REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 16, 2020
FROM: KERRI L. DONIS, Fire Chief
Fire Department
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION - Adopting the Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopts the Fresno County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of the hazard mitigation plan is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards. Fresno County and other participating jurisdictions developed this multi-hazard mitigation plan to make the County and its residents less vulnerable to future hazard events. This plan was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, so Fresno County would be eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, including Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs, as well as, lower flood insurance premiums (in jurisdictions that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System).
The plan was originally developed in 2007-2008 and FEMA approved it in 2009. On August 27, 2009, the Council adopted the 2009 Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Fresno Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex through Council Resolution No. 2009-190.
The plan was comprehensively updated in 2017-2018. The County followed a planning process in alignment with FEMA guidance during its original development and update, which began with the formation of a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) comprised of key County, city, and district representatives and other stakeholders. The HMPC conducted a risk assessment that identified and profiled hazards that pose a risk to Fresno County, assessed the County’s vulnerability to these hazards, and examined the capabilities in place to mitigate them. The County is vulnerable to several hazards that are identified, profiled, and analyzed in this plan. Floods, wildfires, severe weather, drought, and agricultural hazards are among the hazards that can have a significant impact on the County.
Based on the risk assessment, the HMPC identified goals and objectives for reducing the County’s vulnerability to hazards. To meet identified goals and objectives, the plan recommends a number of mitigation actions that include actions specific to each participating jurisdiction. This plan has been formally adopted by the County and the participating jurisdictions and will be updated every five years at a minimum.
BACKGROUND
The current Fresno County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was created in 2000 as a requirement of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and updated in 2007. The plan underwent another update known as the 2017-2018 update. The City of Fresno has participated in the initial draft, the update, and provided information to the County of Fresno to include in the plan.
While the act emphasized the need for mitigation plans and more coordinated mitigation planning and implementation efforts, the regulations established the requirements that local hazard mitigation plans must meet in order for a local jurisdiction to be eligible for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (Public Law 93-288). Because the Fresno County planning area is subject to many kinds of hazards, access to these programs is vital.
Information in this plan will be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation activities and decisions for local land use policy in the future. Proactive mitigation planning will help reduce the cost of disaster response and recovery to communities and their residents by protecting critical community facilities, reducing liability exposure, and minimizing overall community impacts and disruptions. The Fresno County planning area has been affected by hazards in the past and is thus committed to reducing future impacts from hazard events and becoming eligible for mitigation-related federal funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
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.
Attachments:
Exhibit A: FEMA Approval Letter dated February 8, 2019
Exhibit B: Fresno County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan May 2018
EMC Resolution