Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Robert Manchia, County Chief Financial Officer
Subject: Appropriation Transfer Request for Accepting Grant Award and Agreement with Rain Industries Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of unanticipated revenue from Windward Fund in the amount of $573,459 and authorizing the Department of Emergency Management to execute the agreement with Rain Industries Incorporated in the total amount of $573,459; and
B) Approve Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the total amount of $573,459 from Windward Fund.
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BACKGROUND:
Since the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire, several County agencies have been working cooperatively on new and innovative ways to contain wildfires more rapidly when they break out in the remote areas of the County.
The Windward Fund grant in the amount of $573,459 has been given with the express purpose of fully funding a pilot program between the County of San Mateo and Rain Industries Inc.
DISCUSSION:
Rain is designing a system to contain wildfires within 10 minutes of ignition using a network of autonomous aircraft installed in a grid throughout high-risk regions.
The objective of the San Mateo Pilot is to demonstrate to the San Mateo County Fire Department that the Rain System meets their operational requirements for rapid ignition investigation and suppression. The pilot will consist of three demonstrations, each exhibiting the difference in response time between a fire engine and the Rain Industries Inc. autonomous aircraft.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The allocation of funds to be received from Windward Fund for specific use with Rain Industries Inc. are $573,459 for the period June 14, 2022 and June 30, 2023. There is no fiscal impact to Net County Cost.