POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: IV A
MEETING DATE: 1/12/2023
TITLE
Resolution 2023-01 Ratifying the Existence of a Local Emergency Regarding the Winter Storms of January 2023 as Proclaimed by the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1) Receive updates from Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall and Redwood Coast Fire Protection District Chief Mike Suddith
2) Approve Resolution 2023-01
ANALYSIS
Beginning January 4, 2023, severe winter storms related to a series of atmospheric river systems struck Point Arena, bringing high winds, downed trees, power outages, substantial precipitation, and creek flooding. These storms threatened and continued to threaten critical infrastructure, including roadways, Arena Cove, the Point Arena Pier, the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Veteran’s Memorial Building.
The following recaps damages in the City of Point Arena from the storms:
Trees
There were 10 downed trees in the public right-of-way, not including those solely on private property. Impacted areas included:
• 3 pines on Port Road which closed the roadway parts of Thursday and Saturday • 2 large cypress trees on Lake Street that blocked roadway access • 2 pines at Cypress Meadows and City Hall that closed Highway 1 most of Thursday • 1 large pine tree at the entrance to the Point Arena Stornetta Trailhead • A large tree fell at Wharf Master’s Inn damaging a fire hydrant that resulted in water shut-off on Port Road and Main Street for several hours.
Power
There were four identified downed power lines located at Cypress Meadows, City Hall, the Charter School & Lake Street. Power failed throughout the City and surrounding region mid-day Wednesday. Main Street businesses, Mill Street and the Industrial Park were powered by PG&E generator beginning late Thursday. The Wastewater Treatment Plant returned to power Friday evening. Most other areas in Point Arena were restored Sunday evening.
Pier & Arena Cove
A large swell during the storm initially flooded the parking lot and pushed cobble and logs into the mouth of creek diverting the channel into the parking lot. This has caused most of the parking lot to be unusable, particularly the boat storage area. The Pier itself was not damaged. However, on the north side of the “Boathouse” building, the wooden siding and external plumbing were extensively damaged.
Wastewater
The wastewater plant was without power from mid-day Wednesday to late Friday. The tractor and a PTO were used to pump effluent to the percolation ponds. The new mobile generator was used to pump the Cypress Meadows lift station. The control panel at the Cove lift station was blown out, likely due to a power surge when the power went out.
Winds further compromised the integrity of the garage’s siding and flooding further deteriorated the roadway.
City Hall
City Hall was fully powered by the mobile generator, allowing the City to continue to function and for Coastal Seniors to continue meal preparation. The mobile generator prevents any loss of food from spoilage. City Hall was available to the larger community for electronics charging, internet access and storm updates.
Proclamation Ratification
Due to the cumulative impact of the storms and lack of matching City resources, the City Manager declared a Local Emergency under the provisions of Section 2.25 of the City’s Municipal Code.
Following the declaration, the Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services forwarded it to CalOES and the process for potential reimbursement for added expenses has begun.
The State requires that the City Council ratify the Local Emergency within 7 days to remain eligible for State and/or Federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
Undetermined at this time. Costs for debris removal alone could be substantial. The Initial Damage Estimate submitted to CalOES was for $210,000.
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution 2023-01 Ratifying the Existence of a Local Emergency • City Manager Proclamation of Local Emergency
• Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Resolution
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
_________________________________
Paul Andersen, City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-01
RESOLUTION OF THE POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL RATIFYING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING THE WINTER STORM EVENTS OF JANUARY 2023 AS
PROCLAIMED BY THE CITY MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES WHEREAS, beginning January 4, 2023, severe winter storms related to a series of atmospheric river systems struck Point Arena, bringing high winds, downed trees, power outages, substantial precipitation, and river and creek flooding; and WHEREAS, it is forecasted that additional and continuing storms related to the series of atmospheric river systems threatens Point Arena bringing heavy rainfall, expected widespread flooding, strong winds and wind gusts, falling debris, downed trees and widespread power outages; and
WHEREAS, these storms threatened and continued to threaten critical infrastructure, including roadways, Arena Cove, the Point Arena Pier, the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Veteran’s Memorial Building which houses City Hall and Coastal Seniors; and WHEREAS, the State of California and the County of Mendocino have issued Emergency Proclamations for their entities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Point Arena declares as follows:
A. As contemplated in the Emergency Services Act containing Government Code Section 8550 et seq., including Section 8558(c), and Chapter 2.25.030 of the Point Arena Municipal Code, a local emergency exists based on the existence of conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property caused by winter storms as detailed in the recitals set forth above.
B. The area of the City which is endangered/imperiled is the entire City.
C. During the existence of this local emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of the City shall be those prescribed by State law and by ordinances, resolutions, and orders of the City, including but not limited to the City of Point Arena Annex to the County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan and Chapter 2.25 of the Point Arena Municipal Code.
D. Authorizes that the City Manager and Director of Emergency Services is hereby designated as the authorized representative for public and individual assistance related for the purpose of receipt, processing and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain available State and Federal assistance; and E. That a copy of this proclamation be forwarded to the Director of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services requesting that Director find it acceptable in accordance with State law, that the Governor of California, pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, issue a proclamation declaring an emergency in the City of Point Arena; that the Governor waive regulations that may hinder response and recovery efforts; that recovery assistance be made available under the California Disaster Assistance Act; and that the State expedite access to State and Federal resources and any other appropriate federal disaster relief programs.
PASSED AND ADOPTED The foregoing Resolution No. 2023-01 was passed and adopted at a Special Meeting of the Point Arena City Council on the 13 day of January, 2023 by the following vote. Motion by _______, Seconded by ________.
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Barbara Burkey
Mayor
ATTEST:
Paul Andersen
City Clerk
CITY OF POINT ARENA
451 School St. | PO Box 67 | Point Arena, CA 95468
(707) 882-2122 | pointarena.ca.gov
A PROCLAMATION BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF POINT ARENA
CALIFORNIA ACTING AS THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the Point Arena Municipal Code Section 2.25.040 designates the City Manager of the City of Point Arena as the Director of Emergency Services and authorizes them to declare the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the City is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 8550 et seq., including sections 8558(c), authorize the City Manager to proclaim a local emergency when the City is threatened by conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City that are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City; and
WHEREAS, beginning January 4, 2023, severe winter storms related to a series of atmospheric river systems struck Point Arena, bringing high winds, downed trees, power outages, substantial precipitation, and river and creek flooding; and WHEREAS, it is forecasted that additional and continuing storms related to the series of atmospheric river systems threatens Point Arena bringing heavy rainfall, expected widespread flooding, strong winds and wind gusts, falling debris, downed trees and widespread power outages; and
WHEREAS, these storms threatened and continued to threaten critical infrastructure, including roadways, Arena Cove, the Point Arena Pier, the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Veteran’s Memorial Building which houses City Hall and Coastal Seniors; and WHEREAS, the State of California and the County of Mendocino have already issued Emergency Proclamations for their entities.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED by the City Manager acting as the Director of Emergency Services as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 23-
RESOLUTION OF THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RATIFYING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATED TO THE DECEMBER 2022 TO JANUARY 2023, WINTER STORMS EVENT AS PROCLAIMED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER/DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
WHEREAS, the County of Mendocino has been subjected to severe winter storms commencing on December 27, 2022; and
WHEREAS, starting in late December 2022, severe winter storms began to impact a large area of Northern California. After several weeks of ongoing rain, a particularly severe storm bought heavy rain and high winds to the region. Following the prolonged storm impacts, soils are nearsaturated to saturated; creeks, streams, and rivers are reaching or exceeding flood stage; lowlying areas are experiencing flooding, including inundation of low road crossings; there is ponding of water on roadways; and there is an increased risk of rocks and other sediment dislodging from hillsides; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. National Weather Service forecasted up to 20 inches of precipitation over the next seventeen days before December 27th 2022; and
WHEREAS, there are numerous road closures due to debris, downed trees, and downed power lines; and
WHEREAS, severe storm along with moderate to high winds continues to forecast over Mendocino County; and
WHEREAS, the hazardous weather conditions will likely result in downed trees, localized flooding, roadway impediments, and debris flows; and
WHEREAS, the Russian River at Hopland and Navarro River are likely to surpass the flood stage conditions; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Mendocino County depend on the availability of the County’s response systems for safety; and
WHEREAS, heavy rains, saturated ground, and high tides, which have toppled trees, washed out County roads, and washed out creek banks, endangering public infrastructure, and caused other damage and impacts, a condition of extreme peril to life and property now exists in Mendocino County; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code Section 8630, it is appropriate and necessary that the Board of Supervisors now proclaim that a state of emergency exists throughout Mendocino County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors declares as follows:
1. Conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within Mendocino County as of December 27 through January 13, 2023 due to heavy rains, saturated ground, and high tides, which have toppled trees, washed out County roads, and washed out creek banks, endangering public infrastructure, and caused other damage and impacts; and
2. As a consequence of said conditions, a local emergency now exists throughout Mendocino County concerning the December 2022 to January 2023 winter storms; and
3. During this local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the Mendocino County Chief Executive Officer and the emergency organization of Mendocino County shall be those prescribed by State law, and the ordinances, resolutions, and approved emergency services plans of the County of Mendocino; and
4. Authorizes that Darcie Antle, having the titles of Chief Executive Officer and Director of Emergency Services and authorizes Howard Dashiell, having the title Director of Transportation, are hereby designated as the authorized representatives for public and individual assistance related for the purpose of receipt, processing and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain available State and Federal assistance; and
5. This resolution and the contents thereof shall be published and promulgated in as widespread a manner as reasonably feasible in light of the conditions prevailing during the local emergency; and
6. This resolution shall be submitted to the Governor requesting a State declaration of emergency given the impacts regionally by these recent storms.
The foregoing Resolution introduced by Supervisor , seconded by Supervisor , and carried this day of , 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
WHEREUPON, the Chair declared said Resolution adopted and SO ORDERED.
ATTEST: DARCIE ANTLE
Clerk of the Board
______________________________
Deputy
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CHRISTIAN CURTIS
County Counsel
______________________________
_________________________________
, Chair
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
I hereby certify that according to the
provisions of Government Code Section
25103, delivery of this document has
been made.
BY: DARCIE ANTLE
Clerk of the Board
_________________________________
Deputy