HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-123RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE NORTH I VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR ITS SUPPORT OF BUTTE COUNTY
AFTER THE CAMP FIRE
WHEREAS, the 2018 Camp Fire, which started in the early morning hours on November 8, is the deadliest and
most destructive wildfire in California history; and
WHEREAS, the Camp Fire took the lives of 85 people, burned more than 153,000 acres, damaged or destroyed
more than 19,000 structures in the Town of Paradise and the unincorporated communities of Paradise Pines, Magalia,
Concow, Yankee Hill, Pulga, Butte Creek Canyon, Butte Valley and surrounding areas, and displaced) more than 14,000
families, and
WHEREAS, The North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF), drawing on its experience of operating relief funds
for other local, national, and international disasters, opened the Camp Fire Relief Fund the day of the Camp Fire with the
goal of providing immediate and long-term help for fire survivors; and
WHEREAS, over the ensuing days and months, thousands of individual) donations poured in, ranging from coins
from children's fundraising efforts to million -dollar contributions from large (businesses and organizations;. and
WHEREAS the NVCF had just seven employees at the time of the Camp Fire, but received financial help from the
California Community Foundation (CCF) and others to expandits operation and start the hard work of fielding and vetting
requests; and
WHEREAS In the year and a half after the fire, NVCF awarded more than 600 grants to nearly 500 organizations
and public agencies, like Butte County, on the front line of recovery, helping fire survivors; and
WHEREAS the NVCF awarded grants to various County offices and departments including the Butte County
Sheriff's Office, Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Development Services, Department of Employment and
Social Services, and County Administration to assist with immediate needs after the Camp Fire as well as ongoing recovery
efforts; and
WHEREAS the NVCF awarded over $4.2 million to Butte County for a variety of service needs after the Camp Fire
including:
• $1,000,000 to support the Camp Fire shelter transition;
O $5,0....00 for census outreach;.
i $150,,000 to support the Community Services Center on the Ridge;
A $1,284,201 to match the planning a.......nd implementationfor ongoing disaster case management;
O $50,000 to support the Live Spot in Gridley offering a safe pl.......ace for youth;
• $500,000 to assist property owners with building fees;
$250,000 to support the development of a community plan for the Upper Ridge;
® $500,000 to support additional Sheriff's Deputies to provide services to the burned....... communities;
$50,000 for two canines, including training and equipment, for the Sheriff's Office;
0 $7,040 for a trailer to haula chipper used in programs to reduce fire fuels on property in the County;
$155,000 to assist with housing program administration (NVCF facilitated the award of an, additional
$125,000 from the CCF for this same purpose); and
$282,8010 for a grant writer to focus on securing funds for future, recovery projects and programs.
WHEREAS the NVCF has issued more than $35 million in grants to date for Camp Fire relief, and much more
through separate donor -advised and charitable funds; and
WHEREAS the NVCF expects to be issuing grants for the long-term recovery process for at least the next two years;
and
WHEREAS just after the one-year anniversary of the Camp Fire, a crisis was piled on top of a disaster with the
coronavirus pandemic.
WHEREAS the NVCF Rapid Response Fund was started with $250,,000 in, seed money from NVCF operations (not
Camp Fire funds) and was granted to the County's Department of Public Health to purchase testing equipment and
mobilize a department emergency operation center; and
WHEREAS the NVCF is no stranger to disaster after disaster and continues to mobilize quickly and serve the local
communities including establishing a fund to serve the needs of fire survivors from the, North Complex / Bear Fire, which
is still burning in Butte County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Butte County recognizes and commends the
NVCF for its generous and unwavering support of Butte County after the Camp Fire and into the future.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 29th day of September, 2020, by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Lucero, Ritter, Teeter, and Chair Lambert
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Shari McCracken, Chief Administrative Officer
and Clerk of he Board of Supervisors
By:
Deputy