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25-87242
AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Report: Report of Wind Event 2025 Ratifying the Proclamation of the Director of Emergency Services declaring a Local Emergency.
1. Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of the Director of Emergency Services declaring a Local Emergency
COUNCIL ACTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Beginning January 7, 2025, the City of Glendale and the entire Los Angeles region, have been subject to disaster/conditions of extreme peril related to an extreme wind event that has caused an intense fire in the neighboring Pasadena and Altadena areas. On January 8, 2025, the City Manager, acting as Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed that a local emergency existed and directed steps be taken to protect and preserve life and property in the area affected by the disaster/conditions of extreme peril. Staff seeks ratification of the emergency proclamation.
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved forJanuary 14, 2025 calendar
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25-87242
2 RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the Resolution ratifying the proclamation of local emergency by the Director of Emergency Services.
ANALYSIS
Beginning January 7, 2025, the City of Glendale and the entire Los Angeles region have been subject to disaster/conditions of extreme peril which either overwhelms or threats to become beyond the control of normal services, personnel, equipment and facilities of City government, namely: high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have increased the intensity and spread of the Fire in the neighboring Pasadena and Altadena areas, causing imminent threat to life with Red Flag warnings in effect in Los Angeles County and widespread dangerous windstorm conditions with damaging wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph.
These fire and windstorm conditions threatened structures, homes, and critical infrastructure, including power lines, and prompted evacuation orders and warnings and impacted the access routes to the community. Additionally, the severe heavy winds caused numerous uprooted trees, innumerable broken limbs and branches causing temporary closures of parks, blockages of major roadways, traffic signal outages, downed power lines with damaged utility poles causing in excess of 27,000 Glendale Water and Power customers to be without power at its peak, and moderate to severe private and public property damage.
On January 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The County of Los Angeles also declared a state of emergency on January 7, 2025. On January 8, 2025, the City Manager, in his capacity as Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed a state of local emergency. The Proclamation was necessary because the conditions were beyond the control of normal services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City. State law provides that in periods of local emergency, cities have full power to receive mutual aid to any affected area in accordance with local ordinances, resolutions, emergency plans or other agreements to provide personnel, equipment and financial assistance for the cost of extraordinary services. State law requires that the City Council ratify such proclamation within seven days and review such declaration at least once every 14 days thereafter in order to reevaluate the need to continue the state of local emergency. The hazardous conditions referenced above threatened to overwhelm the City's resources to the point where it will be necessary to again seek mutual aid and State and Federal assistance. As of the date of the preparation of this memorandum (January 9, 2025), the Wind Event 2025 conditions are continuing and weather predictions for next week include strong winds again. A Resolution is provided for Council approval. The Resolution will ratify the action of the Director of Emergency Services as of January 8, 2025. It is necessary to take these actions to provide the City with the authority to obtain funds or assistance from the State, the Federal government and from neighboring local agencies. Also attached is a copy of the Proclamation by which the Director of Emergency Services declared the local emergency.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A.
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25-87242
3 FISCAL IMPACT
Ratifying the state of local emergency has no direct financial impact. However, the costs associated with the Wind Event 2025 abatement and other emergency efforts will continue to be incurred. State and Federal assistance is anticipated to address this issue. The amount of such assistance is undetermined at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The emergency proclamation and the actions taken thereunder are taken to prevent or mitigate an emergency and are therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(4).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Not approve the resolution.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Michael J. Garcia, City Attorney
Prepared by:
Lucy Varpetian, Principal Assistant City Attorney
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. Emergency Proclamation Dated January 8, 2025