PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #9.F
Meeting Date: January 20, 2026
TITLE:
Update on January 9, 2023 and January 12, 2017 Emergency Proclamations
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Review the need for continuing currently active local emergency proclamations;
2. Provide direction to staff if desired.
DISCUSSION:
Chapter 2.32 of the Pismo Beach Municipal Code empowers the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the City is affected by an emergency and the City Council is not in session. An emergency exists when conditions are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, facilities, and existing laws of the City. The declaration is an acknowledgement of the need for additional resources and expedited procedures to deal with the emergency. The Director of Emergency Services’ declaration is subject to City Council ratification within seven days.
Currently active Emergency Declarations are those ratified by Resolution R-2023-001 on January 11, 2023, relating to winter storm damage, and by Resolution R-2017-012 on January 17, 2017, relating to winter storm damage. In accordance with Government Code Section 8630, the City Council is required to review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the emergency is terminated. The following status report is provided for the Council’s information. No action is recommended, but direction may be given to staff if desired.
January 11, 2023 Proclamation: Winter Storms
The City Council declared a state of emergency on January 11, 2023, via Resolution R- 2023-0011, ratifying the Emergency Services Director’s proclamation of a local emergency in response to the January 2023 winter storms. On January 9, 2023, the County of San Luis Obispo declared an emergency which was followed by a declaration by Governor Newsom for the region. On January 14, 2023 President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the January storms, making federal disaster aid available.
The storms, which began the first week of January, took a toll on the community, causing conditions of peril to the safety of persons and property due to flooding, bluff erosion, strong winds and other storm related damages.
Summary of Current Events
The Pier Avenue Storm Drain Outfall site has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a permanent repair project to replace the outfall pipe that was washed away during the storm. The City has received $620,838.75 in funding for completion of the repair project and construction documents are being prepared. Staff
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has also submitted a request for reimbursement of management costs that were incurred working on the disasters. The City is eligible to receive 5% of total obligations, approximately $35,000, which will be disbursed after the Pier Avenue project has been constructed. Construction is anticipated to take place in the Spring.
January 12, 2017 Proclamation: Winter Storms
The Pismo Beach City Council declared a state of emergency on January 12, 2017, via Resolution R-2017-0122, in response to the January 2017 winter storms. Shortly after the Council’s declaration, the County of San Luis Obispo declared an emergency which was followed by a declaration by Governor Jerry Brown for the region. On February 14, 2017 and March 16, 2017 the President declared a major disaster for the early and late January storms, making federal disaster aid available. The storms, which began the first week of January, took a toll on the community, culminating with a Caltrans storm drain failure on Highway 101, which caused flooding of two hotels on Price Street, blockage of the City’s Franklin storm drain outfall and debris scattered along Highway 101, Price Street and sidewalk, on Franklin Drive and various private parcels on January 20, 2017.
Summary of Current Events
The Cliff/Ocean Storm Drain project revised Damage Assessment Form (DAF) was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for additional funding based on the revised engineer’s estimate. The additional funding is currently approved as “Advanced Construction” and is not yet available for reimbursement. Staff reviewed the proposals for Construction Management (CM) services and selected the most qualified consultant. Staff is seeking Council authorization to enter into an agreement with the notice to proceed dependent on execution of a construction contract under a separate report at this meeting. Staff is also working with the selected CM consultant under a separate contract to provide a constructability review of the construction plans prior to re- advertising the project for construction bids, anticipated in the Spring/Summer 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact from this report.
January 2023 Winter Storms
The cost of damage from the January 2023 storms is estimated to be about $26 million.
January 2017 Winter Storms
The cost of damage from the January 2017 storms is approximately $12 million.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Prepared by: Erin Olsen, Senior Management Analyst
Submitted by: Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
City Manager Approval:
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