PREPARED BY: SARAH MAROOF DATE OF MEETING: 09/03/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO DESIGNATING APPLICANT’S AGENTS FOR NON-STATE AGENCIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING CERTAIN FEDERAL AND/OR STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTER RELIEF
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
Major Policy Goal (200) “Enhance Community Resilience” and Priority (201) Create Community-Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Plans are adopted policy items under the adopted FY 2023-25 Council Priority Workplan, effective May 1, 2023, as most recently amended July 15, 2024.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This resolution is deemed not a project under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5): Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. If deemed a project, then the approval of the resolution is deemed exempt from CEQA pursuant to the following separate and independent basis: Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that the ordinance has no potential to cause a significant effect on the environment; and Section 15269(c) because adoption of this resolution is to mitigate an emergency.
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 and Declaration of an Emergency
Following declarations of emergency by the State of California (March 4, 2020), Contra Costa County (March 16, 2020) and the Federal government (March 13, 2020), the City Council of the City of San Pablo adopted Resolution 2020-034 on March 16, 2020 proclaiming the existence of a local emergency due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This COVID-19 local emergency remained in effect for nearly three years, until terminated as of March 1, 2023, via Resolution 2023-025, adopted February 21, 2023.
FEMA Public Assistance Grant Funding
The City of San Pablo submitted three (3) separate “small project” applications in December 2022 for reimbursement under the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) of up to 100% of funds used for “Category B” emergency expenditures incurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 emergency, including: (1) initial incident management expenses of $13,134 (for EOC activation and public park closures); (2) purchases of materials and supplies totaling $134,266.74 to support the safe opening and operations of City facilities during the emergency period; and (3) PD overtime hours totaling $64,146.70 for increased patrol at the outset of the declared emergency. Two of the City’s three small project applications have recently been approved by FEMA for 100% Federal cost share, with total of approved and obligated funds in the amount of $147,400.74, ready for to be disbursed to the City; the third project (for PD overtime) remains under review.
In order to receive FEMA disaster relief funds that have been obligated to the City of San Pablo and transferred to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the City Council must designate an agent to receive funds on behalf of the City. The Designation of Applicant’s Agency Resolution for Non-State Agencies (Cal OES Form 130), attached to this staff report, designates the following City Officials to apply for and/or receive such funds on behalf of the City of San Pablo: City Manager; Administrative Services Director, and Public Works Director. This Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution is a universal resolution, and is effective for all open and future disasters for up to three years following the date of approval. This Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution will supersede Resolution 2021-040 dated April 5, 2021, which was in effect for three years and has expired.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of this resolution will permit the City to pursue financial assistance for all open and future disasters declared by the State or Federal government for up to three (3) years following the date of approval.
Transfer of funds from Cal OES is expected during Fiscal Year 24-25 in payment of the City’s approved and obligated FEMA claims submitted in December 2022, at present totaling $147,400.74 for two (2) approved small project applications submitted by the City to FEMA for Cal OES Event No. 4482DR-CA (COVID-19).
ATTACHMENT
Att A - Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies (Cal OES Form 130)