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To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Date: January  17, 2023
The Seal of Contra Costa County, CA
Contra
Costa
County
Subject: Proclamation of Local Emergency Due to Uncommon and Extreme Weather in Contra Costa County
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On:   01/17/2023
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:
John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
Contact: Timothy Ewell, (925) 655-2043
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED:     January  17, 2023
,
 
BY: , Deputy

 

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2023/29 ratifying the County Administrator’s proclamation of a local emergency due to storm and flood.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The initial damage estimates for the County from the uncommon and extreme weather conditions are approximately $1.0 million related to immediate disaster response activities. Ultimately, more permanent repairs of flood control and drainage culverts impacted by the storms could range between $3.5 to $4 million. The County does not currently have funds designated for the response and repair of the storm damages, therefore applying for state or federal relief funds will be necessary, if the oppurtunity becomes available.

BACKGROUND:

The State of California, including Contra Costa County has been responding to extreme and uncommon weather events that began on December 31, 2022. A series of severe rainstorms have led to widespread flooding, mudslides, sinkholes and damage to public infrastructure, including flood control facilities and roadways across the state. The effects of the storms continue to be dynamic.  
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
      
    These conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the County. The majority of the damage occurred on or along rural county roads. Flood control infrastructure also experienced storm-related damage. Public building and park facilities suffered relatively minimal impact from the storms to date.  
      
    County Administrator Issues Emergency Proclamation  
      
    In response to the damage from the storms, the County Administrator issued an emergency proclamation on January 10, 2023, which will allow the County to seek reimbursement from state and federal sources if authorized. The County was subsequently added to the statewide emergency declaration the following day - January 11, 2023. The County Administrator's proclamation makes certain findings, including:
    1. Conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within the County, caused by uncommon and extreme weather conditions consisting of heavy rainfall and high winds, causing flooding, downed trees, damage to flood control infrastructure and County roads, and related damage Countywide.
    2. These conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County.
    3. The County is incurring financial impacts from the uncommon and extreme weather conditions that will likely exceed available financial resources necessitating state and federal financial assistance.
    4. The Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa is not in session (and cannot immediately be called into session).
    5. The County Administrator has conferred with one or more members of the Board of Supervisors.

    No Federal and State Cost Recovery Authorized  
      
    Currently, the federal emergency declaration approved for the State of California does not include authorization for federal financial reimbursements pursuant to the Stafford Act for costs incurred related to the storm response. It is unclear at this time whether the federal government will modify it's authorization to provide for federal financial support to the state, including local governmental entities impacted by and responding to the storm damage. Should that happen, FEMA would establish a statewide cost impact threshold that must be met prior to being eligible for cost recovery. Even assuming that happens, the Stafford Act only provides 75% federal reimbursement of costs incurred. The remaining 25% would be the responsibility of the local government, unless the state offsets a portion of that 25%, which is unlikely.  
      
    Impacts to the Unincorporated Area  
      
    Since storms began on December 31, 2022, the Public Works Department has been responding to isolated mudslides, localized flooding, downed trees and drainage issues throughout the county, along with intermittent or continuous road closures including as many as fourteen (14) roads located throughout the county. There have additionally been isolated issues related to County buildings/facilities including 5555 Giant Hwy (West County Detention Facility), 12000 Marsh Creek Rd (Detention Facility) and multiple other buildings/facilities. Public Works crews continue to respond to items as they are reported.  
      
    Initial damage assessment cost estimates for Public Works to date for immediate storm response to road related issues such as rock/mudslides, downed trees, localized flooding and sinkholes throughout the county is approximately $1 million dollars. Initial estimates to permanently address known damage in this category is approximately $3.5 to $4 million. Initial damage assessment estimates to county buildings and facilities are approximately $150,000-$200,000. There will undoubtedly be additional costs to address unknown or not fully identified impacts from these storm events such as significant potholes and pavement damage that result from significant oversaturation and localized flooding throughout our county road network. Many of these infrastructure issues will continue to be present for months following the conclusion of the storm event.  
      
    Today's action requests that the Board of Supervisors ratify the actions of the County Administrator on January 10, 2022 proclaiming a local emergency due to storm and flood conditions within the County. Representatives from the Office of Emergency Services, Public Works Department and National Weather Service will provide updates on the current impacts to the County. In addition, representatives from the Employment and Human Services and Health Services Departments will be available to answer questions about temporary expansion of the County's existing shelter network to accommodate unsheltered populations impacted by the inclement weather.

    CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

    The attached proclamation of a local emergency is necessary to potentially claim reimbursement for cost impacts incurred as part of responding to the storms.

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