PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAF REPOR
Agenda Item #9.D
Meetin Date: September 15, 2026
TITLE:
Update on July 28, 2026, 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, in accordance with Government Code Section 8630(b).
Update on Currently Active Emergency Declarations
Currently active Emergency Declarations are those ratified by Resolution R-2026-051 on August 4, 2026, relating to storm drain failures; 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.
July 28, 2026 Proclamation: Storm Drain Failures
The City Council declared a state of emergency on August 4, 2026, via Resolution R- 2026-0511, ratifying the Emergency Services Director’s Proclamation of a local emergency in response to the development of two sudden sinkholes located within City roadways. Investigation of a pothole on James Way at Capanna Street revealed a sinkhole measuring approximately 12 feet by 8 feet by 6 feet deep and it was determined that this was the result of a failed corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm drain. A second sinkhole appeared on Shell Beach Road at Encanto Avenue and inspection of the CMP beneath the area determined that the sinkhole was caused by severe deterioration of a CMP that carries storm water from the east to the west side of Shell Beach Road. The City Manager authorized staff to enter into an emergency contracts with R. Baker, Inc. (R. Baker) to make repairs to protect public safety and prevent the road from failing.
1 Full URL: https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=796674&repo=r-f36a9aa0 Council Agenda 9-15-2026 9.D-1
Summary of Current Events
Work on the James Way location has been completed and staff is waiting on the final billing from the contractor. Work on the Shell Beach Road and Encanto Avenue site is substantially complete, with only restoration to the private property driveway remaining.
The final driveway restoration will be completed once a custom concrete stamp has been fabricated to match the existing driveway. Staff will return to the Council for retroactively awarding the contracts to R. Baker and ending the emergency declaration once all work is complete and the final costs are known.
January 11, 2023 Proclamation: Winter Storms
The City Council declared a state of emergency on January 11, 2023, via Resolution R- 2023-0012, 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. A Coastal Development Permit was approved by Planning Commission on July 28, 2026. The project was advertised for construction bids and five bids were received on August 20, 2026. A construction contract has been executed with the low bidder, Souza Engineering Contracting, Inc. under the City Manager’s authority in line with the City’s Purchasing Policy & Procedures Manual.
Construction is estimated to begin in September and be completed by November 2026.
January 12, 2017 Proclamation: Winter Storms
The Pismo Beach City Council declared a state of emergency on January 12, 2017, via Resolution R-2017-0123, 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.
2 Full URL:
https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=459337&repo=r-f36a9aa0 3 Full URL: https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=107586&repo=r-f36a9aa0 Council Agenda 9-15-2026 9.D-2
Summary of Current Events
The Cliff/Ocean Storm Drain project’s “Advanced Construction” funding was converted to federal funds on April 8, 2026 and is now available for reimbursement. A construction contract with John Madonna Construction was approved by City Council on August 4, 2026. A kickoff meeting was held on August 31, 2026 and construction is estimated to begin in September 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.
July 2026 Storm Drain Failures
The cost of damage from the James Way sinkhole is estimated at $250,000 and the cost of damage from the Shell Beach Road sinkhole is estimated at $150,000 as of the writing of this report. When work on these two projects is complete and the exact cost is known, staff will return to the Council for retroactively awarding the contracts to R. Baker, at which time any required budget adjustments will be made.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Prepared by: Erin Olsen, Senior Management Analyst
Submitted by: Erica Kirkwood, City Clerk
City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 9-15-2026 9.D-3