CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
1/27/2025
1 SUBJECT:
Second Revised and Restated Joint Power Agreement (JPA) with the San Mateo County Operational Area Emergency Services Organization
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a second Revised and Restated Joint Power Agreement (JPA) with the San Mateo County Operational Area Emergency Services Organization.
STAFF CONTACT:
Bill Glasgo, Police Captain
650-738-7314
[email protected]
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
In 1997, the County of San Mateo in cooperation with jurisdictions within the County of San Mateo, created the Emergency Services Council (ESC). The ESC’s mission is to provide planning, preparedness, public information, training, and Federal/State intergovernmental emergency services coordination for the twenty cities/towns within San Mateo County, as well as for County government, to enable the jurisdictions to respond to, minimize the impact of, and recover from a major emergency, disaster or homeland security incident with the least possible loss of life or property.
Jurisdictions with the County of San Mateo comprise the San Mateo County Operational Area (SMCOA) and manage emergency operations through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) originally created in 1997. The agreement established the San Mateo Operational Area Emergency Services organization and outlined the operational structure of and funding formula for the SMCOA.
DISCUSSION:
The ESC revised and restated the Joint Powers Exercise of the Powers Agreement on October 17, 2014. Since then, it has become outdated following significant changes with the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management (DEM), which now operates as a standalone agency separate from the County Sheriff’s Office.
To accurately reflect the current responsibilities of the DEM and the ESC, the ESC unanimously approved changes to the JPA on September 19, 2024, enclosed as Attachment A. The City of Pacifica partners with ESC and DEM to receive services such as Hazmat Responses, Emergency Alert and Warning, and Training and Exercises for the Operational Area.
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January 27, 2025
According to the ESC, key changes to the Agreement, include:
• Standardizing nomenclature;
• Updating agreement language; and
• Clarifying and defining the roles of the ESC, the ESC Finance Committee, and the Department of Emergency Management.
During the update process, the San Mateo County Fire Chiefs Association and the San Mateo County Police Chief and Sheriffs Association offered suggestions which were incorporated into the final version of the MOU. Section 1.04 of the ESC-JPA MOU includes revised language to allow Member Agencies the authority to consider DEM established emergency management practices and “implement them as they see fit within their respective jurisdictions.” Section 2.07, which amends the voting requirements to provide that, “The ESC may not take any substantive action without a majority of the Member Agencies voting to take that action. Action on nonsubstantive procedural matters may be taken by a majority of a quorum.” The ESC brings together local governments, special districts, and other entities to coordinate emergency planning and response, including for hazardous materials. This council engages in the planning with respect to all phases of the emergency management cycle; prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, while also maintaining key public information systems like SMC Alert.
The City Manager is seeking City Council authorization to execute a second Revised and Restated Joint Power Agreement (JPA) with the San Mateo County Operational Area Emergency Services Organization.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
The JPA applies countywide and city-specific revisions are not possible, therefore the only alternative action should the Council not approve the revised JPA would be to withdraw from the JPA and create its own emergency management structure, which would not be financially or operationally feasible.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Plan Goal 1: “Enhance organizational and fiscal stability”.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no proposed change to the funding formula for the Joint Powers Agreement, therefore there is no fiscal impact from adopting the Resolution.
ORIGINATED BY:
Police
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A: Amended Joint Exercise Powers of Agreement with the San Mateo Operational Area Emergency Services Organization (PDF)
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January 27, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. _________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SECOND REVISED AND RESTATED JOINT EXERCISE
OF POWER AGREEMENT WITHT THE SAN MATEO COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA
EMERGENCY SERVICES ORGANIZATION
WHEREAS, in 1997 the City of Pacifica with other cities in San Mateo County, entered into a San Mateo Operations Area Joint Powers Agreement for the emergency services; and WHEREAS, on October 17, 2014 the Exercise of Joint Powers Agreement was revised to reflect changes in current laws, directives, orders and trends; and WHEREAS, on September 19, 2024 this agreement was updated to reflect changes within the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), which now operates as a standalone agency separate from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office; and WHEREAS, during the revision process this Agreement was reviewed by the County’s Emergency Services Council, the San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, the San Mateo County Fire Chiefs Association; and City Councils of Member Agencies; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, that the City Manager of the City of Pacifica is authorized to execute an amended Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the San Mateo County Operational Area Emergency Services Organization.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 27th day of January 2025, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
CITY OF PACIFICA
Sue Beckmeyer, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ______________________________ Pacifica City Council 4
January 27, 2025
Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, City Attorney Pacifica City Council 5
January 27, 2025
ATTACHMENT A