2024-02-06 CC Agenda Packet - Addendum - Local Emergencyury of
E L S E G U N D O City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: February 6, 2024
Agenda Heading: Staff Presentation
TITLE:
Resolution Confirming the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Early February 2024
Storms, and Ratifying the City Manager's Administrative Declaration of Emergency
Dated February 4, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a motion, by simple Council majority, that an emergency situation exists
authorizing consideration of this report and proposed resolution, pursuantto
Government Code § 54954.2, to consider the associated confirmation of the
existence of a local emergency.
2. Receive and file update from the City's Emergency Management Coordinator.
3. Adopt a resolution confirming the existence of a local emergency due to early
February 2024 storms and ratifying the City Manager's Administrative Declaration of
Emergency dated February 4, 2024.
4. Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact is unknown atthis time. Adoption of the resolution will allow the City to
be eligible for potential financial assistance through the California Disaster Assistance
Act (CDAA). If directed, staff will return with a financial report.
BACKGROUND:
State law allows a city to consider an item not included on its posted agenda if itfinds
that an "emergency situation" exists, which includes activity that severely impairs public
health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the Council (Gov. Code, §
54954.2 and 54956.5.) The City Council's majority approval of a finding that an
emergency situation exists will enable its consideration of ratifying the declaration of a
local emergency, as described below. Alternatively, the Council can consider such
action if it determines, by two-thirds vote, that immediate action must be taken, and that
the City became aware of such need to take action afterthe posting of the agenda. In
either case, City staff believes that the requisite findings can be made to facilitate the
Council's consideration of this agenda item.
The current severe weather event in Los Angeles County is characterized by heavy
rainfall, exceeding historical averages, which has inundated the region, leading to
saturated grounds and an elevated risk of flash floods and debris flow. Additionally,
Declaration of Local Emergency
February 6, 2024
Page 2 of 3
strong winds have been reported, posing a serious threat to trees and power lines.
These extreme weather conditions are further compounded by the potential for
widespread flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage
systems.
Already, the impacts of this severe weather event have become evident. Reports
indicate incidents of localized flooding in several neighborhoods, leading to property
damage and disruptions to transportation networks. Emergency services have been
actively responding to calls for assistance.
DISCUSSION:
The City's Emergency Management Coordinator updated the City Managerand Fire
Chief about the impacts of the ongoing storm and recommended the activation of the
Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The City Manager concurred and the EOC was
activated on February 1, 2024 to monitor the storm's impact and response.
Responding to the escalating storm, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of
emergency on February 3, 2024. Acting in an abundance of caution, the City Manager,
in his capacity as the City's Director of Emergency Services, officially declared a local
emergency on February 4, 2024 (Attach ment 1).
The Director's recommendation to the City Council forthe declaration of a local
emergency serves crucial purposes:
• Allowing the City to request assistance under the appropriate disaster response
mechanisms, such as the California Disaster Assistance Act.
• Empowering the City Manager, or designee, to establish rules and regulations
vital for the protection of life and property during the emergency, with subsequent
confirmation by the City Council at the earliest practicable time.
• Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to implement measures any actions
necessary to safeguard public health and safety, in accordance with the City's
emergency services code (ES MC Chapter 2-2).
• Facilitating the adoption of immediate ordinances, rules, resolutions, or
regulations without prior notice or meetings with recognized employee
organizations, if deemed essential by the City Council.
If City Council adopts the resolution and proclaims a local emergency, ongoing reviews
will be conducted at regularlyscheduled meetingsuntil the conditionswarranttermination,
as mandated by Government Code § 8630. The City Council is obligated to proclaim the
end of the local emergency at the earliest date that aligns with prevailing conditions.
Declaration of Local Emergency
February 6, 2024
Page 3 of 3
CITY STRATEGIC PLAN COMPLIANCE:
Goal 2: Support Community Safety and Preparedness
Objective 2A: El Segundo is a safe and prepared community.
PREPARED BY: Todd DeVoe, Emergency Management Coordinator
REVIEWED BY: George Avery, Fire Chief
APPROVED BY: Barbara Voss, Deputy City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
1. Declaration of Local Emergency
2. Resolution Ratifying the Existence of a Local Emergency
City Manager
Elected Officials
EL SEGUNDO DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Drew Boyles,
DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
Mayor
Chris Pimentel,
SECTION 1. Findings.
Mayor Pro Tem
A. Government Code Sections §§ 8558 and 8630 et seq. and El
Carol Pirs=tuk,
Councilmember
Segundo Municipal Code ("ESMC") Chapter 2-2 12 empower me, as El
Lance Giroux,
Segundo Director of Emergency Services, to declare the existence or
Councilmember
threatened existence of a local emergency when the City is affected or likely
Ryan Baldino,
to be affected by a public calamity and the City Council is not in session,
Councilmember
subject to ratification by the City Council within seven days.
Tracy Weaver,
B. In early February 2024 a powerful, slow moving, atmospheric
City Clerk
river ("early February 2024 storms") struck California beginning February 1,
Matthew Robinson,
2024, and is expected to continue for several days threatening life and safety,
City Treasurer
public and private property and structures, and other critical infrastructure.
Appointed Officials
C. On February 4, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a
state of emergency for eight counties in Southern California, including Los
Darrell George,
City Manager
Angeles County, due to the impacts of the early February 2024 storms high
winds, damaging rain and heavy snowfall, and the state continues mobilizing
MarkD. Hensley,
CityAttorney
and coordinating resources.
D. The City may experience significant impacts due to the early
Department Directors
February 2024 storms' high winds and heavy rain, including, without
Barbara Voss,
limitation, property damage.
Deputy City Manager
Paul Chung,
E. With the City Council not currently in session, I seek to declare
Chief Financial Officer
a local emergency subject to City Council ratification within seven days.
George
Fire Chief ery'
NOW, THEREFORE, I DECLARE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL
Jose Calderon,
EMERGENCY IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO.
Information Technology
SECTION 2. Direction. Pursuant to my authority as Director of
Aly Mancini,
Recreation Parks and
Emergency Services under ESMC Chapter 2-2, 1 order as follows:
Library
A. The El Segundo Emergency Organization will take steps necessary
Rebecca
for the protection of life and property in response to the early February 2024
HumanResour,
Human Resources
storms.
Michael Allen,
Community Development
Jaime Bermudez,
Police Chief
350 Main Street, El Segundo, California 90245-3813
Elias Sassoon, Phone (310) 524-2300
Public Works
B. City staff will appropriately track costs associated with the early February 2024
storms and assess any relevant damage to property to enable potential state and federal
disaster assistance.
C. Public notice will be duly given of this Declaration through the most feasible and
adequate means of disseminating such notice throughout the City.
D. City staff will take necessary steps to ensure City Council review of this Declaration
within seven days
SECTION 3. Effective Date. This Declaration will be immediately effective this 4th
day of February 2024.
Q, ' =�s
Darrell George
El Segundo Director of Emergency Services/City Manager
350 Main Street, El Segundo, California 90245-3813
Phone (310) 524-2300
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE EXISTENCE OF A
LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO EARLY FEBRUARY 2024
STORMS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 8630.
The City Council of the city of El Segundo does resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. The City Council finds and determines as follows:
A. In February 2024 a powerful, slow moving, atmospheric river ("early February
2024 storms") struck California, and is expected to continue for several days
threatening life and safety, public and private property and structures, and other
critical infrastructure.
B. On February 4, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of
emergency for eight counties in Southern California, including Los Angeles
County, due to the impacts of the early February 2024 storms' high winds,
damaging rain and heavy snowfall, and the state continues mobilizing and
coordinating resources.
C. Government Code Sections §§ 8558 and 8630 et seq. and El Segundo
Municipal Code ("ESMC") Chapter 2-2 12 empower the City Manager, as El
Segundo Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence or
threatened existence of a local emergency when the City is affected or likely to
be affected by a public calamity and the City Council is not in session, subjectto
ratification by the City Council within seven days.
D. On February 4, 2024, pursuant to the authority referenced above, the City
Manager, as El Segundo Directorof Emergency Services, issued a declaration of
local emergency due to the early February 2024 storms (hereinafter,
"Declaration"), and such Declaration is available for public inspection with the
City Clerk's office.
E. The City Council seeks to ratify the Declaration of local emergency within the
time frame set forth in Government Code § 8630.
SECTION 2. Actions.
A. The City Council ratifies the Declaration of the existence of a local emergency
caused by the early February 2024 storms asset forth in the Declaration.
B. The City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services, is empowered to
cant' out all emergency powers conferred upon him/her as the Emergency
Services Director by local and state laws, and by all other lawful authority, as
may be necessary to protect life and property.
C. During the existence of this local emergency, the powers, functions, and
duties of the Emergency Services Director and the emergency organization of
this City will be those prescribed by state law, by ordinance, and resolutions of
this City approved by the City Council.
D. The City Clerk is directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the California
Director of the Office of Emergency Services with a request to find it acceptable
in accordance with provisions of the Natural Disaster Assistance Act; and that the
City's Emergency Services Director, or designee, is hereby declared as the City's
authorized representative for the purpose of receiving, processing, and
coordinating all inquiries and requirements needed to obtain available state and,
if needed, federal assistance.
SECTION 3. Local Emergency Review, Termination. Pursuant to Government
Code § 8630, the City Council will review the need for continuing the local emergency
referenced herein at least once every 60 days until the City Council terminates the local
emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any part of this Resolution or its application is
deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the City Council intends that such
invaliditywill notaffectthe effectiveness of the remaining provisions orapplications and,
to this end, the provisions of this Resolution are severable.
SECTION 5. Signature Authority. The Mayor, or presiding officer, is hereby
authorized to affix his signature to this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City
Council of the City of El Segundo, and the City Clerk, or her duly appointed deputy, is
directed to attest thereto.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Resolution will take effect immediately upon
adoption and will remain effective unless repealed or superseded.
SECTION 7. City Clerk Direction. The City Clerk will certify to the passage and
adoption of this Resolution, enteritin the City's bookof original Resolutions, and make a
record of this action in the meeting's minutes.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of
2024.
Drew Boyles, Mayor
ATTEST:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
CITY OF EL SEGUNDO )
I, Tracy Weaver, City Clerk of the City of El Segundo, California, do hereby certify that
the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing
Resolution No. was duly passed and adopted by said City Council, approved and
signed by the Mayor of said City, and attested to by the City Clerk of said City, all at a
regular meeting of said Council held on the day of 2024, and the same was
so passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Tracy Weaver, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
MARK D. HENSLEY, CITY ATTORNEY
Joaquin Vazquez, Assistant City Attorney