Title
Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to execute the Emergency Alerting and Data Sharing Agreement between the County of Monterey and Marina Coast Water District. This Agreement shall become effective for a three-year period upon execution of both parties.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the Director of Emergency Management to execute the Emergency Alerting and Data Sharing Agreement between the County of Monterey and Marina Coast Water District. This Agreement shall become effective for a three-year period upon execution of both parties.
SUMMARY:
The Emergency Alerting and Data Sharing Agreement (Agreement) between the County of Monterey and the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) allows for the use of the County’s alert and notification system by authorized MCWD personnel in order to provide emergency notifications and warnings to its customers. The Agreement also permits the County to use customer contact data for emergency alerting purposes. This partnership strengthens public safety, increases the resiliency of critical infrastructure systems, and improves the County’s ability to deliver timely, accurate, and accessible emergency messages.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey, Department of Emergency Management (DEM), is the designated alerting authority for Monterey County Operational Area and maintains a countywide emergency notification system. MCWD has a statutory obligation to notify its customers of hazards and threats affecting water and wastewater systems. This Agreements allows for the use of County’s alert and notification system by authorized MCWD personnel in order to provide emergency notifications and warnings to its customers. The Agreement address the specific roles, responsibilities and authorities of the County and the MCWD while using the alert and warning system. This Agreement also permits the County use of customer contacts data for emergency alerting purposes pursuant to Government Code Section 8593.4 for the sole purpose of enrolling County residents in a County-operated emergency warning system. The term of agreement shall be for three years after in which it will automatically renew for the successive two-year period.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Marina Coast Water District (MCWD)’s Board of Directors approved the Agreement on September 22, 2025. County Counsel’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
FINANCING:
Approval of the recommendation will have no impact on the General Fund. The staff time required to onboard and supporting MCWD’s use of the alert and warning system is covered by DEM’s adopted budget. Fund requirements for future years will be included in all future year budget submissions. The Agreement establishes a cost structure, including an onboarding fee and an annual fee. The one-time onboarding fee of $8,000 includes the creation and buildout of a sub-organization for MCWD within the alert and warning system, as well as initial training. The annual fee of $4,000 for ongoing access to the alert and warning system, ongoing staff training, sub-organization administrative support, and 24/7 alerting assistance from the DEM Duty Officer.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
__Economic Development
X Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Davon Wilson, Emergency Services Planner, x1981
Approved by: Laura Emmons, Emergency Services Manager, x1992
Approved by: Michael Beaton, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x3835
Attachments:
Attachment A: MCWD Emergency Alerting and Data Sharing Agreement