Item No. {{item.number}}
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – CONSENT AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2024
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF UPDATED EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council adopt the Updated Emergency Services Council Joint Powers Agreement.
BACKGROUND
The San Mateo Operational Area Emergency Services Council (ESC) brings together local governments, special districts, and other entities to coordinate emergency planning and response, including for hazardous materials. This Council engages in planning with respect to all phases of the emergency management cycle: prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, while also maintaining key public information systems like SMC Alert. The Town is a member of the San Mateo Operational Area ESC.
The ESC last revised and restated the Joint Exercise of the Powers Agreement (“Agreement”) on October 17, 2014. Since the Agreement is updated as needed, it has become outdated following significant changes within the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), which now operates as a standalone agency separate from the Sheriff’s Office. The ESC now operates from the County Manager’s Office.
ANALYSIS
To accurately reflect the current responsibilities of the DEM and the ESC, the ESC unanimously approved the changes to the JPA. The Town partners with ESC and DEM to receive services such as Hazmat Responses, Emergency Alert and Warning, and Training and Exercises for the whole Operational Area. Key changes to the Agreement, include:
• Standardizing nomenclature;
• Updating agreement language; and
• Clarifying and defining the roles of the ESC, the ESC Finance Committee, and the DEM.
UPDATED ESC JPA MOU
DECEMBER 18, 2024
To ensure that the Town continues to receive these services, the Town must adopt the updated JPA.
The Updated ESC MOU was reviewed and approved by the San Mateo County Operational Area Emergency Services Council at their September 2024 meeting. The Board recommended that all member agencies adopt the updated agreement.
Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian is the Town’s representative on the Emergency Services Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned • Goal Area G – Emergency Preparedness – Be Prepared
POLICY FOCUS
Policy focus for the Council is ensuring that the Town stays current with its regional partnerships and agreements.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. ESC-JPA UPDATED MOU