*Commissioners receive a $30.00 stipend per each meeting held and attended. .
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Special Meeting 4:00 p.m.
Council Chamber
6615 Passons Boulevard
Next Resolution No. 7390
Next Ordinance No. 1191
Next Agreement No. 25-2432
Successor Agency to PRRA
Next Resolution No. SA-25-30
Next Ordinance No. SA-01
Next Agreement No. S25-006
Housing Assistance Agency
Next Resolution No. HA-109
Next Ordinance No. HA-16
Water Authority
Next Resolution No. WA-25-37
Next Ordinance No. WA-25-01
Next Agreement No. WA-25-79
Public Financing Authority
Next Resolution No. PFA-25-13
ROLL CALL:
Mayor:
John R. Garcia
Mayor Pro Tempore:
Gustavo V. Camacho
Councilmembers:
Andrew C. Lara
Erik Lutz
Dr. Monica Sanchez
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
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SESSION AND PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TEXTING DURING THE MEETING **************************************************************************************************** In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Pico Rivera is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for a person with a disability. Please call the City Clerk’s office at (562) 801-4389, if special accommodations are necessary and/or if information is needed in an alternative format. Special requests must be made in a reasonable amount of time in order that accommodations can be arranged (within 24 to 48 hours’ notice). 05-9-2023 Agenda City Council Special Meeting
CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Council:
1. Resolution Ratifying and Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency Arising from the March 13, 2025 EF-0 Tornado Event in the City of Pico Rivera. (1000)
Recommendation:
1. Approve a resolution ratifying and declaring the existence of a local emergency arising from the March 13, 2025, EF-0 Tornado Event in the City of Pico Rivera.
Resolution No. ____ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PICO RIVERA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A LOCAL
EMERGENCY CAUSED BY AN EF-0 TORNADO ON MARCH 13, 2025
ADJOURNMENT:
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Cynthia Ayala, City Clerk, for the City of Pico Rivera, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing notice was posted at the Pico Rivera City Hall bulletin board and the Pico Rivera website www.picorivera.org which are available for the public to view on this 17th, day of March 2025.
Dated this 17th, day of March 2025
Cynthia Ayala, CMC
City Clerk
SB343 NOTICE
In compliance with and pursuant to the provisions of SB343 any public writing distributed by the City Clerk to at least a majority of the City Council Members regarding any item on this special meeting agenda will be available on the City’s website.
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Manager
Meeting Date: March 18, 2025
Subject: RESOLUTION RATIFYING AND DECLARING THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY ARISING FROM
THE MARCH 13, 2025 EF-0 TORNADO EVENT IN THE
CITY OF PICO RIVERA
Recommendation:
1. Approve a resolution ratifying and declaring the existence of a local emergency arising from the March 13, 2025, EF-0 Tornado Event in the City of Pico Rivera (City).
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact from the damages caused by this natural disaster is currently unknown. Staff will provide an update to City Council as estimates are provided to the City. No additional appropriations are requested at this time.
Background:
On March 13, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m., an EF-0 Tornado with 85 mph winds touched down in Pico Rivera, causing damage to homes, toppling trees, downing power lines, and rupturing water pipes. The City activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and mobilized crews to clear debris, assess damages, and restore essential services. Thanks to the swift action by City staff and emergency responders, no injuries related to this event were reported. In light of these circumstances, the City Manager recommends ratifying and declaring a state of emergency to facilitate access to state and federal assistance, including potential reimbursement and aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Discussion:
On March 13, 2025, the City Manager acting in his capacity as Director of Emergency Services per Municipal Code Chapter 2.52, Emergency Preparedness, approved Resolution No. 7389 declaring a local emergency. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630, the City Manager (as the official designated by the Pico Rivera CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2025
RESOLUTION RATIFYING AND DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY ARISING FROM THE MARCH 13, 2025 EF-0 TORNADO EVENT IN
THE CITY OF PICO RIVERA
Municipal Code Section 2.52.060) may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the City Council is not in session for up to seven (7) days, unless the local emergency is ratified by the City Council. If ratified by the City Council, the need for the continuing local emergency shall be reviewed by the City Council at least once every 60 days until the City Council terminates the local emergency (Government Code Section 8630(b) and (c)).
City Staff believes that the conditions giving rise to the local emergency remain and seeks the City Council’s support in ratifying and declaring a local state of emergency for a period of up to 60 days, unless earlier terminated or further extended by the City Council. This declaration is essential to formally acknowledge the disaster’s impact and to request assistance from state and federal agencies as follows:
FEMA Emergency Declaration Requirements
To qualify for Federal Aid and reimbursement under FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program, the City must meet the following criteria:
• Demonstration of Significant Impact
The City must provide documented evidence of the Tornado’s impact, including damage assessments, emergency response costs, and community disruptions. • Local and State Involvement
The City must exhaust local resources and seek state-level assistance before federal intervention. Coordination with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is necessary. The City is working with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon, and Senator Bob Archuleta to secure resources for impacted residents. • Public Assistance Thresholds
FEMA evaluates whether the total estimated damage meets or exceeds the established per capita impact indicator and state-wide thresholds for Public Assistance funding.
• Mitigation and Recovery Efforts
The City must outline immediate response actions taken, including shelter provisions, debris removal, and infrastructure repairs, to justify the need for federal assistance.
Next Steps
City staff will work with Cal OES to complete preliminary damage assessments and compile required documentation. A formal request for federal assistance will be coordinated with the Governor’s office to ensure compliance with FEMA’s requirements.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2025
RESOLUTION RATIFYING AND DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY ARISING FROM THE MARCH 13, 2025 EF-0 TORNADO EVENT IN
THE CITY OF PICO RIVERA
Conclusion:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution ratifying and declaring the existence of a local emergency pursuant to Government Code Section 8630 and authorize the City Manager acting as the Director of Emergency Services to take all reasonably necessary action to secure federal and state aid for the City’s recovery efforts. The City Council’s prompt action will support ongoing emergency response operations and ensure the community receives the necessary resources.
