April 26, 2005
SUBJECT: Adoption of the Disaster Mitigation Act 2000 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex
REPORT IN BRIEF
Sunnyvale has completed a “Local Annex” to the ABAG Hazard Mitigation Plan and it has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The plan is part of an overall strategy to reduce or eliminate long term risk to life and property from a natural hazard event. Adoption of the Annex as part of the overall plan better prepares Sunnyvale for future emergencies and allows the City to apply for FEMA grant funds to mitigate existing risks.
Council must adopt the Local Annex before the City can apply for and receive federal grant funds.
BACKGROUND
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) received grant funds to assist local agencies to complete the Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) 2000 plan. ABAG invited local agencies to participate and complete the detailed planning necessary to create a pre-disaster mitigation plan. ABAG completed a regional plan for the 9 bay area counties which was adopted by ABAG on March 17, 2005 after being approved by FEMA. Local agencies were given the opportunity to partner with ABAG to reduce the staff time required to complete a plan. Sunnyvale staff participated with ABAG and completed a FEMA approved Local Annex to the approved ABAG plan.
EXISTING POLICY
Seismic Safety and Safety Sub-Element
Policy A2 – Take measures to protect life and property from the effects of a 1% (100 year) flood.
Policy A5 – Maintain lifelines (water, gas, electricity, transportation and communication lines) in good operating condition to lessen damage and increase survivability after a major disaster.
Goal B – Ensure that the City, it’s citizens, business and industry are prepared to effectively respond to major emergencies.
DISCUSSION
The DMA 2000 planning process is designed to have local agencies and special districts prepare for future natural disasters. FEMA recommended that all local, state governments and special districts participate in the planning process. FEMA has tied the completion of the DMA 2000 plan to any future pre-disaster mitigation funds. Pre-disaster mitigation grants are designed to repair known deficiencies in public structures prior to a disaster occurring. FEMA hopes to reduce losses resulting from a disaster by mitigating known risks prior to the disaster.
Sunnyvale began the planning process by identifying critical public facilities within the city. The next step of the planning process was to identify likely natural disasters and disasters that had previously occurred within the City. A representative group of City employees from all departments then assessed mitigation strategies based on the nine likely hazards that are likely to occur in the Bay Area. The nine hazards are five earthquake related hazards – faulting, shaking, landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis; and four weather related hazards – flooding, landslides, wildfires, and drought. Due to Sunnyvale’s location and topography three hazards (wildfires, landslides and tsunamis) should not impact the City. Staff from all City departments reviewed suggested mitigation strategies and added mitigation strategies specific to Sunnyvale. Many of the mitigation strategies efforts to improve infrastructure or processes are shared responsibilities between two or more agencies or departments within one City. The responsible city department or other agency was also identified as the lead agency for each strategy.
The mitigation strategies proposed were reviewed by ABAG and submitted to FEMA, and it was approved by FEMA. Staff will continue to gather information to update the Local Annex in the next year, as requested by ABAG.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the Disaster Mitigation Act 2000 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex will allow for grant opportunities for pre-disaster mitigation funds. Not approving the Local Annex will eliminate a potential funding source for pre-disaster funding grant opportunities.
Conclusion
Adoption of the Local Annex is part of the overall plan to better prepare for and mitigate future natural disasters, and provide a source of funding to accomplish the identified needs.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and Office of the City Clerk.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt by Resolution the Local Hazard Mitigation Annex.
2. Do not adopt the Local Hazard Mitigation Annex, and provide additional direction to Staff.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve Alternative #1.
Reviewed by:
Don Johnson, Director of Public Safety
Prepared by: Craig Farley, Acting Captain
Approved by:
Amy Chan