DATE: February 28, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer/Emergency Services Director
SUBJECT: Proclamation and Ratification of the Existence of a Local Emergency -
2017 February Winter Storms
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution proclaiming and ratifying a Local Emergency, as a result of 2017 Winter Storms.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will ensure that the local emergency status proclaimed by the County Administrative Officer as the Emergency Services Director on February 21, 2017, remains in effect and allows for the potential recovery of eligible costs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
No viable options are available.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended action is necessary to ensure specific liability protection, emergency powers of the Emergency Services Director, and potential recovery of eligible costs.
DISCUSSION:
California Government Code, section 8630 authorizes the proclamation of a local emergency by your Board or by an official so designated by ordinance. Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, designates the County Administrative Officer as the Director of Emergency Services. Pursuant to Fresno County Ordinance Code Chapter 2.44.060, your Board is requested to confirm the proclamation of a local emergency within seven days by ratifying the proclamation and adopting the attached resolution.
Recent storms have filled County reservoirs resulting in high water releases into rivers and streams. Since February 16, 2017, high water releases began to cause stress to the levee system that protects community residents and property throughout the County. This is particularly evident in the Tranquillity Irrigation District where a levee has weakened due to high flow in the San Joaquin River. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Tranquillity Irrigation District, Fresno County Office of Emergency Services and Public Works & Planning have been working to mitigate the threatened breach and prepare for evacuations, if they become necessary. Staff has requested assistance from the California Department of Water Resources for technical support and resources to the Tranquillity Irrigation District.
On February 21, 2017, pursuant to Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, due to the continued threat to the public and the sustained need to deploy county resources to assist in potential flooding response efforts, a local emergency was proclaimed by the County Administrative Officer as the Emergency Services Director. The proclamation was forwarded to the State Office of Emergency Services.
The local emergency will be reviewed every 30 days at regularly scheduled Board meetings until the local emergency is terminated.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency - 2017 February Winter Storms
Resolution - Ratification and Proclamation - 2017 February Winter Storms
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia De La Rosa