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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the California State Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange Grant Program for FY2024/25 through September 30, 2026; Delegate Authority to the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and the Director of Administrative Services to sign the grant award agreement and related documents, including any service contracts that remain within the grant budget; and Approve a $60,000 Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing the unanticipated grant revenue offset by appropriations to assist in the abatement of surrendered and abandoned vessels in County waterways (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution approving participation in the California State Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange Grant Program for FY2024/25 through September 30, 2026;
2. Delegate Authority to the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and the Director of Administrative Services to sign the grant award agreement and related documents, including any service contracts that remain within the grant budget; and
3. Approve a $60,000 Appropriation Transfer Request recognizing the unanticipated grant revenue offset by appropriations to assist in the abatement of surrendered and abandoned vessels in County waterways (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
In April 2024, the Sheriff’s Office submitted a competitive grant application to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) for participation in the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange (SAVE) Grant Program under the FY2024/25 grant cycle. The DBW allocates State funds administered through the SAVE Grant Program to local government agencies to facilitate the removal of owner-surrendered vessels and the removal and disposal of abandoned hazardous vessels located in County waterways.
On September 6, 2024 the Sheriff’s Office received notice of an award from DBW. Solano County is to receive $60,000 to remove and dispose of abandoned and turned-in vessels in Solano County. The DBW requires a Board-certified resolution be submitted to finalize the acceptance process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The SAVE FY2024/25 grant administered by DBW requires the Sheriff’s Office expend the grant award of $60,000 to remove and dispose of abandoned and turned-in vessels by September 30, 2026. The SAVE grant program also requires a ten percent (10%) cash or in-kind match. The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit will be tasked with performing additional duties and activities related to this grant and anticipates using existing appropriations from staff salaries to meet the match obligation. Therefore, there will be no additional impact to the County General Fund.
An Appropriations Transfer Request will recognize the $60,000 in unanticipated grant revenue offset with appropriations to be used toward the removal and disposal of any number of abandoned vessels and/or vessel turn-ins. The majority of funding (estimated at $40,000) is anticipated to be used toward the removal of future abandoned vessels with the remaining appropriations used for vessel turn-ins ($20,000). Grant expenditures will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis and should not significantly impact cash flow.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
In October 1997, Senate Bill 172 created the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF) which provides funds to public agencies to remove, store and dispose of abandoned, wrecked or dismantled vessels or any other partially submerged objects which pose a substantial hazard to navigation in navigable waterways, adjacent public property, or private property with the owner’s consent. In January 2010, Assembly Bill 166 (Chapter 416, Statutes 2009) established Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) to prevent abandoned vessels by providing an easy and free alternative for boat owners to surrender their unwanted vessels. The SAVE grant program combines these two effective grants into an easily managed single grant with sufficient flexibility to cover both AWAF and VTIP issues.
Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code Section 525, the DBW will provide SAVE Grant funds to the Sheriff to remove and dispose abandoned and derelict vessels from county waterways and owner-surrendered vessels that will be delivered or picked up by the Sheriff’s Office, towed to a local landfill, and destroyed. Owners will be required to provide proof of vessel ownership, sign title transfer, and complete a release of liability/interest form before the vessel is discarded.
The Sheriff’s Office has participated in the SAVE, AWAF and VTIP grant programs since their inception with the most recent SAVE grant award ending on September 30, 2024. SAVE grant funds awarded in the past have been used by the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol for the disposal of vessels surrendered by their owners and for the removal and disposal of hazardous vessels that were abandoned, impeding navigation and polluting Solano County waterways. During the current SAVE grant cycle, Marine Patrol located, removed and disposed of 1 abandoned vessel and plans to remove an additional 4 abandoned vessels by September 30, 2024. These vessels have accumulated in the Suisun Slough, Sacramento River, Sacramento Deep Water Channel, Montezuma Slough and San Pablo Bay, creating blight, environmental and navigational hazards. Additionally, Marine Patrol deputies accepted and disposed of 18 vessels and 13 vessel trailers that citizens turned-in.
New grant funds will provide the financial assistance necessary to continue to assist community members with no-charge proper disposal of unwanted vessels and to locate, remove and dispose of abandoned vessels to make our waterways clean and safe.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to participate in this grant program; however, this alternative is not recommended as nonparticipation will result in the loss of $60,000 in grant funding that would have been used to keep Solano County waterways safe and navigable through the abatement of surrendered and abandoned vessels. Moreover, the grant funding will be obligated to other Counties and no longer available to Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION