Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager, Engineering and Transportation Director, or City Engineer to Apply for Grants with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for Federal and/or State Financial Assistance for All Open and Future Disasters Up to Three Years Following the Date of Approval
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager, Engineering and Transportation Director, or City Engineer to apply for grants with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for all open and future disasters up to three years following the date of approval.
BACKGROUND
Cal OES frequently solicits applications for grant funding of projects that reduce or mitigate the impact of natural disasters before they happen and for projects related to recovery after a natural disaster occurs. Applicants for grants must submit a form to Cal OES certifying that the City Council has made a resolution as to the staff who are authorized to apply for these grants and the type of authorization that is granted.
Cal OES recognizes two types of authorizations: universal authorization that is effective for all open and future disaster funding up to three years following the date of approval and disaster specific authorization that is effective only for specific named disasters.
Grants, if awarded, may require commitment of matching funds. Matching fund levels vary widely from 0% (none) to 50%. Cal OES is currently seeking applications for its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which requires a 25% match.
The City appropriated funds in the FY 2018 and 2019 adopted budget for a project near the intersection of Neptune Drive and Marina Boulevard that will reduce the risk of flooding for the Marina Faire and Mulford Gardens neighborhoods that is eligible for HMGP funding.
Analysis
The City Manager is generally authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the City and apply for grants. The Engineering and Transportation Director and the City Engineer manage the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and have detailed knowledge of CIP projects that allows them to determine when a project is likely to be competitive for grants, the amount of grant money needed, and the amount of matching funds authorized by the City Council.
A universal authorization will allow staff to apply for funding for a period of three years from the date of this action. A disaster specific authorization cannot be approved until after a disaster is declared and therefore does not allow the City to apply for grant funding of projects that reduce or mitigate the impact of natural disasters before they occur. The authorization will allow designated City staff to submit a HGMP grant application for funding to reduce flooding risk for the Neptune Drive Shoreline area.
Current Agency Policies
Maintain and enhance San Leandro’s infrastructure
Applicable General Plan Policies
Policy EH-1.7 Reducing Flood Hazards. Work collaboratively with County, State, and federal agencies to develop short and long-term programs that reduce flood hazards in the City.
Environmental Review
Environmental review will be done on a project by project basis.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
Public outreach will be done on a project by project basis.
Fiscal Impacts
Application for grant funding may require a commitment of matching funds.
When matching funds are required, they must be appropriated by City Council before a commitment can be made.
Attachment to Staff Report
Cal OES Form 130
PREPARED BY: Nick Thom, City Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Department