Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 3
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $75,000, to the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to facilitate a Fire Resiliency Scoping Project in El Granada, and authorizing the County Manager, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
body
BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
On March 9, 2021, and March 23, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2021-23. The Board appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study sessions to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FYs 2021-23. The Board approved $5 million in one-time loans or grants for the FY 2021-23 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 3 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 3 (Supervisor Don Horsley) - Resource Conservation District: for a fire resiliency scoping project in El Granada |
$75,000 |
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $75,000, to hire and oversee a consultant to develop the scope of fire resiliency work needed in the area of El Granada (the “Fire Resiliency Scoping Project). The County Manager’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
CAL FIRE has designated El Granada as a Very High Fire Severity Zone, based on risk modeled on multiple variables including vegetation, topography, and wind patterns. The highly flammable eucalyptus trees planted within the community (approximately 122 acres) and in neighboring Quarry Park (approximately 314 acres) are a specific concern. CAL FIRE has estimated the cost to remove all eucalyptus from this community to be approximately $150,000,000 - $200,000,000. The community has been proactive in identifying potential vegetation management projects to increase wildfire resiliency, and multiple projects have been implemented through the support of the County.
This Fire Resiliency Scoping Project will be overseen by a collective partner committee comprised of MCC, San Mateo County Parks, San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley, and RCD. RCD will use the Measure K funds to hire and oversee a consultant that will be tasked with the development of background research and site investigations to document operational requirements (environmental compliance), constraints, opportunities, methods, and more detailed cost estimates for eucalyptus fuel reduction. This information will be compiled into a report that will provide a suite of options and projects for eucalyptus management and wildfire resiliency. RCD will seek to gain consensus for projects amongst committee partners in order to pursue funding opportunities for future implementation. RCD will use any remaining Measure K funds to initiate environmental review for projects identified in the consultant report that are prioritized for completion.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $75,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purpose described above:
Kellyx Nelson
Executive Director
Resource Conservation District
80 Stone Pine Road, Suite 100
Half Moon Bay, California 94019
650.712.7765 ext. 102
kellyx@sanmateorcd.org <mailto:kellyx@sanmateorcd.org>
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Develop a plan and scope of work for fire resiliency in El Granada |
Complete |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2021-22 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget.