HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-23; City Council; 13479; HOSP GROVE FIRE HAZARD MITIGATION PROJECT*
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AB ##2 33$ DEPT. H TITLE: HOSP GROVE FIRE HAZARD MITIGATION
MTG. 1/23/96 CITY AT1 pRoJM=T
DEPT. FIR CITY MG
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Resolution NO. Cjh .$in ”
1. Accept Hazard Mitigation Grant in the amount of $132.750.
2. Appropriate $177,000 from the City Council Contingency Fund to finance fire hazard abatement operations in Hosp Grove,
3. Direct staff to initiate the contractor selection process.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
Fire department staff requests City Council approval to proceed with the hazard abatement process in Hosp Grove, in accordance with the fire hazard mitigation plan previously presenl Council on February 2 1. 1995.
The plan calls for removal of weeds, brush, litter, immature trees and other ground fuels thal threaten the grove canopy and surrounding development. The plan approved by Council on February 2 1, 1995, estimated the cost of the project to be $177,000 and requested Council’s authorization to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for gl assistance for funding. Council authorized the grant application, which was subsequently approved by FEMA and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES). The grant will reimburse the city for 75% of project costs.
Upon approval of this resolution, staff will initiate the process necessary to select a contract1
completion of the project by December 1996.
who will perform the work under the dmct supervision of the fire department. Staff estimat
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The planning director has determined that the proposed action is categorically exempt from 1 requirement to prepare an environmental document pursuant to Section 15304 (State CEQA Guidelines]. Upon project approval, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Clerk
Grant conditions require the project to conform to the standards of the California Enviornm Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). The project has : been reviewed and approved by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, on the basis that the project presents no threat to sensitive habitat and that significant alteration of terrain will occur.
The only enviromental constraint placed upon the project requires suspension of operations during the spring months in observance of the hawk nesting that occurs in the grove during tk period.
FISCAL IMPACT:
An appropriation of $177,000 from the Council Contingency Fund is recommended to finance project operations. The city is eligible to recover seventy-five percent of that amount, or $132 through the grant process.
Cash contributions from the contingency fund will be minimized, when possible, through the of unspent cash from weed abatement accounts and the use of city personnel and equipment. ’ maximum cash obligation of the city toward the project would be $44,250.
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EXHIBITS:
1. RsdutbnNo. L?( - 96
2. Updated Staff Report
3. Notification of grant award
4. Notice of Categorical Exemption
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1 -NO. 96-26
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD.
CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING A HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT, AUTHORIZING USE OF COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUNDS AND ACCEPTING NOTICE OF CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION.
5 WHEREAS, on February 21. 1995, the City Council of the city of Carlsbad approvf
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project intended to mitigate the fire hazard presented by brush, weeds, grass and other
combustible growth in Hosp Grove: and
WHEREAS. the cost of the hazard mitigation project is estfmated to be $177.000;
WHEREAS. the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and thl
Governor’s Office of Emergency Sexvices (OES) have awarded a grant to the city of Carlsb
which will permit the city to recover seventy-five percent of the cost of the project: and
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I.1 I1 WHEREAS, the planning director has determined that the project Is categoricall
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California, as follows: 15
NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the city of Calsbad. 14
15304, California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (CEQA). 13
exempt from the requirement to prepare an environmental document pursuant to Secti
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1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. The Hazard Mitigation Grant awarded by FEMA and OES to the city of Carlsl
accepted.
3. That funds In the amount of $177,000 are appropriated from the city of Carl
1 Council Contingency Fund to finance the fire hazard mitigation project. seventy-five p 19
2o 11 of which will be recovered per the terms of the afore mentioned grant.
21 I1 4. That upon approval, the planning director will flle the Notice of Categorical
22 // Exemption with the County Clerk.
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1 PASSED. APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad city
2 Council held on the 23rd day of January, 1996, by the following vote, to wit:
3 AYES: Council Members Lewis, Nygaard, Kulchin, Finnila, Hall
4 NOES: None
5 ABSENT: None
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(SEAL)
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.. e 0 SA't''5' I d-
November 28, 1995
TO: FIRE CHIEF
FROM: Fire Marshal
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MITIGATION OF FIRE HAZARDS IN HOSP GROVE
Fire problem -
Hosp Grove is a large stand of eucalyptus trees lying south of Jefferson Street, east of
Pi0 Pic0 Avenue, north of Carlsbad Village Drive and west of El Camino Real. It is
well established and has been left in its natural state with the exception of recent
annual efforts to remove combustible litter and dangerous vegetation from its
perimeter. Colonies of chaparral and other vegetation have intruded into the
surrounded by residential development. Some of its interior has been developed as
well, creating a wildland/urban interface and intermix fire protection problem.
Coastal humidity and temperature generally suppress the advancement of fires
occurring in the grove. It is likely, however, that under extreme "fire weather"
conditions of high temperature, low humidity and high velocity winds a ground
fire could easily spread to canopy foliage and seriously threaten adjacent homes.
Fire protection strategies
The hazard presented by the grove lies in the potential for ground fire to migrate to
the canopy foliage. Therefore, elimination of light fuels on the grove floor is the
primary focus of this strategic plan. Although the risk of conflagration in the grove
would be slight once this is alccomplished. During the severe weather conditions
mentioned above, the grove canopy can be susceptible to ignition by heat from other
hostile fires in the area, or a structure fire along its perimeter. For this reason,
immature trees along the grove perimeter should be thinned to reduce available
fuel.
The following strategies are offered as the objectives of the mitigation program and
will provide the basis for the work plan. Although they provide a practical and
effective protection scheme and will reduce risk, it should be understood that under
the most severe weather conditions, even these measures may not be enough to
prevent losses.
1. Create defensible space between the grove and surrounding structures in
grove creating an assortment of light ground fuels among the trees. It is virtudly
accordance with recognized fire protection standards.
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2. Reduce the likelihood of fire in the tree foliage by clearing the grove floor and
surrounding areas of light grass, shrubs, brush, low-hanging foliage, immature
trees, and combustible litter.
3. Perform periodic maintenance in and around the grove to maintain fire safe
conditions.
Fiscal impact
On February 12,1995, the City Council accepted the fire hazard mitigation strategic
plan, and authorized the fire department to apply for hazard mitigation grants
offered by F.E.M.A. to fund the project. F.E.M.A. approved the project and awarded
a grant which will reimburse seventy-five percent of the cost of the project which is
estimated at $177,000. During consultation with the finance director earlier this
month, we were advised to seek authorization for use of Council contingency funds
to finance the project.
Environmental constraints
The terms of the grant require compliance with C.E.Q.A. and N.E.P.A. regulations
to ensure attention to environmental concerns. We have sought and received
project review and approval by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
California Department of Fish and Game. Additionally, we requested review by our
own planning director, who found that the project warrants a categorical exemption
from the C.E.Q.A. requirements for preparation of environmental documents. This
finding is based upon the fact that the project involves no significant alteration of
terrain or sensitive habitat. The only constraint placed upon the project by US.
in the spring.
Contractor
The work will be performed by our weed abatement contractor under the current
contract. However, some changes in the current weed abatement contract will be
necessary since it implies that the contractor is under employ of the city from May to
July exclusively. This is an oversight that should be clarified, since we currently
utilize the contractor’s services on city owned property prior and subsequent to that
period.
Since there was never an intent to limit the employment of the contractor to that
time period, and since the contract runs for a full year and is thereafter renewable,
both the city purchasing agent and attorney agree that the contract can be amended
Fish and Wildlife is to suspend work in the grove during the hawk nesting season
to allow the contractor to perform the work. wcs”
MIKE SMITH
.. 0 DISASTER ASSISTANCE BRANCH W
RISK MANAGEMENT SECTION Governor's Office of Emergency Services ..
Post Off ice Box 23981 6 Sacramento, California 95823-901 6
91 6 262-1 778 Fax 91 6-262-2852
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May 3, 1995
Michael Smith
Carlsbad Fire Department
Carlsbad, CA 92008
2560 Orion Way
Fax: 619-929-0256
rl Eckuk/z3 MAY - 6 1995 (1 11 i Ij
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Dear Mr. Smith:
This office is pleased to notify you that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) h
obligated funding for the project listed below:
Project Name: FEMA-1005-23-DR-CA,
Hosp Grove Fire Hazard Management Program
Requested Funding: $132,750
HMGP Funds
Obligated 4/20/95 $132,750
The following conditions apply:
In the Project Eligibility Checklist contained in the grant application you indicate that this proj
will address a local hazard mitigation plan objective and that it has manageable maintena
requirements. Prior to receiving payment of your final claim and disbursement of subgm
administrative costs we request that you submit documentation which demonstrates:
1. The long-term maintenance requirements associated with this project. Who will
responsible for maintaining the project? What do you estimate it will cost to maintain the pro
so that it remains an effective fire hazard mitigation tool? What funding sources will be use
support the long-term maintenance of the project?
