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