SR 03-22-2016 3C
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 22, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.C
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Elaine Polachek, Asst. City Manager, Office of Emergency Management
Subject: Approval of the updated Santa Monica Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached updated All Hazards Local
Mitigation Plan
makes the City eligible for Federal and state natural disaster funding.
Executive Summary
In 2004, the Santa Monica All Hazards Local Mitigation Plan was originally approved by
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the Santa Monica City Council. On May 27, 2014 the Santa Monica City Council
approved the updated All Hazards Local Mitigation Plan. As required by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), once the plan is approved by the local
jurisdiction and reviewed by both the State of California Office of Emergency Services
(OES) and FEMA, it must then be formally adopted by the local jurisdiction as the final
step in the process. This updated version reflects changes within the Santa Monica City
organization and includes new mitigation actions which are intended to limit the loss of
life and property in emergencies. This document is required by FEMA in order to be
eligible to receive future Hazard Mitigation funding or other public assistance following a
federally declared emergency.
Background
In 2004, FEMA required that all state and local governments have an approved All
Hazards Local Mitigation Plan (Attachment A) in order to qualify for disaster mitigation
and recovery funding. The update of the All Hazards Local Mitigation Plan provides
hazard assessments from natural disasters and identifies mitigation strategies to be
implemented in order to reduce the effects of emergencies.
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On May 27, 2014 the Santa Monica City Council approved the updated All Hazards
Local Mitigation Plan (Attachment B). As required by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), once the plan is approved by the local jurisdiction and
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reviewed by both the State of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) and
FEMA, it must then be formally adopted by the local jurisdiction as the final step in the
process. Once the All Hazards Local Mitigation Plan is adopted by the Council, it will
then be approved by FEMA. FEMA requires the Plan be updated every five years.
Discussion
The All Hazards Mitigation Plan is required in order to apply for disaster mitigation and
recovery funding prior to and following a federally declared disaster. The All Hazards
Mitigation Plan serves to provide the community with an accurate assessment of
potential natural hazards and identifies mitigation activities to assist Santa Monica in
preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This updated Plan does
not change processes in place for disaster response operations. The All Hazards
Mitigation Plan includes several key components focused on Santa Monica and the
reduction of risk and impacts to lives, property, and the environment in the event of
disasters. Some of these components include:
A Community Profile
Risk Assessment
Mitigation Goals
Mitigation Action Items
Hazard Analysis
The Planning Committee which was chaired by members of the Office of Emergency
Management, and included representatives from many City Departments including the
Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Planning
Department, and others, met with key community stakeholders including the Santa
Monica Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., The Convention and
Visitors Bureau, UCLA Santa Mo
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, the Santa Monica College and others to
address the hazard analysis and mitigation actions. Community involvement is a key
component in the development of an All Hazards Mitigation Plan.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions:
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
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recommended action. Council approval of the Santa Monica All Hazards Mitigation
Plan will make the City of Santa Monica eligible for federal disaster assistance money
prior to and following an emergency.
Prepared By:
Paul Weinberg,
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. All Hazard Local Mitigation Plan (Weblink)
B. May 27, 2014 Staff Report Requesting Initial Hazard Local Mitigation Plan
Approval (Weblink)
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