Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving the City of Alameda Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), June 2016. (Public Works 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Approving the City of Alameda Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, June 2016
BACKGROUND
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires all local governments to adopt a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to be eligible for participation in and receive disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Local governments with a FEMA approved LHMP may be eligible for the following benefits:
• A more disaster-resistant and resilient community and region,
• Eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance programs, including HMGP, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance, and Severe Repetitive Loss grant programs,
• Eligibility for points under the National Flood Insurance Programs Community Rating System (CRS),
• Eligibility for waiver of the 6.25% local match for Public Assistance money after a disaster.
The purpose of a LHMP is to identify the local natural hazards, review and assess past disaster occurrences, estimate the probability of future occurrences, and set goals to mitigate potential risks in order to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards. Per DMA 2000, LHMPs must be updated every five years.
The City of Alameda and other participating cities, counties, and special districts of the San Francisco Bay Area submitted letters of commitment to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to lead the 2005 publishing of and 2010 update to a multi-jurisdictional LHMP, “Taming Natural Disasters.” The City prepared an Annex to the regional plan on March 17, 2005, with City Council approval of the updated annex on November 15, 2011. These Annexes allowed eligibility for pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding.
The San Francisco Bay Area multi-jurisdictional LHMP was no longer viable for this five-year update; therefore, each participating agency, including the City, had to develop its own standalone LHMP subject to FEMA approval.
DISCUSSION
In 2015, the City convened an interdepartmental planning team tasked with defining the process and approach to developing the City’s LHMP, which will serve as the five year update to the 2011 Annex to the multi-jurisdictional Taming Natural Disasters. An open public involvement process was determined essential to the development of an effective plan. As such, staff established a page on the City’s website dedicated to hazard mitigation education and opportunities for input during the planning process. The City conducted a public opinion survey to solicit community input on natural hazards that pose risk to Alameda and what their opinions are regarding methods and/or techniques for reducing those risks and losses associated with the hazard. In addition, City staff presented at the September 24, 2015 joint Commission on Disability Issues and Social Services and Human Relations Board and hosted a public information meeting on October 27, 2015.
The final LHMP was submitted to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and FEMA and received tentative approval on June 20, 2016, pending formal adoption of the plan by the City Council.
As Alameda aims to be a resilient community that can be prepared for future hazards by having reduced exposure and reduced short and long-term loss due to hazards, the mitigation goals of City of Alameda LHMP are as follows:
1. Reduction of hazard exposure where possible.
2. Protection of the health, safety, and welfare of City of Alameda residents, workers, and visitors.
3. Minimal damage of public and private property.
4. Minimal damage of the natural environment.
5. Minimal disruption of essential services, facilities, and infrastructure.
6. Timely and complete recoveries.
7. Increased understanding and awareness of hazards and hazard mitigation by City employees and the public.
8. Participation in mitigation and resiliency by all stakeholders, as appropriate.
9. Protection of the City’s character.
City staff recommends that City Council adopt the LHMP, June 2016, as it has undergone a thorough technical development and community review process. Adoption of this plan continues the City’s eligibility for mitigation grant funding and to receive post-disaster recovery funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the adoption of the LHMP resolution. If the City does not adopt the LHMP, however, it will be ineligible for future FEMA funding for natural disaster pre-mitigation projects or post-disaster projects to mitigate reoccurrences.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Municipal Code and is consistent with the General Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Adoption of the LHMP is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because general policy and procedure making of this nature does not constitute a “project” that is subject to environmental review per CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2).
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving the City of Alameda LHMP, June 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Haun, Public Works Director
By,
Erin Smith, Public Works Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. City of Alameda LHMP
2. FEMA Letter of Pending Approval