Gustine City Council
October 23, 2024

SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
AGENDA

CITY OF GUSTINE
CITY COUNCIL and

PLANNING COMMISSION

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
352 5I STREET GUSTINE, CALIFORNIA
OCTOBER 23, 2024 - 6:00P .M.

The Council Chambers are open and in-person attendance is encouraged.

As a convenience, the City will be retaining the virtual component of public meetings for optional attendance with the use of an online meeting room.

Log-in and dial-in information is as follows:
https://meet.goto.com/89814431 7
or via telephone by dialing_[872) 240-331],access code:898-144-317 Feedback and noise will be muted by the meeting organizer.

Please note, in the event of a technical issue causing a disruption in the call-in option or internet-based option, the meeting will continue unless otherwise required by law, such as when a Council Member is attending the meeting virtually pursuant to certain provisions of the Brown Act.

CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL
Council Members: Giles - Marsigli - Bonta -Mayor Pro Tern Ford -- Mayor Nagy Commission Members: Alexander - Duprel - Medeiros -- Vice Chairperson Lackey - Chairperson Gomes

PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, any person may comment on an item, which is not on the agenda. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. Members of the public, who have questions regarding a specific agenda item, may comment on that item before consideration of that item by the Planning Commission, when recognized to do so by the Chairman.

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA

1. WORKSHOP: Draft Safety Element of the City's General Plan

1. Receive Staff Report and Presentation

2. Receive Public Comment

3. Receive Planning Commission Comment

4. Receive City Council Comment

2. WORKSHOP: Draft Environmental Justice Element of the City's General Plan

1. Receive Staff Report and Presentation

2. Receive Public Comment

3. Receive Planning Commission Comment

4. Receive City Council Comment
(continued)

ADJOURNMENT
Note:

1. 2.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disabled person requesting a disability-related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, must contact City Half at (209) 854-6471 or (209) 854-2127(fax). Requests must be made as early as possible, preferably one-full business day before the start of the meeting.

Any document provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any open session item on this agenda is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the front counter of City Hall located at 352 5 Street, Gustine, CA. Documents or writings received after the general distribution of the agenda are also available for inspection.

CERTIFICATION
I, Melanie Correa, Deputy City Clerk, do hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing agenda was posted on the outdoor bulletin board at the Gustine City Hall, 352 5 Street, Gustine CA and made available for public review on this 16 day of October, 2024, at ....

Melanie Correa
f, ).Coed

ITEM NO. 1

CITY COUNCIL AND

PLANNING COMMISSION

JOINT MEETING

AGENDA ITEM
OCTOBER 23, 2024
PREPARED BY: Jami Westervelt, Economic and Community Development Director Kelsey George, Contract Planner
SUBJECT: Workshop to collect input on the first draft of the City of Gustine Safety Element

BACKGROUND
The State of California mandates that the City of Gustine perform regular updates to its Housing Element (HE). The HE is one of the elements of the required General Plan for the City. The update to the City HE triggers an update to the existing Safety Element in the Gustine General Plan.

DISCUSSION
The attached plan is a DRAFT for a Safety Element. The images, responsibilities and timeframes will be updated by staff as necessary and changes are inevitable as this is a very early draft. The draft document is being attached for general review. The presentation at the meeting will provide additional background and context. Council members and Commissioners are encouraged to ask questions.

The purpose of this workshop is to focus mainly on the content of this document to include specifics related to policy and actions that the State requires jurisdictions to make commitments to. While the requirements are State-mandated, getting as much substantive feedback as possible now is essential. The intent of the item is to get to the core of any concerns now so that there is adequate time to address and revise in order to bring a solid document back for approval later in the process that will have the larger-picture issues already addressed based on the direction of the Council and Commission.

RECOMMENDATION
Following a workshop presentation, Council and Commission to provide specific feedback and direction for this document.

EXHIBIT(S)
A) Draft Safety Element
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PPROVED BY;
Soknirorn Than, City Manager

SCREENCHECK DRAFT
Prepared for:

City of Gustine
352 5 Street
Gustine, California 95322
Contact: Jami Westervelt
City of Gustine
Safety Element
Prepared by:
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CSG CONSULTANTS
3707 W. Garden Grove Boulevard,
Suite 100
Orange, California 92868
Contact: Gina Paolini
SEPTEMBER 2024

. . .

Table of Contents

SECTION

SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
PAGE NO.
1 Introduction 1
2 Relationship to Other Documents 5

2.1 General Plan Elements s

2.2 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 5

2.3 City of Gustine Emergency Operations Plan 5
3 Community Profile 7
4 Existing Conditions 13

4.1 Fire 13

4.1.1 Wildfires 13

4.1.2 Wildland-Urban Interface Fires 14

4.1.3 Structural Fires 14

4.1.4 Past Fire Occurrences 16

4.1.5 Potential Changes to Fire Risk in Future Years 16

4.1.6 Fire Protection 17

4.1.5 Fire Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/lmplementation 18

4.2 Seismic and Geologic Hazards 21

4.2.1 Seismic Hazards 21

4.2.2 Geologic Hazards 24

4.2.3 Potential Changes to Geologic and Seismic Risk in Future Years ................................24

4.2.4 Seismic and Geologic Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation......... 25

4.3 Flood Hazards 25

4.3.1 Flooding 25

4.3.2 Dam lnundation 26

4.3.3 Potential Changes to Flood Risk in Future Years 27

4.3.3 Flood and Inundation Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation .........27

4.4 Hazardous Materials/Wastes 32

4.4.1 Hazardous Materials Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation .......... 33

4.5 Emergency Preparedness 34

4.5.1 Firefighting Infrastructure 34

4.5.2 Emergency Response Personnel 34

4.5.4 Emergency Preparedness Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation 35

4.6 Cybercrime 39

4.6.1 Cybercrime Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation 39

4. 7 Climate Change 40

4.7.1 Vulnerable Populations and Assets 40

4.7.2 Climate Change Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation .41 SEPTEMBER 2024

EXHIBITS
Exhibit 4-1
Exhibit 4-2
Exhibit 4-3
Exhibit 4-4
Exhibit 4-5
Exhibit 4-6
Exhibit 4-7
Exhibit 4-8
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Project Location 3
Regional Location 9
Local Vicinity 11
Wildfire Threat Areas 15
Fire Responsibility Areas 19
Location of Regional Faults 23
100-Year Flood Zone 29
Don Pedro and New Exchequer Dam Inundation Areas 31
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1 INTRODUCTION
The Safety Element is a plan to minimize the hazards to public health and safety in and around the City of Gustine. It identifies the natural and human-caused hazards that affect, or have the potential to affect, existing and future development and operations, and provides guidelines for protecting residents and other community members from injury and death. It describes existing conditions and sets policies and standards for improved public safety. The Safety Element also intends to minimize physical harm to the buildings and infrastructure in and around Gustine, and to reduce damage to local economic systems and community services.

The Safety Element reflects the City of Gustine's regard for the health and safety of its residents, and the well-being of other community assets. The Element addresses issues that would require government intervention to effectively achieve public safety. It is the responsibility of the City of Gustine to protect community members from danger and harm. The Safety Element helps to guide new development, as well as community programs and other efforts, with the intent of reducing the potential for harm from natural and human-caused hazards within Gustine and the planning area, which includes the land within City limits and the City's sphere of influence; refer to Exhibit 4-1, Project Location.

Some degree of risk is inevitable, as the potential for many disasters cannot be completely eliminated and efforts to predict when such disasters may occur are limited. The goal of the Safety Element is to reduce the risk of injury, death, property loss, or other hardships to acceptable levels. In accordance with California law, the Safety Element serves the following purposes:

I Protect the community from risks associated with a variety of hazards, including seismic activity, landslides, flooding, and wildfire, as required by the California Government Code Section 65302(g)(l).

I Map and assess the risk associated with flood hazards, develop policies to minimize the flood risk to new development and essential public facilities, and establish effective working relationships among agencies with flood protection responsibilities, as required by California Government Code Section 65302(g)(2).

I Map and assess the risk associated with wildfire hazards, develop policies to reduce the wildfire risk to new land uses and essential facilities, ensure there is adequate road and water infrastructure to respond to wildfire emergencies, and establish cooperative relationships between wildfire protection agencies, as required by California Government Code Section 65302(g)(3).

I Assess the risks associated with climate change on local assets, populations, and resources. Note existing and planned development in at-risk areas and identify agencies responsible for providing public health and safety and environmental protection. Develop goals, policies, and objectives to reduce the risks associated with climate change impacts, including locating new public facilities outside of at-risk areas, providing adequate infrastructure in at-risk areas, and supporting natural infrastructure for climate adaptation, as required by California Government Code Section 65302(g)(4).

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2 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER DOCUMENTS
The Gustine Safety Element is one of several plans that address community public safety and related topics, including other Gustine General Plan Elements, the Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), the City of Gustine Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), and local regulations. The Safety Element should be consistent with these other Elements and plans in order to minimize conflicts between documents and ensure that the City has a unified strategy to address public safety issues. The Safety Element incorporates information, technical analyses, and policies from these other documents where appropriate to help support this consistency.

2.1 General Plan Elements
The Gustine General Plan has nine chapters that cover all seven state-mandated Elements. The Safety Element provides policy direction and identifies safety improvements that complement the intent and policies of other General Plan Elements and City plans. Crucial relationships exist between the Safety Element and the other General Plan Elements. For instance, the Public Facilities Chapter standards correspond with safety concerns related to emergency operations in the Safety Element and must be consistent with the policies to address those hazards.

2.2 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan In collaboration with the City and other local agencies, the County of Merced led preparation of the MJHMP. The MJHMP assesses hazard vulnerabilities from natural and human-caused hazards, including risk to people and facilities, and identifies mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate hazard risks in Merced County, including in incorporated communities. The MJHMP includes a dedicated Annex for Gustine, which discusses additional information specific to the community, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for the City. The current MJHMP was developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and follows FEMA's 2011 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan guidance. The current MJHMP, as approved by FEMA, is incorporated into this Element by reference, as permitted by California Government Code Section 65302.6, and is available on line at:

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (link) The MJHMP and Safety Element address similar issues, but the Safety Element provides a higher-level framework and policies that pertain to safety in the City, while the MJHMP focuses on more specific mitigation, often short-term, and actions to enable jurisdictions to better protect lives, property, and natural systems. Hazard mitigation plans form the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.

2.3 City of Gustine Emergency Operations Plan
The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) describes the operational protocols that the City will follow during extraordinary emergency situations. The EOP is the principal guide for the City to respond to and mitigate emergencies and disasters within Gustine's geographic boundaries. It outlines the responsibilities of the City during emergency events and the procedures that should be followed. It also describes the chain of command in Gustine's emergency response organization, including how the City's emergency responders coordinate with external jurisdictions and agencies. This includes multiagency and multi-jurisdictional emergency operations and coordination, particularly between local government and the operational area (county boundary), state, and federal responders.

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3 COMMUNITY PROFILE
Gustine is located in the western portion of Merced County, near the southern border of Stanislaus County in the Central Valley. The City covers approximately 1.6 square miles. Unincorporated Merced County, including primarily agricultural land, surrounds Gustine in all directions. State Route 140 begins at an interchange on Interstate 5, west of Gustine, and passes through the City on its way across Central California to Merced and Yosemite National Park; refer to Exhibit 4-2, Regional Location. State Route 33 is an important north-south state highway that runs roughly parallel to Interstate 5. State Routes 140 and 33 converge in Gustine, and there are three distinct segments to the highway. The southwestern segment between the Sullivan Road/SR 33/SR 140 junction and the Jensen Road intersection is a conventional two-lane rural highway. The middle segment between the Jensen Road intersection and the Fourth Street intersection is designated locally as South Avenue; however, this segment is also part of both SR 33 and SR 140. The north section between the intersection of South Avenue and Fourth Street is part of both SR 33 and SR 140. At the intersection of this segment and First Avenue, SR 140 continues east, and SR 33 continues north. Gustine consists of primarily flat land, with no major water bodies or mountains within City boundaries; refer to Exhibit 4-3, Local Vicinity.

Gustine's Mediterranean climate is typical of the Central Valley, with a cool, rainy winter season and dry, hot summers. On average, annual high temperatures in Gustine range from 59 degrees Fahrenheit ("F) in December and January to l00°F in July. Low temperatures range from 38°F in January to 61"F in July. The City receives an average of 11.59 inches of precipitation annually.
1 Most precipitation falls during the winter months; summer storms are rare.

Land uses in the City primarily consist of agricultural, residential, and commercial uses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Gustine had an estimated population of 6,181 persons and 2,249 households as of July 1, 2022. As of 2019, an estimated 19.9% of Gustine residents are under 18 years of age, and an estimated 14.4% are 65 years of age or older. Gustine has five schools, one fire station, one police station, one airport, and community facilities such as City Hall, a public library, and a wastewater treatment facility. The Gustine Police Department and Gustine Fire Department provide police services, fire services, and emergency medical response to the community.

Gustine's primary transportation access is from State Route 33 and State Route 140. State Route 33 connects Gustine to Newman and Stanislaus County to the north and Santa Nella to the south. State Route 140 connects Gustine to Merced County to the east and Interstate 5 to the west.

Bus service is the only public transportation service provided for all of Merced County. Transit service is limited in Gustine. "The Bus," Merced County's Regional Transit System, was formed from the consolidation of four former local public transit service providers in July 1996. Today, "The Bus" is the single public transportation service provider for all of Merced County. Service levels have fluctuated historically, dependent upon the findings of unmet transit hearings conducted by Merced County Association of Governments -the regional transportation planning Joint Powers Authority. Although there are currently no fixed routes throughout Gustine provided by "The Bus" itself, public bus service is available to the Gustine area by The Micro BUS, which is a supplemental transit service provided through Merced County Transit. The Micro BUS links Gustine with Los Banos, Santa Nella, and Dos Palos. It also provides connection to fixed routes of travel through other Merced County communities. "The Bus" also offers a curb-to-curb transit service through Paratransit to eligible individuals. Paratransit passengers must go through an approval process to utilize this service.

U.s Climate Data, "Climate Gustine-California," n.d., https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/gustine/california/united-states/ usca2254.

United States Census Bureau, "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in California: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022," n.d. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-06.lsx.

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4 EXISTING CONDITIONS
This section outlines the existing hazardous conditions and other public safety issues in Gustine, including fire (urban and wildland), seismic and geologic hazards, flood, hazardous materials/wastes, emergency services, and cybercrime.

This section provides details pertaining to probable locations where each hazard or issue is likely to occur (per availability of data), past notable events in and around Gustine, agencies responsible for providing protection from these public safety issues, and other background information as required by the State.

The goals and policies in this report were developed by the City of Gustine in 2024, These goals and policies are presented by topic and sequentially, not by priority.

4.1 Fire
Fire hazards can come in the form of both wildfires and urban fires. The combination of complex terrain, Mediterranean climate, and productive natural plant communities, along with ample natural ignition sources, have created conditions for extensive wildfires throughout California. Wildfire is an ongoing concern for communities in Merced County and the Central Valley. Factors which may influence the potential for wildfire include the extent and type of vegetation, temperature, humidity, wind, and fuel moisture content. As mentioned above, the Central Valley, including Gustine, experiences long, dry summers. Even fires that do not threaten the community of Gustine itself can still generate harmful levels of air pollution. As in almost every community, there is also a risk of structural fires.

4.1.1 Wildfires
Wildfires may occur at any time of the year when conditions are right, although the wildfire potential for Merced County is typically greatest from May to November. This is when dry vegetation coexists with extremely hot average daily temperatures and seasonal drought conditions, all of which exacerbate fire hazards. Wildfires typically occur on mountains, hillsides, and grasslands. These natural features are not present in and around Gustine. The City of Gustine and the areas immediately surrounding the City have not been designated areas of moderate-high fire hazard severity by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. However, almost all the land west of Interstate 5 in Merced County and surrounding counties are designated as a moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zone. Additionally, the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge, located approximately one mile northeast of the Gustine Municipal Airport and SOI, has low, moderate, and high wildfire threat areas. Because the threat of wildfire is present less than four miles west of the City, and the dry and hot conditions of the Central Valley's summer climate often make controlling wildfires particularly difficult, wildfires are a safety concern for the City of Gustine.

A vulnerability assessment conducted for the MJHMP identified several wildfire threat areas around the city limits and the Municipal Airport, however all areas were ranked low or moderate. The Municipal Airport and Sphere of Influence (SOI) on the eastern portion of the city limits has the greatest concentration of moderate threat areas and has one small high threat area; refer to Exhibit 4-4, Wildfire Threat Areas. No parcels or critical facilities were identified within the fire threat areas, however there are approximately 147 parcels and 154 buildings within the SOI and City limits exposed to wildfire threat areas, the majority of which are residential. There are also three critical facilities exposed to wildfire threat areas, including one transportation service and two safety and security facilities.

Although wildfires are not a significant direct threat within City boundaries, potential air pollution from surrounding wildfires may pose health risks to the City. The pollutant of most concern from wildfire smoke is fine particulate matter (PM s). PMs from wildfire smoke is damaging to human health due to its ability to deeply penetrate lung tissue and SEPTEMBER 2024 13

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affect the heart and circulatory system. Although wildfire smoke presents a health risk to everyone, sensitive groups may experience more severe acute and chronic symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke, such as children, older adults, people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, or people experiencing low socioeconomic status.

4.1.2 Wildland-Urban Interface Fires
The wildland-urban interface is an area where buildings and infrastructure (e.g., cell towers, schools, water supply facilities) mix with areas of flammable wild land vegetation. This interface is sometimes divided into the defense zone (areas in close proximity to communities, usually about a quarter-mile thick) and threat zones (an approximately one and a quarter-mile buffer around the defense zone). There are no wildland areas located in or around Gustine.

Therefore, there is no significant threat of wildland-urban interface fires within the City. The only significant concern regarding wildfires stems from the possibility of wildfires igniting in fire hazard severity zones located several miles west of the City. Any fire that may begin in one of these areas and become a threat to the City would not be classified as a wildland-urban interface fire.

Vacant lots also present a fire hazard in Gustine as they may be overgrown with weeds or allow the buildup of refuse that would provide fuel for a fire. The City of Gustine currently has a weed abatement control program that requires weed clearing during the year. Code Enforcement assesses weed abatement annually during the spring and sends out notices to properties for which further weed control efforts are necessary.

4.1.3 Structural Fires
Urban fires occur in built-up environments, destroying buildings and other human-made structures. Similar to other communities, Gustine is at risk from structural fires, which are often due to faulty wiring or mechanical equipment and combustible construction materials. The absence of fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems are often conditions that exacerbate the damage associated with structural fire. Structural fires occur largely from human accidents, although deliberate fires (arson) may be a cause of some events. Older buildings that lack modern fire safety features may face greater risk of damage from fires. To minimize fire damage and loss, the City's Fire Code, based on the State Fire Code, sets standards for building and construction. It requires the provision of adequate water supply for firefighting, fire retardant construction, and minimum street widths, among other provisions.

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4.1.4 Past Fire Occurrences

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There is no record of historical wildfires within the City limits. However, some historical wildfires have occurred near the City. Following is a list of historical wildfires that have occurred in or around the City dating back to 2003, as well as the largest structure fire in Gustine, which occurred in 2022. 3 2003 Annie Fire- The Annie Fire burned over 18,000 acres west of Interstate 5, northwest of the Merced County line, and approximately 12 miles west of Gustine.
2010 Balloon Fire-The Balloon Fire burned over 200 acres in the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 7.5 miles southeast of Gustine.
2013 Fremont Fire -- The Fremont Fire burned approximately 430 acres in the Great Valley Grasslands State Park, approximately 3 miles northeast of the Gustine Sphere of Influence. 2019 Stuhr Fire- The Stuhr Fire burned approximately 190 acres, adjacent to southbound Interstate 5, approximately

5. 7 miles northwest of Gustine.
2020 SCU Complex Fire -- The SCU Complex Fire burned approximately 400,000 acres, west of Interstate 5 in both Merced and Stanislaus Counties. The fire's perimeter reached within approximately 8 miles of Gustine. 2022 Structure Fire- In May 2022, a grass fire fueled by wind conditions ignited three residential properties in Gustine.

Three homes were burned, 15 people were displaced, and one firefighter was injured.

4.1.5 Potential Changes to Fire Risk in Future Years

LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE FIRE OCCURRENCE
Wildfire: Highly Likely -- From May to November each year, Merced County has historically faced a serious wildfire threat that is very likely to continue. The threat of wildfire and potential losses are constantly increasing as human development and population increase and the wildland-urban interface areas expand. Due to its fuel load and long, dry summers, most of Merced County continues to be at risk from wildfire. The likelihood of structural fires in the City is likely to remain consistent with historic levels.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND WILDFIRE
Changing climate conditions are expected to increase the wildfire risk in and around Gustine. Warmer temperatures brought on by climate change can exacerbate drought conditions. Droughts can kill or dry out plants, creating more fuel for wildfires. The annual average area burned in Gustine is expected to increase from a historical average of approximately 30 acres per year, to approximately 34 to SO acres per year by mid-century. Additionally, climate projections indicate that the number of days per year during which the dryness of the soil in and around Gustine indicates severe drought will increase from a historical average of 107 days to an average of approximately 1SS days by mid-century.
4 Due to warmer temperatures, the fire season is also likely to begin earlier in the year and extent later than it has historically.
3 California State Geoportal. 2023. "California Fire Perimeters (all)." 07 August 2023. Accessed 08 November 2023. https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/CALFIRE-Forestry::california-fire-perimeters-all-1/explore?location=37.264793%2C120.960688%2Cll.45. 4 Cal-Adapt. 2023. "Local Climate Change Snapshot for Gustine." Accessed 09 November 2023. https://cal-adapt.org/tools/ local-climate-change-snapshot.

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4.1.6 Fire Protection
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Fire protection in the planning area is provided by the City of Gustine. The Gustine Fire Department coverage area is bounded by the Stanislaus/Merced County line to the
north, the foothills to the west, Cottonwood Road to the south, and Los Banos Creek to the east. The City of
Gustine Volunteer Fire Department shares the City fire
station with the Merced County Fire Department, which
participates in the County of Merced's Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for the provision offire protection services. This contract began in 1988. As part of the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit, the City of
Gustine Fire Department receives fire protection through a cooperative pass-through agreement with CAL FIRE.

This agreement provides daily staffing at the Gustine Fire Station, dispatch, management, incident command, training, investigation and fire prevention activities. The City of Gustine Fire Department also has a mutual aid agreement with the City of Newman Fire Department. 5 Through both of these agreements, the relevant fire agencies have agreed to automatically support each other on incidents using the closest available resource concept; refer to Exhibit 4-5, Fire Responsibility Areas.

Gustine has one fire station located at 686 Third Avenue. Due to the County's Cooperative Agreement with CAL FIRE, CAL FIRE employees provide full-time staffing at the station 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, as well as administrative staff for the Department. The CAL FIRE staff is supplemented by 10-11 Gustine Fire Department personnel, which are volunteers and not full-time staff. The City Fire Department owns and maintains one Type 1 Engine that is approximately 26 years old, and one 2021-Type 1 Engine, as well as a parade engine. County-owned apparatus is also located at the Gustine fire station, including an engine, a relief engine and a 2,000-gallon water tender. The Gustine Fire Department's average response time is approximately 4 minutes.

According to the State, the Gustine Fire Department must have two on-duty firefighting personnel during each shift to meet the minimum 2-0 staffing requirements for one fire engine. To appropriately operate a fire engine, the Department should have two on-duty personnel at all hours. Currently, at any given time, there is only one paid staff member at the station 24/7. Volunteers sometimes staff the fire station when the paid employee is responding to a call, however, the volunteer firefighters do not staff the station full-time. The staffing requirements imposed by State law are not incorporated within the City's existing contracts with CAL FIRE, which poses challenges with complying with State law while operating with a volunteer fire department. 5 Westside Connect. 2020."Partnerships bolster local fire departments." 26 February 2020. Accessed 09 November 2023. https://www.westsideconnect.com/ community/partn ershi ps-bolster-local-fire-departments/article _ c5db2e3 2-0710- llea-b07d6f44563fde26.htm 1.

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4.1.5 SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT Fire Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 1: Minimize risk of injuries, property damage, and economic loss resulting from urban and wildland fires in and around Gustine.

Policy 1.1: Continually identify any areas of likely urban fire risks in Gustine.

Program/Implementation 1.1.A: Code Enforcement shall continue to conduct an annual assessment pre-fire season to identify weed overgrowth and enforce vegetation clearance.

Policy 1.2: Prevent fuel accumulation around any City-owned infrastructure where fires may occur.

Program/Implementation 1.2.A.: The City shall initiate and conduct periodic evaluations regarding the need for clearance activities.

Policy 1.3: Maintain an adequate peak load water supply for fire suppression efforts in Gustine.

Program/Implementation 1.3.A: The City shall continue to require each new large-scale development to submit a water usage plan showing that Gustine's water system can supply the new development with minimum water amounts while maintaining optimal water supply for fire suppression work. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 1.3.B: The City shall continue to conduct a water supply and infrastructure assessment to determine the adequacy of existing water supply infrastructure, including the wells, pipes, storage tank, and fire hydrants. The City shall identify system improvements to be conducted if any part of the water supply system is found insufficient to meet peak load water supply requirements for fire suppression efforts and shall fund these improvements to the extent possible. Where funding is not available, the City shall seek grant funding to continue system improvement efforts. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 1.4: Continue to enforce and, as necessary, adopt new development standards, including relevant sections of the State Building Code, to reduce fire hazard risks for new and existing development.

Program/Implementation 1.4.A: The City shall continue to enforce requirements to provide defensible space around homes and other buildings and strengthen standards as needed to provide adequate protection in response to changing fire regimes. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

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4.2 Seismic and Geologic Hazards
Seismic and geologic hazards are risks caused by the movement of different parts of the Earth's crust, or surface. Seismic hazards are the hazards associated with potential earthquakes in a particular area. Geologic hazards are hazards involving land movements such as landslides that are not linked to seismic activity and are capable of inflicting harm to people or property.

4.2.1 Seismic Hazards
The City of Gustine is located in an area of concern for seismic activity as there is a high potential for moderate earthquakes one or more times over the next century. Seismic activity causes pressure to build up along a fault, and the release of pressure results in ground shaking. This shaking itself is known as an earthquake. Earthquakes can also trigger other hazards, including surface rupture (cracks in the ground surface), liquefaction (causing loose soil to lose its strength), landslides, and subsidence (sinking of the ground surface).

Active and potentially active faults pose a risk to the City of Gustine. Active faults have experienced displacement in historic time, suggesting that future displacement may be expected, whereas potentially active faults are those that have shown displacement within the last 1.6 million years and may or may not have a reasonable chance of creating future earthquakes.

According to the California Geological Survey (CGS), no active earthquake faults are known to exist within or around the City of Gustine. The City is not within an Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone. The nearest known fault is the Testa-Ortigalita Fault Zone, located approximately 11.7 miles west of the Planning Area. The O'Neill Fault Zone is also located approximately 9.74 miles south of the Planning Area. Portions of the San Joaquin Fault are anticipated to be concealed with locations approximated in the region; the nearest potential occurrence of the San Joaquin fault is approximately

2.lS miles northwest of Gustine, immediately north of the Merced/Stanislaus County line. Although no known faults pass through the City, the proximity of significant faults to the City can produce ground motion in Gustine. The TestaOrtigalita fault is considered capable of generating a 6 to 7 Richter Magnitude earthquake with a recurrence interval of 2,000 to 5,000 years.

Structures that are most likely to be affected are those that are old or near earthquake faults, such as the TestaOrtigalita Fault and O'Neill Fault Zone. These faults would have the greatest potential for damaging buildings in Gustine, especially any unreinforced masonry structures and structures built before 1960 without adequate anchorage of framing and foundations.

The City of Gustine is located approximately 30 miles from the seismic area surrounding the Bay Area of California. This area includes a significant number of faults, including the San Andreas Fault, which is the most active fault in California and was the source of the 8.0-estimated Richter Magnitude San Francisco earthquake in 1906. It is unlikely that Gustine would ever be the epicenter of an earthquake. However, given the proximity of Gustine to a variety of active faults, there is a high potential that the area will be subject to at least minor to moderate earthquake shaking one or more times over the next century. Exhibit 4-6 shows the location of regional faults.

If a major earthquake were to occur in the region, critical damage may occur to public and private buildings, homes, and structures, including those that provide emergency services (hospitals, fire stations, schools, emergency shelters) and essential services and infrastructure such as roads and utility lines for water, gas, power, telephone, sewer, and storm drainage. Access and continuity of services may be disjointed, and services could be offline for extended periods.

Damage to essential and critical structures requires special attention in the public safety programs of the City. Damage to the following infrastructure systems could occur, in addition to the damage to public and private buildings:
, Telephone communications: Telephone communications could be adversely affected due to overloading resulting from post-earthquake calls within the area and from outside, and the electronics needed to support SEPTEMBER 2024 21

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communication systems could be damaged. The situation could be further complicated by physical damage to equipment due to ground shaking, loss of services due to loss of electrical power, and subsequent failure of some auxiliary power sources.

I Water supplies: Dam failure could occur as a result of an earthquake, which may create flooding in some areas.

I Natural gas and propane: Many buildings in Gustine rely on natural gas for fuel. Earthquake damage could cause natural gas line breaks and disruption of service.

According to the MJHMP, there is no record of any seismic activity originating within the City of Gustine, however, there are seven documented earthquakes that shook that area in 1872, 1906, 1952, 1966, 1984, 1989, and 2012. The most recent large earthquake near Merced County occurred in October 2012 and had a magnitude of 5.3. No ground rupture has been reported in Gustine as a result of these earthquakes. Based on the proximity of the City of Gustine to the San Andreas Fault, the earthquake shaking potential mapped for Merced County, and the history of shaking with no surface rupture, the probability of damaging seismic ground shaking in the City is considered to be possible given the history of earthquake occurrences in the region.

Seismic hazards associated with earthquake activity, including liquefaction, are considered unlikely to occur.

Liquefaction typically occurs in areas of low-lying, current, or former floodplains; the only areas of concern for liquefaction within Merced County are those near wetlands and levees. Gustine is not located within a liquefaction zone as designated by the California Geological Survey Seismic Hazards Program. The City is located approximately 52.5 miles from the ocean and is not at risk from tsunamis.

Most of the loss of life and injuries from earthquakes are due to damage and collapse of buildings and structures.

Manufactured housing is particularly susceptible to damage from ground shaking because their foundations are not built to withstand seismic movement. Building codes for new construction have generally been made more stringent following damaging earthquakes. The City of Gustine Municipal Code adopts the most recent version of the California Building Code, which contains requirements for all newly constructed buildings to decrease the risk of damage during a seismic event. However, in Gustine, structures built prior to enactment of these improved building codes and that have not been upgraded to current standards are vulnerable to earthquakes.

SEPTEMBER 2024 22

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4.2.2 Geologic Hazards

SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
Geologic hazards, such as landslides, depend on the geologic composition of the area. Rock type and composition, slope, pore water pressure, and any natural or human-caused undercutting are among the factors that influence these hazards. Landslides and rock falls occur in sloped areas and are often triggered by other natural hazards such as earthquakes, heavy rain, floods, or wildfires. The Gustine Planning Area is relatively flat, and the potential for landslides is minimal.

Gustine is susceptible to hazards related to erosion, or the geological process in which earth is worn away, causing the soil to deteriorate. The severity of erosion is influenced by slope, soil type, soil water storage capacity, nature of the underlying rock, vegetation cover, and rainfall intensity and duration. The impact of soil erosion on water quality can be significant. Highly erosive soils can damage roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.

The City of Gustine is situated at the eastern flank of the Diablo Range, one of the northwest trending Coastal Ranges of the Central Valley geomorphic province. Formed during the late Mesozoic period, the San Joaquin Valley was originally part of the ocean floor. The subduction of the Proto-Pacific plate beneath the North American plate, and subsequent uplift of the coastal ranges, caused an extraordinarily flat area to be enclosed by mountain ranges. The Gustine Planning Area is mainly flat and is underlain with sediments from alluvial deposits as well as non-marine sedimentary rocks. The nearest mountain range is located approximately 20 miles west. The Central Valley area is filled with fertile sediments as a result of marine deposition millions of years ago. Soils in and around Gustine are formed in mixed alluvium which makes the area suitable for cultivation. However, this soil characteristic also subjects the Planning Area to both shrink-swell and subsidence hazards.

According to the MJHMP, Gustine is likely to experience drought in future years at an extensive scale. However, it is noted that the City is adjacent to wetlands and has a high water table. Therefore, the City is able to manage drought conditions to the extent feasible. The Central Valley of California has been declared a disaster area multiple times in the last ten years due to severe droughts. Subsidence is considered a secondary effect of drought. Land subsidence is defined as the vertical sinking of the land over natural or man made underground voids. Fluctuations in the level of underground water caused by pumping or by injecting fluids into the earth can initiate sinking to fill the empty space previously occupied by water or soluble minerals. Weight, including surface developments such as roads, reservoirs, and buildings, and manmade vibrations from such activities as blasting and heavy truck or train traffic can accelerate the natural processes of subsidence or induce subsidence over manmade voids.

Due to the increasingly reduced availability of surface water in the Central Valley over the last few decades as a result of drought conditions, groundwater pumping has been required in order to meet water needs. This pumping has significantly increased the risk of land subsidence in recent years. Land subsidence can permanently damage or collapse underground aquifers, increase risk in low-lying areas, and pose hazards to buildings, infrastructure, and water storage facilities. Improper use of land subject to ground subsidence can result in excessive infrastructure and economic losses.

Additionally, the three most common soil groups found within the Planning Area are Stanislaus, WOO, and Dosamigos.

These soil groups are "expansive", having slow permeability and the potential to shrink or swell significantly with changes in moisture content. The southwestern area of the City has a higher abundance of Dosamigos soil, which drains more poorly than the other common soil types. Structure damage may also occur over a long period of time from inadequate foundation engineering or the placement of structures directly on expansive soils.

4.2.3 Potential Changes to Geologic and Seismic Risk in Future Years

LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARD OCCURRENCE Earthquakes are likely to continue to occur on an occasional basis and are likely to be small. They may cause no substantive damage and may not even be felt by most people. Major earthquakes are rare, but a possibility in the SEPTEMBER 2024 24

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region. If serious shaking does occur, newer construction is in general more earthquake resistant than older construction because of improved building codes. Manufactured housing is very susceptible to damage because their foundation systems are barely braced for earthquake motions.

Subsidence, erosion, and similar geologic hazards are likely to happen occasionally in Gustine. With worsened drought conditions and increased ground water pumping, additional ground failures are likely to occur in areas where a void has been created under the soil.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS
While climate change is unlikely to increase earthquake frequency or strength, the threats from seismic and geologic hazards are expected to continue. Climate change may result in precipitation extremes (i.e., wetter wet periods and drier dry periods). While total average annual rainfall may decrease only slightly, rainfall is predicted to occur in fewer, more intense precipitation events. Heavy rainfall could lead to increased erosion of dry, unvegetated soils. Hotter temperatures associated with climate change will also increase the severity of droughts, which will lead to ground water pumping to satisfy water demands. Severe drought could cause an increase in the number of human-induced subsidence events. Additionally, during periods of drought, water levels may be drawn too low, which would result in an irreversible compaction of aquifers, causing permanent subsidence and diminishment of groundwater storage capacity.

4.2.4 Seismic and Geologic Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 2: Minimize risk of injuries, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from seismic and geologic hazards in Gustine.

Policy 2.1: Continually identify sections of Gustine that would be more susceptible to damage from seismic shaking, liquefaction, subsidence, or other geologic risks.

Program/Implementation 2.1.A: Identify opportunities to strengthen or relocate existing weak critical structures and lifeline utilities to increase public safety and minimize or avoid potential damage from seismic and geologic hazards.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 2.1.B: Require preparation of a soils report as part of the development review and/or building permit process.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

4.3 4.3.1
Flood Hazards
Flooding
Flooding is the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. Floods are among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide. Floods can cause substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities, as well as life-safety issues. Floods can be extremely dangerous, and even six inches of moving water can knock over a person given a strong current. Floodwaters can transport large objects downstream, which can damage or remove stationary structures, such as dam spillways. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or SEPTEMBER 2024 25

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other damage. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can also break utility lines and interrupt services. Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, foundations, and electrical circuits.

Floods are usually caused by large amounts of precipitation, either from a period of very intense precipitation or a long period of steady precipitation. Historically, precipitation in and around Gustine has been low to moderately heavy, and snowfall does not occur in Gustine. Winter is the rainy season, with approximately 90 percent of the annual total precipitation falling in the six months from November to April. 6 In addition to storms, floods can also be caused by very rapid snow melting or from infrastructure failure, such as dam collapses or burst water storage tanks.

Areas at an elevated risk of flooding are generally divided into 100-year flood zones and 500-year flood zones. A 100-year flood zone has a 1 percent chance of experiencing a major flood in any given year; a 500-year flood zone has a 0.2 percent chance of flooding in any given year. The City of Gustine lies outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). However, a very small portion of the City near the Gustine Municipal Airport is on the edge of the 100-year flood zone. Exhibit 4-7 shows the 100-year flood zone in Gustine.

As land uses and climate conditions shift and as improvements are made to flood control channels, the size of the relevant flood zone is likely to change. The Gustine Municipal Airport is not a critical facility; no critical facilities have been identified as being within the 100-year flood zone. There are no structures on the land designated as being on the edge of the 100-year flood zone. Few people are likely to be directly harmed by a potential flood in this area.

4.3.2 Dam Inundation
A dam failure is an uncontrolled release of water from a reservoir through a dam because of structural failures or deficiencies in the dam, usually associated with intense rainfall or prolonged flooding. Dam failures can range from minor to catastrophic and can potentially harm human life and property downstream. In addition, ecosystems and habitats can be destroyed. Although dam failures are very rare, they are not unprecedented. The four major causes of dam failures are overtopping, foundation defects, piping and seepage failures, and conduit and valve failure. They can occur as a result of other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, or heavy flooding. They may also be caused by equipment malfunction, structural damage, or sabotage.

In a dam failure scenario, the greatest threat to life and property is typically in areas immediately below the dam, since flood depths and discharges generally decrease as the flood wave moves downstream. The primary danger associated with dam failure is the high-velocity flooding downstream of the dam and limited warning times for evacuation. There are four dams located in the vicinity of Gustine. The City is at risk of flooding from the San Luis Dam and could be at risk of flooding from the Los Banos Dam. The San Luis Dam is located approximately 13 miles southwest of Gustine. The Los Banos Dam is located approximately 18 miles south of the City. According to the MJHMP, complete inundation data is not available for the San Luis or Los Banos Dams due to the information being considered sensitive and restricted, pursuant to the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the dam owners. According to the Emergency Action Plan for the San Luis Dam, a failure could result in flooding in Gustine to a depth range of 2 to 10 feet in less than 10 hours. The San Luis Dam is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and operated by the California Department of Water Resources.

The Dam is set to undergo significant safety improvements in the coming years to increase its stability during seismic 6 "Climate Gustine-California." U.S. Climate Data. 2024. Accessed 20 August 2024. https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/gustine/california/united-states/usca2254.

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events, including a dam raise of 10 feet to prevent the dam from overtopping during a seismic event even if the reservoir is full. 7 Both the Los Banos and San Luis Dams are regularly inspected to determine their structural integrity. Additional data is unavailable at time of writing, however, dam failure is therefore considered a moderate hazard for the City of Gustine.

The Don Pedro Reservoir and the New Exchequer Dam are both located approximately 44 miles northeast of Gustine.

A dam vulnerability assessment conducted for the MJHMP determined that the City of Gustine is outside the inundation areas of the Don Pedro and New Exchequer Dams, however the eastern boundary of the Gustine Municipal Airport east of the City is located on the edge of the New Exchequer Dam inundation area; refer to Exhibit 4-8, Don Pedro and New Exchequer Dam Inundation Areas.

4.3.3 Potential Changes to Flood Risk in Future Years

LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE FLOOD OCCURRENCE
Gustine is at low risk to the 100-year flood zone and moderate risk of dam inundation and localized stormwater flooding, which occurs when rainfall overwhelms the capacity of urban drainage systems. The average annual rainfall totals approximately 11 inches, and no major flooding is expected in the Planning Area. The City of Gustine Municipal Airport is the only area within the City that is located within the 100-year flood zone. Dam failure cannot be anticipated, however, the City of Gustine is at moderate to high risk of dam inundation from the San Luis Dam in the event of an overflow or collapse. The San Luis Dam is currently undergoing improvements to decrease the risk of inundation to surrounding areas.

Gustine has not been subject to significant historical flooding. Localized stormwater flooding may occur on occasion in the event of substantial rainfall, however, Gustine is located in one of the driest areas of California. Dam inundation and flood events are likely to occur rarely throughout the next century.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FLOODING
Although climate change may not change average precipitation levels significantly, scientists expect that it will cause more years with extreme precipitation events, including intense storm systems that can cause flooding. Floods may occur more often in Gustine, and potentially over a greater area. Climate change is also expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts, which cause soil to dry out and harden so that less water can be absorbed when precipitation does return, which can lead to floods.

Climate change is unlikely to increase earthquake frequency or strength, and therefore unlikely to influence the occurrence of dam failures. The potential for a dam failure event in Gustine is likely to remain a risk in future years, although the odds of such events are expected to remain very low.

4.3.3 Flood and Inundation Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 3: Minimize injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic social disruption from flooding and inundation hazards in Gustine.

Policy 3.1: Continue to identify and regularly update as needed any areas of likely flood inundation in Gustine using Federal Emergency Management Agency-established floodplain mapping along with any local mapping available.
7 Pitzer, Gary. "Fortifying B.F. Sisk Dam and San Luis Reservoir against the power of an earthquake." Bureau of Reclamation. 08 November 2022. Accessed 20 November 2023. https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/4372?field_story=1.

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Policy 3.2: Continue to encourage new development in areas outside of the identified 100-year flood inundation zone.

Policy 3.3: Reinforce and protect any City-owned infrastructure from the threat of flood and/or dam inundation.

Program/Implementation 3.3.A: The City shall conduct regular cleaning and maintenance of storm drains along key roadways, especially in advance of the rainy season. Improve storm drain capacity in areas where ponding is regularly observed.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 3.4: Coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on potential flooding risks, including risks associated with dam failure.

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT

4.4 Hazardous Materials/Wastes
Hazardous materials are materials that pose a significant risk to public safety or human or environmental health. These include toxic chemicals, flammable or corrosive materials, petroleum products, and unstable or dangerously reactive materials. Hazardous materials can be released through human error, malfunctioning or broken equipment, or as an indirect consequence of other emergencies (e.g., if a flood or earthquake causes damages to a hazardous material storage tank). Hazardous materials can also be released accidentally during transportation, as a consequence of vehicle accidents.

The majority of hazardous materials in the community are being transported on truck routes along major roadways such as the State Route 33 and 140 corridors. The cargo consists of a wide range of hazardous substances, including agricultural chemicals which constitute the most significant hazardous waste transported around Merced County. The conventional two-lane rural highways are relatively flat and straight, however truck handling and traffic incidents are unpredictable.

In addition to highway traffic, other hazardous materials are present in Gustine via underground storage tanks and localized hazardous materials release. Several state agencies monitor hazardous materials/waste facilities. Potential and known contamination sites are monitored and documented by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). According to the State Water Resources Control Board's GeoTracker, there are 23 leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites in Gustine that have been cleaned up and have a 'case closed' status. There are two LUST sites with cases that remain open, however one site is eligible for case closure. There are also two open cleanup program sites; a cleanup case regarding crude oil spillage remains open at the railroad tracks at State Route 33 and Fourth Street, and an open, inactive cleanup case is located at 240 North Avenue.
8 There are also two Envirostor sites that require further action listed within the City. 9 In the event of an emergency involving hazardous materials, there is potential for extreme risk to life and property. The Gustine Fire Department is responsible for the management of emergencies involving hazardous materials. The Fire Department works with the Merced County Environmental Health Division to prevent the uncontrolled release of toxic substances into the environment by conducting inspections of toxic materials facilities, enforcing storage and use requirements, and educating local businesses on proper storage and handling of hazardous materials. The Gustine Fire Department responds to uncontrolled releases within the City limits, identifies the category of chemicals involved, contains the spill, if possible, oversees cleanup activities, and determines that the site is safe to be occupied again.

If an imminent public health threat is posed by an outside factor, the City will support local regulating agencies in notifying the public. The transport of hazardous materials/wastes through the Planning Area is regulated by the California Department of Transportation (DOT). Highways 33 and 140 are both open to vehicles carrying hazardous materials/wastes. City streets and unincorporated County areas are generally not designated as hazardous materials/waste transportation routes, but a permit may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Transporters of hazardous wastes must transmit these materials in DOT-approved packaging and are required to be certified by the DOT. Manifests are required to track the hazardous waste during transport. The danger of hazardous materials/waste spills during transport does exist and will potentially increase if transportation of these materials increases on Highways 33 and 140.

The Gustine Police Department, Gustine Fire Department, Merced County Office of Emergency Services, and Merced County Environmental Health Division are responsible for responding to hazardous materials accidents at all locations within the City.
8 Geo Tracker. 2023. Accessed 20 November 2023. https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/?CMD=runreport&myaddress=gustine. 9 EnviroStor. 2023. Accessed 20 November 2023. https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/?myaddress=Gustine.

SEPTEMBER 2024 32

4.4.1 SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT Hazardous Materials Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 4: Reduce likelihood of hazardous materials release, exposure, and contamination in Gustine.

Policy 4.1: Maintain a record of all businesses and sites in Gustine with hazardous materials to be filed with the Gustine Fire Department and City Engineer.

Policy_4.2: Encourage commercial or industrial development using hazardous materials in areas away from residential uses and discourage commercial and industrial development using hazardous materials in areas of identified flood or wildfire risk.

Program/Implementation 4.2.A: The City shall discourage new uses of hazardous materials within identified flood and wild/and fire risk areas or within a 0.25-mile radius. New hazardous material uses within a 0.25-mile radius of residences shall include a green buffer around the property. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 4.3: Collaborate with other cities/towns, Merced County, and regional hazardous waste management organizations to limit the risk of hazardous materials release.

Program/Implementation 4.3.A: Identify and establish specific travel routes for the transport of hazardous materials and wastes, with key considerations being capacity to safely accommodate additional truck traffic, avoidance of residential areas, and use of interstate or state-divided highways as preferred routes. In accordance with Implementing Action 6.2.4.i of the Circulation Element of the General Plan, the City has designated appropriate truck routes such that truck access through residential areas is minimized. The Circulation Element identifies the following truck routes in the City:

Carnation Road, Kniebes Road, Highway 33/South Avenue, and Highway 140; the City shall continue to enforce these truck routes to allow trucks to transport hazardous materials through the City.

Coordinate with Caltrans as necessary.
• Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department, Caltrans • Time Frame:

Policy 4.4: Reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous materials in Gustine.

Program/Implementation 4.4.A: The City shall continue to require the proper storage and disposal of hazardous materials to prevent leakage, potential explosions, fire, or the release of harmful fumes.

The City shall continue to inform the residential and business communities about the illegality of dumping hazardous materials and waste in the storm drain system through the use of signage near storm drains and shall promote enforcement by encouraging residents to report illegal storm drain dumping to the Public Works Department.
• Responsibility: All Departments
• Time Frame: Ongoing
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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
Policy 4.5: Require hazardous materials assessments for development projects on sites of concern.

Program/Implementation 4.5.A: Ensure that any proposed new development on identified or suspected hazardous materials sites address hazardous materials through the preparation of Phase I or Phase II hazardous materials studies for each identified site as part of the design phase of each project.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 4.6: Require remediation and cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances if/when development is proposed on a contaminated site.

Policy 4.7: Continue to promote the reduction, recycling, and safe disposal of household hazardous wastes through public education and awareness.

Policy 4.8: Apply provisions of the Merced County Hazardous Waste Management Plan to decisions involving hazardous materials in Gustine as appropriate.

4.5 4.5.1
Emergency Preparedness
Firefighting Infrastructure
According to the Gustine Fire Department, the City's water infrastructure for firefighting purposes runs off of City wells, many of which are occasionally out of service for maintenance purposes. Additionally, the water infrastructure, particularly City-owned water mains, is extremely old. Some of the water infrastructure in the City has not been updated for several decades, and there may be smaller portions of pipe that date back 80 years or more.

The City's water is supplied from four groundwater wells located throughout the City and one storage tank that holds 75,000 gallons of water. The water pressure in the existing system is minimal, which affects the capacity of fire hydrants and the ability of the Fire Department to combat fires. The water that is released from the water tank releases water at 50-55 psi water pressure. The City is required to meet State Health pressure requirements, which call for a minimum of 20 psi at every service connection under the annual peak hour condition and maintaining the annual average day demand plus fire flow. The City has expanded significantly since the establishment of the existing water infrastructure system. The water supply and distribution system require modernization and expansion in order to provide reliable water flow and sufficient water pressure for firefighting activities.

4.5.2 Emergency Response Personnel
As of September 2023, the Gustine Fire
Department had 10 to 11 volunteers, however
this number fluctuates each fiscal year. In
addition to firefighting services, the Fire
Department provides first response services
and has one emergency medical technician
(EMT). With. the County's Cooperative
Agreement with CAL FIRE, CAL FIRE employees
provide staffing at the station 24 hours per day,
7 days per week. There is currently only one
paid staff member at the station 24/7.

According to the State, the Gustine Fire
SEPTEMBER 2024 34

SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
Department must have two on-duty firefighting personnel during each shift to meet the minimum 2-0 staffing requirements for one fire engine. To appropriately operate a fire engine, the Department should have two on-duty personnel at all hours. The Fire Department currently relies on volunteer staff for support. Funding should be provided to add the necessary number of fulltime personnel to meet the 2-0 State mandated staffing requirement.

As of September 2023, the Gustine Police Department (GPD) had 9 full-time personnel operating out of one station located at 682 Third Avenue. The City also utilizes approximately 12 Reserve Officers to supplement the GPD staff. The GPD has five operational police vehicles, two of which were purchased in 2023. According to the GPD, the average life span of a police vehicle is approximately 5 years or 100,000 miles, and the GPD's existing fleet significantly exceeds this average.

The GPD also has one 2019 Ford Ranger that is used by the Community Service Officer. Due to the small size of the GPD, the Department does not have a dedicated crime prevention unit. Officers conduct community outreach and community policing activities. The GPD also received two grants to employ a full-time mental health specialist for the local school system.3°
With 9 full-time equivalent officers, the GPD has a staff-to-population ratio of approximately 1.8 officers per 1,000 persons, slightly less than the recommended police staffing ratio of 2 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions per 1,000 people. The population of Gustine is approximately 6,091. The GPD should have a minimum of 12 FTE personnel. As of September 2023, the GPD was understaffed. In recent history, due to staffing constraints, officers have been required to work alone at night, which decreases the safety and efficacy of law enforcement for both the officers and the community. Each night shift should be staffed by a minimum of two personnel at the same time.

Both the Gustine Fire Department and the Gustine Police Department are understaffed.

4.5.4 Emergency Preparedness Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 5: Protect the life and property of residents, businesses, and visitors to Gustine from natural and human-made hazards.

Policy 5.1: Site critical public facilities outside of the identified 100-year flood plain, high fire hazard severity zones, and potential areas of subsidence to the extent possible. Critical public facilities include hospital and healthcare facilities, emergency shelters and resilience hubs, police and fire stations, and emergency communications facilities - if such facilities must be in mapped hazard zones, ensure that such critical facilities are protected from the risks of flood inundation, fire, and subsidence.

Policy 5.2: Continue to partner with Merced County and other cities within the County to regularly update and implement the currently adopted Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP).

Program/Implementation 5.2.A: The City shall continue to work with the County to update the MJHMP upon its expiration to ensure that Gustine maintains eligibility for pre-disaster mitigation funding. • Responsibility: City Departments, County of Merced
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 5.2.B: The City shall review and update as needed the Safety Element at least once every eight years, as required by State law, ideally concurrent with updates to the County's HMP or the Gustine Housing Element so that the best available hazard data is concurrently incorporated into the Safety Element.

Gustine Police Department. Written Communication. September 05, 2023.

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
• Responsibility: City Departments
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 5.2.C: The City shall continue to incorporate by reference the most recently adopted MJHMP into Safety Element updates as they occur. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 5.3: Enhance public education and awareness of natural and climate change-induced hazards and public understanding of disasters.

Program/Implementation 5.3.A: The City shall encourage all persons in hazard-prone areas, especially those living in neighborhoods along single-access roads to prepare and keep an emergency and evacuation kit.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 5.3.B: The City shall supply information related to hazard mitigation and emergency preparation to vulnerable groups by utilizing emergency notification systems available through the County of Merced.
• Responsibility: City Departments, County of Merced
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 5.4: Identify and, as feasible, retrofit any City-owned buildings, roadways, and facilities in areas prone to storm-induced flooding, subsidence, or structural fire to maximize defensible space and outdoor fireproofing, improve drainage systems, and take other actions to harden the property as needed.

Program/Implementation 5.4.A: The City shall, when identifying projects for inclusion in the Capital Improvements Program list, note any potential vulnerabilities to climate-related hazards and ensure that the project maximizes its resilience potential and minimizes any climate vulnerabilities. • Responsibility: City Departments
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 5.5: Continue to coordinate with nearby jurisdictions and land managers to reduce the risk of hazardous events occurring in surrounding areas that may affect Gustine.

Policy 5.6: Develop mitigation strategies to lessen the impacts of future public health crises, including pandemics.

Program/Implementation 5.6.A: The City shall adopt the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) policy recommendations to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of all types of public health crises including any future COVID-19 pandemic. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
GOAL 6: Coordinated emergency and disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.

Policy 6.1: Continue to encourage and participate in emergency response coordination and collaboration with the Newman Fire Department, the Merced County Fire Department, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), all neighboring city/town governments in Merced County, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the California Highway Patrol, the Merced County Environmental Health Division, and the Unites States Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance emergency management efforts.

Policy 6.2: Collaborate and coordinate with private utilities operating in Gustine to encourage a more resilient utility system.

Program/Implementation 6.2.A: As updates to utility infrastructure occur, the City shall encourage utility companies to replace streetlights with new models, or augment existing streetlights with additional features, allowing them to act as relay stations for public emergency alerts. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 6.2.B: Continue the purchase of fuel-efficient and low emission vehicles for the City fleet. Include electric vehicle charging stations and priority parking for alternative fuel vehicles at all public facilities.
• Responsibility: All Departments
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 6.2.C: The City shall continue to explore and promote the programs it currently participates in related to providing reduced-cost energy-efficient air conditioning systems and structural strengthening to low-income households, including the HERO program. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 6.2.D: The City shall provide reference materials to property owners on programs offered by utility providers for retrofitting home energy efficiency and creating defensible space for the purpose of efficient fire prevention.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 6.3: Prepare and adequately plan for any necessary evacuation efforts in response to hazards and emergency situations.

Program/Implementation 6.3.A: Continue to ensure adequate emergency vehicle access throughout Gustine by instituting proper road widths and clearances around new structures in the City. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 6.3.8: The City shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive list of all public roadways in Gustine that are the sole entry and exit points for neighborhoods. All new development projects shall continue to be required to ensure they have multiple points of ingress and egress to improve evacuation and emergency response access.
• Responsibility: City Departments
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 6.3.C: The City shall continue to review plans for commercial and residential development and require the applicants to modify their plans if road widths and clearances are inadequate for emergency relief efforts.
•
•
Responsibility: City Departments
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 6.4: Support citizen engagement and training in emergency management and response.

Policy 6.5: Provide community businesses and residents with tools to adequately respond to a disaster.

Program/Implementation 6.5.A: Continue to promote the Merced County "Emergency Notification System" warning system to provide alerts about emergencies and other dangerous situations. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 6.5.B: The City shall continue to work with the Merced County Department of Health and Human Services and the Merced County Office of Emergency Services to conduct outreach and educational programs about extreme temperatures to senior centers, community groups, schools, churches, and sports organizations. These programs should include information on personal cooling strategies, healthy habits to prevent extreme heat-related illnesses, and the locations and hours of operations of cooling centers.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 6.6: Ensure City facilities are capable of providing and sustaining essential services during times of emergencies or disasters.

Program/Implementation 6.6.A: The City shall evaluate facilities such as City Hall, the police station, fire station, and public works station, as to what resources are needed to provide sustained services to the community during times of emergency.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
GOAL 7: Ensure emergency services capabilities and response times are sufficient for State requirements and community needs.

Policy 7.1: Maintain a reasonable response time and appropriate staffing among emergency response services for all sections of the community.

Program/Implementation 7.1.A: The City shall continue to work with the Merced County Fire Department and CAL FIRE to pursue funding opportunities to increase the Gustine Fire Department's staff numbers to meet current State requirements of 2-0 FTE staff per one fire engine. • Responsibility: City Departments, County of Merced
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 7.1.B: The City shall continue to pursue funding opportunities to address law enforcement personnel needs in Gustine resulting from previous, current, and future population growth, including increasing police staffing levels to meet the State standard of 2 FTEs per 1000 people. • Responsibility: City Departments
• Time Frame: Ongoing

4.6 Cybercrime
A cyber-attack is an intentional and malicious crime that compromises the digital infrastructure of a person or organization, often for financial or terror-related reasons. Such attacks vary in nature and are perpetrated using digital mediums or sometimes social engineering to target human operators. Generally, attacks can occur for a few minutes to days, but large-scale events and their impacts can last much longer. As information technology continues to grow in capability and interconnectivity, cyber-attacks become increasingly frequent and destructive.

Types of cybercrimes include using viruses to erase entire systems, breaking into systems and altering files, using someone's personal computer to attack others, or stealing confidential information. The spectrum of cyber-risks is limitless, with threats having a wide range of effects on the individual and community threat.

Public and private computer systems are likely to experience a variety of cyber-attacks, from blanket malware infection to targeted attacks on system capabilities. Cyber-attacks specifically seek to breach IT security measures designed to protect an individual or organization. At present, the City of Gustine has an outdated technological system for City services and is without protection from cybercrime.

4.6.1 Cybercrime Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 8: Improved public safety and reduced crime levels in Gustine.

Policy 8.1: Increase City defense against and resilience to cybercrime.

Program/Implementation 8.1.A: Coordinate with the Merced Office of Emergency Services to establish a risk management program to identify the facilities, communication systems, and/or infrastructure at risk of cyber-attack in the City, their likelihood, and potential impacts. Once identified, place security controls that mitigate the risks to a level considered acceptable. The risk management SEPTEMBER 2024 39

SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
program shall include ongoing evaluation and assessment of cyber security risks and controls throughout the life cycle of the software.

4. 7 Climate Change
Changes to the global climate system are expected to affect future natural hazards in and around Gustine. Many natural hazards are expected to become more frequent and intense in coming years and decades, although some changes are already visible. According to State reports, Gustine can expect the following changes to climate-related hazards:

I Periods of both very high and very low precipitation are likely to become more common, which is expected to increase the frequency of both droughts and floods. Prolonged and severe droughts may become more common, particularly in the late summer and autumn.

I Higher temperatures are expected to cause an increase in extreme heat days. Historically, Gustine experiences an average of four extreme heat days each year, which is any day where temperatures exceed 104.1F. These extreme heat days are projected to occur 16 to 21 times each year by around 2050, and 22 to 45 times annually by the end of the century.

I Wildfires are expected to occur more frequently around Gustine due to hotter, drier conditions. While Gustine itself is not located in a high fire hazard severity zone, the open space and recreation areas around Gustine are still projected to see an increase in wildfire activity.

With the adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 379 in 2015, the
State expanded California Government Code Section
65302(g) to require the Safety Element of the General
Plan to include more information about wildfire
hazards, flooding risks, and short-term and long-term
threats posed by climate change. The County of
Merced conducted a climate change vulnerability
assessment that included Gustine in 2021, to assess
the long-term impacts of climate change on
community assets and populations throughout the
City of Gustine and the County of Merced. The
vulnerability assessment is included in the MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The three priority hazards assessed included drought,
earthquake, and flood/levee failure; however, dam
incidents and wildfire hazards were included in the vulnerability assessment because of anticipated development in the City's SOI near areas of risk for these hazards.

4.7.1 Vulnerable Populations and Assets
In 2021, the County of Merced completed a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment consistent with Government Code Section 65302(G), which assesses how the populations and assets in Gustine are vulnerable to different emergencies and hazardous conditions that may be created or made worse because of climate change. The primary categories assessed include populations, critical facilities and infrastructure, important community assets, and historic and natural resources. The assessment follows the recommended process in the updated California Adaptation Planning Guide, which is the state's guidance for how local communities should conduct climate adaptation planning efforts, including vulnerability assessments. As defined by the California Adaptation Planning Guide (2020) (link), climate change vulnerability is considered the degree to which natural, built, and human systems are susceptible to harm from exposure or stresses associated with climate change and from the absence of adaptive capacity to adapt.

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment indicates that Gustine's populations and assets are most vulnerable to severe weather, subsidence, hazardous materials incidents, cyber-attacks, agricultural pests and disease, dam incidents, and pandemics.

Populations in Gustine tend to be more vulnerable to extreme heat and human health hazards (pandemics), which directly affect health outcomes. Due to financial limitations, mobility challenges, and lack of access to medical care, the most sensitive populations include households in poverty, seniors living alone, outdoor workers, and persons experiencing homelessness. The homes that vulnerable populations live in, especially those located on single access roads, are also highly vulnerable to direct damage from hazards such as subsidence, severe weather, and fire.

A full analysis of the vulnerability assessment results can be found in the MJHMP.

4.7.2 Climate Change Hazards Goals, Policies, and Programs/Implementation GOAL 9: Community resiliency to climate change hazards, such as drought and extreme heat.

Policy 9.1: Encourage collaboration with regional organizations and agencies to increase resilience.

Program/Implementation 9.1.A: The City shall engage in partnerships and support local and regional interagency efforts to assess climate change impacts and to develop and implement strategies that increase resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 9.2: Ensure that there are safe places for community members to gather during hazardous events, including extreme temperatures.

Program/Implementation 9.2.A: The City shall continue to provide shaded areas, air conditioners, and other features at City community centers, parks, and other outdoor spaces that can offer refuge from extreme temperatures.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 9.2.B: The City shall continue to ensure that its facilities used as cooling centers or resilience hubs are equipped with backup power supplies, including on-site renewable energy generation and energy storage systems, as feasible. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 9.2.C: The City shall establish an online virtual resilience hub to provide residents and businesses with information and resources during an emergency. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 9.3: Coordinate with regional water agencies to reduce drought risks and ensure Gustine has a healthy and reliable water supply.

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SCREENCHECK DRAFT FOR CITY OF GUSTINE SAFETY ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 9.3.A: The City shall promote participation in water conservation programs to reduce water use in the City of Gustine.
• Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 9.3.8: The City shall encourage projects that include landscaping to use plants that will continue to be viable in the area under long-term future climate conditions. Explore modifying Gustine's landscaping standards (Municipal Code Article 3, Chapter 4-34) to support increased use of these species. All proposed landscaping shall be required to be compliant with the Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (WELD) and the City's water efficient landscape standards. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Policy 9.4: Reduce health and economic risks associated with extreme heat and human health hazards.

