Agenda packet — Sonora City Council, August 5, 2024 (part 1 of 2)

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting
Agenda
Monday, August 05, 2024
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on August 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

This meeting is physically open to the Public and citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.

Written comments can be submitted to be included as part of the administrative record; they will not be read during the meeting. All comments must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the noticed meeting and can be submitted to the City Clerk at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370, or via email to .

Public Access Audio and Video Live Streaming
The Public will not have access to give public comments via public access audio and video live streaming; they are available for audio and visual only; and can be accessed via our website at www.sonoraca.com.

Remote viewing of the meeting via live streaming is provided to members of the public as a courtesy. If the live streaming connection malfunctions for any reason and no Council Members are attending via teleconference, the City Council will continue the public meeting in Chambers without remote access.

CITY COUNCIL appreciates your interest and encourages participation. Regularly scheduled meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

The numerical order of the items on this agenda is for convenience of reference. Items may be taken out of order upon request of the Mayor or Council Members. All questions shall be directed to the Mayor who, at their discretion, will refer to Staff.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Ann Segerstrom
Mayor Pro-Tempore Suzanne Cruz
Council Members Bess Levine, Andy Merrill, Stephen Opie City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS

4. ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Liability Claim (Government Code Section §54956.95): Three (3) Potential Cases, Claimant: Kampa, Claimant: Tiraschi, Claimant: Twohey; Agency Claimed Against: City of Sonora; Douglas White, City Attorney, Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

B. Threat to Public Services or Facilities (Government Code §54957); Consultation with: Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

5. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM

6. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION

7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

8. ROLL CALL

9. CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING

10. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

11. PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation.

12. PRESENTATIONS
A. Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg; Melissa Eads, City Administrator. (10 min.)
B. Receive Introduction of Police Canine Handler Ronald Watson; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 min.) 2 Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
C. Receive Introduction to, and Swearing in of Police Officer Scott Ryan; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief. (10 min.)
D. Receive an Update on Homeless Outreach from the Sonora Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief and Chris Neves, Homeless Outreach Coordinator. (10 min.)

13. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.

A. Consider Approval of Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2023; October 2, 2023, October 16, 2023; and April 15, 2024; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.

B. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $304,862.94 for Payroll, Including Employee Salaries, Employer and Employee Taxes, Retirement Contributions, Miscellaneous Voluntary Employee Deductions, Holiday Pay, and Other Adjustments, Including Retro-Pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.

C. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 08-05-2024-A, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonora Awarding a Contract for Auditing Services to Harshwal and Company, LLP for the Fiscal Years 2024 to 2026, with an Additional Two-Year Option and Authorize the Administrative Services Director to Execute the Agreement; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

D. Receive a Donation of a Ceiling Light Fixture Valued at $1,200 from the Hotel Victoria dba the Sonora Inn.

The Light Fixture will be Installed at the City Owned Sonora Opera Hall; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

14. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider Adoption of Resolution 08-05-2024-B and the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP); Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director. (20 min.)

15. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

16. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 3 Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.
4 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Melissa Eads, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Supervisor David Goldemberg County Update
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive an Update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg will Present an Update on County-Wide Issues to the City Council at the First meeting of Each month.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No Fiscal Impact to the General Fund.

CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Infrastructure and Engineering, Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness, Economic Development/Growth and General Plan, Homelessness Issues. 5 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief
SUBJECT: Introduction of Police Canine Handler
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive Introduction of Police Canine Handler Ronald Watson.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

The Canine Handler position was vacated in February when Antonio Shouse lateral transferred to another agency.

Without hesitation, Officer Ron Watson applied for the opportunity to work with K9 Ridge, who had completed his certification training not long before. Ron knew it was essential to keep the continuity of training for this valuable community asset and was eager to help.

Ron joined the Sonora Police Department in March of 2022 after working for the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department as a Correctional Deputy for three years. Before that, he was a Police Explorer for our agency since age fifteen. Ron excels at whatever he puts his mind to, and I had no doubt he could handle this challenging assignment. Ron completed the 80-hour K9 Handler course in May, and he and K9 Ridge have been fighting crime as a team since then.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund as funding for this program was previously identified.

CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness, Staffing - Salary, Benefits, Training, and Retention
6 Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Turu VanderWiel, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Introduction and Swearing in of Police Officer RECOMMENDATION:

Receive Introduction and Swearing in of Police Officer Scott Ryan.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

Scott Ryan tested for this position in September of 2023. After a thorough pre-employment screening process, he was hired as a recruit to attend the Delta College Basic Peace Officer Academy, which began in November 2023. He graduated in May of this year and earned the designation of Class President. Scott also received the Code of Ethics Award and the Arrest and Control Award. Scott is currently assigned to the Field Training Program, which will further prepare him for the demanding job of a Police Officer in our City.

Scott was born in the City of Mountain View and raised in the City of Santa Clara along with his three siblings. His father, a retired Battalion Chief for the City of Santa Clara Fire Department, has significantly influenced Scott's career in public safety.

Growing up, Scott played sports such as baseball and wrestling. He graduated from Cupertino High School in 2010, where he was also captain of the football team. He attended courses at a community college focused on a career in fire service, later achieving the position of a Volunteer Firefighter for the City of Santa Clara Fire Department. In 2013, Scott was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness that swayed his career path toward law enforcement. He later moved to Tuolumne County in 2016 to work as a Jail Deputy Sheriff for the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office.

Scott met his wife and purchased their first home in Tuolumne County. Together, they feel privileged to raise their two boys in this great community. Scott left the Sherriff's Office in 2021 to broaden his experience in corrections at the juvenile level. He was hired by the Tuolumne County Probation Department as a Juvenile Correctional Officer and had the opportunity to provide structure and mentorship to county youth.

Scott cherishes this opportunity to serve the City of Sonora and looks forward to building positive relationships with the members of this great community.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund as this position was previously funded. 7 Item C.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness, Staffing - Salary, Benefits, Training, and Retention
8 Item C.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief and Chris Neves, Homeless Outreach Coordinator SUBJECT: 2024 Update on Homeless Outreach
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive an Update on Homeless Outreach from the Sonora Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator.

BACKGROUND:

Point-in-Time (PIT) Count estimates suggest that Tuolumne County has the highest homeless population in the region (Tuolumne, Amador, Calaveras, and Mariposa). Serving as the area's retail and service hub, the City of Sonora experiences a high concentration of homeless individuals living in or near the City limits.

The City of Sonora hosts the Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST), a local collaboration involving City and County agencies and private service providers.

In 2023, the City of Sonora accepted a grant award of $135 Central Sierra Continuum of Care (CSCOC) Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant, contracted through the Amador Tuolumne County Action Agency (ATCAA). This funding opportunity allowed the City to hire a part-time Homeless Outreach Coordinator to work closely with partner agencies and service providers in support of the HOST function.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

The City of Sonora Homeless Outreach Coordinator will provide an update on Homeless Outreach.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Fiscal Impact to the General Fund.

CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Infrastructure and Engineering, Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness, Economic Development/Growth and General Plan, Homelessness Issues. 9 Item D.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2023; October 2, 2023, October 16, 2023; and April 15, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2023; October 2, 2023, October 16, 2023; and April 15, 2024
DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

Staff Recommends that the City Council Approve Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2023; October 2, 2023, October 16, 2023; and April 15, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT:

No Fiscal impact to the General Fund.

CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Infrastructure and Engineering, Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness, Economic Development/Growth and General Plan, Homelessness Issues, Staffing - Salary, Benefits, Training, and Retention
10 Item A.

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 18, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

THIS MEETING IS PHYSICALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING AT:

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81193397821?pwd=UGdrRTcyaFFac3o0b2JQK2FmMTRyUT09 Dial: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 811 9339 7821
Passcode: 906625
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENTS.

THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT www.sonoraca.com.

Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
11 Item A.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Matt Hawkins.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
Leaving early Councilmember Matt Hawkins
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 12:37 PM.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill

PUBLIC COMMENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS)
The public may address the Council on any item of public interest not otherwise on the agenda that is within the jurisdiction of the City. No action may be taken. Matters to be addressed may be referred to City Staff or placed on a subsequent meeting Agenda. Speakers are limited to a three (3) minute presentation. If participating via Zoom, please raise your hand using the Raise Your Hand feature or dial *9 (*6 to unmute).

Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance at the last Board Meeting the Board approved all Chamber events in Downtown Sonora to be smoke and vape free; the next mixer will be a joint mixer with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at Heritage Self Storage, there will also be a ribbon cutting for their grand opening; Trick or Treat Street in Downtown Sonora is on Saturday October 28th; and introduced new Board Member Mat Galvan.
12 Item A.

PRESENTATIONS

1. Receive a presentation regarding the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act Initiative and consider a Resolution in Opposition; Stephen Qualls, League of California Cities.

No public comment.

Councilmembers discussed the Resolution and with input from the City Attorney stated it was best to adopt the language changes to the first "Where as" that was suggested to make it more neutral.

Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill
Abstaining: Councilmember Suzanne Cruz

2. Receive a presentation concerning the Ralph M. Brown Act, the Sonora Handbook of Rules and Procedures, the rules of decorum, and meeting procedures; Douglas White, City Attorney.

CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be voted on in one motion unless a Council member or member of the public has a question or wishes to discuss an item. In that case, the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.

3. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $167,928.48 for payroll, including employee salaries, employer and employee taxes, retirement contributions, miscellaneous voluntary employee deductions, holiday pay, and other adjustments, including retro-pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.

4. Consider acceptance of the Sonora Police Department’s annual Military Equipment Report as required by Assembly Bill 481; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

5. Consider awarding a three-year contract, with up to two one-year options to extend the contract, to Nate’s Tree Service, Inc. for annual creek clearing services and authorize the City Administrator to execute the contract and all related documents; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.

6. Consider approval and execution of the Cooperative Agreement between the City of Sonora and the Tuolumne County Transportation Council for the Project Approval and Environmental Document Phase of the Gold Rush Multi-Use Path – Phase I Active Transportation Program Grant Project; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

Consider approval and execution of the Cooperative Agreement between the City of Sonora and the Tuolumne County Transportation Council for the Project Approval and Environmental 13 Item A.

No public comment.

Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill

MONTHLY REPORTS

7. Receive the Administrative Services Department Report for July 2023 (FY23/24).

8. Receive the Sonora Fire Department monthly report for August 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

9. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for August 2023; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

10. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for August 2023; Mike Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.

COMMUNICATIONS

11. Receive communications regarding the Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Advisory Board Speaker Series on the Opioid Crisis and Other Health Topics.

12. Receive communications regarding the City of Sonora community outreach for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom informed those in attendance she and Melissa met with the Fire Safe Council, Tuolumne Fire Safe Council and Karen Caldwell, as the City is looking to expand collaboration with the Fire Safe Council; attended the YES Partnership for Councilmember Suzanne Cruz; will be attending the California League of Cities Conference; and is working on the news letter, as it is close to completion.

Councilmember Andy Merrill informed those in attendance Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) is accepting an agreement with the City to take on the environmental impact and project design phase of the Gold Rush Path; Groveland Community Services District is collaborating with Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) to build a trail from Laveroni Park to Pine Mountain Lake; Caltrans is receptive to collaborate with Vision Sonora and our Planning Committee regarding Highway 49 infrastructure; attended the grand opening of the Rural Resource Center at the County Enrichment Center; and played at the Bear Fest Music Festival. 14 Item A.

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz thanked Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom for standing in for her a the YES Partnership meeting; shared Visit Tuolumne County Communication & Tourism Manager Katie Kirkland reported Sonora has received the Sunset Travel Award for the Best City Get Away in the Western United States; attended the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for Mayor Mark Plummer; and explained the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) committee, who they are, their goals, objectives and five year economic plan.

Mayor Mark Plummer thanked everyone for filling in for the different committee assignments while away.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:37 PM.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.
15 Item A.

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 02, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

THIS MEETING IS PHYSICALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING AT:

THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT www.sonoraca.com.

Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
16 Item A.

CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:00 PM.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Mayor Mark Plummer

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.

ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.

1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

4. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
17 Item A.

RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.

REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom stated directions were given to staff.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Matt Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10:28 AM.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
Elaine Linehan from the Aronos Research Club informed those in attendance they will be hosting Coffee with a Cop.

Katie Dunn President Sonora Chamber of Commerce informed those in attendance Christmas lights are being put up and thanked Andy Merrill for his help; Trick Or Treat Street will be October 28th from 4:00 to 5:30; Sonora Magazine's Fall/Winter addition is going to print and is featuring an article on 40th Anniversary of the Christmas Parade, Rachelle Kellogg, and the Saint James Episcopal Church; the next mixer is at Pinnell's Carpet One Floor & Home October 17th, and the next mixer will be Co-Hosted with Visit Tuolumne County at the Opera Hall December 14th.

PRESENTATIONS

5. Receive an update from Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg.

Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor David Goldemberg had nothing to report as he has been out on leave, was happy to take any questions.

6. Receive the Quarterly Report and a Presentation from Visit Tuolumne County.

Lisa Mayo, President & CEO and Katie Kirkland, Sales & Marketing Manager Visit Tuolumne County presented to those in attendance their quarterly report including print adds for Visit Sonora in Diablo Magazine, National Geographic UK with Visit Tuolumne County and also picked up by National Geographic U.S online; created a newsletter template; created a Visit Sonora logo; is an official sponsor for Second Saturday Art Night, and a second year sponsor for the Holly Jolly Wagon during Christmas Town Sonora; is working with Diamond Digital Marketing Company to develop social media for the City of Sonora; Sunset Travel awarded the City of Sonora the title of One of the Best City Getaways in the Western United States; and will be having a workshop on the Tourism and Marketing District.

7. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $162,997.78 for payroll, including employee salaries, employer and employee taxes, retirement contributions, miscellaneous voluntary employee deductions, holiday pay, and other adjustments, including retro-pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.

8. Consider and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support in favor of the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company 2023 Plan to place 2,100 miles of power lines underground by 2026 to reduce wildfire risk; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.
19 Item A.

9. Consider approval of Resolution No. 10-02-2023-A, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonora authorizing the City Administrator to execute a Lease and Operation Agreement with the Sonora Chamber of Commerce for the Sonora Opera Hall; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

10. Consider approval of the Contract between the City of Sonora (City) and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce (Chamber)in the amount of $50,000 for downtown City event management services and marketing as approved in the FY 23-24 Final Budget; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

11. Consider authorization of the closure of Bradford Street, from Washington to Green Street, and the possession and consumption of beer and wine, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., during the Sonora Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Saturday Art Night and on the 4th Saturday of each month from October 2023 through October 2024; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.

12. Consider award to Golden State Fire Apparatus for the not-to-exceed amount of $509,504.25 to purchase a Type 3 Wildland Urban Interface Fire Engine and authorize the City Administrator to sign the purchase contract and all related project documents; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

Councilmember Suzanne Cruz requested to pull Items #8 and #9 for more discussion, Councilmembers Matt Hawkins and Andy Merrill agreed. Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom requested to pull Item #11for more discussion.

Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Items #7, #10 and #12.

City Administrator Melissa Eads discussed with the City Councilmembers her recommendations for the Council to consider Item #8, including the potential to bring more projects to our community, fire safety, and economic impacts.

Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Item #8.

City Administrator Melissa Eads discussed with the City Councilmembers her recommendations for the Council to consider Item #9, including the Chamber taking over some of the responsibilities the Community Development Department; increasing funds/revenue and expenditures would decrease. Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky explained the expenditures and the general fund contribution.

Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Item #9.
20 Item A.

Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill, for Item #11.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Andy Merrill sent a huge thank you to Compassion Outreach for the work they did in cleaning up the homelessness pollution; attended theTuolumne Access Cable-8 Board of Directors meeting; and is helping with putting up the Christmas lights.

Councilmember Suzanne Cruz attended the California League of Cities Conference and Expo with Mayor ProTem Ann Segerstrom and City Administrator Melissa Eads.

Councilmember Matt Hawkins had nothing to report.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the California League of Cities Annual Conference and Expo; watched the Drought Monitor report and the placement of the lights on the Red Church; attended the Farmers Market and filled out the Hazard Mitigation Survey; and received notification of the PG&E/Tuolumne County answer event on October 9th.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 5:50 PM
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.
21 Item A.

CITY OF SONORA
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 16, 2023
5:00 PM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

THIS MEETING IS PHYSICALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING AT:

THIS MEETING WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT www.sonoraca.com.

Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
22 Item A.

CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at 4:00 PM.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.

ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned at 4:01 PM.

RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:00 PM.

REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Mark Plummer stated directions were given to staff. 23 Item A.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Matt Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
Councilmember Andy Merrill
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:00 PM.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill

Elena Linehan with the Aronos Research Club informed those in attendance of a fundraising event called the Haunted Clubhouse Event on October 28, 2023 at their clubhouse.

Ann Leonard addressed the City Council and asked them to use some of the Measure Y money to fix the large pothole at the end of her road.

Katie Dunn President of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce thanked the City Council and City Staff for their trust and confidence in the Chamber for awarding them the Event Management and Marketing contract and the Opera Hall contract, it is a win, win, win for the City, Chamber and the Community; the next mixer will be at Pinnell's Carpet One, Floor & Home; there will not be a mixer in November; on December 14th the Holiday Mixer will be held at the Opera Hall, and is Co-Hosted with Visit Tuolumne County. 24 Item A.

PRESENTATIONS

3. Receive a presentation regarding the Main Drain Field Inspection and Condition Report, direct Staff to continue collaboration with CalTrans on improvements, and report back to the Council within 60 days; Dave Richard, Associate Vice President, Dewberry; Gerard Fuccillo, City Engineer.

No public comments.

4. Receive a presentation regarding Code Enforcement from CSG Consultants; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director, Irma Gowin, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, CSG, and Daisy Gomar, the City’s assigned Code Enforcement Officer.

No public comments.

City Administrator Melissa Eads asked the Council some of their suggestions for Code Enforcement they include, concern over dilapidated/historic houses; cars parked on the streets for long periods of time; brush and fire hazard items; and more transparency in the reporting process.

5. Consider approval of disbursements in the amount of $171,030.21 for payroll, including employee salaries, employer and employee taxes, retirement contributions, miscellaneous voluntary employee deductions, holiday pay, and other adjustments, including retro-pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.

6. Consider approval of Resolution No.10-16-2023-A to authorize the City Administrator to execute an agreement to purchase a Ravo 5 iSeries Street Sweeper; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

No public comments.

Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

7. Discussion and Community Engagement regarding the Sonora Police Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report and the Department’s Funding, Acquisition, or Use of Military Equipment; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
25 Item A.

Mission Statement: To foster a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community that enhances the quality of life for all
Vision Statement: With leadership and integrity, the City of Sonora commits to excellent service through collaboration and innovation
A member of the public asked, where do the Officers get their training on rifle use? Police Chief Turu VanderWiel explained, the initial training is 40-60 hours for certification, the Officers attend training off site at other agencies that hold regular patrol rifle certification classes; annual qualifications/training is done in house.

NEW BUSINESS

8. Consider recommendation limiting the use of Zoom or other remote meeting attendance platforms during City Council meetings; Melissa Eads, City Administrator, Douglas White, City Attorney.

Susan Maderas, a concerned citizen, addressed the City Council and urged them to continue to use Zoom to encourage public participation.

Matthew, a concerned citizen, addressed the City Council on eliminating public comments from Zoom, by taking away public comment it could feel as though the public is being silenced for the opportunity to speak up; and the Council needs to think about the effectiveness of their decorum.

A member of the public on Zoom commented limiting things is a good idea. Zoom attendees who do not live or work in Sonora, do not know anything about the City, who are from other counties are just taking up time and are not being helpful.

Motion made by Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins Voting Nay: Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Andy Merrill

9. Consider authorization to advertise for public bid on the Woods Creek Park Basketball Court Project; Rachelle Kellogg, Community Development Director.

No public comments.

Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Matt Hawkins. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Matt Hawkins, Councilmember Andy Merrill

MONTHLY REPORTS
Community Development Director Rachele Kellogg updated those in attendance on the Transit Project; the work being completed; and shared we are close to having the project behind us.

10. Receive the Administrative Services Department Report for September 2023 (FY23/24). 26 Item A.

11. Receive the Sonora Fire Department monthly report for September 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

Fire Chief Aimee New informed those in attendance they are waiting for the graphics to put on the Type 6, it should roll out in November; the Type 3 is in production, and we should have by the end of the year; and the 163rd Annual Firefighters Ball is November 4th.

12. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for September 2023; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

13. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department monthly report for September 2023; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Homelessness meeting; Rafferty Court is moving along, and the majority of the construction is completed; the County is looking at creating a safe parking program with grant funding; helped put up Christmas lights; and had the pleasure of playing at the Bach Festival in Columbia.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom attended the Bach Festival; Solid Waste Committee meeting for Andy; YES Partnership for Suzanne, the YES Partnership is having a Drug Take Back Day October 28th; attended the Amador Tuolumne County Action Agency (ATCAA) meeting for Andy; will be touring the County Water Systems with TUD, for the Water Advisory Committee field trip; and appreciated attending the meetings for Andy and Suzanne as they were informational and interesting.

Councilmember Matt Hawkins wished everyone a nice night.

Mayor Mark Plummer attended the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) meeting; and thanked everyone.

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 8:27 PM.

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.
27 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 7

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Monday, April 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM
94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-4541

MINUTES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Sonora City Council will have their regular meeting on Monday, April 15, at 5:00 PM in the City of Sonora Council Chambers located at 94 N. Washington Street Sonora, CA 95370.

This meeting is physically open to the Public and citizens who wish to provide public comment during the meeting will be invited to do so by the Mayor.

Remote viewing of the meeting via live streaming is provided to members of the public as a courtesy. If the livestreaming connection malfunctions for any reason and no Council Members are attending via teleconference, the City Council will continue the public meeting in Chambers without remote access.

Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tempore Ann Segerstrom
Council Members Suzanne Cruz, Matt Hawkins, Andy Merrill City Administrator Melissa Eads
City Attorney Douglas White
28 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 7 CLOSED SESSION - 3:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER
Called to order 3:02 PM.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Councilmember Matt Hawkins

PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comment.

ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION
Adjourned into close session at 3:05 PM.

1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (4) of Subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (4) of Subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation - Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Paragraph (4) of Subdivision (d) of Section § 54956.9: One (1) Potential Case; Doug White, City Attorney, Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

4. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Gov. Code Section § 54957.6): Agency Designated Representatives:

Melissa Eads, City Administrator; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director; Employee Organization: Sonora Management Association (SMEA), Sonora Confidential Association (SCEA); Sonora Police Officers' Association (SPOA); Sonora Fire Fighters Association (SFFA); Sonora Employees Association (SEA).

RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION - 5:00 PM
Called to order at 5:05 PM.

REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Mark Plummer stated direction was given to staff. 29 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 3 OF 7

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT
Mayor Mark Plummer
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom
Councilmember Suzanne Cruz
Councilmember Andy Merrill
ABSENT
Councilmember Matt Hawkins
CITY CLERK’S REPORT ON AGENDA POSTING
The Agenda was posted Friday, April 12, 2024 at 1:13 PM.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.

No public comment.

PRESENTATIONS

5. Consider Acceptance of Four (4) New Police Vehicles, Two (2) New Fire Engines, and One (1) New Street Sweeper Into the City’s Fleet. Presentation of vehicles on Main Street; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

6. Receive an Introduction to, and Swearing-In of Police Dispatcher/Records Specialists Kimberly Hofmann, Charla Kiolbassa, and Jessica Cole; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

7. Receive an Introduction to, and Swearing in of Police Sergeant Dominic Bertalotto; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

8. Receive an Introduction to, and Swearing in of Police Officers Rodolfo Figueroa and Shane Theilen; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.
30 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 4 OF 7

9. Receive an Introduction to, and Swearing in of Community Service Officer Michael DaRosa; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

10. Receive a Presentation of the Sonora Police Department's 2023 Employee Award Recognitions; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

11. Receive a Presentation of the Sonora Fire Department Fire Fighter of the Year Award 2023; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

12. Receive a Presentation of the Sonora Employees Association Employee Recognition for 2023; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

13. Consider Approval of the City Council Minutes from January 2, 2024; January 16, 2024; January 3, 2023; and January 17, 2023; Stacy Enos-Del Razo, Deputy City Clerk.

Minutes were approved with changes.

14. Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $230,373.83 for Payroll, Including Employee Salaries, Employer and Employee Taxes, Retirement Contributions, Miscellaneous Voluntary Employee Deductions, Holiday Pay, and Other Adjustments, Including Retro-Pay; Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer.

15. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 04-15-2024-B Establishing the City of Sonora Social Media Policy; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

16. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 04-15-2024-D Establishing the City of Sonora Security Camera Policy; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom asked for clarification on the camera locations, are they only at City Hall and the parking garage, or are they also at other City facilities.

Administrative Services Director Chris Gorsky confirmed the camera location are currently at City Hall and the parking garage
No public comment.

17. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 04-15-2024-C Establishing the City of Sonora Recycled Paper Procurement Policy; Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

18. Consider Authorization for the Sonora Fire Department to Submit a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). The City Administrator and/or Fire Chief is Requesting to Authorize and Direct the Fire Chief to Return to the City Council with the Application Results and to Accept the Awards if Successful; Aimee New, Fire Chief. 31 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 5 OF 7

19. Consider Authorization to Submit 2024 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fire Protection Grant, Authorize the City Administrator and/or Fire Chief to Execute all Documents Relating to the Grant Applications, and Direct the Fire Chief to Return to the City Council with the Application Results and to Accept the Awards; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

No public comment.

NEW BUSINESS

20. Consider Adoption of Resolution 04-15-2024-A Certifying the Results and Declaring those Elected for the March 5, 2024, General Municipal Election for City Officers; Tracy Skelly, City Clerk.

A member of the public found the election totals interesting and feels the numbers reflect the majority of voters who didn't vote for anyone, or only one or two of the candidates, as you were eligible to vote for three.

Motion made by Councilmember Andy Merrill, Seconded by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.

21. Consider Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Tuolumne County Transportation Council to Maintain the Transit Stop Portion of the Stockton Washington Corridor Improvement Project; Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director.

A member of the public stated the area is filthy and is hopeful someone will get on it.

22. Receive a Report on Parking Modifications for Compliance AB 413; Carlye Buchholz and Mike Pugh, City Engineers.

A member of the public stated the City Engineer was her hero, she has almost been hit and it is difficult to see, and there will still be plenty of parking.

Turu WanderViel, Police Chief stated he supports this 100% from a public safety standpoint.

Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Councilmember Andy Merrill. Voting Yea:

Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.

23. Consider Approval of the Development of a CIP for the City of Sonora to Help Identify the City’s Needs, Prioritize Projects, Determine Capital Costs, and Position for Grant Funding; Carlye Buchholz and Mike Pugh, City Engineers.

A member of the public shared her concern that the presentation does not include public outreach as the people/community should be included.
32 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 6 OF 7 Motion made by Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom. Voting Yea: Mayor Mark Plummer, Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom, Councilmember Suzanne Cruz, Councilmember Andy Merrill.

24. Consider Approval of Task Order No. 2 in the Amount of $204,440 to Prepare the Construction Documents (Plans, Specifications, and Engineer’s Estimate) for the Construction of a New Storm Drain System and Pipeline and the Reconstruction of the Roadway on Snell Street from the Intersection of Bonanza Road to the City of Sonora / Tuolumne County Line; Melissa Eads, City Administrator.

No public comment.

MONTHLY REPORTS

25. Receive the Administrative Services Department Report for February 2024 (FY23/24); Chris; Gorsky, Administrative Services Director.

26. Receive the Sonora Community Development Department Monthly Report for March 2024; Tyler Summerset, Community Development Director.

27. Receive the Fire Department Monthly Report for March 2024; Aimee New, Fire Chief.

28. Receive the Sonora Police Department monthly report for March 2024; Turu VanderWiel, Police Chief.

29. Receive the Sonora Public Works Department Monthly Report for March 2024; Michael Lagomarsino, Public Works Supervisor.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Ann Segerstrom is helping with the first quarter newsletter; attended the Watch Resource Group mosaic unveiling; and on a Zoom call attended the League of California Cities Mayors and Councilmembers meeting.

Councilmember Andy Merrill attended the Solid Waste Committee, TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council), and ATCAA (Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency) meetings; and was invited to the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative.

Councilmember Suzanne Cruz informed those in attendance of the Mother Earth Day events; Protect Kids California filed three citizen-initiated ballot measures that address enacting laws related to gender in schools, sports and healthcare; Central Sierra Economic Development District is hiring a Business Services Manager and attended the Short-Term Rental Impact Study.

Mayor Mark Plummer attended the Business Council meeting with Congressman McClintock; TCTC (Tuolumne County Transportation Council) and LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) meetings; the Historical Society event that includes an exhibit of Early California History; and encouraged the public to go to the museum.
33 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 15, 2024 PAGE 7 OF 7

ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 7:30 PM.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Administrator at City Hall (209) 532-4541, [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Administrator’s Office at 94 N. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 during normal business hours (8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). The agenda and supporting public documents are also available on our City website www.sonoraca.com listed under the agenda/minutes link on the Government page.
34 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tracy Skelly, Administrative Services Officer
SUBJECT: Disbursements in the Amount of $304,862.94 for Payroll RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of Disbursements in the Amount of $304,862.94 for Payroll, Including Employee Salaries, Employer and Employee Taxes, Retirement Contributions, Miscellaneous Voluntary Employee Deductions, Holiday Pay, and Other Adjustments, Including Retro-Pay.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

This payroll was the second (2
nd) payroll of the month, which was higher due to Holiday Payout and Uniform Allowance.

This was the 2
nd payroll of 26 for FY24-25, we would have expected to expend 7.69% of the budgeted amount. In total, we have expended 6.69% of the Salaries and Wages for the FY24-25 budget.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Disbursements are part of the approved FY24-25 Budget.

CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Staffing - Salary, Benefits, Training, and Retention 35 Item B.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Chris Gorsky, Administrative Services Director
SUBJECT: Consider Approval of Resolution No. 08-05-2024-A, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonora Awarding a Contract for Auditing Services to Harshwal and Company, LLP for the Fiscal Years 2024 to 2026, with an Additional Two-Year Option.

RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Approval of Resolution No. 08-05-2024-A, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sonora Awarding a Contract for Auditing Services to Harshwal and Company, LLP for the Fiscal Years 2024 to 2026, with an Additional Two-Year Option and Authorize the Administrative Services Director to Execute the Agreement.

BACKGROUND:

Auditing the City’s financial records plays an important role in public sector finance. The auditors are responsible for evaluating the City’s system of internal controls and overall financial management and condition. It is one of the most important and effective methods to ensure the credibility and transparency of the City’s financial reporting to all the City’s stakeholders.

The format of the presentation of the audited financial statements is in accordance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements. Audits are performed in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and the standards set forth for financial audits contained in the General Accounting Office’s Government Auditing Standards (2018) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

Consistent presentation allows comparison of the City’s financial information to other governmental agencies throughout the country. It also allows outside interests access to the information necessary to evaluate any, current, or future investments with the City. Since the City’s information is presented in the same format as other governmental reporting entities, reasonable and meaningful comparisons can be made between and among governmental entities by anyone inside or outside the government workplace.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

Most California based governmental entities issue multi-year contracts for audit services (typical length is three to six years) as significant resources are typically necessary from both the City and the audit firm in the first year of an engagement. An initial year of an audit requires the firm to perform several preliminary steps regarding assessments of internal controls. Those additional steps also increase the level of City resources necessary to support the assessments during the initial year of the audit. The use of a multi-year contract reduces the overall cost of the audit, and the firm can typically quote a lower overall cost as a result. 36 Item C.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP The City conducted an open Request for Proposal (RFP) in June 2024 and received four responses. The respondents’ Technical and Cost Proposals were evaluated by a three-member team comprised of the City Administrator, the Administrative Services Director, and the Administrative Services Officer. Evaluations were scored based on mandatory elements outlined in the RFP, technical qualifications, and price. The panel chose Harshwal & Company LLP on the basis of those elements.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost of auditing services is included in the approved FY24/25 budget and each subsequent year will be budgeted in the affected fiscal year. The costs for each year is:
 FY24/25: $22,000
 FY25/26: $23,100
 FY26/27: $24,255
 FY27/28: $25,470, Option Year
 FY28/29: $26,740, Option Year
ATTACHMENTS:
 Resolution No. 08-05-24-A
 Engagement Letter
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Economic Development/Growth and General Plan, Staffing - Salary, Benefits, Training, and Retention
37 Item C.

RESOLUTION No. 08-05-2024-A

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SONORA AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT STARTING IN FISCAL YEAR 2023-24,

WITH AN OPTION FOR TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS, WITH HASHWAL AND COMPANY LLP FOR

PROFESSIONAL AUDIT SERVICES
WHEREAS, State and Federal law require that the City’s financial statements be audited annually, and that the City engage an independent Certified Public Accountant to audit the City’s financial statements; and
WHEREAS, In June 2024 the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for audit services from qualified firms; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to such a request, Harshwal and Company LLP submitted a proposal; and WHEREAS, the City’s audit review team reviewed each proposal and scored them based on the elements outlined in the RFP, technical qualifications, and price, and recommended Harshwal and Company LLP.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Sonora does hereby approve the contract for audit services to Harshwal and Company LLP for three years, with an additional two-year option for the City to extend the contract. Authorize the Administrative Services Director to execute the contract.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED as a Resolution by the Sonora City Council at a meeting held by the City Council on the 5
th day of August 2024, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

Ann Segerstrom, Mayor City of Sonora
ATTEST:

Tracy Skelly, City Clerk, City of Sonora
38 Item C.

July 16, 2024
To The City Council
City of Sonora
94 N. Washington Street
Sonora, California 95370
We are pleased to confirm our understanding of the services we are to provide for City of Sonora (the "City") for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 through June 30, 2026.

Audit Scope and Objectives
We will audit the financial statements of the governmental activities, and the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund including the disclosures, which collectively comprise the basic financial statements, of the City as of and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 through June 30, 2026. Accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) provide for certain required supplementary information (RSI), such as management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A), to supplement the City’s basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic financial statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. As part of our engagement, we will apply certain limited procedures to the City’s RSI in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). These limited procedures will consist of inquiries of management regarding the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management’s responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We will not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient appropriate evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance. The following RSI is required by GAAP and will be subjected to certain limited procedures, but will not be audited:
1) Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
2) Schedule of Proportionate Share of Net Pension Liability. 3) Schedule of Contributions.
4) Schedule of Changes in the City's Net OPEB Liability and Related Ratios. 5) Schedule of Plan Contributions - OPEB.

We have also been engaged to report on supplementary information other than RSI that accompanies the City’s financial statements. We will subject the following supplementary information to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements or to the financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with GAAS, and we will provide an opinion on it in relation to the financial statements as a whole, in a report combined with our auditor’s report on the financial statements:
1) Schedule of expenditures of federal awards.
2) Combining statements and supplementary schedules as necessary. 333 Hegenberger Road, Suite 328 Oakland, CA 94621| www.harshwal.com | Ph.: 510.452.5051 | Fax: 510.452.3432 39 Item C.

City of Sonora Page 2 of 11
The objectives of our audit are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinions about whether your financial statements are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, and report on the fairness of the supplementary information referred to in the second paragraph when considered in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements, including omissions, can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment of a reasonable user made based on the financial statements. The objectives also include reporting on: -  Internal control over financial reporting and compliance with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and award agreements, noncompliance with which could have a material effect on the financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.  Internal control over compliance related to major programs and an opinion (or disclaimer of opinion) on compliance with federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards that could have a direct and material effect on each major program in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance).

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements and Single Audit We will conduct our audit in accordance with GAAS; the standards for financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996; and the provisions of the Uniform Guidance, and will include tests of accounting records, a determination of major program(s) in accordance with Uniform Guidance, and other procedures we consider necessary to enable us to express such opinions. As part of an audit in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

We will evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management. We will also evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and determine whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. We will plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether from (1) errors, (2) fraudulent financial reporting, (3) misappropriation of assets, or (4) violations of laws or governmental regulations that are attributable to the government or to acts by management or employees acting on behalf of the government. Because the determination of waste and abuse is subjective, Government Auditing Standards do not expect auditors to perform specific procedures to detect waste or abuse in financial audits nor do they expect auditors to provide reasonable assurance of detecting waste or abuse.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, combined with the inherent limitations of internal control, and because we will not perform a detailed examination of all transactions, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements or noncompliance may not be detected by us, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards. In addition, an audit is not designed to detect immaterial misstatements or violations of laws or governmental regulations that do not have a direct and material effect on the financial statements or on major programs. However, we will inform the appropriate level of management of any material errors, any fraudulent financial reporting, or misappropriation of assets that come to our attention.

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We will also inform the appropriate level of management of any violations of laws or governmental regulations that come to our attention, unless clearly inconsequential. We will include such matters in the reports required for a Single Audit. Our responsibility as auditors is limited to the period covered by our audit and does not extend to any later periods for which we are not engaged as auditors.

We will also conclude, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the government’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

Our procedures will include tests of documentary evidence supporting the transactions recorded in the accounts, tests of the physical existence of inventories, and direct confirmation of receivables and certain assets and liabilities by correspondence with selected individuals, funding sources, creditors, and financial institutions. We will also request written representations from your attorneys as part of the engagement.

Our audit of the financial statements does not relieve you of your responsibilities.

Audit Procedures - Internal Control
We will obtain an understanding of the government and its environment, including the system of internal control, sufficient to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and to design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks and obtain evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentation, or the override of internal control. Tests of controls may be performed to test the effectiveness of certain controls that we consider relevant to preventing and detecting errors and fraud that are material to the financial statements and to preventing and detecting misstatements resulting from illegal acts and other noncompliance matters that have a direct and material effect on the financial statements. Our tests, if performed, will be less in scope than would be necessary to render an opinion on internal control and, accordingly, no opinion will be expressed in our report on internal control issued pursuant to Government Auditing Standards.

As required by the Uniform Guidance, we will perform tests of controls over compliance to evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of controls that we consider relevant to preventing or detecting material noncompliance with compliance requirements applicable to each major federal award program.

However, our tests will be less in scope than would be necessary to render an opinion on those controls and, accordingly, no opinion will be expressed in our report on internal control issued pursuant to the Uniform Guidance.

An audit is not designed to provide assurance on internal control or to identify significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. Accordingly, we will express no such opinion. However, during the audit, we will communicate to management and those charged with governance internal control related matters that are required to be communicated under AICPA professional standards, Government Auditing Standards, and the Uniform Guidance.

Audit Procedures - Compliance
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, we will perform tests of the City’s compliance with provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and agreements, including grant agreements. However, the objective of those procedures will not be to provide an opinion on overall compliance, and we will not express such an opinion in our report on compliance issued pursuant to Government Auditing Standards.

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The Uniform Guidance requires that we also plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the auditee has complied with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards applicable to major programs. Our procedures will consist of tests of transactions and other applicable procedures described in the OMB Compliance Supplement for the types of compliance requirements that could have a direct and material effect on each of the City’s major programs. For federal programs that are included in the Compliance Supplement, our compliance and internal control procedures will relate to the compliance requirements that the Compliance Supplement identifies as being subject to audit. The purpose of these procedures will be to express an opinion on the City’s compliance with requirements applicable to each of its major programs in our report on compliance issued pursuant to the Uniform Guidance.

Other Services
We will also assist in preparing the financial statements, proposed adjusting journal entries (including GASB 68 and GASB 75), schedule of expenditures of federal awards (if applicable), and related notes of the City in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the Uniform Guidance based on information provided by you. These nonaudit services do not constitute an audit under Government Auditing Standards and such services will not be conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. We will perform the services in accordance with applicable professional standards. The other services are limited to the financial statements, schedule of expenditures of federal awards, and related notes services previously defined. We, in our sole professional judgment, reserve the right to refuse to perform any procedure or take any action that could be construed as assuming management responsibilities.

Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements and Single Audit Our audit will be conducted on the basis that you acknowledge and understand your responsibility for (1) designing, implementing, establishing, and maintaining effective internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, including internal controls over federal awards, and for evaluating and monitoring ongoing activities, to help ensure that appropriate goals and objectives are met; (2) following laws and regulations; (3) ensuring that there is reasonable assurance that government programs are administered in compliance with compliance requirements; and (4) ensuring that management and financial information is reliable and properly reported. Management is also responsible for implementing systems designed to achieve compliance with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements. You are also responsible for the selection and application of accounting principles; for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements, schedule of expenditures of federal awards, and all accompanying information in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; and for compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including federal statutes), rules, and the provisions of contracts and grant agreements (including award agreements).

Your responsibilities also include identifying significant contractor relationships in which the contractor has responsibility for program compliance and for the accuracy and completeness of that information.

You are also responsible for making drafts of financial statements, schedule of expenditures of federal awards, all financial records, and related information available to us; for the accuracy and completeness of that information (including information from outside of the general and subsidiary ledgers); and for the evaluation of whether there are any conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the government’s ability to continue as a going concern for the 12 months after the financial statements date or shortly thereafter (for example, within an additional three months if currently known).

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You are also responsible for providing us with (1) access to all information of which you are aware that is relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements, such as records, documentation, identification of all related parties and all related-party relationships and transactions, and other matters; (2) access to personnel, accounts, books, records, supporting documentation, and other information as needed to perform an audit under the Uniform Guidance; (3) additional information that we may request for the purpose of the audit; and (4) unrestricted access to persons within the government from whom we determine it necessary to obtain audit evidence. At the conclusion of our audit, we will require certain written representations from you about the financial statements; schedule of expenditures of federal awards; federal award programs; compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements; and related matters.

Your responsibilities include adjusting the financial statements to correct material misstatements and confirming to us in the management representation letter that the effects of any uncorrected misstatements aggregated by us during the current engagement and pertaining to the latest period presented are immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate, to the financial statements taken as a whole.

You are responsible for the design and implementation of programs and controls to prevent and detect fraud, and for informing us about all known or suspected fraud affecting the government involving (1) management, (2) employees who have significant roles in internal control, and (3) others where the fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements. Your responsibilities include informing us of your knowledge of any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the government received in communications from employees, former employees, grantors, regulators, or others. In addition, you are responsible for identifying and ensuring that the government complies with applicable laws, regulations, contracts, agreements, and grants. You are also responsible for taking timely and appropriate steps to remedy fraud and noncompliance with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements that we report. Additionally, as required by the Uniform Guidance, it is management’s responsibility to evaluate and monitor noncompliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards; take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings; promptly follow up and take corrective action on reported audit findings; and prepare a summary schedule of prior audit findings and a separate corrective action plan.

The summary schedule of prior audit findings should be available for our review at the time of fieldwork.

You are responsible for identifying all federal awards received and understanding and complying with the compliance requirements and for the preparation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards (including notes and noncash assistance received) in conformity with the Uniform Guidance. You agree to include our report on the schedule of expenditures of federal awards in any document that contains and indicates that we have reported on, the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. You also agree to include the audited financial statements with any presentation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards that includes our report thereon. Your responsibilities include acknowledging to us in the written representation letter that (1) you are responsible for presentation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards in accordance with the Uniform Guidance; (2) you believe the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, including its form and content, is stated fairly in accordance with the Uniform Guidance; (3) the methods of measurement or presentation have not changed from those used in the prior period (or, if they have changed, the reasons for such changes); and (4) you have disclosed to us any significant assumptions or interpretations underlying the measurement or presentation of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards.

You are also responsible for the preparation of the other supplementary information, which we have been engaged to report on, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). You agree to include our report on the supplementary information in any document that contains, and indicates that we have reported on, the supplementary information.

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You also agree to include the audited financial statements with any presentation of the supplementary information that includes our report thereon. Your responsibilities include acknowledging to us in the written representation letter that (1) you are responsible for presentation of the supplementary information in accordance with GAAP; (2) you believe the supplementary information, including its form and content, is fairly presented in accordance with GAAP; (3) the methods of measurement or presentation have not changed from those used in the prior period (or, if they have changed, the reasons for such changes); and (4) you have disclosed to us any significant assumptions or interpretations underlying the measurement or presentation of the supplementary information.

As per Federal and State Laws, we don’t require, nor do we request, demand, collect, or desire any Personal Identifying Information (“PII”). PII includes but is not limited to individual's’ first name (or first initial) and last name combined with other types of personal information, such as Social Security Number; home addresses; online identifiers; passport numbers; bank or credit card numbers; clearances; biometrics; date of birth; birth place; age; mother's maiden name; medical, criminal, and financial records; educational transcripts; email addresses, phone numbers; birth marks, professional designation, employment history, social media account information; driver’s license numbers, any other similar and unique personal identifiers, etc. As such, do not provide our firm, staff, employees, consultants, contractors, managers, admin staff, third-party service providers with any of the aforementioned PII as we will not be perusing the records provided to us to identify and purge such records.

By your signature below, you acknowledge and agree that Harshwal & Company, LLP is not responsible for “sanitizing” or “scrubbing” its workpapers in an attempt to identify and delete PII, and as such is not liable were such information to be retained by us or inadvertently accessed by third parties.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a process for tracking the status of audit findings and recommendations. Management is also responsible for identifying and providing report copies of previous financial audits, attestation engagements, performance audits, or other studies related to the objectives discussed in the Audit Scope and Objectives section of this letter. This responsibility includes relaying to us corrective actions taken to address significant findings and recommendations resulting from those audits, attestation engagements, performance audits, or studies. You are also responsible for providing management’s views on our current findings, conclusions, and recommendations, as well as your planned corrective actions for the report, and for the timing and format for providing that information.

You agree to assume all management responsibilities for the financial statements, schedule of expenditures of federal awards, and related notes, and any other nonaudit services we provide. You will be required to acknowledge in the management representation letter our assistance with preparation of the financial statements, the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, and related notes and that you have reviewed and approved the financial statements, the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, and related notes prior to their issuance and have accepted responsibility for them. Further, you agree to oversee the nonaudit services by designating an individual, preferably from senior management, with suitable skill, knowledge, or experience; evaluate the adequacy and results of those services; and accept responsibility for them.

Subpoena and Other Release of Documents
As a result of our services to you, we may be required or requested to provide information or documents to you or a third-party pursuant to a subpoena, court order or other administrative or legal process in connection with governmental regulations or activities, or a legal, arbitration or administrative proceeding, in which we are not a party.

You agree that our efforts in complying with such requests or demands will be deemed a part of this engagement and Harshwal & Company, LLP shall be entitled to additional compensation for our time and reimbursement for our out-of-pocket expenditures (including legal fees) in complying with such request or demand.

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Limitation on Liability

IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT,

INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO

EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE FOR EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Engagement Administration, Fees, and Other
We have our technical resources and audit software in the cloud. We may from time to time, and depending on the circumstances, use third-party service providers within and outside of the United States in serving your account. As required by Section 54.1 (b) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 16, confidential information provided by you to our firm, may be disclosed to persons, outside of the United States in connection with the services provided. We may share confidential information about you with these service providers, but remain committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your information. Accordingly, we maintain internal policies, procedures, and safeguards to protect the confidentiality of your personal information. In addition, we will secure confidentiality agreements with all service providers to maintain the confidentiality of your information and we will take reasonable precautions to determine that they have appropriate procedures in place to prevent the unauthorized release of your confidential information to others. In the event that we are unable to secure an appropriate confidentiality agreement, you will be asked to provide your consent prior to the sharing of your confidential information with the third-party service provider. Furthermore, we will remain responsible for the work provided by any such third-party service providers.

We understand that your employees will prepare all cash, accounts receivable, and other confirmations we request and will locate any documents selected by us for testing.

At the conclusion of the engagement, we will complete the appropriate sections of the Data Collection Form that summarizes our audit findings. It is management’s responsibility to electronically submit the reporting package (including financial statements, schedule of expenditures of federal awards, summary schedule of prior audit findings, auditor’s reports, and corrective action plan) along with the Data Collection Form to the federal audit clearinghouse. We will coordinate with you the electronic submission and certification. The Data Collection Form and the reporting package must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s reports or nine months after the end of the audit period, unless a longer period is agreed to in advance by the cognizant or oversight agency for audit.

