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CC - Receive and File a Progress Report Presented by Michael Baker International on the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Culver City and the Culver City Unified School District.
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Contact Person/Dept: Joe Susca/Public Works
Phone Number: (310) 253-5636
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/05/15)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer (10/30/15)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council receive and file a presentation by Michael Baker International (MBI) related to the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) currently being prepared for the City of Culver City and the Culver City Unified School District in accordance with state and federal law.
BACKGROUND
The National Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 established requirements for programs and projects to minimize the loss of life, property, and the total cost of natural disasters. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDMP) provide grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures prior to and after major disaster declarations. The purpose of the HMGP and PDMP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented prior to and during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
To be eligible to receive funding for Hazard Mitigation and Pre-Disaster Mitigation projects, the City is required to have a California Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved MJHMP in place.
In July 2014, the City, in partnership with the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD), applied for funding from the HMGP to hire a consulting firm to develop a joint MJHMP. In December 2014, the City received notification that the grant was approved, and on March 23, 2015, the City Council approved a $100,430 agreement with MBI to prepare the MJHMP for the City/CCUSD.
Hazard Mitigation and the MJHMP
Hazard mitigation is sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the risk to life, property, and the environment from natural and man-made hazards. Hazard mitigation planning is a process in which hazards are identified and profiled, people and facilities at risk are assessed for threat and vulnerability, and then mitigation actions are developed. The result of the process is an integrated and coordinated effort to mitigate hazards. The expected outcome of all actions of the City/CCUSD MJHMP is to lessen the impact of damage caused by natural hazards to life, the economy, and infrastructure, and improve the ability of the community to function after experiencing a hazardous event. The purpose of the MJHMP is to document these actions and determine priorities and implementation efforts.
The MJHMP is being developed to meet requirements set forth by OES/FEMA and in order for the City/CCUSD to be eligible to receive funding and technical assistance from state and federal hazard mitigation programs. OES/FEMA requires the MJHMP to be updated every five years.
DISCUSSION
Community Outreach:
Public outreach is a required component of the MJHMP. The MJHMP public outreach strategy utilizes the City’s website, e-mail distribution lists, Nixle, bi-weekly updates to local media, and postcards to engage the public throughout the MJHMP planning process. The following outreach efforts were undertaken by the City:
• Community Survey. A survey was distributed to the City’s e-mail distribution lists, at community outreach events and made available on the City’s MJHMP website (www.culvercity.org/hazardmitigationplan <http://www.culvercity.org/hazardmitigationplan>) to obtain community input about various safety topics associated with the MJHMP.
• Fiesta La Ballona - August 28-30, 2015. As part of the Fiesta La Ballona celebration, the City sponsored a booth to publicize various City programs, including development of the MJHMP. City and MBI staff distributed a postcard at the booth that included a link to complete the community survey along with an invitation to attend an upcoming MJHMP community workshop. Visitors to the booth were invited to sign-up for email updates for future events and information and ask questions or provide comments.
• Community Workshop - September 24, 2015. A Community Workshop and Learning Event was held at the Senior Center to discuss the MJHMP and to understand the community’s perspective and personal experience with natural hazards that affect the City/CCUSD. The survey was also made available for completion by those in attendance.
Steering Committee
A MJHMP Steering Committee has been formed that is comprised of 18 staff members from the City/CCUSD, the American Red Cross, and the cities of West Hollywood and Santa Monica. With MBI’s guidance and input, the MJHMP Steering Committee has met to identify natural hazards and to assess their risk. By the end of this year, the MJHMP Steering Committee and MBI will develop mitigation actions to reduce their impacts to the community.
MBI’s presentation this evening will include a description of the components that comprise the MJHMP, describe its planning process, list the natural hazards that are faced by the City/CCUSD, and offer examples of mitigation actions that may be taken to minimize their impacts.
A draft of the MJHMP will be completed in January 2016 and be posted on the City’s website for review and comment by the community prior to presenting a final draft to the City Council and CCUSD Board for consideration in the spring of 2016.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no additional financial impact associated with receiving MBI’s presentation.
ATTACHMENTS
None
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Receive and file a presentation by MBI on their progress to develop the City/CCUSD’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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