Title
Adopt a Resolution of the City of San Leandro City Council to Approve, Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents Related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Plan (HMGP) Award of $142,500 and to Appropriate the City’s Share of $15,000 of These Funds to execute the plan in Account 010-12-030-5120 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Expenditures Related to this Grant Program
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution to accept a grant award of $142,500.00 from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and to authorize the City Manager to execute all documents and funding related to the purchase and administration of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program by developing a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).
BACKGROUND
On July 25, 2023, the City Manager’s Office submitted a request for grant funding through the state’s online portal to develop and update a comprehensive plan to form the foundation of a long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repetitive damage.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program will be used to develop and adopt a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan pursuant to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to meet the requirements outlined in 44 CFR Part 201 and the most current FEMA hazard mitigation plan guidance.
Analysis
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding for communities to implement mitigation activities to reduce risk to life and property from natural hazards. In California, natural hazards include wildfire, earthquake, drought, extreme weather, flooding, and other impacts of climate change. HMGP funding can also support the development of (LHMPs and project scoping activities.
Previously the plan was implemented through the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office as part of a countywide effort; this will expire in 2026. A copy of the 2021 LHMP will remain available on Alameda County’s website along with contact information.
As defined in Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subpart M, Section 206.401, hazard mitigation is “any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.” As such, hazard mitigation is any work to minimize the impacts of any type of hazard event before it occurs. Hazard mitigation aims to reduce losses from future disasters. It is a process that identifies and profiles hazards, analyzes the people and facilities at risk, and develops mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate hazard risk. The implementation of the mitigation actions - which include short- and long-term strategies that may involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities - is the end result of this process. Over the past two decades, local hazard mitigation planning has been driven by federal law, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000).
On October 30, 2000, Congress passed the DMA 2000 (Public Law 106-390), which amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 (Title 42 of the United States Code Section 5121 et seq.) by repealing the Act’s previous mitigation planning section (409) and replacing it with a new mitigation planning section (322). This new section emphasizes the need for state, tribal, and local entities to closely coordinate mitigation planning and implementation efforts. This new section also provides the legal basis for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) mitigation plan requirements for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.
The City will work with the community and a consultant, following the 44 CFR solicitation requirements, to develop an updated LHMP prior to the 2026 deadline.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed the CalOES Award Letter, this staff report, and the award resolution and approved them as to form (Exhibit B).
Financial Impacts
This Grant Fund (F150-3607) project will cost $146,500 for a 2-year agreement to update and draft the plan. This requires increasing the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget by the grant award amount ($146,500) and will be reimbursed by a grant that will increase revenues by reimbursement deposited into the City’s State Grants Account, 150-3607.
The grant award of $146,500 (minus $15,000 match) is fully reimbursable.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: Resolution Accept and Authorize the City Manager to Execute All Documents Related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Plan (HMGP)
Attachment B: CALOES Award Letter
PREPARED BY: Megan Stephenson, City Manager’s Office