Title
Adoption of Resolution Adopting the 2026 City of Alameda Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan as the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, as Required by the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and Incorporating by Reference the 2026 Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Alameda General Plan Safety Element, as Required by AB 2140 (2006).
This project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment). (Planning Building and Transportation 10062032)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2026 City of Alameda (City) Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan (Plan) serves as the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) and is an update to the 2022 LHMP. It aligns with and nests within the City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP). This Plan was updated to align with the 5-year CARP update cycle. The Plan is also aligned with the General Plan Safety Element and Emergency Operations Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to help Alameda adapt to a changing climate, reduce the impact of future disasters, and enable the community to recover more quickly when disasters occur.
On July 31, 2026, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined that the Plan is eligible for final approval, pending its formal adoption by City Council. FEMA will formally approve the Plan following City Council approval. Staff will update the City Council on the Plan's implementation annually, in conjunction with the CARP annual report. The annual report will include an evaluation of whether any changes necessitate a plan modification. Per federal regulations, the Plan will be updated at least every five years.
BACKGROUND
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires all local governments to have an adopted LHMP to be eligible for FEMA disaster mitigation grant funds, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance, and Severe Repetitive Loss grant programs. Per DMA 2000, LHMPs must be updated every five years. The City’s previous LHMP was adopted in 2022.
AB 2140 (2006) allows cities to be considered for additional state cost-share on post-disaster financial assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act if the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is aligned with and adopted into its General Plan Safety Element. In 2022, the General Plan Safety Element was amended to align with the 2022 LHMP. As part of the 2026 LHMP adoption, City Council will also consider adopting the 2026 LHMP into the General Plan Safety Element by reference.
A FEMA-approved LHMP is also eligible for points under the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) to help lower flood insurance premium rates for homeowners in the floodplain.
LHMPs that comply with AB 2140 (2006) may be eligible for increased post-disaster assistance funding. Under standard disaster declarations, FEMA covers 75% of the costs. The California Disaster Assistance Act covers 75% of the remaining 25% (equaling 18.75% of the total), leaving a local public agency responsible for the final 6.25%. Communities compliant with AB 2140 may be eligible for a waiver of the 6.25% cost-share match.
DISCUSSION
The City’s Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan, serving as the City’s 2026 LHMP, can be reviewed at www.alamedaca.gov/hazardmitigationplan <http://www.alamedaca.gov/hazardmitigationplan>.
Planning Process
The planning process to update the LHMP happened concurrently with the CARP update and included the following actions:
• An interdepartmental planning team met monthly between May and November 2024 to oversee and guide the Plan update process
• Stakeholder meetings: Staff conducted two rounds of stakeholder meetings with civic and community organizations: the Chamber of Commerce and business groups, housing organizations, and youth climate and sustainability leaders. Specific community groups included Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), 100K Trees for Humanity, Alameda Food Bank, REAP Climate Center, West End Arts District, Bay Area MakerFarm, Bike Walk Alameda, a member of the district-wide PTA, YouthPower Climate Action, Amplify, and Encinal Environmental Cooperative.
• Community survey: In April 2024, a community survey was conducted to provide the opportunity for community members to identify their natural hazards of concern and actions they have taken to prepare for natural hazards. The survey was promoted through the city’s website and social media account, stakeholder email lists, and the City’s sustainability newsletter, as well as during Alameda’s Spring Shindig on April 20, 2024, and Alameda’s Bike Festival on April 27, 2024. 147 responses were received to the community survey.
• Community workshops: Two community workshops were held on June 25, 2024, and December 18, 2024, to provide an opportunity for the community to provide input on the draft plan. In August and December 2024, the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee held additional public workshops to educate residents about sea-level rise risks and adaptation projects, and to collect community input on adaptation strategies.
• Key Partner and Neighboring Jurisdiction Outreach: Key partners and neighboring jurisdictions were invited to comment on the draft plan during the public review period. Specific agencies with mitigation strategies in the plan were also contacted by email during its drafting to provide input.
