Title
a. Receive a presentation from the Department of Emergency Management regarding the 2023 Winter Storms Flood Relief Program and the development of the Pajaro Long-Term Recovery Plan for the unincorporated township of Pajaro severely impacted by the 2023 March Winter Storm and Subsequent Flooding in March; and
b. Provide staff direction and approval on the 2023 Winter Storms Flood Relief Program proposed projects; and
c. Direct the Housing & Community Development Department to bring forward a resolution waiving permit fees associated with rebuilding and reconstruction of residential properties damaged in the 2023 Winter Storms; and
d. Authorize the Director of the Department of Emergency Management to take all steps necessary to implement and administer the grant of $20,000,000 from the California Office of Emergency Services via the 2023 Winter Storm Flood Relief (WS) Program #WS23 01 0270 as indicated in Attachment A; and
e. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations in the Department of Emergency Management (001-1040-8588-DEM001) by $70,354, funded by unspent ARPA revenues for Management and Administration of the grant funding 4/5th vote required; and
f. Direct the County Administrative Office to set aside $140,707 funding for FY 24-25, half from the Cannabis Assignment and half from unspent ARPA revenues, and $70,354 for FY 25-26 from the Cannabis Assignment Fund for Management and Administration of the grant funding; and
g. Authorize and Direct the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate these changes in FY 2023-24 Department of Emergency Management Adopted Budget (001-1040-8588-DEM001), 4/5th vote required.
Report
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation from the Department of Emergency Management regarding the 2023 Winter Storms Flood Relief Program and the development of the Pajaro Long-Term Recovery Plan for the unincorporated township of Pajaro severely impacted by the 2023 March Winter Storm and Subsequent Flooding in March; and
b. Provide staff direction and approval on the 2023 Winter Storms Flood Relief Program proposed projects; and
c. Direct the Housing & Community Development Department to bring forward a resolution waiving permit fees associated with rebuilding and reconstruction of residential properties damaged in the 2023 Winter Storms; and
d. Authorize the Director of the Department of Emergency Management to take all steps necessary to implement and administer the grant of $20,000,000 from the California Office of Emergency Services via the 2023 Winter Storm Flood Relief (WS) Program #WS23 01 0270 as indicated in Attachment A; and
e. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations in the Department of Emergency Management (001-1040-8588-DEM001) by $70,354, funded by unspent ARPA revenues for Management and Administration of the grant funding 4/5th vote required; and
f. Direct the County Administrative Office to set aside $140,707 funding for FY 24-25, half from the Cannabis Assignment and half from unspent ARPA revenues, and $70,354 for FY 25-26 from the Cannabis Assignment Fund for Management and Administration of the grant funding; and
g. Authorize and Direct the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate these changes in FY 2023-24 Department of Emergency Management Adopted Budget (001-1040-8588-DEM001), 4/5th vote required.
SUMMARY:
An atmospheric river event brought heavy rain across Monterey County leading to a breach of the Pajaro Levee on March 10, 2023. In the aftermath of the 2023 Winter Storms and flooding in the unincorporated community of Pajaro, the County developed the Pajaro Revitalization Committee and is continuing to meet with residents, community-based organizations, and County agencies to develop a Long-Term Recovery Plan.
California Assembly Bill 102 (AB 102) allocated funding to the County of Monterey to support flood relief for the community of Pajaro. This amount is available for assistance to individuals, households, and the community, including direct relief to all residents and workers, regardless of documentation and citizenship status. Assistance was made available for purposes including, but not limited to, home inspections, remediation, repairs, and retrofits; rental assistance; vehicle replacement assistance; infrastructure repairs, upgrades, and development; and community outreach. Funding provided shall not be in duplication or replacement of benefits available or received through other existing assistance programs.
DISCUSSION:
California Assembly Bill 102 (AB 102) allocated $20,000,000 to the County of Monterey for the provision of flood relief for the community of Pajaro through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Grant Subaward. On August 29, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Emergency Managements to apply and receive the award for the CalOES 2023 Winter Storms Flood Relief (WS) Program Grant #WS23 01 0270. Staff has been working with Cal OES and local community groups that directly support Pajaro to establish the framework for the 2023 Winter Storms Flood Relief Program.
The Grant Subaward performance period is July 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025. The WS Program is supported through the State General Fund and the funds were advanced in their entirety. A thoughtful and strategic approach has been formulated to ensure accessibility by those who were impacted in the community and transparency in the administration and distribution of these funds. The County is committed to ensuring the funds are utilized according to the intent of the State funding, which emphasizes the need to prevent duplication and/or replacement assistance.
The Department of Emergency Management has established the Pajaro Revitalization Committee to work with the community of Pajaro to develop a long-term recovery and resilience projects. The Committee assisted with identification of projects to be considered for the AB 102 funding and will continue to identify projects and additional funding sources for the long-term plan in order to assist the community of Pajaro recover and become more resilient. The Pajaro Revitalization Committee has held multiple meetings to date to engage the community and stakeholders on flood recovery.
The Pajaro Revitalization Committee has developed an initial proposal Winter Storms Flood Relief (WS) Program Grant. Included costs are approximate and exact costs will be developed and brought forward in allocation requests and contracts at a later date. The Department of Emergency Management seeks direction on the substance of the projects in order to further develop detailed cost breakdowns. Administrative and contingency costs specific to each project are included in the specific cost estimates. The list of proposed projects is included in Attachment A.
In support of funding provided for individual recovery, it is recommended that the Board direct the Housing and Community Development Department waive fees associated with rebuilding and reconstruction of residential structures damaged by the 2023 winter storms.
The Department of Emergency Management is also requesting an allocation of a 1.0 FTE to implement the grant funds within the specified period of performance, July 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025. It is the Department’s intent, through a partnership with the Human Resources Department and the County Administrative Office, to fill the position with one (1) full time temporary incumbent for the duration of the performance period and completion of grant closeout.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Administrative Office, Housing and Community Development, Public Works Facilities and Parks, Health Department, Human Resources Department, Workforce Development Board, Monterey County Free Libraries, North County Fire Protection District, Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FINANCING:
There will be no impact on the General Fund from this action. Project funding will come from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) via the 2023 Winter Storm Flood Relief (WS) Program #WS23 01 0270. Detailed costs will be developed following project approval. Funding allocation requests and contracts will come to the Board at a later date. An overall 2% contingency has been budgeted for project overages so as not to impact the general fund or strategic reserve. Large capital improvement projects will include a 20-35% contingency.
A temporary full-time 1.0 FTE will manage and administer the grant and will be responsible for the development of contracts, bid documents, and MOUs required for program implementation. The cost for a temporary full-time 1.0 FTE position for FY 2023-24 is $70,354. The Department Emergency Management requests unspent ARPA funding for an appropriation increase of $70,354 to cover the costs of the temporary position. The Department is requesting the County Administrative Office set aside $140,707 funding for FY 24-25, half from the Cannabis Assignment and half from unspent ARPA revenues, and $70,354 for FY 25-26 from the Cannabis Assignment Fund for continued employment of the 1.0 FTE position till the end of the grant performance period, at which point this position will be eliminated. Alternatively, funding for the 1.0 FTE could come from the 2023 Winter Storm Flood Relief (WS) Program funding.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
_X_ 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: Project Proposal List
Attachment B: Power Point Presentation
Attachment C: Resolution