2. How the project meets a local hazard mitigation planning objective? How doc
contribute to a comprehensive solution to reduce wildfire hazards in your community? ..
Payment and Reporting Requirements:
. 0 w AB# i.3 3 5 Y Exhi bit page 2 I I
A quarterly report schedule has been established for all HMGP projects. Quarterly reports are
* due April 15, July 15, October 15, and December 15 until the project has been finalized. The
milestones detailed on your approved work schedule (provided in your project application) will
be used to measure project progress through the quarterly report process.
Payments to subgrantees are made on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursements are for costs to
will be reimbursed at 75% of eligible costs to date. This transaction is initiated using the attached
form, "Request for Reimbursement." All reimbursements will be calculated at 75 % of eligible
costs. Final claims will be filed using the attached "Final Claim" form. At that time,
administrative costs for the project will be calculated and disbursed.
date of expenditures to be incurred within five (5) days of receipt of funds, Project expenditures
The attached "Notification to Subgrantees" provides guidance regarding HMGP regulations 01:
time extensions, inspections, audits, reporting procedures, the appeal process and cost over-runs.
Award documents enclosed with this letter include the following:
* HMGP (FEMA-1005-DR-CA) Notification to Subgrantees * Subgrantee Quarterly Report Form * Request for Reimbursement Form * Final Claim Form
If there are any conditions or determinations contained in this letter that you feel need to bc
discussed further please contact Rob Feny at (916) 262-1788. Unless there is furthe
correspondence modifying these conditions, acceptance of the grant funds constitutes acceptancl
of the conditions outlined in this letter. w Sincerely,
6 Chief, ANCYWARD Disaster Assistance Branch
Enclosures
cc: Paula Schulz
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TO: X_ County Clerk
County of San Diego
Attn: Mail Drop C-11
220 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
From: city of Carlsbad
2075 Las Palmas Dr.
Carisbad, CA 92009
Planning Department
(619) 438-1161
Subject: Filing of this Notice of Exemption is in compliance with Section 21152b of the PI
Resources Code (California Environmental Oualitv Act).
Project Title Fire Hazard Mitigation for Hosp Grove
Project Location - Specific South of Jefferson Street east of Pi0 Pico, North of Carlsbad Vi1
Drive and west of El Camino Real
Project Location - city: Carlsbad Project Location - County San Di
Description of Project: The grove is a larpe stand of eucalvptus trees that has bec
overgrown with combustible vegetation - thus creating an extreme fire hazard. The project w
create defensive space between the grove - and surrounding: structures in accordance with recofg
fire protection standards by removing - combustible litter including shrubs, brush. immature t:
etc. Additionallv the proiect would include Deriodic maintenance to maintain fire safe condit
Name of Public Agency Approving Project: Citv of Carlsbad
Name of Person or Agency Carrying out Project: Martin Apilera. Carlsbad Fire Depart1
Exempt Status: (Check one)
- Ministerial (Sec. 21080(b)(l); 15268);
- Declared Emergency (Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a));
- Emergency Project (Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c));
& Categorical Exemption. State %elsection number; 15304 (minor alterations to the 1
- Statutory Exemptions. State code number:
Reasons why project is exempt: The uroiect involves minor alterations to the exi
vegetation and does not include the removal of mature or scenic trees. In addition. the prop
action has been reviewed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish
Wildlife Service, both of which raised no obiections to the proposal.
Lead Agency Contact Person: Gaw E. Wawe Area Code/Telephone/: (619) 438-1161, Xi
If filed by applicant:
1. Attach certified document of exemption finding.
2. Has a notice of exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? - Yes -
Signature: Date: I \ / 4,/4 5- Title: Planning Dire
(x] Signed by Lead Agency
Signed by Applicant
Revised October 19