Program/Implementation 9.4.A: As new facilities are constructed, the City shall install water refill stations at parks, community centers, and sport courts/fields with available water supplies to encourage proper hydration and protection against heat-related illnesses. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 9.4.B:The City shall provide education, partnership, and other local support to local schools to reduce outdoor exposure during extreme heat events. • Responsibility:
• Time Frame:

SEPTEMBER 2024 42

ITEM NO. 2

CITY COUNCIL AND

PLANNING COMMISSION

JOINT MEETING

AGENDA ITEM
OCTOBER 23, 2024
:ez:
cm'Y CA@, AS; '9 5
¢
PREPARED BY: Jami Westervelt, Economic and Community Development Director Kelsey George, Contract Planner
SUBJECT: Workshop to collect input on the first draft of the City of Gustine Environmental Justice Element

BACKGROUND
The State of California mandates that the City of Gustine perform regular updates to its Housing Element (HE). The HE is one of the elements of the required General Plan for the City. The update to the City HE and the Safety Element constitutes the update of two or more General Plan elements concurrently, and triggers the requirement for the City to add an Environmental Justice Element update to the process.

DISCUSSION
The attached plan is a DRAFT Environmental Justice Element. The images, responsibilities and timeframes will be updated by staff as necessary and changes are inevitable as this is a very early draft. The draft document is being attached for general review. The presentation at the meeting will provide additional background and context. Council members and Commissioners are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback.

The purpose of this workshop is to focus mainly on the content of this document to include specifics related to policy and actions that the State requires jurisdictions to make commitments to. While the requirements are State-mandated, getting as much substantive feedback as possible now is essential. The intent of the item is to get to the core of any concerns now so that there is adequate time to address and revise in order to bring a solid document back for approval later in the process. This revision will have the larger-picture issues already addressed based on the direction of the Council and Commission.

RECOMMENDATION
Following a workshop presentation, Council and Commission to provide specific feedback and direction for this document.

EXHIBIT(S)
A) Draft Environmental Justice Element
APPROVED BY:
l ]
_
Soknirorn Than, City Manager

Prepared for:

City of Gustine
352 5 Street
Gustine, California 95322
Contact: Jami Westervelt, Economic
and Community Development Director
City of Gustine
Environmental Justice Element
Prepared by:
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CSG CONSULTANTS
3707 W. Garden Grove Boulevard,
Suite 100
Orange, California 92868
Contact: Gina Paolini
SEPTEMBER 2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
City Council
Pat Nagy, Mayor
Rich Ford, Mayor Pro Tern
Sherri Marsigli, Council Member
Blake Giles, Council Member
James Banta, Council Member
Planning Commission
Thomas Gomes, Planning Commission Chair
Derek Alexander, Planning Commissioner
Rene~ Duprel, Planning Commissioner
Darrell Lackey, Planning Commissioner
Phaidra Medeiros, Planning Commissioner
Blake Giles, Ex-Officio
The above are as of July 31, 2024.

SEPTEMBER 2024

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT

.

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Table of Contents
SECTION PAGE NO.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
1 lntroduction 1

1.1 Relationship to Other Elements 1

1.2 Environmental Justice in Gustine 1

1.3 Civic Engagement 2
2 Goals and Policies 5

2.1 Reduce Pollution Exposure and Improve Air Quality 5

2.2 Promote Public Facilities 7

2.3 Promote Healthy Food Access 8

2.4 Promote Safe and Sanitary Homes 10

2.5 Promote Physical Activity 11

2.6 Reduce Any Unique Health Risks 14

2.7 Promote Civic Engagement in the Public Decision-Making Process 15

2.8 Prioritize Improvements and Programs That Address the Needs of EJ Communities 16 Exhibits
Figure 1 EJ Communities Map 3
Appendices
A. Existing Conditions Report
B. Community Outreach Summary Report
SEPTEMBER 2024 iii

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iii

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
1 INTRODUCTION
California Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000), the Planning for Healthy Communities Act, was signed into law by Governor Edmond G.

Brown, Jr. on September 24, 2016. Pursuant to Senate Bill 1000, when a city revises two or more General Plan elements
concurrently and has areas defined as "Disadvantaged
Communities" (DACs), the City must address Environmental Justice (EJ) in their General Plan. The City can choose to either adopt a new, stand-alone element or integrate EJ policies and goals into existing elements of the General Plan (Government Code Section 65302[h][2]). This EJ Element is prepared concurrently with updates to the Safety Element and 6" Cycle Housing Element.

1.1 Relationship to Other Elements
J Environmental Justice
is the fair treatment and meaningful
Involvement of all peopte regardless of
race, color national origin or income with
respect to the development,
implementation, and eniorcement of
erwironmental laws, regulatons and
policies Fair treatment means that no
group of peoples should bear a
disproportionate share oi the negatwe
environmental consequences resulting
iron industrial, governmental and
commercial operations or policies
-US Environmental Protection Agency
The EJ Element is closely related to several other General Plan elements, in particular the Housing, Land Use, Circulation, and Air Quality Elements. Planning decisions related to types of land uses; location, density, and intensity of land uses; transportation systems; and street design have a profound impact on both public health and environmental justice.

Consequently, the Environmental Justice Element is inextricably connected to the aforementioned elements and other important elements of the General Plan and thus should be read and considered in the context of other General Plan elements. It should also be noted that there are topical areas (e.g., reduce pollution exposure, promote public facilities, and safe and sanitary homes) that are addressed in multiple elements. However, unlike other General Plan Elements, the EJ Element will cover these topical areas from the vantage point of public health and environmental justice communities.

1.2 Environmental Justice in Gustine
As recommended by $B 1000, the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool ("CalEnviroScreen") version 4.0, developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), is the method used to identify DACs.

CalEPA defines a DAC as a "low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation." CalEnviroScreen assigns composite scores to census tracts in California based on aggregate data from 21 indicators including potential exposures to pollutants, adverse environmental conditions, socioeconomic factors, and the prevalence of certain health conditions. Census tracts with a composite CalEnviroScreen score of 75 or higher are considered DACs. CalEnviroScreen was used to determine pollution exposure and vulnerability in the City of Gustine.

The City of Gustine is located within one census tract (6047002000) which has a composite CalEnviroScreen score of

84. The EJ Communities were identified using the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen) and the California Air Resources Board (CARS) Priority Populations Mapping Tool, as recommended by $B 1000.

Based on a score of 84, the entire City of Gustine is considered a DAC and is identified in Figure 1. The City has prepared a stand-alone EJ Element so that all existing EJ-related goals and policies are conveniently located in one document for easy reference. Additionally, the new EJ Element identifies new goals, policies, and programs relevant to the City of Gustine.

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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT

1.3 Civic Engagement
The EJ Element Existing Conditions Report (Appendix A) provides detailed descriptions of existing conditions in Gustine related to EJ, with the goal of helping the City understand the issues and opportunities facing the community. The City engaged in a multifaceted campaign to advertise the preparation of and collect community and stakeholder input on the EJ Element. Several community workshops were conducted, and a community survey was posted online. More details about community engagement efforts and how they influenced the content of the EJ Element are included in the Community Outreach Summary Report (Appendix B).

SEPTEMBER 2024 2

N •1.--,:! ewman
Scale not rovided.

FIGURE 1 A, Disadvantaged Communty of Gustine V -----------------------------------------------------,c=-,-,-,y-o-=1"'G=--u-s.,..1-ne--,- I == -nv""'ir_o_n_m_e_n.,..ta.,.l..,.Ju-s""li,..ce--=E"'le_m_e......., nt Dta Sources Cal~mer0Screen 4Q Cat0in Otte of f mwtonrowta ha.h arqAssessrret, accessed 2023 wow oeth .c to Mp Sport 9, 24/2024 3 19 AM

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4

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTALJUSTICE ELEMENT
2 GOALS AND POLICIES
Consistent with SB 1000, the goals, policies, and programs included within the EJ Element should:

1. Reduce the unique or compounded health risks in EJ Neighborhoods by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity.

2. Promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process.

3. Prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of EJ Neighborhoods.

The goals and policies in this report were developed by the City of Gustine in 2024. These goals and policies are presented by topic and sequentially, not by priority.

2.1 Reduce Pollution Exposure and Improve Air Quality
A fundamental part of achieving environmental justice is reducing pollution exposure in communities that are disproportionately burdened with pollution. Pollution exposure occurs when people come into direct contact with air, water, and soil contaminants and is often the result of incompatible land uses sited adjacent to each other. Sensitive populations (such as children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems) are the most
susceptible to pollution exposure. EJ Communities often experience multiple sources of pollution that make them more vulnerable. Although air quality is just one type of pollution exposure, improving air quality is critical to the health and well-being of all people and the environment. "Reducing pollution exposure" as outlined in SB 1000 refers to a broad range of environmental impacts, but "improving air quality" is specifically focused on reducing specific air contaminants.

CalEnviroScreen was used to determine pollution exposure and vulnerability in the City of Gustine. The City's census tract is assigned an aggregated score based on 21 individual pollution indicators. These indicators are divided into "Pollution Burdens" which represent the potential exposures to pollutants and the adverse environmental conditions caused by pollution, and "Population Characteristics" which represent physiological traits, health status, or community characteristics that can result in increased vulnerability to pollution. The indicators are described in more detail in the Existing Conditions Report (refer to Appendix A).

GOAL 1: A healthy community where exposure to pollution is minimized.

Policy 1.1: Limit the impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable populations by focusing planning and intervention in Gustine. This can be implemented by ensuring that policies, services, and programs are responsive to community members who are most vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change. Support new and updated policies and programs that reduce the number of potential pollution sources in Gustine.

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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 1.1.A: Coordinate with Merced County regarding the Climate Adaptation Plan that: identifies potential climate impacts, vulnerable populations and assets; and develops and prioritizes strategies that either prevent or mitigate climate impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division and Public Works Department
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 1.1.B: The City shall require projects to include landscaping using plant materials that will continue to be native to the area, drought-tolerant and viable in the area under long-term future climate conditions by revising Gustine's landscaping standards (Municipal Code Article 3, Chapter 4-34) to support increased use of these species. All proposed landscaping shall be required to be compliant with the Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (WELO) and the City's water efficient landscape standards.
•
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Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 1.2: Support policies and programs to meet or exceed energy efficiency targets.

Program/Implementation 1.3.A: Continue the purchase of fuel-efficient and low emission vehicles for the City fleet. Include electric vehicle charging stations and priority parking for alternative fuel vehicles at all public facilities.
•
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 1.3: Continue to limit the risk of exposure for life, property and the environment to hazardous materials and hazardous waste.

Program/Implementation 1.3.A: Identify and establish specific travel routes for the transport of hazardous materials and wastes, with key considerations being capacity to safely accommodate additional truck traffic, avoidance of residential areas, and use of interstate or state-divided highways as preferred routes. In accordance with Implementing Action 6.2.4.i of the Circulation Element of the General Plan, the City has designated appropriate truck routes such that truck access through residential areas is minimized. The Circulation Element identifies the following truck routes in the City:

Carnation Road, Kniebes Road, Highway 33/South Avenue, and Highway 140; the City shall continue to enforce these truck routes to allow trucks to transport hazardous materials through the City.

Coordinate with Caltrans as necessary.
•
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department; Caltrans Time Frame: Ongoing
SEPTEMBER 2024
Program/Implementation 1.3.B: The City shall continue to require the proper storage and disposal of hazardous materials to prevent leakage, potential explosions, fire, or the release of harmful fumes.

The City shall continue to inform the residential and business communities about the illegality of dumping hazardous materials and waste in the storm drain system through the use of signage near 6

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
storm drains and shall promote enforcement by encouraging residents to report illegal storm drain dumping to the Public Works Department.
•
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing

2.2 Promote Public Facilities
Under $B 1000, "public facilities" is an umbrella term that includes "public improvements, public services, and community amenities." This covers a wide spectrum of publicly provided uses and services including infrastructure, school facilities, parks, and transportation and emergency services. These amenities and services act to improve the health, safety, and well-being of a community by either enhancing the public sphere or providing services that are available to every resident within EJ Communities.

GOAL 2: Public facilities and services are distributed equitably throughout the community.

Policy 2.1: Support opportunities to increase and enhance the park system providing all residents with access to parks, community centers, sports fields, trails, open spaces, and other amenities.

Program/Implementation 2.1.A: Continue to provide equitable public improvements (e.g., siting and funding) throughout the community.
• Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department • Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 2.1.B: Continue the use of shared use agreements with local stakeholders (such as school districts, private properties with large open spaces, and religious institutions) as a method of increasing access to recreation facilities and community gathering facilities. •
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 2.2: Promote and support development of community facilities and infrastructure, including:

Program/Implementation 2.2.A.: Ensure that new and improvements to existing public facilities are well-designed and compatible with adjacent land uses.
•
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 2.3: Encourage the maintenance, rehabilitation, and renovation of existing community facilities in order to maintain high-quality service, and to prevent the deterioration of facilities.

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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 2.3.A: Adopt a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that prioritizes public investment needs and identifies funding sources for streetscape, public space, and public building improvements.
•
•
Responsibility: Public Works Department
Time Frame: Ongoing-5-year CIP

2.3 Promote Healthy Food Access
Food plays a critical role in the health of a community. It is essential that all residents have access to food that is healthy and affordable. EJ Communities may face constraints related to accessibility of nutritional food, and this lack of accessibility has a direct impact on personal health and well-being. Food access is not only associated with the physical accessibility and affordability of food, but also with food security, defined as access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food security includes the availability of nutritious and safe foods as well as the ability to acquire foods.

GOAL 3: Improve Access to Healthy Food,
Policy 3.1: Support community groups and organizations for the establishment of farmer's markets, farm stands, neighborhood markets, mobile health markets, and other stores that sell health food and fresh produce, to expand access to healthy food options throughout the City.

Program/Implementation 3.1.A: Support and encourage activity associated with farmer's markets. •
•
Responsibility: Economic Development Department
Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 3.1.B: The City shall continue to:
• Encourage the reestablishment of farmer's markets in the community • Consider amendments to the zoning code to allow farmer's markets as a permitted use within nonresidential zone districts
• Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division and Public Works Department
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 3.2: Encourage retailers to improve the quality and selection of health foods and nutritional information and to stock fresh and healthy food at affordable prices by providing incentive programs, technical assistance, and other services.

Program/Implementation 3.2.A: Continue to provide outreach on food recovery with local markets, restaurants, and food recovery organizations to donate surplus food to residents in need.

SEPTEMBER 2024 8

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Responsibility:

Time Frame:

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Policy 3.3: Support opportunities for neighborhood-run community gardens including coordination with the local school district and non-profits.

Program/Implementation 3.2.B: Amend the zoning code to allow community gardens to be an established use within the City and provide a streamlined permitting process for their establishment. • Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division • Time Frame:

Program/Implementation 3.3.B: Encourage community groups and organizations to develop a community garden.
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Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 3.4: Support local schools, non-profits, and community-based organizations that provide nutrition and healthy cooking instruction.

Program/Implementation 3.4.A: Distribute information from local schools, non-profits, and community-based organizations on the benefits of healthy eating and on the availability of food assistance programs.
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Responsibility: Parks and Recreation Department
Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 3.4.8: Continue to work with local organizations and community groups to provide venue space to provide free or reduced cost lunches after the school year ends. ■
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Responsibility: Parks and Recreation Department
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 3.5: Support organizations such as FFA and 4H that educate youth about the history and tradition of local agriculture. Support shall continue to be provided through venue space for cultural events and programming.

Program/Implementation 3.5.A: Collaborate with the Gustine Unified School District and other educational institutions within the City to provide educational curriculum and opportunities on urban and sustainable agriculture.
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Responsibility: Parks and Recreation Department
Time Frame: Ongoing
SEPTEMBER 2024
Program/Implementation 3.5.8: Encourage the development of urban agriculture programs by supporting Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and developers in accessing financial and technical incentives available through organizations such as the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA} and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA}. 9

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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Responsibility: Economic Development Department
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 3.6: City annexations shall be coordinated with the County so that Prime farmland shall continue to be prioritized for agricultural (rather than industrial or residential) uses to ensure the most efficient use of land.

Program/Implementation 3.6.A: Continue to require the right-to-farm, providing a direct healthy food source within the City limits and Sphere of Influence areas. •
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division Time Frame: Ongoing

2.4 Promote Safe and Sanitary Homes
The condition of homes in a community has direct
health implications for those who live in them. Lowerincome residents may live in dwellings built before standards and regulations were established to ensure
that new homes are free from pollutants such as lead
and asbestos and issues such as poor ventilation and
infestations. Overcrowded living conditions also affect the safety and cleanliness of homes. Lastly, housing
affordability influences whether homes in a
community are safe and sanitary. When a household is
cost-burdened, there is less money for housing maintenance or other needs such as healthcare and healthy food. These issues are further discussed and addressed in the Housing Element of this General Plan.

GOAL 4: Healthy living conditions for people of all backgrounds and incomes.

Policy 4.1: Continue to require capital improvements within each development such as sewer, water, street, storm drainage, and electrical improvements that facilitate the provision of safe and sanitary housing.

Program/Implementation 4.1.A: During the City's budget cycle, and review of the CIP, the City Council shall consider improvements to improve housing conditions within the City.

Responsibility: Public Works Department-Capital Improvement Program a Time Frame: Annual Budget-5-year CIP
Policy 4.2: Continue code enforcement efforts to improve unsafe and unsanitary conditions, including potential overcrowding, illegal garage conversions, illegal home businesses, unpermitted plumbing and electrical, property maintenance, trash and dumping.

Program/Implementation 4.2.A: Conduct ongoing owner outreach to inform owners of their legal requirements to maintain and upkeep their rental properties. • Responsibility: Building Division-Code Enforcement
Time Frame: Ongoing
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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTALJUSTICE ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 4.2.B: Distribute information via City newsletters and/or other periodical publications about protecting tenant rights, so they are not penalized for reporting or living in a dwelling unit that does not meet health and safety standards. ■
■
Responsibility: Building Division-Code Enforcement
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 4.3: Raise awareness about the risks associated with lead-based paint and other housing hazards.

Program/Implementation 4.3.A: Distribute information about remediation of lead and best practices to reduce and eliminate other housing hazards. ■
■
Responsibility: Community Development-Building Division Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 4.4: Continue to stay actively involved in federal and state housing assistance programs directed toward new construction, renter assistance, rehabilitation, and infrastructure.

Program/Implementation 4.4.A: Apply for funds for housing rehabilitation resources as feasible. ■
•
Responsibility: Community Development-Planning Division Time Frame: Federal and State Funding Availability

2.5 Promote Physical Activity
Physical activity is a large contributor to the physical and mental health of Gustine residents. Research by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that physically active people tend to live longer and have lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Physical activity is promoted by the built environment through providing places that encourage walking, biking, and other forms of exercise. These places include parks, open space, trails, urban green spaces, areas with robust tree canopies, and active transportation networks. An important component of environmental justice is distributing facilities that promote physical activity equitably throughout the community so there are equal opportunities for all residents to be physically active.

GOAL 5: Ensure residents of all ages have access to a range of safe and accessible opportunities for recreation and physical activities.

Policy 5.1: Encourage the use of park spaces for community events and activities, hosted by local businesses and organizations.

Program/Implementation 5.1.A: The City shall continue to allow local businesses and organizations to host events and programs for year-round indoor and outdoor activities and continue support of community groups.

SEPTEMBER 2024 11

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•

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Responsibility: Parks and Recreation Department
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 5.2: Improve and maintain the system of sidewalks and crosswalks to provide a pedestrian-friendly community.

Program/Implementation 5.2.A: Require new development to incorporate connected street and pedestrian/bicycle networks, with many connections between new and older neighborhoods and the Downtown area, consistent with the City's Active Transportation Plan (ATP). • Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division and Public Works Department
• Time Frame: Project Entitlement Phase and new construction Program/Implementatin o5.2.B: The City shall continue to implement the ATP and seek funding for and include pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the CIP, as feasible. Such improvements shall include, but not be limited to:
• Construction of sidewalk improvements where they do not currently exist • Widening of sidewalks in high pedestrian traffic areas • Installation of bike paths and lanes
• Improved crossings of roads and railroads for bicycles and pedestrians • Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department • Time Frame: Ongoing-Annual Budget
Policy 5.3: The City shall continue efforts to enhance and/or expand the interconnected trail system that offers pedestrian walkways, bike paths, and trials throughout the community. The creation and/or expansion of trails will enhance recreational opportunities and promote walking as a viable travel mode.

Program/Implementation 5.3.A: The City shall continue periodic updates of the ATP in compliance with state law. The updates should continue to assess the comprehensive analysis of trails, greenways, and pedestrian linkages throughout the City. Generally, the plan shall:
• Inventory and map all existing trail segments and sidewalks throughout the City • Identify missing and incomplete segments needed to improve continuity, particularly those adjacent to schools, parks, public buildings, and other pedestrian generators and attractors, such as the Downtown
• Inventory possible accessibility barriers for disabled persons • Identify natural areas and other infrastructure corridors within the community that could serve as linear linkages and/or greenbelts. These areas shall be acquired and developed for recreational use and as trails and connections
• Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division and Public Works Department
SEPTEMBER 2024
• Time Frame: Ongoing
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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 5.3.B: The City shall continue to implement the ATP and require construction of bikeways, sidewalks, and pedestrian access ways to major destination points with emphasis on providing connecting access to schools, parks, and shopping centers from residential neighborhoods.
• Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division and Public Works Department
• Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 5.3.C: The City shall acquire any necessary rights-of-way or easements to allow for multi-purpose (walking, jogging and bicycle) trails along linear features, such as the railroad, waterways, and roadways. Provide for lateral extensions to serve neighborhood areas and points of public access.

Policy 5.4: The financial support and development of future parks shall follow a long-range Parks and Recreation Master Plan to accommodate a diverse recreational program to support the interest of all residents, including youth, singles, families, and retirees.

Program/Implementation 5.4.A The City shall develop a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to guide the improvement and future development of the City's parks and recreation system. • Responsibility: Community Development Department- Planning Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Public Works Department
• Time Frame:

Policy 5.5: The City shall continue to provide parks and recreational facilities and services in accordance with the City standard of six acres of property for each 1,000 persons residing within the City (Sec. 4-66-030.C.).

Program/Implementation 5.5.A: The City shall adopt a parks-to-standards program to set a standard by which all parks, recreation areas, and public spaces are measured. Improvements would bring each to an equivalent standard, which may then be achieved through ongoing maintenance. In this way, the entire park system shall be elevated to the same standard of quality.

Responsibility: Community Development Department- Planning Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Public Works Department
• Time Frame:

Policy 5.6: Parks and open space shall be evenly distributed, with regard to location, size, and amenities, to reflect population density and within 0.5-mile radius of nearby residential land uses.

Program/Implementation 5.6.A: Focus City resources on improving and developing small and large community and neighborhood public parks, recognizing that privately-owned parks meet the need for small, close-to-home parks.
•
SEPTEMBER 2024
•
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division Time Frame: Project Entitlement Phase and new construction 13

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT

2.6 Reduce Any Unique Health Risks
An important component of environmental justice is identifying unique situations that may compound health risks for the community.

Due to the large agricultural uses both in the City and in the surrounding area, there is a higher chance of residents coming in contact with harmful levels of air or water pollutants associated with agricultural byproducts.

GOAL 6: Reduce the causes of compound health risks.

Policy 6.1: The City shall continue to work with the County to conserve agricultural land to the maximum practical extent that is commensurate with the orderly growth and development of the City.

Program/Implementation 6.1.A: The City will continue to promote the right-to-farm within the City and unincorporated Sphere of Influence areas and promote the City's good neighbor policy by providing disclosure notices to purchasers and users of property adjacent to or near agricultural operations. Through mandatory disclosures, purchasers and users will better understand the impact of living near agricultural operations.
•
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 6.2: New development adjacent to areas of ongoing agricultural development shall provide agricultural buffers that are adequate to protect residents from the harmful effects of agricultural chemical use.

Program/Implementation 6.2.A: In consultation with the Agricultural Commissioner, the City shall adopt an ordinance to establish standards relating to the spray application of agricultural chemicals, while continuing to support the right-to-farm within the City limits. • Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division • Time Frame:

Policy 6.3: Strengthen efforts to collaborate on public infrastructure improvements and evaluate mitigation measures to reduce air quality impacts from adjacent state highways.

Program/Implementation 6.3.A: The City shall continue to coordinate with Caltrans, Merced County and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to minimize air quality impacts associate with planned and existing transportation facilities.

SEPTEMBER 2024
•
•
Responsibility: Community Development, Public Works Department Time Frame: Ongoing
14

CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT

2. 7 Promote Civic Engagement in the Public Decision-Making Process tam
us»rat
' le 4
Civic, or community, engagement is an important goal across local planning and decision-making processes. It can help foster a strong sense of place within a neighborhood and deepen the investment of stakeholders working toward neighborhood improvements.

Environmental justice issues are more effectively identified and resolved if opportunities to engage in local decision-making are created for lowincome, minority, and linguistically isolated stakeholders. Effective civic engagement not only provides the City with an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the community but provides for sound investment in better decision-making by ensuring decisions are informed by community needs and aspirations.

GOAL 7: Encourage Meaningful Civic Engagement.

Policy 7 .1: Support a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to civic engagement and public outreach on local decision-making processes to facilitate a variety of participation opportunities and methods.

Program/Implementation 7.1.A.: Promote meaningful cross-cultural participation in the decisionmaking process and where possible:
• Provide City-sponsored material in multiple languages • Organize outreach events and conduct surveys directly to specific demographic groups • Partner with County or community-based organizations that have relationships, trust, and cultural competency with target communities to conduct outreach for local initiatives and issues • Tailor activities and the venues where they take place to accommodate the cultural preferences of different racial/ethnic groups.
•
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing
Program/Implementation 7.1.B: Make meetings and other public engagement forums accessible to a wide range of residents and encourage greater attendance by:
• Continue to ensure that all materials are distributed far enough in advance of meetings to allow sufficient time for review and comment
• Using communication methods that convey complex or technical information in an easily understandable manner
• Facilitating meetings using diverse methods that can engage all participants and can appeal to multiple styles of learning
• Focusing on methods to effectively engage younger residents •
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing
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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 7.1.C. Continue to host regular community meetings and special outreach sessions on weekday nights after 5pm and provide multiple options for participation to maximize engagement.
•
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 7.2: Engage and educate youth in the civic decision-making process.

Program/Implementation 7.2.A. Encourage youth participation in civic engagement activities to provide educational opportunities and foster civic responsibility. •
•
Responsibility: City-wide
Time Frame: Ongoing

2.8 Prioritize Improvements and Programs That Address the Needs of EJ Communities
An essential component of the EJ Element is prioritizing projects, programs, and investments that directly serve and benefit residents within areas experiencing higher levels of environmental burdens. Effective prioritization requires coordination and alignment across departments, agencies and shared jurisdictional partners along with consistent and sustained engagement with community stakeholders. Identifying and considering improvements and programs for areas of the City that are in need of investment may help the City obtain grants and/or other public funding that is targeted for these areas.

GOAL 8: Public investments that meet the needs of EJ Communities.

Policy 8.1: Continue to explore outside funding opportunities for EJ- related projects and programs for the City.

Program/Implementation 8.1.A. The City shall continue to pursue all available avenues for the financing of public facilities.
•
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department Time Frame: Ongoing
Policy 8.2: The integrity of the Downtown will be protected and enhanced.

Program/Implementation 8.2.A. Continue to promote conservation measures and seek funding sources for improvement and reinvestment in the Downtown. •
•
Responsibility: Community Development Department-Economic Development Division Time Frame: Funding Availability
Policy 8.3: Promote the equitable provision of public amenities such as sidewalks, street trees, crosswalks, paving, streetlight, bike lanes, and other amenities as specified in sections of this EJ Element.

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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
Program/Implementation 8.3.A. Continue to seek funding opportunities to fund public amenities and implement the ATP.
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Responsibility: Community Development Department, Public Works Department Time Frame: Funding Availability
Policy 8.4: Encourage EJ programs that serve targeted populations such as youth and women.

Program/Implementation 8.4.A. Engage the community to identify desired programs that would benefit targeted segments on the population such as youth, women, and small business owners.

SEPTEMBER 2024
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Responsibility: Community Development Department-Planning Division Time Frame: Ongoing
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18

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CITY OF GUSTINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT

APPENDIX A
Existing Conditions Report
--

DRAFT
Prepared for:

City of Gustine
352 5 Street
Gustine, California 95322
Contact: Jami Westervelt, Economic
and Community Development Director
City of Gustine
Existing Conditions Report
Prepared by:

CONSULTANTS

CSG CONSULTANTS
3707 W. Garden Grove Boulevard,
Suite 100
Orange, California 92868
Contact: Gina Paolini
SEPTEMBER 2024

This was printed on 30% recycled material.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Table of Contents
SECTION PAGE NO.
1 lntroduction 1

1.1 What is Environmental Justice 1

1.2 Senate Bill 1000 and Disadvantaged Communities 1

1.3 Topics Addressed 1
2 Detailed Analysis 6

2.1 Reduce Pollution Exposure and Improve Air Quality 6

2.2 Promote Public Facilities 10

2.3 Promote Healthy Food Access 18

2.4 Promote Safe and Sanitary Homes 22

2.5 Promote Physical Activity 28

2.6 Reduce Any Unique or Compounded Health Risks Not Otherwised Addressed Above 32

2. 7 Promote Civic Engagement in the Public Decision-Ma king Process 32

2.8 Prioritize Improvements and Programs that Address the Needs of EJ Communities 36 3 Conclusion 42
4 References 44
TABLES

2.1 CalEnviroScreen Indicator Percentile Scores 6

2.2 Food Insecurity 22

2.3 City of Gustine - Population by Age Group 33

2.4 Population by Racial Group 36

2.5 Regional Opportunity Index (ROI) 36

FIGURES
1 Disadvantaged Community of Gustine 2

1.1 Disadvantaged Community - U.S. EPA screening map 4

2.2.1 Public Services 13

2.2.2 Community Facilities 15

2.3.1 Retail Food Stores 20

2.4.1 Overpayment by Homeowners 24

2.4.2 Overpayment by Renters 26

2.5.1 Gustine City Parks 30

2. 7.1 Percent of Total Non-White Population 34

2.8.2 People-Based Opportunities Map 38

2.8.3 Place-Based Opportunity Map 40
SEPTEMBER 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Ii

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
1 INTRODUCTION
This report provides an overview of existing conditions in the City of Gustine related to Environmental Justice (EJ). The findings will be used to form the goals, and policies within the City's new EJ Element, the City of Gustine will identify strategies to reduce disproportionate impacts on Disadvantaged Communities (also referred to as EJ Communities) and ensure equal distribution of resources.

1.1 What is Environmental Justice
EJ seeks to prevent and correct disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations (i.e., Disadvantaged Communities/EJ Communities). Impacts can result from either the presence or absence of certain land uses, facilities, and physical and social infrastructure. For example, the presence of industrial land uses causing air pollution in a disadvantaged residential community is an EJ issue. The absence of parks and open space, community centers and recreational facilities, sidewalks and bike lanes, public transportation options, safe housing, and healthy food options in a disadvantaged community are also EJ issues. The definition of EJ used throughout this report has been defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), which is defined as: "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies."

1.2 Senate Bill 1000 and Disadvantaged Communities
Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000), the Planning for Healthy Communities Act, was signed into law by Governor Edmond G.

Brown, Jr. on September 24, 2016. Pursuant to Senate Bill 1000, when a city revises two or more General Plan elements concurrently and has areas defined as "Disadvantaged Communities" (DACs), the City must address Environmental Justice (EJ) in their General Plan. The City can choose to either adopt a new, stand-alone element or integrate EJ policies and goals into existing elements of the General Plan (Government Code Section 65302[h][2]). Since the City is adopting the Housing and Safety Elements, it is now required to also adopt the EJ Element pursuant to State Law.

The California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool ("CalEnviroScreen") version 4.0, developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA), is the recommended method to identify DACs. CalEPA defines a DAC as a "low-income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation." (Gov. Code, § 65302, subd. (h)(4)(A)).

CalEnviroScreen assigns composite scores to census tracts in California based on aggregate data from 21 indicators including potential exposures to pollutants, adverse environmental conditions, socioeconomic factors, and the prevalence of certain health conditions, and is further described in Section 2.1 below. Census tracts with a composite CalEnviroScreen score of 75 or higher are considered DACs. It is important to note that the entire City of Gustine is located within one census tract (6047002000) for purposes of calculating the City's "CalEnviroScreen" health score. The City has a CalEnviroScreen score of 84. Based on this score, the City of Gustine is considered a DAC. The maps provided in Figures 1 and 1.1 show the Disadvantage Community of Gustine. The City is electing to prepare a new, standalone EJ Element so that all existing EJ-related goals and policies are conveniently located in one document for easy reference.

Additionally, the new EJ Element will identify new goals, policies, and programs relevant to the City of Gustine.

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT

1.3 Topics Addressed
As specified by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research General Plan Guidelines, Chapter 4, the EJ Element will address the following topics:

1. Reduce pollution exposure and improve air quality

2. Promote public facilities

3. Promote healthy food access

4. Promote safe and sanitary homes

5. Promote physical activity

6. Reduce any unique or compounded health risks not otherwise addressed above

7. Promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process

8. Prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of EI communities This report is organized according to these eight topics. A detailed analysis of each topic is provided in Section 2.

SEPTEMBER 2024 1

Scale not rovided.

Newman
Data Sorce 'ClEmaroScreen Ag CAfona Otfce ot Enaronrrrt. Path rd Assessment, access@4 2023 tn» oehhe ca 4o% Mop 6port 9/ 24/2024 3 19 4AM FIGURE 1 l Disadvantaged Community of Gustine ---------------------------------------------------c=i-ty-o f G u-s lin_el _En-v-,r-o_n_m_e_n_tat -J u-s ll ce E�le_m_e_ni

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT

INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
3

- Census Tract: 06047002000 ()
City of Gustine is located within this tract
Projected flood risk
E
Low income 5z.

Energy -
Climate change -
PM2.Sin the air
Identified as disadvantaged?
II
Tract information
Number 06047002000 Count Merced County State at:for
Popatation:8.7I2
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2 DETAILED ANALYSIS
This section provides a detailed analysis of each of the eight topics listed in sub-Section 1.3.

2.1 Reduce Pollution Exposure and Improve Air Quality
Exposure to pollution and poor air quality has a direct impact on physical and mental health. Scientific research has established a connection between pollutants in the air, water, and soil and a range of health issues, both short-term and long-term. Environmental pollution diminishes quality of life and leads to serious health consequences, such as an increased risk of stroke, asthma, and reduced life expectancy. Safeguarding natural resources from environmental degradation is essential for protecting human health and well-being.

Several factors contribute to pollution exposure and poor air quality, including incompatible land use and vehicle emissions. The City's industrial uses are located near the eastern border, away from residential uses. However, as with many California City's exposure to vehicle emissions is an ongoing concern.

CalEnviroScreen was used to determine pollution exposure and vulnerability in the City of Gustine. The City of Gustine is located within one census tract (6047002000) which has a combined CalEnviroScreen score of 84. This score is aggregated, or collected and combined into a single quantified number, from the scores of 21 individual indicators, shown in Table 2.1.

The 21 indicators are divided into two groups: Pollution Burden and Population Characteristics. Pollution Burden consists of 13 indicators which represent the potential exposures to pollutants and the adverse environmental conditions caused by pollution. Population Characteristics consists of eight indicators which represent physiological traits, health status, or community characteristics that can result in increased vulnerability to pollution. Scores between 0 to 100 are assigned to each indicator representing the degree of pollution exposure and vulnerability, or "burdens," within the census tract. Scores between 75 to 100 are considered a high burden, scores between 25 to 74 are a medium burden, and scores between Oto 24 are a low burden.

Unless specified otherwise, all descriptions of the 21 indicators come from the CalEnviroScreen mapping tool or report, both available at the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment website. 1 Table 2.1
CalEnviroScreen Indicator Percentile Scores
Indicator Percentile Score
Pollution Burden
Ozone 63
Ozone is the main ingredient of smog. At ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants chemically react in the presence of sunlight. The main sources of ozone are trucks, cars, trains, factories, construction, and dry cleaners. Ozone can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, and make chronic illnesses worse, even at low levels of exposure. Children and the elderly are sensitive to the effects of ozone. Ozone levels are highest in the afternoon and on hot days. People who spend a lot of time outdoors may also be affected by ozone.

PM2.S 47
Particulate matter or PM2.5 is very small airborne particle pollution, less than 2.5 micrometers, which is less than the thickness of a human hair. PM2.5 is a mixture of particles that can include 1 Source: https:/ /oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/reportjcalenviroscreen-40 SEPTEMBER 2024 6

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Table 2.1
CalEnviroScreen Indicator Percentile Scores
Indicator Percentile Score
organic chemicals, dust, soot, and metals. These particles can come from cars and trucks, factories, wood burning, and other activities. They can travel deep into the lungs because they are so small and cause various health problems including heart and lung disease. Children, the elderly, and people suffering from heart or lung disease, asthma, or chronic illness are most sensitive to the effects of PM2.5 exposure.

Diesel Particulate Matter
Exhaust from trucks, buses, trains, and other equipment with diesel engines contains a mixture of gases and solid particles. These solid particles are known as diesel particulate matter (Diesel PM).

Diesel PM contains hundreds of different chemicals. Many of these are harmful to health. More than 90 percent of Diesel PM is less than 1 µm in diameter (about 1/70th the diameter of a human hair), and thus is a subset of PM2.S. The highest levels of Diesel PM are usually near rail yards, ports, and freeways. The particles in Diesel PM can reach deep into the lung, where they can contribute to health problems including eye, throat and nose irritation, heart and lung disease, and lung cancer. Children and the elderly are most sensitive to the effects of Diesel PM.

Toxic Releases
Facilities that make or use toxic chemicals can release these chemicals into the air and these chemicals are sometimes detected in the air of communities nearby. People living near these facilities may breathe contaminated air regularly. An accident at a facility may also release toxic chemicals into the air. The US EPA maintains a Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) of on-site releases to air, water, and land and underground injection of any classified chemical, as well as quantities transferred off-site. Facilities are required to report if they have 10 or more fulltime employees, operate within a set of industrial sectors outlined by TRI, and manufacture more than 25,000 pounds or otherwise use more than 10,000 pounds of any listed chemical during the calendar year.

Traffic Impacts
While California has strict vehicle-emissions standards, exhaust from cars and trucks is still one of the main sources of air pollution in much of the state. Major roads and highways can bring air pollutants and noise into nearby neighborhoods. Children who live or go to schools near busy roads have higher rates of asthma than children in areas farther from roads.

Pesticides
Over 1,000 pesticides are registered for use in California. They are applied to fields by air, by farm machinery, or by workers on the ground. Exposure to pesticides can be an issue in communities near agricultural operations. Wind erosion, drift, or volatilization of pesticides from agricultural fields can be a source of pesticide exposure and can spread pesticides over a greater distance than the immediate area. Exposure to high levels of some pesticides can cause illness right away or conditions such as birth defects or cancer later in life.

Drinking Water Contaminants
Most drinking water in California meets health standards. However, drinking water sometimes becomes contaminated with chemicals or bacteria above the standards. Both natural and human sources can contaminate drinking water. Natural sources include rocks, soil, wildlife, and fires.

Human sources include factories, sewage, and runoff from farms. One common contaminant, arsenic, occurs naturally in some rocks and soil and is often found in groundwater in California.

Nitrate from fertilizer or manure can leach into groundwater and contaminate wells. The drinking water contaminant index is a combination of contaminant data that takes into account the relative concentrations of different contaminants and whether multiple contaminants are present. The indicator does not indicate whether water is safe to drink.

Lead
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18 85
65 61
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Table 2.1
CalEnviroScreen Indicator Percentile Scores
Indicator Percentile Score
Lead is a toxic metal that occurs naturally in the environment. However, the highest levels of lead present in the environment are a result of human activities. Historically, lead has been used in house paint, plumbing, and as a gasoline additive. While lead levels have declined over the past five decades in the United States, it still persists in older housing. Exposure to lead through paint is the most significant source of lead exposure for children. There are no known safe levels of lead exposure. Young children are especially susceptible to the effects of lead exposure and can suffer adverse health effects, particularly in the brain and nervous system. This increased susceptibility is due to children's unique exposure pathways, developing brains, and differences in the absorption of ingested lead. Children's exposure to lead even at low levels can lead to a higher likelihood of lower IQ and educational performance outcomes, and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Cleanup Sites
Cleanup sites are places that are contaminated with hazardous chemicals and require clean up by the property owners or government. The Department of Toxic Substances Control tracks cleanups of contaminated sites in California. Chemicals at cleanup sites can move through the air or groundwater. People living near these sites have a greater potential to be exposed to chemicals from the sites than people living further away. According to studies cited in the CalEnviroScreen Report, neighborhoods with cleanup sites are generally poorer and have more people of color than other neighborhoods. The land may take many years or decades to clean up, reducing possible benefits to the community from potential public facilities.

Groundwater Threats
Groundwater threats may occur when leaks from containers and tanks that contain hazardous chemicals spill and contaminate the soil and pollute water sources. Hazardous chemicals are often stored in containers on land or in underground storage tanks. Leaks from tanks can contaminate soil and groundwater. Common soil and groundwater pollutants include gasoline and diesel fuels at gas stations, as well as solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides.

Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste contains chemicals that may be harmful to health. Only certain facilities are allowed to treat, store, or dispose of this type of waste. Hazardous waste can range from used automotive oil to highly toxic waste materials produced by factories and businesses. Hazardous waste is transported from businesses that generate waste to permitted facilities for recycling, treatment, storage, or disposal. Studies have found that hazardous waste facilities are often located near poor neighborhoods and communities of color. Hazardous waste facilities often are cause for concerns about effects on health and the environment in the communities where they operate.

Impaired Water Bodies
This indicator is calculated by considering the number of pollutants in water bodies listed as impaired and the water bodies' distance to the census tract. Water bodies like streams, rivers or lakes are used for recreation and fishing or may provide water for drinking or irrigation. When water bodies are contaminated by pollutants, they are considered impaired. These impairments can harm wildlife habitats and prevent recreational and other uses of the water body. Certain groups such as tribal or low-income communities may depend on the fish and wildlife in nearby water bodies more than the general public.

Solid Waste
Solid waste facilities are places where household garbage and similar kinds of waste are collected, processed, or stored. These include landfills and composting or recycling facilities. The waste material may come from homes, factories, or businesses. Most of these operations require permits.

Regulated facilities as well as illegal sites that do not comply with the law can harm the environment SEPTEMBER 2024
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17 98
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Table 2.1
CalEnviroScreen Indicator Percentile Scores
Indicator Percentile Score
and potentially expose people to hazardous substances. Solid waste facilities can also raise concern in a community about odors, insect pests, vermin, and truck traffic.

