Title
Adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on February 4, 2024, related to the Winter Storm Event that started on February 3, 2024, causing damage to public infrastructure and private property throughout Monterey County, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property nearby. (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on February 4, 2024, related to the Winter Storm Event that started on February 3, 2024, causing damage to public infrastructure and private property throughout Monterey County, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property nearby. (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630(a) the County Administrative Officer may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the County is affected by or likely to be affected by a public calamity. The Government Code requires that an emergency proclamation be ratified by the Board of Supervisors within 7 days of its issuance, and be reviewed at least once every 60 days until the emergency is terminated.
Beginning February 3, 2024, heavy rainfall, extreme winds, river flooding, flash flooding, coastal flooding, mudslides, landslides, and high surf hazards threatened residents, property, roads, critical infrastructure, and transportation systems in the County of Monterey and political subdivisions. Conditions of extreme peril to the safety of person and property arose within numerous areas within the County of Monterey, including but not limited to: the Carmel River and Lagoon, Salinas River and Lagoon, Bolsa Knolls, Arroyo Seco, and Laureles Grade. Conditions of peril exist to the safety and wellbeing of the residents also living around rivers and waterways. Emergency protective measures and flooding fighting activities have been undertaken by the Emergency Operations Center and county departments to protect life and property.
The foregoing conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County of Monterey and requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat.
The aforesaid conditions of extreme peril necessitated the proclamation of a local emergency on February 3, 2024, which was signed into effect by the County Administrator’s Office on February 4, 2024. Ratification and approval of this Proclamation of Local Emergency will provide Board confirmation of, and agreement with, the Proclamation made by the County Administrative Officer. This emergency proclamation shall expire sixty days after issuance unless confirmed and extended by the governing body of the County of Monterey.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Numerous County departments and other agencies have participated in the response to the emergency including the Department of Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, County Administrative Office, Public Works, Facilities, and Parks Department, County Counsel, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife Services, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, California Coastal Commission, and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.
FINANCING:
Financial impact to the General Fund currently is unknown.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Kelsey Scanlon, Director of Department of Emergency Management, x1902
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Chief Assistant County Administrative Officer, x5145
Attachments:
A: Proclamation of Local Emergency, dated February 4, 2024
B: Draft Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency