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Adopt a resolution approving participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the period of June 20, 2019 through June 20, 2021 and authorizing the Sheriff or his designees, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance through this grant; Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $197,032 to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to update the Solano Operational Area’s Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (4/5 vote required); and Authorize the Sheriff or his designees to execute any service contracts and subsequent amendments necessary to fulfill the County’s responsibilities under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and which remain within budgeted appropriations
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt a resolution approving participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the period of June 20, 2019 through June 20, 2021 and authorizing the Sheriff or his designees, pending County Counsel concurrence, to execute any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining federal financial assistance through this grant;
2. Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) of $197,032 to recognize the unanticipated grant revenue and related appropriations to update the Solano Operational Area’s Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (4/5 vote required); and
3. Authorize the Sheriff or his designees to execute any service contracts and subsequent amendments necessary to fulfill the County’s responsibilities under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and which remain within budgeted appropriations.
SUMMARY:
Solano Operational Area’s current Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP) was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on April 8, 2014. FEMA recommends updating the local plan every five years. With approval from the County Administrator, the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) applied for a State Hazard Mitigation Grant, administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) using federal pass-through funds under the federal FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP - CFDA#97.039). The purpose of the HMGP is to provide states with a blueprint for hazard mitigation planning to better protect the people and property of the state from the effects of future natural hazard events such as wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, landslides, severe weather storms, and drought.
On July 5, 2019, CalOES awarded Solano County a $197,032 Hazard Mitigation Grant to update the Solano Operational Area’s Plan. Hazard mitigation planning identifies hazards, determines likely impacts, sets mitigation goals, and determines/prioritizes appropriate mitigation strategies. The Solano Operational Area consists of the County and all of its cities and special districts. Cal-OES requires a Board certified resolution to be submitted with Solano County’s application to finalize the acceptance process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total project cost is estimated to be $278,307, of which the grant award is $197,032 and the project match is $81,275 or 29%. The grant award requires a minimum 25% match which can be satisfied by staff salaries of participating agencies involved in the process of updating the Solano Operational Area’s MJLHMP. The Appropriation Transfer Request will increase appropriations by $197,032 to update the Solano Operational Area’s MJLHMP. Grant funds will be used to contract for services to conduct multiple meetings and planning sessions with all jurisdictions participating in the project and include finished product publishing, distribution and electronic dissemination of the plan. The new appropriations are entirely offset with unanticipated HMGP revenue. Therefore, Board action to accept the grant award will not impact the County General Fund.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. Project expenditures may be reimbursed as they are incurred or reimbursed on a quarterly basis and will not significantly impact the County’s cash flow.
DISCUSSION:
The 2012 Solano Operational Area’s MJLHMP was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) and the implementing regulations set forth by the Interim Final Rule published in the Federal register on February 26, 2002 (44 CFR section 201.6) and finalized on October 31, 2007. While the act emphasized the need for mitigation plans and more coordinated mitigation planning and implementation efforts, the regulations established the requirements that local hazard mitigation plans must meet in order for a local jurisdiction to be eligible for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (Public Law 93-288).
Hazard mitigation plans should be reviewed and updated every five years. In 2017, the County OES applied for a State Hazard Mitigation Grant to update the plan. Cal-OES delayed grant awards until July 2019 due to its workload associated with the wildfires in 2018. The updated MJLHMP will involve a comprehensive review and update of each section of the 2012 plan and include an assessment of the success of the participating communities in evaluating, monitoring, and implementing the mitigation strategy outlined in the 2012 plan. The updated plan will be reorganized and only carry forward information and data from the 2012 plan that has been validated.
The process to update the MJLHMP will include selecting a consultant; develop planning team; perform a risk assessment to include identifying and mapping potential hazards and a vulnerability assessment; develop a mitigation strategy to include mitigation actions; prepare the draft plan; allow for public review of the draft plan; Cal-OES to review and comment on draft plan; revise plan and obtain plan adoption. New information and analysis in the plan update will include the following:
• A new assessment of hazards.
• Improved alignment with the State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Drought hazard expansion to include water shortage impact.
• Rework of hazard risk assessments, hazard profiles, and vulnerability assessments.
• Update the 100-year and 500-year flood analysis to include the Best Available Maps compiled by the State.
• Update critical facility definition and GIS mapping efforts to identify critical facilities within the Solano Operational Area.
• Incorporation of new census data.
• Analysis of each jurisdiction’s ongoing and continued compliance with National Flood Insurance program and where applicable the Community Rating System program.
OES staff members have participated in Napa County’s recent multi-jurisdictional plan update and will model Solano’s approach on their successful project. All cities and special districts within the County, as well as representatives from neighboring counties, will be invited to participate in plan development to complete a comprehensive plan suitable for state and federal approval. The mitigation goals and objectives defined by County OES are enumerated in Attachment B. Cal-OES is the approval authority for the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program in the state.
The flood and hazard information outlined in the updated MJLHMP will be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation activities and decisions for County land use policy in the future. Proactive mitigation planning will help reduce the cost of disaster response and recovery to the communities and their residents by protecting critical community facilities, reducing liability exposure, and minimizing overall community impacts and disruptions.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to authorize participation in the grant program; however, this alternative is not recommended as non-participation may adversely affect the Solano Operational Area’s preparedness for future natural hazard events. Additionally, this alternative is not fiscally prudent as it may affect Solano County from receiving future grant funds as many federal grant programs require a recent approved hazard mitigation plan. Moreover, without grant funds, the Sheriff’s Office does not have sufficient appropriation to update the plan.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION