Approval of Resolution 2026-165 - Authorization to Apply for Grants Funds through the Urban Greening Program at the Indio Fairgrounds Facility, Indio

In 2024, California voters approved Climate Bond Act, which will invest $10 billion in local projects that strengthen communities -- protecting drinking water, reducing wildfire and flood risks, restoring natural places, supporting healthy working lands, and expanding access to parks and outdoor spaces. Approximately $100 million has been allocated for Urban Greening Grants. Funding will be awarded in two competitive cycles, with $46,125,000 available for the first round commencing in 2026. Urban Greening projects use nature-based solutions—planting trees that provide strategic shade, expanding green spaces that serve as places of refuge during heat waves, and creating green streets and alleyways that capture and clean stormwater—to help communities become more climate resilient. The Urban Greening Grant Program will fund projects using nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change impacts such as the urban heat island effect, rising temperatures, and extreme heat. Grant funding priorities have been established and used as screening criteria for award. Projects providing meaningful benefits to vulnerable populations, disadvantaged communities and have the potential to successfully mitigate extreme heat are then invited to submit full proposals. The Department of Facilities Management submitted a concept proposal requesting $1,500,000 for urban greening enhancements to the Indio Fairgrounds. The proposal has advanced through the screening process and the County has been invited to submit a full proposal for consideration of grant funds. Projects that include local funding are awarded additional points through the competitive evaluation process, so the County is proposing a ten percent contribution of $166,667 to the enhancements for a total project cost of $1,666,667. As part of the proposal requirements, the Board is required to adopt Resolution 2026-165 which certifies that the County understands the assurances and certification in the application, certifies that the applicant or title holder will have sufficient funds to develop, operate and maintain the project consistent with the land tenure requirements; or will secure the resources to do so, and certifies that it will comply with the prevailing wage provisions of the California Labor Code. The approval of the resolution to apply for grant funds is defined as the proposed project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project is the approval to apply for grant funds through the Urban Greening Program; no expansion of an existing facility or change in land use will occur. No additional direct or indirect physical environmental impacts are anticipated.