CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: May 7, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Bill Gallardo, Interim City Manager;
Darren Goodman, Chief of Police
Department: Police
Subject: Resolution Adopting the City of San Bernardino Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, Adopt Resolution No. 2025-282 and Adopt the City of San Bernardino Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024.
Executive Summary
On April 21, 2021, the Mayor and City Council approved staff’s recommendation to contract the services of PlaceWorks/Atlas Planning Solutions to review and update the City’s existing Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The plan update was submitted for staff review on July 11, 2024, and was deemed approvable pending adoption on October 4, 2024. Staff requests that the Mayor and City Council adopt the updated plan to comply with regulations and Federal mitigation grant conditions.
Background
On September 4, 2020, Request for Proposals (RFP F-21-08) for the preparation of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan was released and posted on Planet Bids through the City’s procurement process by the Finance Department. Six companies submitted proposals which were then reviewed by the Police Department.
On April 21, 2021 the Mayor and City Council approved staff’s recommendation to award the contract for RFP F-21-08 to PlaceWorks/Atlas Planning Solutions.
PlaceWorks set fourth completing the update which was presented to Police Department staff, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service (CalOES) staff, and FEMA staff for review on July 11, 2024. The plan was subsequently deemed approvable and ready for adoption on October 4, 2024.
Discussion
The purpose of the LHMP is to identify and mitigate risk to human life and property due to natural hazards. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines hazard mitigation as "any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards." Hazards are defined as "any event or condition with the potential to cause fatalities, injuries, property damage, infrastructure damage, agricultural loss, environmental damage, business interruption, or other loss."
The LHMP is vital to assist City leaders and personnel in responding to hazards and disasters. The current plans expired on February 14, 2022. City LHMPs must be updated every five (5) years to comply with regulations and Federal mitigation grant conditions. It may also be a requirement from FEMA for our jurisdiction to be eligible for hazard mitigation project funding in the future.
In addition, the State of California adopted legislation in 2006 (Assembly Bill No. 2140), which allows California cities to be considered for additional state cost-share on eligible Public Assistance projects by adopting their current, FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plans (LHMPs) into the Safety Element of their General Plan. This adoption, along with other requirements, makes the city eligible to be considered for part or all of its local-share costs on eligible Public Assistance projects to be provided by the state through the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA). Integration of this LHMP into the General Plan Safety Element ensures compliance with these requirements. Finally, having a current LHMP in place ensures our community is better prepared and more resilient during an emergency.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The request to approve and adopt the City of San Bernardino Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 and Emergency Operation Plan aligns with Key Target 1e: Improved Operational & Financial Capacity – Minimize risk and litigation exposure, and Target 3c: Improved Quality of Life - Evaluate and enhance the quality of public safety services.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Any future project stemming from this plan would come back to Council for approval, with its own fiscal impact at that time.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, Adopt Resolution No. 2025-282 and Adopt the City of San Bernardino Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution 2025-282
Attachment 2 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Documents Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
April 21, 2021 Approved Resolution 2021-90 authorizing PlaceWorks to prepare and update for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Operations Plan