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APPROVE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE APPROVAL OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DIVISION OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS FOR SURRENDERED AND ABANDONED VESSEL EXCHANGE AND AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2017-18 ANNUAL BUDGET
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the acceptance of grant funding from the State of California’s Division of Boating and Waterways, in the amount of $67,500, for the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange;
2. Amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 Annual Budget to increase the Police Grants & Special Programs expenditure and revenue appropriation by a total of $67,500, appropriate a ten percent local match in the amount of $6,750;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all required contracts or agreements with the granting agency, provide additional information, and furnish such documents as may be required, execute all documents and amendments or extensions pertaining to the grant project, and make all required appropriations in compliance with, and for the purposes stated in, the project contract; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The City of Stockton submitted a grant application to the State of California Division of Boating and Waterways on April 27, 2017, to pay for the removal of derelict and abandoned watercraft, and to focus on prevention activities to maintain the health of the 11 waterways throughout the city. On August 14, 2017, the City was notified that its application was approved. The award of $67,500 will cover the grant term which begins on the date the agreement is fully executed through March 1, 2019. As per the award, the grant requires a ten percent local match. The matching funds are budgeted in the Police Department’s FY 2017-18 General Fund budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
The 11 waterways flowing throughout Stockton’s city limits serve as a tremendous resource to the greater community. Downtown Stockton features a major port, public and private marinas, an arena, ballpark, and hotel which showcase one of the more progressive waterfront redevelopment projects in California. The City remains committed to protecting our valuable water resources by actively prosecuting violations of State codes, local ordinances, and abating public health and safety hazards.
The Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange Grant program request is based on the estimate of a public agency’s annual cost for removal of abandoned vessels. State law mandates that each grant from the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) be matched with ten-percent funding from the local agency. The contribution may be rendered in cash or through in-kind contributions, which must be verified and are at the discretion of DBW.
The City must comply with California laws as well as Harbor and Navigation Codes, with respect to titles and liens, in conjunction with each vessel. Per the grant agreement, the City must secure bids from vendors through a competitive bid process to ensure each contractor has sufficient insurance, secure any studies, permits or authorizations related to vessel abatement, and maintain responsibility for the proper disposal of any vessel.
Present Situation
Abandoned vessels threaten our water supply, navigation of recreational boaters, and remain a public safety hazard. The City is committed to removing waterway hazards. The grant funding will be used to pay for contracted services for the abatement, removal, storage and disposal of abandoned vessels, wrecked or dismantled vessels, parts, or any other partially submerged objects that pose a substantial hazard to navigation. Neighborhood Services staff has identified at least five waterway hazards from citizen complaints. Grant funding will enable staff to complete a sonar scan of the city’s waterways to identify additional derelict and abandoned watercraft. It is estimated that the grant funding will cover the cost of removing 20 hazards. Should additional hazards be identified, staff will document locations for future abatement as additional grant opportunities become available.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The grant award is $67,500, plus the required City funded match of $6,750 (ten-percent match of the grant award), for a total program cost of $74,250. Staff is recommending the Police Department’s FY 2017-18 general fund (account 010-2425-530, Code Enforcement Construction/Demolition) be used as the funding source for the ten-percent local match requirement.
To establish the grant program and funding, the following appropriations in FY 2017-18 are necessary:
Revenue
Police Grants & Special Programs revenue acct. 025-6464-334 $67,500
Expenditure
Police Grants & Special Programs expenditure acct. 025-6464-530 $67,500