TITLE:
title
THE COSTA MESA LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
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DEPARTMENT(S): CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT - OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
PRESENTED BY: BRENDA EMRICK, ACTING EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRENDA EMRICK, ACTING EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER, (714) 327-7406
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-XX to approve the City of Costa Mesa’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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BACKGROUND:
In June 2019, the City received a grant from CalOES to develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The contract was awarded to Atlas Planning Solutions to work with the City to complete the LHMP. A planning team of city staff, residents, businesses, and special districts met to discuss, develop, and review the LHMP. The LHMP was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, pandemic priorities, and staff changes.
In November 2022, CalOES received the LHMP and requested minor changes after reviewing the documents. After the changes were completed, the LHMP was resubmitted to CalOES, and it was approved on January 9, 2023. The LHMP was then forwarded to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their review. FEMA gave the City preliminary notice of approval on March 1, 2023. The adoption of the resolution by City Council is required by FEMA prior to the City receiving final certification.
ANALYSIS:
Hazard mitigation is work done to minimize the impact of natural hazards before they occur in an effort to reduce losses from future disasters. The 2023 LHMP includes a detailed analysis of the City’s historical, physical, social, and economic characteristics. It is a tool that will assist the City in reducing human and economic losses caused by natural hazard events. The 2023 LHMP complies with federal regulations that require local governments to develop and submit hazard mitigation plans. This is a requirement that makes the City eligible to receive Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and other mitigation grant funding from the federal government before natural hazards occur.
The 2023 LHMP represents the City’s commitment to creating a safer and more resilient community. Creating the LHMP reduces risk and commits resources to lessen the impact of hazards on people and property of the City. The 2023 LHMP is the City’s first LHMP and addresses the natural hazards as required by federal law. The LHMP is a living document that will be reviewed and updated periodically to meet the community’s needs. FEMA requires that LHMPs are updated and submitted for review every five years. The City's five-year period will begin upon receipt of FEMA's final certification.
A summary of the 2023 LHMP is provided in the table below:
2023 LHMP Section Descriptions
Upon approval of Resolution No. 23-XX, the 2023 LHMP will become effective and FEMA will certify the document upon receipt of the executed resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City of Costa Mesa’s LHMP is a required document that supports the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and the safety elements of the General Plan. Without an approved LHMP, the City would not be eligible to receive Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and other mitigation grant funding from the federal government.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the 2023 LHMP.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and has approved it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goal:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-XX to approve the City of Costa Mesa’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.