Population Characteristics
Asthma 90
Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and makes it hard to breathe. Symptoms include breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. The causes of asthma are unknown but both genetic and environmental factors can be involved. Five million Californians have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives. People with asthma can be especially susceptible to pneumonia, flu, and other illnesses. Outdoor air pollution can trigger asthma attacks.

Low Birth Weight 60
Babies who weigh less than about five and a half pounds (or 2500 grams) at birth are considered low birth weight. Poor nutrition, lack of prenatal care, stress and smoking by the mother are known to increase the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby. Studies suggest that pollution could also be a factor. Low-birth-weight babies may face a greater risk of developing asthma or other chronic diseases later in life. They are also more likely to die as infants than babies who are not born low weight.

Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that involve blocked or narrowed blood vessels of the heart. A heart attack is the most common result of cardiovascular disease. Many people survive and return to normal life after a heart attack, but quality of life may be reduced. There are many risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease including diet, lack of exercise, smoking and exposure to air pollution. Exposure to outdoor air pollution following a heart attack has been shown to increase the risk of death. In addition to people with a past heart attack, the effects of air pollution may also be greater in the elderly and people with other preexisting health conditions.

Education
The education indicator in CalEnviroScreen is based on the percentage of the population over age 25 with less than a high school education. A higher education percentile shown in the map and legend indicates a higher number of residents in that tract without a high school diploma. Educational attainment is the highest level of education a person has completed. People with more education usually earn more than people with less education. Many studies have found that the health effects of air pollution are worse among people with low educational attainment.

Linguistic Isolation 85
Linguistic isolation is a term used by the U.S. Census Bureau for limited English-speaking households.

More than 40 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home. About half of those do not speak English well or at all. Adults who are not able to speak English well often have trouble communicating with people who provide social services and medical care. Linguistically isolated households may also not hear or understand important information when there is an emergency like an accidental chemical release or spill.

Poverty 76
The U.S. Census Bureau determines the federal poverty level each year. The poverty level is based on the size of the household and the age of family members. If a person or family's total income before taxes is less than the poverty level, the person or family are considered in poverty. 63 77
Unemployment
The U.S. Census Bureau counts people who are over 16 years old, out of work and able to work but not working as unemployed. This does not include students, active-duty military, retired people, or SEPTEMBER 2024
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Table 2.1
CalEnviroScreen Indicator Percentile Scores
Indicator Percentile Score
people who have stopped looking for work. Stress from long-term unemployment can lead to chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, and can shorten a person's life.

Housing Burden
Housing-burdened low-income households are households that are both low income and highly burdened by housings costs. Households with lower incomes may spend a larger proportion of their income on housing and may suffer from housing-induced poverty. Housing affordability is an important determinant of health and well-being. Low-income households with high housing costs may suffer adverse health impacts.

Source: CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Report https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/calenviroscreen/reportjcalenviroscreen40reportf2021.pdf.

2.2 Promote Public Facilities
Access and availability of public facilities is an aspect of the built environment that may disproportionately limit the opportunities of EJ communities. If EJ Communities have unequal access to public facilities, or if a city does not provide adequate facilities for public use, EJ Communities may be limited in their ability to access essential resources. Limited access to these resources can lead to reduced lifespans, poorer health outcomes, and diminished mental well-being.

Intentional planning of parks and transportation infrastructure can help provide equal access to resources for all communities within a city. The current locations of public services and community facilities within and adjacent to the City of Gustine are illustrated in Figure 2.2.1 (Public Services) and Figure 2.2.2 (Community Facilities).

INFRASTRUCTURE
The City's Public Works Department Division maintains and conducts improvements related to the City's infrastructure.

This includes all public utilities such as streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, utilities, transit, sewer, and disposal services.

The City's water is supplied from four deep ground water wells located throughout the City. The City's water meets state requirements for safe drinking water. Water demands are anticipated to increase in proportion to population growth. Water demands in the Public Water System service area are projected to total approximately 2,427 million gallons annually in 2040. The City has identified the need to construct additional public water supplies to accommodate residential growth. The City's water supply is not necessarily sufficient to also provide service to other non-residential growth. Therefore, planned wells related to recent residential projects will need to be implemented to accommodate the increase in water demand from both residential and non-residential projects.

The City's wastewater treatment facility has an average dry weather flow (adwf) capacity of 1.4 million gallons per day (mgd) and a peak wet weather flow (pwwf) of 3.0 mgd, with an average daily sewer load of 0.75 mgd and a peak daily load of 1.5 mgd. The existing wastewater treatment facility meets the City's average and peak daily flows. Gustine's sewer collection system consists of sewer pipeline ranging from 6-inch to 24-inch in diameter. The city-wide peak daily loading is 3.0 mgd, which is adequate for current requirements.

PUBLIC SERVICES
Police and Law Enforcement
Law enforcement services for areas within the City limits are currently provided by the Gustine Police Department. The Gustine PD has an average response time of two minutes per service call for emergencies from within the City limits. 2 Source: Southeast Gustine Annexation Project Environmental Impact Report, August 18, 2016 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 10

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
The Merced County Sheriff Department responds to calls outside of the City limits but relies on Gustine PD for assistance on many calls. The Gustine PD currently has nine sworn officers on staff. This represents a staff-to-population ratio of approximately 1.8 officers per 1,000 persons, slightly less than the City's goal of 2.0 officers per 1,000 persons. The City offers a Police Explorers program which exposes students ages 15-21 to behind-the-scenes police department activities and is used to encourage a career in police enforcement.

Fire Protection
Fire protection services for the City of Gustine and surrounding rural areas are provided by the Gustine Fire Department (GFD). The fire station is located at 686 Third Avenue and is shared with the Merced County Fire Department. The GFD coverage area is bounded by the Stanislaus/Merced County line to the north, the foothills to the west, Cottonwood Road to the south and Los Banos Creek to the east. Merced County maintains a contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) which provides full-time staff to maintain a presence at the fire station 24/7, as well as administrative staff for the Department. The CAL FIRE staff is supplemented by 10-11 GFD personnel, which are volunteers and not full-time staff.

In addition, the GFD has a mutual aid agreement with the City of Newman Fire Department. The City of Gustine owns and maintains two type one fire engines, as well as a parade engine. County-owned apparatus is also located at the Gustine fire station, including an engine, a relief engine and a 2,000-gallon water tender. The Gustine Fire Department's average response time is approximately 4 minutes.
3 There are no paramedics or emergency medical technicians supplied by CAL FIRE to the GFD; medical emergencies are referred to the Westside Ambulance Service for triage and transport to medical facilities. The nearest hospital to Gustine is Memorial Hospital of Los Banos, located approximately

21.0 miles to the southeast of Gustine.

According to the State, the Gustine Fire Department must have two on-duty firefighting personnel during each shift to meet the minimum 2-0 staffing requirements for one fire engine. To appropriately operate a fire engine, the Department should have two on-duty personnel at all hours. The staffing requirements imposed by State law are not incorporated with the City's existing contracts with CAL FIRE, which poses challenges with complying with State Law while operating with a volunteer fire department.

Public Transportation
Transit service is limited in Gustine. "The Bus," Merced County's Regional Transit System, was formed from the consolidation of four former local public transit service providers in July 1996. Today, "The Bus" is the single public transportation service provider for all of Merced County. Service levels have fluctuated historically, dependent upon the findings of unmet transit hearings conducted by Merced County Association of Governments-the regional transportation planning Joint Powers Authority. Although there currently are no fixed routes throughout Gustine provided by "The Bus" itself, public bus service is available to the Gustine area by The Micro BUS, which is a supplemental transit service provided through Merced County Transit. The Micro BUS links Gustine with Los Banos, Santa Nella, and Dos Palos. It also provides connections to fixed routes of travel through other Merced County communities. "The Bus" also offers a curb-to-curb transit service through Paratransit to eligible individuals. Paratransit passengers must go through an approval process to utilize this service.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Gustine City Hall is located at 352 Fifth Street, within the downtown area of the City. City Hall hosts City Council meetings in the Council Chambers and conducts other various municipal functions. The following departments have administrative operations outside of City Hall: Police, Fire and Public Works, identified below in Figure 2.2.1. 3 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 06-10, 11-15, 17-21 (5-year Estimates), Table 825014.

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The City has the following parks:
• Harry Schmidt Park (City/County regional park)
• Henry Miller Park (community park)
• Pioneer Park (neighborhood park)
• Cef Jamero Park (neighborhood park)
• Lions Park (pocket park)
• Borrelli Park (neighborhood park)
The features of these parks include a community swimming pool, a community center, softball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, barbecue and picnic areas and picnic shelters with kitchens and restrooms. The City offers several youth and adult programs through the Parks and Recreation Division. The combined park space totals approximately 40 acres. In addition, residents have access to public open space at Gustine Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. This provides an additional 14.3 acres of open space.

The City is served by the Gustine Unified School District (GUSD) which covers 24 miles located in the northwestern portion of Merced County in San Joaquin Valley. GUSD operates five schools within the district, including two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Gustine Elementary (2806 Grove Avenue), Gustine Middle School (28075 Sullivan Road), and Gustine High School (501 North Avenue) and Pioneer (501 North Avenue) are located within the City. Romero Elementary School, though part of GUSD, is located approximately 10.5 miles south of City limits in Santa Nella.

The Early Education Department at Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) provides guidance for families with young children and early care and education providers to ensure quality early experiences for children of all abilities and languages. The Early Education Department comprises two divisions: Early Education Support Programs (EESP) and Merced County Head Start. The MCOE offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Gustine.

The Gustine Museum is housed in the former Merced County Justice Court/Jail. It is located at 397 Fourth Street. This historic building built in 1911 served the City of Gustine until abandoned in 1980. The building was leased to the Gustine Historical Society in 1985. It reopened in 1990 after extensive renovation as the Gustine Museum. In 1996 the building was designated a California Point of Historic Interest. The Gustine Museum features both permanent and temporary displays. Permanent displays feature: Gustine Police Department, Henry Miller, dairy industry, Bald Eagle Mine, barbed wire, early Gustine, photographs, and cowboy tack and gear, and a jail with two cells.

The Gustine Public Library is located at 205 Sixth Street and is part of the Merced County Public Library system and a member San Joaquin Valley Libraries. The San Joaquin Valley Library System connects all member library collections through ValleyCat, the online catalog created for easy access to materials held at any San Joaquin Valley library. The system provides more than three million adult and young people's books, movies, CDs, and other materials free to the public.

The Gustine Municipal Airport is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the main city area, adjacent to Highway 140.

The airport is classified as a General Aviation, Basic Utility Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration. The runway length is 3,200 feet and its width is 50 feet. The Gustine Municipal Airport is served by the Gustine Airport Commission which makes recommendations to the City Council on Airport matters. Land use regulation around airports in the County is regulated by the City.

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2.3 Promote Healthy Food Access
Access to healthy foods is critical for the community's well-being that impacts overall health, longevity, and quality of life. Paramount to food access is Food Security (i.e., a state where people have reliable access to affordable, nutritious foods), which is a commonly accepted measure of food access. Food Security encompasses the following three interrelated topics:

1. Access - Having sufficient resources to obtain food (i.e., nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate, and affordable food).

2. Availability - Having enough food available (i.e., income sufficient to purchase healthy food); and

3. Utilization - Having appropriate food resources in proximity to EJ Neighborhoods (i.e., proximity and ability to travel to a food source that offers affordable, nutritionally adequate, and culturally appropriate food).

Ensuring adequate access to healthy food is challenging in many communities large and small. Community members may have different food preferences or dietary restrictions. When considering an indicator such as access, it is critical to consider the availability of healthy, culturally appropriate foods.

Many communities, especially those in low-income areas, lack retailers with a sufficient selection of healthy or fresh foods which exacerbates public health challenges. As noted, health food access is closely linked to individual food security, defined as one's ability to obtain enough food to lead an active, healthy life. It is also linked to community food security, which is when all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that encourages community self-reliance and social justice. Promoting healthy food access directly supports community food security. 'No comprehensive source of data regarding existing conditions on food insecurity and costs currently exists at the City level. However, evaluating food source options and accessibility helps to develop a sense of the existing conditions of food insecurity.

Food Availability
Grocery stores are typically the primary food retailers that carry a wide selection of items and serve the community and surrounding area. Healthy food access includes economic accessibility in addition to physical accessibility. Specialty health food stores are often more expensive than grocery stores. Even within grocery stores, fresh produce can be more expensive than processed items. This can make less nutritious pre-packaged foods and fast-food options more attainable for families on a budget. Two alternatives to purchasing fresh produce at a grocery store include farmer's markets and community gardens.

Given its relatively small population and small size, the City of Gustine has limited food options within the City limits.

As depicted in Figure 2.3.1, retail food stores in the City of Gustine include : Borrelli's Market (602 Jensen Road); Dollar General (DG) Market (1520 Meredeth Ave); Family Dollar (430 2nd Avenue); La Esperanza Meat Market (331 Fifth Street); La Mexicana (540 Fifth Street); Quick & Easy (780 South Avenue); Richard's Market Gas & Liquors (427 Sixth Street); Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage (358 South Avenue); and 33 Drive-up Market (335 Fourth Street).

While gas stations and convenience stores do not provide adequate supplies of fresh foods, they do carry packaged foods that are often more economically accessible.

It should also be noted that another food source option is fast food restaurants, however, there are several local, sitdown restaurants as well, such as: El Picosito (479 Fifth Street); La Mexicana Restaurant (540 Fifth Street); L& E Cafe & More (436 Fifth Street); McDonald's (420 First Street); Pasta 209 (495 Fifth Street); Perry's More than Pizza (292 Fifth Street); Pizza Factory (447 Fifth Steet); Savanna's Donuts (403 Third Ave); Texas Burger (380 Fourth Street); and Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage (358 South Avenue). While the City of Gustine does not have an abundant surplus of food SEPTEMBER 2024 18

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
options, given its size, food sources within the City are diverse and culturally appropriate. Accordingly, the availability of diverse and culturally appropriate foods hinders food insecurity and bolster food accessibility.

The Gustine Certified Farmer's Market previously operated by a local community group and held at Henry Miller Park is no longer in operation due to certification issues. The City encourages the re-establishing of a farmer's market in the community.

The lack of proximate food retailers has greater impacts on residents who do not own vehicles. Residents without vehicles are not only more challenged in getting to and from food retailers, but they are also limited by the number of items they can carry depending on whether they are taking transit, riding a bike, or walking. Nevertheless, due to the small 1.6 square mile geographic footprint of the City coupled with the proximity of food retailers to EJ Neighborhoods, proximity does not appear to be at issue.

Food Security
Feeding American conducts an annual study to estimate the number of food secure people and the percentage of the population that experience food insecurity at some point during a given year. In 2021, Merced County had a reported food insecurity rate of 13.8 percent (38,590 persons), which was among the eleven counties including Fresno, Tulare, Imperial, Lake, Tehama, Trinity, Humbolt, Del Norte, Siskiyou, and Madara, with a higher percentage from 13.1 percent to 26 percent for California Counties. However, Feeding American also found that almost 16 percent of food-insecure individuals (or approximately 45,833 people) in Merced County were ineligible for federal nutrition programs like CalFresh and the Woman, Infants, and Children Program {WIC) because they made a gross income above the required threshold. When households earn too much to qualify for these programs, they must choose between competing priorities such as housing, utilities, and medical expenses.

Table 2.2 compares food insecurity rates for the US, the State of California, and Merced County. The table also provides the food insecurity rates, the estimated nutrition program eligibility amount, food insecure persons, as well as information about average meal costs and annual food budget shortfalls. As shown, the average meal cost is also higher in Merced County when compared to the rest of the State. Approximately 84 percent of people in Merced County qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are therefore considered food insecure, which is significantly higher than the State and national rates.

SEPTEMBER 2024 19

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Table 2.2
Food Insecurity
Estimated Program Eligibility
Among Food Insecure
Persons1
Annual Food
Budget Shortfall
Average Meal
Cost
2 Food
Insecurity
Rate
Food
Insecure
Persons
Above Other
Nutrition
Program Below SNAP
Threshold of Threshold
185% 130%
Poverty Poverty
United States 33,844,000 10.4% 32% 49% $3.59 $21,466,234,000 California 4,104,060 10.5% 42% 58% $3.67 $2,658,795,000 Merced County 38,590 13.8% 16% 84% $3.70 $25,247,000
Location
Nutrition program eligibility is defined as the percentage of the estimated food-insecure population by income category, according to the eligibility thresholds of the major federal nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP (at or below 130% of the federal poverty line or the state-specific threshold, when it is a higher multiple) and other programs such as WIC (185% of poverty or the state-specific thresholds).

The average weekly dollar amount food-secure individuals report spending on food, as estimated in the Current Population Survey, divided by 21 (assuming three meals a day, seven days a week). This amount has been adjusted to reflect local food prices and relevant taxes.

The total annualized additional dollar amount that food-insecure individuals report needing, on average, to purchase just enough food to meet their food needs. This amount is based on responses in the Current Population Survey and the USDA assumption that individuals in households that are food insecure experience food insecurity, on average, seven months out of the year. This amount has been adjusted to reflect local food prices and relevant taxes. 2 Source: Feeding American - Map the Meal Gap Report, 2021.

Feeding America, Food Insecurity among Overall (all ages) Population http://map.feedingamerican.org. 2021 1 2.4 Promote Safe and Sanitary Homes
A home in poor condition could have negative health impact on its residents. Unsafe housing conditions can be a result of the age of the dwelling, which increases the likelihood of the presence of dangerous materials like lead and asbestos which have significant negative health impacts. Other factors that can contribute to unsafe housing conditions include improper regulation and overcrowding. Prioritizing the safety and sanitation of housing stock within a community helps create proper living conditions for all residents.

The City's Update to the Housing Element (Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Section) provides data on the City's housing conditions. According to Federal law, "housing problems" refers to any of four housing issues: cost burden, severe cost burden, overcrowding, and substandard housing conditions. Substandard housing is defined as a housing unit lacking complete plumbing or kitchen facilities.

Approximately 40 percent of total households in Gustine are experiencing housing problems. This is similar to the Merced County region, where 41 percent of total households are experiencing housing problems. About 16 percent of the total households in Gustine are experiencing severe housing problems, compared to 23 percent of households in the region. The Federal Government defines severe housing problem as the percentage of households with one or more of the following issues: Lack of complete kitchen facilities, household is overcrowded; or household is severely cost burdened.

HOUSING STOCK CONDITIONS
Housing age may affect the structural integrity of a house and can be an indicator of overall housing quality within a community. Housing that is over 30 years old is typically in need of some major rehabilitation, such as a new roof, SEPTEMBER 2024 22

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
foundation, plumbing, etc. Many federal and State programs also use the age of housing as a factor in determining housing rehabilitation needs. Residents in older units are more likely to be exposed to the harmful health impacts that stem from issues such as poor indoor air quality, toxic building materials, exposure to climate variation such as excess heat or cold, improper ventilation, and structural insecurity. Aging concerns do not include properties that have been well-preserved and routinely maintained, such as those in historic districts.

HUD considers housing units to be "standard units" if they comply with local building codes, whereas housing units considered to be "substandard" lack complete plumbing or kitchen facilities. According to 2017-2021 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates all units within City of Gustine had complete plumbing and kitchen facilities.

Approximately 51 percent of Gustine's housing stock was constructed prior to 1990 and is more than 30 years old.

These units are potentially in need of repair, hazardous materials abatement, and/or modernization improvements.

OVERCROWDING
The U.S. Census defines an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons or more per room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens). Units with more than 1.5 person per room are considered severely overcrowded. According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Housing Element Building Blocks, a number of factors may cause overcrowding, including a lack of affordable housing (which forces more than one household to live together) and/or a lack of available housing units of adequate size. Overcrowding in households may lead to neighborhood deterioration, due to the intensive use of individual housing units which results in excessive wear and tear, and the potential for cumulative overburdening of community infrastructure and service capacity. The combination of lower incomes and high housing costs may result in households living in some degree of overcrowded housing conditions.

There is a total of 60 overcrowded households in the City, of which 50 percent are owner-occupied households, and 50 percent are renter-occupied.

COST BURDEN
State and federal standards indicate that a household paying more than 30 percent of its income for housing is cost burdened. A household that allocates greater than 50 percent of total income toward housing costs is severely burdened. Cost burden provides an indicator of the ability to sustain a household budget in consideration of other factors beyond housing costs (utilities, food, maintenance, etc.). Cost burden for housing can cause an imbalance on the remainder of a household's budget. Whenever households pay an excessive amount of their income on costs directly related to housing, it decreases the amount of income available for other needs. This indicator is an important measurement of local housing market conditions as it reflects the affordability of housing in the community. Federal and state agencies utilize cost burden indicators to determine the amount of funding allocated to a community to assist with housing opportunities.

The rate of cost burden (spending more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs) was high in the majority of Gustine neighborhoods. In Northwest Gustine, Northeast Gustine, Southwest Gustine, and most of Southeast Gustine between 40 and 60 percent of homeowners overpay. In the eastern part of the City, including the southern and eastern tip of Southeast Gustine and the Airport neighborhood, less than 20 percent of homeowners overpay. Figure

2.4.1 maps overpayment by homeowners.
5 In Gustine, renters experience lower rates of cost burden than homeowners. In Northwest Gustine, Northeast Gustine, Southwest Gustine, and most of Southeast Gustine between 20 and 40 percent of renters overpay. In the eastern part of the City, including the southern and eastern tip of Southeast Gustine and the Airport neighborhood, less than 20 percent of renters are overpaying6. Figure 2.4.2 maps overpayment by renters. 4 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 06-10, 11-15, 17-21 (5-year Estimates), Table B25014. 5 Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS tabulation, 2015-2019 release
6 Source: Draft Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element (2024-2032) SEPTEMBER 2024 23

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2.5 Promote Physical Activity
Physical activity is one of the largest contributors to the physical and mental health of Gustine residents. Research by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention shows that physically active people live longer and have lower risk of physical ailments such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Physical activity is promoted by the built environment through providing places that encourage walking, biking, and other forms of exercise. These places include parks, open spaces, trails, urban green spaces, areas with robust tree canopies, and active transportation networks. An important component of environmental justice is to ensure that these facilities are distributed throughout the City so that there are equal opportunities for all residents to be physically active.

FACILITIES CONDUCIVE TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Parks, Community Pool, and Community Center
The City of Gustine has approximately forty acres of parks consisting of Harry Schmidt Park, Henry Miller Park, Pioneer Park, Cef Jamero Park (formerly Sherwood Park), Borelli Park, and Lions Park.

Harry Schmidt Park (28.8 acres) -- The largest park in the City of Gustine is Henry Schmidt Park which spans a generous twenty-eight acres in the southwest part of Gustine. The park was developed in the early 1970s. Harry Schmidt Park hosts many events including the Lions Easter Egg Hunt, Gustine Youth Baseball and Softball League play, the children's fishing derby, and many large family events and other activities. The park has a new playground and resurfaced tennis courts with LED lighting. There are two baseball fields and a large, covered picnic shelter and tables and benches. The duck pond is a feature many enjoy. A newly installed paved multi-use path is used by walkers and joggers. The Al Goman Community Center is in the park and is used for many events.

Henry Miller Park (4.5 acres) - The City pool and the county library are located in Henry Miller Park, as well as a gazebo and playground, covered picnic area and open grass areas. The municipal pool has dedicated hours during the summer months. Festa activities, movie nights, car club events, massive yard sales, club meetings, swimming lessons and so much more take place at the City's oldest park.

Pioneer Park (1.1 acres) -- Pioneer Park is a neighborhood park that is located on the east side of the City. The park is scheduled to receive a full renovation prior to summer 2028. All new play equipment, basketball courts, two picnic areas and a splash pad are part of the $1.3M grant-funded project design. Although the project is in the design phase, it may be modified due to budgetary constraints and unprecedented cost inflations in recent years. The City is currently waiting to hear on funding requests to complete the project as designed and will either complete the renovation or reduce the project scope based upon the additional funding.

Cef Jamero Park (1.2acres) - Cef Jamero Park is a neighborhood park on the west side of the City. Originally established in 1964 as Sherwood Park, the open grass park has a playground, covered picnic tables, a single basketball hoop and a cement pathway.

Borelli Park (4.4 acres) - Borelli Park is located on the Westside of the Borelli Ranch subdivision built in the 1990s. The park has a playground, two picnic tables, and ample grass area to enjoy. A sidewalk around the edge of the park connects with a walking trail along a fenced border of the canal to North Avenue.

Lions Park (.06 acres) Lions Park is a small area between two buildings downtown that provides a quiet place to relax outdoors. There is one covered picnic table and two benches. The Gustine Lions club worked with the owner of the property and the City to have the area designated as a park in 1990.

All parks are located within residential neighborhoods, as illustrated in Figure 2.5.1. A majority of Gustine residents live within a quarter of a mile of a public park. A quarter mile equates to about a five-minute walk and a half mile to about a 10-minute walk. The goal is to establish parks within a 0.5-mile radius of all residential areas. Accordingly, Policy 5.6 SEPTEMBER 2024 28

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
and Program 5.6.A have been added to support access to open space to all community members by expanding access to park space, facilities, and amenities to a 0.5 radius of all residential districts.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
Walking and biking, whether for recreation or as a mode or transportation, are excellent forms of exercise. Providing safe and accessible places for residents to walk and bike encourages people to switch their mode of transportation from auto-centered to more active uses. The City is flat, thereby encouraging residents to walk, bike or use other modes of active transportation. The City of Gustine Active Transportation Plan (ATP) 7 was adopted in December 2021. The ATP
incorporated the Commuter Bike Plan adopted by the City is 2008. The Plan provides a comprehensive, long-range blueprint to develop bicycle facilities and programs within the City and develop a safe, bicycle friendly community. To achieve this overall vision, the Plan outlines four primary objectives:
• Develop a connective bikeway system that encourages increased bicycle use • Provide Class I Bicycle Paths along natural and made waterways and by creating linear parks • Provide Class II Bicycle Lanes along existing roads that have the width to support bike lanes and provide good connectivity
• Provide Class II Bicycle Lanes along newly developed public roads The recommended bikeway network included additions to the City's existing network of Class Ill bike routes along key corridors and regional trails and bikewaythat would connect Gustine to the surrounding County. In addition, to facility recommendations, the Plan makes recommendations for support facilities and programs such as bike parking, showers and lockers, safety and educational programs and connections to transit.

Sidewalks and Class I bike paths are provided along State Route (SR) 33, the major throughfare that runs through town.

There are currently 1.25 miles of Class I facilities in Gustine, located in Harry Schmidt Park and along Meredith Avenue.

There are currently 1.18 miles of Class II facilities in Gustine, located along SR 33 in the southwest corner of the City.

Gustine does not currently have any Buffered Class II Bicycle Lanes. Most of the City's existing bicycle facilities are Class Ill Bicycle Routes located on primary and secondary arterials, providing some key connections between major destinations. Many of the City's Class Ill Bicycle Routes are marked with signs, but do not have any roadway markings.

There are currently 7 .67 miles of Class Ill Bicycle Routes in Gustine. Currently, there are no Class IV Bikeways in Gustine.

Sidewalks and bike paths are generally wide, smooth, and accessible for a wide range of users. In the older residential neighborhoods, the sidewalks become intermittent or are not consistently well maintained. Existing sidewalks and sidewalk gaps in Gustine are shown in Figure 8 of the ATP (weblink). Most of the streets in the City's residential neighborhoods and downtown Gustine are lines with sidewalks. Some key routes that connect to major destinations such as the City's schools and Harry Schmidt Park are missing sidewalks. The neighborhood in the northeast corner of the City, between East Avenue and Fourth Street is missing sidewalks. There are gaps in sidewalk connectivity along Lucerne Avenue, which is a direct route to downtown, Laurel Avenue, a north/south corridor that runs the length of the City, and some of the streets between South Avenue and Meredith Avenue that provide connections to the City's schools, parks, and downtown. There are currently 1.25 miles of Class I facilities, including a multi-use path extending from Schmidt Park and running along Meridith Avenue to the Elementary School. The City is planning an additional multi-use path along Railroad Avenue.

Reducing vehicular travel can result in several significant benefits, including a reduction in emissions and improvement in traffic congestion. One method to reduce automotive travel is through the addition of bike lanes and multi-use paths as planned by the City. A comprehensive list of Short-Term and Long Terms Priority Projects are listed in Tables 11 and 12 respectively of the ATP (weblink).
7 Source: City of Gustine Active Transportation Plan, Adopted by City Council December 7, 2021 SEPTEMBER 2024 29

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2.6 Reduce Any Unique or Compounded Health Risks Not Otherwised Addressed Above
Analyzing specific indicators that affect personal and communal health is important; but it is also essential to examine how each indicator affects others, and how they combine to create unique health risks for both the individual and the community. State Route 33 is an important north-south state highway that runs roughly parallel to Interstate 5. State Route 140 begins at an interchange on Interstate 5 west of Gustine and passes through the City on its way across Central California to Merced and Yosemite National Park. The two state routes share an alignment through Gustine. The Sullivan Road / SR 33 / SR 140 junction and the Jensen Road intersection is a conventional two-lane rural highway. The State Routes and Interstate carry significant commuter and truck trips annually, which compounds the health risks associated with air pollution from vehicle and trucks emitting exhaust.

Due to the agricultural uses both in the City and in the greater, surrounding area, there is a higher chance of residents coming in contact with harmful levels of air or water pollutants from agricultural byproducts. The City is in a unique situation being located along State Routes while located in a predominantly agricultural area. The City's unique situation compounds the health risks associated with pollution sources from regional transportation and agricultural byproducts.

2.7 Promote Civic Engagement in the Public Decision-Making Process An important aspect of Environmental Justice is the development of effective policies and programs that enable all residents to participate in local decision making. Senate Bill 1000 emphasizes that community engagement must be promoted in a local jurisdiction through the development of objectives and policies that seek to specifically involve residents of EJ Communities. By engaging EJ Communities in decision-making processes, policymakers can effectively meet the needs of these community members. EJ Communities often have culturally specific needs, distinct from those of the general population. The US EPA EJ Policy requires the "...meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies."

DEMOGRAPHICS THAT MAY INFLUENCE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Certain demographic categories can help predict a community's level of civic engagement. This section assesses four demographic categories: resident age, language spoken at home, educational attainment, and race/ethnicity.

Resident Age
Age distribution can help predict the likelihood of a community participating in civic activities and identify constraints associated with engaging different members of the community. A disproportionately high percentage of residents under the age of 18 suggests the significant presence of families. Parents of minors are generally busy raising their children, making them less likely to participate in civic activities. Encouraging the use of virtual outreach tools, such as social media and online surveying, and outreach approaches at other community events, such as farmers markets, fairs, and sporting events, can help increase participation among this group. Conversely, a disproportionately high percentage of seniors, a group that generally has fewer commitments and less time constraints, suggests that the community may participate in conventional civic activities at a higher rate. Because seniors are less familiar with technology than their younger counterparts, the group is less likely to utilize virtual outreach tools. However, patterns of civic participation have changed significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Populations previously reluctant to use online methods of communication are now more aware and comfortable with these tools, presenting new opportunities to engage all members of the community. Gustine has a higher proportion of residents 45 years and older, which includes seniors (42.7 percent) compared to Merced County (32.3 percent) and California (39.4 percent).

SEPTEMBER 2024 32

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
The City's population under five years old (2.4 percent) is much smaller than Merced County (7.5 percent) and California averages (6.0 percent).
8 The 6" Cycle Housing Element draft provides the following population by age group data for the City. - •
5 to 17 years
(School-age 18 to 24 years 25 to 44
Students (College-age Students (Young Adults) -
.

I
65 years
and over Total
(Seniors) Population
Table 2.3
City of Gustine - Population by Age Group
145 1,003 653 1,630 1,623 936 5,990
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 17-21 (5-year Estimates), Table B01001.

Linguistic Isolation
Language barriers can lead to linguistic and cultural isolation. According to the 2017-2021 ACS, 42 percent of residents within Gustine speak a language other than English at home, and the majority of those speak Spanish.

Language is a critical signifier of a population's likely participation in civic activities. Non-native English speakers, and especially those individuals with limited English fluency, are less likely to participate in civic activities. Translation services are critical to reaching and actively communicating with these individuals. In addition, the metric assessing households who speak languages other than English can help identify the cultural diversity of a community. Civic activities, and the venues where they take place, can be tailored to accommodate the cultural preferences of individual racial, ethnic, and religious groups.

Educational Attainment
As shown in Table 2.1, the low education indicator measures the percentage of adults over 25 in the census tract with less than a high school education. The data from 2015 to 2019 indicates that 25 percent of adults in the Gustine census tract have less than a high school education.

Educational attainment is a strong signifier of a population's likely participation in civic activities. Higher educational attainment generally correlates with increased civic participation. This is reflective of individuals with less educational attainment experiencing underemployment circumstances, such as working for less than a living wage and/or on a part-time basis. This may require individuals to seek out additional employment, reducing the time that they can commit to civic activities. Those individuals who cannot afford to own or otherwise have limited access to an automobile, may be unable to attend civic events. This may also be reflective of individuals with less educational attainment lacking the sufficient literacy level and/or a formal education in civics and government to feel comfortable participating in civic matters.

Race/Ethnicity
Numerous studies have shown that race and ethnicity are important predictors of civic engagement, and that white populations are more likely to be civically engaged than other groups. 9 According to the U.S. Census Bureau,
Hispanic/Latino residents comprise the largest racial/ ethnic group of the City's residents (57 percent) (Figure 2.7.1).

White residents comprise 40 percent of the population. Table 2.4 further provides the population by racial group. 8 Source: Draft Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element (2024-2032) 9 Source: Foster-Bey, J. (2008, December). CIRCLE Working Paper #62: Do Race, Ethnicity, Citizenship and Socioeconomic Status Determine Civic-Engagement? Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EDS05266.pdf SEPTEMBER 2024 33

Gustine City Boundary
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Table 2.4
Population by Racial Group
Percent of Population
Race 2021
Hispanic/Latino (of any race) 57.1%
Non-Hispanic/Latino 42.9%
White 40.2%
Asian American/Pacific Islander 1.7%
Other or Multiple Races 0.0%
Black/African American 0.0%
Native American/Native Alaskan 0.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2007-2011, 2017-2021), Table DP0S.

2.8 Prioritize Improvements and Programs that Address the Needs of EJ Communities
A central component of the El Element is prioritizing projects, programs, and investments that directly serve and benefit residents within EJ Neighborhoods that are experiencing higher levels of environmental burdens. Effective prioritization requires coordination and alignment across departments, agencies, and shared jurisdictional partners together with consistent and sustained engagement with community stakeholders. Specifically, identifying and considering improvements, and programs for Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) enables the City to obtain grants and/or other public funding that is available.

Local communities throughout the state are both significant sources of wealth and places of concentrated poverty.

Enabling California to thrive will require focused investment to build economic and social capacity. Effective investment decisions require rigorous information about needs and opportunities across multiple domains, and the relationship between local neighborhoods and their surrounding region. Most current data and mapping tools are either organized at too large a geographic scale (e.g., counties) or fragmented on an issue-by-issue basis, limiting their utility. Enhancing efforts to benefit low and moderate-income households requires a next generation of data and mapping tools that provide finer-grained and holistic analyses of communities.

The UC Davis Center for Regional Change and Rabobank, N.A. partnered to develop the Regional Opportunity Index (ROI) intended to help understand social and economic opportunity in California's Communities. The goal of the ROI is to help target resources and policies toward people and places with the greatest need to foster thriving communities.

The tool analyzes different indicators within six topics including civic life, health/environment, mobility/transportation, housing, economy, and education as noted in Table 2.5 below. There are two types of indicators for the six topics:
people-based and place-based.

Table 2.5
Regional Opportunity Index (ROI)
Topics People-Based Indicators Place-Based Indicators
Civic Life
Health/Environment
SEPTEMBER 2024
• English Speakers
• Voting Rates
• Mortality Rates
• Births to Teens
• Infant Health
• Neighborhood Stability
• US Citizenship
• Air Quality
• Health Care Availability
• Access to Supermarket
36

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
Table 2.5
Regional Opportunity Index (ROI)
Topics People-Based Indicators Place-Based Indicators
• Prenatal Care
• N/A
• Housing Affordability
• Housing Adequacy
• Bank Accessibility
• Job Quality
• Job Growth
• Job Availability
• High School Discipline rate
• Teacher Experience
• UC/CSU Eligible
• High School Graduation Rate
• Internet Access
• Commute Time
• Vehicle Availability
• Housing Cost Burden
• Homeownership
• Minimum Basic Income
• Employment Rate
Economy
Housing
Mobility/Transportation
Education • Elementary School Truancy
• English Proficiency
• Math Proficiency
• College Educated Adults
Source: UC Davis Center for Regional Change, 2020
In terms of people-based assets (Figure 2.8.1), the City of Gustine consists of lower levels of opportunity. Civic Life (comprised of English speakers and voting rates) and housing (comprised of housing cost burden and homeownership) are the two most common recurring topics among lower opportunity tracts.

In terms of place-based assets (Figure 2.8.2), Gustine rates better with Housing (comprised of housing affordability and housing adequacy) and economy (comprised of bank accessibility) as factors that are considered higher opportunity factors.

The ROI provides banks, policy makers, advocates, and other key leaders with a powerful tool to identify communities with high levels of vulnerability and communities with characteristics that suggest social and economic opportunity. The ROI assesses key measures of community well-being, and how these patterns vary across different places. Gustine consists of mostly lower or average-opportunity with place-based opportunities scoring better than people-based opportunities.

Specifically, health/environmental and housing scored well in the City of Gustine. It will be important for the City to consider the lower opportunity ROI topics and indictors when reviewing and establishing policies, programs, and directing investments.

SEPTEMBER 2024 37

People-Based Regional Opportunities
Scoring Legend
- = Highest Opportunity (First Quantite - = High-Medium Opportunity (Second Quantile = Medium Opportunity {Itd Quantile) = Low-Medium Opportunity (Fourth Quantile) - = Lowest Opportunity (Fifth Quantile) = Data not available egonal Higher Lower Census
uj
ingstom Opportunity Opportunity Opportunity Tract Category indicators indicators Soore 4 Education None identified Elementary school
truancy -
English proficiency Math proficiency College educated adults Economy None identified Minimum basic tine
wage Employment rate
Housing Housing cost Housing ownership
burden
Mobility,' Commute times Internet acoess e
Transportation Vemrcle
availability
Heatthy None identified Years of fe iost a Environment
Birth to teens Infant Hearth
Civic Lte voting rates English speatog
� Overall werase Soore for Census Tract (AM Categories): ma Newmanl
@
Scale not provided.

FIGURE 2 8.1
People-Based Opportunities Map
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-
-
Heatthoare
availability -
Prenatal care Neighborhood
stability
US citizenship
-
None identified Bank accessibility Job growth
Job availability
Air quality
Access to
supermarkets
Housing None identified
affordability
Housing
adequacy
Place BasedRegional Opportunities
Regional Hgher Lower Census Opportunity Opportunity Opportunity Tract Category indicators indicators Soore
High school Teacher
diploma expenienoe -
Higher degree UC/CSU eligibility
graduate
I = Highest Opportunity (First Quantile)
= High-Medium Opportunity (Second Quantile)
gr = Medium Opportunirty (Third Quantile)
= Low-Medium Opportunity (Fourth Quantile) = Lowest Opportunity (Fifth Quantile) = Data not available
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SULLIVAN ROAD
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Scale not provided.

FIGURE 2 8.2
_ Place-Based Opportunities Map V -----------------------------------------------C-ity-of_G_u_s_lin_e_l_E_n_v_1ro_n_m_e_n_laI .:...J.:..u-st-ic_e __ E_le_m_e=.nl

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
3 CONCLUSION
This existing conditions report represents one of the first major steps in developing an EJ Element for the City of Gustine.

The report provides a baseline of information that will be used for subsequent recommendations. The goal is to help the City understand the opportunities and challenges facing the community and begin to devise an approach for addressing environmental justice in Gustine. While some of the information contained in the report may be carried forward into the EJ Element, the majority is background information what will remain on file with the City in the form of this document.

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4 REFERENCES
CalEnviroScreen 4.0 https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-40 Basecamp Environmental, Southeast Gustine Annexation Project, City of Gustine, August 18, 2016 Draft 2024 City of Gustine Safety Element
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 06-10, 11-15, 17-21 (5-year Estimates), Table B25014.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) ACS tabulation, 2015-2019 release
Draft Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element (2024-2032) City of Gustine Active Transportation Plan, Adopted by City Council December 7, 2021 Foster-Bey, J., CIRCLE Working Paper #62: Do Race, Ethnicity, Citizenship and Socioeconomic Status Determine CivicEngagement?, 2008.

Feeding America, Food Insecurity among Overall (all ages) Population, https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/ 2021/overall/california/county/merced
Governor's Office of Planning and Research, General Plan Guidelines, Chapter 4 https://opr.ca.gov/docs/20200706- GPG_Chapter_4_EJ.pdf
UC Davis Center for Regional Change, Regional Opportunity Index https://interact.regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/ roi/index.html
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 17-21 (5-year Estimates), Table B01001 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2007-2011, 2017-2021), Table DPOS SEPTEMBER 2024 44

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APPENDIX B
Community Outreach Summary Report

Prepared for:

City of Gustine
352 5 Street
Gustine, California 95322
Contact: Jami Westervelt, Economic
and Community Development Director
Environmental Justice
Community Outreach Summary Report
Prepared by:

CONSULTANTS
ea!

CSG CONSULTANTS
3707 W. Garden Grove Boulevard,
Suite 100
Orange, California 92868
Contact: Gina Paolini
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CITY OF GUSTINE COMMUNITY OUTREACH SUMMARY REPORT
Table of Contents
SECTION PAGE NO.
1 lntroduction 1
2 Community Input Influence Table 1
3 Details 5

3.1 General Education and Advertisements 5

3.2 Community Survey 22

3.3 Summary 22
TABLES
Table 1 Community Influence 3
Table 2 Summary of Exercise 1 19
Table 3 Summary of Exercise 2 22

EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1. Screenshot of the website 7
Exhibit 2. Screens hot of the website 9
Exhibit 3. Screenshot of the website 11
Exhibit 4. Screenshot of Social Media Advertisement 13
Exhibit 5. Overview Flyer of the EJ Element (English) 15 Exhibit 6. First "Donuts with a Planner" at Savanna's Donuts on November 3, 2023 17 Exhibit 7. Evening Community Planning Workshop held at Perry's and More Pizza on November 16, 2023 .19 Exhibit 8. Exercise 1 19
Exhibit 9. Exercise 2 20

APPENDICES
A. City of Gustine Post-It-Note Exercise 24
B. City of Gustine "DOT" Exercise 27
C. Community Survey Results 31
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1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Gustine ("The City") engaged in a multifaceted campaign to advertise the preparation of, and collect input on:
• The draft Environmental Justice (EJ) Element
• Updates to the Housing Element
• Updates to the Safety Element
The first phase of public outreach began in October 2023 with the launch of a project website and concluded in December 2023 with the closure of a community survey.

