Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Resolution to Authorize a $170,000 Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE-21) 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
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing a $170,000 SAVE-21 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.
Using the awarded SAVE-18 grant for the period of October 2018 through September 2020, Public Works removed 29 boats at a cost of $128,636. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of vessels that will be abandoned or submitted for the VTIP program over the next two years with the decommissioning of the San Leandro Marina. The City applied for a $170,000 SAVE grant for FY2021/2022 based on previous grant use and expected need. On September 10, 2021 the State awarded the grant funds and issued the Grant Agreement - Certificate of Funding.
Analysis
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.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed the grant agreement and approved it as to form.
Fiscal Impacts
This Shoreline Fund project will cost approximately $187,000. The SAVE-21 grant will reimburse a sum not to exceed $170,000. A 10% matching contribution is required. Public Works will provide in-kind labor for grant administration and personnel hours associated with the removal and destruction of the vessels.
Budget Authority
On June 28, 2021, Council approved an appropriation for $170,000 in the Shoreline Fund (597-57-177) FY21/22 budget. A revenue account (597-3607) was established to receive reimbursements from the SAVE-21 grant.
ATTACHMENT(S)
SAVE-21 Grant Agreement - Certificate of Funding
PREPARED BY: Liz Jimenez, Public Works Services Manager, Public Works