Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Grant Agreement Between the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways and the City of Alameda by and through the Alameda Police Department; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Police Grants Fund (Fund 221) Increasing Appropriations by $100,000 for the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange Grant.
This action is categorically exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideines sections 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) and 15321 (law enforcement activities). (Police 22131101)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda Police Department (APD) has been awarded a $100,000 reimbursement grant from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). The terms and conditions of the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) grant are contained in an agreement between DBW and APD (Exhibit 1). The term of the grant is through September 30, 2026.
The grant is made available to qualifying law enforcement agencies for the purpose of removing and disposing abandoned, surrendered, wrecked or dismantled vessels, or parts thereof, or any other partially submerged objects, which are likely to cause environmental degradation or pose a substantial hazard to navigation within the agency’s jurisdiction. The average cost to remove and dismantle a vessel is approximately $9,000.
BACKGROUND
APD has successfully received and used funds from this grant several times since 2013. The SAVE grant allows verified titleholders the ability to surrender their recreational vessels free of charge to participating agencies. To be accepted, the title of the vessel must be free of any loan balances, liens, and/or taxes. The owner must also provide proof of ownership and completion and payment of paperwork and fees to transfer ownership, as required by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The agency would then have the vessel demolished before submitting proper notification to the DMV and provide a reimbursement request to DBW for the costs incurred.
For vessels surrendered through the SAVE grant program, reimbursable expenses include removal, storage, towing, hazmat removal, demolition, and disposal of the vessel. This grant has provided millions of dollars in assistance to local agencies and enabled the removal of thousands of vessels and marine debris throughout the state. The SAVE grant does not apply to the removal of commercial vessels.
DISCUSSION
Through the provision of this grant, APD will continue to have the ability to abate derelict or abandoned vessels from the marinas and waterways within City of Alameda (City) limits. The grant term is effective the date the agreement is fully executed and runs through September 30, 2026. To facilitate receipt of the grant, the proposed resolution authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a grant agreement between DBW and APD, in a form similar to the draft SAVE Grant Agreement attached as Exhibit 1.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve and accept the grant award, which will enable APD to avoid using General Fund money to remove derelict vessels from the estuary until the grant award is exceeded.
• Decline the grant award, which will result in the need for the City to use General Fund dollars to remove the vessels.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The terms and conditions of this grant include a 10%, or $10,000, matching contribution requirement, which can include in-kind services, such as personnel hours. In-kind personnel hours will be used to meet the 10% requirement of this grant. The funds for personnel hours have already been budgeted in the General Fund under the Police Department Patrol Program. The SAVE grant will be accounted for in the Police Grants Fund.
Grant funds will be released to reimburse the City for actual expenditures made pursuant to the grant agreement.
|
Budget Request |
Revenue/ Expenditure |
Fund Number |
Fund Description |
Project Number |
Project Name |
Budget Amount |
|
New Grant Award |
Increase Revenue Budget |
|
Grant Fund |
N/A |
SAVE Grant |
$100,000 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS-REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. This action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Priority to Build Resilience to Climate Change and Water Level Rise.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption) and 15321 (law enforcement activities).
CLIMATE IMPACTS
No climate impacts are anticipated from receiving a grant alone. However, removal of items that could otherwise contaminate the waters proximate to Alameda is an environmental benefit of this surrender and abatement program.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Grant Agreement between the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, and the City of Alameda by and through the Alameda Police Department, and adopt a resolution amending the fiscal year 2024-25 Police Grants fund budget (Fund 221) increasing appropriations by $100,000 for the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange Grant.
Respectfully submitted,
Nishant Joshi, Chief of Police
By,
Joshua Crossley, Lieutenant
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret L. O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Grant Agreement