Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13a - Ratifying and Declaring a Local Emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire DATE: September 15, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Laena Shakarian, Management Analyst SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7335 RATIFYING AND DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING THE BOBCAT FIRE Recommendation: Ratify and Adopt SUMMARY On September 6, 2020, a fire started in the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area in the Angeles National Forest. Now known as the Bobcat Fire, over 20,000 acres have burned in heavy vegetation in steep, remote terrain with a rapid rate of spread. On September 8, 2020, the forecast called for hot and dry conditions across the region along with a Santa Ana wind event that threatened to force flames into Arcadia neighborhoods along the City’s urban-wildland interface. In response, the City Manager activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center, and in his capacity as Director of Emergency Services, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency. A declaration of a local emergency will assist in a coordinated public safety response to this fire emergency in order to protect lives and property of the residents of Arcadia. Under Government Code Section 8630(b), the Proclamation must be ratified by the City Council within seven (7) days to remain in effect. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7335 ratifying the Proclamation issued by the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, on September 8, 2020, in response to the Bobcat Fire. DISCUSSION California Government Code Section 8630, et seq., and City of Arcadia Municipal Code Section 2211.2 empower the City Council to proclaim the existence of a local emergency to protect and preserve public welfare when the City is affected or likely to be affected by an emergency. Under Government Code Section 8630(b), the Proclamation must be ratified by the City Council within seven (7) days to remain in effect. Resolution No. 7335 ratifying and declaring a local emergency regarding the Bobcat fire September 15, 2020 Page 2 of 3 Resolution No. 7335 also provides for several delegations of authority to the City Manager in order to continue essential government functions and to minimize any disruption to residents for the duration of the local emergency. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), per section 15269(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT The future costs of responding to the Bobcat fire are unknown at this time due to evolving conditions. Local Bobcat fire response efforts may be eligible for state or federal reimbursement as a result of the City Council’s ratification and declaration of local emergency. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7335 ratifying the Proclamation issued by the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, on September 8, 2020, in response to the Bobcat Fire. Attachments: Resolution No. 7335 Proclamation of Local Emergency