CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
August 18, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR THE CAL OES HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (HMG P) DR-4856 – CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
EMERGENCY POWER READINESS INITIATIVE
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the Police Chief, or designee, to submit a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR-4856 for $1,402,330 to support the City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness Initiative;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all agreements necessary to apply for the grant in partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD); and
3. Direct staff to return to the City Council after the grant application has been submitted and a funding award has been announced, for consideration of a resolution authorizing grant processing and administration, including approval of the City’s share of the required local match.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The City of Simi Valley, in partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), is seeking funding through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR -4856 to strengthen local emergency preparedness and enhance critical infrastructure resilience. The HMGP provides funding to reduce long-term risks to people and property by supporting projects that lessen the impacts of future natural disasters. RSRPD is unable to apply directl y for HMGP DR-4856 funding because it does not have a FEMA-approved and adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP); however, by partnering with the City of Simi Valley — which does have an approved LHMP—the District can pursue this important opportunity to safeguard the community.
The Rancho Santa Susana Community Center is designated as the primary emergency evacuation shelter for Simi Valley and surrounding communities ; h owever, the facility currently lacks emergency backup power, limiting its ability to operate during widespread outages. Installing two permanent standby generators will address this vulnerability, enabling the Community Center to maintain essential operations such as lighting, HVAC,
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (4)
2 refrigeration, and communications during emergencies, making it a functional evacuation site.
The proposed City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness Initiative directly aligns with state and federal hazard mitigation priorities by strengthening a critical public facility, improving community resilience, and enhancing the City’s ability to respond effectively during disasters.
A
Notice of Intent (NOI) application was submitted to Cal OES on June 18, 2025 (see Attachment A, page 5). Following submission, Cal OES conducted initial review meetings with City staff and RSRPD, after which the project was deemed eligible to advance to the sub-application stage for submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for consideration. The final HMGP sub-application is
due to Cal OES on September 15, 2025. The grant review and award process typically spans 9 to 24 months from the date of submittal. If awarded, the City anticipates entering into a grant agreement with Cal OES in FY2027-28, followed by final design, procurement, and installation. Project completion is expected within 48 months of agreement execution, in accordance with HMGP requirements.
FI
NDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
If awarded, federal funding will cover 75% of eligible project costs, with the remaining 25% provided by a local match. The program is reimbursement -based, requiring the jurisdiction to incur costs up front and receive reimbursement after eligible expenses are verified.
The total project cost is $1,402,330, with a federal funding request of $1,051,747.50 and a required non-federal cost share of $350,582.50. If awarded, staff recommends that the local match be split equally between the City and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), with each contributing $175,291.25.
At this time, staff is requesting City Council authorization to submit the grant application only. Award amounts may be less than the full funding request, and the City will not proceed with accepting or administering the grant without returning to the City Council for further direction. There is no fiscal impact to the City for applying, and a City contribution toward the local match will be brought forward for Council consideration before committing funds.
If funding is awarded and accepted, the City and RSRPD will execute a Memorandum of Agreement defining each agency’s responsibilities for project implementation, long-term maintenance, and generator ownership as documented in the attached Letter of Intent (Attachment B, page 9) . RSRPD will oversee procurement and installation through a competitive bidding process to ensure timely and cost-effective completion. 3 The following options and alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Authorize the Police Chief, or designee, to submit a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR-4856 for $1,402,330 to support the City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness Initiative;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all agreements necessary to apply for the grant in partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD);
3. Direct staff to return to the City Council after the grant application has been submitted and a funding award has been announced, for consideration of a resolution authorizing grant processing and administration, including approval of the City’s share of the required local match;
4. Do not authorize the Police Chief, or designee, to submit a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR-4856 for $1,402,330 to support the City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness Initiative;
5. Provide staff with additional direction.
Staff recommends option Nos. 1 through 3.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move that the City Council authorize the Police Chief, or designee, to submit a $1,402,330 grant application to Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness Initiative; authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all agreements necessary to apply in partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD); and direct staff to return to Council after the award announcement for consideration of a resolution authorizing grant processing and administration.
4 SUMMARY
Staff
is requesting City Council authorization to submit a grant application to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) DR-4856 for the City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness Initiative in partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD) . T he project would install two permanent standby generators at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, the designated primary evacuation shelter for the community that currently lacks emergency backup power. This action authorizes submittal of the grant application only.
Approval of the application positions the City to secure federal funding for critical infrastructure that will strengthen emergency response capabilities and improv e community resilience during disaster-related power outages. ___________
_________________________
Charles Steven Shorts
Chief of Police
Prepare
d by: Sandra Hernandez, Administrative Officer
INDEX Page
Attachment A – Notice of Intent: HMGP DR-4856 ... ........................ 5 Attac
hment B – Letter of Intent from RSRPD .................................. 9 Close Window
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Expand All | Collapse AllCal OES - Hazard Mitigation Assistance PA-00003587
Information
Pre-App Number PA-00003587 Owner
First Name of Person
Completing NOI
Sandra Last Name of Person
Completing NOI
Hernandez
Subapplicant Name
(Entity)
Simi Valley, City of City
PNTGTKKJ37G1
111-72016
NOI Status
Application Status Approved Sub-Applicant Eligible Yes
Status Reason NOI Approved Activity Eligible Yes
NOI Information
Project Generator(s)/Other Power Source(s)
Hazard Multi Hazard HMA Program HMGP
Address Information
Street Address 2929 Tapo Canyon Rd Ventura
City Simi Valley Region Southern
State CA Zip Code 93063
Project/Plan Information
City of Simi Valley Emergency Power Readiness
Initiative – Rancho Santa Susana Community
Center
The proposed mitigation project entails
purchasing and installing two permanent standby
emergency power generators at the Rancho
Santa Susana Community Center (Community
Center), which the City of Simi Valley (City) can
use as a primary emergency evacuation shelter
when properly outfitted with emergency backup
power. This critical infrastructure upgrade, in
partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and
Park District (RSRPD), will provide the
Community Center with reliable backup power
during extended outages caused by natural
hazards or other emergencies. Currently, the site
lacks emergency power. This project will
enhance the City’s and Ventura County’s ability
to deliver essential services, community support,
and emergency response during critical events.
34°16'23''N 118°41'38''W 48
Previous Subapplication Information
No Previously Submitted
under this Program:
Potential for Duplication of Programs
No If yes, identify the Federal
Entity
Work Started/Authority
Subapplicant Type
EIN (For Private Non-
Profits)
UEI
FIPS
Subapplication Type
Project Type
County
Project / Plan Title
Brief Summary
Activity Location
Project Duration (in
Months)
Subapplication previously
submitted?
Project number of
previous submission
Another Federal entity has
authority?
6/18/25, 4:42 PM PA-00003587 ~ Cal OES - Hazard Mitigation Assistance https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/a0Eeq000001FkQ9EAK/p 1/4
ATTACHMENT A
5 No Description of work
started/completed
No Entity Responsible For
Operation
Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District
(RSRPD)
Feasibility
Yes Mitigation is dependent on
No If yes, what is available?
Design documents for this
project?
No If yes, what is available?
No Is there increased level of
protection?
Problem Statement
The City is highly susceptible to major natural hazards that pose significant risks to public health and safety. These hazards include wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, and severe weather, such as extreme heat and high winds. The City is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, falling within the highest level of the California Public Utilities Commission’s Fire Threat Map (Tier 3:
Extreme), indicating an increased likelihood of devastating wildfires, which can lead to mandatory evacuations, widespread infrastructure damage, and prolonged power outages.
Simi Valley has a population of over 126,000 residents, many of whom would be at risk during natural disasters, including older adults, families with young children, individuals with access and functional needs, and others who rely on safe shelter, essential services, and community support to protect life and property from wildfires, earthquakes, and other hazards. The Rancho Santa Susana Community Center (Community Center) is a vital emergency evacuation shelter and lifeline during disasters. It can provide shelter, emergency assistance, support for displaced community members, serve as an emergency animal shelter for evacuees with pets, and function as a response coordination hub for the City, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), the Ventura County Health Care Agency, the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, and the American Red Cross.
The 38,000-square-foot Community Center has been activated as an emergency evacuation shelter for the American Red Cross during the Rye Fire in 2017, the Woolsey Fire in 2018, and the Easy Fire in 2019, when 30,000 Simi Valley residents were evacuated. However, the facility lacks any backup power capabilities, leaving it highly vulnerable to prolonged outages during major disasters. Without reliable emergency power, the Community Center cannot function as an evacuation shelter, a communications hub, or a secure distribution point for food, water, and essential supplies.
Failure to address this vulnerability puts lives at risk, as the City, County, and RSRPD will be unable to provide critical services or maintain community operations during wildfires, earthquakes, or other major natural disasters. Implementing this project will ensure that the Community Center remains operational during emergencies, providing a safe, reliable, and resilient resource for community members when they need it most.
Solution Description
The proposed mitigation project supports Action SIM-6 in the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan by purchasing generators for critical facilities lacking backup power. The City of Simi Valley is requesting $900,000 to purchase and install two permanent standby emergency generators at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center—an essential emergency evacuation shelter and central hub for emergency response, relief, and coordination for both the City and County.
These generators will enable full operational capacity during power outages, maintaining HVAC systems, lighting, refrigeration, communications, emergency equipment, and life-safety infrastructure. This significantly enhances the facility’s resilience and ability to serve the community during disasters, especially given the region’s increased wildfire risk. The permanent backup power will ensure the continuity of critical services during emergencies, supporting the City, County, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), and partner agencies in protecting residents and maintaining operations.
The project improves the City’s capacity to safeguard life and property by keeping the Community Center functional during emergencies. Without this infrastructure, the facility could not support evacuees, individuals with access and functional needs, families with children, or residents with pets seeking safe shelter.
This proposal aligns with FEMA’s hazard mitigation priorities by addressing a known vulnerability, reducing risks to life and property, and securing the continued operation of a vital community resource.
