Approve the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange Grant Agreement between the Yolo County Sheriff's Office and the California State Department of Parks and Recreation, authorize the Yolo County Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator to sign the Grant Agreement, and adopt budget resolution increasing appropriations in the Sheriff's Marine Patrol Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget in the amount of $10,000. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Lopez/Davis)

The Sheriff’s Boating Safety Program has been responsible for patrolling all waterways and conducting related search and rescue operations countywide since July 1973. The Boating Safety Section performs the vital function of ensuring citizen safety along the recreational waterways located within Yolo County.  Marine patrol operations are funded by state operational boating safety grants, local boat property tax revenue, Proposition 172 Public Safety Funds, and County General Fund monies.

The State Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) recognizes that boats abandoned in waterways can pose a danger to citizen safety by impeding navigation and damaging the environment. As part of its commitment to provide clean, safe, and enjoyable recreational boating on California’s lakes, rivers, and harbors, DBW administers the SAVE grant program. This program assists local agencies in removing abandoned vessels and other potentially dangerous debris within navigable waterways under their jurisdiction.  The SAVE grant provides funds for public agencies such as the Sheriff's Office to remove, store, and dispose of abandoned, wrecked, or dismantled vessels or any other partially submerged objects and debris which pose a substantial hazard to navigation.  The funds are also available to dismantle and dispose of vessels that have been surrendered by the registered owner to avoid a potential illegal “dumping” of the boat. As a condition of the grant award agreement, the Sheriff's Office complies with all California laws regarding titles and liens in conjunction with each abandoned vessel, as well as works to secure bids from qualified and adequately insured contractors to perform any salvaging, storage, and dismantling work required.

The Sheriff's Office is currently participating in the SAVE-23 Grant Program, which runs from February 2024 through September 2026. The Sheriff's Office has completed abatement of 5 boats to date, including one large 40-foot abandoned houseboat, and is currently seeking quotes to remove another large sunk boat in the near future. 

The Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $10,000 in SAVE-25 Grant funding for the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. A 10% match of funds (cash or in-kind contributions) is required from the County.  Sufficient funding for the required match exists in the FY 2025/26 Marine Patrol Approved Budget. Because this agreement is between two government entities, the Board of Supervisors' approval is now requested to approve the execution of this agreement and authorize Sheriff Lopez to sign the agreement.

County Counsel has approved the attached Resolution and Agreement as to form. Purchasing will review and approve all service agreements associated with work performed under this grant.