Title
Adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on January 3, 2024, related to the Winter Storm Event that started on December 27, 2023, causing damage to public infrastructure and private property throughout Monterey County including the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel River, Carmel River Lagoon, Salinas River and Salinas River Lagoon, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property nearby. (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on January 3, 2024, related to the Winter Storm Event that started on December 27, 2023, causing damage to public infrastructure and private property throughout Monterey County including the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel River, Carmel River Lagoon, Salinas River and Salinas River Lagoon, 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 December 27, 2023, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and high surf hazards threatened residents, property, 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 the area of the Carmel Lagoon in the County of Monterey caused by tidal action, river flow and flooding commencing during the early morning of December 28, 2023. Conditions of peril exist to the safety and wellbeing of the residents living around the Carmel Lagoon as well as other nearby areas.
Additionally, sandbar management activities were required at the Salinas River Lagoon Mouth by Monterey County Water Resources Agency staff to protect public health and safety. From modeling results performed by the National Weather Service California-Nevada River Forecast Center, this action was necessary effective approximately January 4, 2024, due to the above motioned storm event that caused storm surges and high- water levels in the Salinas River Lagoon and forecasted early January 2024 storms expected to exacerbate these conditions. These conditions could lead to possible loss of life and property in areas near and adjacent to the Salinas Lagoon. Forecasted conditions may result in the following:
• Inundation of residences, including Twin Bridges Cabin Association, Monterey Dunes Colony, and Lagoon residences; and
• Loss of safe ingress and egress, including emergency service access; and
• Inundation of agricultural fields; and
• Erosion and excessive transport of sediment; and
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 the Monterey County Water Resources Agency 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 December 27, 2023, which was signed into effect by the County Administrator’s Office on January 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’ 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 January 3, 2024
B: Draft Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency