Lisa Joiner, Deputy Director, Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Ray Riordan, Director, City Manager’s Office of Emergency Management Rosalynn Hughey, Deputy City Manager and Acting Housing Director 8/15/23 San José City Council
Item 3.4
Soft Story Seismic Retrofit Program Application for
the Federal Emergency Management Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program Funds
Background
City Council Direction
2014: City Council directed staff to study and address soft story buildings 2017: City Council ranked the development of a soft story retrofit program as the City’s overall 8th policy priority
California Office of Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation Program Grant 2018: City submits grant application
2019: Grant application forwarded to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2021: Grant awarded to City
City Starts Developing Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance and Implementation Program 2022: City contracted with consultant to conduct an inventory analysis; research similar programs in other cities, and assist with ordinance development and program implementation
2023: City starts outreach and engagement with building owners, residents, and community- based and stakeholder organizations
2 The Problem
“Soft Story” buildings are unsafe
Soft story buildings have a high risk of damage
or collapse during an earthquake. In short, they
are NOT safe. The risk that they pose can be
disastrous, because they can…
Threaten lives of people living in them
Start fires that spread to neighboring
buildings
Cause financial loss to building owners and
tenants
Displace people or force tenant relocation
Delay the City’s recovery
3 Existing Grant
Phase 1
•Inventory of potential soft story buildings
•Draft mandatory soft story seismic retrofit
ordinance
•Outreach and engagement with building
owners and residents
•Draft compliance program
•Draft rebate pilot program
Phase 2
•Implementation of compliance program
and rebate pilot program
4 New Grant
$25 million
• 75% from FEMA mitigation
grant administered by the
California Office of Emergency
Services Hazard Mitigation
Program Grant
• 25% Non-federal, Local Match
• Adds funding to rebate pilot
program
5 Recommendation
1. Apply to the California Office of Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation Grant
2. Allocate an amount not to exceed $6,250,000 for the
duration of the grant, subject to the appropriation of funds, as a local match
3. Negotiate and execute the Hazard Mitigation Program Grant application package including the State of California
Standard Agreement
6 Next Steps
August 2023 – conclude pre-ordinance engagement
September 2023 – Housing and Community Development
Commission
October 2023 – Community and Economic Development
Committee
Late Fall 2023 – City Council
7 Lisa Joiner, Deputy Director, Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Ray Riordan, Director, City Manager’s Office of Emergency Management Rosalynn Hughey, Deputy City Manager and Acting Housing Director 8/15/23 San José City Council
Item 3.4
Soft Story Seismic Retrofit Program Application for
the Federal Emergency Management Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program Funds