To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Yvonne Shu 565-1739
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Grant from PG&E Settlement Funds for Santa Rosa Junior College’s Wildfire Resiliency Program
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution authorizing adjustments to the County Administrator’s Office adopted FY 2021-2022 budget in the amount of $500,000 to fund one year of wildfire resiliency workforce training at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). (4/5th Vote Required)
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Executive Summary:
On March 23, 2021, your Board approved an initial $500,000 from the PG&E settlement funds allocated for vegetation management to support one year of SRJC’s wildfire resiliency workforce training. This item seeks approval of a budget resolution to facilitate the transfer of these funds from the County to SRJC.
Discussion:
SRJC’s Wildfire Resiliency Program (Attachment 1) will provide local workforce development in wildfire resilient practices beginning this fall. Coursework in animal science, natural resources and environmental horticulture, as well as hands-on internships, will help to prepare students for careers in wildfire resilient practices or for transfer to four-year colleges. The County needs a skilled, local workforce to meet ongoing wildfire mitigation and vegetation management needs, and this program will provide an important launch pad for this effort. SRJC’s original proposal was $500,000 per year for three years. This initial commitment for one year will provide an opportunity for SRJC to demonstrate the interest and need for these programs and for the County to consider additional support.
Per the grant agreement (Attachment 2), SRJC will submit quarterly progress and financial reports to the County to demonstrate progress. SRJC’s goals for the first year of the program are as follows:
Wildfire Resilience Program Enrollment
§ Enroll 300 students in Natural Resources, Environmental Horticulture, and Animal Science courses focused on wildfire resilience
§ Graduate 15 students with certificates or degrees in Natural Resources, Environmental Horticulture, and Animal Science
Diversity and Equity
§ Increase enrollment from underrepresented student populations by 5% per year
Community Partnerships
§ Develop and formalize partnerships with 3 community-based organizations for recruitment and enrollment of underrepresented students
§ Develop and formalize partnerships for student internships, job placement, or technical assistance to SRJC with 3 community organizations performing wildfire resilience work in the North Bay
Work-based Learning
§ Provide 10 paid internships per academic year at Shone Farm
§ Provide 5 stipends or college credits to students for internships with partner organizations doing wildfire resilience work in the community
Prior Board Actions:
3/23/21 - Board approved $500,000 for SRJC from the PG&E settlement allocation for vegetation management
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY 22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$500,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
$500,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$500,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$500,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The Board of Supervisors allocated $25 million from the PG&E settlement toward vegetation management on October 6, 2020. On March 23, 2021, the Board approved $500,000 for SRJC’s wildfire resiliency workforce training.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1 - SRJC Wildfire Resiliency Program Summary
2 - SRJC grant agreement
3 - Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None