REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILLY P. ALCORN, Fire Chief
Fire Department
BY: SEAN A. JOHNSON, Battalion Chief
Fire Department, Emergency Preparedness Officer
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION - Adopting the May 2024 Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and City of Fresno Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Resolution adopting the 2024 Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the City of Fresno Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex set forth in Annex E.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of the 2024 hazard mitigation plan is to reduce long-term risk to people, property, infrastructure, and public services from natural hazards. Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 5165, together with FEMA’s local mitigation planning regulations at 44 C.F.R. § 201.6, requires a current FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plan for a local government to receive Hazard Mitigation Grant Program project funding and to apply for other FEMA mitigation assistance. FEMA’s regulations also allow multi-jurisdictional plans, provided each participating jurisdiction takes part in the planning process and formally adopts its own plan or annex.
The 2024 Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan includes Annex E for the City of Fresno. The annex identifies Fresno-specific hazards, vulnerabilities, capabilities, and mitigation actions, and supports continued use of hazard mitigation planning in capital improvement planning, development review, emergency operations, and future grant applications. Adoption of the 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan will also keep the City on the current federal planning cycle, which requires local mitigation plans to be reviewed, updated, and resubmitted at least every five years to maintain program eligibility.
State law also supports this action. Government Code section 65302(g) requires the Safety Element to address hazards, including dam failure, flooding, and wildland and urban fires. Government Code section 65302.6 authorizes a city to adopt a local hazard mitigation plan with its Safety Element. The Noise and Safety Element of the Fresno General Plan acknowledges the City’s adoption of the County’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the City’s Local Annex. Further, Policy NS-6-a specifically requires adoption and implementation of the Fresno County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Fresno Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex. This recommended action is an implementation of that policy, is consistent with the Fresno General Plan, and will maintain a current planning basis for long-range hazard mitigation.
BACKGROUND
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 established the federal framework for local hazard mitigation planning. Fresno County’s multi-jurisdictional planning effort has since moved through several planning cycles, including the original 2007-2008 plan, the 2017-2018 update, and the current 2024 update. The City of Fresno participated in the countywide planning process and provided jurisdiction-specific information for Annex E. Although Annex E is dated 2024, the City’s final internal review and adoption schedule extended beyond that date due in part to turnover within the City’s emergency management function.
The 2024 City of Fresno annex is intended to guide long-term risk reduction and support future City planning and operational decisions. Information in the plan will be used to inform local plans, programs, and policies, including capital improvement projects, development application review, and incorporation of the local hazard mitigation plan into the Safety Element of the General Plan. Maintaining a current plan also keeps the City aligned with FEMA’s five-year update requirement for continued eligibility under federal mitigation planning rules
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not applied since this is an adoption of a plan that the City of Fresno has previously been involved with.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item has no fiscal impact. The City of Fresno currently provides these services in case of an emergency.
Attachment:
Resolution