We will provide copies of our reports to The City Council of the City; however, management is responsible for distribution of the reports and the financial statements. Unless restricted by law or regulation, or containing privileged and confidential information, copies of our reports are to be made available for public inspection. Our report on the financial statements must be associated only with the financial statements that were the subject of our engagement. You may make copies of our report, but only if the entire financial statements (including related footnotes and supplementary information, as appropriate) are reproduced and distributed with our report. You agree not to reproduce or associate our report with any other financial statements, or portions thereof, that are not the subject of this engagement.

The audit documentation for this engagement is the property of Harshwal & Company, LLP and constitutes confidential information. However, subject to applicable laws and regulations, audit documentation and appropriate individuals will be made available upon request and in a timely manner to Cognizant or Oversight Agency for Audit, or its designee, a federal agency providing direct or indirect funding, or the U.S. Government Accountability Office for purposes of a quality review of the audit, to resolve audit findings, or to carry out oversight responsibilities. We will notify you of any such request. If requested, access to such audit documentation will be provided under the supervision of Harshwal & Company, LLP's personnel. Furthermore, upon request, we may provide copies of selected audit documentation to the aforementioned parties. These parties may intend, or decide, to distribute the copies or information contained therein to others, including other governmental agencies.

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Your records are the primary records for your operations and comprise the backup and support for the results of this engagement. Our records and files, including our engagement documentation whether kept on paper or electronic media, are our property and are not a substitute for your own records. Our firm policy calls for us to destroy our engagement files and all pertinent engagement documentation after a retention period of seven years (or longer, if required by law or regulation), after which time these items will no longer be available. We are under no obligation to notify you regarding the destruction of our records. We reserve the right to modify the retention period without notifying you. Catastrophic events or physical deterioration may result in our firm's records being unavailable before the expiration of the above retention period.

Except as set forth above, you agree that Harshwal & Company, LLP may destroy paper originals and copies of any documents, including, without limitation, correspondence, agreements, and representation letters, and retain only digital images thereof.

The audit documentation for this engagement will be retained for a minimum of seven years after the report release date or for any additional period requested by the Management. If we are aware that a federal awarding agency, pass-through entity, or auditee is contesting an audit finding, we will contact the party (ies) contesting the audit finding for guidance prior to destroying the audit documentation.

Mr. Sanwar Harshwal is the engagement partner and is responsible for supervising the engagement and signing the reports or authorizing another individual to sign them. We expect to begin our audit as soon as the related records are ready.

Fieldwork for audit will be determined with the City's management based on the availability of accounting records and supporting documentation. Our scheduling depends on your completion of the year-end closing and adjusting process prior to our arrival to begin the fieldwork. We may experience delays in completing our services due to your staff's unavailability or delays in your closing and adjusting process.

You understand our fees are subject to adjustment if we experience these delays in completing our services.

Certain engagement personnel who are not licensed as certified public accountants may provide services during this engagement.

Our fee for the services described in this letter including applicable gross receipts taxes and out-ofpocket costs (such as travel costs) will be as follow:

Audit Area - Description FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Comprehensive Financial Audit $ 22,000 $ 23,100 $ 24,255 Except above, the single audit fee is calculated based on the number of major programs. The audit fee for the first major program will be $4,000 and the audit for each additional major program will cost $3,500.

We have estimated our fees assuming that accounting records will be in balance and supported by appropriate documentation. Also, our cost assumes that the City personnel will provide supporting schedules for all asset and liability accounts, and provide general assistance, such as locating documents, typing confirmation requests, and coordinating meetings. The fee estimate is based on anticipated cooperation from your personnel and the assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the engagement. If significant additional time is necessary, we will keep you informed of any problems we encounter and our fees will be adjusted accordingly. Our invoices for these fees will be rendered each month as work progresses and are payable on presentation.

Our ability to provide services in accordance with our estimated fees depends on the quality, timeliness and accuracy of the City's records, and, for example, the number of general ledger adjustments required as a result of our work. We will also need your accounting staff to be readily available during the engagement to respond in a timely manner to our requests. Lack of preparation, poor records, general ledger adjustments and/or untimely assistance will result in an increase of our fees.

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To keep fees at a minimum and provide the reports to you on a timely basis, we are planning on significant assistance from your personnel. In this regard, we will furnish you with a list of schedules and data to facilitate our work. We understand that all records, documentation, and information we request in connection with our audit will be made available to us. Your preparation of schedules and providing supporting evidence requested timely is imperative for us to perform our audit procedures in the most efficient manner possible. If audit related accounting assistance is required to reconcile accounts, these fees will be billed separately at our standard hourly rates. We will obtain your concurrence before we begin such services significantly beyond the scope of the audit.

In the future, you may decide that you need the services of one or more full-time employee. At that time, we could assist you in identifying individuals, our fees for which would then be agreed upon in a separate engagement letter. However, because of the knowledge that our staff have or will obtain of your organization, you may wish to hire one or more of them. If this should occur, please notify us immediately so that we may avoid any potential independence issues. Also, if this should occur, we will charge you a recurring fee of one hundred percent (100%) of the annual gross salary or wages (on an annualized basis) offered to our employee to compensate us for the loss of our valued and extensively trained employee(s). Such amount shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the date of such notification.

The above fee is based on anticipated cooperation from your personnel and the assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the audit. The City acknowledges that the following unexpected circumstances will result in an increase of our fees:
 Failure to prepare for the audit as evidenced by accounts and records that have not been subject to normal year-end closing and reconciliation procedures;  Failure to complete the audit preparation work by the applicable due dates; Significant unanticipated transactions, audit issues, or other such circumstances;  Delays causing scheduling changes or disruption of fieldwork;  After audit or post fieldwork circumstances requiring revisions to work previously completed or delays in resolution of issues that extend the period of time necessary to complete the audit;  Issues with the prior audit firm, prior year account balances or report disclosures that impact the current year engagement; and
 An excessive number of audit adjustments.

Unexpected circumstances are also defined as fire, destruction or disappearance of records, discovery of fraud, or similar situations beyond our control or knowledge. We will endeavor to advise you in the event these circumstances occur, however we may be unable to determine the impact on the estimated fee until the conclusion of the engagement.

Our standard hourly rates vary according to the degree of responsibility involved and the experience level of the personnel assigned to your audit. Our invoices for these fees will be rendered as work progresses and are payable on presentation. In accordance with our firm policies, work may be suspended if your account becomes 30 days or more overdue and may not be resumed until your account is paid in full.

Any invoices left unpaid beyond 30 days will be charged a 1.5% late fee per month, added to the then outstanding balance. If we elect to terminate our services for non-payment, our engagement will be deemed to have been completed upon written notification of termination, even if we have not completed our report(s).

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You will be obligated to compensate us for all time expended and to reimburse us for all out-of-pocket costs through the date of termination. This engagement letter may be terminated by either party, with or without cause, upon ten (10) days' written notice. In such event, we will stop providing services hereunder except on work, mutually agreed upon in writing, necessary to carry out such termination. In the event of termination, (a) you shall pay us for services provided and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination, (b) we will provide you with all finished reports that we have prepared pursuant to this engagement, and (c) neither party shall be liable to the other for any damages that occur as a result of our ceasing to render services.

In the interest of facilitating our services to you, we may communicate by facsimile transmission or send electronic mail over the Internet. Such communications may include information that is confidential. We employ measures in the use of electronic communications designed to provide reasonable assurance that data security is maintained. While we will use our best efforts to keep such communications secure in accordance with our obligations under applicable laws and professional standards, you recognize and accept we have no control over the unauthorized interception of these communications once they have been sent. Unless you issue specific instructions to do otherwise, we will assume your consent to our use of electronic communications to your representatives and other use of these electronic devices during the term of this engagement letter as we deem appropriate.

The proposed fee estimate is contingent upon the City having performed the following functions and sending us copies to review at least two weeks prior to us performing the audit fieldwork:
 Submitting trial balances and general ledger to us in an electronic format.  Completing all steps and sending us copies of the requested information on the audit preparation guide, which we will provide.
 Preparing the schedule of expenditures of federal awards.  All material balance sheet accounts need to be reconciled and scheduled. Prepare reconciliations of all checking (payroll and accounts payable, etc.) accounts, savings accounts and investment accounts on a monthly basis and send us copies of the year end reconciliations.  Copies of all major federal grants and contracts in effect during the audit period need to be made for us along with any modifications, budgets, financial and narrative reports and drawdown requests.
 Providing us electronic copies of your payroll and accounts payable check registers for the fiscal year under audit.

Reporting
We will issue written reports upon completion of our Audit. Our reports will be addressed to The City Council of City of Sonora. Circumstances may arise in which our report may differ from its expected form and content based on the results of our audit. Depending on the nature of these circumstances, it may be necessary for us to modify our opinions, add a separate section, or add an emphasis-of-matter or othermatter paragraph to our auditor’s report, or if necessary, withdraw from this engagement. If our opinions are other than unmodified, we will discuss the reasons with you in advance. If, for any reason, we are unable to complete the audit or are unable to form or have not formed opinions, we may decline to express opinions or issue reports, or we may withdraw from this engagement.

We understand and acknowledge that the successful completion of our engagement is contingent upon the timely provision of all necessary documents by the City. To ensure an efficient workflow and meet our commitment to delivering high-quality services, we hereby agree that we shall issue a draft report after 30 days of receiving the last document from the City. It is essential for both parties to collaborate closely to adhere to this timeline, allowing for thorough review and feedback before the finalization of the report.

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Any delays in document submission beyond the agreed-upon timeframe may result in an extension of the audit timeline, and we shall not be held responsible for any resulting consequences. By entering into this engagement, both parties affirm their commitment to maintaining open communication and timely cooperation throughout the duration of the engagement. We believe that this mutual understanding will contribute to the successful and timely completion of the engagement.

The Government Auditing Standards report on internal control over financial reporting and on compliance and other matters will state that (1) the purpose of the report is solely to describe the scope of testing of internal control and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control or on compliance, and (2) the report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the entity’s internal control and compliance. The Uniform Guidance report on internal control over compliance will state that the purpose of the report on internal control over compliance is solely to describe the scope of testing of internal control over compliance and the results of that testing based on the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Both reports will state that the report is not suitable for any other purpose.

We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to the City and believe this letter accurately summarizes the significant terms of our engagement. If you have any questions, please let us know. If you agree with the terms of our engagement as described in this letter, please sign the enclosed copy and return it to us.

Very truly yours,
Harshwal & Company, LLP
Sanwar Harshwal
(Managing Partner)
RESPONSE:

This letter correctly sets forth the understanding of City of Sonora.

Management signature:

Title:

Date:

Governance signature:

Title:

Date:

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Melissa Eads, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Acceptance of a Donation from the Hotel Victoria (Sonora Inn) RECOMMENDATION:

Receive a Donation of a Ceiling Light Fixture Valued at $1,200 from the Hotel Victoria dba the Sonora Inn. The Light Fixture will be Installed at the City Owned Sonora Opera Hall.

BACKGROUND:

The City of Sonora is a political subdivision of the State of California and therefore a qualified donor organization.

If a contribution is made to the City it must be exclusively used for a public purpose. Under the Internal Revenue Code Section 170(c)(1), contributions made to the City Qualify as a charitable donation.

Kim Perrson Electric has graciously donated the labor to install the Ceiling Light Fixture at the Opera Hall.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact to the City.

ATTACHMENTS:
 Donation Description and Picture
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

Fiscal Responsibility and Stability, Infrastructure, and Engineering, Economic Development/Growth, and General Plan
50 Item D.
21223 Ridgeview Drive Sonora, CA 95370 CA LIC #615074 (209) 532-6483) (650) 961-1268 Aug. 1, 2024
Sonora Chamber of Commerce
47 N. Washington St
Sonora, CA
[email protected]
(209) 694-4008
RE: Lighting Chandelier
TO: Whom it may concern,
Kim Persson Electric has agreed to donate or labor to the Sonora Chamber of Commerce for installation of an antique lighting chandelier.

Thank you,
Suzanne Persson
51 Item D.
21223 Ridgeview Drive Sonora, CA 95370 CA LIC #615074 (209) 532-6483) (650) 961-1268 52 Item D.
53 Item D.
54 Item D.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP DATE: August 5, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider Adoption of Resolution 08-05-2024-B and the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
RECOMMENDATION:

Consider Adoption of Resolution 08-05-2024-B and the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).

BACKGROUND:

The Stafford Act requires State, local, and tribal governmental entities that wish to be eligible for federal hazard mitigation grant funds to submit a hazard mitigation plan that outlines the processes for identifying the natural and manmade hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities of each jurisdiction. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has promulgated Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 44, Part 201 to carry out the hazard mitigation planning requirements in the Stafford Act. These regulations directthe planning process, plan content, and FEMA approval of hazard mitigation plans.

In June, 2023 the City engaged CSG Consultants who retained Michael Baker International as a sub-consultant to write our first ever stand alone Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. It is worth noting that the City’s Safety Element of the General Plan is being updated simultaneously. The documents serve different purposes, but there exists plenty of overlap between the two, so updating them at the same time is advantageous. The LMHP, which complies with the Stafford Act and Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) 2000, along with the appropriate sections of Title 44 of the CFR, including Parts 201, 206, and322,wassubmitted toFEMAfortheirreviewandthey determined that the plan is eligible for final approval pending its adoption by the City per resolution. Formal adoption documentation must be submitted to FEMA Region 9 within one calendar year of the date of their notification letter (July 23, 2024) or the entire plan must be updated and resubmitted for review. FEMA has indicated that they will award final approval of the plan upon receipt of the documentation of formal adoption.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS:

The City strives to improve local reliability and resilience through capital improvement projects, innovative planning, and effective emergency management practices. To formalize existing efforts related to natural hazards and hazard mitigation planning, along with establishing a clear understanding of potential hazards and a coordinated plan to addressthese risks,the City developed this LHMP. 55 Item A.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

C I T Y H A L L
CITY OF SONORA 94 N. WASHINGTON STREET, SONORA, CA 95370 P: (209) 532-4541

SERVICE, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP The LHMP does not supersede any internal or current City plans or strategies. Rather, the LHMP enhances the ability to identify, inform, and mitigate hazard risksthat are unique to the City of Sonora. Information in this plan will be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation activities and serve as a tool for Sonora’s decision-makersto specifically direct mitigation activities and resources.

It should be noted that during this process, staff conducted public outreach for the LHMP. Outreach included stakeholder meetings and focus followup meetings, hosting a pop up event at the Sonora Farmers Market, a staff planning team and a public survey. The purpose of the community outreach event was to communicate components and benefits of ongoing safety and mitigation projects including the LHMP and other ongoing projects (Safety Element update). In addition, informational cards were passed out and made available at locations throughout the City.

After the LHMP is approved, the final LHMP will be posted on the City’s website.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The funding for the LHMP was a combination of State funds and the City’s general fund. Preparing a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is instrumental in being considered for State and Federal discretionary emergency response/preparedness grant programs. City staff will use this plan and investment to (attempt to) secure additional funding for City hardening and emergency preparedness projects/programs. It all begins with having a plan.

ATTACHMENTS:

Resolution 08-05-2024-B
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
LHMP Presentation for City Council
CORE COUNCIL PRIORITIES:

RESOLUTION 08-05-2024-B
____ _________________________________________________________ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SONORA AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF THE 2024

SONORA LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of Sonora recognizes the threat that natural hazards pose to people and property within our community; and
WHEREAS, undertaking hazard mitigation actions will reduce the potential for harm to people and property from future hazard occurrences; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (“Disaster Mitigation Act”) emphasizing the need for pre-disaster mitigation of potential hazards; and WHEREAS, the Disaster Mitigation Act made available hazard mitigation grants to state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, an adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan isrequired as a condition of future funding for mitigation projects under multiple FEMA pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs; and WHEREAS, the City of Sonora fully participated in the FEMA-prescribed mitigation planning process to prepare this local hazard mitigation plan; and
WHEREAS, the California Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX officials have reviewed the 2024 Sonora Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and approved it contingent upon this official adoption by City Council; and
WHEREAS, adoption by the City Council of Sonora demonstrates the jurisdiction’s commitment to fulfilling the mitigation goals and objectives outlined in this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; and WHEREAS, adoption of this legitimizes the plan and authorizes responsible agencies to carry out their responsibilities under the plan.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SONORA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

The City of Sonora adopts the 2024 Sonora Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as an official plan.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regularmeeting ofthe City Council of the City of Sonora on this 5th day of August 2024, by the following votes:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:
57 Item A.

Signed and dated:
_______________________________
Ann Segerstrom
Mayor, City of Sonora
ATTEST: ________________________________
Tracy Skelly
City Clerk, City of Sonora
RESOLUTION 08-05-2024-B
58 Item A.

Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan
City of Sonora City Council
August 5, 2024
59 Item A.

About the Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Purpose
• Clear direction for future hazard
mitigation action planning
• Minimize disruptions in the
disaster response cycle
Content
• Planning Process
• City of Sonora Profile
• Risk Assessment
• Mitigation Actions/Strategy
• Plan Maintenance and
Implementation
Response
Mitigation Recovery
Preparedness

DISASTER
60 Item A.

LHMP Development Process
3 Kick-Off
June 31, 2023
7 Stakeholder
Meetings
(Sept – Nov 2023)
Public Review
Period
(Feb 13 – Feb 27,
2024)
Cal OES/FEMA
Review
March – July 2024
FEMA Issued APA
July 23, 2024
NEXT STEPS:

City Council
Approval
61 Item A.

Participating Stakeholders
62 Item A.

External Stakeholders
Local/Regional
Agencies and other
Regulatory Agencies
• City of Sonora
• Cal Fire – Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company
• Tuolumne County Fire Department
• Tuolumne County Office of
Emergency Management
• Tuolumne County Sheriff Office
• Tuolumne County Transit Agency
• Tuolumne County Utilities District
Agencies of
Neighborhood
Communities
• Tuolumne County Board of
Supervisors
• Tuolumne County District Attorney
• Tuolumne County Probation
Department
Business, Academia,
and other Private
Organizations
• Sonora Chamber of Commerce
• Sonora Elementary School District
• Sonora Union High School District
• Tuolumne County Association of
Realtors
• Tuolumne County Superintendent
of Schools
• Yosemite Community College
District
Nonprofit
Organizations and
CBOs
• Adventist Health
• Amador Tuolumne Community
Action Agency
• American Red Cross
• Visit Tuolumne County
63 Item A.

About the LHMP – Hazards
Profiled
Drought Flood Hazardous Materials
Spill
Human-Caused (Active
Shooter/Terrorist
Attack/Mass Casualty,
Aircraft Crash, Civil
Disturbance,
Cyberattacks)
Pandemic Landslide &
Sinkholes
Seismic (Fault
Rupture, Ground
Shaking)
Severe Weather
(Extreme Heat, Ice, Hail,
Snowstorm, Thunder &
Lightning, Windstorms
and Tornado, Power
Outage
Volcano Wildfire
64 Item A.

About the LHMP – Process
7 Hazard Profiles
• Type,
location,
extent
• Previous
occurrences
• Probability of
future events
Vulnerability
Assessment
• Impacts of
hazard
• Vulnerability
to each
hazard
• Repetitive
loss
• Potential
dollar losses
Mitigation
Actions
• Overarching
goals
• Specific
actions
• Prioritize
actions
• Who, what,
when & how
much
65 Item A.

Community Outreach
• Pop-Up Community Workshop @ Farmers Market
• Public Survey: 110 responses
• Public Review Draft
• April 12 – May 2
66 Item A.

Mitigation Action Summary
TOTAL:
63 Actions
High Priority:
18 Actions
Medium Priority:
34 Actions
Low Priority:
11 Actions
Addressed
Multi-Hazards:
33 Actions
Addressed
Single Hazards:
30 Actions
67 Item A.

Example High Priority Mitigation
Actions
Establish comprehensive
vegetation management
and fuel reduction
program by identifying
areas with high wildfire
hazard risk as top priority
for fuel clearance
reduction
Continue mobile
outreach to homeless
or transient
individuals & connect
to shelters and social
services
Seek grant funding
for wildfire
behavior model to
aid wildfire
suppression efforts
Identify opportunities to
expand capacity of
Woods Creek to avoid
overtopping or
flooding at critical
facilities and repair of
the main drain
Seek grant funding to
purchase permanent
and emergency
generators in
coordination with
community
stakeholders
Identify key locations to
construction off-street
parking garages to
reduce on-street
parking and improve
emergency
ingress/egress
68 Item A.

Benefits of the LHMP
• Meets Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations §201.6
• Pre-Requisite to the following grant programs
• FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities • FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance
• FEMA HMGP Post-Fire Assistance
• Cal OES PrepareCA JumpStart
69 Item A.

Next Steps
• Formal Board Approval via Resolution
• LHMP & Approval Resolution submittal to FEMA
• FEMA issues final approval
• LHMP remains active for 5 years
70 Item A.

Thank You!
71 Item A.

City of Sonora, California
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Draft Submittal to Cal OES
May 14, 2024
Prepared By:
72 Item A.

CITY OF SONORA
LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN – DRAFT
Lead Agency:

CITY OF SONORA
94 Washington Street,
Sonora, CA 95370
Contact: Melissa Eads, City Administrator
(209) 532-4541
Prepared by:

MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL
5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 500
Santa Ana, California 92707
Contact: Ms. Noelle Anderson
(949) 855-3683
May 2024
JN 196731
73 Item A.

Table of Contents i May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1.0: Introduction .......................................................................................................1-1

1.1 Purpose of the Plan and Authority ..................................................................................1-1

1.2 Plan Authority .................................................................................................................1-2

1.3 Plan Adoption ................................................................................................................ 1-3

1.4 Plan Organization .......................................................................................................... 1-3

1.5 Mitigation Goals............................................................................................................. 1-3

1.6 Changes in Hazard Mitigation Priorities ......................................................................... 1-4 Section 2.0: Planning Process ............................................................................................. 2-1

2.1 Organizing Resources ................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.1 Project Management Team..................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.2 LHMP Planning Team............................................................................................. 2-2

2.1.3 Public Outreach .................................................................................................... 2-10

2.1.4 Review and Incorporate Existing Information ........................................................ 2-14

2.2 Assess Risks ............................................................................................................... 2-15

2.2.1 Identify/Profile Hazards ......................................................................................... 2-15

2.2.2 Assess Vulnerabilities ........................................................................................... 2-15

2.3 Develop Mitigation Plan ............................................................................................... 2-15

2.3.1 Identify Goals ....................................................................................................... 2-15

2.3.2 Develop Capabilities Assessment ........................................................................ 2-15

2.3.3 Identify Mitigation Actions ..................................................................................... 2-15

2.3.4 Plan Adoption and Submittal ................................................................................ 2-16

2.3.5 Plan Maintenance ................................................................................................. 2-16 Section 3.0: Community Profile ........................................................................................... 3-1 74 Item A.

Table of Contents ii May 2024

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3.1 Physical Setting............................................................................................................. 3-1

3.2 History ........................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.3 Socioeconomic Factors ................................................................................................. 3-1

3.3.1 City of Sonora Population ....................................................................................... 3-2

3.3.2 City of Sonora Educational Attainment.................................................................... 3-3

3.3.3 Employment............................................................................................................ 3-4

3.3.4 Housing................................................................................................................... 3-5

3.4 Land Uses and Existing Development ........................................................................... 3-5

3.5 Sonora Past Development Trends and Future Development ......................................... 3-7

3.6 Infrastructure Systems................................................................................................... 3-8

3.6.1 Transportation......................................................................................................... 3-8

3.6.2 Water and Wastewater............................................................................................ 3-8

3.6.3 Electricity ................................................................................................................ 3-8

3.7 Critical Facilities............................................................................................................. 3-9

3.8 Socially Vulnerable Populations and Determination..................................................... 3-12

3.8.1 SVP Research and Methodologies........................................................................ 3-12

3.8.2 SVP Determination ............................................................................................... 3-15 Section 4.0: Hazards Assessment ....................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Hazard Identification and Prioritization........................................................................... 4-1

4.1.1 Hazard Identification ............................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.2 Hazard Prioritization................................................................................................ 4-4

4.2 Climate Change Considerations .................................................................................... 4-7

4.3 Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Methodology.................................................................. 4-7

4.3.1 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 4-8 75 Item A.

Table of Contents iii May 2024

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4.4 Hazard Profiles .............................................................................................................. 4-9

4.5 Drought........................................................................................................................ 4-10

4.5.1 Description............................................................................................................ 4-10

4.5.2 Location/Extent ..................................................................................................... 4-11

4.5.3 Previous Occurrences........................................................................................... 4-14

4.5.4 Probability of Future Occurrences......................................................................... 4-15

4.5.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................... 4-15

4.5.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 4-16

4.5.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................... 4-17

4.6 Flood ........................................................................................................................... 4-17

4.6.1 Description............................................................................................................ 4-17

4.6.2 Location/Extent ..................................................................................................... 4-18

4.6.3 Previous Occurrences........................................................................................... 4-19

4.6.4 Probability of Future Occurrences......................................................................... 4-22

4.6.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................... 4-22

4.6.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 4-22

4.6.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................... 4-24

4.7 Hazardous Materials Spills .......................................................................................... 4-24

4.7.1 Description............................................................................................................ 4-24

4.7.2 Location/Extent ..................................................................................................... 4-25

4.7.3 Previous Occurrences........................................................................................... 4-26

4.7.4 Probability of Future Occurrences......................................................................... 4-27

4.7.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................... 4-27

4.7.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 4-27 76 Item A.

Table of Contents iv May 2024

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4.7.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................... 4-28

4.8 Human-Caused Hazards ............................................................................................. 4-29

4.8.1 Description............................................................................................................ 4-29

4.8.2 Location/Extent ..................................................................................................... 4-30

4.8.3 Previous Occurrences........................................................................................... 4-33

4.8.4 Probability of Future Occurrences......................................................................... 4-35

4.8.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................... 4-36

4.8.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 4-37

4.8.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................... 4-38

4.9 Landslide & Sinkholes ................................................................................................. 4-38

4.9.1 Description............................................................................................................ 4-38

4.9.2 Location/Extent ..................................................................................................... 4-39

4.9.3 Previous Occurrences........................................................................................... 4-42

4.9.4 Probability of Future Occurrences......................................................................... 4-43

4.9.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................... 4-43

4.9.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 4-44

4.9.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................... 4-45

4.10 Pandemic .................................................................................................................. 4-46

4.10.1 Description.......................................................................................................... 4-46

4.10.2 Location/Extent ................................................................................................... 4-46

4.10.3 Previous Occurrences......................................................................................... 4-47

4.10.4 Probability of Future Occurrences....................................................................... 4-48

4.10.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................. 4-49

4.10.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 4-49 77 Item A.

Table of Contents v May 2024

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CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA

4.10.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................. 4-50

4.11 Seismic Hazards........................................................................................................ 4-50

4.11.1 Description.......................................................................................................... 4-50

4.11.2 Location/Extent ................................................................................................... 4-51

4.11.3 Previous Occurrences......................................................................................... 4-55

4.11.4 Probability of Future Occurrences ....................................................................... 4-55

4.11.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................. 4-56

4.11.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 4-56

4.11.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................. 4-57

4.12 Severe Weather......................................................................................................... 4-57

4.12.1 Description.......................................................................................................... 4-57

4.12.2 Location/Extent ................................................................................................... 4-61

4.12.3 Previous Occurrences......................................................................................... 4-65

4.12.4 Probability of Future Occurrences ....................................................................... 4-68

4.12.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................. 4-69

4.12.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 4-71

4.12.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................. 4-72

4.13 Volcanoes.................................................................................................................. 4-73

4.13.1 Description.......................................................................................................... 4-73

4.13.2 Location/Extent ................................................................................................... 4-75

4.13.3 Previous Occurrences......................................................................................... 4-77

4.13.4 Probability of Future Occurrences ....................................................................... 4-77

4.13.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................. 4-78

4.13.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 4-78 78 Item A.

Table of Contents vi May 2024

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4.13.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................. 4-79

4.14 Wildfire ...................................................................................................................... 4-80

4.14.1 Description.......................................................................................................... 4-80

4.14.2 Location/Extent ................................................................................................... 4-81

4.14.3 Previous Occurrences......................................................................................... 4-84

4.14.4 Probability of Future Occurrences ....................................................................... 4-86

4.14.5 Climate Change .................................................................................................. 4-86

4.14.6 Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ..................................................................... 4-87

4.14.7 SVP Vulnerability and Risk Assessment ............................................................. 4-89

4.15 Summary of Vulnerability ........................................................................................... 4-89

4.16 Summary of State and Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area ..... 4-93 Section 5.0: Mitigation Strategy........................................................................................... 5-1

5.1 Hazard Mitigation Overview........................................................................................... 5-1

5.1.1 FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program ............................................................ 5-1

5.1.2 Hazard Mitigation Prioritization................................................................................ 5-1

5.1.3 Hazard Mitigation Benefit – Cost Review ................................................................ 5-3

5.1.4 Status of Previous Plan Actions .............................................................................. 5-4

5.2 Hazard Mitigation Actions .............................................................................................. 5-4

5.3 Capabilities Assessment ............................................................................................. 5-11

5.3.1 Key Resources...................................................................................................... 5-11 Section 6.0: Plan Maintenance............................................................................................. 6-1

6.1 Purpose of the Plan and Authority ................................................................................. 6-1

6.1.1 Evaluation............................................................................................................... 6-2

6.2 Method and Schedule for Updating the Plan within Five Years ..................................... 6-2 79 Item A.

Table of Contents vii May 2024

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6.2.1 Process................................................................................................................... 6-3

6.3 Local Adoption .............................................................................................................. 6-4

6.4 Implementation through Existing Programs and Planning Mechanisms ........................ 6-4

6.5 2018 MJHMP Past Integration Efforts ........................................................................... 6-6

6.6 Continued Public Involvement ...................................................................................... 6-6

6.7 Point of Contact ............................................................................................................ 6-7 Section 7.0: References.........................................................................................................7-1 Appendix
Appendix A, City of Sonora Adoption Resolution
Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation
Appendix B.1, LHMP Planning Team Meetings
Appendix B.1 - 1, Kick-Off Meeting Documentation
Appendix B.1 - 2, Planning Team Meeting #1 Documentation Appendix B.1 - 3, Planning Team Meeting Focus Groups
Appendix B.1 - 4, Planning Team Meeting #2 Documentation Appendix B.2, Community Outreach
Appendix B.2 - 1, Community Outreach Survey
Appendix B.2 - 2, LHMP Web Content
Appendix B.2 - 3, Community Outreach Event
Appendix B.3, Public Review Documentation
80 Item A.

Introduction 1-1 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Natural and human-caused hazards can cause significant damage to communities, businesses, public infrastructure, and the environment. The impacts to residents and businesses within communities can be immense, and infrastructure damage can result in regional, economic, and public health consequences. Municipal buildings and critical infrastructure are vulnerable to a variety of hazards that can result in damaged structures, loss of power, disruption to operations and services, contaminated natural resources, and revenue losses. By planning for natural and human-caused hazards, and implementing projects that mitigate risk, cities can reduce costly damage and improve reliability of service following a disaster incident.

The City of Sonora (City) strives to improve resilience through capital improvement projects, innovative planning, and coordinated emergency management practices. The City developed this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (the “LHMP” or “Plan”) in an effort to reduce future loss of life and property damage resulting from natural disasters and other human-caused hazards.

Previously, the City participated in the 2018 Tuolumne County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The City has developed this LHMP to implement a hazard mitigation strategy that is more specific to the needs and goals of the City of Sonora. The hazard mitigation strategy of this LHMP has identified specific mitigation actions, capital improvement projects, as well as local and regional partnerships to protect the community from natural and human-caused hazards.

No community can be fully protected against all potential impacts from natural or humancaused hazards, and hazard events often result in periods of emergency response and recovery before returning to “normal” operations. However, communities can reduce potential impacts by taking actions to become more resilient. This LHMP provides a blueprint for the City to reduce threats posed by hazards that may impact people, infrastructure or operations. Proper planning, prior to a natural or human-caused disaster, will allow the City to return to “normal” sooner, with fewer impacts upon people, facilities and/or infrastructure.

The purpose of the LHMP is to provide the City with clear direction for hazard mitigation action planning. This LHMP identifies natural and human-caused hazards that threaten City infrastructure operations, and people. This LHMP also provides resources, information, and strategies to reduce this risk.

Hazard mitigation plays an important role in reducing the impacts of disasters by identifying effective and feasible actions to reduce the risks posed by potential hazards before they occur. This plan has been developed and updated to be consistent with 81 Item A.

Introduction 1-2 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
current standards and regulations, ensuring that the understanding of hazards facing the community reflects the best available information and present-day conditions.

The LHMP does not supersede any internal plans or strategies. Rather, the LHMP enhances the ability to identify, inform and mitigate hazard risks unique to Sonora.

Information in this plan will be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation actions and serve as a tool for City decision-makers to specifically direct mitigation activities and resources.

This LHMP incorporates the latest policy guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide, released April 19, 2022 and effective April 19, 2023. Specifically, this LHMP responds to updated policy guidance relating to climate change, socially vulnerable populations and equity, in the following sections.

The federal Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (Stafford Act), as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) and supported by various regulations, directs hazard mitigation planning activities, including creation of this plan.

The Stafford Act requires State, local, and tribal governmental entities that wish to be eligible for federal hazard mitigation grant funds to submit a hazard mitigation plan, identifying the natural and man-made hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities of each jurisdiction (United States Code [USC] Title 42, Section 5156[a]). FEMA has promulgated Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 44, Part 201 to carry out the hazard mitigation planning requirements in the Stafford Act. These regulations direct the planning process, plan content, and FEMA approval of hazard mitigation plans. This LHMP complies with the Stafford Act and DMA 200, along with the appropriate sections of Title 44 of the CFR, including parts 201, 206 and 322.

California Government Code Section 8685.9 (Assembly Bill [AB] 2140) limits the State of California’s share of disaster relief funds paid out to local governments to 75 percent of the funds not paid for by federal disaster relief efforts, unless the jurisdiction has adopted a valid hazard mitigation plan consistent with DMA 2000. This LHMP is consistent with current standards and regulations, as outlined by Cal OES. It uses the best available information, and its mitigation actions reflect best practices and community values. This LHMP meets the requirements of current State and federal guidelines and ensures the City of Sonora is eligible for all appropriate benefits under State and federal law and practices. This LHMP has been prepared to meet FEMA and Cal OES requirements, thus making the City eligible for funding and technical assistance from State and federal hazard mitigation programs.
82 Item A.

Introduction 1-3 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Following FEMA approval of the LHMP, the Sonora City Council will formally adopt the LHMP. Copies of the resolution are provided in Appendix A, City of Sonora Adoption Resolution.

The LHMP is organized into seven sections to reflect the logical progression of activities undertaken to develop the Plan and includes all relevant documentation required to meet the necessary criteria for FEMA approval. Each section is briefly described below.

Section 1.0: Introduction describes the background and purpose of the Plan, as well as the authority established for its development.

Section 2.0: Planning Process describes the 10-step LHMP planning process, as well as the meetings and outreach activities undertaken to engage City officials and staff, stakeholders and members of the public.

Section 3.0: Community Profile provides the history, geography, demographics, and socioeconomics of the City of Sonora, including land use and development trends. This section also evaluates social vulnerability through a variety of environmental justice indices and identifies applicability to the planning area.

Section 4.0: Hazards Assessment identifies and profiles the natural and human-caused hazards affecting the City, identifies the vulnerability and risk associated with each hazard, and provides a vulnerability assessment to critical facilities in relation to each of those hazards.

Section 5.0: Mitigation Strategy identifies the mitigation strategy and actions to reduce potential risks to the City’s critical facilities, residents, and business owners and assesses the City’s capabilities to implement and achieve the objectives of the mitigation actions.

Section 6.0: Plan Maintenance discusses implementation of the Plan, including the process to monitor, evaluate, update, and maintain the LHMP, and identifies opportunities for continued public involvement.

Section 7.0: References identifies the various resources utilized throughout the LHMP.

The City has adopted the following goals for reducing disaster risk:
• Reduce Loss of Life and Injury: to protect Sonora residents from both natural hazards and human-caused hazards known to affect the City. 83 Item A.

Introduction 1-4 May 2024

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CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
• Reduce the Potential for Damage: to reduce damage to Sonora critical facilities, public infrastructure and private property by increasing redundancy and reliability. • Promote Communication Opportunities: to communicate risk and vulnerability through information resources, community outreach and education, and transparent planning efforts.
• Create a Culture of Safety, Preparedness, and Hazard Mitigation: to enhance resilience and reduce recovery time after a hazard incident. • Establish a Comprehensive Mitigation Strategy: to balance natural resource management and land use planning with mitigation to protect life, property and the environment.

Changed priorities from the City of Sonora are reflected in the shift to this singlejurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. The City previously participated as a jurisdictional partner in the 2018 Tuolumne County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) as Annex A. As the only incorporated city and urbanized area within Tuolumne County, the City’s hazard risk and vulnerability varies substantially from rural unincorporated communities identified in the 2018 MJHMP. In addition, the City wanted to act as their own lead agency for hazard mitigation purposes, allowing City staff to apply directly for hazard mitigation grants without County coordination. Therefore, the City decided to instead prepare a single-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan to account for major differences in risk, vulnerability, and hazard mitigation.

As this planning process was jurisdiction-specific, the LHMP Planning Team decided to incorporate additional hazards into this LHMP. New hazards included in this updated LHMP include:
• Drought
• Human-Caused Hazards (Active Shooter/Terrorist Attack/Mass Casualty, Aircraft Crash, Civil Disturbance, Cyberattacks)
• Landslides (included under the previously identified Sinkholes profile) • Pandemic
• Power Outage (included under the previously identified Severe Weather profile) The LHMP Project Management Team coordinated with the LHMP Planning Team to incorporate these above-mentioned hazards into the hazard profiles in a jurisdictionspeciifc planner, compared to the previous 2018 MJHMP. All new hazards identified include at least one mitigation action, as identified in Section 5.0. 84 Item A.

Planning Process 2-1 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
This section describes each stage of the planning process used to develop the LHMP.

This LHMP follows a prescribed series of planning steps which includes organizing resources, assessing risk, developing the mitigation strategy, drafting the plan, reviewing/revising the plan, and adopting and submitting the plan for approval. Each step is further described in this section.

Hazard mitigation planning in the United States is guided by the statutory regulations described in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) and implemented through 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 201 and 206. FEMA’s hazard mitigation plan guidelines outline a four-step planning process for the development and approval of hazard mitigation plans. Table 2-1, DMA 2000 CFR Crosswalk, lists the specific CFR excerpts that identify the requirements for approval, and identifies the applicable section of this LHMP.

Table 2-1
DMA 2000 CFR Crosswalk
DMA 2000 (44 CFR 201.6) 2016 LHMP Plan Section
(1) Organize Resources Section 2
201.6(c)(1) Organize to prepare the plan
201.6(b)(1) Involve the public
201.6(b)(2) and (3) Coordinate with other agencies
(2) Assess Risks Section 4
201.6(c)(2)(i) Assess the hazard
201.6(c)(2)(ii) and (iii) Assess the problem
(3) Develop the Mitigation Plan Section 5
201.6(c)(3)(i) Set goals
201.6(c)(3)(ii) Review possible activities (actions)
201.6(c)(3)(iii) Draft an action plan
(4) Plan Maintenance Section 6
201.6(c)(5) Adopt the plan
201.6(c)(4) Implement, evaluate, and revise
The first step in the planning process involved organization of resources, including identifying the LHMP Project Management Team, and convening the LHMP Consultant Team and the LHMP Planning Team and performing document review.

The LHMP Project Management Team was responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the LHMP work program, including forming and assembling the LHMP Planning Team; 85 Item A.

Planning Process 2-2 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

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scheduling meetings; preparing, reviewing, and disseminating meeting materials; coordinating, scheduling, and participating in community engagement activities and meetings; and coordinating document review. The LHMP Project Management Team included shared responsibilities between the City Administrator, Fire Department Chief and Police Department Chief.

The LHMP Project Management Team worked directly with the LHMP Consultant Team throughout development of the LHMP. The Consultant Team, consisting of hazard mitigation/planning professionals from Michael Baker International performing work as a subconsultant under CSG Consultants. CSG consultants served as the project coordinator on behalf of the City of Sonora provided guidance and support to the City and through facilitation of the planning process, data collection, community engagement, meeting materials, and document development.

The LHMP Project Management Team worked with the LHMP Consultant Team to identify stakeholders to participate in the LHMP. Stakeholders included representatives from internal city departments, along with several external entities including neighboring jurisdictions (Tuolumne County), utilities, professional organizations, community-based organizations, schools/academia and other non-profits/NGOs.

The LHMP Project Management team carefully selected stakeholders to represent a cross section of relevant community lifelines. Community lifelines are defined by FEMA as a fundamental service in the community that, when stabilized, enables all other aspects of society. When disrupted, decisive intervention (e.g., rapid service reestablishment or employment of contingency response solutions) is required. Community lifelines are categorized as follows:
• Safety and Security: Law Enforcement/Security, Fire Service, Search and Rescue, Government Service, Community Safety.
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: Food, Hydration, Shelter, Agriculture. • Health and Medical: Medical Care, Public Health, Patient Movement, Medical Supply Chain, Fatality Management.
• Energy: Power Grid, Fuel.
• Communications: Infrastructure, Responder Communications, Alerts Warnings and Messages, Finance, 911 and Dispatch.
• Transportation: Highway/Roadway/Motor Vehicle, Mass Transit, Railway, Aviation, Maritime.
• Hazardous Materials: Facilities, HAZMAT, Pollutants, Contaminants. • Water Systems: Potable Water Infrastructure, Wastewater Management. 86 Item A.

Planning Process 2-3 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Stakeholders were notified via email, advising of the City’s efforts to prepare an LHMP and requesting their involvement in preparation of the Plan, including an invitation to attend the LHMP Planning Team meetings. The list of stakeholders included in this notification effort are summarized in Table 2-2, LHMP Planning Team and Community Lifelines, below.

Table 2-2
LHMP Planning Team and Community Lifelines
Agency or Utility Name Community Lifeline
Local and Regional Agencies Involved in Hazard Mitigation Activities Cal Fire – Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Safety and Security; Communications City of Sonora (see department list below) * Food, Water, Shelter; Safety and Security; Communications; Transportation
Pacific Gas & Electric Company* Energy; Hazardous Materials Tuolumne County Fire Department Safety and Security
Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Management* Safety and Security; Communications Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office Safety and Security; Communications Tuolumne County Transit Agency Safety and Security; Transportation Tuolumne Utilities District Water; Hazardous Materials
Agencies with the Authority to Regulate Development
City of Sonora (see department list below) * Food, Water, Shelter; Safety and Security; Communications; Transportation
Agencies of Neighboring Communities
Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Safety and Security; Communications Tuolumne County District Attorney Communications
Tuolumne County Probation Department Food, Water, Shelter; Safety and Security; Communications
Representatives of Business, Academia, and other Private Organizations Sonora Chamber of Commerce Safety and Security
Sonora Elementary School District* Safety and Security; Communications Sonora Union High School District* Safety and Security; Communications Tuolumne County Association of Realtors Safety and Security; Communications Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce Safety and Security Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools* Safety and Security; Communications Yosemite Community College District Safety and Security; Communications Representatives of Nonprofit Organizations/Community Based Organizations Adventist Heath Sonora* Health and Medical; Food, Water, Shelter; Safety and Security; Communications
Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency – Homeless
Shelters* Food, Water, Shelter; Safety and Security
American Red Cross* Food, Water, Shelter; Communications Visit Tuolumne County Safety and Security
*Indicates an LHMP Planning Team member that provides services to socially vulnerable populations or other “high-risk” populations within the planning area. Refer to Section 3.8.2 for further discussion. 87 Item A.

Planning Process 2-4 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
In addition to external stakeholders, the LHMP Planning Team included City of Sonora staff members, representing a diverse cross-section of departments and responsibilities.

Members of the LHMP Planning Team represented the following City departments and divisions:

City of Sonora
• Administrative Services
• City Administrator
• Community Development
• Fire Department
• Information Technology
• Police Department
The LHMP Planning Team worked together to ensure the success of the planning process and is responsible for its implementation and future maintenance. The committee’s key responsibilities included:
• Participation in LHMP Planning Team meetings
• Collection of valuable local information and other requested data • Decision on plan process and content
• Development and prioritization of mitigation actions for the LHMP • Review and comment on plan drafts
• Coordination and involvement in the public engagement process Table 2-3, LHMP Planning Team, identifies both LHMP Project Management Team and LHMP Planning Team members, along with their roles in plan development.

Table 2-3
LHMP Planning Team
Name Title/Role Organization LHMP Planning Team Role
LHMP Project Management Team
Melissa Eads City Administrator/Project
Manager
City of Sonora
City Project Manager – Organization of
LHMP Planning Team and meetings,
development of and participation in
community outreach, hazard
identification, capabilities assessment,
mitigation actions and prioritization,
plan coordination and review.

Chief Aimee New Fire Department Chief City of Sonora
Fire Dept. Project Manager/ LHMP
Planning Team Representative –
Organization of LHMP Planning Team
and meetings, development of and
participation in community outreach,
hazard identification, capabilities
assessment, mitigation actions and
prioritization, plan coordination and
review.
88 Item A.

Planning Process 2-5 May 2024

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CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 2-3 (continued)
LHMP Planning Team
Name Title/Role Organization LHMP Planning Team Role
LHMP Project Management Team
Chief Turu
Vanderwiel Police Department Chief City of Sonora
Police Dept. Project Manager/ LHMP
Planning Team Representative –
Organization of LHMP Planning Team
and meetings, development of and
participation in community outreach,
hazard identification, capabilities
assessment, mitigation actions and
prioritization, plan coordination and
review.

LHMP Planning Team
Andrew Murphy Assistant Chief Cal Fire - TCU
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Beatriz Mich Disaster Program Manager American Red Cross Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, capabilities assessment,
draft LHMP review/comment.

Cheryl Griffiths District Superintendent Sonora Elementary School District
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Chris Gorsky Administrative Services
Director
City of Sonora
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Dan Hawks Chief Probation Officer Tuolumne County
Probation Department
Capabilities assessment, vulnerability
summary, mitigation strategy
discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Darin Grossi Executive Director
Tuolumne County
Transportation Council
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

David Goldemberg Supervisor Tuolumne County Board
of Supervisors
Critical facilities review, risk
assessment/vulnerability discussion,
mitigation action discussion, draft
LHMP review/comment.
89 Item A.

Planning Process 2-6 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

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Table 2-3 (continued)
LHMP Planning Team
Name Title/Role Organization LHMP Planning Team Role
David Vasquez Captain Tuolumne County
Sheriff’s Office
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Dennis Lewis Volunteer American Red Cross
Critical facilities review, risk
assessment/vulnerability discussion,
mitigation action discussion, draft
LHMP review/comment.

Dore Bietz Assistant Director Tuolumne County OES
Capabilities assessment, vulnerability
summary, mitigation strategy
discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Dorothy Pimentel Director of Risk Management Yosemite Community College District
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, capabilities assessment,
vulnerability summary, mitigation
strategy discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Ed Pelfrey Superintendent
Sonora Union High
School District
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, capabilities assessment,
draft LHMP review/comment.

Emma Goldsmith Contract Planner CSG Consulting
Critical facilities review, risk
assessment/vulnerability discussion,
mitigation action discussion, draft
LHMP review/comment.

Glenn Cadwell Public Safety Manager Columbia Community
College
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Joe Bors Executive Director
ATCAA Homeless
Shelter
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, capabilities assessment,
vulnerability summary, mitigation
strategy discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Katie Dunn President
Sonora Chamber of
Commerce
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.
90 Item A.

