Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildfire Prevention topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Clemente approves weed‑abatement contract, extends goat‑grazing pilot and backs hazard‑mitigation grant application
Summary
The council adopted resolutions to expand the city's weed‑abatement contract (Ed Stewart & Associates), approved a short‑term extension and funding request for a goat‑grazing pilot, and authorized pursuit of a Hazard Mitigation Grant (approx. $8.55M project) with a 25% match option. Council adopted the related resolutions unanimously.
The San Clemente City Council adopted a package of wildfire‑prevention measures Aug. 19 that would expand weed abatement, continue and enlarge a goat‑grazing pilot, and position the city to apply for larger hazard‑mitigation grant funding.
Community Development staff summarized three elements: a short‑term extension of the Vista Hermosa goat‑grazing pilot with a requested supplemental appropriation (up to $100,000) to bridge implementation until Cal Fire grant outcomes are known; a Cal Fire Wildfire Prevention Grant application to treat selected public open‑space parcels; and a Hazard Mitigation Grant program application seeking $8.55 million with a proposed 25% match that staff intends to meet largely through in‑kind contributions (staff time, volunteer labor and partnership commitments) rather than a large direct general‑fund outlay.
The recommended expansion of the weed‑abatement contract with Ed Stewart & Associates (local firm with prior experience on similar work) would increase the contract to $256,060 to address additional defensible‑space buffers and city‑owned properties identified under updated fire hazard severity zone mapping.
Council members asked detailed procedural questions about scope, CEQA and biological constraints; staff said certain grant activities would require biological review and CEQA compliance and that the Cal Fire grant decision is expected in December. Several public speakers supported the measures and urged the council to maintain momentum; one speaker highlighted neighborhood insurance impacts where properties face rising fire‑risk premiums.
The council approved the staff recommendation (motions to adopt the cited resolutions passed 5–0), with an instruction to use grant and in‑kind match options to limit general‑fund exposure where feasible and to return to the council with implementation details as grant awards or additional approvals are needed.
