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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange Grant Program for the period from the date of execution through March 1, 2019; Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $70,000 in unanticipated grant revenue to assist the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit in the abatement of surrendered and abandoned vessels in County waterways (4/5 vote required); and Authorize the Sheriff or his designees to sign grant award agreements and any associated amendments, operational contracts, or reimbursement claims that remain within budgeted appropriations
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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 Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange Grant Program for the period from the date of execution through March 1, 2019;
2. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $70,000 in unanticipated grant revenue to assist the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit in the abatement of surrendered and abandoned vessels in County waterways (4/5 vote required); and
3. Authorize the Sheriff or his designees to sign grant award agreements and any associated amendments, operational contracts, or reimbursement claims that remain within budgeted appropriations
SUMMARY:
In April 2017, the Sheriff’s Office submitted an online grant application for the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessels Exchange (SAVE) Grant Program. The California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) allocates State funds administered through the SAVE Grant Program for local government agencies to facilitate the removal of surrendered vessels by their owners or the removal and disposal of hazardous vessels that are abandoned in County waterways. On August 14, 2017, the Sheriff’s Office received notice of award from the DBW. Solano County is to receive $70,000 for the removal of five sunken and abandoned recreational vessels, as well as unanticipated abandoned vessels or vessel turn-ins. The DBW requires a Board certified resolution to be submitted with Solano County’s application to finalize the acceptance process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The 2017 SAVE grant program requires that Sheriff’s Office expend the grant award of $70,000 for the removal and destruction of abandoned vessels in the Solano County waterways by March 1, 2019. 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 related to grant activities and anticipates using existing appropriation from staff salaries to meet the match obligation. Therefore, there will be no additional impact to the County General Fund. The Appropriation Transfer Request will increase appropriations by $70,000 to remove vessels from the County’s waterways. The new appropriations are entirely offset with unanticipated grant revenue.
Currently, the Sheriff’s Office has $24,796 in 2016 SAVE grant funds available to use through September 30, 2018 for abandoned vessels and vessel turn-ins. As of now, the Sheriff’s Office has identified five abandoned vessels at an estimated removal cost of $50,000 and intends to expend the 2016 grant funds first. Once expended, the Sheriff’s Office will use 2017 SAVE grant funds to cover the remaining cost to remove these vessels along with any unanticipated vessels. Grant expenditures will be reimbursed quarterly by DBW and should not significantly impact cash flow.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to Harbors and Navigation Code section 525, the DBW will provide funds to the Sheriff for removal of surrendered vessels by their owners or will remove and dispose of hazardous vessels that are abandoned and impeding navigation and polluting Solano County waterways. Owner-surrendered vessels are delivered or picked up by the Sheriff’s Office, towed to a local landfill, and destroyed. 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, from navigable waterways or adjacent public property, or private property with the landowner's consent. The Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) was established by Assembly Bill 166 (Chapter 416, Statutes 2009) and became effective January 1, 2010. The program provides grants to public local agencies to administer a turn-in program in their jurisdiction.
The SAVE Grant program is available to local public agencies applying for both of the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund (AWAF) and the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) grants. The SAVE Grant program combines these two effective grants into one, providing the convenience of a single grant to manage, and allowing the flexibility to use the SAVE Grant funds interchangeably for AWAF and VTIP issues.
SAVE Grant funds will be used to remove all remaining identified vessels along with future identified abandoned or derelict vessels and/or deteriorating vessels surrendered by their owners to have it properly disposed of. 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. Without the grant funding, the Sheriff lacks the resources to remove these vessels.
Continued support and coordinated efforts are needed to make our waterways clean and safe.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board can choose not to participate in the program; however, this alternative is not recommended as nonparticipation will impact the County’s ability to effectively administer boating safety, enforcement and rescue on County waterways. Additionally, this alternative is not fiscally prudent as funds would be distributed to other counties and without these funds, the Sheriff’s Office does not have sufficient appropriation to carry out the program activities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Local agencies and the public helped to identify abandoned vessels and potential hazards.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION