TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: David Shew, Fire Administrator
REPORT BY: J.R. Rogers, Assistant Fire Administrator
SUBJECT: Volunteer Fire Company Site Use Agreements
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Amendment No 1. for Site Use Agreements for: Angwin Volunteer Fire Department (Agreement No. 240237B), Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department (Agreement No. 240239B), Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department (Agreement No. 240235B), and Carneros Volunteer Fire Department (No. 240276B); not-for-profit organizations for use of fire station facilities by the Napa County Fire Department through site use agreements. (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
Today’s action seeks to amend the current Site Use Agreements with four of the seven non-profit volunteer fire department associations that own or have the right to occupy fire stations for the County Fire Department use of the buildings in Angwin, Deer Park, Rutherford, and Carneros.
In 2014, the County entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with nine nonprofit volunteer fire department associations (Angwin, Carneros, Capell Valley, Deer Park, Dry Creek-Lokoya, Gordon Valley, Pope Valley, Rutherford, and Soda Canyon) as part of the unification of the County Fire Department. At that time, eight of the nonprofit associations signed a site use agreement to define what the associations and the County are required to provide, such as storage of apparatus and supplies in various locations in unincorporated Napa County, and what the County will fund to operate the station, including utilities, phone lines, internet connections, signage, etc. The Site Use Agreements also define indemnification, insurance, and maintenance requirements. There is no cost to rent or use the facilities, and expenses related to operating or upgrading the facilities will be included in the regular County budgeting process.
The facilities are unique in that they are designed to house and equip Fire Department apparatus, are located strategically throughout the County, and are used by the non-profit volunteer fire departments for fire prevention and fire protection purposes.
In October 2024, the County replaced the volunteer fire station Memorandum of Agreement for volunteer firefighting services with individual volunteer agreements. The current Site Use Agreements refer to the now replaced Memorandum of Agreement and this action seeks to remove this reference, insert a contract conclusion date, update the address of the Fire Department, and clarify terminology. Four of the seven agreements have been completed and the remaining three are in progress.
Per Government Code sections 23004, 25330, and 25335, the Board is authorized to enter into these agreements with the nonprofit organizations.
Requested Actions:
Approval of four Site Use Agreement Amendments with non-profit volunteer fire department associations:
1. Angwin Volunteer Fire Department (No. 240237B) for use of a fire station located at 275 College Avenue, Angwin;
2. Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department (No. 240239B) for use of a fire station located at 680 Sanitarium Road, St. Helena;
3. Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department (N0. 240235B) for use of fire stations located at 1995 Hwy 29, Rutherford and 8140 Silverado Trail, Napa; and
4. Carneros Volunteer Fire Department (No. 240276B) for use of a fire station located at 1598 Milton Road, Napa.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
2100 Fire Fund |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The County uses volunteer firefighters for emergency response in unincorporated areas. Many of the stations the volunteers operate from are owned by a non-profit membership association. The Site Use Agreement designates the role and responsibilities of the County and the owner/occupant of the building |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
The need for funding will be reviewed by the Napa County Fire Chief on an annual basis and budgeted accordingly. Recommended projects will be included in the budget request to the Board of Supervisors. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this agreement is not approved, the County will not have a formal agreement with the building owners/users of the fire stations from which the County volunteers operate. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and, therefore, CEQA is not applicable.