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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09c - Terminating the Proclamation of Local Emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire DATE: October 20, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Laena Shakarian, Management Analyst SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7341 TERMINATING THE PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING THE BOBCAT FIRE Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY On September 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7335 ratifying the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, on September 8, 2020, to allocate City resources in response to the Bobcat Fire. Since then, the Bobcat Fire containment has grown to 92% and efforts by fire crews and the progression of the fire continues to move further away from Arcadia. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7341 terminating the Proclamation of a local emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire. DISCUSSION On September 6, 2020, the Bobcat Fire started in the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area in the Angeles National Forest. 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. On September 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7335 ratifying the Proclamation issued by the City Manager. 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(c), the City Council is required to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the City Council terminates the local emergency. Additionally, Government Code Section Resolution No. 7341 terminating the local emergency regarding the Bobcat fire October 20, 2020 Page 2 of 2 8630(d) requires the City Council to review the need for continuing the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. On September 19, 2020, the City of Arcadia, in coordination with the Bobcat Fire Unified Command, lifted the evacuation warning for all affected residents. As of October 13, 2020, the Bobcat Fire is now 92% contained. Fire lines due to natural burns and backfires set by fire personnel have been established at the edge of the northern City limits to protect the community should the fire change directions. The weather conditions which caused the issuance of the Proclamation were determined to no longer constitute a threat concerning expansion of the Bobcat Fire into neighborhoods along the City’s urban- wildland interface. The hard work and efforts of the multi-agency firefighting crews and cooperating partners resulted in significant containment. At this time, there is no perceived threat to the City of Arcadia’s residents and their property due to the Bobcat Fire. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council terminate the local emergency order. 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 City of Arcadia, during the declaration of local emergency, submitted estimated damages, which may qualify for state or federal reimbursement of certain expenditures associated with disaster response related to the Bobcat Fire. There is no additional fiscal impact related to ending the emergency declaration. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7341 terminating the Proclamation of a local emergency regarding the Bobcat Fire. Attachment: Resolution No. 7341