APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT NOEL GALLO
RESOLUTION APPOINTING COUNCILMEMBER JANANI
RAMACHANDRAN TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF OAKLAND AT THE
EAST BAY REGIONAL WILDFIRE PREVENTION COORDINATING
GROUP AS A MEMBER, AND APPOINTING COUNCILMEMBER ZAC
UNGER TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF OAKLAND AS AN ALTERNATE
MEMBER
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2023, the Oakland City Council approved Resolution No. 90040 C.M.S., authorizing the City of Oakland to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with jurisdictions in the East Bay Hills to form a Wildfire Prevention Coordinating Group to enhance region-wide collaboration on wildfire mitigation efforts and reduce wildfire risk throughout the East Bay Hills; and
WHEREAS, the increasing frequency of historic wildfires across California and the Western United States highlights the significant and growing impacts of climate change, including habitat destruction, loss of life, economic disruption, infrastructure damage, and public health hazards from poor air quality; and
WHEREAS, reactive approaches to wildfire management and containment during crises often overextend local and state resources; and
WHEREAS, wildfires do not adhere to political or jurisdictional boundaries, with burning embers and smoke traveling widely, impacting air quality across the region; and WHEREAS, a significant portion of the East Bay Hills, from Hercules to Fremont, is designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) as a high fire hazard severity zone; and
WHEREAS, a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional approach and greater investment in vegetation management and wildfire prevention programs is necessary to mitigate the number and severity of wildfire incidents; and
WHEREAS, regional intergovernmental collaboration can promote the development and implementation of best practices, efficient resource sharing, and enhanced expertise across participating jurisdictions; and
2 WHEREAS, the East Bay region encompasses more than 20 municipalities, counties, and fire districts, including the City of Oakland, that would benefit from a coordinated wildfire prevention strategy; and
WHEREAS, with support from local community organizations and wildfire prevention advocates, a group of public officials representing these municipalities, counties, and fire districts initiated the formation of a formal structure to advance regional wildfire prevention goals; and
WHEREAS, these officials determined that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would provide the most effective and efficient legal framework for collaboration among interested jurisdictions, formally establishing the Wildfire Prevention Coordinating Group (WPCG); and
WHEREAS, the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Pinole, and Richmond, along with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, have collectively funded discussions and the development of the draft MOU for the WPCG; and WHEREAS, the participating agencies in the MOU will collectively determine goals, objectives, activities, budgeting, and staffing to support the WPCG's efforts; and WHEREAS, areas of collaboration under the WPCG may include joint plans for vegetation management, grant funding applications for wildfire risk mitigation, coordination on local building and fire codes, and cooperative planning for cross-jurisdictional wildfire evacuations and response efforts; and
WHEREAS, each participating agency will appoint one primary member and one alternate to represent their governing body within the WPCG, limited to elected or appointed members of city councils, boards of supervisors, boards of directors, or equivalent governing entities; and
WHEREAS, the WPCG will designate a fiscal agent from among the participating agencies to facilitate meetings, manage funds, and enter into contracts on behalf of the group if necessary; and
WHEREAS, participation in the MOU and the WPCG does not obligate any agency to include other members in their individual wildfire prevention efforts, nor does it alter existing jurisdictional boundaries, cooperative agreements, or legal authorities; and WHEREAS, Rule 6 of the City Council’s Rules of Procedure authorizes the Council President to recommend appointments to regional and local boards and agencies, subject to confirmation by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, Council President Noel Gallo recommends the appointment of Councilmember Janani Ramachandran as the primary member, and Councilmember Zac Unger as an alternate member, to represent the City of Oakland in the Wildfire Prevention Coordinating Group; now therefore, be it
3 RESOLVED: That Councilmember Janani Ramachandran is hereby appointed as the City of Oakland’s primary representative and Councilmember Zac Unger as the alternate to the Wildfire Prevention Coordinating Group.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, HOUSTON, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, AND
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE GALLO
NOES –
ABSENT – COUNCIL PRESIDENT JENKINS (serving as Mayor pursuant to Charter Section 303) ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3396783/AS