RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MERCED, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING THE
THREATENED EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
DUE TO THE DEVELOPING 2026-2027 EL NIÑO EVENT
WHEREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center reported on September 10, 2026, that El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter of 2026-2027, and a 75 percent chance that the October through December 2026 season will reach historic strength exceeding prior El Niño events dating to 1950; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2026, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a State of Emergency throughout California due to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event and directed state agencies to take advance measures to prepare for anticipated severe weather and flooding impacts; and WHEREAS, the Governor's proclamation calls upon agencies under the Governor's authority to take appropriate actions to prepare for and respond to the threatened emergency and encourages coordination with local governments in undertaking preparedness and flood-risk reduction activities; and WHEREAS, the City of Merced has experienced significant flooding during prior severe storm events, including flooding of roadways and neighborhoods, rapidly rising waterways, and impacts to public infrastructure, demonstrating the City's vulnerability to prolonged or intense rainfall events; and WHEREAS, advance preparation for the forecasted 2026-2027 El Niño event may require the City to clear and maintain waterways and drainage facilities, remove vegetation and debris, acquire and stage flood-control materials and equipment, and undertake other protective measures before severe weather occurs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the forecasted 2026-2027 El Niño event, together with the City's demonstrated vulnerability to flooding, presents a threatened condition of extreme peril to persons and property within the City and may require resources and actions beyond those available through the City's ordinary operational and procurement processes; and
C:\Granicus\Legistar5\L5\Temp\5900eeca-ca43-4a7b-8697-b14e66ca2c06.docx WHEREAS, Merced Municipal Code section 8.20.070(A) authorizes the Director of Emergency Services to request that the City Council proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Merced Municipal Code section 8.20.070(A) and the California Emergency Services Act, including Government Code section 8630, the Director of Emergency Services has requested that the City Council proclaim the threatened existence of a local emergency within the City of Merced.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MERCED DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, FIND, AND ORDER
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council hereby proclaims the threatened existence of a local emergency within the City of Merced due to the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event and the resulting threat of severe storms, flooding, and related impacts to persons, property, and public infrastructure.
SECTION 2. That City staff is directed to undertake reasonable and necessary actions to prepare for and mitigate anticipated impacts of the 2026-2027 El Niño event, including, but not limited to, vegetation management, clearing and maintenance of waterways and drainage facilities, debris removal, acquisition and staging of flood-control materials and equipment, and other flood-preparedness activities.
SECTION 3. That during the existence of the local emergency, the City Manager, acting as Director of Emergency Services, is authorized to procure such supplies, equipment, services, and other resources as are reasonably necessary to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, or recover from the anticipated impacts of the 2026-2027 El Niño event, without compliance with otherwise applicable City competitive procurement procedures, to the extent permitted by applicable law. All such expenditures shall be appropriately documented and reported in accordance with applicable City requirements.
SECTION 4. That City staff shall separately track and document labor, equipment, materials, supplies, contracts, and other costs incurred in connection with preparation for and response to the local emergency in a manner sufficient to support any available state or federal reimbursement.
C: \Granicus\LegistarS\LS\Temp\5900ecca-ca43-4a7b-8697-b14e66ca2c06.docx 2 SECTION 5. That the City Council shall review the need for continuing this local emergency as required by Government Code section 8630 and shall terminate the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. armssing held on the layy the City Council 26, by the Folloced at a regular meeting held on the .
vote:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:
ABSTAIN: Council Members:
APPROVED:
MATTHEW SERRATTO, MAYOR
Mayor
ATTEST:
D. SCOTT MCBRIDE, CITY CLERK
BY: Assistant/Deputy City Clerk
(SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CRAIG J. CORNWELL, CITY ATTORNEY
Graig well 9-22-2026
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