To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Amendment to CAL FIRE Lease of Former Sierra Youth Center and Classroom at County’s Los Guilicos Campus
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Delegate authority to the Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure to execute an Amendment, in form approved by County Counsel, to a County lease with the State of California for use of the former Sierra Youth Center building and other facilities at the County’s Los Guilicos campus as a full time CAL FIRE base, with the Amendment to expand the leased area of the Premises to allow CAL FIRE needed yard space for vehicle parking and equipment storage.
B) Find that the subject Amendment and the expanded lease is in the public interest and that the use of the subject Los Guilicos facilities under the agreement will not substantially conflict or interfere with County use.
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Executive Summary:
The Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure requests Board approval, as Landlord, of an Amendment to the County lease with the State of California for use of the former Sierra Youth Center building and other facilities at the County’s Los Guilicos campus as a full time CAL FIRE base, with the Amendment to expand the leased area of the Premises from approximately 1 acre to approximately 2.94 acres to allow CAL FIRE needed yard space for vehicle parking and equipment storage.
Discussion:
In February, 2022, your Board approved execution of a lease with the State of California for use of the former Sierra Youth Center building and other facilities at the County’s Los Guilicos campus as a full time CAL FIRE base. Under the lease, CAL FIRE uses the former Sierra Youth Center building and other facilities at the County’s Los Guilicos campus as a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) fire camp for housing and staging of up to forty non-incarcerated fire personnel. A firefighting team is expected to occupy during fire season (approximately nine (9) months/year), and a fuel abatement team would occupy during the wet season (approximately three (3) months/year). The lease supports the County’s fire prevention and response needs, supports the Board’s Strategic Resilient Infrastructure pillar, and makes use of unused and underutilized space at the Los Guilicos campus. The presence of CAL FIRE personnel and equipment in the Los Guilicos area will significantly improve response times and resources in the event of wildfire or other emergencies.
In May, 2022, a First Amendment to the lease was executed that set a monthly rent for CALFIRE to reimburse the County for utility, tenant improvement, and maintenance expenses incurred by CAL FIRE’s occupancy.
From February through August, 2022, both the County and CAL FIRE made improvements to the Premises to prepare it for occupancy. The Premises, named the Hood Mountain Fire Center by CAL FIRE, became fully operational in August 2022.
In November, 2022, discussions were initiated between the County and CAL FIRE to amend the lease to expand the Premises’ area to include certain parking and equipment areas for CALFIRE vehicles and equipment adjacent to the Premises.
The proposed Amendment will expand the leased area of the Premises from approximately 1 acre to approximately 2.94 acres and will allow CAL FIRE needed yard space for vehicle parking and equipment storage. CALFIRE’s use, including fencing, of the expanded area will not substantially conflict or interfere with County or existing County tenant use at Los Guilicos. The expansion area is a previously-disturbed, bare and vacant space in between various roadways and service access routes at Los Guilicos, which was already partially improved for parking.
Amendment Agreement. The proposed Amendment between the State as Tenant and the County as Landlord contains the following key provisions:
1. Area of the Premises is expanded from approximately 1 acre to approximately 2.94 acres.
2. CALFIRE permission to fence and gate the expansion area, and to use for vehicle and equipment parking and storage.
3. Condition that any improvements the State makes to the Premises shall in no way block County access to critical County infrastructure, including a well house located on the Premises.
Project Costs and Construction Schedule. None.
Procedural Authority. If in the public interest and if the use will not interfere with County’s use
of the subject property, Government Code section 25526.6 allows the County to lease, license,
or allow use of County real property by any public agency, on terms and conditions as
determined by the County. Here, the Amendment and the underlying lease with CALFIRE will make available unused and underutilized space at the Los Guilicos campus that is not needed for County purposes. By assuring the presence of CAL FIRE personnel year-round at the location, the lease will facilitate expedited emergency response in the Los Guilicos area. When not responding to active emergencies, the CAL FIRE crews stationed under the Lease will provide the community benefit of year-round fire mitigation efforts
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Climate Action and Resiliency
Goal: Goal 5: Continue to invest in public safety so that residents and visitors feel safe in our community.
Objective: 6: Develop training and staffing structures that effectively support d
Prior Board Actions:
02-08-22 Authorize Director of General Services to Execute Lease
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1 - Second Amendment to Lease between State of California as Tenant and the County of Sonoma as Landlord
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
1 - Lease between State of California as Tenant and the County of Sonoma as Landlord
2 - First Amendment to Lease between State of California as Tenant and the County of Sonoma as Landlord