Ensures Continuity of Critical Services: During natural hazard events such as wildfires, severe storms, or earthquakes, power outages can last for hours, days or weeks. The backup generators ensure the Community Center remains operational, enabling it to serve as an emergency shelter, coordination hub, and distribution site for relief.
Supports Emergency Response and Recovery: Reliable power enables emergency communications, medical support (e.g., refrigeration for medications), and shelter operations to continue uninterrupted, thereby reducing the overall impact of the disaster on vulnerable populations.
Reduces Risk to Public Health and Safety: By maintaining HVAC, lighting, and sanitation systems during outages, the center can offer a safe and secure environment for residents, especially the community’s most vulnerable populations, including youth, seniors, disabled persons and individuals with medical needs, those living in poverty, and those displaced during hazard events.
Increases Community Resilience: A powered facility provides a focal point for organizing local response efforts, distributing resources, and disseminating information—strengthening the community’s ability to withstand and recover from future hazard events. Additionally, the proposed request will help to meet Action SIM-6 in the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMPG), to purchase generators for critical facilities and infrastructure that lack adequate backup power.
HMPG grant funding will enable the City to immediately collaborate with RSRPD to engage an electrical engineer to design and submit electrical plans for the installation of the two generators for City approval at the Community Center. Once the City approves the electrical plans and issues the permits, RSRPD will hire a City-approved, qualified contractor to purchase and install the two emergency backup generators through a competitive public bidding process. By funding the procurement and installation of two emergency backup generators, the City will be able to provide the community with an emergency shelter that has a reliable electrical power supply during emergencies.
Physical project work
already started?
Subapplicant is
responsible for asset?
Independent mitigation
activity?
Planning studies or
feasibility reports?
Is activity repair or
maintenance?
Describe the problem to be
mitigated
What is the mitigation
action?
Protection From Future
Natural Hazards
Implementation Plan For
Mitigation
6/18/25, 4:42 PM PA-00003587 ~ Cal OES - Hazard Mitigation Assistance https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/a0Eeq000001FkQ9EAK/p 2/4 6 RSRPD will provide $225,000 in matching funds from local and in-kind sources towards completion of the project's cost. If awarded, the grant will allow RSRPD to immediately begin the project through a competitive public bidding process to purchase and install the two generators. This will ensure the community can access a public emergency shelter with a reliable electrical power supply during emergency situations. Additionally, this local funding commitment demonstrates the community’s investment in hazard mitigation, ensuring the project can proceed without delay.
Following installation, a formal agreement will be executed between the City of Simi Valley and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD) to outline ownership, responsibilities, and ongoing coordination related to the generators. City and RSRPD staff will receive training on the operation, maintenance, and testing of the generators to ensure long-term reliability. Additionally, a joint maintenance and inspection schedule will be established to keep the generators in good working condition and ensure they are ready for activation during emergencies.
This mitigation effort will ensure the Community Center can reliably serve as a critical community resource during disasters, protecting life and property when it is needed most.
Phase Determination
Is (are all) Project Site(s)
identified?
Yes What is the percentage
level of design?
35%
Is this project phased? No
Benefit Cost Analysis
Yes If yes, what is available? See the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 2 – Jurisdictional
Annexes for Simi Valley 9.6 Risk Assessment,
pgs. 9-11 through 9-14
Yes If yes, what is available? See the Ventura County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 2 – Jurisdictional
Annexes for Simi Valley 9.6 Risk Assessment,
pgs. 9-11 through 9-14
Activity Cost
$900,000.00 $225,000.00
$675,000.00 Percentage of
Subapplicant Match
25.0%
Percentage of Federal
Request Share
75.0% Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District
(RSRPD)
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Information
Yes 8/16/2022
Adopted Yes
Created By Sandra Hernandez, 5/29/2025, 3:47 PM Last Modified By 6/18/2025, 4:04 PM Applications
AP-02045
Contact Roles
CR-00016123
Contact Sandra Hernandez
Role Primary Contact
Type Primary
CR-00016124
Contact Emily Premo
Role Primary Contact
Type Alternate
CR-00016125
Contact Sandee Covone
Role Primary Contact
Type Alternate
CR-00016126
Contact Shannon Johnson
Role Primary Contact
Type Primary
Do you have documented
past damage/loss?
Do you have data on the
extent of risk?
Total Activity Cost
Non-Federal Cost Share
Federal Request Share
Source of subapplicant
match
Does your entity have an
active LHMP?
LHMP Approval Date
LHMP Development Status
Activity in Mitigation Plan
6/18/25, 4:42 PM PA-00003587 ~ Cal OES - Hazard Mitigation Assistance https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/a0Eeq000001FkQ9EAK/p 3/4 7 CR-00016127
Contact Samantha Argabrite
Role Responsible Representative
Type Primary
Files
RSSCC Site Plan Standby Generator Grant DWG-811
Last Modified 5/29/2025, 5:37 PM
Created By Sandra Hernandez
6/18/25, 4:42 PM PA-00003587 ~ Cal OES - Hazard Mitigation Assistance https://caloes.my.site.com/hma/a0Eeq000001FkQ9EAK/p 4/4 8 9
ATTACHMENT B