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Home My WebLink About#15 Measure T AGENDA ITEM #15 Public Utility District m MEETING DATE: August 7, 2024 TO: Board of Directors FROM: Keith Renshaw, Electric Engineering Manager Jared Carpenter, Electric Utility Director SUBJECT: Consideration to Enter into an Agreement with Truckee Fire Protection District to accept Measure T Grant Funding APPROVED BY: Brian C. Wright, General Manager RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the General Manager to enter into a Subsequent Grantee Award agreement with Truckee Fire Protection District to accept $122,080 in Measure T Grant Funding for a joint partnership fuels reduction project which includes three District owned properties. BACKGROUND: TDPUD Electric operates a robust vegetation management program focused on complying with the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) General Orders (GO) 95 and 165, TDPUD's Wildfire Mitigation Plan (submitted annually to the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board), and the most current version of the TDPUD Vegetation Management Program (VMP). Beginning in 2020, the District increased its annual budget for vegetation management activities due to regulatory changes in electric line clearances. Annually, the District enters into contracts, through the public bidding process, with vegetation contractors and crane service providers for vegetation management activities. Those activities include vegetation clearing around electric facilities located in the right-of-way, as well as on District property and around all District-owned facilities as needed. In 2023, the District spent approximately $2,000,000 on its VMP and, for FY2024, the District is budgeted to spend another $2,000,000. Work completed in 2023 includes the following: • 905 trees removed; • 2158 branches trimmed; • 2768 yards of green waste chipped; • 150 equipment poles cleared; Page 1 of 5 Page 39 of 87 • 12.7 miles of pole line cleared; • 367 customer service orders completed; • Water Utility station defensible space clearing using CALFIRE inmate crews; • Defensible space clearing around our service point with NV Energy for the District's Glenshire customers; • Cross-country (limited access) clearing for Truckee 5 feeder in Prosser; and • Defensible space clearing around the District's Tahoe Donner substation. Since 2020, the District's cost of line clearance per mile has been trending downward, equating to more efficient use of contractor resources and more effective planning. In 2020, the District also adopted the use of tablets for our vegetation crews for accurately logging work required and tracking work completed. Some of the future ideas to help reduce risk and improve reliability, bolstering the District's VMP include the following: • Enhance partnerships with other local agencies and utility providers; • Utilization of other professional services to enhance planning and create efficiencies; • Provide waste generated from vegetation management activities for use as biomass fuels; • Utilize other technologies available, such as satellite imagery for planning; and • Conduct a thorough Wildfire Risk Analysis of the District's facilities. ANALYSIS AND BODY: In October of 2023, staff was approached by two local private landowners with an idea to partner on a fuels reduction and defensible space project on five adjacent parcels, three of which are District-owned properties. The intent of the partnership was to apply for Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD) Measure T Community Wildfire Prevention Grant Program funds (Grant Program). Partnering with the property owners on a larger scale fuels reduction project presented an opportunity to qualify for grant funding. Partnering with other community members or public agencies historically results in a higher success rate for receipt of grant funding. In addition, the proposed project is located just south of and adjacent to a 200 acre fuels reduction project that was completed in 2023 and funded by the Grant Program (see Attachment 1). The two privately owned properties are adjacent to three District owned parcels, one of which contains critical water system infrastructure. The scope of the proposed project would result in fuels reduction and defensible space clearing on approximately 109 total acres, with work occurring on 47.8 acres of District owned property, 58.1 acres , and 3.1 acres on the privately owned properties (see Attachment 2). In 2023, the District began working on a fuels reduction project around water infrastructure located on one of the District parcels that would be included with the proposed project. Additional work around those facilities