City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 28, 2023 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A COMPLIANCE REPORT ON STATE- MANDATED INSPECTIONS AS OUTLINED IN CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 1205 ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution accepting a compliance report on State-Mandated inspections as outlined in California Senate Bill 1205. A compliance report for inspections must be provided to its administrating authority each year in accordance with Section 13146.4.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution accepting a compliance report on the status of all State-Mandated annual fire inspections in the City of Riverside as outlined in California Senate Bill 1205 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
On September 27, 2018, SB 1205 (Bill) became effective, and added a new section to the California Health and Safety Code. The Bill requires every fire department or district to annually report to its administering authority their compliance with the annual inspection requirements of the California Health and Safety Code. The Bill also requires the administering authority to formally acknowledge receipt of the compliance report in a resolution or a similar formal document. The report made pursuant to subdivision (a) shall occur when the administering authority discusses its annual budget, or at another time determined by the administering authority.
BACKGROUND:
On December 15, 2020, City Council adopted a Resolution acknowledging receipt of a report made by the Fire Chief of the Fire Department of the City of Riverside regarding the annual inspection of certain occupancies required pursuant to Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 of the California Health and Safety Code including public or private schools, apartment houses, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and jails. The 2020, City Council report showed the State-Mandated occupancies were 48% complete for Education Occupancies and 33% for Residential Occupancies. In 2021 the Fire Department completed 78% of the Education Occupancies and 89% for Residential Occupancies. In 2022, 83% of Education Occupancies and 96% of Residential Occupancies were completed. The Fire Department’s efficiency has improved since 2020’s first reporting year but the volume of inspections presents a consistent challenge for the Prevention Division.
Occupancy Type
2020
2021
2022
Education
48%
78%
83%
Residential
33%
89%
96%
DISCUSSION:
Local fire departments are required to perform annual inspections of all public and private schools, hotels, motels, lodging houses and apartment and/or condominium buildings under California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3.
Annual fire inspections help mitigate known hazards, reduce community risk, and ensure reasonable compliance with the California Fire Code. Inspections review and confirm proper maintenance of fire protection systems, effective egress systems, damage to fire protective construction and sufficient site access to Fire Department personnel.
The Health and Safety Code requires an inspection rate of 100% for compliance. The Riverside Fire Department has increased inspection rates year after year and anticipates meeting the State requirements in 2023 through the onboarding and training of additional staff to complete inspections.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – By adopting the attached resolution, acknowledging the efficiency of the Fire Department’s State-Mandated fire inspection program, the City of Riverside is demonstrating transparency and commitment in meeting State-Mandates.
Equity – The entire community benefits from a safe community where known fire hazards are mitigated reducing risk to all.
Fiscal Responsibility – The California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 and RMC 2.28.170 allow for cost recovery in performing fire inspections. The 2015 fee schedule is currently being utilized; an updated fee schedule was completed in 2021 and presented to staff for review.
Innovation – The City of Riverside has adopted current Building and Fire codes with local amendments meeting international standards.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The Fire Inspection program directly correlates to the Strategic Plan Action Item 2.5.2: Foster relationships by providing and promoting services that increase the well-being of our residents and increase safety awareness. Pursue programs that increase safe and thriving environments that positively impact residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact is unknown at this time as it is dependent on the number of inspections ultimately performed by the State. The Education and Residential occupancy types identified in SB 1205 are mandated to 100% completion annually. The State has the authority to inspect these facilities and seek reimbursement from the City of Riverside if we are unable to inspect them.
Prepared by: Michael Moore, Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments: Resolution
SB 1205 ● Page 3