TO: City Council DATE: September 14, 2026 DEPARTMENT: Economic Development Department
PREPARED BY: Sarah McCormick, Economic Development Manager PRESENTER: Sarah McCormick, Economic Development Manager Eric Swift, Police Chief
AGENDA TITLE: Receive Report and Consider Approving City Council Resolution Adopting the City of Fort Bragg Planning Partner Annex of Mendocino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt City Council Resolution Adopting the City of Fort Bragg Planning Annex of Mendocino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2026
BACKGROUND
Hazard mitigation planning provides a long-term framework for communities to reduce loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption resulting from natural disasters. While natural disasters cannot be avoided, communities can take proactive steps to reduce their impact and improve community resilience.
A FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan is required for eligibility for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs, as well as similar funding opportunities through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Hazard Mitigation Plans must be reviewed and updated every five years, approved by FEMA, and adopted by participating jurisdictions to maintain eligibility for these grant opportunities.
The City of Fort Bragg is a participating jurisdiction in a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The previous plan was adopted by the Fort Bragg City Council on December 14, 2020, and included six partnering jurisdictions. The number of jurisdictions participating in the 2026 MJHMP process has increased to nine, reflecting a regional commitment to prepare for and coordinate hazard mitigation county-wide. The participating jurisdictions and special districts are:
Mendocino County
City of Ukiah
City of Willits
City of Point Arena
County Office of Education
Redwood Coast Fire Protection District
Covelo Fire Protection District
Noyo Harbor District
City of Fort Bragg
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The City of Fort Bragg Planning Partner Annex (the “Plan”) identifies mitigation priorities based on the City’s hazard risk profile, potential benefits, feasibility, available capabilities, and community priorities (Att. 1 – City of Fort Bragg Planning Partner Annex). The Plan was developed with support from Synergy Disaster Recovery through several months of MJHMP planning partner workshops, one-on-one interviews, surveys, and community engagement.
The mitigation strategy is the primary outcome of the planning process. The 2026 mitigation actions address identified hazards, including earthquakes, flooding, severe storms, drought, and other natural hazards, which are further evaluated based on risk priority level.
Representative mitigation actions include measures to reduce the impacts of drought on our community, such as investing in additional reservoir water storage capacity, reinforcing vulnerable segments of the City’s raw water line distribution system, making improvements to Newman Pump Station, and evaluating the potential benefits of reclaimed water through a Purple Pipe System.
The Plan also identifies specific capabilities the City will work to expand over the next five years. For the first time, the Plan incorporates economic development strategies intended to strengthen our communities’ ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. These strategies include:
Economic Diversification Resilient Infrastructure Investment Disaster Recovery Financing Mechanisms
Climate Adaptation, Green and Blue Economy Initiatives
Tourism and Waterfront Protection Strategies
Business Continuity & Resilience Programs
Together, the updated mitigation actions and expanded capabilities will improve the City’s ability to prepare for and recover from future hazards.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
Development of the MJLHMP was led by Mendocino County and Synergy Disaster Recovery, with input from the City planning team.
Adoption of the Plan has no immediate fiscal impact. Implementation of programs and projects identified in the Plan will occur overtime and will be subject to available funding, staff capacity, project feasibility, environmental review, permitting, property ownership, and required City approvals.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The Project is not subject to California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and Title 14, the California Code of Regulations (“CEQA Guidelines”) because it does not authorize construction or physical changes to the environment. Individual projects identified in the plan will undergo environmental review, before implementation.
STRATEGIC PLAN/COUNCIL PRIORITIES/GENERAL PLAN CONSISTANCY Maintaining public safety, essential infrastructure, and essential utilities are critical functions of local government, as well as regulating land use and building, protecting the environment and managing public health. Having a proactive plan to reduce risks from natural disasters supports every aspect of local government.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Public input was sought during a formal public review period that opened on Monday, April 6, 2026 and closed on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
City of Fort Bragg Planning Partner Annex
MJMHP Adoption Resolution
NOTIFICATION:
“Notify Me’ subscriber lists: Agendas
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8C
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT