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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13a - Local Emergency Declaration Regarding 2023 January Winter Storms DATE: January 17, 2023 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Chen Suen, Fire Chief SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7478 RATIFYING AND DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING THE 2023 JANUARY WINTER STORMS CEQA: Exempt Recommendation: Ratify and Adopt SUMMARY A series of unusually strong winter rains have impacted southern California for several weeks. After several days of consistent rainfall, which began on January 8, 2023, mud and debris flow became significant in the Wilderness Park area along the City of Arcadia’s urban-wildland interface. This area was previously impacted by the September 2020 Bobcat Fire making it more vulnerable to extreme weather events. The mud and debris flow circumvented and rose above protective barriers that were in place since the Bobcat Fire, causing additional flows that exceeded six feet in several areas of the park. Additionally, several City buildings were impacted over the same period by the heavy rains. City Hall, the Arcadia Community Center, and the Arcadia Public Library sustained moderate water damage from roof leaks and other water intrusions into the buildings from the continuous heavy rainfall. On January 10, 2023, City Manager Lazzaretto issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency (attached) in concert with similar declarations by the County of Los Angeles and the State of California. A declaration of a local emergency provides for a coordinated public safety response to this debris and mud flow emergency as well as other storm- related impacts, to help protect lives and property in Arcadia. To continue the City’s storm response efforts and emergency authorities, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7478 ratifying and declaring the existence of a local emergency regarding the 2023 January Winter Storms. Resolution No. 7478 Local Emergency Declaration Regarding 2023 January Winter Storms January 17, 2023 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION Since the peak of the storm, there have been substantial new mudflows throughout Wilderness Park, causing additional damage to the facility. Damage to the park includes boulders and debris blocking the entrance into the park; an accumulation of mud against the structures and buildings in the park; and mud and water cresting over the damaged bridge structure that provides facility access. Water damage and flooding occurred in the basement of City Hall as well as several areas of the Arcadia Library and the Community Center, where the water rose from below the concrete slabs. Countless branches and several full trees fell in the public rights-of-way, blocking storm drains and culverts. Additionally, a major water main break occurred on Baldwin Avenue, causing service disruptions. Emergency responders provided assistance to many private property owners and businesses throughout the storm. These storm-related impacts were not confined to the City of Arcadia, as City personnel were repeatedly called out to neighboring cities to aid overwhelmed crews. Collectively, these impacts entail significant cost and effort to address, with even more rain expected in the week following the peak of the storm, further threatening life and property. Resolution No. 7478 provides for several delegations of authority to the City Manager to continue essential government functions regarding this emergency and to minimize any disruption for the duration of the emergency. This resolution would declare the emergency to be a continuing event, allowing the City Manager to take actions necessary to quickly respond to any subsequent impacts this winter related to the accumulation of rainfall and mud flows in the area. California Government Code Section 8630, et seq., and City of Arcadia Municipal Code Section 2211.2, authorize the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, to declare 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), such a Proclamation must be ratified by the City Council within seven days to remain in effect and generally requires the Council to review the need for the emergency declaration every 60 days. It is recommended that City Council adopt Resolution 7478, ratifying the declaration of a local state of emergency to allow for a coordinated storm response and recovery of any applicable costs. 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. Resolution No. 7478 Local Emergency Declaration Regarding 2023 January Winter Storms Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT The future costs of responding to the 2023 January Winter Storms are unknown at this time due to evolving conditions. With City Council’s ratification and declaration of local emergency, local response efforts may become eligible for significant state or federal reimbursement. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); determine that an emergency situation exists and adopt Resolution No. 7478 ratifying and declaring the existence of a local emergency regarding the 2023 January Winter Storms. Attachments: Resolution No. 7478 Proclamation of Local Emergency