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Agenda Report
February 10, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Legislative Policy Committee (February 4,2025) FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 239 ESTABLISHING STATE-LED
DISASTER HOUSING TASK FORCE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the action proposed herein is covered by the commonsense exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment;
2. Support Assembly Bill 239 (AB239) to create a State-Led Disaster Housing Task Force; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to send letters in support of AB239, as appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
On January 7, 2025, Pasadena was struck by an extraordinarily severe windstorm and destructive fire causing widespread damage to infrastructure, structures, and roads, and caused power outages, downed trees, road closures, and significant debris. On January 8, 2025, the City Manager issued a Declaration of Local Emergency in accordance with Chapter 2.370 of the Pasadena Municipal Code which was ratified by City Council at a special meeting on January 13, 2025.
The threat from the windstorms and wildfire has passed. Government from the local, county, state, and federal levels are now focused on recovery efforts to assist survivors from the disasters.
Asssemblymember John Harabedian representing the 41st District, which includes Pasadena and Altadena, has introduced AB239 to establish a state-led Disaster hlousing Task Force.
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MEETING OF02/10/2025
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AGENDA ITEM NO..5
SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 239 STATE-LED DISASTER HOUSING TASK FORCE February 10, 2025
The bill would require the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Emergency Services to jointly convene a state-led County of Los Angeles disaster housing task force for the purpose of coordinating and streamlining efforts between the Department of Housing and Community Development, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Office of Emergency Services, and local governments to rebuild housing in communities impacted by the wildfire.
The task force shall include representatives from the following:
(1) The Department of Housing and Community Development (2) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
(3) The Office of Emergency Services
(4) Local governments.
The task force shall appoint a state disaster housing coordinator to accelerate the delivery of resources, including, but not limited to, funding and technical assistance, to communities impacted by the wildfire.
Pasadena can benefit from the required coordination between the various levels of government and disaster housing task force which has no impact on local control regarding zoning or land use. Staff recommends the City Council support AB239 and authorize the Mayor to transmit correspondence as appropriate.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The consideration of Assembly Bill 239 is consistent with the City Council's strategic goals to support and promote the quality of life.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed action has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15061 (b)(3), the Common Sense Exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The decision to support technical assistance and coordination of resources to rebuild housing lost in the wildfires would have no adverse impact on the environment.
SUPPORT OF ASSEMBLY BILL 239 STATE-LED DISASTER HOUSING TASK FORCE February 10, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT:
No budget requests are included in this report.
Respectfully submitted:
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, BRENDA HARVEY-WKLLIAMS
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by:
Alexander Hernandez
Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by:
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IVfTGUEL MARQUEZ X
City Manager /
Attachments
Attachment A - Assembly Bill 239 text