Planning Process 2-7 May 2024

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Table 2-3 (continued)
LHMP Planning Team
Name Title/Role Organization LHMP Planning Team Role
Lisa Mayo President & CEO Visit Tuolumne County
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Rachelle Kellogg Community Development
Director
City of Sonora
Critical facilities review, risk
assessment/vulnerability discussion,
mitigation action discussion, draft
LHMP review/comment.

Ron Kopf Government Affairs Director Tuolumne County
Association of Realtors
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Sara Daniel Revenue Recovery
Supervisor Tuolumne County OES
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, critical facilities review,
risk assessment/vulnerability
discussion, mitigation action
discussion, capabilities assessment,
draft LHMP review/comment.

Steve Andrade Campus Operations Manager Yosemite Community College District
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, capabilities assessment,
vulnerability summary, mitigation
strategy discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Taylor Martens Executive Administrative
Analyst
Tuolumne County
Superintendent of School
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Tom Crosby President
Tuolumne County
Chamber of Commerce
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Tracey McKnight Senior Admin Analyst Tuolumne County OES Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, draft LHMP
review/comment.

Tyler Newton Operations Executive Adventist Heath Sonora Critical facilities review, risk
assessment/vulnerability discussion,
mitigation action discussion, draft
LHMP review/comment.
91 Item A.

Planning Process 2-8 May 2024

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Table 2-3 (continued)
LHMP Planning Team
Name Title/Role Organization LHMP Planning Team Role
Zack Abernathy County Superintendent
Tuolumne County
Superintendent of
Schools
Project goals and objectives
identification, hazard identification and
prioritization, capabilities assessment,
vulnerability summary, mitigation
strategy discussion, draft LHMP
review/comment.

A series of LHMP Planning Team meetings and smaller focus group meetings were hosted between September to November 2023. The LHMP Planning Team Meeting #1 was hosted in September 2023 to introduce the LHMP, outline the planning process, and discuss priority natural hazards for the plan. Stakeholders on the LHMP Planning Team were then invited to participate in focus group meetings, hosted in October and November 2023. Focus groups were either held with a single stakeholder or a group of stakeholders with similar responsibilities or interests (such as all internal City representatives during Focus Group Meeting #4 or all County/regional agencies during Focus Group Meeting #7). The meeting series was concluded with the LHMP Planning Team Meeting #2, hosted in November 2023. The purpose of the conclusion meeting was to present vulnerability/risk assessment findings and present mitigation actions. The meeting series is summarized below in Table 2-4, LHMP Planning Team and Focus Group Meeting Summary.

Meetings were held virtually via Microsoft Teams, to accommodate stakeholders distributed throughout the region along with remote staff serving on the LHMP Consultant team. Meeting materials, including PowerPoint presentations, sign-in sheets, agendas, notes, and other relevant handouts, are provided in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation.

Table 2-4
LHMP Planning Team and Focus Group Meeting Summary
Date/Time Meeting Attendees Discussion Items
September 27, 2023
1:00 – 3:00 pm
LHMP Planning Team
Meeting #1 LHMP Planning Team (all)
• Project Background
• Purpose & Requirements of the
LHMP
• Project Goals, Objectives and
Expectations
• Hazard Identification and
Prioritization
October 4, 2023
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Focus Group Meeting #1
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Chief Turu Vanderwiel – City
of Sonora
Ed Pelfrey – Sonora Union
High School District
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
92 Item A.

Planning Process 2-9 May 2024

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Table 2-4 (continued)
LHMP Planning Team and Focus Group Meeting Summary
Date/Time Meeting Attendees Discussion Items
October 4, 2023
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Focus Group Meeting #2
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Chief Aimee New – City of
Sonora
Beatriz Mich – American Red
Cross
Dennis Lewis – American Red
Cross
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
October 11, 2023
9:30 – 10:30 am
Focus Group Meeting #3
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Chief Turu Vanderwiel – City
of Sonora
David Goldemberg –
Tuolumne County Board of
Supervisors
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
October 30, 2023
10:00 – 11:00 am
Focus Group Meeting #4
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Lisa Mayo – Visit Tuolumne
County
Katie Dunn – Sonora
Chamber of Commerce
Ron Kopf – Tuolumne County
Association of Realtors
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
October 31, 2023
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Focus Group Meeting #5
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Chief Turu Vanderwiel – City
of Sonora
Rachelle Kellogg – City of
Sonora
Emma Goldsmith – CSG
Consulting
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
November 2, 2023
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Focus Group Meeting #6
(Adventist Health
Sonora)
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Tyler Newton – Adventist
Health Sonora
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
November 2, 2023
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Focus Group Meeting #7
(County and Regional
Agencies)
Melissa Eads – City of Sonora
Andy Murphy – CalFire, TCU
Unit
Sara Daniel – Tuolumne
County OES
• Critical Facilities Review
• Risk/Vulnerability Discussion
• Mitigation Action Discussion
November 15, 2023
1:00 – 3:00 pm
LHMP Planning Team
Meeting #2 LHMP Planning Team (all)
• Capabilities Assessment
• Risk Assessment/Vulnerability
Overview
• Mitigation Action Discussion
• Public Involvement Update
The draft LHMP was electronically circulated to the LHMP Planning Team on February 5, 2024, for an internal one-week review period concluding on February 9, 2024. At the conclusion of the internal review period, minor comments, edits and points of clarification were requested in the LHMP. Documentation of this process is included in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation.
93 Item A.

Planning Process 2-10 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
The public outreach and engagement strategy was developed to maximize public involvement in the LHMP planning process. The LHMP strategy included a dedicated webpage, community survey, a community outreach event, and distribution of a draft Plan for public review, as described below; refer to Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation. The LHMP public outreach process was specifically designed to maximize participation and input from all community members, including underserved groups and vulnerable populations.

A dedicated webpage was developed on the City’s website for the LHMP planning process. The webpage provided information on the LHMP, and how the public can get involved in the planning process. Contact information was included for comments or questions via email. A link to complete the community survey was posted to encourage participation. The website was updated throughout the planning process and provided notifications and access to LHMP materials. The draft LHMP was also made available for public review on this webpage, available here: https://sonoraca.com/local-hazardmitigation-plan/.

Virtual outreach on the City’s website posted for the entirety of the LHMP development process allowed for maximum audience reach, including underserved and vulnerable populations. Traditionally, virtual outreach has the ability to reach community members who may be unable to attend in-person meetings or hearings. Individuals can access all information at their own convenience and have the ability to communicate directly with City staff regarding questions or comments.

A community survey was developed to obtain input from the community about various hazard mitigation topics. In addition to basic demographic information (e.g., zip code and age), the survey asked residents to identify specific safety concerns, including identifying what hazards they felt were most likely to impact their neighborhood or property.

Participants were also asked what actions they had taken to be more resistant to hazards, and preferences for future communication methods from the City. A survey link was posted on the LHMP webpage and a QR code was distributed on a printed handout at the Sonora Farmers’ Market outreach event (below). Members of the LHMP Planning Team also distributed the survey link to colleagues and constituents within their jurisdiction.

The survey was conducted between September 5, 2023, and closed December 7, 2023.

A total of 23 responses were received. Of the 23 participants, approximately 35 percent provided contact information and requested notification when the draft LHMP becomes available for public review. Input received was generally consistent with feedback from the Sonora Farmers’ Market and LHMP Community Outreach Event, outlined below. 94 Item A.

Planning Process 2-11 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

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Survey input directly influenced the final hazard rankings, provided in Section 4.0, Hazard Assessment. Further details received allow the City to better target future outreach and engagement activities regarding the LHMP. The survey specifically provides outreach with underserved and vulnerable populations who may not have the capacity or ability to attend in-person outreach events or hearings. A detailed community outreach summary is included in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation.

An interactive pop-up booth focused on LHMP
outreach and content was hosted at the Sonora
Farmers’ Market on September 30, 2023, from 9:00
AM – 11:00 AM. The intent of this outreach event was
to use the “Whole Community” approach and meet
stakeholders/constituents at a convenient location
during a regularly scheduled and free event.

The LHMP Consultants, Michael Baker International
and CSG Consultants, provided several informational
boards regarding the LHMP update process and
information about key community lifelines. City staff
set up and hosted the outreach event. Participants
were given sheets of five dot stickers to place on the
list of Sonora hazards indicating which of the hazards
were a top concern or priority. Results from this
exercise, along with the board illustrations are
documented in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team
Documentation. Feedback was generally consistent
with the results from the community survey exercise. City staff was available to answer questions from the public regarding hazard mitigation and resilience related to the City.

Approximately 50 participants took part in the natural hazard ranking activity during the two hour long pop-up event.

In addition to the activities and informational boards, staff passed out an informational postcard describing the LHMP Update process containing the Community Survey QR Code to provide them with the opportunity to give additional input. An illustration of this handout is included below as Figure 2-1, Postcard Handout from Sonora Farmers’ Market Outreach and photos from the event are included as Figure 2-2, Pictures from the Farmers’ Market Pop-Up Event.

Definitions:

Whole Community: engaging the
full capacity of private and
nonprofit sectors, including
businesses, faith-based and
disability organizations, and the
general public, in conjunction with
the participation of local, tribal,
state, and Federal governmental
partners (FEMA).

Social Vulnerablility:
characteristics of a person or
group that affect their capacity to
anticipate, cope with, resist, and
recover from the impact of a
discrete and identifiable disaster in
nature or society (CDC).
95 Item A.

Planning Process 2-12 May 2024

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Figure 2-1
Postcard Handout from Sonora Farmers’ Market Outreach
96 Item A.

Planning Process 2-13 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Figure 2-2
Pictures from the Farmers’ Market Pop-Up Event
LHMP Outreach
Sonora Farmers’ Market
September 30, 2023
97 Item A.

Planning Process 2-14 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
A draft of the LHMP was made available on the LHMP webpage for the public to review and comment for a 2-week period beginning on February 13, 2024 and ending on February 27, 2024. The LHMP was posted on the City’s website and emails were sent to notify survey participants who requested the opportunity to review the document. The LHMP received no comments on the draft plan. Documentation of this process is included in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation.

The LHMP Planning Team referenced a variety of plans, studies, data and technical reports available from local, State, and federal sources to prepare the LHMP update.

Primary sources were reviewed and incorporated as part of the LHMP planning process, and are listed in Table 2-5, Existing Plans, Studies, Reports, and Other Technical Data/Information. A complete list of references is included in Section 7.0, References.

Table 2-5
Existing Plans, Studies, Reports, and Other Technical Data/Information Existing Plans, Studies, Reports,
and Other Technical Data/Information
Planning Process /
Area of Document Inclusion
2020 Urban Water Management Plan for Tuolumne Utilities District Hazard Profiles; Vulnerability Assessment; Mitigation Strategy; Capabilities Assessment
California Department of Conservation Hazard Profiles
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services California Adaptation Planning Guide (2020)
Hazard Profiles; Climate Mitigation Plan
Development
California State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023) Hazard Profiles City of Sonora General Plan 2020 Local Plan Integration Existing/Planned Land Uses City of Sonora Main Drain Field Inspection and Condition Assessment (Oct. 2023) Hazard Profiles; Mitigation Strategy City of Sonora Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Budget (2022/2023)
Mitigation Strategy; Plan Maintenance and
Capabilities
FEMA Fact Sheet – Hazard Mitigation Planning for Local
Communities Multiple Plan Sections
FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide Multiple Plan Sections FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook Multiple Plan Sections FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide Multiple Plan Sections National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Databases Hazard Profiles Southern California Earthquake Data Center Hazard Profiles Tuolumne County 2018 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Hazard Profiles Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Plan Multiple Plan Sections United States Drought Monitor Drought Hazard Profile
United States Geological Survey Science Data Catalog Hazard Profiles, Vulnerability Assessment Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map in LRA As
Recommended by CALFIRE Vulnerability Assessment
98 Item A.

Planning Process 2-15 May 2024

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In accordance with FEMA requirements, the LHMP Planning Team identified and prioritized the hazards affecting the City and assessed vulnerability from those hazards.

Results from this phase of the LHMP planning process aided subsequent identification of appropriate mitigation actions to reduce risk from these hazards; refer to Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy.

Based on a review of past hazards, as well as a review of existing plans, reports, and other technical studies, data, and information, the LHMP Planning Team determined which specific hazards could affect the City. Content for each hazard profile is provided in Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment.

Hazard profiling exposes the unique characteristics of individual hazards and begins the process of determining which areas within the City are vulnerable to specific hazards. The vulnerability assessment included input from the LHMP Planning Team and a GIS overlaying method for hazard risk assessments. Using these methodologies, critical facilities impacted by hazards were identified and potential loss estimates were determined, where available. Detailed information on the vulnerability assessments for each hazard is provided in Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment.

The LHMP Planning Team reviewed mitigation goals from the previous Tuolumne County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and developed updated mitigation goals that reflect the priorities of the City of Sonora. Hazard mitigation goals were discussed during Meeting #1, before finalization and incorporation into the LHMP. The Mitigation Goals are included in Section 1.0, Introduction.

A capabilities assessment is a comprehensive review of all the various mitigation capabilities and tools currently available to the City for the mitigation action implementation prescribed in the LHMP. The LHMP Planning Team identified the technical, financial, and administrative capabilities to implement mitigation actions, as detailed in Section 5.3, Capabilities Assessment.

As part of the LHMP planning process, the LHMP Planning Team worked to identify and develop mitigation actions, after which mitigation actions were prioritized as high, medium, or low. A detailed discussion of the identification and prioritization of mitigation 99 Item A.

Planning Process 2-16 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
actions, and the creation of the implementation strategy is provided in Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy.

This Plan will be submitted to Cal OES and FEMA for review. Upon receiving “approvable pending adoption” notification from FEMA, this Plan will be presented to the City Council for consideration and approval. If approved, a copy of the resolution will be provided in Appendix A, City of Sonora Adoption Resolution.

Plan maintenance procedures, found in Section 6.0, Plan Maintenance and Capabilities, include the measures the City will take to ensure the continuous long‐term implementation of the LHMP. The procedures also include the manner in which the LHMP will be regularly monitored, reported upon, evaluated, and updated to remain a current and meaningful planning document.
100
Item A.

Community Profile 3-1 May 2024

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CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
The City of Sonora (planning area) is located in the eastern portion of Tuolumne County, within the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The City of Sonora is the only incorporated jurisdiction within Tuolumne County and serves as the County seat. The planning area is surrounded by the unincorporated Tuolumne County, including the Community of Columbia and Springfield to the north, East Sonora to the east, and Jamestown to the west.

Regional access to the City of Sonora is provided by State Route (SR) 49 (north/south) and SR-108 (east west). Sonora Creek extends through the City in a northeast to southwest direction and provides drainage outside of the planning area.

The City of Sonora was founded by miners emigrating from the State of Sonora, Mexico during 1848. As a part of California’s Mother Lode, gold and other mining operations were the economic force behind early development in Sonora. During the California Gold Rush peak, the City population reached nearly 5,000 residents.

Sonora was incorporated as a city on May 1, 1851, with former Mayor Charles F. Dodge leading the first town hall meeting on May 26, 1851. The City was established as the Tuolumne County seat and remains the only incorporated City within the County to this day.

After the Gold Rush, the Sonora population declined in the 1860s and 1870s. They experienced numerous disasters, including a scurvy outbreak and destructive fires through the 1890s. Many historic structures in downtown Sonora can trace history to the City’s early days, including the Tuolumne County Museum (previously the County Jail), the Sonora Opera Hall and the Red Church.

As mining declined, the lumber industry became the main economic driver through the early 20th century. The Sierra Railroad included a Sonora stop in 1899, allowing for the export of timber and similar goods. Forest management and environmental policies slowed the local lumber economy during the second half of the 20th century. Now, the local economy relies on tourism and drives visitors from proximity to Yosemite National Park. During 1900 – 2000, the City population remained small, but steadily increased.

The 2020 US Census reports 5,003 residents in the City of Sonora, a population size similar to when the City was founded.

Population, education, employment, and housing data are described in this section, below.
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Community Profile 3-2 May 2024

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Table 3-1, City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Population and Housing Data (2022), provides an overview of the City’s and County’s demographics.

Table 3-1
City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Population and Housing Data (2022) Category City of Sonora Tuolumne County
Total Population 4,963 54,993
Percent of Residents that are children (under 18 years) 23.1% 17.0% Percent of Residents that are senior citizens (65 and over) 24.3% 27.3% Median Age (years) 41.5 48.7
Median Household Income $60,492 $70,432
Median House Value (Owner-occupied housing units) $376,100 $377,700 Occupied Housing Units 2,178 22,813
Percent of Renter-Occupied Housing Units 51.4% 25.6%
Percent of Owner-Occupied Housing Units 48.6% 74.4%
Average Household Size 2.17 2.26
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP05 Demographic and Housing Estimates.

US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP04 Selected Housing Characteristics.

The City of Sonora has an estimated population of 4,963 according to the 2022 U.S.

Census American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. The City of Sonora residents under the age of 18 make up 23.1 percent of the City’s population, residents 65 and older make up 24.3 percent of the population and approximately 52.6 percent of the population is between the ages of 18 and 65. The median age of City residents is 41.5 years of age. Comparatively, Tuolumne County age demographic comprises 17 percent of residents under the age of 18, with 27.3 percent of residents 65 and over.

Approximately 55.7 percent of the population is between the ages of 18 and 65 with a median age of 48.7 years. Overall, these metrics show that the City has a younger population than that of the County.

The City has a lower median household income, home ownership rate and median house value in comparison to Tuolumne County. The median household income in the City of Sonora is $60,492, which is lower than the median income in Tuolumne County at $70,432. Owner-occupied housing units in the City of Sonora accounts for 48.6 percent of total occupied housing which is lower than the 74.4 percent of owner-occupied housing units in the County. The City of Sonora has an average household size of 2.17 persons per household, and the average household size across Tuolumne County is 2.26 persons per household.

Table 3-2, City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Racial and Ethnic Composition (2022), provides an overview of the City’s and County’s racial/ethnic demographics. 102
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Community Profile 3-3 May 2024

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Table 3-2
City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Racial and Ethnic Composition (2022) Race or Ethnicity
City of Sonora Tuolumne County
Population Percentage of
Population Population Percentage of Population
White (non-Hispanic) 4,179 84.2% 43,547 79.2%
Asian 131 2.6% 799 1.5%
Black or African American 27 0.5% 806 1.5%
American Indian and Alaskan
Native 64 1.3% 556 1.0%
Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander 45 0.9% 151 0.3%
Other Race 21 0.4% 300 0.5%
Two or More Races 74 1.5% 1,755 3.2%
Hispanic or Latino (of any
race)
422 8.5% 7,079 12.9%
Total 4,963 100% 54,993 100%
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP05 Demographic and Housing Estimates.

The largest ethnic group in the City is the non-Hispanic White population, which accounts for 84.2 percent of the City’s total population. The City’s ethnic makeup consists of White at 84.2 percent, Asian at 2.6 percent, Black or African American at 0.5 percent, American Indian and Alaskan Native at 1.3 percent, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander at 0.9 percent. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race constitute 8.5 percent of the City’s residents. Persons identifying as “other race” account for 0.4 percent of the population, while those reporting two or more races make up 1.5 percent of the City’s population.

The racial/ethnic makeup of Tuolumne County consists of White at 79.2 percent, Asian at 1.5 percent, Black or African American at 1.5 percent, American Indian and Alaskan Native at 1.0 percent, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander at 0.3 percent.

Hispanic or Latino persons of any race make up 12.9 percent of the population. Persons identifying as “other race” account for 0.5 percent of the population, while those reporting two or more races make up 3.2 percent of the population.

The level of racial/ethnic diversity throughout the City of Sonora is comparable to that of Tuolumne County for most racial/ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group in both the City and Tuolumne County is the non-Hispanic White population at 84.2 percent in the City and 79.2 percent in the County. The second largest ethnic group in both the City and Tuolumne County is the Hispanic or Latino population at 8.5 percent in the City and at

12.9 percent at the County level. Effectively, the level of ethnic diversity between the City and County is very similar.

Educational attainment is analyzed based on the population of individuals ages 25 and over. City of Sonora residents have a higher level of educational attainment compared to 103
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Community Profile 3-4 May 2024

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Tuolumne County; refer to Table 3-3, City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Educational Attainment (2022).

Table 3-3
City of Sonora and Tuolumne County Educational Attainment (2022) Education Attainment (Age 25 and
Over)
City of Sonora Tuolumne County
Number Percentage of
Population Number Percentage of Population
Less than 9th Grade 96 2.7% 692 1.6%
9 th to 12th Grade 132 3.7% 2,481 5.9%
High School Graduate 809 22.8% 10,373 24.7%
Some College, No Degree 985 27.8% 13,606 32.3%
Associate’s Degree 442 12.5% 4,643 11.0%
Bachelor’s Degree 600 16.9% 6,941 16.5%
Graduate or Professional Degree 483 13.6% 3,342 7.9%
Total 3,547 100% 42,078 100%
Source: US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, S1501 Educational Attainment.

Of the City’s population aged 25 years and older, 13.6 percent attained a graduate or professional degree, 16.9 percent attained a bachelor’s degree, and 12.5 percent attained an associate degree. Thus, nearly 45 percent of the City’s population has completed a higher education degree. In comparison, Tuolumne County’s higher education degree attainment is as follows: 7.9 percent attained a graduate or professional degree, 16.5 percent attained a bachelor’s degree, and 11.0 percent attained an associate degree.

Approximately 6.4 percent of adults in the City of Sonora have not completed high school compared to approximately 7.5 percent of adults in the County.

According to the 2022 U.S. Census ACS, there are 4,046 residents over 16 years of age in the City of Sonora, and 2,198 residents in the labor force. Out of the 2,198 people in the labor force, 1,992 (49.2 percent) were employed and 206 (5.1 percent) were unemployed. The educational services and healthcare/social services sector employed the largest number of City residents (34.2 percent); followed by arts, entertainment, and recreation and accommodation and food services (14.9 percent); professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management (9.0 percent); and retail trade (8.3 percent). The median household income in the City was $60,492. While approximately

10.4 percent of employees work from home, a majority of residents commute for work.

The average commute travel time is 28.4 minutes.1
1 US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles, Table DP03, 2022, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP03?q=2022 ACS employment&g=050XX00US06109_160XX00US0672674. Accessed on January 3, 2024. 104
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Community Profile 3-5 May 2024

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According to the 2022 ACS, there are 2,378 housing units in the City of Sonora. Of the total housing units, approximately 91 percent are occupied.2 There are 2,178 occupied households in the City with the average household size of 2.17 persons per household. The most common household size is the 1-person household with 938 total units followed by 2-person household with 717 total units.3 Of the 2,178 housing units, more than half are renter occupied housing units (51.4 percent) while the remaining 48.6 percent are owner-occupied housing units. As of 2022, single family detached homes were the most common housing type in the City accounting for 61 percent of the housing stock in the City of Sonora.4 Multi-family structures make up approximately 35 percent of the housing stock, while the number of mobile homes account for less than 1 percent. The housing vacancy rate in the City is approximately 8.4 percent in 2023.

Existing land use information was obtained from the Sonora City General Plan 2020.

Table 3-4, Land Use Designations, identifies the General Plan land use designations and descriptions of the typical uses allowed in each designation.

Land uses within the planning area have not changed substantially since the City participated in the Tuolumne County MJHMP (2018). The primary land uses within the City continue to be residential, commercial, and civic/institutional. Residential land uses are distributed throughout the City, with a variety of unit types. Densities are highest in Downtown Sonora and the historic City core at Washington Street/West Stockton Street, with density gradually decreasing toward the City jurisdictional boundaries. Washington Street and West Stockton Street serve as major commercial corridors. Development within specific hazard zones has generally remained the same in intensity and character, and no major or significant changes are of note from the previous 2018 MJHMP. 2 US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles, Table DP04, 2022, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP04?q=2022%20ACS%20DP04&g=050XX00US06109_160XX00US0672674. Accessed on January 3, 2024. 3 US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles, Table S2501, 2022, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S2501?q=2022%20ACS%20characteristics&g=050XX00US06109_160XX00US0672674. Accessed on January 3, 2024.
4 US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles, Table DP04, 2022, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP04?q=2022%20ACS%20DP04&g=050XX00US06109_160XX00US0672674. Accessed on January 3, 2024. 105
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Community Profile 3-6 May 2024

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Table 3-4
Land Use Designations
Land Use
Designation Density Summary Description of Land Designation AR – Agricultural
Residential
Minimum parcel area per dwelling unit:
5 acres
Maximum building coverage: none
Agricultural use such as raising and grazing of livestock, poultry or other animals; growing and harvesting of trees, fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains or other crops; storage, packing or processing of agricultural products.

C – Commercial
Minimum parcel area: 4,000 sq ft
Maximum building coverage: 80%
Retail sale and services, entertainment and other light commercial activities to serve the residents of the community; commercial facilities concentrated in well planned areas properly located in relation to access, topography and residential areas.

CG – General
Commercial
Minimum parcel area: 4,000 sq ft
Maximum building coverage: 60%
Wholesale, bulk storage, industrial services, processing, packing and other heavy commercial activities to serve the community, and provide employment and income for its residents; heavy commercial service facilities, concentrated in well planned areas properly located in relation to utilities, access, topography, and residential uses.

CO – Tourist and
Administration
Minimum parcel area per dwelling unit:
2,000 sq ft (1,000 sq ft for motels and
hotels)
Maximum building coverage: 50%
Land necessary to serve the vacationers and travelers, recognizing the importance of the tourist industry to the economy of the city. Lodging facilities in areas properly located in relation to residential and commercial areas, and to the demand for such facilities.

ML – Limited
Manufacture
Determined by the planning
commission at time a use permit is
considered.

Workshops and other places of hobby, employment and manufacturing which may create noise, odors or other nuisances which would be detrimental to residential or business environments or to the historic character of the established portions of the city preexisting 1967.

OS – Open Space
Determined by the planning
commission at time a use permit is
considered.

Areas of land and water that are unimproved or undeveloped areas; uses for preservation of natural resources; uses for managed resource production; uses devoted to outdoor recreation; uses promoting public health and safety.

PD – Planned
Development
Terms, conditions, provisions,
limitations, restrictions and
requirements normally imposed on a
planned development permit may be
more or less restrictive than those
required in the underlying zone.

The planned development combining zone is created in order to provide for the efficient and economical usage of existing buildings, structures and land within developed areas of the city, while substantially preserving the character of the primary zoning district in which such building, structure or land is located.

R-1 – Single Family
Residential
Minimum parcel area per dwelling unit:
6,000 sq ft
Maximum building coverage: 35%
Single-family residences in areas feasibly served by utilities, streets, schools, recreation areas, and other necessary facilities.

R-2 – Limited
Multifamily Residential
Minimum parcel area per dwelling unit:
4,000 sq ft
Maximum building coverage: 50%
Duplexes and other types of residences, and multifamily dwellings in garden apartments, in areas properly located in relation to commercial and other residential areas, and where utilities, streets, schools, recreation areas and other necessary facilities can feasibly serve a medium population density.

R-3 – Multifamily
Residential
Minimum parcel area per dwelling unit:
2,000 sq ft
Maximum building coverage: 50%
Multifamily dwellings in apartments in areas properly located in relation to commercial and other residential areas, and where utilities, streets, schools, recreation areas and other necessary facilities can feasibly serve a high population density.

RE – Residential
Estates
Minimum parcel area per dwelling unit:
1 acre
Maximum building coverage: 35%
Single-family residences in outlying areas and areas having special topographic features; low density suburban environment; one-family dwelling.

Source: City of Sonora Municipal Code, Title 17 Zoning. 106
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Community Profile 3-7 May 2024

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CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Since the previous iteration of the Sonora Annex included in the 2018 Tuolumne County MJHMP, population patterns, development and land use have not substantially changed within the planning area. Therefore, vulnerability has not substantially changed as associated with previously identified hazards. The City population grew nominally, from 4,903 individuals in the 2018 MJHMP to 4,963 individuals in this LHMP – representing a growth of 60 individuals. The City likely experienced a lack of growth due to the COVID19 pandemic during 2020 – 2023, where major development significantly slowed.

Because no major changes in land use occurred while the previous 2018 MJHMP was active, risk and vulnerability associated with the majority of hazards listed in this LHMP remains similar. Any differences are flagged or further discussed within the hazard profiles in Section 4.0.

The City of Sonora is largely built out, and future development is heavily constrained by environmental and topographic features. Major developments, including residential, commercial, and industrial, are not currently proposed or otherwise anticipated within the next five years of this plan. Therefore, no future changes to population patterns, land use or development are anticipated to affect risk or vulnerability.

A key indicator of projected future growth is the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA). The RHNA represents the minimum number of housing units the City is required to provide “adequate sites” for zoning and is one of the primary threshold criteria to achieve State approval of the Housing Element. For the 2024 to 2029 planning period, the City of Sonora is required to plan for an additional two (2) residential units in growth. A breakdown by income level is included in Table 3-5, City of Sonora RHNA Allocation, below.

Table 3-5
City of Sonora RHNA Allocation
Income Level Units Percent
Very Low 1 50.0%
Low 1 50.0%
Moderate 0 0%
Above Moderate 0 0%
TOTAL 2 100.0%
Source: California HCD, Final Regional Housing Need Determination and Plan, dated May 12, 2023.

The City of Sonora is preparing a Housing Element Update concurrent with this LHMP.

According to Jose Ayala, Senior Housing Policy Specialist at the California Department of Housing & Community Development, the City of Sonora and Tuolumne County received the smallest housing unit allocations of all jurisdictions within California. This ultimately indicates a low level of projected growth over the next five years. While the City of Sonora demonstrates residential development capacity beyond this RHNA allocation, there are no major housing development proposals at this time. It is also noted that RHNA 107
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Community Profile 3-8 May 2024

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allocations and the City’s capacity identification represents a planning target and is not a building quota.

Within the second half of the LHMP active period, the City plans on conducting a comprehensive General Plan update to plan for future growth, development, and annexations. It is anticipated that this future vision for the planning area will be captured in the next iteration of the LHMP, including considerations for risk, vulnerability and hazard mitigation.

Infrastructure systems within the City, such as roadways, water and wastewater facilities, electricity, and natural gas, provide vital community and individual functions. These facilities and distribution systems are primarily owned, operated, and maintained by other agencies. The ability for infrastructure systems to remain operational during disasters and emergencies will contribute to the City’s ability to withstand or recover sooner from catastrophes.

Regional access to the City of Sonora is provided via SR-49 (north/south) and SR-108 (east/west), linking Sonora to the remainder of Tuolumne County and beyond. Both roadways serve as major arterials within the planning area as well.

Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) provides potable water and wastewater services to the planning area and the rest of the County. TUD primarily receives water supply from snow melt in the Stanislaus River, and water is diverted throughout Tuolumne County in a series of surface ditches, tunnels, and pipes. The planning area receives water through the Sonora System, serving both the City and neighboring unincorporated communities. The Sonora System includes two water treatment plants (including Sonora Water Treatment Plant, Critical Facility #24) and two groundwater wells.

The Sonora Water Treatment Plant also includes infrastructure to treat wastewater, and is sometimes referred to as the Sonora Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. In addition, many older homes in the community rely on private septic tanks for wastewater treatment and disposal.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and the Tuolumne Public Power Agency (TPPA) provide electricity to the City. Electricity is distributed from power plants through power lines and substations. The PG&E Tar Flat Substation is the sole substation within the planning area.

Major PG&E transmission lines run from the Tar Flat Substation east into Crooked Ln, then south crossing Highway 108 out of the City.5
5 Esri ArcGIS Online, PG&E Network, https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=3943d9c9f67f4cbfb600e7b88225e7f2, last updated 2019, accessed December 6, 2023.
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Community Profile 3-9 May 2024

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The LHMP Planning Team identified 41 critical facilities for incorporation in the hazard vulnerability/risk analysis; refer to Exhibit 3-1, Critical Facilities and Table 3-6, City of Sonora Critical Facilities, below. These facilities include City Hall, a police station, a fire station, a public works facility, a hospital, transportation infrastructure, utilities properties, and several parks that provide important services to the community. Damage to these facilities caused by a hazard event has the potential to impair response and recovery from the event and may lead to disruption of services. The LHMP Planning Team utilized the 2018 Tuolumne County MJHMP to understand critical facilities previously identified within the planning area. Using this list, the LHMP Planning Team eliminated facilities that were not critical to continuity of government or emergency response within the City. LHMP Planning Team members also made recommendations for critical facility additions, based on experience and expertise in the City. The LHMP Planning Team identified each facility’s potential loss value (where feasible), comprised of replacement and contents for each facility. If a facility is completely destroyed in a hazard event, the replacement and contents values indicate the cost to replace the facility. Typically, the cost to repair a damaged facility will be less than the replacement value. While the replacement and contents values are used throughout this Plan to estimate potential losses, it is noted that the actual cost to recover from a hazard event will depend on the type and magnitude of the event.

Table 3-6
City of Sonora Critical Facilities
# Facility Name Category Community Lifeline Category
1 Sonora City Hall Government (City) Safety and Security; Communications
2 Opera Hall Government (City) Safety and Security;
Communications
3 Police Station Government (City) Safety and Security; Communications
4 Fire Station Government (City) Safety and Security;
Communications
5 City Hall Parking Structure Government (City) Safety and Security 6 Sheriff’s Facility (Investigators
Office) Government (County) Safety and Security; Communications 7 Maintenance Office & Shop
(Public Works) Government (City) Safety and Security; Hazardous Material 8 Bridge (Baretta Street at Sonora
Creek) Transportation Transportation
9 Bridge (Green Street at Sonora
Creek) Transportation Transportation
10 Bridge (Southgate Drive at Sonora
Creek) Transportation Transportation
11 Tuolumne County Enrichment
Center Government (County) Safety and Security
12 Tuolumne County IT Department Government (County) Safety and Security; Communications
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Table 3-6 (continued)
City of Sonora Critical Facilities
# Facility Name Category Community Lifeline Category
13 Tuolumne County Behavioral
Health Government (County) Health and Medical
14 Sheriff Patrol & Administration
Building Government (County) Safety and Security; Communications 15 Tuolumne County Behavioral
Health Offices Government (County) Health and Medical
16 Tuolumne County Administration
Center Government (County) Safety and Security; Communications 17 Tuolumne County Sheriff
Department Government (County) Safety and Security; Communications 18 Tuolumne County Mental Health
Office Government (County) Health and Medical
19 Old County Courthouse Government (County) Safety and Security 20 Tuolumne County Francisco
Building Government (County) Safety and Security
21 Tuolumne County Main Library Government (County) Safety and Security 22 Tuolumne County Senior Center Government (County) Safety and Security 23 Tuolumne County Tiny Tots &
Youth Center Government (County) Safety and Security
24 Sonora Wastewater Treatment
Plant Utility (Wastewater) Safety and Security; Hazardous Material 25 PG&E Tar Flat Substation Utility (Energy) Energy
26 Sonora Elementary School,
District Office and Head Start Public School Safety and Security; Communications 27 Tuolumne County Superintendent
of Schools Public School Safety and Security; Communications 28 Sonora High School Public School Safety and Security 29 Dario Cassina Alternative High
School Public School Safety and Security
30 Adventist Health Sonora –
Hospital & Emergency Room Health/Medical Health and Medical 31 Adventist Health Sonora – Health
Pavilion Health/Medical Health and Medical
32 American Red Cross Offices and
Blood Donation Center Non-Profit/NGO Health and Medical 33 Motherlode Fairgrounds Parks and Recreation Safety and Security 34 Woods Creek Rotary Park Parks and Recreation Safety and Security 35 Courthouse Square Parks and Recreation Safety and Security 36 Coffill Park Parks and Recreation Safety and Security 37 Heaven for Kids Playground Parks and Recreation Safety and Security 38 US Post Office – Sonora Government (Federal) Communications 39 AT&T Property Utility (Communication) Communications 40 AT&T Property Utility (Communication) Communications 41 Comcast Property Utility (Communication) Communications 110
Item A.

Exhibit 3-1, Critical Facilities
111
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Community Profile 3-12 May 2024

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CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Identification and integration of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVP) into the hazard mitigation planning process is a new addition from Cal OES and FEMA, as required by the recent Local Mitigation Planning Policy Update effective April 2023. The purpose of this new LHMP section is to identify vulnerable populations within the planning area, along with identifying characteristics that can make individuals more vulnerable to natural and human-caused hazards. Social vulnerability is defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as characteristics of a person or group that affect their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the impact of a discrete and identifiable disaster in nature or society. Several socioeconomic factors or other characteristics influence social vulnerability, as illustrated in Exhibit 3-2 below.

Exhibit 3-2
Social Vulnerability Index Themes and Social Factors
Source: CDC and Prevention – National Center for Environmental Health, Planning for an Emergency: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging At-Risk Groups, published 2015.

US Census and American Community Survey data at the census tract level was utilized to locate and identify socially vulnerable populations within the planning area. The City of Sonora includes jurisdiction within Census Tracts 6109001100 (Census Tract 11), 6109001200 (Census Tract 12), and 6109004100 (Census Tract41). The boundaries for 112
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Community Profile 3-13 May 2024

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each census tract do not match the boundaries of the City, and thus each census tract also includes portions of land under the jurisdiction of Tuolumne County. All environmental justice and social vulnerability indices used in this section evaluate data at the census tract level. As such, the findings included below not only represent the City of Sonora but also include areas outside of the jurisdiction where the City has no land use or decision-making control. First, the LHMP Planning Team evaluated California-based environmental justice definitions and data indices as a method for locating/identifying socially vulnerable populations within the planning area. It was determined during Meeting #1 that no census tracts within the City of Sonora are considered a Disadvantaged Community (DAC), as defined by California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).

In May 2022, CalEPA established four criteria markers to indicate the presence of a DAC at the census tract level; census tracts meeting one or more criteria are considered disadvantaged. Applicability to the City of Sonora is summarized in the table, below.

Table 3-7
City of Sonora Disadvantaged Communities Criteria Evaluation CalEPA DAC Criteria Applicability to City of Sonora

1. Census tracts receiving the highest 25% of overall
scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0.

Not Applicable. No census tracts within the City of
Sonora are listed with composite scores at 75 or above.

All census tracts within the City of Sonora are listed
below, with composite scores well below 75.
• Census Tract 11 Composite Score: 35
• Census Tract 12 Composite Score: 57
• Census Tract 41 Composite Score: 48

2. Census tracts lacking overall scores in
CalEnviroScreen 4.0 due to data gaps but receiving
the highest 5% of CalEnviroScreen 4.0 cumulative
pollution burden scores.

Not Applicable. No data gaps are listed in
CalEnviroScreen 4.0 for the census tracts listed above.

3. Census tracts identified in the 2017 DAC
designation as disadvantaged, regardless of scores
in CalEnviroScreen 4.0.

Not Applicable. No census tracts within the City of
Sonora were listed in the 2017 DAC designation.

4. Lands under the control of federally recognized
tribes.

Not Applicable. No tribal jurisdiction is located within the City of Sonora.

Because there is no DACs as identified by CalEPA are mapped within the planning area, the LHMP Planning Team utilized the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to evaluate the presence of socially vulnerable populations. This index was selected because it is most frequently utilized in federal grant evaluations and decision-making, including FEMA hazard mitigation grants.

The 2020 National Overall SVI Score for Census Tract 12 is 0.7635, indicating a high level of social vulnerability. Census Tracts 11 and 41 are listed with medium-high levels of social vulnerability. Refer to Exhibit 3-3, CDC Social Vulnerability Index – Nationwide Comparison (2020), below.

Several socioeconomic factors are reported to contribute toward the high vulnerability determination in Census Tract 12, including 25 percent of persons within this census tract 113
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living below poverty and 38 percent of households defined as cost-burdened (specifically, households with an annual income below $75,000 spending 30 percent or more of income toward housing costs). Low-income households or families may lack the resources or ability to respond to a natural disaster event.

In addition, Census Tract 12 reports 23.2 percent of the population with a reported disability, which is considered the 97th percentile compared to other census tracts across the country. Persons with medical issues or disabilities include cognitive, physical or sensory impairments that limit major life activity. Often, disabled persons are reliant on others for care and wellbeing, which enhances risk during an emergency scenario.

Exhibit 3-3
CDC Social Vulnerability Index – Nationwide Comparison (2020) Source: CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (2020)
Last, Census Tract 12 reports 25 percent of the population aged 65 or older, which is considered the 90th percentile compared to other census tracts across the county. The elderly are highly vulnerable during emergencies, and it is likely this group intersects with many risk factors discussed in previous paragraphs. Seniors are more likely to have a reduced or fixed income, increasing the rate of poverty or cost-burdened households.

To summarize, the CDC SVI reports the following categories as substantially contributing to the high vulnerability determination in Census Tract 12:
• Persons living in poverty.
• Cost-burdened households (households with annual income below $75,000 spending 30 percent or more of income toward housing costs). 11 41
12 114
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• Persons with a disability.
• Persons aged 65 or older.

Due to the data listed above, the LHMP Planning Team determined that for the purposes of this LHMP, the population within Census Tract 12 is formally established as an SVP. While the presence of many socioeconomic concerns and limitations are present within the community, the scope of the LHMP has limited ability to address or mitigate the underlying causes of such social vulnerability. Rather, this LHMP aims to utilize the data uncovered through the environmental justice indices listed above to establish a more equitable and inclusive LHMP planning process.

The LHMP Planning Team relied on CDC SVI data, reporting the following categories and groups as driving the high vulnerability determination in Census Tract 12:
• Persons living in poverty.
• Cost-burdened households (households with annual income below $75,000 spending 30 percent or more of income toward housing costs). • Persons with a disability.
• Persons aged 65 or older.

After understanding data behind the high vulnerability determination for Census Tract 12, the LHMP Project Management team worked to incorporate stakeholders into the LHMP Planning Team that represent or serve socially vulnerable groups, including:
• Adventist Health Sonora (persons with a disability, persons aged 65 or older) • American Red Cross (persons living in poverty, cost-burdened households) • Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (persons living in poverty, costburdened households) • Sonora Elementary School District (persons living in poverty, cost-burdened households, persons with a disability)
• Sonora High School District (persons living in poverty, cost-burdened households, persons with a disability)
• Area 12 Agency on Aging/Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors (persons aged 65 or older)
Feedback from these stakeholders and the rest of the LHMP Planning team regarding socially vulnerable populations was included in the hazard profiles (Section 4.0) and mitigation actions (Section 5.0). Specific connects between the risk assessment and relevant mitigation actions are discussed on a hazard-by-hazard basis within 4.0, Hazards Assessment.

In addition, the LHMP Planning Team also acknowledges that certain characteristics can make individuals outside of Census Tract 12 more vulnerable or “high-risk” in specific natural or human-caused hazard incidents. According to the CDC, these characteristics include but are not limited to the factors outlined in Exhibit 3-3, Social Vulnerability Index Themes and Social Factors.
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The CDC SVI tracks these data markets to report congregated populations that indicate a high social risk. On an individual level, residents outside of the SVP (Census Tract 12) may meet one or more of the characteristics listed above, that enhance vulnerability within specific hazard circumstances. While this LHMP only identifies one census tract as an SVP Community, additional consideration is given at the qualitative data level regarding characteristics that make individuals more socially vulnerable during hazard incidents.

This consideration is also integrated into the hazard profiles within Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment.
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The first step in developing the risk assessment is identifying the hazards. The LHMP Planning Team reviewed the previously prepared 2018 Tuolumne County MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), hazard mitigation plans from neighboring jurisdictions, and other relevant information to determine the extent of natural hazards with potential to affect the City; refer to Table 2-5, Existing Plans, Studies, Reports, and Other Technical Data/Information. A discussion of potential hazards during the first LHMP Planning Team meeting resulted in the identification of the natural hazards that pose a potential risk to the City of Sonora. Table 4-1, City of Sonora Hazard Identification, summarizes the Planning Team’s discussion of each of the natural hazards and indicates those identified for inclusion in the LHMP.

Table 4-1
City of Sonora Hazard Identification
List of Hazards
Identified in
Previous 2018
Tuolumne County
MJHMP
Include in
LHMP Discussion Summary
Avalanche No No Not applicable; the City does not experience snowfall significant enough to create avalanche risk, and there is no historical record of an avalanche in the planning
area.

Climate Change Yes Yes Climate change is closely correlated with several hazards profiled in the LHMP and may exacerbate
hazards that affect the City. Therefore, climate change is discussed within each hazard profile.

Coastal Erosion No No Not applicable; the City is located inland in Tuolumne County, and there is no coastline within the jurisdiction.

Therefore, the City does not experience impacts due to
coastal erosion.

Coastal Storm No No Not applicable; the City is located inland in Tuolumne County, and there is no coastline within the jurisdiction.

Therefore, the City does not experience impacts due to
coastal storms.

Dam Failure Yes No Not applicable; although there are 44 dams located in Tuolumne County, there are none with mapped
inundation zones that will affect the City of Sonora.

Therefore, dam failure was not included in this LHMP.

Disease/Pest Management No No Non applicable as the City has experienced minor issues with infestation of trees in localized areas but determined that concerns were not significant enough
for incorporation into the LHMP.
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Table 4-1 (continued)
City of Sonora Hazard Identification
List of Hazards
Identified in
Previous 2018
Tuolumne County
MJHMP
Include in
LHMP Discussion Summary
Drought Yes Yes The City water portfolio includes local groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs which are all susceptible to
drought. The City has experienced several historical
droughts, and thus included this hazard in the LHMP.

Expansive Soils No No Not applicable; expansive soils have not been identified within the City. As there is no historical risk of expansive soils hazards in the City, and since the Building Code
effectively mitigates impacts that would occur if
expansive soils were present, this LHMP does not
include expansive soils.

Extreme Heat Yes Yes The City experiences extreme heat events during the summer months; there are several extreme heat days
per year. Extreme heat is discussed in the Severe
Weather profile.

Fault Rupture Yes Yes Active and potentially active faults are known within the vicinity of the City. A portion of the City is located within an Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone. Fault rupture is discussed under the Seismic Hazards profile.

Flood Yes Yes Portions of the City are located within FEMA mapped floodplains and have experienced historic flooding.

Localized flooding can also occur during severe
rainstorms.

Geological Hazards Yes No The 2018 County MJHMP identified geological hazards; however, the LHMP Planning Team has identified
volcanic, landslide and seismic hazards as specific
hazards relevant to the planning area. Thus, geologic
hazards is not included in this LHMP.

Hailstorm Yes Yes The City occasionally experiences hail along with severe weather. Hailstorm is categorized under Severe
Weather in this LHMP.

Hazardous Materials No Yes Hazardous materials are generated, used, stored, and transported within the City. Hazardous materials
(including intentional or accidental releases) could
compromise City water supplies, health, and
infrastructure.

Human-Caused Hazards No Yes Hazardous materials release, terrorism/active shooter, civil disturbance and pandemics are potential humancaused hazards within the City.

Hurricane No No Not applicable; hurricanes do not occur within the City.

Land Subsidence No No The City does not have major or historical occurrences of land subsidence.
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Additionally, steep open space areas are at risk to
mudflow incidents following heavy rains or wildfire
events.

Lightning Yes Yes The City has included Lightning under the Severe Weather profile in the LHMP.

Liquefaction No No Not applicable; the City is not located within mapped liquefaction hazard zones. Therefore, liquefaction is not included in the LHMP.

Pandemic No Yes The City experienced significant impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has included this hazard for
consideration in the LHMP.

Sea Level Rise No No Not applicable; The City is located inland in Tuolumne County, and there is no coastline within the jurisdiction.

Therefore, the City does not experience impacts due to
sea level rise.

Seismic Hazards Yes Yes The City is located within a seismically active region in northern California and is susceptible to fault rupture and ground shaking. For organizational purposes, these
hazards are profiled together under Seismic Hazards.

Severe Winter Storm Yes Yes The City experiences severe winter storms such as ice storms, blizzards, or significant snowfall. For purposes of the LHMP, severe winter storm events are profiled
under Severe Weather.

Tornado No Yes Tornadoes in the region are less severe than those in other parts of the country, but can occur within the City’s planning area. Tornadoes are profiled under Severe
Weather.

Tsunami No No Not applicable; The City is located inland in Tuolumne County, and there is no coastline within the jurisdiction.

Therefore, the City does not experience impacts due to
tsunamis.

Volcano Yes Yes The City may be impacted by volcanic ash if volcanoes were to erupt in the Long Valley Volcanic Region.

Wildfire Yes Yes A portion of the City and surrounding area is located in a Very High Hazard Severity Zone, and wildfire season
regulatory occurs within the City. While wildfire rarely occurs within the City, impacts could be significant.

Wind No No Regular wind does not cause significant damage to the City. Thus, this hazard is not included in the LHMP.

Windstorm Yes Yes The City is prone to severe windstorms that commonly cause trees to fall or damage associated with falling
limbs. Windstorms/ are evaluated under the Severe
Weather profile, and power outages are outlined as a
secondary impact.
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The LHMP Planning Team used a Microsoft Excel-based tool to prioritize the identified hazards by assigning each hazard a ranking based on probability of occurrence and potential impact. These rankings were assigned based on a group discussion, knowledge of past occurrences, and familiarity with the City’s vulnerabilities. Four criteria were used to establish priority:
• Probability (likelihood of occurrence)
• Location (size of potentially affected area)
• Maximum Probable Extent (intensity of damage)
• Secondary impacts (severity of impacts to community)
A value from one to four was assigned for each criterion, where one is the lowest and four is the highest. The four criteria were then weighted based on the LHMP Planning Team’s opinion of each criterion’s importance. To enhance collaboration and discussion regarding hazard rankings, the LHMP Planning Team participated in a live survey through Mentimeter, allowing each LHMP Planning Team member to individually report initial thoughts on probability, location, maximum probable extent, and secondary impacts.

Rankings were assigned individually based on knowledge of past occurrences and familiarity with City vulnerabilities. The survey was integrated into the LHMP Planning Team Meeting #1 PowerPoint presentation, and all attendees filled out the survey questions. Results were averaged to provide a group score per hazard, utilizing the weighted value (recommended by FEMA and confirmed by the LHMP Planning Team) based on the importance of the criterion; refer to Table 4-2, Hazard Ranking Methodology.

The hazard rankings were multiplied by weighted factors to obtain a score for each criterion. A higher weight was given to the criterion considered more important or significant. For example, the probability of the hazard occurrence received a higher weight than the potential secondary impacts. The scores for location, maximum probable extent (anticipated damage), and secondary impacts for each hazard were added together to determine the total impact score. The total impact score was then multiplied by the overall probability score to determine the final score. The final scores were used to determine the prioritization of each hazard based on the following FEMA recommended scale:
• Low Threat: 0 to 12;
• Medium Threat: 12.1 to 42; and
• High Threat: 42.1 to 64.
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Table 4-2
Hazard Ranking Methodology
Probability Importance 2.0 Secondary Impacts Importance 0.5 Based on estimated likelihood of occurrence from
historical data
Based on estimated secondary impacts to community at large Probability Score Impact Score
Unlikely (less than 1% probability in next
100 years or has a recurrence interval of
greater than every 100 years)
1 Negligible – no loss of function, downtime,
and/or evacuations 1
Somewhat Likely (between 1% and 10%
probability in next year or has a
recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years)
2 Limited – minimal loss of function, downtime,
and/or evacuations 2
Likely (between 10% and 100%
probability in next year or has a
recurrence interval of 10 years or less)
3 Moderate – some loss of function, downtime,
and/or evacuations 3
Highly Likely (near 100% probability in
next year or happens every year) 4
High – major loss of function, downtime, and/or
evacuations 4
Affected
Area Importance 0.8 Total Score = Probability x Impact, where:

Based on size of geographical area of community
affected by hazard
Probability = (Probability Score x Importance)
Affected Area Score Impact = (Affected Area + Primary Impact + Secondary Impacts), where:

Isolated 1 Affected Area = Affected Area Score x Importance Small 2 Primary Impact = Primary Impact Score x Importance Medium 3 Secondary Impacts = Secondary Impacts Score x Importance Large 4
Primary
Impact Importance 0.8 Hazard Planning Consideration
Based on percentage of damage to typical facility
in community Total Score Range Distribution Hazard Level Impact Score 0.0 20.0 0 Low
Negligible – less than 10% damage 1 20.1 42.0 6 Medium
Limited – between 10% and 25% damage 2 42.1 64.0 3 High Critical – between 25% and 50% damage 3
Catastrophic – more than 50% damage 4
The probability of each hazard is determined by assigning a level, from unlikely to highly likely, based on the likelihood of occurrence from historical data. The total impact value includes the affected area, primary impact, and secondary impact levels of each hazard. Each level's score is reflected in the matrix. The total score for each hazard is the probability score multiplied by its importance factor times the sum of the impact level scores multiplied by their importance factors. Based on this total score, the hazards are separated into three categories based on the hazard level they pose to the communities: High, Medium, and Low.

The results from the LHMP Planning Team Meeting #1 survey were compiled and presented during LHMP Planning Team Meeting #2 for further evaluation and discussion.

Table 4-3, Hazard Rankings, identifies the final scores and the hazard planning consideration (threat level) for each hazard based on discussions with the LHMP Planning Team and the prioritization process described above.
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Table 4-3
Hazard Rankings
Many hazards identified by the LHMP Planning Team are recognized to be interconnected or interrelated. Where appropriate, the hazard profiles (presented below) may include references to other hazard profiles. Additionally, as part of the hazard identification and prioritization process, the LHMP Planning Team determined that some hazards could be combined for clarity purposes within a larger hazard category. Some hazards were expanded or renamed to reflect conditions more accurately for the City of Sonora. Thus, the Human-Caused Hazards profile includes: active shooter, terrorist attack, mass casualty; aircraft crash; civil disturbance; cyberattacks. The Seismic Hazards profile includes Fault Rupture and Ground Shaking. The Severe Weather profile includes: Extreme Heat; Ice, Hail, Snowstorm; Thunder and Lightning; Windstorms and Tornado, and Power Outages as a secondary impact.

It is noted that Power Outage is not a direct hazard, but a secondary impact from other natural disasters (primarily windstorm, but potentially extreme heat, ice/hail/snowstorm, and wildfire as well). The LHMP Planning Team and survey participants expressed concerns about the ramifications of Power Outages and the effects on City infrastructure and operations; thus, Power Outage is discussed under Severe Weather.

Hazard Type1 Probability
Impact
Total
Score2
Hazard Planning
Consideration Affected 3
Area
Primary
Impact
Secondary
Impact
Drought 2.13 3.24 2.41 2.29 23.05 Medium
Flood 2.94 2.76 2.82 2.76 32.72 Medium
Hazardous Materials Spill 1.93 1.65 1.94 1.94 14.06 Medium Human-Caused Hazards -
Active Shooter/Terrorism/
Mass Casualty

1.80 2.06 2.44 2.69 16.91 Medium
Human-Caused Hazards -
Aircraft Crash

1.80 1.41 1.63 1.38 10.64 Low
Human-Caused Hazards –
Civil Disturbance

1.87 2.18 2.19 2.13 16.21 Medium
Human-Caused Hazards -
Cyberattacks

2.33 2.59 2.06 2.06 21.18 Medium
Landslide/Sinkhole 2.31 1.82 2.12 1.88 17.96 Medium
Pandemic 2.33 3.06 2.88 2.69 27.04 Medium
Seismic Hazards - Fault
Rupture

1.50 1.88 1.53 1.71 10.29 Low
Seismic Hazards - Ground
Shaking

1.56 1.94 1.35 1.35 9.91 Low
Severe Weather - Extreme
Heat, Ice/Hail/Snowstorm,
Thunder and Lightning,
Windstorms and Tornado

3.00 3.13 2.41 2.25 31.88 Medium
Severe Weather - Power
Outage [Secondary Impact]

3.93 3.69 3.06 2.81 51.07 High
Volcano 1.07 1.31 1.24 1.19 5.35 Low
Wildfire 3.67 3.56 3.76 3.81 54.21 High

1. The LHMP Planning Team did not rank climate change, due to the interconnected nature with other identified hazards. Climate change is profiled with each identified hazard in Section 4.4, below.

2. Refer to Table 4-3 for the hazard ranking methodology. The total score is based on an equation that provides a weighted value to each category by importance.
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The following hazards are discussed in the LHMP, below:
• Drought;
• Flood;
• Hazardous Materials Spill;
• Human-Caused Hazards (Active Shooter/Terrorist Attack/Mass Casualty, Aircraft Crash, Civil Disturbance, Cyberattacks);
• Landslide and Sinkholes;
• Pandemic;
• Seismic Hazards (Fault Rupture, Ground Shaking);
• Severe Weather (Extreme Heat, Ice/Hail/Snowstorm, Thunder and Lightning, Windstorms and Tornado, Power Outage [Secondary Impact]); • Volcanoes;
• Wildfire; and
• Climate Change (integrated into each hazard).

Climate change has the potential to exacerbate many of the existing hazards in the City.

As such, the LHMP Planning Team decided climate change would be included under each applicable hazard profile with a discussion about how each hazard would intersect or become more significant with impacts of climate change. Discussion and analysis related to climate change is discussed as a subsection under each hazard profile included below.

Vulnerability describes how exposed or susceptible to damage an asset is, and depends on an asset’s condition, construction, contents, and economic value of functions. A vulnerability analysis predicts the extent of injury/damage on the built environment that may result from a hazard event of a given intensity in a specific area. The vulnerability assessment considers risks to critical facilities listed in Section 3.0, Community Profile, and to residential and non-residential buildings throughout the City. Critical facilities serve an important function in the operations of the municipal government, school district and in serving the community. Facilities listed include essential public buildings, police and fire stations, schools, transportation infrastructure, and vital public utility assets. Many facilities may also be vital to evacuations, serve as assembly points or temporary structures, or provide a supportive role in preparing for and recovering from hazard events. While the City owns and maintains the majority of critical facilities, there are critical facilities owned by investor-owned utilities and other public agencies or jurisdictions.

Direct and indirect impacts were considered as part of the vulnerability assessment as impacts to some particular facilities may have indirect impacts on other facilities or populations.
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The vulnerability assessment below quantifies, to the extent feasible using the best available data, City assets at risk to hazards and estimates potential losses. This section focuses on the profiled hazards and risks specific to the City.

Each hazard profile in the following section includes a Vulnerability and Risk Assessment section that presents the results of the method described below. Replacement and content values for the facilities in each the hazard areas are tallied in each vulnerability table to estimate the total potential losses for each facility.

For each hazard profiled in Sections 4.5 to 4.14, a vulnerability/risk assessment is included within the section. The vulnerability/risk assessment gives equal weight to all hazards, regardless of the identified probability. The specific hazard and associated probability are considered as part of the mitigation prioritization, discussed in Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy. This assessment considers the physical threats to critical facilities. It should be noted that actual losses will depend on the type, location, magnitude, and extent of the actual hazard event.

This assessment considers the physical threat to the critical facilities, as well as the physical threat to residential and non-residential structures. Socioeconomic impacts are generally discussed as some hazards have the potential to impact the City in ways beyond physical damages. To confirm at-risk community populations, a detailed parcel analysis investigated the intersection of each mapped natural hazard with development and population vulnerability.

Using the comprehensive parcel database from the City of Sonora, parcels with residential and non-residential structures were identified within each mapped natural hazard zone. For residential assets, the number of units is reported per hazard zone.

Single family homes are assumed to be one unit. The number of residential units then informs an estimate of residents within each hazard zone. The estimate was generated using the 2.17 persons per household identified by the American Community Survey (ACS) 2022 dataset. For non-residential assets, the total structure square footage was calculated.

Hazard areas and critical facility overlays were conducted for: flood, landslide, fault zones, and wildfire. It should be noted that the parcel analysis is based on the best available data and is intended for planning purposes only. Tuolumne County provided parcel data via ArcGIS download in September 2023. Michael Baker International did not manipulate the data and used the data as it was provided to estimate hazard vulnerabilities. As such, the parcel analysis serves as an estimate of potential losses based on this data snapshot and may not reflect actual or current conditions within the City at the time of this document approval.

A hazard event may have different impacts on different people. Age, socioeconomic status, access to services, physical and mental conditions, and other conditions affect the ability to prepare for and respond to a hazard event. Senior citizens and those with 124
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disabilities are more likely to need assistance during and after a hazard event due to physical and/or mental disabilities, lower income levels, and reduced mobility/accessibility to services and resources. Disabled persons typically are unable to care for themselves completely and might rely on others. Lower-income households are less likely to have the financial resources to implement mitigation actions in their homes, and are less likely to have the financial means to recover as a result of a hazard event. Due to the dynamic nature of hazards, the extent of impacts can vary greatly. The assessment provides an overview and understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with the hazards and serves as a basis for the mitigation actions.

The critical facilities listed in Section 3.0, Community Profile, were mapped in GIS and overlaid with mapped hazard areas (those hazards that have a specific geographic area) to determine which assets are located in each hazard area.

Overlays were not prepared for the following hazards: drought, hazardous materials spill, human-caused hazards (active shooter/terrorist attack/mass casualty, aircraft crash, civil disturbance, cyberattacks), pandemic, seismic hazards – ground shaking, severe weather (extreme heat, ice/hail/snowstorm, thunder and lightning, windstorms and tornado, and power outage [secondary impact]) and volcano. These hazards are not geographically defined and have the potential to affect the entire City. For the purposes of this LHMP and vulnerability assessment, it is assumed that drought, hazardous materials spill, human-caused hazards, ground shaking, pandemic, severe weather and volcano could impact the entirety of the planning area, including all critical facilities.

Replacement and contents values for the facilities and the number of residents and residential and non-residential structures in each hazard area are provided where possible, to estimate the potential losses based on the method described above.

Replacement values for City of Sonora facilities were estimated using the replacement values identified in the previous 2018 Tuolumne County MJHMP, and applying the 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) percent increase from 2018. The CPI increase was determined to be 20.63 percent, and this increase in value was applied to all City facilities to account for inflation from the previous iteration of the plan.

Replacement values were not available for certain privately owned facilities in the tables.

Where feasible, estimations were prepared using replacement values identified in the HAZUS 6.0 Inventory Technical Manual (2022). Additional data limitations specific to each hazard are discussed further in the sections below.

The following sections, Sections 4.5 to 4.14, contains profiles for the hazards identified in Table 4-1, City of Sonora Hazard Identification, above. The profiles include a vulnerability analysis and risk assessment using the methods described in the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment section.
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Drought is defined as an extremely dry climatic period where the available water falls below a statistical average for the region. Drought is also defined by factors other than rainfall, including vegetation conditions, agricultural productivity, soil moisture, water levels in reservoirs, and stream flow. Droughts or water shortages are a gradual phenomenon, often occurring over multiyear periods and increasing with the length of dry conditions. When precipitation is less than normal for a period of time, the flow of streams and rivers declines, water levels in lakes and reservoirs fall, and the depth to water in wells increases. If dry weather persists and water supply problems develop, the dry period can become a drought. The term “drought” can have different meanings depending on how a water deficiency affects day to day activities. Drought is a complex natural hazard, reflected in the following four definitions commonly used to describe it:1 • Agricultural – Agricultural drought is defined principally in terms of naturally occurring soil moisture deficiencies relative to water demands of plant life, usually arid crops.
• Hydrological – Hydrological drought is related to the effects of precipitation shortfalls on stream flows and reservoir, lake, and groundwater levels. • Meteorological – Meteorological drought is defined solely on the degree of dryness, expressed as a departure of actual precipitation from an expected average or normal amount based on monthly, seasonal, or annual time scales. • Regulatory (or socioeconomic) – Regulatory drought can occur when the availability of water is reduced due to imposition of regulatory restrictions on the diversion and export of water out of a watershed to another area. A significant percentage of water in northern California is supplied through the San Francisco Bay Delta Watershed which consists of several major waterways including the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and their tributaries.2 Correspondingly, drought in California can be made worse by water availability conditions in the regions at which the water originates.

Although climate is a primary contributor to hydrological drought, other factors such as changes in land use (i.e., deforestation), land degradation, and dam construction can affect the hydrological characteristics of a region. Because regions are geographically interconnected by natural systems, drought impacts may extend well beyond the borders of the precipitation-deficient area. Changes in land use upstream may alter hydrologic characteristics such as infiltration and runoff rates, resulting in more variable stream flow 1 NOAA, Definition of Drought, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/dyk/drought-definition, accessed July 12, 2022. 2 EPA, San Francisco Bay Delta About the Watershed. https://www.epa.gov/sfbay-delta/about-watershed, accessed August 16, 2023. 126
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and a higher incidence of hydrologic drought downstream. Land use change is one way human actions can alter water shortage frequencies, even when no change in precipitation occurred.3
Droughts cause public health and safety impacts, as well as economic, environmental, and social impacts. Public health and safety impacts are primarily associated with catastrophic wildfire risks and drinking water shortage risks. Examples of other impacts include costs to homeowners due to loss of residential landscaping, degradation of urban environments due to loss of landscaping, agricultural land fallowing and associated job loss, degradation of fishery habitat, and tree mortality with damage to forest ecosystems.

Drought conditions can also result in damage to older infrastructure that is located within dry soils with potential to break or crack. Dead or dying vegetation poses a risk to falling and damaging structures and infrastructure systems. Drought may also accelerate the spread of native bark beetles that attack trees, and thereby exacerbate tree loss. While bark beetles survive poorly in healthy trees, trees stressed by drought may attract the beetles causing widespread mortality in forests and forested native communities in California.4
In Tuolumne County, drought conditions typically result in implementation of conservation efforts, reducing water supplies to customers and altering the pricing system by implementing higher rates for water usage that exceeds certain levels (e.g., wasteful).

Drought conditions often cause a reliance on groundwater supplies, and extended periods of drought can deplete these reserves.

Drought also results in drier brush and an increase in the size and severity of wildfires.

Dry brush becomes significantly more flammable and increases the rate wildfire would spread. Extended drought conditions can also create challenges in procuring adequate amounts of water to fight wildfires. Further, water and wastewater infrastructure systems located within areas susceptible to wildfires are at a greater risk of being impacted.

Damage or failure to water and wastewater infrastructure systems can significantly reduce or even interrupt service to customers. For more on wildfire hazards, refer to Section 4.14, Wildfire.

Droughts are widespread regional events that would affect the entire City, and likely the larger region. The geographic extent of drought conditions would extend to every resident in Sonora. The Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) provides water services to the City of Sonora. TUD is a water and wastewater utility organized under California’s County Water District Lawn on July 1, 1992, and now serves nearly 44,000 residents in northern California’s Tuolumne County.5 TUD has a contract with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) which provides water supply for TUD. The City relies on local river from the South Fork Stanislaus River (tributary to the San Joaquin River) and is stored in 3 National Drought Mitigation Center, Drought Basics, https://drought.unl.edu/Education/DroughtBasics.aspx, accessed July 12, 2022. 4 USDA, Bark Beetles in California Conifers, https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS, accessed August 16, 2023. 5 Tuolumne Utilities District, About Us, https://tudwater.com/about-us/, accessed August 16, 2023. 127
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Pinecrest Lake, Lyons Reservoir, Phoenix Lake and other small reservoirs on the TUD ditch system.6 As the City primarily relies on available groundwater transported and distributed through TUD, drought conditions can significantly deplete the amount of potable water available for customers in Sonora.

Drought severity and extent depends on numerous factors, including duration, intensity, and geographic extent, as well as regional water supply demands by humans and vegetation. The severity of drought can be aggravated by other climatic factors, such as prolonged high winds and low relative humidity. The magnitude of drought is usually measured in time and the severity of the hydrologic deficit. The United States Drought Monitor provides weekly data that indicates the portions of the United States that are experiencing drought. The intensity of drought is categorized as one five classifications:
abnormally dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought: moderate (D1), severe (D2), extreme (D3), and exceptional (D4); refer to Table 4-4, Drought Severity Classification. Exhibit 4-1, Drought Monitor Map, identifies areas of drought within California and labels them by intensity shown in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4
Drought Severity Classification
Category Description Possible Impacts
D0 Abnormally Dry
Going into drought: short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops or pastures. Coming out of drought: some lingering water deficits; pastures or crops not fully recovered.

D1 Moderate Drought
Some damage to crops, pastures; streams, reservoirs, or wells low, some water shortages developing or imminent; voluntary water-use restrictions requested.

D2 Severe Drought Crop or pasture losses likely; water shortages common; water restrictions imposed.

D3 Extreme Drought Major crop/pasture losses; widespread water shortages or restrictions.

D4 Exceptional Drought Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies.

Source: United States Drought Monitor, Drought Classification, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/About/AbouttheData/DroughtClassification.aspx, accessed August 16, 2023. 6 Tuolumne Utilities District, Water Services, https://tudwater.com/customer-service/water-services/, accessed August 16, 2023. 128
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Exhibit 4-1
Drought Monitor Map
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, California, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA, accessed August 16, 2023.

As of August 2023, the planning area is not experiencing drought according to the United States Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor is not a forecast but looks backward; providing a weekly assessment of drought conditions based on how much precipitation did or did not fall. A series of ten storms during December 2022 to January 2023 brought record breaking levels of precipitation to California, breaking the dry spell experienced between 2019 – 2022.7 California received record levels of snowpack in the northern Sierra Nevada and many major reservoirs show signs of recovery. Drought conditions in Tuolumne County is currently categorized as “none”, showing no developing or imminent water shortages at the time of this writing. Further precipitation in winter 2023 impacting drought status will be continually tracked by the City and local water purveyors. 7 Los Angeles Times, ‘Dry’ California got big rains. Was it really an epic weather forecasting fail? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-23/dry-winterwas-predicted-why-did-california-storms-bring-so-much-rain, published January 23, 2023 and accessed January 26, 2023. 129
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Drought has affected virtually every county in California, and California has experienced numerous severe droughts over the past century. FEMA declared one drought emergency for California in January 1977, and other drought emergency declarations have been declared by the State.8 According to the 2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, from 1972 to 2016, there are fifteen historical drought State Emergency Proclamations in California.9
The most severe drought on record began in 2012 and continued through 2017. On January 17, 2014, the Governor of California declared a State drought emergency, and on April 1, 2015, the Governor announced the first-ever mandatory 25-percent Statewide water use reduction. As part of this reduction effort, the state proposed a series of actions to help save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the State’s drought response, and invest in new technologies that would make California more drought resilient. At the time of the announcement, the volume of Sierra Nevada snowpack was approximately 14 percent of normal. By the end of May 2014, all of California was in a condition of “extreme” or “exceptional” drought. After a series of winter rains, the Governor issued an executive order in April 2017 ending the drought emergency in many California counties. Tuolumne County was one of a few counties excluded from this lift, and was identified as a County where ongoing drinking water projects would continue to address diminished groundwater supplies.10 California also saw drought conditions reoccur during 2020 and 2021. On May 10, 2021, the Governor of California issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency due to drought that included Tuolumne County.11 Drought declarations were lifted after a series of several winter storms occurred in California during winter 2022 – 2023. This previous drought history is indicative of historical cycles of drought and heavy rain. Exhibit 4-2, Historical Drought and Rain Cycles in California, shows the historical droughts that have occurred in California from 1827 through the present.
8 FEMA, Disaster Declarations, https://www.fema.gov/disaster/3023, accessed July 12, 2022. 9 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, 2018 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, https://www.caloes.ca.gov/HazardMitigationSite/Documents/012-2018%20SHMP_FINAL_Ch%209.pdf, published September 2018, accessed July 12, 2022. 10 California State Water Resources Control Board, Governor’s Conservation Executive Orders and Proclamations, https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/conservation/executive_orders.html#:~:text=Executive%20Order%20B%2D40%2D17%20(04%2F07%2F,to%20address%20dim inished%20groundwater%20supplies, accessed August 16, 2023. 11 Tuolumne County. Drought Conditions Renew Proclamation. https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19373/Drought_Conditions_Renew_Proclamation_Memo_Board_20210909?bidId=, accessed August 16, 2023.
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Exhibit 4-2
Historical Drought and Rain Cycles in California
Source: National Integrated Drought Information System, California, https://www.drought.gov/states/california#historical-conditions, accessed October 18, 2022.

California climate is characterized by typical dry and wet seasons. During the wet season, the state relies on heavy precipitation events to contribute the majority of annual rainfall.

Thus, the absence of heavy precipitation events in the wet season can significantly impact water availability. Certain atmospheric circulation patterns define California’s temperature and precipitation extremes. Examining these patterns, researchers discovered that atmospheric conditions associated with extreme drought have become increasingly common in recent decades.12
Based on previous occurrences and trends in California, the likelihood that Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora will continue to experience drought conditions in the future is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). While the City received high levels of precipitation during storms between January 2023 and July 2023, drought is a known reoccurring hazard within the northern California region.13 For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

Climate change is a phenomenon that will likely exacerbate drought hazards. In Governor Brown’s 2014 drought emergency declaration, it was noted that droughts could occur more regularly in the future. The experiences faced by water supply agencies during the 2012-2017 drought prompted actions to examine water storage, distribution, 12 Stanford News, California drought patterns becoming more common, Stanford scientists say, https://news.stanford.edu/2016/04/01/drought-patterns-change040116/, published April 1, 2016, accessed November 7, 2022. 13 NOAA NIDIS, Drought Conditions for Tuolumne County. https://www.drought.gov/states/California/county/Tuolumne, accessed August 16, 2023. 131
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management, conservation, and use policies more closely. Water districts drafted administrative drought actions and implemented mechanisms allowing for administrative consistency in water conservation and drought regulations. This interagency coordination and heightened awareness regarding drought helped to mitigate the effects, but the challenges of climate change and drought are ever-present.

According to the 2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, climate scientists studying California found that drought conditions are likely to become more frequent and persistent over the twenty-first century due to more frequent and extended periods of high temperature conditions. Decreasing snowmelt, reduced precipitation, and higher temperatures are all expected effects of climate change. As the City relies partially on imported water, climate change impacts (such as decreased snowpack in the Sierra Mountains) on areas outside of the City could affect water supplies within it. Furthermore, the California Adaptation Planning Guide states that the pressure climate change places on ground water reliance during times of drought is not sustainable. When coupled with increasing populations and increasing demand for water in northern portions of California, these conditions may result in future challenges associated with climate change for Sonora and the water purveyors that supply the City’s residents and businesses.

Drought conditions would affect the entirety of the City, and therefore all critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residents, and businesses are considered vulnerable to drought hazards. Droughts do not typically result in physical damage to buildings and infrastructure, thus critical facilities are not at risk of destruction or structural failure.

Instead, drought could potentially limit the availability of water supplies to City residents and businesses. One concern with limited water supplies is the availability to fight wildfire.

Furthermore, drought often coincides with the wildfire season and contributes to conditions conducive to wildfire.

Other effects of drought could be sustained by parks, landscaping, and grounds around commercial and residential facilities, as well as by various plant and animal species, which depend on a delicate meteorological balance to survive. The risk of damage to landscaping and the natural ecosystem, and potential economic impacts from increased water prices or an insufficient supply of water are concerns in addition to the effects of drought on exacerbating wildfire conditions.

As discussed in Section 3.5, population patterns have not substantially changed in the planning area during the last five years. The City population remained at stable levels, largely similar to those identified in the 2018 MJHMP. No major changes in land use and development occurred while the previous 2018 MJHMP was active, that affected risk or vulnerability associated with drought.

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drought effects, any projected population growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable individuals. While increasing populations across the state of California could strain local water supplies, the City of Sonora population has experienced slow growth rates commensurate with the larger Tuolumne County region. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase drought vulnerability.

Drought hazards would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within Census Tract 12 and other high-risk individuals located throughout the planning area. SVPs and other high-risk individuals may experience cost burdens associated with potable water surcharges during drought conditions, and may need additional outreach and communication for drought awareness purposes. Therefore, Mitigation Action #31 was specifically crafted for the City to engage underserved or vulnerable populations, who would be most impacted by water surchargers or other drought-related water utility fee increases. As Census Tact 12 includes a high concentration of cost burdened households, persons living in poverty, and senior citizens (who may be living on fixed incomes), this outreach efforts regarding drought and messaging would respond to an identified need in the community.

Flooding occurs when a waterway, either a natural one or an artificial drainage channel, receives more water than it is capable of conveying, causing the water level in the waterway to rise. Depending on how long these conditions last and the amount of water the waterway receives in proportion to its capacity, the rising water level may eventually overtop the waterway’s banks or any other boundaries to the drainage area, resulting in flooding in the surrounding area.

Floods often occur during heavy precipitation events, when the amount of rainwater exceeds the capacity of storm drains or flood control channels. Floods can also happen when infrastructure such as levees, dams, or culverts fail, or when a section of drainage infrastructure fails, and water cannot be drained from an area fast enough. These failures can be linked to precipitation events (e.g., when water erodes away a levee, allowing water to escape and flood nearby areas), or can be a consequence of other emergency situations (e.g., a dam collapsing due to an earthquake).

FEMA defines flood or flooding as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
• The overflow of inland or tidal waters;
• The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or,
• Mudslides which are proximately caused by flooding and are akin to a river of liquid and flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas, as when earth is carried by a current of water and deposited along the path of the current. 133
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• Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above.14 Floods can be caused by a number of factors, including:
• Weather and climate patterns (e.g., El Niño, La Niña, Pineapple Express, Atmospheric River, etc.)
o El Niño and La Niña are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Warmer or colder than average ocean temperatures in one part of the world can influence weather around the globe. El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9 to 12 months, but some prolonged events may last for years.15
o Pineapple Express is a name given to an atmospheric river on the West Coast. It is a channel in the atmosphere that moves vast amounts of moisture and can result in massive rain showers.
• Hydrologic features such as reservoirs, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc., can have a large impact on the amount of flooding.
• The absorption capacity of the ground depends on the composition of soil and bedrock of the area. Less absorbent soil conditions in addition to lack of proper storm infrastructure can result in flooding.
• Type and density of vegetation is related to moisture absorption affecting the flow of water.
• Patterns of land use/urbanization relates to the pervious and impervious nature of the ground.
• Expected level, age, and condition of flood management infrastructure can impact flooding conditions.
• Large-scale wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions.

Vegetation absorbs rainfall, reducing runoff. However, wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to properly absorb water, creating conditions ripe for flash flooding and debris flow. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored – up to five years after a wildfire.16 Sonora is located within the Upper Tuolumne Watershed and includes two major drainages – Sonora Creek and Woods Creek. Areas of flooding concern are generally around Woods Creek, which runs southbound along the west side of the City. This area is mapped within the FEMA 100-year flood zone with a 1% chance of annual flooding (also referenced as Zone A), refer to Exhibit 4-3, Flood Hazard Area. This exhibit was 14 FEMA, Glossary: Flood,
https://www.fema.gov/glossary/flood#:~:text=A%20general%20and%20temporary%20condition,inland%20or%20tidal%20waters%3B%20or, accessed May 2, 2023.
15 NOAA, What are El Nino and La Nina?, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html, accessed May 2, 2023. 16 FEMA, Flood Risk Increases After Fires Are Out – Buy Flood Insurance Now, https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/4562/flood-risk-increases-after-fires-are-outbuy-flood-insurance-now, published October 21, 2020, accessed July 12, 2022. 134
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generated with the latest FEMA FIRM maps, dated effective April 16, 2009. Areas adjacent to Sonora Creek and Woods Creek frequently receive surface flooding during major rain events. Although only two critical facilities are located within the mapped flood zone, flooding has occurred in various areas of the City often impacting roadways, residences and drainage infrastructure. Flood impacts near mapped flood zones includes the residential neighborhood east of the Motherload Fairgrounds (Critical Facility #33) which has one point of egress on a small Southgate Drive bridge over Sonora Creek (Critical Facility #10). This bridge frequently overtops during major rain events, hindering access, transportation and evacuation options for the residential neighborhoods accessed via Southgate Drive. In addition, Southgate Drive is the primary access route to the Sonora Wastewater Treatment Plant (Critical Facility #24). Flooding also restricts staff access to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In addition to areas mapped within the 100-year flood zone, localized flooding is a reoccurring issue in Downtown Sonora, primarily along Washington Street and adjacent streets. In addition to localized surface flooding, water intrusion occurs within the basements of many historic structures on Washington Street. The principal storm drain conveyance in Downtown Sonora is the Main Drain, a system including stone tunnels dating back to the late 1880s and storm drain pipeline connections. Overtime, portions of the stone tunnel have been resurfaced with concrete/shotcrete or replaced with concrete box culverts. A recent field inspection and condition assessment occurred in October 2023, including recommendations for phased improvements; these improvements are reflected within Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy, as Mitigation Action #23.

Local flooding incidents have historically occurred during heavy rain events. Impacts have typically occurred in the mapped flood zones and the localized flooding areas discussed above. The most recent flooding occurred over the winter months between 2022 and 2023, where the state of California experienced historically heavy rainfall over approximately four-month period. This resulted in three emergency disaster declarations including Tuolumne County between December 2022 and April 2023. The heaviest storms occurred in Sonora during March 2023, with the National Weather Service issuing thunderstorm, tornado, and flash flood warnings for the planning area. Caltrans District 10 reported a mudslide on State Route 49 between Fairview Lane and Mill Villa Court in Sonora due to heavy rain.17 Flooding and standing water caused the Sonora Police Department to close down portions of South Washington Street (Downtown) and Southgate Drive, along with Fairview Lane/Stockton Road south of Southgate Drive.

Pictures from the Sonora Police Department of this flooding are included below as Exhibit 4-4, Localized Surface Flooding due to March 2023 Storms. 17 NOAA, Storm Event Database, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1090201, accessed November 8, 2023. 135
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Exhibit 4-3, Flood Hazard Area
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Exhibit 4-4
Localized Surface Flooding due to March 2023 Storms
Source: Sonora Police Department, Facebook Post
In addition to the recent local flooding in the City, regional flooding incidents in the area have historically impacted the City of Sonora. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains a storm events database including regional flood events. Table 4-5, Historic Flood Events, lists additional and historical flood events listed on the NOAA Storm Event Database with flood impacts in Sonora.

Table 4-5
Historic Flood Events
Date Event Type Impact
Mar 13, 2023 Flood Heavy rain fell bringing widespread roadway flooding, as well as local mudslides, flash flooding, with evacuations ordered in some areas.

Mar 6, 2019 Flood Heavy rain from training thunderstorms caused flash flooding, particularly in the Sonora area.

Sep 20, 2005 Heavy Rain Heavy rain caused rock and mud slides along Highway 49 in Sonora resulting in minor road damage.

Feb 9, 1999 Flash Flood Woods Creek left its banks and flooded isolated areas of downtown Sonora.

Nov 22, 1996 Flash Flood
Very heavy rain from a thunderstorm caused Hatch Creek to overflow its banks. One fatality due to an attempt to drive a car through a flooded section of roadway.

Source: NOAA, Storm Event Database, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1090201, accessed November 8, 2023.

The majority of historic flood impacts in the City of Sonora have been consistent with the recent flood impacts in and around the mapped flood zone as well as roadway flooding and flooding in downtown Sonora. Historic flood events have also typically been caused 137
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by heavy rains between September and March. For additional historic events of heavy rains and weather events refer to Section 4.12, Severe Weather.

Based on the frequency of severe weather events and the capacity of existing facilities, the probability of future significant flooding events occurring in the City of Sonora is considered highly likely (near 100% probability in next year or happens every year). While the majority of the City is located outside of any designated flood hazard zone, the high incidence of localized flooding in other parts of the City and identified structural deficiencies in the Sonora Main Drain indicate future floods are likely during severe weather incidents. Identified structural mitigation actions in Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy (specifically Main Drain improvements) can substantially decrease the probability of future flooding within the community. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

Climate change is likely to have a direct effect on flooding. According to research conducted by University of California, Los Angeles, California will experience extremely wet and extremely dry seasons by the end of the century. It is predicted “over the next 40 years, the State will be 300 to 400 percent more likely to have a prolonged storm sequence as severe as the one that caused the legendary California flood more than 150 years ago.”18
This research team confirmed the recent findings from a New York Times article titled “The Coming California Megastorm,” predicting a future superstorm exacerbated by climate change. A warmer climate can carry atmospheric rivers in rapid succession to California, testing the capacity of dams and flood control infrastructure. The risk of a month-long megastorm as modeled and visualized by this article has a one in 50 chance of occurring annually. If global temperatures continue to climb, the likelihood of such a storm could increase to one in 30.19 Thus, flood considerations should continue to remain a mitigation priority into the future.

The mapped flood hazard zone within the City is a 100-year flood zone around Sonora Creek and Woods Creek in the western area of the City. The flood hazard zone in the City is relatively small, and follows Woods Creek from Forest Road and Woods Creek Drive to the Sonora Wastewater Treatment Plant in the southwestern area of the City.

Assets located within a flood zone include the water treatment plant, one City park one 18 UCLA Newsroom, Study forecasts a severe climate future for California, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/california-extremeclimate-future-ucla-study, accessed July 12, 2022.
19 New York Times, The Coming California Megastorm, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/12/climate/california-rainstorm.html, published August 12, 2022, accessed October 4, 2022.
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bridge and the Motherlode Fairgrounds. Table 4-6, Critical Facilities in the Flood Hazard Zone, identifies the critical facilities within the flood hazard zone.

Table 4-6
Critical Facilities in a Flood Hazard Zone
Map
ID Name Asset Type Total Loss Potential
10 Bridge (Southgate Drive/Sonora Creek) Transportation $603,150.00 24 Sonora Wastewater Treatment Plant Utility (Wastewater) $3,148,202.00 33 Motherlode Fairgrounds Parks and Recreation N/A
34 Woods Creek Rotary Park Parks and Recreation N/A
* Replacement Values Generated Using FEMA HAZUS Estimations (HAZUS 6.0 Inventory Technical Manual).

Significant flood events could result in inundation or damage to the critical facilities identified above. As previously mentioned, The bridge at Southgate Drive/Sonora Creek (Critical Facility #10) often overtops during major rain events, hindering transportation and evacuation options for the residential neighborhoods accessed via Southgate Drive. In addition, this bridge provides the primary access route to the Sonora Wastewater Treatment Plant (Critical Facility #24). The City’s flood zone impact the nearby roadways including W Stockton Street and S Forest Road, as well as the nearby residential and non-residential structures.

Approximately 6 residential units are located within a FEMA designated flood hazard zone. As the persons per household in Sonora is 2.17, it is assumed approximately 13 individuals reside in a flood hazard zone. Approximately 753,153 square feet of nonresidential structures are located within a flood hazard zone.

FEMA National Flood Hazard Maps account for areas susceptible to major or regional flooding; these hazard maps do not account for localized flooding incidents that could impact the City on a smaller scale. Known vulnerability is associated with Main Drain deficiencies in Downtown Sonora as previously discussed above. Localized floods could impede access to critical facilities, create impassable conditions for first responders, or damage/destroy structures. Access challenges can delay proper life safety response and increase the severity of impacts, depending on the location and extent of the flood. A significant rain event may result in localized flooding outside of mapped flood zones that may impact the City’s ability to respond or evacuate.

As discussed in Section 3.5, population patterns have not substantially changed within the planning area during the last five years. The City population remained at stable levels, largely similar to those identified in the 2018 MJHMP. The previous 2018 MJHMP – Sonora Annex did not identify the number of vulnerable individuals or households within the mapped flood hazard zone. Therefore, it is unknown if the number of vulnerable individuals within the flood hazard zone significantly changed within the last five years.

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within the next five years. Existing municipal regulations would prevent hazardous development from occurring within mapped flood zones. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase flood vulnerability.

The mapped FEMA flood zone is located on the boundary between Census Tract 11 and

12. SVPs concentrated within Census Tract 12 may also experience elevated flood risk due to this mapped flood zone within the jurisdiction. Additionally localized flood vulnerability and risk within Downtown Sonora would also largely occur within Census Tract 12. SVPs may be particularly vulnerable to flood impacts because of a lack of mobility, inability to evacuate efficiently and/or limited economic resources. These challenges would be exacerbated by flooded or washed out roads, causing individuals to have to evacuate or shelter in place. As previously identified, the bridge located over Sonora Creek at Southgate Drive (Critical Facility #10) is the only ingress/egress point for a small residential neighborhood accessed only by Southgate Drive. While the demographics of this specific neighborhood is unknown, it is located on the western boundary of Census Tract 12 where concentrations of SVPs are known to exist.

Therefore, Mitigation Action #33 was crafted to seek grant funding for improvements at this bridge at Southgate Drive over Sonora Creek. The goal is for this bridge to remain passable during major storm events.

A hazardous material is a substance that, because of its quantity, concentration or physical or chemical composition, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released. The term “release” means spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment, unless permitted or authorized by a regulatory agency.20 Hazardous materials can be in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. Hazardous materials accidents can occur during production, storage, transportation (roadway and railway), use, or disposal.21
The impacts of a hazardous materials release can vary, depending on the type and amount of material released. Hazardous materials exposure can include the following effects: skin/eye irritation; difficulty breathing; headaches; nausea; behavior 20 Health and Safety Code Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory, Article 1. 21 Department of Homeland Security, Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents, https://www.ready.gov/hazardous-materials-incidents, accessed November 3, 2023.
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abnormalities; cancer; genetic mutations; physiological malfunctions (i.e., reproductive impairment, kidney failure); physical deformations; or birth defects.22 Hazardous materials are generated, used, and stored by facilities throughout the City of Sonora and in surrounding unincorporated communities for a variety of purposes in service industries, agriculture, businesses, schools, and households. Uses known to transport, store, use and/or dispose hazardous materials within the City involve construction, light manufacturing, dry cleaning, landscaping, automotive maintenance and repair, and common residential/commercial maintenance activities.

Most hazardous materials in the City of Sonora are associated with low-risk, small-scale operations consistent with day-to-day activities. Common hazardous materials include diesel fuel, chlorine, fuel waste, fertilizer, pesticides, propane, paint/paint thinner, and solvents. Additionally, hazardous materials are likely used in households throughout the City. Household hazardous materials are commonly found in paints, lawn and garden products, household cleaners, beauty products, medicine, automotive fluids, and batteries.

The City does not contain the types of major industrial uses that typically result in larger amounts of hazardous materials, nor are significant areas of heavy industry located in adjoining areas of unincorporated Tuolumne County. However, there are two large propane facilities located in the City of Sonora: 1) JS West Propane at 564 W Stockton St and 2) Kamps Propane at 18877 Micro-Tonics Way.

According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database, three sites are classified as “Evaluation Needed”. The sites are listed as Tanzy Mine (201 Barretta Street) and Manufactured Gas Plant – Sonora (NE Corner of Shepard & Lyon Streets). These sites are listed as inactive, with historic uses related to mining and gas manufacturing. Tanzy Mine is a former “pocket” gold mine, and historic mining operations were small in scale. Potential contaminants of concern include arsenic and elemental mercury. Although information on the historical use of the mine is limited, the mine operated as recently as 1909 to 1928 and was determined unlikely to generate significant quantities of hazardous waste.23 This mine is currently inactive, and public access to points of entry are closed. Thus, this facility poses a limited risk of hazardous materials release to the community.

The historic Manufactured Gas Plant at the intersection of Shepard and Lyon Streets was only in operation for one year and closed in 1859. The containment of concern is polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS). The site has been re-developed as a residential property, but no records are found regarding the plant or its status for hazardous materials after 1858. Thus, the Department of Toxic Substances Control has 22 US EPA, Health and Ecological Hazards Caused by Hazardous Substances, https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/health-and-ecological-hazardscaused-hazardous-substances, accessed April 12, 2023. 23 Department of Toxic Substances Control: EnviroStor, Tanzy Mine (60002452), https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/profile_report?global_id=60002452, accessed November 8, 2023.
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noted this site as inactive but in need of evaluation.24 Due to the historic nature of this site, it is also assumed this facility poses a limited risk of hazardous materials release to the community.

Additionally, there is one active state response clean-up site at Sierra Launderers & Cleaners located at 407 N. Washington Street. Hazardous materials spills at dry cleaners are common occurrences, and clean-up activities related to this facility are on-going.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) biennially collects information regarding the generation, management, and disposal of hazardous materials under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Biennial Report Summary for 2021 reported one hazardous waste generator in the City of Sonora; at Adventist Health Sonora (Critical Facility #30 and #31). However, this location is not considered to be a large generator.

Hazardous waste types generated at the Sonora Regional Medical Center (including aqueous and alkaline solutions, ignitable waste, inorganic and organic wastes, oxygenated solvents, pharmaceutical waste, photo-chemicals, oils, sludge waste, corrosive waste, reactive waste, lead, and more) are disposed pursuant to RCRA regulations. This type of hazardous materials waste is considered standard for medical and healthcare facilities.

The City of Sonora has a limited history of hazardous materials spills. The majority of historical incidents identified by Department of Toxic Substances Control and the State Water Resources Control Board are historic been leaking underground storage tanks.

Such incidents in the City have received remediation activities, and did not pose substantial health and safety risks to the community.

Additionally, increasing incidents of illegal camping regularly result in littering, discarded debris and deserted propane tanks. This has become an increasing concern as illegal camping may contaminate surface water or contribute to wildfire risks. As Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) relies on a series of surface ditches to convey untreated water to water treatment plants, illegal camping within the vicinity of these ditches poses risk to water quality. In addition, illegal camping has historically caused major wildfire incidents within the region, including the 2013 Rim Fire that substantially impacted Tuolumne and Mono Counties. It is unknown if hazardous materials such as propane were used to ignite the illegal campfire that ultimately burned over 250,000 acres The intersection of wildfire risk and illegal camping is further discussed in Section 4.14, Wildfire.

Most reported hazardous materials incidents that occurred in Tuolumne County were accidental and transportation caused automobile accidents. Most recently on January 20, 2024, a train carrying empty propane tanks was derailed next to the U.S. Post office in downtown Sonora and damaged five parked vehicles. The ultimate cause of this train 24 Department of Toxic Substances Control: EnviroStor, Manufactured Gas Plant - Sonora (55490002), https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/profile_report?global_id=55490002, accessed November 8, 2023. 142
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derailment was determined to be a sinkhole threatening the integrity of the railroad tracks (refer to Section 4.9, Landslide & Sinkholes). According to the 2018 Tuolumne County MJHMP, once or twice a year a clandestine lab operation will be discovered in the County requiring clean operations. Generally, these incidents have occurred outside of the planning area.

Impacts from hazardous materials spills can vary significantly based on the type, content, amount of hazardous materials, and the release location. Many entities within the planning area lawfully handle hazardous materials such as gas stations, dry cleaners, medical facilities, and commercial/retail businesses. Though the City participates in regional hazardous materials emergency response efforts and follows local, state, and federal law, there remains a possibility of accidental hazardous materials spills.

Additionally, the Tuolumne County Environmental Health Division is certified by Cal-EPA to administer specific hazardous materials/hazardous waste programs. Tuolumne County also monitors groundwater levels, and flow conditions to determine groundwater quality.

Tuolumne County requires a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) for any facility that stores materials in quantities greater than 55 gallons for liquids, 500 pounds for solids, or 200 cubic feet for gases. These programs and protocol serve to mitigate the likelihood and severity of hazardous material releases.25 The probability of future occurrence for the hazardous materials hazard within the planning area is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

Accidental hazardous materials releases are usually caused by human error, unrelated with climate change. However, hazardous materials releases can be a secondary impact as a result of infrastructure failure during a natural hazard event, such as a wildfire or severe storm. Climate change could cause an increase in destructive natural hazards in the City and surrounding region, and thus risk future hazardous materials spills. Further, hazardous materials releases during wildfire or severe weather events could spread contamination to large geographic areas and amplify long-term impacts to human and ecological health. Spills or releases in challenging clean-up conditions can result in more severe damage or impacts compared to spills during normal conditions.