• Public comment form: 80 comments were received from the public through a comment form available on the City’s website from mid December 2024 through January 2025. Comments were considered in the development of the Final Draft Plan that was presented to the City Council. No significant changes resulted from comments received during the public review period.
• Boards and Commissions: The Final Draft Plan was presented at publicly noticed meetings of the following boards and commissions:
o Transportation Commission, February 26, 2025
o Planning Board, March 10, 2025
o Public Utility Board, April 21, 2025
• City Council: The City Council held a study session on the update of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP). Hazard Mitigation Plan and Zero Waste Implementation Plan (ZWIP) on October 15, 2024. City Council provided feedback on the draft vision, goals, and strategies, as well as key priority implementation plans. City Council reviewed the Final Draft Plan at a meeting on April 1, 2025, and directed staff to forward the plan for CalOES review. Staff reports for these City Council meetings can be found online at <https://alameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx>.
Plan Review and Adoption
Following City Council approval, the Final Draft Plan was submitted to CalOES for review of compliance with federal planning regulations and guidance. The plan underwent multiple rounds of review and was determined to be compliant by CalOES on July 23, 2026, and was then transmitted to FEMA for its review.
On July 31, 2026, FEMA determined that the plan is eligible for final approval, pending adoption by the City Council. FEMA will issue formal approval of the plan upon receipt of the adoption documentation. Adoption of the Plan is required to maintain eligibility for funding under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs. The Plan will be adopted as an appendix to the General Plan Safety Element in compliance with AB 2140 (2006)
Updates that were made to the LHMP as part of the CalOES review included:
• Better organization and additional detail of the hazard and risk assessment for all hazards to more clearly align with plan requirements
• Additional information related to the hazard and risk from dam failure inundation
• Updated tsunami information and description of events in 2024 and 2025
• Additional information about previously declared disasters within Alameda
• Minor revisions to all mitigation strategies to address all hazards covered in the plan
Annual Review and Plan Update
The LHMP is a living document that must be regularly reviewed and updated. Staff will update the City Council on the plan's implementation annually, in conjunction with the CARP annual report. The annual report will include an evaluation of whether any changes necessitate a plan modification. Per federal regulations, the plan will be updated at least every five years.
ALTERNATIVES
• Direct staff to make specified revisions to the Plan prior to adoption.
• Do not adopt the Plan. Without a current, adopted LHMP, the City’s eligibility for certain pre- and post-disaster assistance funding would be limited.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from adopting the 2026 LHMP. However, implementing the plan may require financial contributions from the City, which would be subject to future City Council approval. If the City does not adopt an LHMP, it will be ineligible for future FEMA funding for disaster mitigation projects.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and the General Plan. The Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan is being incorporated into the General Plan as an appendix to the Safety Element.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On November 30, 2021, by Resolution No. 1541, City Council certified a Final EIR (State Clearinghouse No. 202103053) for the General Plan Amendment to update the Alameda General Plan. The adoption of this updated LHMP and related actions to incorporate it as an exhibit to the Safety Element and CARP will not result in any new impacts or an increase in the severity of previously identified impacts; therefore, no additional environmental review is required. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 and 15163, none of the circumstances necessitating further CEQA review are present.
In addition, this project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) and Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment). The update to the Local Hazard Mitigation is required by DMA 2000.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts from adopting the Plan; however, the Plan will help Alameda prepare for and adapt to the local impacts of climate change and disasters.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution adopting the 2026 City of Alameda Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan as the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, as required by the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and a resolution incorporating by reference the 2026 Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Alameda General Plan Safety Element, as required by AB 2140 (2006).
Respectfully submitted,
Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Interim Planning, Building and Transportation Director
By,
Danielle Mieler, Sustainability and Resilience Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. FEMA Approval, Pending Adoption Letter