Steve Carmona
SC:AG:smc
Enclosures: 1) Resolution
2) Resolution No. 7389
RESOLUTION NO. ____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PICO
RIVERA, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING AND DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY ARISING FROM THE MARCH 13, 2025 EFO TORNADO WHEREAS, Section 2.52.060(A)(1) of the City of Pico Rivera’s Municipal Code empowers the Director of Emergency Services and/or the City Council to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when said city is affected and the City Council is not in session; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado with 85 mph winds, traveled one mile with a width of 80 yards, staying on the ground for 2 minutes, touched down in Pico Rivera on March 13, 2025, causing damage to homes, toppling trees, downing power lines, and rupturing water pipes and other public infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the Pico Rivera Municipal Code Section 2.52.020 defines “emergency” as an actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot or earthquake, or other conditions, including conditions resulting from war or imminent threat of war, but other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the city, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630, the City Manager (as the official designated by PRMC Section 2.52.060) may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the City Council is not in session for up to 7 days, unless the local emergency is ratified by the City Council; and WHEREAS, on March 13, 2025, the Director of Emergency Services proclaimed a local emergency under Director’s Resolution No. 7389; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 8630, authorizes the City Council to ratify the proclamation of local emergency by the Director of Emergency Services and extend the proclamation of local emergency; and
WHEREAS, the California Disaster Assistance Act as codified in the California Government Code, Chapter 7.5 (Sections 8680-8692) requires a local agency to proclaim a local emergency within 10 days after the occurrence of a disaster.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that a local emergency now exists throughout the City of Pico Rivera; and
Enclosure 1
RESOLUTION NO. _____
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby finds that the above recitals are true and correct and incorporate them as part of the findings.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby finds that the above described tornado has created the existence of conditions of disaster and of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City of Pico Rivera due to extreme storm conditions which are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat and that said conditions still exist in the City of Pico Rivera and the need for the proclamation of local emergency is still needed.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby ratifies and declares the existence of a local emergency enacted by the Director of Emergency Services under Director Resolution No. 7389 for a period of up to 60 days, unless earlier terminated or extended in accordance with the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code 8630 et seq.).
SECTION 4. The City Council authorizes the submittal of the Resolution to the Director of California Government’s Office of Emergency Services and request the Director to find it acceptable in accordance with State law, make available recovery assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act, and expedite access to local, State and federal resources and any other property disaster relief programs.
SECTION 5. The City Council further authorizes the City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services, to take all reasonably necessary action to secure federal and state aid for the City’s recovery efforts.
SECTION 6. The City Council hereby instruct the Directors of Community and Economic Development and Public Works Departments to identify permitting requirements and associated fees, that can safely be suspended or streamlined to accelerate rebuilding.
SECTION 7. Based on the above findings and pursuant to Section 2.52.060(A)(1) of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code, the City Council hereby declares and proclaims the existent of a local emergency.
SECTION 8. During the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of this city shall be those prescribed by state law, ordinances, and resolutions of this City, and by the City of Pico Rivera Emergency Operations Plan.
SECTION 9. In the event that any portion of this Resolution is deemed invalid or is unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder and that the remainder of the Resolution shall be given full force and effect.
SECTION 10. The City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this Resolution, and it shall thereupon be in full force effect immediately upon its adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. _____
APPROVED AND PASSED this 18th day of March 2025.
John R. Garcia, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Cynthia Ayala, City Clerk Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman, City Attorney AYES:
NOES:
RESOLUTION NO. _____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PICO RIVERA, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION DECLARING A LOCAL
EMERGENCY CAUSED BY AN EF-O TORNADO ON MARCH 13, 2025
WHEREAS, Section 2.52.060(A)(1) of the City of Pico Rivera’s Municipal Code empowers the Director of Emergency Services to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when said city is affected and the City Council is not in session; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado with 85 mph winds, traveled one mile with a width of 80 yards, staying on the ground for 2 minutes, touched down in Pico Rivera on March 13, 2025, causing damage to homes, toppling trees, downing power lines, and rupturing water pipes and other public infrastructure; WHEREAS, the Pico Rivera Municipal Code Section 2.52.020 defines “emergency” as an actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot or earthquake, or other conditions, including conditions resulting from war or imminent threat of war, but other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the city, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and
WHEREAS, that the City Council of the City of Pico Rivera is not in session (and cannot immediately be called into session).
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that a local emergency now exists throughout the City of Pico Rivera; and
SECTION 1. The Director of Emergency Services hereby finds that the above recitals are true and correct and incorporate them as part of the findings.
SECTION 2. The Director of Emergency Services hereby finds that the above described tornado has created the existence of conditions of disaster and of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City of Pico Rivera due to extreme storm conditions which are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat and that the City Council of the City of Pico Rivera is not currently in session.
SECTION 3. Based on the above findings and pursuant to Section 2.52.060(A)(1) of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code, the Director of Emergency Services hereby declares and proclaims the existent of a local emergency.
SECTION 4. During the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of this city shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances, and resolutions of this City, and by the City of Pico Rivera Emergency Operations Plan.
SECTION 5. In the event that any portion of this Resolution is deemed invalid or 7389
Enclosure 2
is unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder and that the remainder of the Resolution shall be given full force and effect.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this resolution, and it shall thereupon be in full force effect.
APPROVED AND PASSED this 13th day of March 2025.
___________________________
Steve Carmona, City Manager
Director of Emergency Services
ATTEST:
___________________________
Cynthia Ayala, CMC, City Clerk