REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the 2019 Evaluation Report of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) was adopted by the City Council on December 19, 2017 as Annex L of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined Volume 2 of the HMP to also be the City’s Floodplain Management Plan during the 2018 audit of the City’s National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). Consequently, an Annual Evaluation of the HMP is required by FEMA as part of their annual audit of the City’s CRS.
The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. Flood insurance premium rates for residents and businesses are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk. The City is currently designated as CRS Class 8, which means the City’s residents and businesses in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) are eligible for a 10% insurance premium discount, and others in the City not in a SFHA are eligible for a 5% insurance premium discount.
DISCUSSION
The Evaluation Report of the HMP documents the City’s progress on hazard mitigation objectives determined in 2017. The report was prepared by the City’s Office of Emergency Services with input from the Hazard Mitigation Review Committee comprised of City Department leaders and private sector partners.
Of the 30 objectives established in 2017, 24 are ongoing or in progress, four are not yet started and one is finished. One objective was deleted and integrated into two others for clarity. In addition, two new objectives are identified.
The finished objective is the completion of the desilting of the Westside Retention Basin. This desilting restored the original storage of the basin to hold additional storm water and reduce flooding risk.
Flood preparedness will continue to increase with the introduction of new objectives which involve restoring the original storm water storage capacity of the Eastside Retention Basin and “rehabilitating” the Laurelwood Storm Pump Station.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Silicon Valley Power, Water & Sewer Utilities, and the Community Development, Police, and Public Works Departments.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and File the 2019 Evaluation Report of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: William G. Kelly, Fire Chief
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019 Evaluation Report of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
2. 2017 Annex L, Hazard Mitigation Plan, Volume 2