COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Director of Public Works
DATE: November 18, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoptin of a Resolution Approving Acceptance of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D HS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant
Description:
The City Council will consider adoption of a Resolution approving acceptance of a grant in the amount of $375,000 to develop a City of Santa Maria Flood Mitigation Master Plan.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to accept a FEMA grant in the amount of $375,000, and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to authorize appropriation of said grant funds; and
2. Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate $125,000 from the Growth Mitigation Fund as the local match to support the development of a City of Santa Maria Flood Mitigation Master Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On April 7, 2020, the Santa Maria City Council passed a Re solution authorizing its agent(s) to provide to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services all assurances and agreements required for state disaster assistance. Furthermore, Resolution No. 2020-22 (Attachment B) states, “This is a universal resolution an d is effective for all open and future disasters up to three years following the date of approval below.”
This grant was issued in response to Federal Disaster # FEMA-4699-DR-CA for flooding declared on April 3, 2023, within the three -year time period f ollowing passage of the Council Resolution. Per the award, CalOES will provide $375,000 to the City on a reimbursement basis. The City will contribute $125,000, as approved by Interim City Manager Alexander Posada and submitted to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) on October 18, 2023.
2 DISCUSSION:
The City of Santa Maria applied for and was awarded an Advance Assistance grant from DHS and FEMA in the amount of $375,000 (see Attachment C). The grant is administered by CalOES and will be used to create a Santa Maria Flood Mitigation Master Plan.
The Master Plan will identify issues that caused the drainage system to become overburdened during the floods of early 2023. It will evaluate problem areas, deficiencies, and other issues in the storm drainage system and may include up to a 10% design for future construction projects. This work will likely lead to an implementation project to address critical storm drain infrastructure needs.
Alternative(s)
The City Council could choose to deny acceptance of the grant funds. However, staff does not recommend this action, as it would forgo $375,000 in federal assistance.
Fiscal Considerations
Acceptance of the $375,000 grant for a Citywide Flood Mitigation Master Plan represents 75% of the total project cost. The award requires a local match of $125,000 from the Growth Mitigation Transportation Fund. Sufficient funds are available to meet this match requirement.
Impact on the Community
The Flood Mitigation Master Plan will help identify and prio ritize future drainage improvements to reduce the impacts of future flooding events.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. City of Santa Maria Resolution No. 2020-22
C. Cal OES Approval Letter