Hazardous material releases have the potential to affect the entire planning area, and therefore all critical facilities within the service area are considered vulnerable. Impacts from hazardous materials spills can vary significantly based on the type/content/amount of hazardous materials and the release location. The threat of a major hazardous material 25 Tuolumne County, Hazardous Materials – Environmental Health, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1555/Hazardous-Materials, accessed November 15, 2023.
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incident in the City of Sonora and the greater Tuolumne County could be derived from either industrial/agricultural sources, transportation, utilities, clandestine operations and/or illegal camping. Major highways including SR-49 and SR-108 run through the planning area, however the likelihood of a significant quantity of hazardous materials being routinely transported is low. While areas adjacent to major transport are potentially at a higher risk from a spill, hazardous materials release could potentially occur in any area of the City.

Although hazardous materials could result in damages to structures, the most significant impact is the potential human health hazards or potential environmental contamination.

Environmental contamination could impact air quality or water quality and could involve costly long-term clean-up measures. Damage to utility systems could disrupt service or cause significant outages. Spills near or at government infrastructure such as City Hall could disrupt services to the community. The intent behind hazardous materials spills can influence the magnitude of impact as well. An intentional hazardous materials release linked to terrorism or sabotage attempts could have wider-ranging impacts compared to an unintentional release. Thus, the threat of harm and injury is highly dependent on the actual incident.

As discussed in Section 3.5, population patterns have not substantially changed in the planning area during the last five years. The City population remained at stable levels, largely similar to those identified in the 2018 MJHMP. No major changes in land use and development occurred while the previous MJHMP was active, that affected risk or vulnerability associated with hazardous materials spills.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to hazardous materials spills, any projected population growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable individuals. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase hazardous materials vulnerability.

The location, extent and magnitude of hazardous material releases could potentially impact any area of the City, including SVPs within the Census Tract 12 and other highrisk individuals located within the City. No physical infrastructure or unique considerations elevate risk to SVPs specifically related human-caused hazards. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals is outreach and communication. Emergency communication and alerts in the case of hazardous materials spill should consider hard to reach groups, such as senior citizens or disabled persons, who may require support or assistance if an evacuation order is triggered. Mitigation Action #13 includes considerations for improved public awareness and safety campaigns, with consideration for “hard to reach groups.” Additional mitigation actions categorized as “All Hazard” efforts 144
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include improvements to public outreach and emergency communication, that would directly benefit SVPs across the community in the case of a hazardous materials spill.

Domestic terrorism is defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as perpetuated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or associated with a primarily United States based movement that espouses extremist ideologies of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature. International terrorism is perpetuated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or associated with designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (i.e., State sponsored).26 The United States Federal Code states that terrorism must be intended to 1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; 2) influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or, 3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.27
An active shooter is defined by the FBI as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. Active shooters select victims at random, and the shooting event is unpredictable and often evolves quickly.28 Active shooters select public gathering and community areas, often targeting schools, places of worship, and transportation centers. There may be one or more shooters involved in an event, and there is not one demographic profile of an active shooter. The FBI identify the pathway to active shooting as typically involving an unresolved real or perceived grievance and an ideation of a violent resolution.29
Active shooter and terrorist incidents can both result in mass casualties, where emergency response and resources are overwhelmed by the number or severity of casualties.

An aircraft crash as defined by the Air Safety Support International is an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of a manned aircraft, takes place between the time any person board the aircraft with the intention of flight all such persons have disembarked and in which case a) a person is fatally or seriously injured, b) the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which or c), the aircraft goes missing or becomes completely inaccessible.30 Many aircraft crash are caused by human factors in aviation, crew member mistakes, aircraft maintenance negligence, aircraft design and 26 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Terrorism, https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism, accessed April 12, 2023. 27 US Federal Code Title 18, Chapter 113B, Section 2331. 28 Federal Bureau of Investigation, OPS Active Shooter Guide, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-508.pdf/view, accessed April 12, 2023. 29 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Addressing the Problem of the Active Shooter, https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/addressing-the-problem-of-theactive-shooter, published March 7, 2013, accessed April 12, 2023. 30 Skybrary, Accident Definition, https://skybrary.aero/articles/accident, accessed September 27, 2023. 145
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manufacturing defects, weather, sabotage, airline corporate negligence and air traffic controller negligence.31 Crashes are most likely to occur in single engine planes and general aviation rather than on commercial airlines.32
The 2014 Emergency Operations Plan for the City of Sonora defines civil disturbance as the spontaneous disruption of normal, orderly conduct and activities in urban areas, or an outbreak of rioting or violence that is of a large nature. Civil disorder is a demonstration of unrest that may manifest in acts of violence and destruction against property or human life. Looting and fires can take place as a result of perceived or actual non-intervention by authorities in the City. Civil disorder can be spurred by specific events, such as large sporting events or criminal trials, or can be the result of long-term disfavor with authority.

The threat to law enforcement, safety personnel, and critical facilities can be severe. The City Police Department assumes the primary roles in civil disturbance management.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), defines cyberattack as targeting an enterprise’s use of cyberspace for the purpose of disrupting, disabling, destroying, or maliciously controlling a computing environment/infrastructure; or destroying the integrity of the data or stealing controlled information.33 Cyberattacks can be the result of insider threats or external hacking. Insider threats are personally motivated attackers, such as former employees, who aim to disrupt a system to seek retribution or accidental abuse of access to a company’s assets. External hackers usually seek financial gain through money or data theft or business disruption. There are numerous types of hacking, including malware, phishing, and ransomware. Malware is malicious software that destroys key data or files rendering a system inoperable. Phishing is a scam attempt designed to look like a legitimate request for information in order to steal an individual’s credentials or sensitive data. Ransomware is a more complex malware that encrypts data or functionality, thereby preventing the use of a system until the attacker’s financial demands are met.34 Many critical facilities and infrastructure within the City operate using information technology and thus are potential targets for cyberattacks.

The specific location of terrorism and active shooter incidents are difficult to predict.

Generally, locations most vulnerable to terrorism and active shooters are places where 31 Wisner Baum, Why Planes Crash, https://www.wisnerbaum.com/aviation-accident/why-planescrash/#:~:text=Many%20aviation%20accidents%20are%20caused,one%20reason%20why%20planes%20crash, accessed September 27, 2023. 32 Clifford Law Offices, Aviation Accidents and Incidents, https://www.cliffordlaw.com/aviation-accidents-andincidents/#:~:text=However%2C%20crashes%20are%20most%20likely,crashes%20involved%20single%20engine%20planes, accessed September 27, 2023. 33 National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST Special Publication 1800-10, Protecting Information and System Integrity in Industrial Control System Environments: Cybersecurity for the Manufacturing Sector, March 2022. 34 International Business Machines Corporation, What is a cyberattack?, https ://www.ibm.com/topics/cyber-attack, accessed November 2, 2022. 146
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people gather, places of political importance, infrastructure, and destinations. Examples include but are not limited to:
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Churches/religious centers
• Employment centers
• City Hall/County Seat
• Community centers
• Libraries
• Transit operations and stops
• Shopping malls/large retail centers
• Highways and other transportation infrastructure
• Power plants and utility infrastructure
• Event/entertainment centers
The City of Sonora serves as the commercial, governmental, and cultural center for Tuolumne County. Land uses within the planning area include historic mixed use, commercial and residential uses. Commercial corridors along Washington Street, West Stockton Street, and the commercial area in the southeast corner of the City are potential targets for terrorism and active shooter. As the City of Sonora also serves as the County seat, there is a high concentration of governmental offices and facilities located within the planning area Additionally, schools, churches and healthcare facilities are also considered vulnerable for terrorism and active shooter threats. Although terrorism and active shooter incidents often target places where people gather, it is possible for an incident to occur anywhere in the City.

The extent of impacts of terrorism are difficult to predict and would depend on the nature of the attack and target. The impacts vary in size and severity depending on the specific event, but typically results in loss of life, psychosocial damage, and service/industry disruptions. The effects of psychosocial damage, and service/industry disruptions would likely be experienced by the entire community in the event of an active shooter or terrorist attack.

Many aircraft crashes occur on the runway during takeoff or landing at airports and helicopter takeoff/landing zones. Crashes are also more likely to occur with private aircraft in general aviation, compared to commercial airlines. Tuolumne County owns and operates three municipal airports in proximity to the City of Sonora. These airports primarily serve private aircraft with some small private businesses and flight schools, which could be susceptible to aircraft crashes. The nearest airports include:
• Columbia Airport, 4 miles northwest of the City;
• Columbia Airport Fly-In Campground, 5.5 miles northwest of the City; and, 147
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• Pine Mountain Lake Airport, 14 miles southeast of the City.

Additionally, the nearest domestic airports to the City include the Merced Regional Airport (60 miles south of the City) and Stockton Metropolitan Airport (50 miles west of the City).

Both airports provide general aviation and commercial service. As flightpaths between regional airports are also at risk, it is possible for an aircraft crash to impact any area within the City.

The extent of an aircraft crash is dependent on the circumstances including the size of the aircraft, location of the incident and number of persons on board. In most cases, an aircraft crash would result in loss of life for those on board. Physical damage of the incident would be limited to the crash site. However, depending on the size of the aircraft and location of the crash, significant physical damage and high numbers of casualties are possible.

Similar to terrorism and active shooter threats, the specific location of civil disturbance is difficult to predict. Politically motivated civil disturbance may target government facilities like City Hall, County facilities, the public library, schools, and parks. The City of Sonora has many facilities and public spaces could serve as a starting point for a civil disturbance.

Civil disturbance also has the potential to migrate from a specific starting point (including outside of the City of Sonora) and impact multiple public facilities, businesses and private property throughout the City. For this reason, the entire planning area is potentially at risk of civil disturbances.

The extent and severity of damages is highly dependent on various factors including the motivation behind the civil disturbance, the number of participants, and level of law enforcement response. The aftermath of civil disturbance is usually measured by number of injuries, deaths, and property damage/losses in U.S. dollars. Less severe civil disturbance may occur in small geographic areas, involve limited individuals, and result in minor property damage. Severe civil disturbance can occur citywide, involve significant numbers of people, resulting in injuries or deaths, and result in significant property damage from mass rioting, looting, or arson. Financial impacts to residents and business owners who are insured or without comprehensive insurance policies would experience the most severe impacts. Most comprehensive insurance policies include coverage for civil disturbance, riots and other vandalism causes, but payment and repairs may be delayed due to the nature of the unrest incident. Depending on the extent and severity of damages, significant downtime may be required to cleanup and/or rebuild after an event.

Generally, extended duration of civil disturbance would be associated with greater extent of impacts and damages compared to shorter durations.

Unlike physical attacks, cyberattacks is not location based. Hacking could occur at great distances away from the City, but impacts within the City could be severe and widespread.

Cyberattacks may have similar motives to physical terrorism and likely target similar 148
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industries including government, businesses, healthcare or medical facilities, financial institutions, educational institutions, and/or public utilities. Cyberterrorist attacks have to potential to cause violence, service disruptions, physical damages, psychosocial impacts, economic damages, or data breaches. Depending on the target and intended motive, the effects of cyberattacks may impact the entirety of the City or may impact specific businesses. For example, a cyberattack aimed at an energy provider may leave the entire City without power in order to coerce some action from the utility company or the City. On the other hand, cyberattacks may occur on a relatively small scale aimed at individuals to obtain personal or financial information.

The City of Sonora has not experienced any active shooter incidents, major terrorism, or mass casualty incident. Regionally, an attempted attack occurred in Tuolumne County outside of the planning area. In 2015, Tuolumne County sheriff arrested four juvenile suspects in a shooting plot targeting Summerville High in unincorporated Tuolumne County. Evidence and confessions from the suspects included a list of victims, locations, and methods for the attack. The plot was in the planning stages at the time of the arrest and no students or adults were hurt. The four students were charged with conspiracy to commit an assault with deadly weapons.35
In April 2023, reports of gunshots near Sonora High School resulted in a four-hour lockdown and prompted a major public safety agency response. Sonora Police Department was supported by Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, Tuolumne County Probation Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Cal FIRE, California State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife in conducting sweeps of the school campus before declaring the reports to be unfounded. No students or faculty at Sonora High School were harmed.36 This emergency incident resulted in many discussions through the LHMP planning process about ways the City could enhance emergency response by planning, communication, and training. Many mitigation actions within Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy, are related to lessons learned during this specific incident.

A handful of aircraft crashes have occurred near Columbia Airport within the past few years. All incidents listed below occurred outside of the planning area. While no recent incidents have occurred within the City of Sonora, the crash occurrence around Columbia Airport does indicate a heightened risk for the planning area. 35 The Modesto Bee, Tuolumne County sheriff offers details into arrest of four in Summerville High shooting plot, https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article37515759.html, accessed September 27, 2023. 36 The Union Democrat, ‘Just panic’: Sonora High School students, parents talk about tense lock down scare Thursday, https://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article_97755f10-d4e2-11ed-a3f9-8f81311e7953.html, accessed December 29, 2023. 149
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• In July 2016, four people died in a small plane crash at the Columbia Airport Tuolumne County. The small private plane veered to the left off of the runway during the landing and crashed, engulfing the plane in flames.37 • In February 2020, two Sonora men were killed in a plane crash in the 21000 block of Springfield Road, near the Columbia Airport in Tuolumne County. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was a single-engine Cessna 140A and crashed under unknown circumstances.38
• On February 22, 2020, a single-engine Aviat Husky A1A plane crashed at the Columbia Airport Tuolumne County. The pilot who was the only person aboard and suffered minor injuries. The plane nearly crashed into a Cal Fire air tanker.39 • On September 5, 2022, an off-duty Cal Fire pilot died in a personal plane crash just behind a home in Tuolumne County. The plane was a single-engine Barnow Barry Vari EZE and was a mile away from the Columbia Airport before the crash.40 Generally, civil disturbance has not recently occurred in Sonora. Large-scale occurrences of civil disturbance and civil disturbance within the planning area are historically. Minor incidents are small in scale and quickly handled by law enforcement.

During June 2020, ongoing civil disturbance across the country resulted in the City of Sonora proclaiming a Local Emergency. Protestors and counter-protesters packed in the City’s Courthouse Park and spilled into neighboring sidewalks and side streets. Additional police support from Stanislaus and Calaveras County arrived to maintain peace and lawfully protests. Later that evening, the City Council then implemented a curfew from 8:00 p.m. through 5:00 a.m. to mitigate continued disturbance.41 This incident was largely peaceful and lawful, and did not escalate into a large-scale civil disturbance.

The City has not experienced a major cyberattack; previous incidents of cyberattacks or attempted cyberattacks have not resulted in significant impacts. Regionally, cyberattacks remain a concern for public agencies. On March 18, 2022, a Tuolumne County computer network that typically offers public access was temporarily taken off the public internet 37 Times Union, 4 die when small plane crashes at airport in Tuolumne County, https://www.timesunion.com/bayarea/article/4-die-when-small-plane-crashes-atairport-in-8481366.php, accessed September 27, 2023. 38 KCRA Channel 3 Sacramento, 4 die when small plane crashes at airport in Tuolumne County, https://www.kcra.com/article/2-killed-in-tuolumne-county-planecrash-officials-say/30786807#, accessed September 27, 2023. 39 KCRA Channel 3 Sacramento, Plane crashes in Tuolumne County, nearly hits Cal Fire tanker, https://www.kcra.com/article/plane-crashes-tuolumne-countyhits-cal-fire-tanker-columbia-airport/31062654, accessed September 27, 2023. 40 KCRA Channel 3 Sacramento, Cal Fire pilot killed in small plane crash in Tuolumne County near Columbia Airport, https://www.kcra.com/article/small-planecrashes-in-tuolumne-county-near-columbia-airport-faa-says/41084924, accessed September 27, 2023. 41 My Mother Lode, Sonora Council Imposes A Curfew And Declares Local State Of Emergency, https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1071616/sonoracouncil-imposes-a-curfew-and-declares-local-state-of-emergency.html, accessed September 27, 2023. 150
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after an attempted cybersecurity breach. The County’s information was not hacked although the attempt included a command to the County’s centralized server.

The probability of future occurrence for active shooter events, terrorist attacks and mass casualty events within the planning area is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). The risk for Sonora is heightened due to the presence of multiple City/County governmental buildings, along with presence of schools, churches, and other critical assets. Additionally, terrorism and active shooter threats are not necessarily determined by the incidence of previous occurrences and are difficult to predict. Because of the dynamic nature of terrorist threat, terrorism can occur without much warning and may occur in any area within the City. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

The probability of future occurrence for aircraft crashes within the planning area is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years) based on previous incidents. Human error is potentially significant factor in likelihood of future events, but safety regulations, procedures and training can prevent the risks of human error. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

The probability of future occurrence for civil disturbances within the planning area is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). Due to frequent changes in the political and social climate, it is reasonable to assume that lawful protests, lawful assembly, and civil disturbance will continue, because lawful protests are protected under the First Amendment. However, lawful assembly can quickly erupt into civil disturbance making it difficult to predict when intervention from law enforcement will be necessary. Because of the nature of civil disturbance and civil disturbance and the linkages to political, social, racial and or environmental movements, the probability and likelihood of future occurrences is considered medium. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

The prevalent use of technology and the internet increases the likelihood for cyberattacks.

Targets of cyberattacks, particularly industries including governments, businesses, healthcare or medical facilities, financial institutions, educational institutions, and/or public utilities implement cybersecurity measures to prevent cyberattacks. Thus, the probability 151
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and likelihood for cyberattack is considered medium. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

As terrorism and active shooter events are human-caused, these hazards are not directly tied to climate change impacts. However, prolonged climate change impacts can cause conflicts regarding natural resources and livelihood insecurity, as well as food insecurity or water scarcity. Terrorist organizations could operate more easily in fragile and conflictaffected environments, according to the Climate Diplomacy Organization.42 However, terrorism and active shooter threats are generally considered to be independent from climate change.

As the Earth’s average global temperature increases, aircraft crashes many increase with the rise of turbulence. Wind shear which is the degree to which wind speeds vary at different altitudes increased by 15% since 1979 due to the Earth’s warming. When wind shear is high, the differences in wind speeds create atmospheric disturbance much like rippling causing turbulence in a flight. Turbulence can cause costly repairs for aircrafts that left untreated may lead to aircraft crashes in the future.43 Civil disturbance is not directly tied to climate change impacts. However, environmental concerns and climate change implications could drive conflict on a local, regional, or global scale. Academic research has connected climate change influenced droughts to periods of societal unrest over the course of many centuries. Most recently, research from Colombia University links climate change and unprecedented drought as they key societal stressor that led to uprisings that initiated the Syrian Civil War.44 Vulnerability associated with more limited resources can make periods of civil disturbance more likely to occur in the future.

As terrorism and sabotage events are human caused, these types of hazards are not directly tied to climate change impacts. However, the interaction of natural hazards and global climate change could increase the frequency and severity of events. However, cyberattacks are generally considered to be independent from climate change. 42 Climate Diplomacy Organization, Insurgency, Terrorism and Organized Crime in a Warming Climate, https://www.climatediplomacy.org/publications/insurgency-terrorism-and-organised-crime-warming-climate, accessed April 12, 2023. 43 The Washington Post, Climate Change is Raising Flight Turbulence Risk, https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/03/04/flight-turbulence-climatechange/, accessed September 27, 2023. 44 Columbia University, Can studying climate change help predict civil unrest, https://giving.columbia.edu/can-studying-climate-change-help-predict-civil-unrest, accessed August 31, 2022.
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Human-caused hazards have the potential to affect the entire planning area, and therefore all critical facilities within the City are considered vulnerable. Specific vulnerabilities by human-caused hazards are discussed in the paragraphs below.

Terrorism and active shooter incidents may also occur anywhere within the City, and thus the entirety of the City is considered vulnerable. Active shooters specifically target people, and attacks usually occur at places or events where large numbers of people congregate.

Comparatively, terrorism attacks may either focus on places where people gather or target schools, municipal facilities or public utility or transportation infrastructure.

Depending on the nature of the attack, impacts could be widespread throughout the planning area or highly localized.

The City is located within close proximity to municipal airports, and thus the entire planning area is considered vulnerable. Flightpaths occur over the city daily, and therefore it is possible for an aircraft crash to impact any area of the City to varying extends.

Civil disturbance could also occur anywhere within the City, but generally would be more likely to occur at public spaces where people gather or targeted locations (specific businesses, City Hall, police stations). As public spaces are distributed throughout the City, the entirety of the City is considered vulnerable to civil disturbance. The effects could be widespread throughout the City or be highly localized, depending on the nature of the actual incident. For this reason, all critical facilities are considered susceptible to damages.

The entire City is considered vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cyberattacks do not usually result in physical damage to critical assets, but may otherwise disrupt government or utility service within the planning area. Many assets and critical facilities within the community rely on technology, and intentional attacks (terrorism or otherwise) may require substantial response.

The entirety of the City is susceptible to harm associated with a human-induced hazard.

However, the extent of harm or injury is highly dependent upon the nature of the actual incident. Active shooter/terrorism, aircraft crash, civil disturbances, or cyber-attacks could damage the environment, damage physical buildings and property, or impact human health. The effects of human-caused hazards could involve costly long-term clean-up actions and recovery measures.

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At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patters, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to human-caused hazards, any projected population growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable individuals. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase hazardous materials vulnerability.

The location, extent and magnitude of human-caused hazards would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tract 12 and other high-risk individuals located within the City. No physical infrastructure or unique considerations elevate risk to specific human-caused hazards. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals is outreach and communication. Emergency communication and alerts in the case of human-caused hazards should consider hard to reach groups, such as senior citizens or disabled persons, who may require support or assistance if an evacuation order is triggered. Mitigation Action #13 includes considerations for improved public awareness and safety campaigns, with consideration for “hard to reach groups.” Additional mitigation actions categorized as “All Hazard” efforts include improvements to public outreach and emergency communication, that would directly benefit SVPs across the community in the case of a human-caused hazard.

Landslide is a generalized term for a falling mass of soil or rocks. When a hillside or slope becomes unstable, downslope movement of rock and soil occurs under the direct influence of gravity. Landslides are often sudden, although some occur very slowly over a long period of time. Loose and fractured materials are more likely to slide than compact materials or solid rock, and steep slopes are at greater risk than gentle rises.

Landslides are usually induced by either earthquakes or saturated slopes. The shaking of an earthquake can decrease slope stability, or in a more severe instance, can fracture the earth material enough that the material slides. Moisture-induced landslides can occur when the ground soaks up enough water that the soil becomes loose and unstable. This is often the result of intense or long-lasting rainfall, but can also result from a pipeline burst or overwatering landscapes.

Regardless of the cause or specific form, a landslide can damage or destroy structures or roadways in its path. Underground infrastructure, such as pipelines or telecommunication lines, may be severed during a landslide. This could lead to infrastructure induced flooding if water pipes, or sewage lines burst. In addition to property damage, landslides can crush or bury people, creating a risk of serious injury or death. 154
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Mudslides, also known as debris flows or mudflows, are a common type of fast-moving landslide that tends to flow in channels.45 This can occur when water rapidly accumulates in the ground and results in a surge of water-saturated rock, earth, and debris.46 Mudslides often occur following wildfire due to a lack of vegetation and soil stability.

In addition, sinkholes are a related geologic hazard that regularly affect the planning area.

Sinkholes are depressions in the ground that form when the underlying rock and soil has been dissolved, eroded, or saturated by water and collapses. A sinkhole has no natural external surface drainage, thus all water remains in the sinkhole and typically drains into the subsurface.47 While sinkholes can naturally occur due to weathering and erosion of surface rock (especially limestone), sinkholes are most often triggered in the planning area by heavy rains over known historic mines. Miles of abandoned tunnels and mining shafts exist in within the City of Sonora, dating back to the 1850s. Mines and tunnels effectively act as eroded areas of subsurface rock, increasing risk for sinkhole occurrences within the City.

Landslide potential zones are mapped throughout the City, refer to Exhibit 4-6, Landslide Potential Zone. Mapped landslide risk areas primarily include steep slopes located throughout the City, particularly the residential areas in the west, north and east of the City. In general, hilly areas in Sonora have varying risk to deep-seated landslide based on regional estimates of rock strength and steepness of slopes. Exhibit 4-5 show the US Geological Survey (USGS) Landslide Susceptibility Classes by rock strength and slope class that demonstrate the potential extent of a landslide event in the planning area:

The USGS Landslide Susceptibility Classes express the generalization that on very low slopes, landslide susceptibility is low even in weak materials, and that landslide susceptibility increases with slope and in weaker rocks. Very high landslide susceptibility, classes VIII, IX, and X, includes very steep slopes in hard rocks and moderate to very steep slopes in weak rocks.48 In the vulnerability assessment for this Plan, any areas located in class III or higher were considered vulnerable. The Classes help to show the relative likelihood of deep landsliding based on regional estimates of rock strength and steepness of slopes. This helps to illustrate the potential extent of landslides in the planning area based on local geology rather than debris flows, similar to the process of identifying potential slope failure.
45 California Department of Public Health, Landslides and Mudslides, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Landslides-andMudslides.aspx#:~:text=Landslides%20are%20caused%20by%20disturbances,soaked%20rock%2C%20earth%20and%20debris, accessed October 16, 2023. 46 CDC and Prevention, Landslides & Mudslides,
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/landslides.html#:~:text=Landslides%20are%20caused%20by%20disturbances,rock%2C%20earth%2C%20and%20debris, accessed October 16, 2023.
47 USGS, What is a sinkhole?, https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-sinkholem, accessed November 15, 2023. 48 USGS, Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides in California, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/documents/publications/map-sheets/MS_058.pdf, accessed May 14, 2024.
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Exhibit 4-5
Landslide Susceptibility Classes
Although, there is no mapped data on landslides triggered by earthquakes for the City of Sonora, it is understood that areas of steep or unstable slopes could also be at risk from seismically induced landslides. The extent of a landslide incident is largely dependent on the quantity of slope failure, measured in cubic meters or yards. Greater landslide extents will be associated with larger quantities of slope failure.

Mudslide and sinkhole risk exists outside of the mapped hazard landslide potential zones.

Mudslides are known to occur during heavy rain incidents on wildfire burn scars. While no major burn scars currently exist in the planning area, there is the possibility for a future wildfire to occur and create a mapped location with elevated vulnerability for mudslides or debris flow. The extent of mudslide is dependent on quantity material, measured in cubic meters or yards. Greater mudslide extents will be associated with larger quantities of debris.
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Exhibit 4-5, Landslide Potential Zone
Exhibit 4-6, Landslide Potential Zone
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The location and extent of sinkhole vulnerability in Sonora is not fully known. Due to historic mining activities dating back to the 1850s, tunnels and shafts are distributed throughout the planning area. Vulnerability is assumed to be highest around historic tunnels and mining shafts. Mapped historic mine data is documented by the California Department of Conservation and the Tuolumne County History Research Center. Tunnels and retired mines are located throughout the City, including the commercially developed areas in downtown Sonora. Some historic maps are not digitized, and due to the age of mining infrastructure there is the possibility for unmapped mines to exist. Mapped data is not included in this LHMP for safety and security reasons. The extent of sinkhole incidents is usually measured by diameter or length/width. Larger sinkholes in diameter or length/width have the potential to be more destructive compared to smaller incidents.

Landslides in Sonora have typically occurred in association with heavy rains and flooding in the City. The most recent landslide and mudslide incidents occurred during the 2022 and 2023 winter storm events. In March 2023, a mudslide impacted traffic in the City of Sonora after a series of snowy conditions delayed many schools in Sierra Nevada.49 Caltrans District 10 reported a mudslide on State Route 49 between Fairview Lane and Mill Villa Court in Sonora due to heavy rain.50 As of March 2023, Tuolumne County (including the City of Sonora) was included in three federal disaster declarations due to the extreme winter storms, including precipitation induced landslides and mudslides among other impacts.51 Refer to Section 4.12, Severe Weather, for additional information on heavy rain events.

In addition to the landslides that typically result from severe weather events, sinkholes have occurred within the planning area. In 2014, a damaged AT&T duct blocked an old storm drain at 201 South Stewart Street. This created a sinkhole approximately five to seven feet in width, and eight feet in depth. The City Public Works Department worked with AT&T engineers to drain and patch the sinkhole.52 During 2019, a sinkhole emerged behind the Bank of America Building at 180 South Washington Street, due to a heavy rain event. The sinkhole was approximately five to six feet in diameter, and occurred directly over the City’s Main Drain structure (a historic tunnel that also serves a stormwater drainage infrastructure). The City Public Works Department responded immediately to resolve the ground failure.53 According to the City of Sonora Fire Department Fire Chief 49 Fox 40 News, Mudslide occurs west of Sonora, impacts traffic on Highway 49, https://fox40.com/news/mudslide-occurs-west-of-sonora-impacts-traffic-onhighway-49/, accessed November 15, 2023. 50 NOAA, Storm Events Database, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1090201, accessed November 9, 2023. 51 FEMA, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Emergency Declaration for California, https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230310/president-joseph-rbiden-jr-approves-emergency-declaration-california, March 10, 2023, accessed October 16, 2023. 52 My Motherlode, Sonora Sink Hole Grows, https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/223503/sonora-sink-hole grows.html, September 24, 2014, accessed October 16, 2023.
53 My Motherlode, Large Sinkhole Emerges Following Sonora Flood Event, https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/603149/large-sinkhole-emerges-followingsonora-flood-event.html, March 18, 2019, accessed October 16, 2023. 158
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on January 26, 2024, the City Public Works Department repaired a sink hole during the 2023 January storms behind the Red Church parking lot.

The most significant sinkhole incident in the planning area occurred on January 19, 2024.

In downtown Sonora a train hauling empty propane tanks derailed, damaging five parked vehicles and taking down the structures holding up warning lights and crossing cantilevers, while tearing up the road’s surface.54 No injuries or deaths occurred. After investigations, it was determined that the integrity of the rails was threatened by a sinkhole. The sinkhole, caused by stormwater runoff from uphill private properties, misaligned the train tracks and ultimately derailed the last two train cars. Railroad tracks in the vicinity of the planning area date back to the 1880s. During the winter, local railroad tracks are used to transport propane due to higher demand in cold weather. This incident brought renewed attention to on-going drainage issues and concerns related to sinkholes in the planning area.

The probability of future occurrence for the landslide, mudslide and sinkhole hazard within the planning area is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). Throughout the planning area, much of the topography is considered susceptible to landside. Though there is not a significant history of landslide within the City of Sonora, the probability for future occurrences still exists due to the mapped susceptibility. Similarly, the City of Sonora does not have a significant history of mudslide incidents. However, the City is considered to be high risk/high vulnerability for wildfire, which then increases the likelihood of mudslides on wildfire burn scars. While there is no mapped burn scar within the City, a future wildfire incident could increase mudslide probability.

Due to the presence of historic mines distributed throughout Sonora, the probability for future sinkhole occurrences remains somewhat likely. Coupled with flooding and heavy rains, sinkholes are expected to remain a concern within the planning area. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

Landslides are generally caused by one of two factors, seismic activity, and soil saturation. Earthquakes and ground shaking are not linked to climate change, heavy rains are affected by climate change and understood to contribute to saturated soils and landslides. Climate change is linked to increased precipitation and more frequent and/or severe storms. California is already experiencing climate changing impacts with increasing variable precipitations and becoming the highest variability of year-to-year 54 The Union Democrat, ‘It was chaos out here’: Witnesses describe train derailment Friday in downtown Sonora, https://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article_287edab6-b6f8-11ee-bc02-0b735eebc85b.html, January 19, 2024, accessed January 29, 2024. 159
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precipitation in the contiguous United States.55 Increased rainfall due to climate change will lead to saturated slopes, erosion, and likely will exacerbate the effects of landslide and mudslides within the planning area.

Sinkholes are also likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Increased rainfall and storm events may lead to more frequent flooding and bedrock erosion which contribute to sinkholes. These changes will also lead to increased stress on the tunnels and mined that underlie the City. Damaged or eroded drainages and tunnels, coupled with increased rainfall and storm events brought on by climate change are likely to result in larger sinkholes or more frequent occurrences.

Areas of steep slopes within the City are mapped as at-risk for landslides. Mapped landslide risk areas are located throughout the City, particularly residential areas outside of the central commercial corridor of the City. Table 4-7, Facilities in a Landslide Hazard Zone, identifies critical facilities located within mapped landslide potential zones.

Table 4-7
Facilities in a Landslide Hazard Zone
Map
ID
Name Asset Type Total Loss
Potential
4 Fire Station Emergency Response $2,050,710.00
10 Bridge – Southgate Drive at Sonora Creek Transportation Bridge $603,150.00 34 Woods Creek Rotary Park Parks and Recreation N/A
Critical facilities within a mapped hazard zone include Woods Creek Rotary Park, Sonora Fire Station, and the Southgate Drive bridge over Sonora Creek. The fire station is critical to emergency response. A landslide incident could damage or destroy the fire station impacting the City’s emergency response operations. Similarly, bridges are essential for transportation and evacuations, particularly in the event of an emergency. Additionally, damage or the loss of the Southgate Drive bridge over Sonora Creek would exacerbate traffic concerns in the event of an emergency. Public parks can serve as a location for public safety agencies to stage emergency response efforts as well as shelter in place locations. Woods Creek Rotary Park (Critical Facility #34) is identified as a critical emergency response facility and could serve a variety of uses during and after an emergency incident. A landslide at the park could limit space to gather or affect response efforts. Because potential impacts associated with landslide could occur quickly and with little warning, vulnerability to landslide are extremely serious. Landslide hazard maps document the likelihood and susceptibility of specific vulnerabilities, however, there is the potential for localized landslide incidents to occur outside of mapped hazard zones. It is noted that landslide vulnerability is related to vulnerability with other natural hazards, 55 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, Summary of Projected Climate Change Impacts on California, https://climateresilience.ca.gov/overview/impacts.html#:~:text=California%20is%20already%20experiencing%20the,have%20increased%20as%20temperatures %20warm, accessed October 16, 2023.
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including drought, flood severe weather and wildfire as soil conditions and recently burned landscape impact slope stability.

Approximately 1,546 residential units are located in a landslide susceptibility zone.

Multiplied by an average of 2.17 persons per residential unit within the planning area, it is assumed 3,355 individuals reside within a potential landslide hazard zone.

Approximately 11,212,780 square feet of non-residential development are located within a landslide susceptibility zone.

In addition, mudslide and sinkhole vulnerability is not mapped, thus the entirety of the planning area and all critical facilities are considered vulnerable to both hazards. As previously mentioned, mudslide vulnerability is associated with wildfire burn scars.

Mitigation actions are included in Section 5.0, Mitigation Strategy, to reduce the probability of wildfire, and thus mudslide as a secondary impact. Mitigation actions related to sinkholes are also included to digitize historic mine maps and use ground penetrating radar to map as built conditions with existing mines/tunnels. This action will allow for an improved understanding of risk and vulnerability associated with sinkholes.

As discussed in Section 3.5, population patterns have not substantially changed within the planning area during the last five years. The City population remained at stable levels, largely similar to those identified in the 2018 MJHMP. The previous 2018 MJHMP – Sonora Annex did not profile landslide hazards. Therefore, it is unknown if the number of vulnerable individuals within the landslide hazard zone significantly changes within the last five years.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projected residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. Existing municipal regulations would prevent hazardous development from occurring within mapped landslide hazard zones. At the time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase landslide vulnerability.

Landslide susceptibility zones are distributed throughout the City, including Census Tract

12. While few critical facilities are located in a landslide susceptibility zone, the majority of development within these hazard areas are residential. Therefore, it is possible that SVPs and other high risk individuals are at risk to landslide hazards. Sinkhole hazards are considered unmapped, and therefore the entirety of the City including SVPs are at risk to sinkholes.

Landslides and sinkholes can be particularly challenging for SVPs and other high risk individuals. Both hazards often occur with little notice or warning, posing response or evacuation challenges for the elderly or disabled. Cost burned households or persons living in poverty would likely have more difficulty in recovering after a landslide or sinkhole damages their residence or property.
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The City of Sonora mostly experiences landslides and sinkholes after heavy rains or severe storms in the community. Risk to SVPs is mitigated through improved communication options and methods as identified by “All Hazards” actions in Section 5.

Further, the City is interested in mapping underground historic mines/tunnels to fully understand sinkhole vulnerability in the community (Mitigation Action #40). This effort would include mapping within Census Tract 12, and thus benefitting the entire community.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an epidemic as an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population. The CDC makes the distinction that a pandemic refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting signification proportions of the population.56 This definition of pandemic refers specifically to infectious diseases. Non-infectious diseases, such as asthma or diabetes, may exist in “pandemic proportions” but do not readily spread throughout a population and thus do not constitute a pandemic.

Pandemics require two components, an agent (disease or virus) and a susceptible host population. The host population, usually humans, is the primary mode that agents are spread under this definition of pandemic. Pandemic agents are spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact, so humans are understood to be the causal element of pandemics.

Viruses of special concern in pandemics are novel: a new viral strain not previously identified in humans. Novel viruses present public health challenges, as limited information about transmission, prevention and treatment is available. Further, the human body does not have natural immune defenses prepared to fight novel viruses.57 In recent history, novel viruses originated as zoonotic diseases; the virus beginning in animals evolves to transfer from human to human. Examples of zoonotic diseases becoming human pandemics include COVID-19 (theorized to originate in bats), H1N1 influenza (originated in pigs), and H5N1 influenza (originated in birds).58 By definition, a pandemic is understood to have a significant geographic range with impacts extending to the global level. Effects of a pandemic would impact the entirety of the City of Sonora depending on the disease and the susceptible population. While the 56 CDC, Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology, Section 11, https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html#:~:text=Epidemic%20refers%20to%20an%20increase,a%20more%20limited%20geographic%2 0area., accessed April 12, 2023.
57 GoodRX Health, The Novel Coronavirus: What are Novel Viruses, and How do they Impact Public Health?, https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/covid-19/whatdoes-novel-coronavirus-mean-science-medical-definition, published April 30, 2020, accessed November 9, 2023. 58 CDC, Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology, Section 11, https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html#:~:text=Epidemic%20refers%20to%20an%20increase,a%20more%20limited%20geographic%2 0area., accessed April 12, 2023.
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entirety of the City would be at risk, specific subsets of the population may be more susceptible than others, including vulnerable populations, the very young (those under 1 year), elderly and immune-compromised individuals, depending on the disease.59,60 The extent to which a pandemic would impact the City would depend on the disease type and symptoms. Some diseases may be extremely transmissible and would affect a significant portion of the population, however, the symptoms might be mild. On the other hand, a disease might be very deadly but not be easily transmitted. The worst-case pandemic scenario is a disease that is both highly transmissible and highly deadly, such as COVID-19. The severity and extent of a pandemic may also depend on the ability to respond by developing and administering vaccinations, or other methods for mitigating the spread of the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified two recent pandemics and two major historical pandemics in roughly the past 100 years:61 • 2019 COVID-19 Pandemic (SARS-CoV-2 virus)
• 2009 H1N1/“Swine Flu” Pandemic (H1N1pdm09 virus)
• 1968 Pandemic (H3N2 virus)
• 1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)
The City of Sonora experienced significant impacts from the recent COVID-19 Pandemic.

A novel coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. By March 2020, the Governor issued the first statewide stay at home order, closing non-essential businesses. COVID-19 is highly transmissible and can spread by breathing in air or aerosol particles.62 COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and loss of smell or taste. The symptoms of COVID-19 can result in severe complications that require hospitalization. Severe complications often lead to death, particularly in elderly people and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.63 At the time this document was prepared, 220 confirmed COVID deaths occurred in Tuolumne County.64 The majority of these deaths occurred between 2020 – 2022. As of November 2023, four COVID deaths occurred within the past six months. The rate of COVID spread and number of COVID infections/deaths in Tuolumne County is generally lower when compared to urbanized areas and major cities across California. However, 59 Mayo Clinic, Covid-19 in babies and children, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-in-babies-and-children/art20484405, published October 21, 2022, accessed November 9, 2023. 60 University of Michigan, Which Populations are Most Vulnerable to the Coronavirus Pandemic?, https ://sph.umich.edu/news/2020posts/which-populations-aremost-vulnerable-to-coronavirus.html, published April 6, 2020, accessed November 9, 2023. 61 CDC, Past Pandemics, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/past-pandemics.html, accessed November 9, 2023. 62 CDC, COVID-19 Overview and Infection Prevention and Control Priorities in non-U.S. Healthcare Settings, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/hcp/non-us-settings/overview/index.html, accessed November 9, 2023. 63 Ibid.
64 Covid19 California State Dashboard, Tracking Covid-19 in California, https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/#county-statewide, accessed November 9, 2023. 163
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the community was greatly affected by federal and state policy designed to stop the spread of COVID-19.

As part of the response to slow the spread of the virus, non-essential businesses and schools were closed or transitioned to remote environments, if feasible. The City followed guidelines and safety standards set by Tuolumne County Public Health Department, particularly regarding the reopening of non-essential business and schools. A significant milestone and improvement against the pandemic came in December of 2020 with the release of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Before COVID-19, the most recent pandemic experienced was in 2009, the (H1N1)pdm09, “swine flu” pandemic.65 H1N1pdm09 primarily affected children and young/middle-aged adults, atypical from most influenza pandemics. Between April 2009 and April 2010, the CDC estimates over 60 million cases, nearly 275,000 hospitalizations and over 12,000 deaths in the United States. The World Health Organization declared an end to the global pandemic in August 2010; however, the virus continues to circulate as a seasonal influenza virus.66
Both the 1968 and 1918 pandemics were caused by avian flu outbreaks. The 1968 pandemic was caused by an influenza H3N2 virus. The estimated number of deaths in the United States was 116,000 and the worldwide total is estimated at 1.1 million.67 Medical advances in the 1960s including antiviral medications and expanded influenza vaccine options significantly helped combat this pandemic. The 1918 pandemic was an outbreak of influenza caused by an H1N1 virus. The virus spread worldwide from 1918- 1919. It is estimated that one third of the worldwide population at the time, about 500 million people, became infected with the virus. The pandemic resulted in an estimated 675,000 deaths in the United States alone and over 50 million total world-wide.68 The likelihood of pandemics has increased over the last hundred years due to increased globalization, urbanization, and changes in land use. Another potential key contributor to an increased likelihood of pandemics is factory farming. The shift from small scale animal agriculture to large factory farming operations may be a driving factor in recent pandemic diseases and may cause the next pandemic. For these reasons, the probability of future occurrence is considered somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

The exact time and location that another virus with the potential to create a global pandemic would occur is difficult to predict. Future pandemic occurrences would likely result from a mutation of a virus that results in a new virus to which the population has no 65 CDC, Origin of 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Questions and Answers, https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/information_h1n1_virus_qa.htm, published November 25, 2009, accessed November 9, 2023.
66 CDC, Past Pandemics, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/past-pandemics.html, accessed November 9, 2023. 67 Ibid.
68 Ibid.
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immunity. With medical technology, it is possible to anticipate new viruses and develop vaccines to prepare for the next outbreak; however, preventing a pandemic through preemptive measures is unlikely.

While pandemics can originate for reasons outside of climate change, it is possible that the impacts of climate change will make pandemics more severe. According to the National Science Foundation, climate change will likely require humans to relocate and wild animals to find new habitats, dramatically increasing the risk of viral jumps/transmissions. For example, rising temperatures are expected to have a major impact on bats – a species known for novel virus sharing, most recently with COVID-19 or the Ebola virus.69 When coupled with increased urbanization and globalization, pandemics could continue to spread as quickly or more quickly than the COVID-19 pandemic. While the full effects of climate change on pandemics are not fully known, it is reasonable to assume the risk for future pandemics continues to exist.

Pandemic has no defined hazard area within the City, and would affect the entirety of the City. Physical structures are not typically vulnerable to pandemics; thus, a failure of a critical facility due to pandemic is unlikely. The main concern for pandemic vulnerability is the impact on human health, and critical facilities support in minimizing this impact. Health and medical community lifelines may be strained in response to a pandemic. Health impacts may be widespread throughout the City and impact a significant percentage of the population. Additionally, pandemics may result in significant economic impacts to the City, businesses, and residents. As impacts from pandemic disease is not confined to specific geographic area or zone, the entire City population is vulnerable. Depending on the size and scale of the disease outbreak, the City or other emergency responders may experience staffing challenges to continue services.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to pandemics, any projected growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable 69 National Science Foundation, Study finds that climate change could spark the next pandemic, https://beta.nsf.gov/news/study-finds-climate-change-couldspark-next, accessed November 9, 2023. 165
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individuals. At the time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase pandemic vulnerability.

The location, extent and magnitude of a pandemic would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tract 12 and other high-risk individuals located within the City. No physical infrastructure elevates risk to specific pandemic, however vulnerable populations including the elderly and children may be more susceptible to impacts.

As experienced during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, lower income groups may struggle to afford healthcare or weather the economic difficulties associated with the long-term effects of a pandemic. Another concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals is outreach and communication. Emergency communication and alerts in the case of pandemic should consider “hard to reach groups” as identified in Mitigation Action #13.

Specific SVP groups such as senior citizens or the disabled may need increased levels of support or assistance in the event of a pandemic.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) defines an earthquake as a sudden slip on a fault and the resulting ground shaking and radiated seismic energy caused by the slip (or any other sudden stress changes in the earth).70 Faults are fractures along the earth’s crust between two tectonic plates, and can be defined as a strike slip, normal, or thrust faults.

Earthquakes occur without warning, and result in both primary and secondary hazards.

Primary seismic hazards are the direct result of the release of this accumulated stress and are typically characterized as earthquake fault rupture and seismic shaking.

Earthquakes can also cause secondary seismic hazards such as earthquake-induced landslides.

Fault rupture or surface faulting is the differential movement of two sides of a fracture, where the ground breaks apart. Faults occur at boundaries between large sections of the earth’s surface, called tectonic plates. The deformation of the plates and the accumulated stress creates faults in a wider area than the precise boundary between the plates. In California, the Pacific and North American plates are sliding horizontally past each other, a “strike-slip fault.” The primary boundary between the two plates is known as the San Andreas Fault, although the stress caused by this movement has created thousands of fault zones throughout the state. Most of California lies on the North American plate (including the City), although the coastal areas of Central and Southern California sit on 70 USGS, The Science of Earthquakes, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/science-earthquakes, accessed May 2, 2023. 166
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the Pacific Plate. This boundary is primarily delineated by the San Andreas Fault. This fault and other major faults in the region are discussed further below.

Where surface traces of active faults are found in California, an Alquist-Priolo fault zone is mapped. A regulatory zone, which is a 500-foot buffer, is then created around the mapped Alquist-Priolo fault zone.71 If an active fault has a potential for surface rupture, a structure for human occupancy cannot be placed over the fault and must be a minimum distance from the fault (generally fifty feet). No Alquist-Priolo zones are mapped within the planning area.

Ground motion is the movement of the earth's surface from earthquakes. Ground motion is produced by seismic waves that are generated by sudden slip on a fault or sudden pressure at the explosive source and travel through the earth and along its surface.72 Seismic waves produce ground vibrations above the surface. The severity of the vibration increases with the amount of energy released and decreases with distance from the causative fault or epicenter. Soft soils can further amplify ground motion.73 Seismic shaking can be strong enough to result in widespread devastation or be virtually undetectable by the average person. The intensity of seismic shaking is a result of the release by the fault rupture (how much of the accumulated stress was released), the length of the rupture (the longer the slip along the fault line, the greater the shaking), and the depth at which the rupture occurs (ruptures that occur closer to the surface often cause stronger shaking). Usually, areas closest to the rupture site experience the greatest shaking, although differences in geology and soil can also have an impact. Seismic shaking can damage or destroy buildings and structures and may cause partial or total collapse. Ground movement can damage or destroy infrastructure on or beneath the surface, such as roads, rail lines, and utility lines and pipes. This in turn, can cause hazardous materials releases, water main breaks, and other dangerous situations resulting from infrastructure failure. Falling debris and structures also create a risk of injury or death.

The City of Sonora is located on a pre-quaternary fault, which is a fault that ruptured over

1.6 million years ago.74 If fault rupture was to occur within the City of Sonora, the location and extent of damage would be isolated around the mapped fault trace. Fault rupture is unlikely to occur within the planning area, as pre-quaternary faults are generally considered inactive.

