AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
REBECCA LOPEZ
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
SUBJECT:
title
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TERMINATING THE CITY MANAGER’S PROCLAMATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO 2024 FEBRUARY WINTER STORMS
summary
Summary:
On February 4, 2024, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency for eight counties in Southern California, including Los Angeles County, as a series of winter storms began impacting much of the State with high winds, damaging rain, and heavy snowfall. On February 6, 2024, the City of Signal Hill experienced significant damage to the Panorama Promenade and Molino Avenue and 20th Street. On February 7, 2024, the City Manager, in his role as the Director of Emergency Services, signed a proclamation of a local emergency in response to the February 2024 winter storm activity, which the City Council adopted at its February 13, 2024, meeting. On April 15, 2024, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California and made available Federal disaster assistance to supplement recovery efforts for the areas affected by the February 2024 winter storms.
The City has completed all emergency work related to the February 2024 winter storms at both Panorama Promenade and Molino Avenue and 20th Street. Staff is currently working with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to obtain funding assistance for all completed emergency work projects and develop a permanent mitigation solution for Panorama Promenade slope.
Staff recommends the City Council consider adopting a proposed Resolution terminating the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency in response to the 2024 February winter storms.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 1 Financial Stability: Ensure the City’s long-term financial stability and resilience.
Goal No. 2 Community Safety: Maintain community safety by supporting public safety services and increasing emergency preparedness.
Goal No. 3 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Adopt the resolution, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA, TERMINATING THE PROCLAMATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY BY THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HIILL, AS DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
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Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget. Staff tracked all related costs for the emergency repair work funded by appropriating funds from the City’s General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance/Capital Improvement Projects Reserve. Staff will utilize this documentation to pursue State and Federal reimbursement for all City costs incurred.
Background and Analysis:
On February 4, 2024, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency for eight counties in Southern California, including Los Angeles County, as a series of winter storms began impacting much of the State with high winds, damaging rain, and heavy snowfall. On February 6, 2024, the City experienced significant damage to the Panorama Promenade and Molino Avenue and 20th Street. On February 7, 2024, the City Manager, in his role as the Director of Emergency Services, signed a proclamation of a local emergency in response to the February 2024 winter storm activity, which the City Council adopted at its February 13, 2024, meeting (Attachment A). On April 15, 2024, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California and made available Federal disaster assistance to supplement recovery efforts for the areas affected by the February 2024 winter storms.
Emergency Repairs Completed and Proposed Permanent Solution at Panorama Promenade
On February 6, 2024, the Panorama Promenade experienced significant slope failure in three areas. The City’s contractor completed initial grading work and soil compaction using a mix of site soil and imported crushed aggregate base to provide immediate stabilization of the slope. The City’s contractor also installed approximately 210 lineal footages of post and batter systems at key locations along the Promenade trail. The City’s on-call Geotechnical Engineering firm proposed the initial site assessment and soil retainage system and completed all emergency work at Panorama Promenade by late April. The City reopened Panorama trail on April 30, 2024.
The City is currently planning a project to install vegetation on the sloped area to address soil erosion issues. This future phase of the project would be considered a permanent mitigation solution at Panorama Promenade and the City is seeking State and Federal funding to aid in the completion of the project.
Emergency Repairs Completed and Permanent Solution at Molino Avenue and 20th Street
On February 6, 2024, the site at Molino Avenue and 20th Street experienced extensive slope failure causing significant debris in the roadway, preventing access to residential homes. Initial work of debris removal and cleanup was undertaken and proper Best Management Practice (BMP), including plastic cover and sandbags, were placed for site protection. Both City staff and the City’s on-call Geotechnical Engineering firm determined that no feasible temporary solution could effectively mitigate the erosion and damage; recommendations included constructing a retaining wall as a necessary measure.
The City’s contractor began constructing the wall on Molino Avenue in late April; until the start of the work, the site remained protected with the plastic cover and sandbags. The scope of work consisted of the removing of a subterranean concrete slab, the removal of an abandoned oil pipe, and the construction of a retaining wall. The Contractor conducted all work, completing the project on June 23, 2024. Construction of the retaining wall and updated irrigation system is considered a permanent mitigation solution at Molino Avenue and 20th Street and the City is seeking State and Federal funding to aid in offsetting City expenditures.
Conclusion:
The City and its contractors completed all emergency repairs resulting from the February 2024 winter storms at both Panorama Promenade and Molino Avenue and 20th Street, following the initial damages the City sustained on February 6, 2024. Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution terminating the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency in response to the 2024 February winter storms (Attachment B).
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Attachments:
A. Emergency Proclamation
B. Resolution Terminating the Emergency Proclamation