DATE: MARCH 16, 2023
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
FROM: CHRISTOPHER A. CALLIHAN, CITY ATTORNEY
PATRICIA M. BARAJAS, CITY CLERK
TITLE: RATIFICATION OF PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
RECOMMENDATION MOTION:
A motion ratifying the Director of Emergency Services’ Proclamation of a Local Emergency, first declared on March 13, 2023, due to the “Pineapple Express” winter storm/atmospheric river that occurred on March 12 through March 14, 2023, and finding that the emergency has abated because the actual and threatened conditions that led to the emergency no longer exist.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On March 13, 2023, pursuant to Salinas Municipal Code section 11A-6, the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency due to the severe winter storm/atmospheric river that occurred on March 12 through March 14, 2023. A copy of the Proclamation is attached to this Report for reference. Pursuant to section 11A-6, the City Council must ratify the Proclamation within seven days of its issuance and because the conditions that led to the issuance of the Proclamation no longer exist, the City Council is also asked to find that the emergency no longer exists.
DISCUSSION:
Due to an expected storm event—referred to as “2023 Pineapple Express”—which produced a significant amount of rain over several hours causing significant flooding in some localized areas, the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management notified the public that the Monterey County Operational Area Emergency Operations Center increased to its highest level, Level 1. Monterey County Office of Emergency Services issued a local proclamation because of the storm event and the conditions resulting therefrom and ordered evacuations in some areas of Monterey County. Increasing water levels in the Salinas River resulted in roads in the warning zone—including Highway 68 and Blanco Road—could potentially be impacted by flood water as peak flows passed through. A part of Blanco Road was closed, shutting off a major road entering into Salinas. High levels of water in unincorporated areas of Monterey County, adjacent to the city limits, resulted in evacuation warnings and orders including the areas of Salinas at Russell Road and San Juan Grade Road (Bolsa Knolls) and the Boronda area. And, in the early morning hours of March 13, 2023, the Salinas River topped over into the City’s Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility, forcing the closure and causing damage to a significant piece of the City’s industry supporting infrastructure.
As a result of these conditions, the Director of Emergency Services found that conditions and threatened conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons or property existed within the city of Salinas, caused by the 2023 Pineapple Express winter storm/atmospheric river. Based on his findings, and because the City Council was not then in session, the Director issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency which allowed him to take certain actions, as necessary, to protect the City and its residents and businesses from the effects of the emergency. The Director’s Proclamation also allows the City to recover its costs associated with mitigating the impacts and the effects of the emergency. Once the City Council determines the emergency has ended, the Director’s emergency powers will also come to an end.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City Council’s review and acknowledgement of the need for continuing the local emergency is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (CEQA Guidelines section 15378) STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The City Council’s acknowledgement of the continued existence of a local emergency supports the City Council’s goal of Public Safety.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The City Council’s ratification of the Proclamation of Local Emergency does not have a direct fiscal impact on the City, but will allow the City to recover its own costs in responding to the emergency.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION
All of the City’s departments coordinated in the City’s response to the 2023 Pineapple Express winter storm/atmospheric river emergency.
ATTACHMENTS:
Proclamation of Local Emergency
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