The planning area is more susceptible to impacts caused by ground shaking, particularly ground shaking triggered by seismic activity outside of Sonora. Tuolumne County is 71 California Department of Conservation, Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/alquist-priolo, accessed May 2, 2023. 72 USGS, What are the Effects of Earthquakes?, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards, accessed November 9, 2023. 73 FEMA, Multi-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment - Subpart D: Seismic Hazards, January 1, 1997. 74 USGS, What is a “Quaternary” Fault?, https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-quaternary-fault, accessed November 9, 2023. 167
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located east of the Foothills fault zone where the Melones fault zone along the east side of the system and the Bear Mountain fault zone on the west. Refer to Exhibit 4-7, Regional Faults, for the location of the surrounding fault systems.

The Melones fault zone is classified as “active”, demonstrating displacement within the last 100,000 years and the Bear Mountain fault is classified as “indeterminable active” where definitive evidence has not been established locally concerning its activity within the last 100,000 years. Portions of the City of Sonora are underlain by mine workings and could be hazardous to the City if ground shaking were to occur. According to the Sonora General Plan 2020, there are four “capable” faults, faults with tectonic displacement within the last 35,000 years which could produce a quake, located within Tuolumne County. The faults include Negro Jack Point, Bowie Flat, Rawhide Flat West, and Rawhide Flat East.

In addition, the City could be susceptible to ground shaking caused by earthquakes originating outside of Tuolumne County. Major faults in the Bay Area (such as the San Andreas Fault, Hayward Fault) or Mono/Inyo County (including the Long Valley Caldera) could trigger large earthquakes that generate ground shaking in the City of Sonora.

Ground motion would be particularly damaging to residential buildings constructed of wood or reinforced masonry construction, and to mobile homes. Other buildings that do not typically perform well in earthquakes are soft-story buildings. These types of buildings have a story (typically the first floor) that lacks adequate strength or toughness due to too few shear walls. Ground shaking could affect the entirety of the planning area, and the extent of damage is correlated with the strength of the specific earthquake. Methods to measure ground shaking are discussed below.

Two scales are commonly used to measure earthquakes: the moment magnitude scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. The moment magnitude scale is based on the now largely unused Richter scale and measures the amount of energy released by the earthquake.

The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI Scale) measures the effects of the earthquake and is based on qualitative observations rather than a mathematical basis. The intensity scale consists of a series of certain key responses such as people awakening from sleep, movement of furniture, damage to chimneys, and destruction. This scale, composed of twelve increasing levels of intensity ranging from imperceptible shaking to catastrophic destruction, is designated by Roman numerals I through XII. Table 4-8, Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, shows the different categories of the Mercalli intensity scale. 168
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Exhibit 4-6, Regional Faults
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Table 4-8
Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
Intensity Shaking Description/Damage
I Non felt Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.

II Weak Felt only by few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.

III Weak Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.

IV Light Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.

V Moderate Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows broken. Unstable objects overturned.

Pendulum clocks may stop.

VI Strong Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.

VII Very Strong Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.

VIII Severe Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable damage in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse. Damage great in poorly built structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned.

IX Violent Damage considerable in specifically designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb.

Damage great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations.

X Extreme Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.

Source: USGS, The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalliintensity-scale?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects, accessed May 3, 2023.

Magnitude and intensity measure different characteristics of earthquakes but often correlate. Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, determined by measurements on seismographs. Intensity measures the strength of shaking produced by an earthquake at a certain location and is determined by effects on people, structures, and the natural environment. Refer to Table 4-9, Approximate Comparison of Moment Magnitude and Mercalli Intensity Scales, which lists the intensities that are typically observed at locations near the epicenter of earthquakes of different magnitudes.

Table 4-9
Approximate Comparison of Moment Magnitude and Mercalli Intensity Scales Moment Magnitude Mercalli Intensity

1.0 to 3.0 I

3.0 to 3.9 II to III

4.0 to 4.9 IV to V

5.0 to 5.9 VI to VII

6.0 to 6.9 VII to IX

7.0 and greater VIII and greater
Source: USGS, Magnitude/Intensity Comparison,
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.php, accessed August 11, 2015.
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There are no recently recorded fault rupture occurrences in the City of Sonora. The prequaternary fault running through the City is considered inactive given a lack of movement in the past 1.6 million years.

The City has previously experienced ground shaking from earthquakes originating outside of the planning area. Table 4-10, Tuolumne County Earthquake History, 1930-2011, identifies historical earthquakes in the region.

Table 4-10
Tuolumne County Earthquake History, 1930-2011
Date Location Magnitude Latitude Longitude
June 25, 1933 Eastern Mono County, near Tuolumne/Mono
county line

6.1 38.08 -119.33
June 10, 1965 Eastern Mono County, near Tuolumne/Mono
County line

3.5 38.2 -119.5975
August 10, 1975 Southern Mariposa County 4 37.37 -119.99 August 9, 1983 Southeast Tuolumne County, near
Tuolumne/Mariposa County line

3.5 38.2 -119.5
Source: Tuolumne County, Tuolumne County General Plan Update EIR: 4.6 Geology, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5761/46-Geology?bidId=, accessed October 9, 2023.

No major or specific impacts to the City of Sonora are accessible from these previous occurrences, likely due to the low magnitudes for three of the four listed earthquakes and the historical nature of the strongest earthquake recorded in the County. It is assumed at a minimum, residents within the planning area experienced ground shaking from these earthquakes, but information regarding damages (if any) is unknown.

The most recent ground shaking experienced in the City occurred on July 8, 2021 at 3:49 PM when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Mono County rattled the City of Sonora’s downtown and the greater region.75 The earthquake epicenter was located in the unincorporated community of Walker, approximately 60 miles northeast from the City of Sonora. There were no reports of damages or injuries, despite the epicenter proximity to the planning area.

There is a low probability of fault rupture occurring within the City of Sonora. The prequaternary fault mapped within the planning area is considered to be inactive, thus the probability of a future occurrence is considered minimal.

Similarly, ground shaking from earthquakes originating outside of the planning area is also considered a low probability hazard for the reasons listed below. While Tuolumne 75 The Union Democrat, 5.9M quake near Walker shakes downtown Sonora, thousands of Californians, https://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article_7303e068- e045-11eb-b2f8-7f9cf7760046.html, accessed October 4, 2023. 171
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County is located within a seismically active area, previous earthquake occurrences were reported with low magnitudes and little to no impacts to the City. Fault zones known to be active are mapped with considerable distance from the planning area. Historically, ground shaking due to major earthquakes on regional fault zones has largely dissipated by the time seismic energy reaches the planning area. Thus, the probability for future occurrences is considered unlikely (less than 1% probability in next 100 years or has a recurrence interval of greater than every 100 years). For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

At the time of this writing, there is not significant data to show the directly link between seismic activity and climate change. Thus, climate change is not expected to have any direct influence on the likelihood, size, and/or severity of any future primary seismic hazard.

As previously discussed, the fault trace mapped within the planning area is considered to be inactive. While several critical facilities are mapped within varying proximity to the fault trace, seismic activity has not occurred on the fault for the last 1.6 million years. Further, this fault zone unnamed and not mapped within the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone.

Thus, it is considered highly unlikely for a fault rupture to occur within the planning area.

Critical facilities and properties located within the City are considered not vulnerable to fault rupture.

As discussed in Section 3.5, population patterns have not substantially changed within the planning area during the last five years. The City population remained at stable levels, largely similar to those identified in the 2018 MJHMP. The previous 2018 MJHMP – Sonora Annex did not identify the number of individuals or households vulnerable to fault rupture. Therefore, it is unknown if the number of individuals vulnerable to fault rupture changed significantly within the last five years.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element project projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As vulnerability to fault rupture was determined to be limited due to the reasons provided above, population growth is not anticipated to substantially increase vulnerability. In addition, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase fault rupture vulnerability.

While ground shaking was determined to have a low probability of occurrence within the City, the planning area still experiences risk and vulnerability to this hazard. As ground shaking would affect the entire planning area, all critical facilities and infrastructure is at 172
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risk. The extent of damage would ultimately depend on earthquake location and magnitude, as high magnitude earthquakes closer to the City are more likely to trigger stronger ground shaking within the planning area.

Some development, including buildings and infrastructure, within the City of Sonora date back to the City’s incorporation in 1850. Historic buildings within Downtown Sonora predate modern seismic codes, and present a unique vulnerability to the community. In addition, the City is underlain by various tunnels and historic mines also constructed prior to modern seismic codes. Underground mines and tunnels could collapse during strong ground shaking, causing ground failure or subsidence and damaging nearby structures.

Depending on the extent of the earthquake, transportation systems and utility systems could be hindered which would further disrupt the City’s response and evacuation.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to ground shaking, any projected population growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable individuals. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase groundshaking vulnerability. Existing municipal regulations would prevent hazardous development with high vulnerability to ground shaking.

While vulnerability associated with fault rupture is considered low within the planning area, ground shaking is a significant risk to SVPs within Census Tract 12 and across the City’s jurisdiction. Ground shaking is likely to affect the entirety of the planning area, but SVP vulnerabilities are unique.

Seismic hazards are challenging for SVPs and other high risk individuals because this hazard occurs with little notice or warning. Thus, response and evacuation efforts for the elderly or disabled are challenging. Cost burdened households or persons living in poverty may not hold earthquake insurance, and may not have the economic means to recover if property is damaged during an earthquake. The prevalence of older structures across the jurisdiction (some dating back to the 1800s) elevates the risk and vulnerability during an earthquake.

It is possible that lower income households reside in older buildings due to cost. Thus, the City has included Mitigation Action #43, to prioritize historic structures in need of seismic retrofit as funding becomes available. Additionally, Mitigation Action #42 identifies 173
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seismic retrofits at Sonora Elementary School within Census Tract 12. Other communication enhancements and improvements included as “All Hazards” mitigation actions would reduce vulnerability for SVPs.

Extreme heat conditions refer to temperatures that are significantly higher than average for a particular regional location and time of year. Extreme or excessive heat can be a combination of high heat and high humidity, leading to heat-related illness. The heat index, or the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity and air temperature are both considered. Relative humidity can significantly increase the heat index and contribute to dangerous health conditions.76 High heat and humidity can cause heat-related illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.77
Extreme heat is location specific, and determined based on average temperature for a given location. While there is no universal definition for an extreme heat event, a common definition for planning in California identifies an extreme heat day as a day where the high temperature exceeds the average high temperatures of 98 percent of the historic days between April and October. For Tuolumne County, an extreme heat event would generally be temperatures over 90°F. Five extreme heat days in a row is considered a heat wave.

The threat of extreme heat can be higher in urban areas, where dark-colored roofs and paving materials cause the air temperature to be hotter. The dense concentrations of pavement, buildings and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat is known as the urban heat island effect.78
On the opposite side of the spectrum, cold temperatures and precipitation can lead to ice, hail, and snowstorm hazards. Ice conditions are hazardous in urban areas, especially on roadways and infrastructure. If dew point temperatures are above freezing, liquid water forms surface dews. If the temperature is below freezing, dew can freeze and create ice or frost. Frost formed on roadways creates hazardous conditions for drivers. Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees and topple utility poles and communication towers. Ice can also disrupt communications and power for days, while utility companies repair extensive and potentially costly damages.
76 National Weather Service, What is the Heat Index?,
https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex#:~:text=The%20heat%20index%2C%20also%20known,sweat%20to%20cool%20itself%20off., accessed August 22, 2022.
77 National Weather Service, Excessive Heat Conditions, https://www.weather.gov/phi/heatcond#Overview, accessed August 22, 2022. 78 US EPA, Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect, https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/reduce-urban-heat-islandeffect#:~:text=%22Urban%20heat%20islands%22%20occur%20when,heat%2Drelated%20illness%20and%20mortality, accessed October 6, 2023. 174
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Hail is a form of precipitation, consisting of solid ice formed inside thunderstorm updrafts.

Hail falls when it becomes heavy enough to overcome the strength of the thunderstorm updraft and is pulled toward the earth by gravity. The size of hail can vary greatly, ranging from pea-sized (¼ inch diameter) to grapefruit sized (4 ½ inch diameter). Coupled with strong winds, hail can even fall at an angle or nearly sideways. Wind-driven hail can tear up siding on houses, break windows, dent vehicles, and blow into homes, causing severe injuries or death to people and animals.79
Snowstorms are a combination of heavy snow, blowing snow, and/or dangerous wind chills. Snowstorms can create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion.80 Winter storms, including blizzards, can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds.

A freeze refers to a cold spell of weather where the temperature drops below 32 degrees.

Freeze conditions are more frequent outside of the planning area, in higher elevations within Tuolumne County. Severe freezing conditions in lower elevations, especially in the spring, can cause damage to crops and cause considerable discomfort to area residents.

Winter storms can bring excess heavy snow. This can lead to flooding when snow melts during the spring and summer months. Refer to Section 4.6, Flood, for information on flooding due to winter storms.

Thunderstorms are defined as a rain-bearing cloud that also produced lightening. While there are many types of thunderstorms of varying severity, all form when warm moist air rises rapidly through an unstable atmosphere, allowing for the development of large thunderclouds. Lightning from thunderstorms can spark fires, and may also cause tornadoes, severe winds, and flooding from intense precipitation.

Dry thunderstorms or dry lightning is a type of storm where precipitation evaporates before reaching the ground. Dry lighting is common in northern California, with about 46% of all lightning strikes were accompanied by little or no precipitation. 81 These conditions
are extremely dangerous for wildfire, especially when accompanied by dry vegetation or strong winds. Wildfires ignited by dry lightning strikes in 2020 burned nearly 1 million hectares in California.
82 Heavy rains refer to events during which the amount of rainfall in a location substantially exceeds normal or typical rainfall conditions. Establishing a threshold to define periods of heavy rain varies greatly, depending on location and season. Heavy precipitation is not necessarily an indicator that the total amount of precipitation has increased, rather that 79 NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, Severe Weather 101, https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/hail/, accessed September 10, 2023. 80 Ready, How to Protect Yourself from Winter Weather, https://www.ready.gov/winterweather#:~:text=Winter%20storms%20create%20a%20higher,snow%2C%20ice%20and%20high%20winds, accessed September 10, 2023. 81 OPB, WSU research examines dry lightning in California and its role in wildfires, https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/24/wsu-research-examines-dry-lightningin-california-and-its-role-in-wildfires/#:~:text=And%20for%20example%20we%20found,six%20percent%20were%20dry%20lightning, published August 24, 2022, accessed September 10, 2023.
82 New Scientist, Dry lightning sparked the most destructive wildfires in California, 'Dry lightning' sparked the most destructive wildfires in California | New Scientist, published August 8, 2022, accessed September 10, 2023. 175
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precipitation is occurring in more intense events. Changes in precipitation intensity, coupled with changes in the interval between events, can affect overall precipitation totals.83 One method for determining heavy rain events is to consider what percentage of a location’s total annual precipitation has come from extreme, one-day events. Potential impacts of heavy rains include property damage, soil erosion, and increased flood risk (refer to Section 4.6, Flood), which in turn contribute to other hazards, including debris flows, flooding, and landslides (refer to Section 4.9, Landslide & Sinkholes). The contribution of heavy rains to other hazards has the potential to cause significant property damage and loss of life within the City of Sonora.

High winds are defined as those that last longer than one hour at greater than 39 miles per hour (mph) or for any length of time at greater than 57 mph. A windstorm has sustained winds of 55 to 74 miles/hour. Severe windstorms pose a significant risk to life and property by creating conditions that disrupt essential systems such as public utilities, telecommunications, and transportation routes. Destructive impacts to trees, power lines, and utility services also are associated with high winds. Falling trees can occasionally cause fatalities and serious structural damage, while fallen power lines could cause widespread power outages and fire.

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air reaching from the ground’s surface to a cloud, usually a thundercloud. The very high wind speeds of tornadoes can directly damage structures and other objects (such as trees) and can cause further damage by picking up heavy objects and hurling them around. These types of incidents within the planning area are rare.

Power outages are a major secondary effect of all severe weather events listed above.

Power outages can be caused by damaged equipment or equipment failures, and can affect multiple jurisdictions for hours or days. This type of event can range from a moderate to catastrophic, that may threaten human health and safety.

During severe weather incidents such as high winds, extreme heat, snowstorms/ice, or severe flooding, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) may implement an operational practice called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to preemptively shut off power in high-risk areas during potentially dangerous conditions. This program is designed to proactively prevent PG&E facilities from starting a wildfire in at risk areas when risk is high.

When weather forecasts indicate extreme fire conditions, PG&E begins predictive modeling to assess potential impacts while monitoring weather watch alerts from the National Weather Service. Three days prior to the forecasted PSPS, PG&E would coordinate first with local governments, the emergency management community, first 83 US EPA, Climate Change Indicators: Heavy Precipitation, https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heavy-precipitation, accessed April 18, 2023.
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responders, and other critical infrastructure/service providers. Two days prior to the forecasted PSPS, notices go out to PG&E customers with a follow-up one day before a notice of power shut off. It is noted that actual or sudden onset of severe weather conditions could impact the intended coordination and notification efforts.84 Outside of the PSPS events, there is the potential for unplanned power outages to occur within the City of Sonora. PG&E defines a major outage as a large, unexpected outage caused by either accidents or natural disasters. While uncommon, loss of electrical power is a potential secondary effect of heavy rains or strong winds. Other types of events that could occur is mechanical power failure due to aging equipment.

Extreme heat events are widespread regional occurrences that would affect the entire City, and likely the larger northern California region. The geographic extent of extreme heat conditions would extend to every resident in Sonora. Extreme heat events typically last for a few days. Extreme heat would not likely result in physical damage to structures; however, residents may experience the effects of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Additionally, the increased use of air conditioning may put stress on the power grid and lead to power outages. The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather forecasts for Tuolumne County out of the NWS San Joaquin Valley/Hanford local office. The City of Sonora receives weather forecasts from the NWS San Joaquin Valley/Hanford local office while the City’s local forecast office is in Sacramento CA. Anticipated extreme heat events would be reported by these weather stations including specific anticipated duration and severity. Exhibit 4-8 shows the NWS Heat Index, which describes the potential extent of extreme heat events in the planning area:

Exhibit 4-8
NWS Heat Index
Source: NOAA, Heat Forecast Tools, https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-index, accessed May 13, 2024. 84 Southern California Edison, Public Safety Power Shutoff, https://www.sce.com/wildfire/psps, accessed July 14, 2022. 177
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Ice, hail and snowstorms are also regional events that could potentially impact any and all areas within the City. Tuolumne County averages 63 inches of snow per year, whereas the U.S. averages 28 inches of snow per year. Winter temperatures are low, usually at 30 degrees Fahrenheit.85 It is assumed that any particular ice, hail, or snowstorm event could last from a number of hours to a number of days. Falling ice and hail and would potentially damage structures as well as personal property including vehicles and homes.

Additionally, these events may result in hazardous road conditions leading to vehicle collisions. Tuolumne Road Operations perform maintenance and snowplowing activities for over 600 miles of County funded roads and bridges, including the City of Sonora.

Exhibit 4-9 shows the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Regional Snowfall Index (RSI), which demonstrates the potential extent ratings of a snowstorm in the planning area:

Exhibit 4-9
NOAA Regional Snowfall Index
Source: NOAA, Regional Snowfall Index, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/rsi/, accessed May 13, 2024.

Thunderstorms are impact large geographic areas and would potentially impact any and all areas within the City. Although, lightning strikes are highly localized, they can occur anywhere, and it is impossible to know where a localized strike would occur. The severity and extent of thunder and lightning storms in the City depend on a variety of factors. The duration of a thunderstorm would typically last only a few hours. Lightning strikes can cause damaged power lines and power outages, downed trees, and wildland or structure fires. Dry lightning strikes are particularly dangerous for wildfire risk and wildland areas may be particularly susceptible to the effects of lightning strikes. Based on previous occurrences, which are explained below, the severity and extent of thunder and lightning storms varies, but there have been a few storms which caused damage to infrastructure.

Table 4-11 shows the NWS Lightning Hazard Map, which demonstrates the potential threat of lightning strikes to the planning area:
85 Best Places, Tuolumne County, California, https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/california/tuolumne accessed September 10, 2023. 178
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Table 4-11
NWS Lightning Hazard Map
Lightning
Threat
Level
Threat Level Description
Extreme "An Extreme Threat to Life and Property from Lightning." Within 12 miles of a location, a moderate likelihood of CG lightning (or 50% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of excessive CG lightning.

AND/OR...a high likelihood of CG lightning (or 60% to 70% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of frequent CG lightning.

AND/OR...a very high likelihood of CG lightning (or 80% to 90% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of occasional CG lightning.

High "A High Threat to Life and Property from Lightning." Within 12 miles of a location, a low likelihood of CG lightning (or 30% to 40% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of excessive CG lightning.

AND/OR...a moderate likelihood of CG lightning (or 50% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of frequent CG lightning.

AND/OR...a high likelihood of CG lightning (or 60% to 70% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of occasional CG lightning.

Moderate "A Moderate Threat to Life and Property from Lightning." Within 12 miles of a location, a very low likelihood of CG lightning (or 10% to 20% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of excessive CG lightning.

AND/OR...a low likelihood of CG lightning (or 30% to 40% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of frequent CG lightning.

AND/OR...a moderate likelihood of CG lightning (or 50% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of occasional CG lightning.

Low "A Low Threat to Life and Property from Lightning." Within 12 miles of a location, a very low likelihood of CG lightning (or 10% to 20% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of frequent CG lightning.

AND/OR...a low likelihood of CG lightning (or 30% to 40% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of occasional CG lightning.

Very Low "A Very Low Threat to Life and Property from Lightning." Within 12 miles of a location, a very low likelihood of CG lightning (or 10% to 20% thunderstorm probability), with storms capable of occasional CG lightning.

NonThreatening"No Discernable Threat to Life and Property from Lightning." Within 12 miles of a location, environmental conditions do not support CG lightning.

Source: NWS, Lightning Hazard Map, https://www.weather.gov/mlb/lightning_threat, accessed May 14, 2024. 179
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Windstorms and tornados typically impact large areas and would potentially impact any and all areas of the City. Depending on the conditions and type of tornado, impacts could be widespread or fairly localized, however, the path of a tornado is difficult to predict, and any area of the City may be impacted. The average hourly wind speed in Tuolumne County does not vary significantly over the course of the year, remaining within 0.3 miles per hour of 5.3 miles per hour throughout. Windstorms and windy conditions may last for a number of hours, however, tornados typically only last a number of minutes.

Windstorms and tornados can result in damaged buildings and infrastructure, damaged personal property including vehicles and homes. Downed trees, power lines and power outages are also common impacts. Windstorms can also be a result of other natural disasters that occur in such as recent tropical storms. Exhibit 4-10 shows the NWS Enhanced Fujita Scale, with describes the potential extent of tornado events in the planning area:

Exhibit 4-10
NWS Enhanced Fujita Scale
Source: NWS, The Enhanced Fujita Scale, https://www.weather.gov/oun/efscale, accessed May 13, 2024.

Power outages in Tuolumne County occur depending on the weather conditions or for preventive measures. Power outages could impact specific areas of the City or the entirety of the City depending on the cause and extent of the outage. Power outages alone do not typically result in physical damages; however, the City, businesses and residents would experience a loss of communication during an outage. Power outages typically last anywhere from a few hours to multiple days. During long-lasting power outages daily operations of the City and residents would be interrupted unless backup sources of power were employed. Tuolumne County lies in PG&E Zone 8 and are subject to power outages if PG&E determines fit.86 Power outages are often used to mitigate 86 Tuolumne County, PGE Wildfire Safety Information, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1167/PGE-Wildfire-Safety-Information, accessed September 10, 2023. 180
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damage during other hazard events. In these instances, the duration of power outages typically does not last longer than the underlying hazard.

Recorded occurrences of extreme heat in the City of Sonora are rare. The most recent event in the region occurred in September of 2022 when temperatures broke records, reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit. On September 4, 2022, temperatures rose to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking the former record of 102 degrees Fahrenheit in 1934. The heat wave continued as temperatures reached a high of 108 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the record of 107 degrees Fahrenheit for September 5 set in 1950.87 Only one other instance is reported for Tuolumne County in the 2018 MJHMP and 2023 Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Plan. In July 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted a Secretarial disaster designation for 47 California counties including Tuolumne County, due to agricultural losses caused by a record setting heat wave from July 1 – 31, 2006.88
The Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Plan lists a number of winter storm events that impacted the area as described below:89
• In 1938, a very cold storm delivered 48 inches of snow at Soulsbyville approximately 7 miles to the east of Sonora.
• In winter of 1969, a series of cold storms dropped 8 inches of snow on the City of Sonora, elevation of 1800 feet. The snow stayed on the ground for a full week as a cold front moved in behind the last storm. Tuolumne County came to a standstill as snowplows could not keep the roads open. Flooding also occurred as snow melted.
• In December 1998, a mild winter storm followed by a very cold front caused considerable damage as a result of frozen water pipes. Ice-covered streets disrupted traffic flows and resulted in several traffic accidents. • On February 7, 1999, a large winter storm impacted central California. The storm slowly moved southward during the day on the 8th and finally picked up speed and moved through the region on the 9th with very cold air in its wake. Snow levels in 87 The Union Democrat, Heat wave breaks Sonora temperature records 3 days in a row; potential for more to fall, published September 6, 2022, accessed September 10, 2023.
88 Tuolumne County, Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 1: Countywide Elements 2018 Update, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8045/TuolumneLHMP2018?bidId=, accessed September 10, 2023. 89 Tuolumne County, Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Plan 2023, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25397/2ND-DRAFT--- PUBLIC-COPY-_-TC-EOP-Base-Plan-07172023?bidId=, accessed January 4, 2024. 181
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the Southern Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains dropped to 1500 feet, and even lower near Yosemite. Damage from freezing temperatures was extensive. • On April 11, 2006, the Board of Supervisors passed an Emergency Resolution proclaiming the existence of a local emergency due to a series of winter storms that had “caused conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property because of localized flooding in the County of Tuolumne.” • In November 2010, four days of extremely cold weather coupled with an early season snowfall caused extensive damage to Tuolumne County’s apple and olive trees.
• In January and February 2017, Tuolumne County and much of California were hit with a series of winter storms that brought large amounts of precipitation, snow and high winds, all in a very short amount of time. Due to the severity and rapid onset of the storms, many of the County’s culverts, ditches, and older infrastructure began to fail, causing flooding to roads, bridge wash-outs, and pavement failures on roads. Some dirt roads in the County eroded to the point of complete closure for the safety of the residents. The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors declared a Local State of Emergency due to the damage assessments done by the County’s roads and engineering department. The total damages sustained equates to approximately $8 million.

Severe thunderstorms have historically been recorded in the area. Typically, impacts are a combination of heavy rain and flooding combined with impacts of lightning. In February 1986, early-season storms completely saturated the soils. A fast-moving rain storm in February caused Sonora Creek to overbank, flooding the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. In August 1987, months of dry weather, a dry lightning storm moved through the higher elevations of Tuolumne County, igniting numerous fires in the Stanislaus National Forest.

These fires eventually merged into one large fire that caused millions of dollars in damage to timber resources and structures. In March 2011, seasonal rainfall accumulations of nearly 60 inches, a late-season storm, accompanied by extremely high winds, caused nearly $750,000 in damages across Tuolumne County. Damages to the flume systems, roadways, electrical distribution system, and tree damage to numerous residences resulted in a request for a Federal Disaster Declaration. In January and February of 2017, a series of storms bringing heavy precipitation and snowfall to Tuolumne County causing culverts and ditches to fail and flood. A number of roads eroded causing major damage and inaccessible lanes to be closed; some remain closed due to the high cost of repair. 182
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A Local State of Emergency was declared by the Board of Supervisors due to flooding and damage to roads, bridges, and Culverts.90
On January 14, 2023, President Joe Biden declared a major disaster declaration due to Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides beginning on December 27, 2022. Months later, on March 10, 2023, the administration declared federal disaster assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides beginning March 9, 2023 and continuing.

In 1972, one tornado ranked as an F0 Gale Tornado, characterized by winds 40 – 73 mph producing light damage, touched down in the Tuolumne County portion of Yosemite National Park. There were no injuries and no deaths reported.91 In March 2011, extremely high winds accompanied a late season storm causing nearly $750,000 in damages across the Tuolumne County. Damages to the flume systems, roadways, electrical distribution system and tree damage to numerous residences resulted in a request for a Federal Disaster Declaration.

In March 2023, the City of Sonora experienced a tornado, 100 yards wide and left damage at a mobile home park. The tornado came as severe thunderstorms moved east through the region and was under tornado, severe thunderstorm and flash flood simultaneously.92 In August 2023, Tropical Storm Hilary hit Tuolumne County bringing lightning-strike fires, thunderstorms, gusting winds, and more than half-inch of rare summer rain. Cal-Fire reported seven lightning-strike fires with the largest burning 22 acres in the City of Sonora.93
In 2021, Tuolumne County residents experienced recurring power outages for unknown reasons. PG&E vowed to improve its services after the series of power outages and for finding faulty equipment that caused one of the most devasting deadly wildfires in California history.

On August 13, 2023, the City of Sonora experienced an unexpected power outage. The cause of this outage is unclear.94
90 Tuolumne County, Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Plan 2023, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25397/2ND-DRAFT--- PUBLIC-COPY-_-TC-EOP-Base-Plan-07172023?bidId=, accessed January 4, 2024. 91National Weather Service, Tornado Statistics for the WFO San Joaquin Valley-Hanford County Warning Area, https://www.weather.gov/media/wrh/online_publications/talite/talite1404.pdf, accessed January 4, 2024. 92 CBS News, “This has never happened”: People recovering from tornado, thunderstorms and flooding in Tuolumne, published March 11, 2023, accessed January 3, 2023.
93 The Union Democrat, Remnants of Hilary brining lightning-strike fires, rare summer rain to Mother Lode, published August 22, 2023 94 ABC10, Thousands without power across Tuolumne, Calaveras counties, published August 13, 2023, accessed August 13, 2023 183
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During the events of Tropical Storm Hilary on August 20, 2023, 3,660 Tuolumne County customers were out of electricity.95 In September 2023, thousands of PG&E customers in Tuolumne County lost power due to weather conditions. Heavy rains and lightning strikes were detected on Doppler radar according to KCRA 3 meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn.

The City of Sonora has historically experienced extreme heat. It is likely that the occurrence of extreme heat events will continue. The LHMP Planning Team designated a medium hazard planning consideration for extreme heat, and considers the likelihood of future extreme heat events to be somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). Extreme heat events will likely occur with a higher frequency and longer duration as climate change causes increased global temperatures. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

Based on previous occurrences and the seasonal climate of the area, the City of Sonora is likely to experience ice, hail, snowstorm and the impacts of winter storms into the future.

The LHMP Planning Team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards associated with winter storms and considers the likelihood of future hazard events to be somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). This was determined based on a likely probability of occurrence and limited impacts of future events.

Similar to winter storms, thunder and lightning is likely to recur due to the seasonal climate of the region. The wildfire risks associated with thunderstorms is also likely to persist when they occur concurrently with high wildfire conditions. The LHMP Planning Team designated a medium hazard planning consideration for thunder and lightning hazards, and considers the likelihood of future hazard events to be somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). This was determined based on a likely probability of occurrence and the extent of potential impacts.

Windstorm and high wind events are considered to be likely events in Sonora, however, tornados are far less likely. Historical occurrences of high winds indicate a likelihood for future events. High winds can exacerbate the risk of significant wildfires making wind events a particular concern for the future. Tornados are unlikely to occur but can cause significant damage in the event of one impacting developed areas in the City. Tuolumne 95 KCRA Channel 3, Thousands of PG&E customers lose power in Calaveras, Tuolumne counties, published August 13, 2023, accessed August 13, 2023 184
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County as a whole has a minimal wind factor meaning the likelihood that a hurricane, tornado or severe storm winds that will impact this area is very low.96 The LHMP Planning Team designated a medium hazard planning consideration for high winds and windstorms, and considers the likelihood of future hazard events to be somewhat likely (between 1% and 10% probability in next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years). This was determined based on future probability and the potential for these hazards to interrupt communication lines, exacerbate wildfire, and result in power outages.

The City has a demonstrated history of power outages occurring as a secondary impact to various other hazards. Thus, power outages have a highly likely probability to recur in the City. Power outages can occur from severe weather events, high winds, wildfire and human-caused hazards. Considering that many hazards with a likelihood to occur in Sonora may result in power outages, it is expected that power outage will be a recurrent secondary impact in the City. The LHMP Planning Team designated a high hazard planning consideration for power outage as a secondary impact, and considers the likelihood of future power outage events to be highly likely (near 100% probability in next year or happens every year). This was determined based on future probability and potential for related hazards to trigger a power outage.

A resulting effect of heat is the increase in energy usage that occurs as homes and businesses make an effort to keep cool indoors Impact of heat on Tuolumne County.

Based on heat projections for this year in Tuolumne County, it is estimated that the use of air conditioning would cause an increase in energy consumption on 176 days annually.
97 This risk may become even more pronounced in 30 years, as the number of cooling days expected to increase to 188 days per year. The need for increased cooling is expected to increase Tuolumne County’s electricity usage for cooling purposes by 14 percent. Tuolumne County will also likely experience 17 days above 96 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 years.
98 Climate change is understood to have a direct impact on temperature. As global temperatures rise, there will be an increased occurrence and prolonged duration of extreme heat events. It is estimated that if climate change continues under a medium emissions scenario, the planning area would experience an average of 6 extreme heat days per year between 2035 – 2046, with a range of up to 22 heat days in a given year.

Projections further estimate that by the end of the century (2070-2099), the annual 96 Risk Factor, Does Tuolumne County have Heat Risk?, https://riskfactor.com/county/tuolumne-county-ca/6109_fsid, accessed September 10, 2023. 97 Risk Factor, Does Tuolumne County have Heat Risk?, https://riskfactor.com/county/tuolumne-county-ca/6109_fsid, accessed September 10, 2023. 98 Ibid.
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average number of heat days could be as high as 8 with a range of 0-24 extreme heat days in a given year.99
Climate change will affect the frequency and intensity of winter storms. Ice, hail and snowstorms are associated with colder weather and climate change is typified by increasing temperature. However, as global temperatures increase on average the amount of moisture in the air will increase. This in turn leads to more severe storms including winter storms. Approximately twice as many extreme U.S. snowstorms occurred in the latter half of the 20th century than the first.100 Climate change will result in more frequent and more intense winter storms and exacerbate the impacts of ice, hail and snowstorms on the City.

Climate change will affect the frequency and intensity of thunderstorms. With rising global temperatures, the air holds more moisture. Thunderstorms are in part caused by atmospheric moisture. An increase in global temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture increases the incidence of violent thunderstorms and lightning strikes. This would potentially result in an increase in secondary impacts such as flooding, wildfire and power outages.

It is anticipated that wind patterns and development may be altered due to climate change. The resulting change is expected to cause an increase in the number of intense storms, which could in turn lead to an increase in the frequency of strong winds, thunderstorms, and other severe weather.

Scientists are uncertain how climate change will impact tornado occurrences.101 However, the individual weather components, including moisture and wind shear, that can lead to the development of tornadoes are understood. As global temperatures rise, the atmosphere will hold more moisture thereby increasing atmospheric instability, but wind shear will likely decrease. These two forces counteract each other, making it difficult to predict how tornado formation may change. Recent years have shown that tornado events are becoming more clustered in time. Research also suggests that the geographic patterns of tornadoes have shifted; fewer tornadoes are occurring in “Tornado Alley” while more tornadoes are beginning to occur in outlying states. 99 Ibid.
100 NOAA, Climate Change and Extreme Snow in the U.S., https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/climate-change-and-extreme-snowus#:~:text=Years%20with%20heavy%20seasonal%20snow,increased%20over%20the%20past%20century., accessed November 9, 2023. 101 National Geographic, Tornadoes and Climate Change, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/tornadoes-and-climate-change/, updated May 19, 2022, accessed April 24, 2023.
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Climate change poses a heavily strain on the power grids in the coming decades. With the increase of severe weather such as heat waves, people will use more electricity for cooling which also increases the chances of blackouts and power disruptions.

Additionally, increased temperatures not only alter how much electricity people consume, but also the efficiency of power generation.

Additionally, power outages are extremely common with other natural disasters that may be exacerbated by climate change. Climate change is expected to increase the occurrence of wildfire and various severe weather events that may result in power outages. PG&E reports that increased power outages are directly related to climate change, and that PSPS will become “the new normal during high fire/wind events”. PSPS will become increasingly necessary to mitigate fire risk if increased severity and duration of severe weather events continue to occur.

Severe weather includes extreme heat, winter storms, heavy rains, thunderstorms, windstorms, tornadoes and power outages. These natural hazards typically occur as regional events and would impact the entire of the City; therefore, all critical facilities and the entirety of the City is considered vulnerable to severe weather.

Extreme heat does not physically damage buildings, but it can impact the operations of the City and may result in human health concerns such as heat stroke. The operations of the City and the day-to-day operations of residents and businesses may be hindered due to extreme heat. In some cases, cooling centers may be used to temporarily address the health effects of extreme heat. Extreme heat events can also increase the burden on power suppliers due to increased electricity consumption leading to power outages.

Heavy rains, thunderstorms and windstorms could cause damage to buildings or infrastructure, although it is generally not significant enough to damage critical facilities or substantially impact operations. Significant wind events are known to cause communication issues, which can disrupt technology infrastructure or result in response challenges. Heavy rains can result in physical access challenges to critical facilities if roads are flooded or otherwise unsafe for access. While rare, tornadoes can cause substantial damage depending on the location and duration of high winds.

Power outages are more likely to occur during a severe weather event, primarily strong winds, thunderstorms or other winter storms. Proactive power outages are becoming more common from utility providers during predicted strong wind conditions due to the risk of wildfires. The associated power outages impact the City’s ability to provide services and respond to emergencies. The City may rely on generators while PG&E power is unavailable.
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As discussed in Section 3.5, population patterns have not substantially changed in the planning area during the last five years. The City population remained at stable levels, largely similar to those identified in the 2018 MJHMP. No major changes in land use and development occurred while the previous 2018 MJHMP was active, that affected risk or vulnerability associated with all severe weather hazards within this hazard profile.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to severe weather hazards, any projected population growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable individuals. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase severe weather vulnerability.

The location, extent and magnitude of severe weather hazards would apply to the entirety of the City, including Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) Census Tract 12 and other high-risk individuals located throughout the planning area. SVPs and other high-risk individuals may need additional support in severe weather events that impact roadways, or result in secondary impacts.

The most significant secondary impact associated with severe weather hazards as identified by the LHMP Planning Team is power outage. The elderly and disabled already experience elevated risk and vulnerability during extreme heat or ice/hail/snowstorm events; loss of power during a severe weather incident compounds risk for already vulnerable populations. Challenging weather conditions during ice, hail or snowstorm events make it difficult for elderly or disabled persons to travel for assistance. Elderly or disabled persons with chronic illnesses may rely on medical equipment that requires electricity to use.

Therefore, several mitigation actions relating to power outage are included in Section 5, with consideration for SVPs. Mitigation Action #47 promotes the Generator and Battery Rebate program to incentivize the purchase of back-up generators for use during PSPS events. Mitigation Action #44 would allow Sonora High School to become a community cooling center during extreme heat events. Mitigation Action #46 would mitigate traffic impacts during severe weather events by extending backup battery power at key intersections. In addition, severe weather mitigation is address in several “Multiple Hazard” categories as well, with Mitigation Action #26 and #29 specifically expanding backup power within the community.
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A volcano is an opening (or vent) in the Earth’s surface where lava, tephra (small rocks) and steam erupt.
102 Mountains are formed by the folding, faulting, uplift and erosion of the Earth’s crust, compared to volcanoes that are built up by the slow accumulation of erupted lava. Molten rock below the Earth’s surface that rises in volcanic vents is known as magma – after it erupts from a volcano it is called lava.103 Volcanoes come in many sizes and shapes, from large mountains built up by layers of lava, to conical mounds of loose cinder, or low, crack-like fissures in the ground. The most common types of volcanoes include cinder cones, composite volcanoes (stratovolcanoes), shield volcanoes and lava domes. Depending on the type of volcano, the duration and characteristics of the eruption and the nature of the materials it ejects, a number of potential hazards may occur.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) prepared a scientific investigations report titled California’s Exposure to Volcanic Hazards in coordination with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Geological Survey in 2019, that outlines the impacts or hazards associated with volcanoes in California. The information in Table 4-12, Hazards Associated with California Volcanoes, describes the hazards that have typified past eruptions of California volcanoes. These hazards are also summarized in the California State Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Table 4-12
Hazards Associated with California Volcanoes
Hazard Description
Pyroclastic Flow A sudden, fast-moving eruption of lava, ash, and gases. Pyroclastic flows can move down the sides of the volcano at speeds greater than 50 mph, faster than people can run. Damage occurs from the high temperatures of the material (400—1,300°F) and the fast-moving debris itself. Poisonous gases may also suffocate people or animals.

Lava Flow A slow-moving lava eruption, usually less than 30 mph. The lava itself may be fluid or thick. People are usually able to move out of the way, but the lava may bury structures and the high temperatures often ignite fires.

Lahar A volcanic debris flow, usually a slurry-like mixture of ash, rock, and water, traveling at speeds of 20 to 40 mph. They can be hot, though not as hot as a lava eruption, and may carry large debris such as boulders for great distances. The speed and temperature of a lahar may cause injury or death, and the debris itself may bury people or structures.

Volcanic Flood A type of flash flood that occurs when snow or ice on the surface of the volcano is melted by intense heat from the volcano, or when debris deposited from a volcano causes a river or stream to overtop its banks. The effects are generally similar to other types of flash floods. 102 USGS, About Volcanoes, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/aboutvolcanoes#:~:text=Volcanoes%20are%20openings%2C%20or%20vents,%2C%20months%2C%20or%20even%20years., accessed October 9, 2023. 103 Ibid.
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Table 4-12 (continued)
Hazards Associated with California Volcanoes
Hazard Description
Volcanic Ash Ash consists of fine fragments of pulverized lava, sand size and smaller, deposited from drifting ash clouds during explosive eruptions. Although generally nonlethal to humans, volcanic ash is the most widespread and disruptive volcanic hazard. People temporarily exposed to volcanic ash experience eye, nose, and throat irritation. Falling ash obscures sunlight, reducing visibility to near zero, and when wet, can make paved surfaces slippery and impassable.

Ballistics Large fragments of rock ranging from a few inches to multiple feet in diameter with a cannonball-like trajectory typically landing within a few miles of the vent. Large ballistics crashing down with great force can be deadly for people caught too close to an eruption. Structures may be damaged by accumulation of falling lava fragments or burnt by their high heat. Wildfires may be ignited.

Volcanic Gas The most abundant volcanic gas is water vapor, however, significant amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrogen halides (like chlorine, fluorine, and bromine) can also be emitted from volcanoes. Volcanic gas is potentially harmful to humans, animals, plants, agricultural crops, and property.

Source: USGS, California’s Exposure to Volcanic Hazards, Version 1.1 December 2019.

Table 4-12, Hazards Associated with California Volcanoes, does not include an exhaustive list of all possible hazards resulting from volcanoes; it is possible that an event not shown here may occur during an eruption of a California volcano.

Hazards resulting from volcanoes are also dependent on the type of eruption. An eruption dominated by the outpouring of lava onto the ground is often referred to as an effusive eruption. Alternatively, an energetic eruption that produces mainly ash, pumice, and fragmental ballistic debris is considered an explosive eruption.104 These different types of eruptions may result in different hazards, however, both effusive and explosive eruptions pose significant risk to areas surrounding the vent.

The primary volcanoes identified as high to very high threats that would likely impact the City of Sonora are located in Mono County. Mono County contains the most significant volcanic center in California outside of the Cascade Range, the Long Valley Volcanic Region. Also known as the Long Valley-Mono Basin Region, this area has experienced hundreds of eruptions over the last 4 million years.105 Today the region is dominated by two distinct but interrelated systems, the Long Valley Caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters.

The Long Valley Caldera is a 20-mile-by-10-mile, oval-shaped depression which formed during a cataclysmic eruption about 760,000 years ago.106 The caldera is located at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada range, roughly 80 miles southeast from the City of Sonora. The younger system, the Mono-lnyo Craters are an 18-mile-long chain of lava domes, lava flows and explosive craters. The chain runs from along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada range, from Mono Lake to Mammoth Mountain near the rim of 104 USGS, Volcano Hazards Program, https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/explosive_eruption.html, accessed October 9, 2023. 105 USGS, Geologic history of the Long Valley, Mono Basin region, https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long-valley-caldera/geologic-history-long-valley-mono-basinregion#:~:text=Sources%2FUsage%3A%20Public%20Domain.,caldera%20and%20the%20Mono%20Basin., accessed October 9, 2023. 106 USGS, California’s Exposure to Volcanic Hazards, Version 1.1 December 2019. 190
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the caldera. Eruptions began more than 50,000 years ago and are estimated to have occurred as recently as 300 years ago.107
The specific hazards to people and property depend on which volcano erupts, the style (effusive or explosive), the volume of lava, the location of the vent, the eruption duration, and local hydrologic (water) conditions. The severity of the hazard generally decreases with distance from the volcano vent. The impact of an eruption in the Long Valley Volcanic Region may impact Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora, however, it would depend on its location, size, and type as well as wind direction.

The Long Valley Volcanic Region includes the Long Valley Caldera, Mono-Inyo Craters, Mono Lake Volcanic Field and Mammoth Mountain. These volcanic areas were listed in a ranking developed as part of the National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS).

The aim of the NVEWS plan was to ensure that hazardous volcanoes are properly monitored to improve the timeliness and accuracy of hazard forecasts and to reduce risk.108 Volcanoes were evaluated using threat factors including hazard type (e.g., explosivity index, pyroclastic flows, lahars) and societal exposure to hazards (e.g., nearby populations, infrastructure, transportation corridors). The rankings are periodically reevaluated by the USGS as new scientific data becomes available and/or nearby infrastructure and populations change. The most recent update was conducted in 2018.

Threat rankings do not express the probability of an eruption occurring, only the level of threat posed should an eruption occur. Table 4-13, Regional Volcano Threat Assessment Scores, shows the threat levels of the Long Valley Volcanic Region volcanoes.

Table 4-13
Regional Volcano Threat Assessment Scores
Volcano Threat Assessment Scores Score
Long Valley Caldera Threat assessment priority rank: 18/161 Overall threat score: 129
(Very High Threat)
Mono-Inyo Craters Threat assessment priority rank: 24/161 Overall threat score: 106
(High Threat)
Mono Lake Volcanic Field Threat assessment priority rank: 69/161 Overall threat score: 57
(Moderate Threat)
107 USGS, Mono-Inyo Craters, https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mono-inyo-craters, accessed October 10, 2023. 108 USGS, National Volcano Early Warning System - monitoring volcanoes according to their threat, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/national-volcano-earlywarning-system-monitoring-volcanoes-according-their-threat, accessed October 10, 2023. 191
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Table 4-13 (continued)
Regional Volcano Threat Assessment Scores
Volcano Threat Assessment Scores Score
Mammoth Mountain Threat assessment priority rank: 90/161 Overall threat score: 42
(Moderate Threat)
Source: Ewert, J.W., Diefenbach, A.K., and Ramsey, D.W., 2018, 2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment: U.S.

Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018–5140, 40 p.,https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185140.

Considering the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is located between the City of Sonora and the Long Valley Volcanic Region is it unlikely that immediate impacts of lava flows, lahars, volcanic floods or ballistics would impact the City. These types of hazards associated with volcanoes would not flow over the Sierra Nevada range, and/or do not have an impact area widespread enough to impact the City. However, volcanic ash and volcanic gas may traverse the mountain range and impact the City. An eruption large enough to impact the City of Sonora would likely be worse in eastern areas of the City, however, it is feasible that all areas in Sonora would be impacted by volcanic ash.

