COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

 

DATE:

February 1, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 7, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John L. Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Emergency for San Mateo County due to 2004-05 Winter storms

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Make a finding to continue the local emergency declaration until the Board convenes on its regularly scheduled meeting, the cause of the emergency being the series of 2004-05 winter storms that brought large amounts of wind and rain resulting in a landslide in La Honda affecting homes and public property.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal(s): Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors

 

BACKGROUND:

In 1998 Winter Storms caused a landslide in La Honda that destroyed or damaged seven homes during a disaster that was Federally declared. With Federal assistance seven homes were purchased through the county. With the large amounts of rain this winter the slide in this area was reactivated. Two homes are immediately threatened and up to one hundred and one other homes could be affected as the slide expands.

The Scenic Drive has been significantly damaged by the slide. The Cuesta La Honda Guild water line that runs along the road has been damaged, and continues to be threatened by the ongoing earth movement. PG&E has been forced to re-route its electric lines. Despite dewatering efforts begun by the county in 1998. County public works has installed additional dewatering pumps in the last few months at a significant cost.

 

The purpose of continuing the state of emergency offers the full provisions of Government Code Section * 8630-8634 and an emergency situation still exists. The slide may worsen during the next storm season. The majority of the mitigation construction may not be completed until Spring 2007.

 

On April 12, 2005 this Board adopted Resolution 067242 proclaiming existence of a local emergency and requesting the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency and request a presidential declaration.

 

DISCUSSION:

The City of South San Francisco has opted not to continue their state of emergency because an emergency no longer exists, although damage was sustained to public property from the March 20th 2005 tornado. The city is in the process of seeking the emergency funding that has been offered with the OES Director’s Concurrence.

The purpose for the county declaring state of local emergency and continuing it is to position the county eligible for any type of State and/or Federal Disaster assistance for emergency protective measures, emergency repair and restoration. By continuing the declaration, we continue our state assistance and potential eligibility for additional state and federal assistance, should the slide expand and cause more damage to public roads and private property. It offers the County the possibility of recouping a portion of the money the county spends over the coming months.

 

A review of the current situation and circumstances indicates that there is a need for continuing the local emergency.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The continuing extension of the county state of emergency has no impact on the County General Fund. It provides a potential avenue of reimbursement for current and future costs.