COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE – R. ESPINOSA 

Accept an informational update from the Hollister Fire Department, for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) California Climate Investments Grant FY 2021-2022 for Fire Life Safety and Education on the prevention and mitigation of fuel hazards to the County as well as a 2022 Senate District 12 Budget Request to the office of Senator Anna M. Caballero and consider two letters of support for each of the grants. 

SBC FILE NUMBER: 119

On February 22, 2022 the City of Hollister City Council approved the Hollister Fire Department with Resolution No. 2022-19 to apply and submit a grant with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).  Cal Fire's Grants Program provides funding for prevention projects and activities in and near fire threatened communities that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, and communities.  Funded activities include hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education, emphasizing public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Projects are evaluated based on the overall benefit to reduce the threat of wildfires to people, structures, and communities.  Cal Fire will consider the wildfire hazards and risk of an area, the geographic balance of projects, and whether the project complements other fire prevention or forest health activities when awarding grants.   

Qualifying project types and activities: 1) hazardous fuels reduction, 2) wildfire prevention planning, and 3) wildfire prevention education. The Hollister Fire Department will be the lead agency for submitting this grant application with the guidance of the local Cal Fire Unit Forester and Grant Administrators. 

This grant has a focused area within the unincorporated areas of the County of San Benito. Cal Fire will provide technical expertise and management oversight of the grants but not the primary agency or applicant in projects. The focused areas of this project include Cienega Road on the South end and San Juan Canyon Road on the West end of San Benito County. These concentrated areas include year-round visitors to the county's communities, including tourism to local businesses, Agriculture (Wine Industry/Cattle Industry), State Parks, local communities, residents, and schools.

Since 2013, the Hollister Fire Department has contracted with the county for fire protection services.  Fire Life Safety and Education on the prevention and mitigation of fuel hazards to the county is another vital service to the contract in providing services.

Should the Hollister Fire Department be awarded this grant, equipment would be acquired for future project areas within the county's unincorporated areas.  This piece of equipment will allow the San Benito County Resource Management Agency to continue fuel reduction efforts for at-risk regions in San Benito County and support the Strategic Plan.

Also on February 22, 2022, the Hollister Fire Department was approved by the City Council with Resolution No. 2022-20 to apply and submit for a 2022 Senate District 12 Budget Request to the office of Anna M. Caballero, Senate District 12. 

The City of Hollister is located in San Benito County, California, represented by the 12th State Senate district and Anna M. Caballero in Salinas, California. 

The office of Senator Caballero has released a request to submit budget proposals for the 12th Senate District. Requests should be limited to the most pressing budget priority projects (1-2 projects). The Senator will review for possible funding allocation from the state budget. 

Proposals should address critical community services, economic recovery post-pandemic, and essential community and infrastructure needs. Projects may include:

Capital Outlay Projects:

• Capital Improvements Projects (CIPs)
• Construction or improvement of community parks or community open spaces
• Construction or modification of critical facilities such as public safety 

The Hollister Fire Department has identified projects for the City of Hollister. Along with neighboring communities through Auto Aid and Mutual Aid Agreements, the City has a significant gain in services if selected to be funded with this grant. Projects that have been identified are as follow:

• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - create/identify an emergency dispatch center for Public Safety

· Permanent placement of Fire Station 3 - to meet Fire Emergency needs and requirements to the North End of the City which protects the Hollister Municipal Airport and significant businesses – 

• New construction of building structure
• Improvement/remodel of Airport Hangar – identified location Hollister Municipal Airport

There is no guarantee that funding will be allocated; however, this provides the Senator with information about her district's most pressing budgetary needs.

Attached are both resolutions approved by the City of Hollister as well as the recommended letters of support.