During volcanic eruptions gases can escape explosively, hurling volcanic ash nearly 6 miles into the air. Airborne volcanic ash would be carried downwind, and the amount and size of the ash would diminish with distance from the eruption site. Accumulations of ash do not posed an immediate threat to life, but may collapse building roofs, close roads, and seriously disrupt utilities and communications. The ash produced by explosive volcanic eruptions poses a special hazard to aircraft; even a small to moderate explosive eruption can send ash to elevations exceeding 30,000 feet.109 Additionally, respiratory effects are a concern associated with volcanic ash. Ash particles from eruptions can be very fine and may be breathed deep into the lungs. In the event of high or long-term exposure, even healthy individuals will experience chest discomfort with increased coughing and irritation.
110 Significant ash fall could affect portions of Tuolumne County and surrounding areas, depending on the wind direction and size of the eruption.

Vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with difficulty breathing or asthma are particularly susceptible to respiratory effect of volcanic ash.

Additionally, a large explosive eruption could potentially contribute to slope instability or seismic activity that would impact the City. Movement in the Long Valley Caldera has caused numerous earthquakes. Since 1974, the USGS has conducted ongoing monitoring of the caldera for volcano surveillance (earthquakes often serve as an early sign of volcanic unrest). Earthquake swarms occurred at Long Valley from 1978—1983, 1990—1995, 1996, and 1997—1998. The USGS indicates that the rate of earthquakes in 109 USGS, Volcanic Ash Fall – A “Hard Rain” of Abrasive Particles, https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs027- 00/#:~:text=Expanding%20gas%20also%20shreds%20magma,more%20than%2030%2C000%20feet%20high., accessed October 10, 2023. 110 USGS, Volcanic Ashfall Impacts Working Group, Respiratory Effects, https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/respiratory_effects.html, accessed October 10, 2023.
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recent years has been relatively low compared with the history since seismic monitoring began.

Since the Long Valley Caldera’s formation 760,000 years ago, clusters of smaller volcanic eruptions have occurred in the caldera at roughly 200,000-year intervals. About 100,000 years ago, one of these eruptions along the caldera’s ring fault resulted in the formation of the Mammoth Knotts, low hills just north of the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Repeated eruptions from vents on the southwest rim of the caldera formed Mammoth Mountain roughly 220,000 to 50,000 years ago.111
The Mono-Inyo volcanic system began by erupting in the west moat of Long Valley Caldera 400,000 to 60,000 years ago and then in the Mono Basin 40,000 to 13,000 years ago. Over the last 3,000 years, the Mono-lnyo chain has erupted at intervals of 700 to 250 years. The Mono Craters were formed by multiple eruptions 40,000 to 600 years ago, and the Inyo Craters were formed by eruptions 5,000 to 500 years ago. The most recent activity in the chain occurred with the formation of Mono Lake’s Paoha Island about 350 years ago.112
As these historic incidents of volcanic activity pre-date written history within the planning area or larger region, specific impacts to the City of Sonora from previous eruptions are unknown. Geologists theorize that millennia of volcanic activity, tectonic plate movement and erosion created the mineral rich conditions in Tuolumne County – including gold, copper, marble and quartz.

The Long Valley Volcanic Region has a long history of geologic activity that includes both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This pattern of volcanic and seismic activity is likely to continue into the future. The best estimate of future behavior of a volcanic system is its past behavior. Geological studies of Long Valley Caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain provide insight into potential future activity. The pattern of volcanic activity suggests that future eruptions are more likely to occur along the Mono-Inyo volcanic chain than within the caldera. Generally, the probability of an eruption occurring in any given year is less than 1 percent, comparable to the odds for a great (magnitude 8) earthquake along the San Andreas fault. The odds of a small eruption along the Mono-Inyo volcanic chain having a significant impact in any given year is one in 1,000 (0.1 percent). Future eruptions are likely to be explosive in style but small to moderate in size. Larger eruptions are possible but less likely. An eruption that would cause significant impacts to the City of Sonora would have to be very large. Scientists see no evidence pointing toward the 111 USGS, Geologic history of the Long Valley, Mono Basin region, https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long-valley-caldera/geologic-history-long-valley-mono-basinregion#:~:text=Sources%2FUsage%3A%20Public%20Domain.,caldera%20and%20the%20Mono%20Basin., accessed October 9, 2023. 112 Ibid.
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possibility of a massive eruption along the lines of the one that formed the caldera 760,000 years ago.113
Future volcanic activity may be linked with seismic activity. Geologic unrest, including series of earthquakes, ground deformation, and gas emissions, can signal a change in the likelihood of an eruption. A period of ongoing geologic unrest in the Long Valley area began in 1978 with a magnitude 5.4 earthquake centered 6 miles southeast of the caldera.

Since then, earthquake activity has increased. The most intense earthquakes occurred in May 1980 and included four strong magnitude 6 earthquakes. Between 1979 and 1980, the center of the caldera rose almost a foot, after decades of stability. The swelling continues, and to date totals more than 2.7 feet, suggesting magmatic activity beneath the caldera. During the early 1990s, trees began dying at several places on Mammoth Mountain at the southwest edge of Long Valley Caldera. Studies showed that the trees were being killed by large volumes of carbon dioxide gas seeping up through the soil from the magma below.114
As noted, seismic activity is generally an indicator that volcanic activity will occur. Volcanic activity is more likely to occur on a small scale rather than large explosive eruptions with regional impacts. However, even small-scale volcanic activity may introduce hazardous conditions to surrounding areas. Future seismic and volcanic activity in the Long Valley Volcanic Region is expected to continue in the future but would be rare in terms of yearly eruptions. The probability of future occurrence for volcanic impacts to the City of Sonora is considered unlikely (less than 1% probability in next 100 years or has a recurrence interval of greater than every 100 years). For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

There is no known or suspected connection indicating climate change would impact volcanic activity, however, volcanoes may impact climate change. Major explosive eruptions can introduce huge amounts of volcanic gas, aerosol droplets, and ash into the atmosphere. Volcanic gases like sulfur dioxide can cause global cooling, while volcanic carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, has the potential to promote global warming.115 Climate change may not exacerbate volcanic eruptions, there is a potential for volcanic activity to impact climate change and subsequently impact other hazards.

While unlikely, the entirety of the City is potentially at risk to the effects of a volcanic eruption, and thus all critical facilities and infrastructure is at risk. The extent of damage would depend on the location and magnitude of the eruption; however, given the 113 USGS, Long-term outlook for volcanic activity in Long Valley caldera, https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long-valley-caldera/long-term-outlook-volcanic-activitylong-valley-caldera, accessed October 10, 2023. 114 USGS, Living With a Restless Caldera - Long Valley, California, https://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-81/Intro/facts-sheet/fs108-96.html, accessed October 10, 2023. 115 USGS, Volcanoes Can Affect Climate Change, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanoes-can-affectclimate#:~:text=Volcanoes%20can%20impact%20climate%20change,little%20impact%20on%20climate%20change., accessed October 10, 2023. 194
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topography and distance to known volcanoes, it is unlikely that immediate impacts of lava flows, lahars, volcanic floods or ballistics would impact the City. A significant explosive eruption could result in volcanic ash and volcanic gas impacting the City. These impacts would likely affect the entirety of City and all critical facilities. Volcanic ash and volcanic gas may cause damage to structures and personal property. Additionally, evacuations would likely be mandated if volcanic ash and volcanic gas reached the City in significant quantities.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projects residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to volcano hazards, any projected growth within the City would increase the number of vulnerable individuals. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase volcano vulnerability.

While volcano hazards have a low likelihood of occurrence, SVPs may experience elevated risk and vulnerability. The primary concern for socially vulnerable populations in Sonora would be respiratory effects associated with volcanic ash and volcanic gas. Shortterm respiratory effects of volcanic ash inhalation include:116 • Nasal irritation and discharge (runny nose).
• Throat irritation and sore throat, sometimes accompanied by dry coughing. • People with pre-existing chest complaints may develop severe bronchitis symptoms which last some days beyond exposure to ash (for example, hacking cough, production of sputum, wheezing, or shortness of breath). • Airway irritation for people with asthma or bronchitis; common complaints of people with asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. • Breathing becomes uncomfortable.

The City is limited in opportunities to reduce the likelihood of volcanic hazard occurrence.

Therefore, mitigation actions are focused on awareness and communication. Mitigation 116 USGS: Volcanic Ashfall Impacts Working Group, Respiratory Effects, https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/respiratory_effects.html, accessed October 10, 2023.
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Action #48 includes monitoring and communication responsibilities for the City, and would benefit SVPs by enhancing awareness for vulnerable groups.

Fire is an integral component of California’s ecosystems. However, uncontrolled fires threaten lives, property, and natural resources, and presents a considerable risk to vegetation and wildlife habitat. Fires can occur in either wildland or urban areas, and can be caused by human error (such as campfires), arson, mechanical ignition (such as heaters and generators), and natural events (such as lightning). Further, Northern California is also prone to lightning-ignited wildfires, where nearly half of the acres burned in Northern California from 2001 through 2022 were caused by lightning strikes.117 Forests, open space, or grasslands with ample vegetation are most vulnerable to destructive wildfires. In areas where structures and other human development intermingles with wildland or vegetative fuels (referred to as the wildland urban interface), wildfires can cause significant property damage and present extreme threats to public health and safety.

There are three categories of interface fire: the classic wildland urban interface exists where well-defined urban and suburban development adjoins open wildland areas; the mixed wildland urban interface is characterized by isolated homes, subdivisions and small communities situated predominantly in wildland settings; and the occluded wildland urban interface exists where islands of wildland vegetation occur inside a largely urbanized area. The City of Sonora is characterized by both classic and mixed wildland urban interfaces, with heavily wooded communities and steep terrain create substantial wildfire risk to the City.

Certain conditions must be present for significant wildfires to occur. The most common conditions include hot, dry, and windy weather; the inability of fire protection forces to contain or suppress the fire; the occurrence of multiple fires that overwhelm firefighting resources; and a large fuel load (dense vegetation). Once a fire has started, several conditions influence behavior, including fuel, topography, weather, drought and development.

Northern California and other communities in the Sierra Nevada region face wildfire hazards from population grown and increasing number of houses built in the wildlandurban interface. The increased “interface” between urban/suburban areas and the open spaces created by this expansion has pushed existing fire protection systems beyond original or current design and capability. During wildfire season, PG&E monitors weather conditions in fire prone areas. To prevent strong winds and extreme heat from causing fire accidents, PG&E may proactively turn off power in a Public Safety Power Shutoff 117 San Francisco Chronicle, Lightning Caused Wildfires, https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/statistics/lightning-caused, accessed August 21, 2023. 196
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(PSPS).118 Power outages as a secondary effect is discussed in detail in Section 4.12, Severe Weather.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) prepares fire hazard severity maps illustrating areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), define the application of various mitigation strategies and influence how people construct buildings and protect property to reduce risk associated with wildland fires.

While FHSZ do not predict when or where a wildfire will occur, zones identify where wildfire hazards could be more severe and therefore, are of greater concern for mitigation purposes.

Zones are designated on varying degrees from moderate, high, and very high. There are three types of responsibility areas that FHSZ may fall under: Local Responsibility Area (LRA), State Responsibility Area (SRA), or Federal Responsibility Area (FRA). LRAs are incorporated cities, urban regions, and agriculture lands where the local government is responsible for wildfire protection. SRAs are those which the State of California is responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires. FRAs are lands on which neither the State nor the local government has legal responsibility for providing fire protection. For LRAs, only very high hazard severity zones are mapped.

The City is located in the foothills of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and portions of the planning area are heavily wooded. Much of the City is designed as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), the highest risk level. Exhibit 4-11, Wildfire Hazard Zones, shows the fire hazard severity zones in Sonora and the surrounding area. The majority of the VHFHSZ is located in residential areas in the north, east, and western areas of the City. These wildfire zones extend into the City until reaching the developed commercial corridors surrounding Washington Street and West Stockton Street. The large undeveloped open space and wooded areas in the southwestern portion of the City is also mapped as a VHFHSZ. The City FHSZ falls under local jurisdiction responsibility (City of Sonora Fire Department), and is classified as an LRA.

Additionally, unincorporated areas of Tuolumne County surround the planning area, and include fire hazard severity zones classified as SRA. The majority of these unincorporated areas are very high hazard severity zones, with pockets of moderate and high severity areas to the northwest and east of the City. This indicates a significant risk of wildfire in the surrounding areas Tuolumne County that could spread rapidly and threaten the City of Sonora. It is noted that Cal FIRE is in the process of updating both the state and local responsibility fire hazard zones state-wide. Once Cal FIRE finalizes hazard zone mapping updates, revised maps and vulnerability assessments will be incorporated into this LHMP. 118 PG&E, Weather monitoring and awareness, https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/weather-monitoringawareness.page, accessed August 21, 2023. 197
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Exhibit 4-7, Wildfire Hazard
Zones
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The extent of wildfire impacts can vary significantly, based on the size, scale, and location of the fire. Wildfires are usually classified by size or impact. The size and severity of any fire depends on the availability of fuel, weather conditions, and topography, although wildfires in the wildland urban interface do not need to be significant in acreage to be damaging. Even small fires have been known to cause significant property damage or loss of human life. Table 4-14 shows the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildfire Size Classifications, which detail the potential extent of a wildfire event in the planning area:

Table 4-14
NWCG Wildfire Size Classifications
Classification Description
Class A One-fourth acre or less
Class B More than one-fourth acre, but less than 10 acres Class C 10 acres or more, but less than 100 acres
Class D 100 acres or more, but less than 300 acres
Class E 300 acres or more, but less than 1,000 acres
Class F 1,000 acres or more, but less than 5,000 acres
Class G 5,000 acres or more
Source: NWCG, Size Class of Fire, https://www.nwcg.gov/node/432922, accessed May 13, 2024.

While wildfire size is helpful in describing the magnitude of a wildfire, wildfire size is not always the optimal indicator of extent and magnitude due to the complexity of wildfire events. Measuring the severity of a fire through impacts to the population, property, and environment provides a more comprehensive approach in determining the potential extent of wildfires. Wildfires can be measured by a variety of metrics including acreage, impacts to the local population such as fatalities, structural damage, or response requirements from public safety agencies.

Fire severity refers to the effects of a fire on the environment, typically focusing on the loss of vegetation both above ground and below ground but also including soil impacts. 119
Wildfire severity can be broken into categories of low, medium, and high severity as defined by the Northwest Fire Science Consortium (NFSC). Beyond the size of the fire, classifying wildfire by severity allows the potential extent of the fire to be demonstrated through additional metrics, such as how destructive it may be to the surrounding area.

These fire severity classifications are shown in Table 4-15 below:
119 NFSC, What is Fire Severity?, https://www.nwfirescience.org/sites/default/files/publications/Fire%20Severity.pdf, accessed May 13, 2024. 199
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Table 4-15
NFSC Fire Severity Classifications
Classification Description
Low A fire that has limited effect on overstory trees (<30% mortality), understory vegetation, and soils.

Moderate A fire producing variable, moderate effects on overstory trees, averaging 30-80% of the vegetation killed, and/or moderate soil exposure.

High A fire producing a high percent of overstory tree mortality (>80%) and/or extensive mineral soil exposure.

Source: NFSC, What is Fire Severity?, https://www.nwfirescience.org/sites/default/files/publications/Fire%20Severity.pdf, accessed May 13, 2024.

Fire protection challenges occur where development is located within and directly adjacent to wildland urban interface areas, thus increasing the extent of the hazard. As the number of structural features increases, so does the risk of incidence of fire. Due to the location of development within very high FHSZ, there is the potential for a wildfire to spread quickly within the City, depending on the conditions and nature of the fire. Further, the mapped areas of high and very high FHSZ are surround the City boundary. These mapped hazard zones are indicative of a greater wildfire extent, as wildfires could begin outside of the City and spread towards Sonora.

Given the landscape and terrain of Tuolumne County, including forested areas along the western Sierra Nevada Mountains, significant wildfires have historically occurred within proximity to the City. Table 4-16, Tuolumne County Wildfire History, identifies major fires that have impacted Tuolumne County since 1987. Data from NOAA’s wildfire database and the CAL FIRE incident database for wildfires burning over 500 acres was included in the table below. These fires have resulted in varying impacts with the amount of acreage ranging from a few hundred acres to over 250,000 acres. Wildfires with specific impacts to the City of Sonora are discussed below.

Table 4-16
Tuolumne County Wildfire History
Year Fire Name Acres Burned/Other Damage
1987 Stanislaus Complex 145,950 acres (28 structures burned, 1 death reported) 1996 Ackerson Fire 61,070 acres
1996 Keystone Fire 7,000 acres (20 homes burned)
2001 Creek Fire 11,500 acres (8 structures destroyed)
2001 Darby Fire 14,280 acres (portions of an historic wooden water flume destroyed) 2004 Tuolumne Fire 750 acres (1 death reported)
2006 Pedro Fire 1,997 acres
2008 LaGrange Fire 3,445 acres
2009 Knight Fire 6,130 acres
2009 Wildcat Fire 1,255 acres
2011 Tuolumne-Calvaveras Wind Event 781 acres
2012 Seven Fires 840 acres
2013 Power Fire 1,070 acres
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Table 4-16 (continued)
Tuolumne County Wildfire History
Year Fire Name Acres Burned/Other Damage
2013 Rim Fire 257,314 acres (11 homes, 3 commercial structures, 98 outbuildings, 10 injuries reported)
2016 Marshes Fire 1,080 acres
2017 Detwiler Fire1 82,000 acres (130 structures destroyed) 2017 Jacksonville Fire 675 acres
2018 Donnell Fire 36,450 acres
2018 Ferguson Fire1 97,000 acres (10 structures destroyed, 2 deaths reported) 2018 Tulloch Fire 573 acres
2020 Moc Fire 2,857 acres
2021 Washington Fire2 100 acres (18 structures destroyed) 2022 Oak Fire1 19,000 acres (193 structures destroyed)
2022 Woods Fire2 21 acres
1 Fires that were not primarily in Tuolumne County but impacted the southern part of the county with highway and Yosemite National Park closures.
2 Fires under 500 acres were included due to their proximity to the City of Sonora and other high-density areas.

Sources: CAL FIRE, Incidents, https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents, accessed November 6, 2023.

NOAA, National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/, accessed November 6, 2023.

Most wildfire occurrences within the planning area have been smaller in nature. Major wildfires have not regularly occurred within the City of Sonora. However, regionally significant wildfires negatively affect the planning area, causing smoke and poor air quality in Sonora. Additionally, large regional wildfires could spread towards Sonora, prompting evacuation and shelter in place procedures, or otherwise strain local public safety agencies. Included below is a brief history on major wildfires in Tuolumne County.

In August 2013, the Rim Fire ignited in the Stanislaus National Forest after an illegal campfire grew out of control. The wildfire began approximately 20-miles east of Sonora, but quickly throughout Tuolumne County and Yosemite National Park. Burning 257,314 acres, the Rim Fire is the 11th largest wildfire in California history.120 The Rim Fire destroyed at least eleven residences, three commercial structures, and 98 outbuildings, and caused 10 injuries. The fire cost more than $127 million to fight, with the number of first responders equaling the population of the City of Sonora.121 The fire primarily threatened areas to the east of Sonora (outside of the planning area) with evacuation orders placed on the City of Tuolumne and Ponderosa Hills. Additionally, the California Governor issued an emergency proclamation due to threats to the utilities systems from the Rim Fire.122
The Washington Fire ignited August 26, 2021, at the intersection of Golf Links Road and SR-108 southwest of Sonora. The fire burned 100 acres over the course of a week, 120 CAL FIRE, Top 20 Largest California Wildfires, published October 24, 2022. 121 US Department of Agriculture: Forest Service, Rim Fire Information, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stanislaus/home/?cid=stelprdb5442963, accessed November 10, 2023.
122 Capital Public Radio, Evacuation Orders Issued in Rim Fire Path, https://www.capradio.org/articles/2013/08/23/rim-fire-continues-to-grow-at-explosive-rate/, accessed November 10, 2023.
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destroyed 18 structure and resulted in one death.123 Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora both proclaimed a Local State of Emergency as a result of the Washington Fire.

The fire resulted in multiple road closures and evacuation orders in the City of Sonora.124 The Woods Fire occurred in September 2022 near SR-108 and SR-49 near southwest boarder of Sonora. Although the fire only burned 21 acres, the fire did result in Stockton Road closure between SR-108 and Ponderosa Way. Additionally, evacuation orders and evacuation warnings were issued for residential areas just outside of Sonora. Tuolumne County Sheriff Posse Grounds served as an evacuation center.125 Given the history of Tuolumne County, the probability of significant wildfire events occurring in the future is considered highly likely (near 100% probability in next year or happens every year). The combination of fuels, weather, and topography creates an elevated risk for personal injury, loss of life and damage to property. While the City has limited major wildfire occurrences within the planning area, there is also a high probability of future wildfire occurrence in surrounding areas. Outbreaks of wildfire occur routinely during Tuolumne’s dry season, and four out of every five fires generated by humans. With the increase of major wildfire activity across California, it is probable that the City will continue to experience threats of wildfires depending on the size, location, scale, and severity. For additional information on probability rankings, see Table 4-3.

Cal FIRE and Tuolumne County Fire Department developed a Strategic Plan 2021-2025 to expand funding and outreach, enhance firefighter volunteer program, and improve fire monitoring and fighting equipment for Tuolumne County Fire and areas surrounding Sonora City.126 The City also takes measures to prevent wildfires, including vegetation management, defensible space inspections and code enforcement actions within the planning area. The specific chance of wildfire in the City is not fully known, but severe fire weather occurs during much of the fire season in much of Tuolumne County. This, coupled with a wide range of fuel including grass, woodland, brush, brush/hardwood, and heavy timber, increases the probably that large damaging fires will occur.

Recent wildfires in California are becoming more severe as a result of climate change impacts. Of the top 20 largest California wildfires in State history, thirteen have occurred in the last decade, five occurred during 2020, and four occurred in 2021. The August Complex Fire in 2020, burned over one million acres in Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama, Glenn, Lake and Colusa counties, destroying nearly 1,000 structures. This became the largest wildfire experienced in recent California history. During 2020, several other large fires began in northern California due to unusual thunderstorm and lightning 123 CAL FIRE, Washington Fire, https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/8/26/washington-fire/, accessed November 10, 2023. 124 ABC10, Evacuations issued in Sonora due to Washington Fire, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/washington-fire-evacuations-and-information/103- 0254b098-40ce-40fc-8d13-1d018e830f18, accessed November 10, 2023. 125 CAL FIRE, Woods Fire Status Update Reports, https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/9/1/woods-fire/updates, accessed November 10, 2023. 126 CAL FIRE and Tuolumne County Fire Department, 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25399/TCFD-2021- 2025-STRATEGIC-PLAN-signed_1, accessed November 10, 2023. 202
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strike activity over the summer, the largest being SCU Lightening Complex (396,624 acres) and the LNU Lightening Complex (363,220 acres). During 2021, the pattern of large fires caused by lightning strikes continued, with the Dixie Fire (963,309 acres, second largest wildfire in California recorded history), Monument Fire (223,124 acres) and Caldor Fire (221,835 acres).127 Similar lightning strikes could occur and ignite wildfires in and around the planning area.

Further, a wildfire does not need to be record-breaking in terms of size to have devastating impacts. During 2018, the Camp Fire became the deadliest wildfire in California history, killing at least 85 civilians and burning 153,000 acres in Butte County.128 While the wildfires listed above cite different causes (including lightening, powerline failure, human related/arson), it is clear that warmer temperatures, drought conditions, dry vegetation, and unusual wind conditions are driving major wildfires in the state of California.

Climate change and global warming patterns cause an increase in temperatures, as well as more frequent and intense drought conditions. As mentioned previously, the severity of a wildfire is dependent on the amount of oxygen, heat, wind, relative humidity, and fuel.

Excessive heat and low humidity during the summer and fall months are likely to occur.

It is possible that higher temperatures could cause local native chaparral and scrub ecosystems to change to grasslands. This would increase dry plant matter, which could cause wildfires to move more quickly or spread into developed areas. Regional wildfires will become an increased threat in Tuolumne County, which are likely to occur or impact the City of Sonora. Wildfires release smoke, ash, and other particulate matter that degrade air and water quality. Thus, fires located in various parts of Tuolumne County can negatively impact air and water quality within the City.

A substantial portion of the City is located within a VHFHSZ, categorized as an LRA. The majority of the fire hazard zone is located in the residential areas in the northwestern and eastern portions of the City. Additionally, the undeveloped areas in the south and southwestern portions of the City are also included as VHFHSZ. Critical facilities in a VHFHSZ include one fire station, two city bridges, and other City and county structures.

Table 4-17, Facilities in a Wildfire Hazard Zone, identifies critical facilities located within the wildfire hazard zone.
127 CAL FIRE, Top 20 Largest California Wildfires, published October 24, 2022. 128 US Census Bureau, Camp Fire – 2018 California Wildfires, published November 2018. 203
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Table 4-17
Facilities in a Wildfire Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Total Loss
Potential
4 Fire Station Government (City) $2,050,710.00
8 Bridge - Barretta Street at Sonora
Creek Transportation
$1,206,300.00
10 Bridge - Southgate Drive at Sonora
Creek Transportation
$603,150.00
12 Tuolumne County IT Department Government (County) $1,477,110.00 14 Sheriff Patrol & Administration
Building Government (County)
$185,732.00
17 Tuolumne County Sheriff
Department Government (County)
$10,143,247.00
21 Tuolumne County Main Library Government (County) $6,806,013.00 22 Tuolumne County Senior Center Government (County) $1,068,709.00 24 Sonora Wastewater Treatment
Plant Utility (Wastewater)
$3,148,202.00
25 PG&E Tar Flat Substation Utility (Energy) Unknown
33 Motherlode Fairgrounds Parks and Recreation N/A
37 Heaven For Kids Playground Parks and Recreation N/A
40 AT&T Property Utility (Communication) Unknown
Given the extent of the VHFHSZ in the City, it is feasible that one or multiple vulnerable critical facilities may be at risk during a wildfire. Considering the vulnerable critical facilities includes the Sonora Fire Station, Sheriff Patrol and Administration Building, and Tuolumne County Sheriff Department, a wildfire could impact the coordination of emergency services and communication. The City has identified mitigation actions to improve communication between emergency service providers to ensure a coordinated emergency response in the event of a wildfire, along with strategically hardening critical facilities to withstand a wildfire.

In addition to the critical facilities listed, many residential and non-residential structures are located withing the VHFHSZ. Approximately 2,179 residential units are located within the wildfire hazard zone. Based on the 2.17 persons per household for the City, it is assumed approximately 4,729 individuals reside in the wildfire hazard zone.

Approximately 10,372,072 square feet of non-residential structures are located within a wildfire hazard zone.

Further, wildfires within the region (outside of the planning area) can impact health and safety due to poor air quality. Senior citizens, youth, and people with preexisting medical conditions are most at risk. Wildfire vulnerability is also closely related to vulnerability with other natural hazards, including drought and power outage (public safety power shut offs).

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the mapped wildfire hazard zone. Therefore, it is unknown if the number of vulnerable individuals within the wildfire hazard zone significantly changed within the last five years.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City does not anticipate substantial changes in population patterns, land use, or development. As discussed in Section 3.5, the recently prepared Housing Element projected residential growth of two units or households to occur within the next five years. Existing municipal regulations would prevent hazardous development from occurring within mapped wildfire hazard zones. At this time, no proposed projects under the purview of the City are expected to substantially increase wildfire vulnerability.

The majority of the City is located within a VHFHSZ, including Census Tract 12. A substantial amount of development within the hazard zone is residential, and therefore it is assumed SVPs are also exposed to high wildfire hazard risk.

As wildfire is a significant risk within the planning area, twelve mitigation actions are identified in Section 5.0 for this specific hazard. SVPs, such as the elderly or disabled, may be unable to evacuate outside of the planning area during a wildfire incident. Costburdened households may lack personal vehicles to evacuate outside of the planning area. Therefore, the City has identified Mitigation Action #53, to establish critical facilities that are suitable for shelter in place during a wildfire. This mitigation action also identifies opportunities to make each designated shelter in place more resistant to wildfire hazards.

The high concentration of elderly and disabled residents within Census Tract 12 may prevent households from taking personal wildfire mitigation actions, such as vegetation management and clearance. Cost burdened households or persons living in poverty may lack the financial means to conduct wildfire retrofits that would reduce vulnerability.

Therefore, the City identifies Mitigation Action #54 and would like to replicate the California Wildfire Mitigation Program pilot Home Hardening project within the planning area. This program distributes FEMA grant funding to eligible private property owners to conduct wildfire retrofits, including upgrading properties with ignition resistant materials or establishing a defensible space around a property.

Last, the City aims to increase community capacity, by promoting a “neighbors helping neighbors” approach toward vegetation management and fuel reduction on private property. Through partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations, elderly or disabled persons could receive assistance with vegetation management and fuel reduction on their property. Additional mitigation actions related to wildfire are outlined in Section 5.0.

Table 4-18, Risk Assessment Summary Table, shows a summary of critical facilities that intersect with hazard areas in the City. Those facilities that intersect with a hazard area 205
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are indicated with a “Y” and a red-shaded cell. Facilities that do not fall within the hazard area are designated with an “N” and a green-shaded cell. The risks of drought, ground shaking, and windstorm/heavy rain are equal throughout the community. 206
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Table 4-18
Risk Assessment Summary Table
No. Facility
Hazard
Drought Flood
Haz.

Materials
Spill
HumanCaused
Hazards
Fault
Rupture
Ground
Shaking Landslide Pandemic Severe Weather Volcano Wildfire 1 Sonora City Hall Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
2 Opera Hall Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
3 Police Station Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
4 Fire Station Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y
5 City Hall Parking Structure Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
6 Sheriff's Facility (Investigators Office) Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 7 Maintenance Office & Shop Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
8 Barretta Street Bridge at Sonora Creek Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y 9 Green Street Bridge at Sonora Creek Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 10 Southgate Drive Bridge at Sonora Creek Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y 11 Tuolumne County Enrichment Center Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 12 Tuolumne County IT Department Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
13 Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 14 Sheriff Patrol & Administration Building Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y 15 Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Offices Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 16 Tuolumne County Administration Center Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 17 Tuolumne County Sheriff Department Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y 18 Tuolumne County Mental Health Office Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 19 Old County Courthouse Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
20 Tuolumne County Francisco Building Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 21 Tuolumne County Main Library Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
22 Tuolumne County Senior Center Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
23 Tuolumne County Tiny Tots & Youth Center Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 24 Sonora Wastewater Treatment Plant Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y 25 PG&E Tar Flat Substation Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
26 Sonora Elementary School, District Office and
Head Start Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
27 Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 28 Sonora High School Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
29 Dario Cassina Alternative High School Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 30 Adventist Health Sonora - Hospital &
Emergency Room Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
31 Adventist Health Sonora - Health Pavilion Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 207
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Table 4-18 (continued)
Risk Assessment Summary Table
No. Facility
Hazard
Drought Flood
Haz.

Materials
Spill
HumanCaused
Hazards
Fault
Rupture
Ground
Shaking Landslide Pandemic Severe Weather Volcano Wildfire 32 American Red Cross Offices and Blood
Donation Center Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
33 Motherlode Fairgrounds Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
34 Woods Creek Rotary Park Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N
35 Courthouse Square Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
36 Coffill Park Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
37 Heaven For Kids Playground Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
38 US Post Office - Sonora Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
39 AT&T Property Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
40 AT&T Property Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y Y
41 Comcast Property Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
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As required by recently updated FEMA policy guidelines, a summary of state and federally declared disasters specifically affecting the planning area within the last five years are included below as Table 4-19 and Table 4-20. Specific effects are also outlined in the hazard profiles, previous occurrences sections (where applicable) within Sections 4.6 to

4.14, above.

Table 4-19
Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area Declaration
Date
Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory Incident Description Effect on Planning Area May 17, 2019 4434 Severe Storm
California Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides and
Mudslides: On April 13, 2019,
Governor Gavin Newsom requested a
major disaster declaration due to
severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides, and mudslides during the
period of February 24 to March 1,
2019. The Governor requested a
declaration for Public Assistance for 19
counties and Hazard Mitigation
statewide. The Countywide per capita
impact for Tuolumne County was
reported $4.21.

Heavy rain combined with hail
contributed to substantial flooding
throughout the planning area. Flooding
resulted in several power and phone
outages, and the public works building
was also damaged. Sonora Creek
overtopped, resulting in surface water
flooding in nearby streets and parking
lots. A mudslide occurred on the 200
block of Greenly Road.

March 13, 2020 3428 Biological
Coronavirus Pandemic Response: In
accordance with 36 CFR § 800.12(a)
of the Section 106 regulations, FEMA,
in consultation with the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation, State
Historic Preservation Officers, and
Tribal Historic Preservation Officers,
Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations (consulting parties),
developed emergency procedures to
govern its Section 106 responsibilities
for approval of direct Federal
assistance and funding of emergency
protective measures to save lives and
to protect improved property and public
health and safety in response to
COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19
emergency undertakings).

Similar to other jurisdictions across
California, Sonora was affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic. The City did not
experience any impacts to historic
properties as a direct result of Disaster
3428.
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Declaration
Date
Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory Incident Description Effect on Planning Area March 22, 2020 4482 Biological
California Covid-19 Pandemic: On
March 22, 2020, Governor Gavin
Newsom requested a major disaster
declaration due to the Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
beginning on January 20, 2020, and
continuing. The Governor requested a
declaration for Individual Assistance,
including the Individuals and
Households Program, Crisis
Counseling Program, Disaster
Unemployment Assistance, Disaster
Case Management, and Disaster Legal
Services statewide; Public Assistance,
including direct Federal assistance
statewide; and Hazard Mitigation
statewide. The countywide per capita
impact indicator was reported $3.84.

Similar to other jurisdictions across
California, Sonora was affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the
City delegated public health duties and
responsibilities to the Tuolumne
County Public Health Officer. The City
followed the Stay at Home Order
between March and May 2020, and
followed industry specific guidelines
and checklists to ensure safety in
reopening the local economy. Due to
the rural and low density nature of
development in the planning area,
COVID-19 community spread
remained significantly lower compared
to major metropolitan areas in
California.

August 22, 2020 4558 Fire
California Wildfires: On August 20,
2020, Governor Gavin Newsom
requested an expedited major disaster
declaration due to wildfires beginning
on August 14, 2020, and continuing.

The Governor requested a declaration
for Individual Assistance and
assistance for debris removal and
emergency protective measures
(Categories A and B), including direct
Federal assistance, under the Public
Assistance program for nine counties
and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The
countywide per capita impact indicator
was reported $3.84.

On August 20, 2020, the Moc Fire
ignited at the juncture of SR-120 and
SR-49 in the unincorporated
community of Moccasin (approximately
20 miles south of the planning area).

The cause was reported by Cal FIRE
as equipment failure. Approximately
2,800 acres were burned. No damage
occurred in the City of Sonora; impacts
primarily involved smoke/ash and
diminished air quality.

January 14, 2023 4683 Flood
California Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides, and
Mudslides: On January 12, 2023,
Governor Gavin Newsom requested an
expedited major disaster declaration
due to severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides, and mudslides beginning
on December 24, 2022, and
continuing. The Governor requested a
declaration for Individual Assistance
and Public Assistance for 49 counties
and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The
Countywide per capital impact indicator
was reported $4.44.

A series of storms hit the City of
Sonora during beginning December
2022 and extending into April 2023. On
January 9th, the City of Sonora
received a record 2.7 inches of rainfall
in a single day. Primary impacts to
Sonora included roadway flooding,
downed trees and downed powerlines;
impacts are further discussed in the
Hazard Profiles, above.
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Declaration
Date
Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory Incident Description Effect on Planning Area March 10, 2023 3592 Flood
California Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides, and
Mudslides: FEMA announced today
that federal disaster assistance has
been made available to the state of
California to supplement state, tribal
and local response efforts due to
emergency conditions resulting from
severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides and mudslides beginning
March 9, 2023, and continuing.

April 3, 2023 4699 Severe Storm
California Severe Winter Storms,
Straight-line Winds, Flooding,
Landslides, and Mudslides: On
March 28, 2023, Governor Gavin
Newsom requested a major disaster
declaration due to severe winter
storms, straight-line winds, flooding,
landslides, and mudslides beginning
on February 21, 2023, and continuing.

The Governor requested a declaration
for Individual Assistance for seven
counties, Public Assistance for four
counties, and Hazard Mitigation
statewide. The Countywide per capital
impact indicator was reported $4.44.

Table 4-20
Summary of State Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area Declaration
Date
Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory Incident Description Effect on Planning Area May 18, 2019 2019-03 Severe Storm
California Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides and
Mudslides: On April 13, 2019,
Governor Gavin Newsom requested a
major disaster declaration due to
severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides, and mudslides during the
period of February 24 to March 1,
2019. The Governor requested a
declaration for Public Assistance for 19
counties and Hazard Mitigation
statewide. The Countywide per capita
impact for Tuolumne County was
reported $4.21.

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Declaration
Date
Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory Incident Description Effect on Planning Area August 18, 2020 2020-06 Fire
California Wildfires: On August 20,
2020, Governor Gavin Newsom
requested an expedited major disaster
declaration due to wildfires beginning
on August 14, 2020, and continuing.

On August 20, 2020, the Moc Fire
ignited at the juncture of SR-120 and
SR-49 in the unincorporated
community of Moccasin (approximately
20 miles south of the planning area).

July 16, 2021 &
August 6, 2021 2021-04 Fire
California Wildfires: A state
emergency declaration was issued
following the impacts of the Lava Fire
and Beckwourth Complex Fire on
various counties across the state.

These wildfire events resulted in over
$9.3 million in damage to the affected
counties, including Tuolumne County.

Direct impacts of these wildfire events
to the planning area are unknown at
this time.

January 4, 2023 2023-01 Severe Storm
California Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides, and
Mudslides: On January 12, 2023,
Governor Gavin Newsom requested an
expedited major disaster declaration
due to severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides, and mudslides beginning
on December 24, 2022, and
continuing. The Governor requested a
declaration for Individual Assistance
and Public Assistance for 49 counties
and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The
Countywide per capital impact indicator
was reported $4.44.

March 1, 2023 4699 Severe Storm
California Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Landslides, and
Mudslides: FEMA announced today
that federal disaster assistance has
been made available to the state of
California to supplement state, tribal
and local response efforts due to
emergency conditions resulting from
severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides and mudslides beginning
March 9, 2023, and continuing.

Mitigation Strategy 5-1 May 2024

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Hazard mitigation strategies are used to reduce hazard impacts on critical facilities or other infrastructure identified by the City. This section is developed from an in-depth review of the vulnerabilities and capabilities described in the previous plan section.

Overall, the actions represent the City’s approach for reducing and/or eliminating the potential losses as identified in Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides affordable flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. Participation in the NFIP is optional; however, property owners who live in a non-participating community with flood-prone areas are not able to buy flood insurance through the program. Communities with mapped floodplains cannot receive federal grants or loans for development activities in flood-prone areas and cannot receive federal disaster assistance to repair flood damaged buildings or structures in mapped floodplains if the jurisdiction is not a participant of the NFIP.

The City is a participant of the NFIP and implements the requirements of NFIP through Sonora Municipal Code Chapter 15.36 , Floodplain Management Procedures. Specific administration and enforcement regulations are outlined in Sections 15.36.070, Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, states: “The areas of special hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the ‘Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Tuolumne County, California and incorporated areas’ dated January 25, 2008, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRM's) and flood boundary and floodway maps (FBFM's), dated January 25, 2008, as revised by said maps dated July 2, 2008, and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.” The latest FIRM maps adopted for the City are dated effective April 16, 2009.

The Sonora Municipal Code designates the City’s Community Development Director as the Floodplain Administrator responsible for administering and implementing the provisions of the NFIP. All development, including substantial improvement, within designated special flood hazards must be in full compliance with Chapter 15.36. These standards are applicable both at the time of initial improvement and would be applicable after any flood event that constitutes substantial improvement or substantial damage.

Significant flood events are rare within the City, even during heavy precipitation years. To date, the City does not have any repetitive loss properties or severe repetitive loss properties within the jurisdiction.

The LHMP Project Management Team and the LHMP Planning Team discussed each mitigation action to identify priority, using the following as guidance:
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• High Priority: Top organizational priority and is generally a well-detailed project idea. Protects population, resource, facility, or property at high risk. Uses feasible methods, techniques, or technology.
• Medium Priority: A good idea that needs more information or is an action that addresses a moderate hazard.
• Low Priority: An idea that needs a lot more information or will take a lot of preliminary action to build support.

The hazard ranking completed as part of LHMP Planning Team Meeting #1. Additional discussion during focus group meetings and the LHMP Planning Team Meeting #2 influenced the ultimate priority and timeline of each hazard. A small working group of City staff members and external stakeholders reviewed and provided comment on the mitigation actions afterward.

The LHMP Planning Team considered the frequency and severity of the hazard; the vulnerability of critical facilities or infrastructure; the impacts the mitigation action would avoid or reduce; the benefits of the action on the community; the critical facilities that would benefit; the environmental benefits of the action; and the capability of the City to implement the action. For example, some actions may require further study or information but were identified as a high priority because of current conditions (i.e., heightened risk of the hazard, probability of future occurrences, or lack of redundancy established in a specific portion of the community). Several actions were identified as high priority, while the nature and complexity of the action involves a “long-term” timeline of five or more years.

The LHMP Planning Team used the STAPLE/E (Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal, Economic, and Environmental) criteria, as described in Table 5-1, STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria, when considering and prioritizing the most appropriate mitigation alternatives for the City. This methodology, as endorsed by FEMA, requires that social, technical, administrative, political, legal, economic, and environmental considerations be considered when reviewing potential actions. This process was used to help ensure that the most equitable and feasible actions would be undertaken based on the City’s unique capabilities.

Table 5-1
STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria
STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
Social
• Is the proposed action socially acceptable to the jurisdiction and surrounding community?
• Are there equity issues involved that would mean that one segment of the jurisdiction and/or community is treated unfairly?
• Will the action cause social disruption?
Technical
• Will the proposed action work?
• Will it create more problems than it solves?
• Does it solve a problem or only a symptom?
• Is it the most useful action in light of other jurisdiction goals? 214
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Table 5-1 (continued)
STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria
STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
Administrative
• Can the jurisdiction implement the action?
• Is there someone to coordinate and lead the effort?
• Is there sufficient funding, staff, and technical support available? • Are there ongoing administrative requirements that need to be met? Political • Is the action politically acceptable?
• Is there public support both to implement and to maintain the project? Legal
• Is the jurisdiction authorized to implement the proposed action? • Are there legal side effects? Could the activity be construed as a taking? • Will the jurisdiction be liable for action or lack of action? • Will the activity be challenged?
Economic
• What are the costs and benefits of this action?
• Do the benefits exceed the costs?
• Are initial, maintenance, and administrative costs taken into account? • Has funding been secured for the proposed action? If not, what are the potential funding sources (public, nonprofit, and private)?
• How will this action affect the fiscal capability of the jurisdiction? • What burden will this action place on the tax base or local economy? • What are the budget and revenue effects of this activity? • Does the action contribute to other jurisdiction goals? • What benefits will the action provide?
Environmental
• How will the action affect the environment?
• Will the action need environmental regulatory approvals? • Will it meet local and state regulatory requirements? • Are endangered or threatened species likely to be affected? FEMA requires local governments to analyze the benefits and costs of a range of mitigation actions that can reduce the effects of each hazard within their communities.

Benefit-cost analysis is used in hazard mitigation to show if the benefits to life and property protected through mitigation efforts exceed the cost of the mitigation activity.

Conducting benefit-cost analysis for a mitigation activity can assist communities in determining whether a project is worth undertaking now in order to avoid disaster-related damages later. The analysis is based on calculating the frequency and severity of a hazard, avoided future damages, and risk.

A hazard mitigation plan must demonstrate that a process was employed which emphasized a review of benefits and costs when prioritizing the mitigation actions. The benefit-cost review must be comprehensive to the extent that it can evaluate the monetary as well as the nonmonetary benefits and costs associated with each action. The benefitcost review should at least consider the following questions:
• How many people will benefit from the action?
• How large an area is impacted?
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• How critical are the facilities that benefit from the action (e.g., which is more beneficial to protect, the fire station or the administrative building)? • Environmentally, does it make sense to implement this project for the overall community?
More details regarding specific funding mechanisms (both internal funding and grant resources) are provided within Table 5-2, Hazard Mitigation Actions, below.

The previous 2018 Tuolumne County MJHMP identified 46 mitigation actions that applied to the City of Sonora. The LHMP Planning Team reviewed previous mitigation actions and determined that actions included in the 2018 Tuolumne County MJHMP - Sonora Annex were not specific to the planning area, and included several actions outside of the jurisdiction/responsibility of the City of Sonora. Because many actions were outside of the jurisdiction and/or responsibility of the City of Sonora, there was limited progress to consider or evaluate as part of this LHMP. Therefore, all the mitigation actions from the Sonora Annex were eliminated and replaced with the city-specific mitigation actions below.

The LHMP Planning Team worked together to identify mitigation actions and establish the responsible department, priority level and timeline. The process used is outlined below:
• Review of the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment presented in Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment;
• Review of the Capabilities Assessment presented in Section 5.3, Capabilities Assessment of this Plan;
• Review of the results of the community survey and feedback received as part of the community outreach; and,
• The LHMP Planning Team’s discussion of concerns/issues that need to be addressed to reduce hazards to critical facilities and the community.

Table 5-2, Hazard Mitigation Actions, identifies the mitigation action, hazard(s) addressed, agency and/or department responsible for implementation, potential funding source(s), timeline for implementation, and priority. The timeline for implementation is defined as follows:
• Ongoing: currently in process; or 1-2 years and ongoing thereafter; • Short-Term: 1 to 2 years;
• Medium-Term: 3 to 4 years; and
• Long-Term: 5+ years.

Mitigation actions below may be funded through the City budget, particularly mitigation actions identified as “ongoing”. However, the City will also explore funding for specific 216
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mitigation actions through local, State, or federal grant programs. Potential grant programs or funding mechanisms are identified for specific mitigation actions as applicable, below.

The City maintains and annually updates a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget that identifies priority City projects and major equipment purchases for all City departments. Identified capital improvement projects were integrated into the LHMP mitigation actions where appropriate for projects with a nexus to resilience or natural hazards. In addition, as part of the annual review and update of the CIP budget, mitigation actions will be reviewed and integrated.

All mitigation actions considered for the City were ultimately included in the LHMP and Table 5-2, Hazard Mitigation Actions. There were no mitigation actions considered but ultimately excluded from the LHMP. The mitigation action development process is carefully documented in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation and was a key area of focus during all focus group meetings and Stakeholder Meeting #2. Appendix B also documents revisions, comments, and feedback, from the LHMP Planning Team, Project Management staff and the City’s consultants, Michael Baker International and CSG consultants.
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Table 5-2
Hazard Mitigation Actions
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 1 Evaluate pricing plans for satellite internet providers (such as Starlink, HughesNet, or Viaset) as a back-up communication method during emergency scenarios, where power or cable internet service is unavailable for extended periods of time. Seek grant funding and community partners (such as the local school districts) for costsharing purposes.

All Hazards
Internal: Public Works Department, Police
Department, Fire Department.

External: Sonora Elementary School District,
Sonora Union High School District, Tuolumne
County OES.

FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant, Emergency Operations Center Grant Program [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area] Medium Long-Term
2 Promote opportunities to volunteer and partner with the American Red Cross – Gold Country Region through existing City communication channels, such as social media, City newsletters and public hearings. Promote Red Cross programming efforts such as Red Cross Month. Connect local community groups with Red Cross programming and resources.

All Hazards
Internal: Administration Department,
Community Development Department.

