CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: November 19, 2024
=========================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Division Chief Dave Bray
Subject: Receipt of Meet Your Neighbors (MYN) and Sebastopol Neighborhood Communication Unit (SNCU) Presentation and approval of Agreement to provide funding assistance to Gravenstein Health Action Coalition (GHAC).
=========================================================================================== RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Receive presentation and orientation on the Meet Your Neighbors (MYN) and Sebastopol Neighborhood Communication Unit (SNCU) programs.
2. City Council approve the grant agreement supporting the Meet Your Neighbors (MYN) and Sebastopol Neighborhood Communication Unit (SNCU) programs through the Gravenstein Health Action Coalition.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
1. In 2011, the Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) program was inspired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Whole Community guiding principle. The program has since evolved into "Meet Your Neighbors," emphasizing self-reliance and collaboration among neighbors to enhance community resilience, focusing on sheltering in place. MYN identifies community members with specific skills, tools, and equipment, enabling neighbors to support one another during emergencies.
MYN supports neighborhood emergency preparedness units, including assistance in organizing the groups, providing materials and resources, and meeting facilitation to ensure productive connections and mutually beneficial relationships within and between neighborhood units. MYN works through a Leader Council and the Sebastopol Neighborhood Communication Unit (SNCU). The Leader Council comprises seasoned MYN leaders who share their program insights, discuss challenges, successes, and lessons learned, and then use that information to improve the network of neighborhood units so they are prepared to take action when an emergency occurs. The SNCU serves as MYN’s communication hub, connecting neighborhoods when power is out and cell phones are down, primarily using HAM (amateur) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios.
MYN is a highly successful program in western Sonoma County rooted in FEMA's guiding principles. Sonoma County also has two other MYN programs: one in Oakmont, West Santa Rosa, and the Springs MYN, which links the communities of El Verano, Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, and Agua Caliente.
2. The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget included $11,000 in funding for MYN. The amount remaining in that allocation is $7,700. Staff recommends allocating this balance as a grant amount to Gravenstein Health Action Coalition to support the continuation of the MYN program for the remainder of this Fiscal Year.
GHAC has a strong local presence, established community partnerships, and experience in managing public health and safety initiatives. GHAC has a proven track record in Sebastopol for effectively administering programs that enhance community resilience and preparedness, making it a trusted partner for supporting MYN’s goals.
Allocating these already budgeted funds as a grant to GHAC underscores the City of Sebastopol’s commitment to community safety and aligns with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Goal. This goal promotes “a secure and resilient Nation with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats Agenda Item Number 14 Agenda Item Number 14
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and hazards that pose the greatest risk.” By supporting MYN, Sebastopol strengthens its dedication to building local resilience, fostering neighborhood connections, and enhancing its ability to respond to emergencies.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
1. The Meet Your Neighbors (MYN) program offers several significant benefits that enhance community resilience and safety, especially in times of disaster:
• Promotes Self-Reliance and Preparedness: MYN empowers residents to be self-sufficient by educating them on basic preparedness steps and skills, reducing reliance on emergency responders who may be overwhelmed during a major incident.
• Builds Stronger Community Connections: By bringing neighbors together to plan and share resources, MYN fosters trust, collaboration, and a sense of shared responsibility, which is invaluable during emergencies.
• Enhances Emergency Communication: MYN establishes communication networks, often through tools like HAM and GMRS radios, which allow neighborhoods to stay connected even when regular communication channels fail, such as during power outages. • Identifies Local Resources and Skills: MYN helps communities identify individuals with skills (e.g., medical, mechanical) and resources (e.g., tools, emergency supplies) that can be used in emergencies, ensuring more effective response and resource distribution.
• Supports Shelter-in-Place Strategies: MYN encourages sheltering in place when feasible, which can reduce the strain on emergency services, improve safety, and support longer-term resilience for residents.
Overall, MYN builds a safer, more prepared, and connected community better equipped to handle emergencies and recover quickly from disasters.
2. Funding MYN through a Gravenstein Health Action Coalition (GHAC) grant will ensure the program's continued success and expansion. The grant supports the work of MYN, which plays a crucial role in training volunteers, organizing neighborhood teams, and facilitating essential communication networks, especially for use during power outages or other emergencies. In previous years, MYN has proven its value in strengthening community readiness and response capabilities, a priority that aligns with FEMA’s National Preparedness Goal of building a “secure and resilient Nation.”
By awarding grant funds to the GHAC for the MYN program, the City of Sebastopol supports this vital community service and reinforces its commitment to emergency preparedness. This funding demonstrates Sebastopol’s proactive approach to risk reduction, disaster resilience, and community engagement, ensuring that the city’s residents are better prepared to prevent, protect against, and respond to potential hazards.
Investing in MYN reflects the city’s dedication to safeguarding public safety and building a resilient Sebastopol.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
1. Staff fully support the impactful work and continued success of the Meet Your Neighbors (MYN) program.
Through the dedicated efforts of the MYN, nearly 500 Sebastopol residents have become engaged as volunteers, significantly enhancing the city’s disaster preparedness and community resilience.
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2. Staff fully support allocating dedicated funding to the GHAC through a grant agreement to support the operation of the MYN program. This grant will provide MYN with the necessary resources to continue the successful program.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed per the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of the two recommendations above are:
1. Informational Presentation – None
2. The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget included $11,000 in funding for MYN. The remaining allocation is $7,700, which will be paid to GHAC through the grant agreement.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
OPTIONS:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MYN/SNCU Informational Presentation
2. Agreement to Provide Funding Assistance to Public Service Organizations – Gravenstein Health Action Coalition
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: NA
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: NA
The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) If it is a project – Planning will need to include language Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: 11-14-2024 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No N/A Account Code (f applicable) 100-31-02-4210
City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 11-14-2024
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 11-14-2024
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Attachment 1: MYN/SNCU Informational Presentation
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Attachment 2: Agreement to Provide Funding Assistance to Public Service Organizations – Gravenstein Health Action Coalition
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