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Agenda Report
January 13, 2025
TO: hlonorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Office of the City Attorney
SUBJECT: FINDINGS TO AUTHORIZE REMOTE MEETING ON JANUARY 13, 2025 PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the City Council: |
1. Find that the action proposed herein is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
2. Find that the Director of Disaster Emergency Services issued a Declaration of a Local ! Emergency - Windstorms and Fires on January 8, 2025;and I
3. In accordance with Government Code section 54953(e)(1), find that as a result of the j ongoing emergency, meeting in person at the January 13, 2025 City Council Special Meeting would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, j BACKGROUND: I
On January 7, 2025, extraordinary windstorm conditions and destructive fires ("Eaton | Fire") caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure, structures, and roads throughout the City that prompted evacuation orders. On January 8, 2025, the City Manager issued a Declaration of Local Emergency in accordance with Chapter 2.370 of the Pasadena Municipal Code ("Declaration"). The state of emergency is presently in effect.
The City has sustained major damage and continues to be threatened by the windstorms and fires. Preliminary information indicates numerous structures either damaged or destroyed. In addition, the wildfire smoke and ash are impacting the air quality of the City. Wildfire smoke contains fine particles which are respiratory irritants, and when inhaled deeply, can affect the lungs and the heart. Exposure to high concentrations of fine particles can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty MEETING OF.
01/13/2025AGENDA ITEM NO..
1 Declaration of Local Emergency
January 13, 2025
breathing. Moreover, the South Coast Air Quality Management District rates the air quality in the City as "unhealthy".
In accordance with Government Code section 54953(e)(1) and as a result of the ongoing emergency, meeting in person at the January 13, 2025 City Council Special Meeting would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
CEQA excludes, from environmental review, actions that are not "projects" as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b). Sections 21065 and 15378(b) define a project as an action which may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Section 15378 excludes from the definition of "project" Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The actions proposed herein, to authorize remote meetings, is an administrative activity, and therefore is not a "project" as defined by CEQA. Since the action is not a project subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended action will have no immediate fiscal impact.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Michele Beal Baaneris
MICHELE BEAL BAGNERIS
City Attorney/City Prosecutor
Concurrence:
MIQy&t^ MARQUEZ
City Manager
Prepared by:
/s/ Arnold F. Lee
Arnold F. Lee
Acting Chief Assistant City Attorney
Attachment - Declaration of a Local Emergency - Windstorms and Fires on January 8, 2025 WGDV7NJROD1QK1