External: American Red Cross.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
3 Encourage residents and community leaders to participate in Red Cross training programs, including basic shelter training and shelter supervisor training. Partner with local and County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Search and Rescue Teams to participate in Red Cross training programs, such as first aid and CPR.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development
Department, Administration Department.

External: American Red Cross.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
4 Establish a Social Services Impact Fee, development fees to fund increased demands on police and fire department services, and help public safety agencies maintain adequate personnel and response times during emergency incidents.

All Hazards
Internal: Administration, Community
Development, Sonora Fire Department,
Sonora Police Department. Staff time, City General fund. Medium Medium-Term 5 Seek grant funding for a City-wide evacuation study, to evaluate the local roadway system capacity and limitations during a hazard incident. Identify roadways that do not meet current code width and turning-radius standards, and neighborhoods with limited opportunities for ingress/egress. Identify areas where on-street parking could be reduced or limited to allow for improved emergency access. Use the planning process to identify recommended transportation improvements, implementation, and phasing.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development
Department, Public Works Department,
Administration Department, Police
Department, Fire Department.

CalFire: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program.

Medium Medium-Term
6 Integrate City-wide evacuation considerations and best practices into the City Emergency Operations Plan Update.

Identify areas where traffic lanes can accommodate one way egress out of the planning area, or roadway shoulders could be utilized as emergency evacuation lanes. Include considerations for evacuations during business hours or holiday weekends, when City population can peak at 25,000 individuals.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development
Department, Public Works Department,
Administration Department, Police
Department, Fire Department.

Staff time, City General fund. High Short-Term
7 Identify key locations to construct off-street parking garages to reduce on-street parking and improve emergency ingress/egress. Focus priority within downtown Sonora and older neighborhoods where residential units do not have garage or off-street parking space.

All Hazards
Internal: Public Works Department,
Community Development Department, Sonora
Fire Department, Sonora Police Department.

For Site Identification/Feasibility - Staff time, City General fund.

For Off-Street Parking Construction -
FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

High Long-Term
8 Seek grant funding to purchase radio communications systems for use in emergency situations where other forms of communication are not available. Establish internal communication protocols for use of the radio communication systems and identify key points of contact within City Departments. Partner with external agencies such as local school districts and Adventist Health to expand the radio communications network in case of an emergency.

All Hazards
Internal: Fire Department, Police Department,
Administration Department.

External: Adventist Health, Sonora
Elementary School District, Sonora Union High
School District.

FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant, Emergency Operations Center Grant Program. [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area] Medium Long-Term
9 Seek grant funding to purchase a mobile command unit or trailer, for public safety agencies to stage emergency operations and dispatch in close proximity to the emergency incident. Include communication technology/radio dispatch, workstations, and storage compartments. Consider partnerships with external public safety agencies for cost sharing and maintenance.

All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Sonora
Police Department, Administration
Department.

External: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office,
Tuolumen County Fire Department, Cal FIRE –
TCU.

FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant, Emergency Operations Center Grant Program. [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area] Low Long-Term
10 Purchase a mobile cell site on a rapid-deployment unit for use during Power Safety Shut Offs (PSPS). All Hazards Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Sonora
Police Department, Administration
Department.

FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant, Emergency Operations Center Grant Program. [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area] Low Long-Term
11 Purchase equipment for the City Emergency Operations Center in accordance with FEMA’s Authorized Equipment List. High priority equipment includes: computers, phones, portable dispatch modules, radios, personal protective equipment, office supplies, and tools.

All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Sonora
Police Department, Administration
Department.

Mitigation Actions 5-7 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-2 (continued)
Hazard Mitigation Actions
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 12 Build a new or renovated Police Station and Emergency Dispatch, that meets both the department’s requirements and community safety needs. Ensure new or renovated construction incorporates current building code requirements, security concerns, and updated technology that would ensure the Police Station would withstand natural disasters.

Identify operational and functional deficiencies with the current Police Station (Critical Facility #3) to inform key upgrade components in the new or renovated Police Station.

All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Police Department,
Administration Department, Public Works
Department.

FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant, Emergency Operations Center Grant Program. [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area] Medium Long-Term
13 Participate in regular safety and public awareness campaigns regarding natural and human-caused hazards, and partner with local stakeholders to distribute awareness materials. Include best practices and awareness for emergency evacuations and shelter-in-place orders. Include considerations for “hard to reach groups”, such as senior citzens, disabled persons, or low income households, who may not consume traditional media or outreach approaches.

All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Sonora
Police Department, Administration
Department.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
14 Partner with the Red Cross to identify additional shelter locations within the City suitable for use during a variety of natural or human-caused hazard scenarios. Continue to assist the Red Cross with proactively staging required shelter equipment and resources.

All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Sonora
Police Department.

External: American Red Cross.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
15 Promote communication/programming efforts from the Area 12 Agency on Aging organization related to natural hazard preparedness and emergency evacuation for senior citizens. All Hazards Internal: Community Development,
Administration Department.

External: Area 12 Agency
Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
16 Advocate for PG&E to continue undergrounding powerlines within the planning area, along with supporting enhanced powerline safety settings and other grid strengthening projects to reduce Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) incidents.

All Hazards
Internal: Public Works Department,
Community Development Department.

External: PG&E
Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
17 Use Mobile LiDAR to create a pavement management database, sign inventory and other asset management uses. All Hazards Internal: Public Works Department, Administration Department.

USDA: Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program
FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

Low Long-Term
18 Establish incentive pay structure for police and fire department staff to participate in specialized training, such as the Public Information Officer Program, Standardized Emergency Management System (Disaster Response), or similar. All Hazards Internal: Fire Department, Police Department, Administration Department. Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing 19 Support Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) in ongoing efforts to acquire assets from PG&E, and maintenance/ improvements on the local water flume system. All Hazards Internal: Public Works Department.

External: Tuolumne Utilities District, PG&E
Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
20 Continue conducting mobile outreach to homeless or transient individuals in the planning area. Use outreach efforts to connect individuals with shelters and social services offered by the City and Tuolumne County. All Hazards Internal: Sonora Police Department.

External: Tuolumne County Department of
Social Services.

California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency:

Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program, Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD):

Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG)
High Ongoing
21 Establish an online database for code enforcement, violation, and inspection procedures. All Hazards Internal: Community Development, Public Works Department. Staff time, City General fund. Medium Short-Term 22 Seek grant funding to implement the Main Drain Improvement Project, as identified in the Main Drain Field Inspection and Condition Assessment Technical Memorandum. Main Drain improvements are anticipated to enhance stormwater flows and reduce flooding in Downtown Sonora but may convey stormwater flows beyond system capacity downstream in Sonora Creek. In addition to Main Drain Improvements, also identify and fund solutions to mitigate flooding at the Main Drain outlet structure on the 100 block of W Stockton Street (SR 49) and other downstream facilities.

Multiple Hazards
(Flood; Severe Weather
[Ice/Hail/Snowstorm])
Internal: Finance Department, Public Works
Department.

FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

High Priority Medium-Term
23 Continue to enforce City Ordinance Number 889 added to the City Municipal Code Chapter 9.61, prohibiting camping, occupying camp facilities, or using camp paraphernalia within 25-feet of critical infrastructure or areas designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The purpose of this ordinance is to mitigate the threat of wildfire and damage to critical infrastructure.

Multiple Hazards
(Hazardous Materials;
Wildfire)
Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Sonora
Police Department. Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing 24 Continue to enforce City Ordinance Number 888 added to the City Municipal code Chapter 9.62, alleviating hazardous conditions of encampments by authorizing the Public Works Department or other authorized agent to conduct temporary clean and clear operations and permanent encampment closures as necessary to protect the public welfare, health and safety. The purpose of this ordinance is to mitigate the threat of wildfire and damage to critical infrastructure.

Multiple Hazards
(Hazardous Materials;
Wildfire)
Internal: Public Works Department. Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing 25 Seek grant funding to purchase permanent and emergency generators in coordination with community stakeholders.

At a minimum, coordinate to purchase: (1) two generators in partnership with Sonora High School, to allow for extended shelter in place during power outages and (2) back-up power solutions and battery energy storage system (BESS) in partnership with Adventist Health, to maintain standard of health care during power outages.

Multiple Hazards
(Severe Weather
[Extreme Heat,
Windstorms, Power
Outage]; Wildfire)
Internal: Public Works Department,
Administration Department.

External: Sonora High School, Adventist
Health.

FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

High Medium-Term
219
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-8 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-2 (continued)
Hazard Mitigation Actions
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 26 Support long-term microgrid projects strategically located at critical facilities to avoid extended power outages during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) incidents. Co-locate and cost-share microgrid projects between multiple critical facilities where feasible, such as Adventist Health (Critical Facility #30 and 31) and Sonora Elementary School (Critical Facility #26).

Multiple Hazards
(Severe Weather
[Extreme Heat,
Windstorms, Power
Outage]; Wildfire)
Internal: Public Works Department,
Administration Department.

External: Adventist Health, Sonora
Elementary School District, Sonora Union High
School District.

FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Medium Long-Term
27 Partner with Sonora High School and conduct a feasibility study with a traffic engineer to re-align ingress/egress, allowing adequate flow of traffic during emergency scenarios. Consider locating a bus turnout along West School Street to allow for two-way traffic during peak pick-up/drop-off times. Consider alternative striping and flow of traffic options for the surface parking lot at the intersection of West School Street/Snell Street.

Multiple Hazards
(Human-Caused
Hazards [Active
Shooter/Mass
Casualty]; Wildfire)
Internal: Public Works Department.

External: Sonora Union High School District.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Medium-Term
28 Identify opportunities to expand capacity of Woods Creek such as riprap, dredging, or vegetation clearance programs to avoid overtopping or flooding at critical facilities. Coordinate stormwater capacity efforts with Main Drain Improvements.

Multiple Hazards
(Flood; Severe Weather
[Ice/Hail/Snowstorm])
Internal: Public Works Department.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Flood Mitigation Assistance; Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

DWR: Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Grant Program
High Long-Term
29 Promote the PG&E Report It app as a means to report hazardous trees or vegetation conditions, or other nonemergency concerns related to PG&E infrastructure.

Multiple Hazards
(Severe Weather
[Extreme Heat,
Windstorms, Power
Outage]; Wildfire)
Internal: Sonora Fire Department,
Administration Department.

External: PG&E.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
30 Promote and publicize local trash clean ups hosted by community groups such as 1 Pile at a Time and other volunteer organizations.

Multiple Hazards
(Hazardous Materials;
Wildfire)
Internal: Community Development
Department, Administration Department.

External: 1 Pile at a Time and other
community-based volunteer organizations.

Staff time, City General fund Low Ongoing
31 Support Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) public outreach efforts regarding drought and water conservation. Develop communication methods targeted to underserved communities or vulnerable populations, who may be uniquely impacted by water surcharges or other drought-related fee increases.

Drought
Internal: Community Development
Department, Administration Department.

External: Tuolumne Utilities District.

Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
32 Proactively monitor drought conditions and water conservation warnings issued by State agencies or Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD). Drought
Internal: Community Development
Department, Administration Department.

External: Tuolumne Utilities District
Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing
33 Improve the bridge at Southgate Drive over Sonora Creek (Critical Facility #10), to remain passable during major flood events. If bridge improvements are determined to be infeasible, then work to establish a secondary access point to allow for ingress/egress to the Sonora WTP and residential community off of Southgate Drive during heavy rains.

Options could include another access point between Southgate Drive and West Stockton Street (SR-49), or obtaining an easement to connect Gerrymander Avenue with West Sunset Street.

Flood
Internal: Public Works Department.

External: Caltrans
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Flood Mitigation Assistance; Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Medium Long-Term
34 Integrate key security measures at Sonora High School, including: electronic key card access system for school buildings and classrooms, strategic fencing around the campus, security lighting, alert/communication systems, and camera systems with remote access for police tie-in. Proactively stage emergency supplies in each classroom, including go buckets with ready to eat foods and pop-up restrooms for prolonged shelter in place scenarios.

Replenish/replace emergency supplies as required.

Human-Caused
Hazards (Active
Shooter/Mass Casualty)
Internal: Sonora Police Department.

External: Sonora Union High School District.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Flood Mitigation Assistance; Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Medium Ongoing
35 Host an inter-agency active shooter training, utilizing Adventist Health facilities as a training exercise location. Partner with external public safety agencies to ensure adequate fire and police coverage within the planning area during the active shooter training. Seek grants to support annual training and resourcing.

Human-Caused
Hazards (Active
Shooter/Terrorism/Mass
Casualty)
Internal: All Sonora City Departments
External: Adventist Health
FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area]
Medium Ongoing
36 Enhance the City server and Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities to promote cybersecurity. Establish one computer network for all City Departments (including Police and Fire Departments) to maximize file sharing and communication capabilities, while reducing redundancy.

Human-Caused
Hazards (Cyberattacks) Internal: Administration Department.

FEMA: State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area]
Low Ongoing
37 Coordinate with the Sonora Police and Fire Departments to enhance communication and intelligence for political/social instances that would result in civil disturbance or unrest.

Human-Caused
Hazards (Civil
Disturbance)
Internal: Police Department, Fire Department,
Administration Department. Staff time, City General fund. Medium Ongoing 38 Continue to coordinate with Tuolumne County regarding aircraft and flight safety regulations implemented at Columbia Airport. Continue to promote the City of Sonora as a Noise Sensitive Area, and advocate aircraft traveling to Columbia Airport to avoid low flying over people/property or creating excessive noise.

Human-Caused
Hazards (Aircraft
Accident)
Internal: Administration Department.

External: Tuolumne County Department of
Public Works/Airport Management Staff
Staff time, City General fund. Low Ongoing
220
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-9 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-2 (continued)
Hazard Mitigation Actions
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 39 Support Sonora High School in mitigating Dunlavy Stadium landslide concerns by installing a French Drain to direct surface water and groundwater flows away from structures and building foundations. Landslide Internal: Administration Department.

External: Sonora Union High School District.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Flood Mitigation Assistance; Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

DWR: Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Grant Program
Medium Long-Term
40 Consider using ground penetrating radar to map historic underground tunnels/mines for use in evaluating sinkhole risk/vulnerability. Integrate digital as-built conditions with historic data and mining maps. Landslide/Sinkholes Internal: Public Works Department FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Low Long-Term
41 Continue to coordinate with Tuolumne County Public Health Department and follow the most recent guidance to address pandemics, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic Internal: Administration Department.

External: Tuolumne
County Public Health Department
Staff time, City General fund. Low Ongoing
42 Support Sonora Elementary School in seeking grant funding to conduct seismic retrofits at historic dome structure.

Seismic Hazards
(Fault Rupture,
Groundshaking)
Internal: Administration Department.

External: Sonora Elementary School District
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Low Long-Term
43 Identify historic structures in need of seismic retrofit and prioritize implementation as funding becomes available.

Seismic Hazards
(Fault Rupture,
Groundshaking)
Internal: Public Works Department Staff time, City general fund. Low Ongoing 44 Purchase an Air Conditioning Unit and install HVAC systems at the Sonora High School gym annex, for use as a community cooling center during extreme heat events.

Severe Weather
(Extreme Heat)
Internal: Finance Department, Public Works
Department
External: Sonora High School
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

OPR: Adaptation Planning Grant Program; Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation Grant Program
Medium Medium-Term
45 Continue to distribute severe weather alerts, warnings, and advisories from the National Weather Service (NWS).

Ensure community members are aware of severe weather risks and have adequate notice to prepare.

Severe Weather
(Ice/Hail/Snowstorm,
Thunder/Lightening,
Tornado)
Internal: Sonora Police Department, Sonora
Fire Department, Administration Department. Staff time, City general fund. High Ongoing 46 Extend the life of backup battery power on City traffic signals. Identify streetlights where backup battery power would be most beneficial to facilitate safe ingress/egress in the community.

Severe Weather
(Extreme Heat,
Windstorm, Power
Outage)
Internal: Public Works Department.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

USDA: The Rural Energy Pilot Program (REPP)
Medium Long-Term
47 Partner with PG&E to promote the Generator and Battery Rebate program, to incentivize residents and businesses to purchase back-up generators for use during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.

Severe Weather
(Extreme Heat,
Windstorm, Power
Outage)
Internal: Public Works Department.

External: PG&E.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Medium Ongoing
48 Monitor the National Volcano Early Warning System and Eruption Forecasts for the Long Valley Caldera/Mono-Inyo Volcano Chain. If Volcano Eruption Warning or Watch conditions are issued, distribute relevant safety messaging from USGS and regional public safety partners.

Volcano Internal: Sonora Fire Department. Staff time, City General fund. Low Ongoing 49 Work with the City Fire Department, Tuolumne County Fire Department, and Cal FIRE to evaluate advancements in wildfire fighting, detection, and suppression technology. Where appropriate, partner to fund or purchase technology identified to have benefits all across multiple public safety agency jurisdictions.

Wildfire
Internal: Sonora Fire Department.

External: Tuolumne County Fire Department,
Cal FIRE.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program
High Medium-Term
50 Work with Caltrans to establish sufficient defensible space and vegetation management programs along major evacuation corridors, including State Route 49 (SR 49) and State Route 108 (SR 108). Seek grant funding to complete roadside clearing within the City right-of-way.

Wildfire
Internal: Public Works Department.

External: Caltrans.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

USDA/US Forest Service: Community Wildfire Defense Grant Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program
High Ongoing
51 Coordinate with the City Council to adopt an advocacy agenda regarding the unique impacts associated with homelessness/unregulated camping and wildfire vulnerability/risk within the planning area. Highlight state policy and regulations regarding homelessness that are inconsistent with best practices for public safety in high wildfire hazard zones. Establish lines of communication for advocacy through local State Assembly and State Senators. Consider partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions or public safety agencies with similar advocacy agendas. Consider contracting with a professional advocacy or lobbyist consultant to advance the City’s agenda.

Wildfire Internal: Administration Department and City
Council. Staff time, City General fund. High Short-Term 52 Partner with the American Red Cross Sound the Alarm program, to help distribute and install free smoke detectors in homes. Prioritize distribution and installation within the Social Vulnerable Population (SVP) (Census Tract 12), or within other small neighborhood/communities where populations are known to have characteristics associated with social vulnerability. Promote the Sound the Alarm program through existing City communication channels.

Wildfire
Internal: Fire Department.

External: American Red Cross
Staff time, City General fund. High Ongoing
221
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-10 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-2 (continued)
Hazard Mitigation Actions
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 53 Establish two or three critical facilities within the City that are suitable for a designated shelter in place during a wildfire scenario. Facilities for consideration include: Sonora High School, Sonora Elementary School, Adventist Health Pavilion Laboratory, and commercial centers/surface parking lots at the intersection of SR 108 and Old Wards Ferry Road. Identify opportunities to make each designated shelter in place location more resistant to wildfire hazards, such as expanding defensible space around the property, upgrading construction materials to be ignition resistant, and proactively staging emergency response equipment/materials. Seek grant funding for such improvements.

Wildfire
Internal: Public Works Department, Sonora
Fire Department, Administration Department.

External: Adventist Health Pavilion
Laboratory, Sonora Union High School District,
Sonora Elementary School District.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC).

Cal OES: California Wildfire Mitigation Program, PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

USDA/US Forest Service: Community Wildfire Defense Grant Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program
High Long-Term
54 Secure grant funding to implement a community wildfire retrofit program for property owners within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Replicate the California Wildfire Mitigation Program pilot Home Hardening project, where FEMA grant funding is distributed through the local jurisdiction to eligible private property owners to conduct wildfire retrofits. Wildfire retrofits could include ignition resistant siding, roofs, decks, eaves, attic vents, fencing, windows and gutters. Retrofits could also be used to establish a defensible space around property, including removal of flammable vegetation, mulch, or tree branches within five feet of the property. Establish a system to prioritize retrofits for residents with social-vulnerability characteristics, such as poverty status, disability status or aged over 65.

Wildfire Internal: Public Works Department, Sonora
Fire Department, Administration Department.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Cal OES: California Wildfire Mitigation Program, California Wildfire Mitigation Program, PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program
USDA/US Forest Service: Community Wildfire Defense Grant High Long-Term
55 Seek grant funding to prepare a comprehensive wildfire behavior model for the planning area to aid in wildfire suppression efforts. Wildfire Internal: Public Works Department, Sonora Fire Department, Administration Department.

Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program
USDA/US Forest Service: Community Wildfire Defense Grant High Long-Term
56 Prepare a strategic plan addressing the homelessness crisis in partnership with the County. Include consideration for risk and vulnerability associated with unauthorized camping and wildfire within the planning area and larger region.

Seek grant funding to prepare the strategic plan.

Wildfire
Internal: Police Department, Administration
Department.

External: Amador Tuolumne Community
Action Agency (ATCAA), Toulumne County
Department of Social Services.

FEMA: Homeless Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG-CV)
State of California: Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency:

Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program, Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program
High Long-Term
57 Establish a comprehensive vegetation management and fuel reduction program applicable to the entirety of the City.

Work with the City Fire Department to identify areas with high wildfire hazard risk as top priority for fuel clearance and reduction. Prioritize the removal of hazardous vegetation and trees that are confirmed invasive (non-native species), dead, dying or infested with bark beetles. Work with a contractor to estimate fuel reduction pricing to apply for Cal FIRE or Cal OES/FEMA grant funding.

Wildfire
Internal: Sonora Fire Department, Public
Works Department, Community Development
Department.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program, Forest Health Program CalOES: California Wildfire Mitigation Program, California Wildfire Mitigation Program, PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

High Long-Term
58 Promote a culture of volunteerism and “neighbors-helping-neighbors” regarding vegetation management and fuel reduction on private property. Partner with local nonprofits/community organizations such as the Sonora Sunrise Rotary, Sonora Lions Club or Cub Scouts or CERT to help elderly or disabled community members with vegetation management and fuel reduction on their property.

Wildfire
Internal: Sonora Fire Department.

External: Sonora Sunrise Rotary, Sonora
Lions Club, Club Scouts and similar
organizations.

FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Cal FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program
CalOES: California Wildfire Mitigation Program, California Wildfire Mitigation Program, PrepareCA Match; PrepareCA Jump Start.

Medium Long-Term
59 Support Tuolumne County Social Services efforts to construct and manage a homeless shelter in Tuolumne County (outside of the planning area), to reduce unauthorized camping within and adjacent to the planning area. Wildfire Internal: Sonora Police Department
External: Tuolumne County Social Services,
Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency
(ATCAA)
FEMA: Homeless Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG-CV)
State of California: Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency:

Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program, Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program
High Ongoing
60 Expand Sonora Police Department homeless mobile outreach and support system. Seek funding to create paid staff positions to conduct mobile outreach, along with expanded resources and training to support the outreach. Connect homeless individuals resources offered by Tuolumne County/local nonprofits. Conduct a community outreach campaign to educate residents on constructive charitable giving to support the mobile outreach program.

Wildfire
Internal: Sonora Police Department.

External: External: Amador Tuolumne
Community Action Agency (ATCAA)
FEMA: Homeless Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG-CV)
State of California: Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency:

Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program, Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program
High Long-Term
61 Comprehensively update the City General Plan, including all technical studies to support such an update. Seek grant funding for a consultant to prepare the General Plan Update, EIR, technical studies, and community outreach. All Hazards Internal: Community Development Department, Administration Department. OPR: Adaptation Planning Grant Program Medium Long-Term 62 Install gasoline and electric vehicle charging stations at the City Public Works Yard (Critical Facility #7) for use by City owned police and fire vehicles. All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Public Works Department,
Police Department, Fire Department,
Administrative Department.

California Energy Commission: California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) [EV infrastructure only]
Medium Medium-Term
63 Strategically locate and secure radio repeaters within the planning area to extend the reach of public safety radio systems. Co-locate repeaters with other communication or public infrastructure to decrease security and maintenance costs.

All Hazards
Internal: Sonora Public Works Department,
Police Department, Fire Department,
Administrative Department.

FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant [City may be required to submit grant as a subapplicant under the Tuolumne County Operational Area]
Medium Medium-Term
222
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-11 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
This capabilities assessment is designed to identify existing local agencies, personnel, planning tools, public policy and programs, technology, and funds that have the capability to support hazard mitigation activities and strategies outlined in this Plan. To create this capability assessment, the LHMP Planning Team collaborated to identify current local capabilities and mechanisms available to the City for reducing damage from future natural hazard events. These capabilities and resources were reviewed while developing the LHMP.

The City has resources to support the implementation of mitigation actions including:
• Planning and regulatory capabilities are based on the implementation of ordinances, policies, local laws, and State statutes, and plans and programs that relate to guiding and managing growth and development.
• Administrative and technical capabilities refer to the staff and their skills and tools that can be used for mitigation planning and to implement specific mitigation actions. It also refers to the ability to access and coordinate these resources effectively.
• Financial capabilities are the resources that a jurisdiction has access to or is eligible to use to fund mitigation actions.
• Education and outreach capabilities are programs and methods already in place that could be used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazardrelated information.

Refer to Table 5-3, City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment below for a summary of City capabilities.

Table 5-3
City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department Description/Comments
Planning and Regulatory
City of Sonora General
Plan 2020
Community Development
Department
The City of Sonora General Plan establishes the overall vision for growth and development in the City and provides goals/policies to guide municipal decision-making. The
General Plan provides the framework for the
implementation of the LHMP mitigation actions. The Safety Element identifies hazards that could impact the
community and establishes policy for the preparation and update of the LHMP.
223
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-12 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-3 (Continued)
City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department Description/Comments
Planning and Regulatory (continued)
Zoning Ordinances Community Development
Department
The City of Sonora Zoning Code implements the General
Plan by establishing regulations for land use control within the City, including where and how development occurs.

Zoning is used to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of a community. The City can use the Zoning Code to implement mitigation actions to reduce risks associated with future development.

Building Codes, Permitting
and Inspections
Community Development
Department
The City Building Code regulates how buildings are
constructed. The City adopts the State Building Code with amendments, as applicable. Mitigation actions to construct buildings at safer standards to enhance resilience could be considered as part of future building code updates.

City of Sonora Proposed
Operating and Capital
Improvement Budget
(2022/2023)
Administrative Services
Department
The Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Budget
guides the scheduling of spending of construction,
maintenance and repair of City facilities and infrastructure.

The plan encompasses projects associated with public
infrastructure and equipment such as roads, urban runoff facilities, and traffic signals. Projects are based on
improvement, maintenance, and renovation of
infrastructure. The CIP can identify and fund mitigation actions related to City facilities and infrastructure.

Sonora Emergency
Operations Plan
City Administrator The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) establishes the City’s planned response to extraordinary emergency
situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies. The plan
outlines strategies for various processes and actions that enable the City to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster and/or emergency. The EOP identifies
components of the Sonora emergency response
organization and describes the overall responsibilities of the City in protecting life and development. Together, the EOP and LHMP provide a mitigation and response
strategy to hazard events.

City of Sonora Main Drain
Field Inspection and
Condition Assessment
(Oct. 2023)
Public Works Department The Sonora Main Drain serves as the principal stormwater conveyance system for large areas within the City of
Sonora. The field inspection and condition assessment
report of the Main Drain serves as a basis for possible repair, rehabilitation, or replacement options which were incorporated into mitigation actions of this LHMP.
2020 Urban Water
Management Plan for
Tuolumne Utilities District
Tuolumne Utilities District The Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) provides a detailed summary of present and future water supplies and demands within TUD’s service area and assesses water
resource needs. The UWMP informs action on managing
and mitigating the effects of drought and climate change. 224
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-13 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-3 (Continued)
City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department Description/Comments
Planning and Regulatory
Tuolumne County 2018
Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Tuolumne County The Tuolumne County MJHMP identified hazard risk and mitigation strategies for the City of Sonora and surrounding areas which were incorporated into the Sonora LHMP
hazard profiles, risk and vulnerability assessment and
mitigation strategy.

Tuolumne County
Emergency Operations
Plan
Tuolumne County The Tuolumne County identifies the County’s planned response to extraordinary emergency situations
associated with natural disasters. Coordination with the County and surrounding agencies and jurisdictions was
developed in cooperation with the procedures in the
County EOP.

Administrative and Technical
City Council City Administration Office City Council is the legislative body for the City of Sonora and establishes overall policy direction and
implementation. City Council will ultimately be
responsible for adopting the LHMP and implementing
mitigation actions.

City Administrator City Administrator The City Administrator supports the development and implementation of the LHMP by allocating the appropriate staff and resources. The City Administrator will be
involved in mitigation actions by providing support for their establishment and implementation.

Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department provides centralized finance, human resources, and information technology
support.

Community Development
Department
Community Development
Department
The Community Development Department provides a
combination of Building and Planning services, as well as grant funded programs, projects and special events. This Department is responsible for coordinating the
enforcement of the California Building Code and related City Ordinances, Policies and Procedures concerning the construction of residential, commercial, or industrial
projects within the City limits of Sonora. The Community Development Department will also be responsible for
implementing various mitigation actions outlined in this LHMP.

Fire Department Fire Department The Sonora Fire Department provides all risk/all hazard emergency services to the City of Sonora and
surrounding areas of Tuolumne County.

Police Department Police Department The Sonora Police Department will be a key component of implementing mitigation actions, including but not
limited to, coordinating and communicating with the public and other agencies, ensuring safe and efficient
evacuations and, if necessary, providing or participating in emergency response training.
225
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-14 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-3 (Continued)
City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department Description/Comments
Administrative and Technical (continued)
Public Works Department Public Works Department The Public Works Department conducts a variety of activities including street, sidewalk, and storm drain
maintenance; building maintenance and repair; park,
landscape, and cemetery operations, traffic signal
maintenance; and vehicle fleet maintenance. This
department will be integral in implementing mitigation
actions.

Planners or engineers with
knowledge of land
development and land
management practices
Community Development
Department; Public Works
Department
Specific knowledge and expertise from planners and
engineers was incorporated into all LHMP sections and
will continue to be utilized during mitigation
implementation and LHMP updates.

Planners or engineers
trained in building and/or
infrastructure construction
practices
Community Development
Department; Public Works
Department
Specific knowledge and expertise from planners and
engineers was incorporated into all LHMP sections and
will continue to be utilized during mitigation
implementation and LHMP updates.

Planners or engineers with
an understanding of
natural hazards
Community Development
Department; Public Works
Department
Specific knowledge and expertise from planners and
engineers was incorporated into all LHMP sections and
will continue to be utilized during mitigation
implementation and LHMP updates.

Financial
General Fund
N/A
Serves as the main operating fund for the City and is
used to finance the most common municipal functions
(e.g. police, fire, parks and recreation, etc.).

Capital Improvement
Program
N/A Long-range plan for individual capital improvement
projects and funding sources. Projects are considered
unique construction projects that provide improvements
or additions such as land, buildings, and infrastructure.

Development Impact Fees N/A Sonora Community Development Department collects development impact fees during the plan check and
permitting process, to off-set infrastructure improvements and increased service demand related to new
developments.

California Governor’s
Office of Emergency
Services
N/A Cal OES is responsible for overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery and
homeland security activities within California. Cal OES regularly dispatches team members to join first
responders, emergency leaders and those affected by
disasters that threaten public safety, to provide
information essential to the public. Cal OES can assist in obtaining funding for mitigation actions identified in the plan and providing guidance on future plan updates.

Additionally, Cal OES is responsible for administration and distribution of federal grant funding for the FEMA
grant programs listed above.
226
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-15 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-3 (Continued)
City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department Description/Comments
Financial
Federal Emergency
Management Agency –
Hazard Mitigation
Assistance Grants
N/A FEMA is the federal agency responsible for hazard
mitigation, emergency preparedness, and emergency
response and recovery activities. It provides guidance to State and local governments on hazard mitigation
activities, including best practices and how to comply with federal requirements. FEMA also provides funding for
hazard mitigation actions through three grant programs:

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood
Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant, and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). The HMGP
requires a presidential hazard declaration before funding is available; after a hazard is declared, grant applications can be submitted on a rotating basis. Both BRIC and
FMA applications typically open during the fall. Outside of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, FEMA also
administers Preparedness Grants and Resilience Grants
that may be applicable to future City projects.

Education and Outreach
American Red Cross and
Red Cross Disaster
Preparedness Programs
Coordination with the Fire and
Police Department, and other
City Departments as relevant
Provide access to natural hazard information and
resources, as well as educational and training programs.

Promoting participation in American Red Cross
educational and training programs would serve to
mitigate hazards by increasing awareness and
preparedness.

Staff Training Coordination with the Fire and
Police Department, and other
City Departments as relevant
The City provides staff training on emergency response
and preparedness. Mitigation actions may include
updating or enhancing staff training on emergency
response and preparedness.

City Website Admistrative Services
Department
The website provides news and announcements to the
community, including community events related to safety and emergency preparedness and mitigation. It
maintains information and resources pertaining to
hazards and mitigation. The City Website provides an
opportunity to convey information and implement
mitigation actions specific to educating and informing the community regarding all hazards and ways to reduce
impacts from the hazards.

How can these capabilities be expanded upon and improved to reduce risk? Multiple mitigation measures are priority projects to expand on Sonora’s capabilities, including new plans and programs.

Examples of opportunities to expand capabilities include the following mitigation actions:

Planning/Regulatory: Sonora High School feasibility study to re-align ingress/egress (Mitigation Action #27), Coordinate with City Council to establish an advocacy agenda (Mitigation Action #51), Prepare a comprehensive wildfire behavior model (Mitigation Action #55), Establish a comprehensive vegetation management and fuel reduction program (Mitigation Action #57), Comprehensively update the City General Plan, including all technical studies (Mitigation Action #61).

Admin/Technical: Enhance the City server and Virtual Private Network (Mitigation Action #36), Expand Sonora Police Department homeless mobile outreach and support system (Mitigation Action #60). 227
Item A.

Mitigation Actions 5-16 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Table 5-3 (Continued)
City of Sonora Capabilities Assessment
Financial: Establish a Social Services Impact Fee (Mitigation Action #4), Seek grant funding for a variety of mitigation projects (Mitigation Action #5, #8, #9, #54).

Education/Outreach: Promote opportunities to volunteer and partner with the American Red Cross (Mitigation Action #2), Participate in regular safety and public awareness campaigns (Mitigation Action #13), Promote programming efforts from the Area 12 on Aging), Host an inter-agency active shooter training (Mitigation Action #35), Partner with the American Red Cross Sound the Alarm Program (Mitigation Action #52), Promote a culture of volunteerism (Mitigation Action #58). 228
Item A.

Plan Maintenance 6-1 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
This section identifies the formal process that ensures the LHMP (or “Plan”) remains an active and relevant document for the City of Sonora. The Plan maintenance process includes a schedule for monitoring and evaluating the Plan annually, and producing an update every five years (to ensure the City maintains eligibility for federal and State hazard mitigation funding). This section also describes how the City will integrate public participation throughout Plan maintenance and implementation process. Finally, this section describes how City staff intend to incorporate the mitigation actions outlined in this Plan into existing planning mechanisms and programs.

Under the direction of the LHMP Project Management Team (comprised of the City Administrator and representatives from the Fire Department and Police Department), the LHMP Planning Team will be responsible for the on-going maintenance of this LHMP.

The Project Management Team will take the lead in LHMP maintenance by coordinating with the Planning Team, including undertaking the formal review process and updating the Plan. Key City departments and staff positions are identified below. • Administrative Services
• City Administrator
• Community Development
• Fire Department
• Information Technology
• Police Department
In addition to City staff, the following partner agencies who were part of the LHMP Planning Team should be included in the maintenance and update activities:
• Adventist Heath Sonora
• Amazon Studios
• American Red Cross
• ATCAA Homeless Shelter
• Cal Fire – TCU
• Columbia Community College
• Sonora Chamber of Commerce
• Sonora Elementary School District
• Sonora Union High School District
• Tuolumne County Association of Realtors
• Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors
• Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce
• Tuolumne County OES
• Tuolumne County Probation Department
• Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office
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Plan Maintenance 6-2 May 2024

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• Tuolumne County Superintendent of School
• Tuolumne County Transportation Council
• Visit Tuolumne County
• Yosemite Community College District
Although specific LHMP Planning Team and Project Management members may change, the City staff positions, departments and other partner agencies and organizations should continue to be included in the Plan implementation and maintenance process.

The LHMP Project Management Team will facilitate the LHMP Planning Team meetings and will assign tasks such as updating and presenting the Plan to other departments, stakeholder groups, and/or elected officials. The LHMP Planning Team will be responsible for maintaining and updating the Plan, and will coordinate implementation of the Plan through their respective positions and agencies. Plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all LHMP Planning Team members.

At a minimum, the ongoing annual LHMP Planning Team meeting will evaluate the progress of the Plan and incorporate the actions into other planning documents. This review will include the following:
• Summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their impacts on the community.
• Review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in the Plan. • Brief discussion about why targeted mitigation strategies were not completed. • Reevaluation of the mitigation actions to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs to be amended (such as changing a long-term project to a shortterm project due to funding availability). • Recommendations for new mitigation actions.
• Changes in, or potential for, new funding options/grant opportunities. • Integration of new GIS data and maps that can be used to inform the Plan. • Evaluation of any other planning programs or initiatives within the City that involve hazard mitigation.

The purpose of the annual evaluation will be to ensure consideration and implementation of the LHMP and document progress in order to inform the future LHMP update.

Section 201.6.(d)(3) of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires that local hazard mitigation plans be reviewed, revised if appropriate, and resubmitted for approval in order to remain eligible for benefits awarded under the DMA. Monitoring the progress of the mitigation actions will be on-going throughout the five-year period between the adoption of the LHMP and the next update effort. The LHMP Planning Team will meet 230
Item A.

Plan Maintenance 6-3 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
on an annual basis to monitor the status mitigation action implementation and develop updates as necessary.

The City intends to update the Plan on a five-year cycle from the date of its adoption. It is anticipated that this update process will occur one year prior to expiration of the existing Plan. This cycle may be accelerated to less than five years based on the following triggers:
• A presidential disaster declaration that impacts the City. • A hazard event that causes loss of life.

Should a significant disaster occur within the City, the LHMP Planning Team will reconvene to review and update the LHMP, as appropriate. The City Council will adopt written updates to the LHMP.

The intent of the update process will be to add new planning process methods, community profile data, hazard data and events, vulnerability analyses, mitigation actions, and goals to the adopted Plan so that the LHMP will always be current and up to date. Based on the needs identified by the LHMP Planning Team, the update will, at a minimum, include the elements below:

1. The update process will be convened through an LHMP Planning Team appointed by the City Administrator and will consist of at least one member of the Community Development Department to ensure consistency with the City’s General Plan.

2. The hazard risk assessment will be reviewed and updated using best available information and technologies on an annual basis.

3. The evaluation of critical structures and mapping will be updated and improved as funding becomes available.

4. The mitigation actions will be reviewed and revised to account for any actions completed, deferred, or changed to account for changes in the risk assessment or new City policies identified under other planning mechanisms, as appropriate (such as the City’s General Plan).

5. The draft update will be sent to appropriate agencies for comment.

6. The public will be given an opportunity to comment prior to adoption.

7. The Sonora City Council will adopt the updated LHMP.

The LHMP Planning Team will coordinate with responsible City departments and agencies/organizations identified for each mitigation action. These responsible departments and agencies/organizations will monitor and evaluate the progress made on the implementation of mitigation actions and report to the LHMP Planning Team on an annual basis. Working with the LHMP Planning Team, these responsible departments and agencies/organizations will be asked to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation actions and modify the mitigation actions as appropriate. The LHMP Mitigation Action Progress Report worksheet will assist mitigation leads in reporting on the status and assessing the effectiveness of the mitigation actions.
231
Item A.

Plan Maintenance 6-4 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
Information culminated from the City departments and external partners will be used to monitor mitigation actions and annual evaluation of the LHMP. The following questions will be considered as criteria for evaluating the Plan’s effectiveness:
• Has the nature or magnitude of hazards affecting the City changed? • Are there new hazards that have the potential to impact the City? • Do the identified goals and actions address current and expected conditions? • Have mitigation actions been implemented or completed? • Has the implementation of identified mitigation actions resulted in expected outcomes?
• Are current resources adequate to implement the LHMP? • Should additional local resources be committed to address identified hazards? An Annual LHMP Review Questionnaire worksheet will be used to provide guidance to the LHMP Planning Team on what should be included in the evaluation. Future updates to the LHMP will account for any new hazard vulnerabilities, special circumstances, or new information that becomes available. Issues that arise during monitoring and evaluating the LHMP, which require changes to the risk assessment, mitigation strategy and other components of the Plan, will be incorporated into the next update of the LHMP in 2029. The questions identified above will remain valid when preparing the 2029 Plan update.

Cal OES and FEMA are responsible for initial review and approval of the LHMP. After the plan check review process concludes, the Sonora City Council is responsible for adopting the LHMP. This formal adoption should take place every five years. Once the Plan has been adopted, the City’s Administrative Services Department will be responsible for final submission to the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Cal OES will then submit the Plan to FEMA for final review and approval.

The effectiveness of the LHMP depends on the implementation of the Plan and incorporation of the outlined mitigation action items into existing City plans, policies, and programs. The Plan includes a range of action items that, if implemented, would reduce loss from hazard events in the City. Together, the mitigation action items in the LHMP provide the framework for activities that the City may choose to implement over the next five years. The City has prioritized the Plan’s goals and identified actions that will be implemented (resources permitting) through existing plans, policies, and programs.

The City’s Administrative Services Department (City Administrator) has taken on the responsibility for overseeing the Plan’s implementation and maintenance through the City’s existing programs. The City Administrator, or designated appointee, will assume lead responsibility for facilitating LHMP implementation and maintenance meetings.

Although the City Administrative Services Department will have primary responsibility for 232
Item A.

Plan Maintenance 6-5 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
review, coordination, and promotion, plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all departments identified as lead departments in the mitigation action plan.

The LHMP can also build upon related planning efforts and mitigation programs that are already occurring within the City. This will also facilitate applying for funding opportunities as they become available. Progress on implementing mitigation actions through other City planning programs and mechanisms should be monitored and integrated into future updates.

By adopting a resolution to approve this LHMP, the City agrees to reference and incorporate the document into planning documents, programs, decisions, processes, and regulations. The LHMP will be reviewed and considered by internal City departments, as applicable plans or programs are created or updated in the future. Upon creating or updating new plans, programs or policies, City staff will review this LHMP and consider the following:
• What hazard and/or vulnerability information should be considered and/or integrated into this plan?
• Are there opportunities for this plan to support and/or implement mitigation actions?
• What mitigation actions can and should be integrated into this plan? • Are there other community mechanisms that mitigation can be integrated? • Is there information from this plan that can be integrated into the next LHMP update?
Some of the ways the City will integrate information from this LHMP into planning mechanisms are described below.

Planning and zoning law require California cities to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the City. General plans are required to address natural hazards that could impact the jurisdiction and prepare for the impact of natural hazards. The City’s General Plan identifies land use patterns, future development, and growth within the planning area. The LHMP update process has allowed the City to review the policies contained in the General Plan Safety Element and identified mitigation actions that will further implement these policies. The City views the General Plan and LHMP as complimentary planning documents that work together to achieve the ultimate goal of the reduction of risk exposure to the citizens of the City. Once the LHMP is formally adopted by FEMA, the City will update the Safety Element to incorporate the LHMP and vulnerability assessment by reference to comply with California Assembly Bill 2140.

During the five year planning period for this LHMP, the City plans on conducting a comprehensive update to the remainder of the General Plan. Future visions for land use, growth and development will be included for consideration in the next LHMP.

The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies capital projects and major equipment purchases for all City departments. The CIP links both the annual general plan and annual budget. Identified CIP projects were integrated into the LHMP mitigation actions where appropriate, for projects with a nexus to resilience or natural hazards. In 233
Item A.

Plan Maintenance 6-6 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
addition, as part of the annual review and update of the CIP, mitigation actions identified will be reviewed and integrated.

This LHMP update will be added, or incorporated by reference, into any and all City emergency plans as they are updated. The hazard profiles, risk assessment and mitigation actions will be reviewed during updates to these plans. Further, mitigation actions not currently provided in the LHMP will be identified for consideration as part of the 2029 LHMP update.

Other opportunities for integration of this LHMP include education programs and continued coordination between the City and the identified external partners. The City maintain a website to provide updated information to residents and stakeholders. In the future, the City will continue provide in-person educational events and activities to further inform the community regarding natural hazard risk and mitigation.

The City experienced limited opportunities to integrate the past 2018 MJHMP into existing programs and planning mechanisms for reasons listed below.

Staff changes and turn over occurred during the five year planning period of the previous MJHMP, including three different individuals serving as City Administrator/City Manager.

As a small City, staff capacity also prevented full integration of the MJHMP into City programs and mechanisms. This was further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, where staff focus was shifted from hazard mitigation to emergency response during the active period of the 2018 MJHMP.

Further, City staff experienced challenges with the broadness of 2018 MJHMP content.

This resulted in some hazard mitigation actions identified with limited applicability to the City, as the only urbanized and incorporated area in Tuolumne County. These challgenges were the driving force behind the City’s decision to produce a singlejurisdiction hazard mitigation plan, tailored to the specific needs of the community. This will result in easier implementation and integration of this LHMP during the active period fo this plan.

The City of Sonora is dedicated to involving the public in review and updates to the LHMP throughout the 5-year planning period.The public, including socially vulnerable populations, will continue to be informed of the LHMP actions through regular updates to the City website.

Additionally, continued public involvement will be achieved through the promotion of emergency preparedness, trainings, interagency coordinated outreach efforts, drills and other hazard awareness campaigns as included in Section 5.0 as Mitigation Actions #2, #3, #13, #15, #20, #35, #47, #52, #58, and #60. These mitigation actions include outreach and communication mechanisms designed with the “whole community” approach, ensuring that socially vulnerable populations will receive messaging. The City will inform participants of the LHMP Planning Team of any updates at trainings and hazard 234
Item A.

Plan Maintenance 6-7 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
preparedness events during the 5-year planning period. The adopted LHMP will remain permanently available for review on the City website, with contact information for interested parties to direct comments and concerns. All public feedback will be reviewed and considered for incorporation (if deemed appropriate) into the next LHMP update.

Upon initiation of the LHMP update process, a new public involvement strategy will be developed based on guidance from the LHMP Planning Team. This strategy will be based on the needs and capabilities of the City at the time of the update. At a minimum, this strategy will include the use of the City website, e-mail distribution lists, and local media outlets within the planning area. At this time, a re-evaluation of local socially vulnerable populations will be conducted for improved understanding of how to reach and engage these groups.

Melissa Eads, City Administrator
Sonora Administrative Services Department
94 N. Washington St.,
Sonora, CA 95370
[email protected]
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Item A.

References 7-1 May 2024

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

CITY OF SONORA, CALIFORNIA
The following references were utilized during preparation of this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

ABC10, Evacuations issued in Sonora due to Washington Fire, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/washington-fire-evacuations-andinformation/103-0254b098-40ce-40fc-8d13-1d018e830f18, accessed November 10, 2023.

ABC10, Thousands without power across Tuolumne, Calaveras counties, published August 13, 2023, accessed August 13, 2023.

Best Places, Tuolumne County, California,
https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/california/tuolumne accessed September 10, 2023.

CAL FIRE and Tuolumne County Fire Department, 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25399/TCFD-2021- 2025-STRATEGIC-PLAN-signed_1, accessed November 10, 2023.

CAL FIRE, Incidents, https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents, accessed November 6, 2023.

CAL FIRE, Top 20 Largest California Wildfires, published October 24, 2022.

CAL FIRE, Washington Fire, https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2021/8/26/washingtonfire/, accessed November 10, 2023.

CAL FIRE, Woods Fire Status Update Reports,
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/9/1/woods-fire/updates, accessed November 10, 2023.

California Climate Adaptation Strategy, Summary of Projected Climate Change Impacts on California,
https://climateresilience.ca.gov/overview/impacts.html#:~:text=California%20is %20already%20experiencing%20the,have%20increased%20as%20temperatur es%20warm, accessed October 16, 2023.

Sonora City CouncilAugust 5, 2024

Sonora City Council
August 5, 2024