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Review the October 10, 2017 Proclamation of Local Emergency; and Adopt a Proclamation Terminating Local Emergency
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors terminate the October 10, 2017 Local Emergency Proclamation signed by the County Administrator in response to the extreme peril to life and property resulting from wildfires, particularly the Atlas Peak Fire, which started on October 8, 2017 in Napa County and then spread to Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On October 10, 2017, Birgitta Corsello, County Administrator, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the extreme peril to life and property resulting from wildfires, particularly the Atlas Peak Fire, which started on October 8, 2017 in Napa County and then spread to Solano County. On October 17, 2017, the Board of Supervisors confirmed and ratified the Proclamation of Local Emergency and orders of the County Administrator that a local emergency existed in Solano County.
Solano County requested a gubernatorial proclamation and a presidential declaration on October 10, 2017 and Governor Edmund G. Brown issued an emergency proclamation for the County on the same date.
The President of the United States issued an emergency declaration for the Atlas Peak Fire on October 10, 2017 which did not originally include Solano County. The federal declaration of emergency was amended on October 13, 2017 to add Solano County for “debris removal and emergency protective measures (categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.”
As of October 31, 2017, the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staffing has been physically demobilized. At this time the County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) Staff under the Sheriff and staff assigned the responsibilities for Finance and Admin Section from the Auditor-Controller, County Administrator’s Office and General Services continue to work to complete the cost accounting and damage estimates required. County OES is also coordinating with State and Federal partners for damage assessments and information sharing and collecting. All shelters opened in response to the emergency have been closed.
Watershed stability monitoring and restoration will be a continuing as we move into the winter season. Due to burn scars and bulldozer lines, there is an increased possibility of debris flow and landslides. Cal Fire will complete work to repair, as much as possible, areas damaged or altered.
The County’s Office of Emergency Services will continue to work with cities and county departments to ensure accurate data is forwarded to the state and federal agencies handling the fire recovery efforts.
In summary, the emergency conditions and effects have diminished sufficiently such that the County no longer needs to rely on the extraordinary powers and procedures conferred under a proclamation of local emergency to address them.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no additional financial impact to the County to terminate the Local Emergency Proclamation.
On October 17, 2017, the Board of Supervisors authorized the use of up to $1.5 million in General Fund Contingency to pay for costs related to damages from the wildfires. The Finance and Admin Section from the Auditor-Controller, County Administrator’s Office and General Services continue to work to complete the cost accounting and damage estimates required. An updated cost estimate will be provided as the work is completed.
In addition to the County, all public entities, to include incorporated cities, school districts, community college districts and other public entities in Solano that incurred damage, may be eligible for public assistance as well as Small Business Administration loans should they become available.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to Adopt a Proclamation Terminating the Local Emergency; however, this is not recommended, as it is appropriate and timely to end the Local Emergency Declaration related to the Atlas Fire.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County’s Sheriff Department and the Office of Emergency Services will provide updates to the Board as the recovery effort continues.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION