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File #: 24-836    Version: 1 Name: Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Awards FY2024-25
Type: Miscellaneous Status: Consent Calendar
In control: Resource Management
On agenda: 12/3/2024 Final action: 12/3/2024
Title: Approve the recommendation of the Solano County Park and Recreation Commission to award grants totaling $7,500 through June 30, 2026, from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to the International Bird Rescue for native bird rescue and rehabilitation, Napa-Solano Audubon Society for support of environmental education programs, and Solano County Parks and Recreation for display updates and replacement at the Lake Solano Nature Center; and Authorize the Director of Resource Management or designee to execute the grant contracts, and any necessary modifications, with County Counsel concurrence, that fall within the grant award amounts
District: All
Attachments: 1. A - FWPF Grant Awards Chart

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Approve the recommendation of the Solano County Park and Recreation Commission to award grants totaling $7,500 through June 30, 2026, from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to the International Bird Rescue for native bird rescue and rehabilitation, Napa-Solano Audubon Society for support of environmental education programs, and Solano County Parks and Recreation for display updates and replacement at the Lake Solano Nature Center; and Authorize the Director of Resource Management or designee to execute the grant contracts, and any necessary modifications, with County Counsel concurrence, that fall within the grant award amounts

 

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Published Notice Required?     Yes ____ No __X_  

Public Hearing Required?         Yes ____ No __X_

 

DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:

 

The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:

 

1.                     Approve the recommendation of the Solano County Park and Recreation Commission to award grants totaling $7,500 through June 30, 2026, from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund (FWPF) to the International Bird Rescue for native bird rescue and rehabilitation, Napa-Solano Audubon Society for support of environmental education programs, and Solano County Parks and Recreation for display updates and replacement at the Lake Solano Nature Center; and

 

2.                     Authorize the Director of Resource Management or designee to execute the grant contracts and any necessary modifications, with County Counsel concurrence, that fall within the grant award amounts.

 

SUMMARY:

 

For FY2024/25, the Board appropriated $10,000 from the FWPF to award grants to projects in Solano County that are consistent with Fish and Game Code §13103 and focused on improving fish and wildlife habitat, care for injured wildlife, or public education related to fish and wildlife conservation. After conducting public outreach on grant availability, three project submissions were received, each of which were recommended by the Solano County Parks and Recreation Commission for funding. With Board approval, the International Bird Rescue, Napa-Solano Audubon Society, and Solano County Parks and Recreation will be required to sign individual grant contracts and will have until June 30, 2026 to complete their respective projects.

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

The FWPF consists of funds received by the County from Fish and Game Code fines and accumulated interest. $10,000 was appropriated in the FY2024/25 Adopted Budget to be disbursed as grant awards from the FWPF.  Staff recommends awarding the requested amount of $7,500, with $2,500 remaining in the fund for award in future grant cycles. There is no impact to the General Fund and the cost of preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.

 

DISCUSSION:

 

The Department of Resource Management administers the FWPF grant application process and grant awards are recommended by the Park and Recreation Commission, serving in its dual role as the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The current grant cycle began September 7, 2024, when staff distributed the FWPF grant application materials and email notices to previous grant applicants and other interested parties. Staff also issued a press release and made the grant application materials available on the County’s website. The Commission set the maximum allowable grant request at $2,500 per applicant. The application deadline was October 7, 2024 and resulted in three applications requesting a total of $7,500 in project funds. 

 

To assist in evaluating applications, the Commission appointed an ad hoc FWPF Evaluation Committee.  The Committee reviewed and scored applications based on criteria identified in the FWPF application materials. At its November 14, 2024 meeting, the Park and Recreation Commission received the award recommendations based on scoring (Attachment A) from the FWPF Evaluation Committee and recommended funding programs/projects with the following entities: the International Bird Rescue, Napa-Solano Audubon Society, and Solano County Parks and Recreation, with all applicants requesting the maximum grant award of $2,500.

 

Projects recommended for funding would result in the following outcomes:

 

                     International Bird Rescue seeks to fund essential expenses such as food, medicine, and veterinary care for approximately 180 native birds, expected to be brought from throughout Solano County to their Fairfield facility for rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

 

                     Napa-Solano Audubon Society will utilize grant funds in support of environmental education programs for approximately 500 students in both the classrooms and in the field at local parks locations.

 

                     Solano County Parks will purchase materials to be used in the development of interpretive displays to update and replace the existing fish tanks at the Lake Solano Nature Center.

 

ALTERNATIVES:

 

The Board may choose not to approve the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Commission.  This alternative is not recommended because the applications received careful evaluation from the FWPF Evaluation Committee and are recommended by the Commission for meeting the criteria of the funding guidelines.  In addition, without this funding opportunity these programs will not likely be funded and completed.

 

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:

 

The Solano County Park and Recreation Commission recommended approval of the grant award at its scheduled public meeting of November 14, 2024.  Subject matter expert Barry Hill, Senior Project Manager for Solano Land Trust served on the FWPF Evaluation Committee.

 

CAO RECOMMENDATION:

 

APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION