Title
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize a $27,900 Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE-22) grant Agreement between the City of San Leandro and the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for Abatement of Surrendered and Abandoned Watercraft at the San Leandro Marina and the San Leandro Shoreline
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability & Resiliency
• Community Engagement and Outreach
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing a $27,900 SAVE-22 grant agreement between the City and the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for the removal and disposal of abandoned and surrendered vessels.
BACKGROUND
The California Legislature developed two initiatives aimed at keeping abandoned vessels out of local waters. Senate Bill 172 (Rainey, 1997) established the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF) administered by the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) to address the problem of abandoned watercraft. The purpose of the program is to provide funds to local public agencies to remove, store, and dispose of abandoned, wrecked, or dismantled vessels or any other partially submerged objects that pose a substantial hazard to maritime navigation.
The Vessel Turn-In (VTIP) Program was established by Assembly Bill 166 (Lieu, 2010) as a solution to prevent abandoned vessels before they happen. By providing an easy and free alternative for boat owners to surrender an unwanted vessel to a participating agency in lieu of abandonment, this program eliminates the expensive and difficult removal process that abandoned vessels often require. More importantly, the VTIP also works to prevent the risk of harmful water hazards and provides for the protection of the environment by preventing discharges of toxic pollutants that may leak from an abandoned vessel.
In 2015, the DBW merged the AWAF and VTIP grants to form the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) grant as part of an effort to streamline grant applications and disbursements.
Analysis
In FY2021/2022, the City was awarded $170,000 for the period of October 2021 through September 2023. Using the SAVE-21 grant award, Public Works removed 15 boats at a cost of $99,500. With the closure of the harbor in the next six months, staff anticipates a number of vessels will be abandoned or submitted to the SAVE program. The City applied for $54,700 under the SAVE-22 grant for FY2022/2023 based on expected need and the remaining balance of SAVE-21 grant monies. On August 12, 2022 the State awarded $27,900 in grant funds and issued the Grant Agreement - Certificate of Funding.
Pursuant to California Harbors and Navigation Code §525(c), a 10% local matching contribution is required for the SAVE grant. The contribution may be rendered in cash, or through in-kind contributions that must be verified and approved, all at the discretion of the Department of Boating and Waterways. The local matching contribution could include, but is not limited to, administrative costs, personnel hours, and removal costs. The City will contribute the 10% local matching contribution in administrative costs and personnel hours (overseeing contracts and preparing watercraft for towing, removal and disposal).
If the grant agreement is not authorized, the Shoreline Fund will bear the cost without
reimbursement.
Financial Impacts
This Shoreline Fund project will require Council appropriation of $27,900 for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 from the Shoreline Fund Undesignated Fund Balance into Account 597-57-177-5890. The SAVE-22 grant will reimburse a sum not to exceed $27,900 for this project.
This Council action was not budgeted and will require an appropriation of $27,900 for this project that will draw down the Shoreline Fund’s undesignated fund balance.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: Resolution to Approve and Authorize a $27,900 Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE-22) grant Agreement between the City of San Leandro and the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for Abatement of Surrendered and Abandoned Watercraft at the San Leandro Marina and the San Leandro Shoreline
Attachment B: SAVE-22 Grant Agreement - Certificate of Funding
PREPARED BY: Liz Jimenez, Public Works Services Manager, Public Works