TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Oscar Ortiz - Sheriff-Coroner
REPORT BY: Rollie Soria, Staff Services Analyst II
SUBJECT: Resolution for Boating Safety and Enforcement Aid Program FY22/23
RECOMMENDATION
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Sheriff requests the following actions regarding the FY 2022/2023 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program:
1. Adoption of a Resolution to apply for and accept a grant award from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for the term July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, to conduct boating safety and enforcement activities; and
2. Appoint the Sheriff or designee to execute all documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, quarterly activity reports, payment requests, claim forms and other documents that may be required, subject to County Counsel approval.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sheriff’s Office applies for and receives annual funding from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating Waterways through their Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program. Today’s requested action authorizes continued participation in the program for Fiscal Year 2022/2023. If awarded, funding will continue to support law enforcement salaries and equipment necessary for patrolling Napa County waterways.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Sheriff |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Awarded funds will be budgeted accordingly in future fiscal years. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this item is not approved, Sheriff’s Office will be unable to apply for and potentially receive funding from the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program. Since the activities provided under this allocation are mandatory, the County would need to use additional General Fund monies to provide boating safety and enforcement activities on Napa County waterways. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The primary focus of the Sheriff’s Office efforts in boating safety and enforcement is on the waters of Lake Berryessa. The lake itself is 30 square miles of waterway with numerous marinas, resorts and public use areas. The United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) manages the lake, but has no enforcement authority and is not equipped to perform any boating safety or enforcement.
Sheriff’s Office duties at Lake Berryessa include, but are not limited to, enforcement of all boating laws, state laws, county ordinances, boating safety inspections/instruction, vessel accident investigations, search and rescue, emergency medical transports from the water or inaccessible areas, special events and boating safety consultation to BOR and the resorts. Sheriff’s Office patrols Lake Berryessa on a full time basis with added coverage during spring and summer months. In addition to Lake Berryessa, Sheriff’s Office also conducts checks of Lake Hennessy, a small municipal water supply approximately 2 square miles in size and provides frequent boating safety inspections to the 75 shoreline miles of Napa River.
One (1) Sergeant and three (3) Deputies are assigned full-time to Sheriff’s Office Boat Patrol. During peak season periods, additional deputies are assigned to Boat Patrol. Other expenses incurred are maintenance and fuel for patrol boats and equipment purchases. Sheriff’s Boat Patrol activities are financed primarily by California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways through the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program.
Approval of the resolution will allow the Sheriff’s Office to apply for and accept an award up to $781,609 from the Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program through the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways for FY 2022/2023; and authorize the Sheriff or designee to sign quarterly activity reports, claim forms and other documents for submission to the Division of Boating and Waterways; and authorize the County Auditor-Controller to certify the amount of prior year vessel taxes received by the County. Based on historical awards, Sheriff’s Office anticipates a grant award of about $300,000 and vessels taxes in the amount of $74,266 to support Boat Patrol Activities.