Title
a. Authorize and approve the Director of the Emergency Management or designee to submit a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for a total amount of $500,000 to update the Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan; and
b. Authorize and approve the Director of Emergency Management or designee to execute all necessary forms and documents for the application to this grant; and
c. Direct Department of Emergency Management staff to return to the Board of Supervisors for approval prior to acceptance of any grant awards.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize and approve the Director of the Emergency Management or designee to submit a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for a total amount of $500,000 to update the Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan; and
b. Authorize and approve the Director of Emergency Management or designee to execute all necessary forms and documents for the application to this grant; and
c. Direct Department of Emergency Management staff to return to the Board of Supervisors for approval prior to acceptance of any grant awards.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) intends to submit an application to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) in an amount not to exceed $500,000. With these funds, DEM intends to update the 2022 Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The update of the Monterey County MJHMP ensures the County’s eligibility and pre-qualification for potential pre-and post-disaster funding. The plan includes hazard identification, risk and vulnerability assessments, and mitigation strategies to reduce vulnerability and risk from hazards and reduce the severity of the effects of hazards on people, property, and the environment.
DISCUSSION:
Monterey County is potentially vulnerable to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. These hazards can threaten the life and safety of residents and visitors and have the potential to damage or destroy both public and private property and disrupt the local economy and overall quality of life.
While the threats from hazard events may never be fully eliminated, there is much that can be done to lessen their potential impact. The purpose of hazard mitigation is to implement and sustain actions that reduce vulnerability and risk from hazards or reduce the severity of hazards on people, property, and the environment. The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) requires state and local government agencies to prepare comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plans in order to be eligible to receive pre-and post-disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The DMA requires Hazard Mitigation Plans to be monitored, evaluated, and updated within a five-year cycle to remain eligible for mitigation funding.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds plans and projects that reduce the effects of future natural disasters. In California, these funds are administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Assistance Branch. HMGP funding opportunities provide support for communities to implement mitigation activities to reduce risk to life and property from natural hazards. HMGP funding can be used to support the development and update of Hazard Mitigation Plans.
The 2022 Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 12, 2022, and was approved by Cal OES and FEMA on September 14, 2022. This plan was a comprehensive update to the 2016 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and represented the third iteration of the Plan, which was initially adopted in 2007. The 2022 MJHMP is effective for a period of five years. Cal OES estimates it can take approximately 36 months to update the plan and receive final FEMA approval. Prior to September 14, 2027, the County of Monterey and all participating jurisdictions must review, revise, and submit the plan to FEMA for approval to maintain eligibility for grant funding. In addition to making the County eligible to receive Hazard Mitigation grant funding, one of the largest benefits of updating the Monterey County MJHMP is the planning process itself. Bringing together the entire community to make decisions on what risks exist, what actions can be taken to reduce those risks, and how those actions should be prioritized, helps achieve buy-in from the whole community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The 2022 Monterey County MJHMP including the following Participating Jurisdictions: Monterey County, the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad, as well as the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, the Carmel Area Wastewater District, Monterey One Water, the Monterey Regional Waste Management District, and the Moss Landing Harbor District.
FINANCING:
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund and any grant awards will be brought back to the Board of Supervisors for acceptance. Federal funding is available for 75% of project costs, with a 25% local match. DEM anticipates meeting the required local match through in-kind staff contributions.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
___ Economic Development
_X_ Administration
_X_ Health & Human Services
_X_ Infrastructure
_X_ Public Safety
Prepared by: Laura Emmons, Emergency Services Manager
Approved by: Kelsey A. Scanlon, Director of Department of Emergency Management, x1902
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Chief Assistant County Administrative Officer, x5145
Attachments:
Attachment A: Resolution