To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Zach Curren, Fire Chief
Prepared By: Shuree Egloff, Principal Management Analyst
TITLE:
Title
Donation Acceptance, Budget Appropriation and Authority to Purchase a Rescue Boat
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution (1) authorizing the City Manager to accept a donation in the amount of $222,000; (2) approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $222,000 as documented by Council Budget Amendment No.5P10; and (3) authorize the Fire Chief to execute an agreement on behalf of the City for the purchase of a Munson Rescue Boat and related equipment and upfit for the amount not to exceed $324,000
Body
DISCUSSION:
The Fire Department has received a donation from the Napa County Fire Chief’s Charitable Association 501c3 in the amount of $222,000 for the purpose of purchasing a Munson Rescue Boat. This purchase will replace the department’s aging primary rescue vessel, a 1990s surplus U.S. Coast Guard Safeboat currently used to respond to water emergencies including stranded boaters, vessel fires, drowning incidents, and multi-agency operations. Since the closure of the U.S. Coast Guard facility at Mare Island, our department’s response area has expanded, now covering waterways as far south as Vallejo and into the open waters of San Pablo Bay. Our current vessel has reached the end of its service life and now requires costly repairs, creating reliability and safety concerns during emergency responses. This donation improves operational safety, reliability, and rescue capabilities. Safety improvements include a side-access rescue door that allows crews to retrieve victims from the water without leaning over the gunwale, reducing the risk of responder injury. Additionally, jet propulsion which improves maneuverability in shallow or debris-filled waters while reducing maintenance caused by propeller damage.
Its aluminum V-hull design provides increased stability in both river and Bay conditions, while the lockable storage allows secure transport of advanced life support equipment and supports joint operations with law enforcement and regional air rescue partners. Overall, this donation provides a critical upgrade to the department’s water rescue capabilities, improving responder safety, victim care, and operational effectiveness across our waterway’s response area.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Approval of the funding allocation will increase the Fire Department’s Special Revenue Fund (293) and expense budget by $222,000 as documented by Council Budget Amendment No.5P10. The remaining expense related to the rescue boat, equipment and upfit will be covered by existing donations within Fund 101. The ongoing expenses related to the watercraft can be absorbed by the Department’s existing operations budget.
CEQA:
The Fire Chief has determined that the Recommended Action described in this Staff Report is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Resolution
ATCH 2 - Budget Amendment No. 5P10
ATCH 3 - Purchase Agreement
NOTIFICATION:
None.