The City compiled a database of community members and stakeholders who requested notification via email of future public engagement opportunities and key deliverables. Direct emails were sent during the public outreach phase providing notification of the City's community workshops and survey availability.

The second phase of public outreach will begin with the public circulation of the draft EJ Element. 2 COMMUNITY INPUT INFLUENCE TABLE
Table 1 below summarizes how public input is reflected in the goals included in the draft EJ Element and how the input relates to the eight required EJ Element topics:

1. Reduce pollution exposure

2. Promote public facilities

3. Promote food access

4. Promote safe and sanitary homes

5. Promote physical activity

6. Reduce unique or compounded health risks

7. Promote civic engagement; and

8. Prioritize the needs of disadvantaged communities.

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Table 1
Community Influence
Input Source Key!
5 3
5 8
1 4
5 5
4,6
1 2, 3, and 4
EJ Element
Goal
2 and 8
3 and 8
2, 5, and 8
1 and 6
1 and 6
2,5, and 8
2, 5, and 8
1, 6, and 8
1, 4, 6, and 8
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
Source Topic
s 2, 5, 7, and 8
s 2, 7, and 8
s 1, 2, and 8
W 2,3,4, 5, 7,
and 8
Community Input
Need better access to community and recreation center, and sports and organized activities, and lighting/security cameras, and public transportation
Insufficient lighting at night; Need additional security measures in and near public facilities/spaces including lighting/security cameras.

Need better access to public transportation.

The three issues that need the most attention in the community include providing access to healthy food options, providing safe and healthy living conditions, and providing public facilities equitability distributed through the community.

Poor air quality
Poor tap water quality.

Need off-street bike paths.

Discouraging factors limiting bicycling: traffic and speed volumes, aggressive driver behavior, no off-street bike paths, insufficient lighting at night.

Discouraging factors limiting walking: lack of paths/connections, hazardous conditions (darkness, debris in paths, path surface conditions)
Need better access to healthy food and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Healthy stores are too far, healthy food is too expensive, and highquality fruits/vegetables are not available.

Some health-related issues that have impacted households in Gustine in the last 10 years: COVID-19, Stress and anxiety, high blood pressure or cholesterol, and asthma
Some pollution-related concerns in Gustine: Water quality, dumping of dangerous chemicals, and air pollution from Agricultural land uses. 1 Note:

Workshop (W) = Blue text
Survey (S) = Orange Text
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3 DETAILS
This section includes additional detail on how the City educated the public about the EJ Element, how they advertised opportunities to provide input, and the methods used to solicit input.

3.1 General Education and Advertisements
Below are details on the mediums used by the City to educate the public about the EJ Element and opportunities to provide input on its creation.

PROJECT WEBSITE
A dedicated project website (web link) serves as the main source of information for individuals to access material online. The project website launched in October 2023 and is regularly updated to reflect ongoing community input opportunities, advertise draft work products, and answer commonly asked questions.

Information regarding the EJ website includes the following:
• What is Environmental Justice?
• What is an Environmental Justice Element?
• Why is the city creating an Environmental Justice Element? ■ Link to the Environmental Justice survey
■ City staff contacts
• Email address for questions or comments
■ Additional resources
Screenshots of the website are provided below as Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, and Exhibit 3.

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Exhibit 1. Screen shot of the website
Citv of
Gustine
Govemment Residents Vistors Business How Do I?
I • n• o,,r:cg 'G'

CALIFORNIA
•--
t
Alu.-.--..

Community Planning
Environmental Justice Element
General Pan
Safely Element
5om Cycle rousing 3nd MJE
S«th Cycle Housing Element
PnimerPefresher
Su.th yce Housing Elerrent Progress and
History;
Environmental Justice Element
What is Environmental Justice
The Eraronrental Justce Element ts one zf te requte elements pf ne Generi Pan Te ty 0t 3ustne state vwrhang 2n upates to thes eierenf n 2023
Envtonrent Justce (EJ+ eeis to prevent an conect proponone moats an auineroe popuatos ae Dacrzantage Comrrunties/EJ Commun-bes Iracts cs resun 'rpmn ether the presence pr absence of certain #and uses facites and piyscai and soc1a ntrastructure For exampie the presence of industna! In use cuing Mr po@uton n s sac»antagea resent! corruntyss an EJ sue The Absence 0! parks and open space orrunty centers rd recresoni cite series and bike bes pubt¢ transport+n 2ptians safe nousang, and teatty food cotons in a disadvantaged cormnunty are sNso EJ ssues The LnMed S1es Enarenmenti Protectcn Ager<y US EPA defines EJ as 'the fa treatment arc enngtu «no#werent pt ail people tegarcless pt mace color. natori ong r come wtt respect to the development implement2ton an enforcement of erwtorrent3l lrs tguiatons and po&ies Senate Bill 1000 and Disadvantaged Communities
-i
Source: https://www.cityofgustine.com/pview .aspx?id=56259&catid=649 SEPTEMBER 2024 7

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Exhibit 2. Screenshot of the website
Environmental Justice Element
What is Environmental Justice
The Environmental Justice Element is one of the requred elements of the General Plan The Cty of Gustine started working on updates to this element in 2023
Environmental Justice [EJy seeks to prevent and correct disproportionate impacts on vulneraoie populations (ie Disadvantaged Communities/EJ Communities Impacts can result from ether the presence or absence of certain and uses facities and physicai and social nfrastructure For exampie the presence of industrial land uses causing air pollution in a disadvantaged residential corrunty is an EJ issue The absence of parks and open space community centers and recreational facilities sideraiks and bike lanes public transportation options safe housing. and healthy food options in a disadvantaged community are also EJ issues The United Slates Emaronmental Protection Agency US EPA»defines EJ as the far treatment and meaningful inwosverent of ail people regardless of race color rational onigin or come. watt respect to the development implementation and erforcement of environmental laws regulations and policies" Senate Bill 1000 and Disadvantaged Communities
Senate Bill 1000 +SB8 1000» the Planning for Heathy Communities Act, was signed into law by Govemor Edmond G Bron. Jr on September 24 2016 Pursuant to Senate Bil 1000. when a city revises wo or more General Plan elements concurrently and has areas defines as "Disadvantaged Communties" (DACs) the City must address Environmental Justice EJ in then General Plan The City can choose to either adopt a new stan-alone element of integrate EJ policies and goals into existing elements of the General Plan Government Code Section 6530202)
The California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool "CalEnvirc Screen" wersion 4 0 developed b; the California Environmental Protection Agency (CaIEPA, is the recommended method to identify DACs CaIEPA defines a DAC as a lo-incore area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution an other hazards that can lead to negatrve health effects exposure. or environmental degradation Gov Code Section 65302 subd (hy46A)»
e
CalEnviroScreen assigns composite scores to census tracts in California based on aggregate data from 21 indicators including potential exposures to pollutants averse environmental conditions socioeconomic factors an the prevalence of certain health conditions Census tr acts with a composite CaEnviroScreen score of 75 or higher are considered DACs The City of Gustine is within one census tract 16047002000 which has a CalEnviroScreen 4 0 score of &4 Based on this score the City of Gustine is considered a DAC The City is electing to prepare a new stand-alone EJ Element so that all easting Ed-related goals and policies are conveniently located ir one docurrent for easy reference Additionally the new EJ Element all identify new goals policies. and programs relevant to the City of Gustine Please contact the City of Gustine if you have any comments or questions regarding the Environmental Justice Element Source: https://www.cityofgustine.com/pview.aspx?id=56259&catid=649 SEPTEMBER 2024 9

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Exhibit 3. Screenshot of the website
Community Planning

COMMUNITY PLANNING EFFORTS
The City of Gustine undertakes efforts to plan for the future of the City so that it may best meet the needs of the community The City seeks input from all who live work and do business n the City to help ensure that the planning best meets the needs of the community as a whole
In these planning efforts. the City must also adhere to all apphcable rules and regulations including any state and federal mandates Below are a few of the planning efforts for the City Click on the links for more information on the current status of each.

Questions?
Feedback?
CONTACT US!
Jami Westervelt
Economic & Community
Development Director
Email - Jami Westervelt
Phone: {209\ 854-6471
d
The City encourages all residents to get involved not only in the planning efforts but in governance of its City in general through attending public meetings and joining in public dialogues

PLANNING EFFORTS
General Fan
Housing_Element'uti_Junsdctiona!rousng_Element
Environmental Justice Element
Please click here to participate in the community survey or scan the below QR code Ftease giici here for the survey in spanish or scan the below QR code
English Spanish
City of Gustine
352 Fifth Street Gustine, CA 95322
Phone: (209) 854-6471
Hore ContactUs Site Map Accessbility
Source: https://www.cityofgustine.com/pview.aspx?id=56259&catid=649 SEPTEMBER 2024 11

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SOCIAL MEDIA
Beginning in October 2023, the City posted updates to Facebook to advertise the preparation of the EJ Element, the community workshops and survey. A screenshot is provided below as Exhibit 4.

Exhibit 4. Screenshot of Social Media Advertisement

THE CITY OF GUSTINE INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
•
Community
Planing
Workshop
/. 1
Source: Facebook post from November 8, 2023
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FLYERS
A flyer was prepared to provide information about the EJ Element and let the community know how to get involved.

This flyer was posted to the City's website. The flyer advertised the community planning workshop, and provided a link to the online survey. An image of the flyer is provided in Exhibit 5 below.

Exhibit 5. Overview Flyer of the EJ Element (English)

THE CITY OF GUSTINE INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
•
Community
Planning
Workshop
/.. I.

Thurs.,
L�
Nov. 2028
6pm-7.30pm in the back room oi Perry's More Than Pi2za
292 Fifth Steet, Gustine
Get information S per?icigete n pianmng for recd element f the General Flan, melding Environmental Justice. Safety and Ha 4tend the workshop te parc,at to planning act.ties, earn about panning nic pr0ie one-oronte wetback on all three pportamu Plan eternents am Ir'p
+
Source: City of Gustine Website
SEPTEMBER 2024
For more information on this workshop, contact City Hall at (209i854.6471 15

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COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
"Donuts with a Planner" was held on November 3, 2023, providing an opportunity for the community to meet one on one with the City to discuss community planning efforts, and ask questions regarding the EJ Element process. "Donuts with a Planner" was held in three different locations in the community, at various times to encourage participation.

An additional evening Community Planning Workshop was held at Perry's and More Pizza on November 16, 2023, shown in Exhibits 6 below. This workshop was held in the evening to capture working community members that could not otherwise attend a daytime workshop. In addition, the City had a Community Planning information booth available during the City's Old Fashioned Christmas event held on November 25, 2023. Many community members attended this very popular annual event. The City used this opportunity to reach community members that don't typically attend meetings or workshops.

Exhibit 6. First "Donuts with a Planner" at Sovanna's Donuts on November 3, 2023.

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Exhibit 7. Evening Community Planning Workshop held at Perry's and More Pizza on November 16, 2023 The intent of these workshops was to begin a dialogue with the community regarding its priorities surrounding Environmental Justice and provide some interactive exercises to help facilitate the dialogue.

Exercise 1: For this exercise, participants were provided blank Post-It-Notes and asked to write down what they love most about their community, shown in Exhibit 7.

Common themes expressed during this exercise are
summarized in Table 2 below. Full results from this exercise are included in Appendix A.

Exhibit 8. Exercise 1.

Table 2
Summary of Exercise 1
Topic Area
Community
SEPTEMBER 2024
• SmallTown
• Roots
• Easy to connect with city leadership
• It is quiet
• Low Crime
• People
• Safe areas
19

Exhibit 9. Exercise 2.

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Exercise 2: For this second exercise, participants were provided three "dot" stickers and asked to review a list of 6 possible Guiding Principles and stick their "dot" next to the principle they vote for, shown in Exhibit 8. Participants could assign all three dots to the same principle or divide the dots as they preferred.

The results of this activity are provided in Table 3. Original results are included in Appendix B.
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Table 3
Summary of Exercise 2
Topic Area I Assets
Air Quality- A healthy community with good air quality where exposure to pollution is minimized Safe housing- Safe and healthy living conditions for people of all backgrounds and incomes.

Public facilities- Public facilities and services are distributed equitably throughout the community Physical activity- Accessible opportunities for physical activity Healthy food- People throughout the City have convenient access to healthy food options Public input- Inclusive and meaningful civic engagement 5 10
14 6
21 6
The highest priority chosen by the participants included ensuring that they have convenient access to healthy food options (21 votes). Second was public facilities and services distributed equitably throughout the community (14 votes).

The interactive workshops offered participants a tangible way in which to explore and build their creative ideas and visions for a safer, healthier, and more inclusive Gustine. The workshops offered an opportunity for residents to identify shared values and offered City staff an insight into what those values are. These values help guide and shape the EJ Element.

3.2 Community Survey
An on line survey regarding the City of Gustine's EJ Element was posted from November 3, 2023, through December 8, 2023. It was advertised through the City's social media channels including Face book, as well as several community events around the City. More details about how the results of the survey fit within the required topics of the EJ Element are included in the Input Influence Table section of this report.

The survey had a total of 15 total questions that were posted. The survey included nine questions about environmental justice topics and six (6) housing element-related questions. All questions were optional; not all respondents answered all questions. A total of 12 people answered at least some questions in the survey.

The survey took an average of 10 minutes to complete. The survey included text-based questions. The survey was also available in Spanish.

The full survey results, including screen shots of the survey pages, list of questions, as well as all individual responses received, is attached to this report as Appendix C.

3.3 Summary
The goal of the community engagement process was to start a conversation with the City of Gustine community regarding their vision of the City and how to address key issues, opportunities, and challenges that are most important to the City of Gustine. Using this feedback, the City team will begin to draft goals, policies, and actions for the new Environmental Justice Element and updated Housing and Safety Elements of the General Plan. This community feedback will also serve as a resource for the Planning Commission and City Council as they review and provide input on the draft document.

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APPENDIX A
City of Gustine Post-It-Note Exercise
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APPENDIX A -POST IT NOTE EXERCISE
8 CITY OF GUSTINE
Environmental Justice Input / Aporte De Justicia Ambiental WE WANT TO KNOW...

What Do You Love About Gustine?
QUEREMOS SABER ....

Qu~ te gusta de Gustine?
{ 1
(enaus4
et.n!
. . .
. ,' • '. ··1
. � . -/!• .
l
I
I
[pte Te r.
u! 4 4UF
sty 1
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APPENDIX B
City of Gustine "DOT" Exercise
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APPENDIX B - CITY OF GUSTINE "DOT" EXCERISE

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/ACTIVIDAD F'SCA
'oyts trutpobeCte me ton»event us ¢ ha 'out opt a
Le ;ors er, a1A• ea3! 'ecog crtage,voe re.o$a,Asby
! HEALTHY FOODICOMIDA SANA
• e°a
• • • • •
Puuc acurwsv AL.owe PuBu.ca« ta
r
4 or. 6.
..
. .... • .
•• °
e
! �: ,
'"' ., . ...,_., __
La Justicia Amb\Antal consist@ on reduclr los impact+ deproporclonados de la cantsminaci~n y promover ia distribucldn «quit34is ¢% os recurs0s
WHAT THREE EJ ISSUE AREAS DO YOU THINK NEED THE MOST ATTENTION IN GUSTINE CU~LES TRES AREAS DE PROBLEMAS DE JA CREES QUE NECESITAN MAYOR ATENCI~N EN GUS1NE7

SAFE HOUSING VIVIENDA SEGURA
iv enrol%. f tee. vend
t..e. .%e..a e •
••• • • • •
@@
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APPENDIX C
Community Survey Results
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I
I

CL IETBELOW 'ART THE SURVEY
ity stine
Provide your input on the Housing, Environmental Justice, and Safety elements. Please take g moment to participate in the community plimning efforts survey. ,,_
.I

If vou live in Gustine, which best describes your
housing situation?
Do not Ive in Gustine
Rent a house, condominium, apartment, @
or mobile home
75%
6 Own my house, condominium, apartment,
or mobile home
d Mentimeter

If you live in Gustine, what type of housing best
describes where you currently live?
Do not live in Gustine
Single-family home
ud Mentimeter

d Mentimeter
2 11%
Close to work - and/or school
Able to house multiple generations in one home Able to have land to grow crops and/or have a ranch
21%
size of housing
7%
Able to construct or own an 66ea, dwelling Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility unit (ADU)/granny flat or seer %h prop6ry
18%
and services like groceries and
iniedical facilities
$¢
Affordability
4%
Close to public transit stop
cm
Whic lowing aspects are important to you when
lookin for ousin@·? all that apply)

What type of housing is most needed in
Gustine?
Other, plictsevspectfy on«text page
ud Mentimeter
Housing that ls affordable to public service workers such as teachers • ' '1 . 20%
d • Small studio type units to affordably accommodate singles or couples @ Multi-family housing with at least 3 bedrooms
/ to accommodate families
\
@ Single- family housing pnimarly for double
income families or high wage eamers

SKIP PAGE BY CLICKING SUBMIT BELOW
If "Other" was selected in previous Question, please specify/provide additional detail here.

Nice apartments where they don't let scum in.
d Mlentimeter

d Mlentimeter
Not enough housing
22%
Lock of availability of housing that is rent-restricted (affordable housing) Cast of quality -Ing Is too high What do you believe is the single largest barrier
to affordable, desirable housing in Gustine?
I
0%
Discrimination based on race/ethnicity, religion, number of children in household, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or another characteristic There is no barrier to affording desirable housing I do not know

ad Mentimeter
What do you believe are the most urgent housing
challenges in Gustine? Choose the three most urgent • Issues. ......--.:;- ·.g \
Affordability of desired housing
4%
Fair housing/discrimination Housing quality
.....

There are no urgent housing issues --
1 0
Overcrowding (more than one person
per bedroom)
4%
I do not know
.a
Z
Availab
_
ility of desired housing Homelessness
0ea e@. E!e

What do you need better access to in Gustine?
Please check all that apply
Other, please specify on next
page
ud Ilentimeter
(
• Does not apply. I have access to
/ the facilities and services I need
space
Sports and organized activities
/ �---- Community and recreation
center
,

If "Other" was selected in previous Question, please specify/provide additional detail here. Street sweeping
ud lentimeter

ud lentimeter
Have you or your family been affected by any of
the following in the last 10 veers?
Poor tap water quality )
Poor air quality
""
Dust and noise from construction.

Extreme heat affecting
neighborhood travel
Lack of working air conditioning 0l

If "O
t
h
er"
w
as
s
ele
c
t
ed in
p
r
e
vio
us
Q
u
e
sti
o
n, ple
a
se
s
p
eci
fy
/
p
r
ovi
de
a
d
ditio
n
al
d
e
t
ail
h
e
r
e. ad
M
entim
eter

What are some discouraging factors
limiting bicycling?
d lentimeter
( - -. Traffic and speed volumes $ -------- �Ag----- gressive driver behavior .. --- - - f sl!.lfflcient lighting at night -----
No connecting bike routes
No designated on-street bike
lanes
)
Insufficient road maintenance
No secure bike parking •·

If able, what are your reasons for walking?
Check all that apply.

To meditate/relax «
ud Mentimeter
To enjoy nature/scenery
I
For pleasure @
@ Transportation

If able, what are your reasons for NOT walking?
Choose all that apply.
ad lentimeter
Other, please specify on next page
Unattractlve surroundings @%
Difficult intersections and crosswalks @
Physical exertion.(
No Interest
Time/Distance to get to destination
@\Hazardous conditions (darkeness, debris
In paths, path surface conditions)
\
@ Lack of paths/connections

If "Other" was selected in previous Question, please specify/provide additional detail here.

Some people drink alcohol
and smoke drugs
t lentimeter

Is it difficult for you to get fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food? What are some of the
reasons?
ud Mentimeter
'
, d Too expensive )
Does not apply. I can access and
afford healthy food
Physical disabilities @
Travel time @
\
( Healthy stores are too far:

High-quality fruits/vegetables not available where I shop. --- - No garden space to growmy own

Have any of the following health issues affected
your household in the last 10 years?
Diabetes
ud Mlentimeter
(3
Obesity @
/ ------- ....
( Stress and anxiety �
..

Migraines
a
High blood pressure or
· cholesterol
- --

If "O
t
h
e
r"
w
as
s
ele
c
t
ed in
p
r
e
vio
us
Q
u
e
s
tio
n, ple
a
se
s
p
e
cify
/
p
r
o
vide
a
ddi
tio
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al
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eter

Which pollution problems are you most concerned
about in your community?
d Mentimeter
/
Air pollution from Agricultural land
uses <
Does not apply. I am not concerned with pollution.
29%
( Trash in public spaces or vacant
......._
lots
. --
Soil pollution from land uses (e.g., •
gas stations, hazard sites, etc.

E?

How important do you think preparing for climate change is? 60%
40%
0% %
I do not I do not I do not None, I
knowhow to have want to believe l am
prepare for enough time prepare fer adequately
climate to prepare climate prepared
change for climate change
d Mentimeter

Thank you!
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