Title
Adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on March 31, 2024, related to the landslide on State Route 1 near Rocky Creek Bridge that started on March 30, 2024, isolating visitors, and residents, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property nearby. (Item was Added via Additions and Corrections by the Clerk)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on March 31, 2024, related to the landslide on State Route 1 near Rocky Creek Bridge that started on March 30, 2024, isolating visitors, and residents, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property nearby.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630, subdivision (a), and Monterey County Code section 2.68.025 the County Administrative Officer may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the County is affected by or threatened 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.
On March 30, 2024, a slip south of the Rocky Creek Bridge, led to a full closure of State Route 1 at Palo Colorado (PM 65) to just south of Limekiln State Park (PM 20.95). The slip-out has resulted in a loss of the southbound lanes and is encroaching upon the northbound lanes. No vehicles were able to enter or exit Big Sur on Saturday night, standing both visitors and residents on either side of the closure. Due to the overnight isolation of tourists and the threat to the public emergency protective measures activities have been undertaken by the Emergency Operations Center and county departments to protect life and property. On March 31, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) engineers have completed initial assessments and determined that under close supervision, travel will be possible in the remaining northbound lane. The situation continues to be dynamic and will be closely monitored by Caltrans until they can put stabilization measures into place.
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 March 30, 2024, which was signed into effect by the County Administrator’s Office on March 31, 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, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), California State Parks, Big Sur Fire, and Mid-Coast Fire.
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 March 31, 2024
B: Draft Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency