SR-700-003 (4)
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November 21, 1989
Santa Monica, California
TO:
Mayor and city Council
FROM:
City staff
SUBJECT:
Recommendation to contribute City Funds to the
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
INTRODUCTION
This report outlines actions taken by city staff following the
earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area to assist impacted
residents and businesses. In addition, the report recommends
that the City contribute $10,000 in City contingency funds to the
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to be earmarked for San
Francisco Bay area earthquake recovery.
DISCUSSION
City staff Response
At the request of the City of San Francisco and the state Office
of Emergency Services, two engineers and one building inspector
assisted in inspecting buildings within the city of San Francisco
on October 26-28. Santa Monica City staff, along with staff from
other local communities and approximately 200 volunteers, were
utilized to inspect over 1,600 unreinforced masonry (URM)
buildings as well as hundreds of additional structures reported
by local residents. Many of these structures had been declared
uninhabitable after brief inspection immediately following the
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earthquake, and required reinspection prior to allowing residents
to return to them. In addition, the city of San Francisco was
interested in obtaining a detailed account of damage suffered by
all URM buildings to determine the actual impact of a major
earthquake. Finally, many residents and businesses who were
concerned about the condition of their non-URM homes and offices
requested inspections as a safety measure. City of Santa Monica
staff personally inspected approximately 120 buildings.
Ultimately, the City of San Francisco declared 425 buildings
uninhabitable as the result of the earthquake, which is
considered significant given that the epicenter was situated 65
miles to the southwest.
American Red Cross
During the past three weeks, several Southern California cities
have donated funds to the General Relief Fund of the American Red
Cross earmarked for Northern California. Such cities have
included Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Pomona, Whittier, La
Canada, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. Most
of the cities have pledged approximately five cents per citizen
based on a suggested donation amount provided by the American Red
Cross.
According to a spokesperson for the American Red cross, cities
have the option of donating funds to the General Relief Fund to
be earmarked for a specific Northern California city, such as
Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Los Gatos or Watsonville. otherwise,
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the funds will be used for general relief activities throughout
the San Francisco Bay area.
City staff reco~~ends that the amount of $10,000 be contributed
from the city's contingency funds to be used for general Bay area
relief activities.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $10,000 are available in the city's
contingency account, #01-700-274-000-785.
RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommends that contingency funds in the amount of
$10,000 be contributed to the American Red Cross General Relief
Fund to be earmarked for general Bay area earthquake relief
activities.
Prepared by: Julia N. Griffin
senior Management Analyst
(rel)
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