committee. The Report also emphasizes the importance of identifying, applying for, and leveraging appropriate grant funding to support the projects.
The Program has been evaluating opportunities for state and federal grant funding to reduce flood risk for both pre-and post-flood disaster. Funding opportunities include, but are not limited to, grants from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) program, California Department of Transportation Cooperative Agreements, California Coastal Conservancy Proposition 1, and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs.
Granting agencies generally require documentation of governing body approval, which can be required at different stages of the granting process.
DISCUSSION:
Grant opportunities have varying requirements and application timelines. The grant application and approval process has become more complex with each funding cycle as federal and state regulations require additional forms to be certified by the applicant or receiving agency. An agency’s success in acquiring grant funds can depend, in part, on having the required documents and approvals prior to grant application submittal. Grant application timelines often do not provide adequate time to obtain Governing Body approval within the application time frame.
The Department is recommending that your Board approve and authorize the submission of grant applications that are consistent with the priorities outlined in the Report. A Resolution describing this approval is being presented to your Board for consideration, which should satisfy the grant applications that require an authorizing resolution of the governing body to submit a grant application. The Resolution allows for the Director of Public Works or his/her duly authorized representative to sign on behalf of the County for specific flood management projects identified in the Report, which will expedite the time required to complete grant applications. This will improve the Program’s ability to efficiently apply for grants. Granting agencies typically require execution of a grant agreement when funding is approved. This agreement between the County and the granting agency would then be presented to your Board for consideration.
The Program is seeking grant funding from the DWR for their Statewide Flood Emergency Response Grant Funding program for the County of San Mateo Flood Emergency Alert and Preparedness Project. The grant application requires execution of a DWR template resolution consenting to the application submittal. Although County staff has had discussions with DWR, which suggest that a resolution executed by your Board approving non-specific grant applications would be adequate, the Department believes it is prudent to provide an executed DWR template resolution for this grant application.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolutions as to form.
Approval of this action contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of an Environmentally Conscious Community by improving our ability to apply for grants that would provide flood control services and improvements that would benefit the public and environment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the General Fund or other funds of the County by your Board adopting the resolutions. The DWR Statewide Flood Emergency Response grant does not require a local match. Grants received that require matching funds will be presented to your Board with accompanying grant agreements.