is already budgeted for completion in FY2024, but not to the scope of the potential partnership project. Securing grant funding would allow the Page 2 of 5 Page 40 of 87 partnership the ability to undertake a larger scale fuels reduction project that would otherwise be cost prohibitive to both private property owners, and not fully budgeted for in FY24 by the District. The proposed project area contains a high number of dead and dying trees in addition to dense underbrush on over 50% of the project area which currently severely restricts access. There is a considerable concern if a wildfire were to establish in this area due to the current vegetation conditions, access issues, and proximity to critical District infrastructure. The completion of the proposed project would assist the community with reducing wildfire risk on properties adjacent to Historical Downtown Truckee, Pioneer Commerce Center, Truckee Donner Recreation Center, Alder Creek Middle School, and several adjacent and nearby residential areas (including the Tahoe Donner Subdivision, the Pine Forest community, the Coachland mobile home community and Spring Creek Subdivision). The proposed project would also promote forest health and resilience, which are priorities of high importance and value to the community, all while providing a tactical advantage for fire suppression resource in the event of wildfire. Because of the project area's close proximity to NV Energy's transmission infrastructure, a service reliability benefit would also be realized due to the fact that this infrastructure serves power to the greater North Lake Tahoe and Truckee regions. On June 14, 2024, Mr. Lichliter (private parcel owner) submitted the Grant Program application to TFPD on behalf of the partnership for the Tundra-TDPUD Partnership Project (Project). On June 27, 2024, TFPD informed the partnership that the Project was selected for grant funding for the FY24-25 period. At the TFPD Board meeting on July 16, 2024, TFPD's Board awarded the partnership $335,036 for the Project. The amount of grant funding awarded for the project is based on an estimated cost per acre for fuels reduction and defensible space work by a licensed vegetation contractor. The allocation of grant funding for the partnership is proportional the acreage of work required for each grantee in the partnership. The District's allocation of grant funds is $122,080, with a required in-kind contribution of$50,000 of contracted vegetation services. The grant allocations and the required contributions for each entity participating in the Project can be found in the Tables 1 and 2 below: Table 1: Grantee Allocations Lawrence TDPUD Sugar Pine Estate Project Totals Long LLC (Mr. Lichliter) APN(s) 019-400-031 019-400-027 019-400-017 N/A 019-400-028 019-400-029 Page 3 of 5 Page 41 of 87 Total 58.1 47.8 3.1 109 Acres Acre 53.30% 43.85% 2.85% 100.00% Share Grant $ 201,7 $ 122,0 $ 11 $ 335 Funded 96.00 80.00 ,160.00 ,036.00 Vegetat ion Contract or $36001a cre) Table 2: Required Partnership Contributions Lawrence Long TDPUD Sugar Pine Estate Totals LLC (Steve Lichliter) Vegetation $ 7,364. $ 50,000. $ $ 57,364. Contractor 00 00 - 00 Directly Paid by Partner Registered $ 15,000 $ - $ $ 15,000. Profession .00 - 00 al Forester Services Project $ 636.00 $ - $ 3,000. $ 3,636. Manageme 00 00 nt and Defesible Space Costs Partner $ 23,000 $ 50,000. $ 3,000. $ 76,000. Contributi .00 00 00 00 on Totals Because the District is a public agency and is partnering with community members to accept grant funding, the District is required to enter into a subsequent grantee award agreement with TFPD to accept its allocation of grant funds for the project. Therefore, staff recommends that the Board authorizes the General Manager to enter into a Subsequent Grantee Award agreement between the Tundra-TDPUD Partnership Project and Truckee Fire Protection District to accept $122,080 in Measure T Grant Page 4of5 Page 42 of 87 Funding for the Project. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: District Code 1.05.020 Objectives: 1. Responsibly serve the public. 5. Manage the District in an environmentally sound manner. District Code 1.05.030 Goals: 1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency 2. Environmental Stewardship: Create a sustainable resilient environment for all our communities. 3. Engage with our customers and communities in a welcoming and transparent way to identify opportunities. FISCAL IMPACT: The District's $50,000 in-kind contribution to the project has already been budgeted for in FY24. The partnership intends to utilize P31 Enterprises for all of the contracted vegetation work within the project scope. The District is currently in contract for FY24 with P31 Enterprises for vegetation work, and the scope required by the project is within the scope of the contract. The District intends to utilize the $122,080 in awarded grant funds for the additional vegetation and fuels reduction completed by P31 for the project. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Board Workshop - 2023 Veg Mgmt 2. Attachment 1 - Proposed Project Map 3. Attachment 2 - Proposed Project Work Areas Page 5 of 5 Page 43 of 87 Vegetation Management Program ( 2023 ) July 17 , 2024 iRUGKEE D NNEROO Public y Disfric � >,y. 44wd. 023_Vegetation Work Recap • • • • In 2023 Yearly Tree Total 3000 2768 • • • 2500 2158 2000 • • • 1500 1000 — • • • 500 392 224 289 — 150 0 Branches Trimmed ■Small Removal Medium Removal Large Removal 1 Yards chipped Poles Cleared Tree Trim Service Orders Miles Trimmed Total By Year 400 0 2020 ❑2021 ❑2022 2023 350 14 12.7 300 12 10.65 250 10 200 7.5 8 150 147 6 100 4 50 - 2 0 0 2021 2022 2023 Electr'ic a es 2023 Vegetation Work Recap $ Cost Per Mile $200,000.00 '+ $176,949.87 $150,000.00 $166,666.67 $138,406.46 $141,596.62 AL Y $100,000.00 $50,000.00 .: ; 2020($1,327,124.05)2021($1,468,432.26)2022($1,474,028.76)2023($1,798,277.03) Miles 7.5 Miles 9 Miles 10.65 Miles 12.7 y A ftl -- -vt s Electr'ic a es r G t- 1 C; °:.. 4 4 ';. I � ,�. " a+', r -.roe.� ,✓::...._ � •.,�' .� 4, _. _ ' � ti •= F.I'_S bj,� !� ( r � f .! .._ _ -+p•... —_.� .Y � ,, OvrEe_ M1 "",Y�,,.'' x '{ N fit- '+te41 II iL • `�, �), ' M' V.� r d' �.�. aµt �,.'` A��, ' Y; _y... - w^.r Sl ♦+pr.I - �./i . �.iY,-t Ot Sr, tib i'.'� 1 k a.J .�.P. �Y_ \, "� i14✓Y R F.PIS �. v.�„ ..�� t' m 4�. �'r .� 4?1�,�?y � - ��i,.�+4 %�It',• ♦ * i.tii � �,' r' 4 s,��1��vyl '�''"'! -y��'i� �• - w i , hf`c�d �.M � �{� .��_ ! ny"✓ �� ' «tft X'� "...zl7r'Ir �+r:. . ,1, A.R.'" ��. .ttc� '�dg' 4vh ��f a t,9 Yy r..�'C � �� ? �� z •`.I '.��' S ..�-,I� �raNi�tl��jt�.;� �`�j ��•� �' TRUCKEE DONNER Updates Public Utility District Electroic Page 47 of 87 Hwy 89/R drive Before and After 454 IW `4 - ~'L�r - -�n.�.-i�;� �fi ++ - � .fr •l� y �f�;'� �fi� ��i` .- _ 4F�,r��.{ti�;i•[� Y•.• f 1 ' 4 } Y ; •� • - _ 1'r �- _ '� -- •r'— _ y-. fir_ •� } "k� � •'e -� i` _ J ,~F Y. ` - ,,,�� !! .#ice i Y J �a� �� __1�-'.'•-� _ r�_ �* �` � - ► �-- `ice �_ �i� �"- _ �`' �, Electr'ic a es ! Tahoe Donner Substation f n i l Space Project I' .� _ w ct� __ Iy _•! �r -f ,i _ _is�llr_�,.. ..-..rTi.r�.��-� r -- _ q -_ -- ^Y. '�-_ ,,�eE- _ _ -� 3'.. __ �t✓ ,j'�t'. 1�'��:_y. .� -.ate � r� - — - - � _ _- i - dam•, - �s*fiT...F:. o.+r _ _ _ '. - �A� {' "vim '. :r�. - � e�'tc.t �- r- _ ��. "•,�.,�4,Cr � _ - r^r- �`h -.-s� :� - t. SFx <'v ate.' _ i'� - r y ` ti�< 4 .4.' �-E•� �.-z.-%M��. - L�'� _ y�� ti"� Y'tr C.! . %� - ��`�• \�- .'1Y-�._ -4� �� *,.. `�.y.r c `w .._ ,:� _ __._..: "". - •:u:�_.. '°.� -�- � `,�;,.. _ .�$ _ `t_�.G� r ��-�--::,r.:ri'iao-� � �...\•�_ �.e-n..e... �Y�`�.�:� .ipt��.�.� RNNIANVMt -Romp- op— iA�iNY1 FIRFIgpip�l RF 91NCG iW6 NVEnergy low— TRUCKEE DONNER Electr'ic a es Page 49 of 87 Completed work locations by year. Hazard Level Map Layer Legend i Hazard Trees ` • ` i Immediate • High ay � Medium s • Low � • 0 Other i i88 fr � 5 �3� 6i68 L� Compl eted ` ,L¢ 2420 • M 2421 2022 • • * 2023 S5`` s 2024 #* • Other lie r• • TRUCKEE DONNER . • Public Utility District Page 50 of 87 � ,, � 1� ,i �!•yMr P y��,.yyr�� '' r �, �M iCa��T � �.q, r •, � .r� L 1 ,, .�! �, Irk 1•• *Yr��'1�,�,� 2r ��`a:�;i��.; �� 1 �� ' �4r '{ � �� ,`` �f � ,r. 1+ F,`;r. }`� ��.�r�ya :.�P� � i' ��Z-•��`�-•� -i�-t .!•1 '!�• ' r � � 3► "r � u;�, � ate^ - . �_ -.�-� { .� �� fir• 4 � ,y �•-I 'f -'�/ � - +l'TA1 ..:� - _F - - mil;-,r 1. _ - . - a 023 Vegetation Work Recap ML2 ell JW �,r 1 _ �-�• 1 � , -''r, - 'y '•Iwo -f�i� �' lk a! �� aid - 'AL Electr'ic a es Future Vegetatioqinspections via Drone Technology fj= N mode-5[aMbf A Y.7 �c.•� ■ v ■x•.�r .. /T roc.. -s.. • �G3`�- �"xa ', `'� N �Or 1 N Electr'ic a es 2023 Vegetation Program • There is no fiscal impact associated with this item �' TRUCKEE DONNER FISCAL IMPACT Public Utility District 'A Page 53 of 87 2023 Vegetation PrograTr • Receive this presentation and provide input to staff RECOMMENDATION 4TRU CKEE DONNER Public Utility District Page 54 of 87 Tundra - Tf PUD Partnership Project - 109 Acres aT ;s r C' 'I m � S C* tip. 6f90 ff 04 '0 Truckee CruU r Ys t J.iv{ Ca_eroete' Coyo:e Moan { Golf COUTSE - * r� � .ti _.Glenal�i e'dt r y ns. Truck $iyrar s •;. 'Regiunal Park Proposed Project Area N CA>_FIRE Grant Project- Treater 2022 Nevada County Parcels i 0 0_13 025 0.5 Miles SIRE 1�1 Page 55 of 87 Attachment 2: Project Work Area f u 5 A3 r 19,64 i6.1 9 e — VOW 2A6 Legend Sugar Pine Estate ❑ (Steve Li hliter) 5 . Larry} Long TDPUD ❑ Work Areas Page 56 of 87