Title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Administrative Officer or his designee to:
a. File an application to fund an update of the Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR-4382 funds in the amount of $312,000; and
b. Sign all grant related documents, contracts, or amendment; and
c. Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with participating cities for this purpose.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution authorizing the County Administrative Officer or his designee to:
a. file an application to fund an update of the Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR-4382 funds in the amount of $312,000; and
b. sign all grant related documents, contracts, or amendment; and
c. enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with participating cities for this purpose.
SUMMARY:
In 2007, Monterey County developed and adopted the first iteration of the Monterey County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. In 2015-2016, the Monterey County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan was updated, approved, and adopted for a second time.
The MJHMP that is now used by the County and the twelve cities within the County. This plan serves to protect property and the health and safety of persons living in, working in, or visiting Monterey County. Regulations defining the maintenance of local HMPs require they be updated every five years; the current MJHMP will expire in 2021.
In 2019, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced funding under the 2018 DR-4382 Carr Fire allocated through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The HMGP allocation provides grant funds to select applicants (public agencies) affected by the 2018 wild fires. Monterey County was determined by HMGP to be eligible under the program. The Notice of Funding Availability specifically authorizes the use of such funds for the purpose of updating local hazard mitigation plans.
DISCUSSION:
California counties are not required to maintain a MJHMP but those agencies who do so are given preference by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) in qualifying for a number of related programs and grants. In some cases, a current MJHMP is a basic condition of eligibility for receipt of State and Federal disaster recovery funds.
This report, and subsequent presentation, to the Board serves as an official notification of the County’s intent to update and opportunity for the public to provide input on uses of available HMGP funding. Public outreach will be conducted throughout the update process; the public is allowed and encouraged to make comments and review the plan from start to finish of the plan update. HMGP regulations also require that the Board of Supervisor adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of an application to fund a specific project.
The Office of Emergency Services (OES) has prepared an application for use of 2018 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds on behalf of the County of Monterey and participating cities within the County. A committee consisting of County and city representatives has been created to guide this project and a Memorandum of Understanding for this purpose has been approved by County Counsel. Consistent with guidelines for appropriate projects from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Planning Division and Federal Emergency Management Agency, the proposed project entails updating the County’s current MJHMP to revisit and update strategies to mitigate the effects of various natural and man-made hazards.
Once the MJHMP has been prepared and approved by a committee consisting of representatives from the County and all incorporated cities, it will be brought forward to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for review and consideration.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Budget Committee approved at their meeting on March 27, 2019 to move forward on the application. County Counsel will review and sign-off on all Memorandums of Understanding with participating cities for this purpose, and on all grant related documents, contracts, or amendments.
FINANCING:
There is no impact on the General Fund or the General Fund Contribution. The required applicant match will be met by normal Office of Emergency Services and Resource Management Agency staffing work plan and budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
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Prepared by: Gerry R. Malais, Emergency Services Manager
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Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Attachments: draft resolution; Executive Summary