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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11909 City of Palo Alto (ID # 11909) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Informational Report Meeting Date: 2/8/2021 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Report 2020 Title: City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Report 2020 From: City Manager Lead Department: Office of Emergency Services Background The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) requires all cities, counties, and special districts to adopt a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) as a best practice to identify natural hazards and then to develop mitigation strategies to reduce risk to the community. An adop ted LHMP also allows a jurisdiction to receive disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The DMA provides that a local agency may adopt a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan or participate in the preparation of and adopt a Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Between 2016 and 2017, The City of Palo Alto participated in the Santa Clara County multi- jurisdictional planning process that resulted in a Countywide Local Hazards Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The County contracted with TetraTech, Inc, a provider of emergency management consulting services, to facilitate the development of the County-wide plan. This multi- jurisdictional plan was approved by the State of California and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Palo Alto Annex to this plan was adopted by the City Council on 16 October 2017. The County Plan may be found here – Volume 1: https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb261/files/For%20Partners/Local- Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-LHMP-Vol-1.pdf Volume 2: https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb261/files/For%20Partners/Local- Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-LHMP-Vol-2.pdf The Palo Alto specific plan and planning process may be found here: City of Palo Alto Page 2 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/services/public_safety/plans_and_information/lhmap.asp Prior to this, the City of Palo Alto published Local Hazard Mitigation Plans in conjunction with the Santa Clara County’s Office of Emergency Services in 2012 and 2005. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is a companion document to the City’s Threats and Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Plan that describes not only natural hazards but also Technological and Intentional hazards that pose a risk to our community. Discussion One component of the plan maintenance cycle is an annual progress review of each mitigation project in the LHMP. OES leads this annual review by soliciting updates from each department that has responsibility for one or more projects and develops the final annual report. OES maintains project status in a mitigation planning database provided by TetraTech as part of their contract with the County. Projects listed in this report were developed by both internal and external stakeholders during the plan development process. For their status, projects are either on-going (no definitive beginning or end), in progress (some progress has been made this calendar year), no progress (no progress made this calendar year), or completed. Attachments: • CityOfPaloAlto LHMP Annual Report 2020 To: City Manager From: OES Chief The Office of Emergency Services provides this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) annual report as of December 2020 to share the progress the City has made on LHMP projects over the past twelve months. The City Council approved the current version of the LHMP on 16 October 2017. The LHMP is updated every five years as required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which makes Palo Alto eligible for federal grant funding following a declared emergency. The point of contact for this effort is Nathan Rainey, OES Coordinator, Nathaniel.rainey@cityofpaloalto.org, 650-617-3197. Kenneth Dueker, J.D. Chief, Office of Emergency Services Approval: Ed Shikada City Manager SANTA CLARA COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN PROGRESS REPORT Reporting Period The reporting period for this progress report is 01-01-2020 through 12-11-2020. Background This is an annual update of the City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. This update also meets annual certification requirements for Palo Alto’s floodplain management and Community Rating System (CRS) program. The City of Palo Alto and participating local cities and districts developed a hazard mitigation plan to reduce risk from all hazards by identifying resources, information, and strategies for risk reduction. The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires state and local governments to develop hazard mitigation plans as a condition for federal disaster grant assistance. To prepare the plan, the participating planning partners organized resources, assessed risks from natural hazards, developed planning goals and objectives, reviewed mitigation alternatives, and developed an action plan to address probable impacts from natural hazards. By completing this process, these jurisdictions maintained compliance with the Disaster Mitigation Act, achieving eligibility for mitigation grant funding opportunities afforded under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Volume I of the County plan provides the analysis of natural hazards for the Operational Area,. It provides the content that informs the Palo Alto LHMP. It can be viewed on-line at: https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb261/files/For%20Partners/Local- Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-LHMP-Vol-1.pdf, The Palo Alto LHMP, which articulates our local natural hazards and mitigation activities can be viewed online at: http://cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/61523. Purpose The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the implementation of the m itigation initiatives identified in the Palo Alto Annex of the Santa Clara County Hazard Mitigation Plan . The objective is to ensure that there is a continuing planning process that will keep the Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan d ynamic and responsive to the needs and capabilities of the City of Palo Alto and stakeholders. Summary Overview of the Plan’s Progress The performance period for the Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan became effective on 12-19-2017, with the final approval of the plan by FEMA. The initial performance period for this plan will be 5 years, with an anticipated update to the plan to occur before 09-19-2022. As of this reporting period, January to December 2020, the performance period for this plan is considered to be 13% complete. The Palo Alto Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan has targeted 38 hazard mitigation actions to be pursued during the 5 - year performance period. As of the reporting period, the following overall progress can be reported: ● 17 out of 38 initiatives (45%) reported progress toward completion. ● 4 out of 38 initiatives (11%) reported no action taken. ● 5 out of 38 initiatives (13%) are completed. ● 12 out of 38 initiatives (32%) indicated work is conducted as an ongoing capability. ● 0 initiatives were removed due to elimination of a program. Review of the Action Plan Table 2 reviews the action plan, reporting the status of each initiative. TABLE 2 ACTION PLAN MATRIX Action Taken? Timeline Priority Changed? Comment (Describe progress or changed priority) Status City of Palo Alto PA-1 - Develop a comprehensive flood control plan for San Francisquito Creek to minimize the risk of flooding. No Long Term (5+yrs.) No The city, in conjunction with the SFCJPA, has developed and is now implementing the flood control plan for the San Francisquito Creek. It includes a downstream (lower reach) component as well as an upstream (upper reach) component. The downstream component, the San Francisquito Creek East of Highway 101 project was completed in December 2018. As a result, the creek can contain flows greater than 9,600 CFS. Completed PA-2 - San Francisquito Creek Upper Reach Flood Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project. Replacing the Existing Pope/Chaucer Street Bridge and widen the creek at 5 locations to allow 7,500 CFS to pass (approximately the 70-year storm event). Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No The Final EIR was certified in September 2019. The project now needs to be designed, obtain permits and construction funds to commence. It will not likely commence prior to 2022. SFCJPA and VW submitted a planning application to Palo Alto in August. Similar to Newell Road Bridge, the project will need approvals from ARB. No date has been set, but possibly will be scheduled in January 2021. The partner agencies continue to working through the funding mechanisms to complete the construction of the project. In Progress Replacing Pope / Chaucer Street Bridge will need to be coordinated with Newell Road Bridge construction and can occur only after the downstream work has been completed. PA-3 - Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project to increase the flows that pass under the bridge from 6,600 CFS to 7,500 CFS. Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No The EIR was certified and preferred alternative was selected on June 1, 2020. Staff has been working Caltrans to secure additional funding for the design and right- of-way, these were approved on August 5, 2020. But these have not been programmed. We hope to complete the process in 2020 to complete the design in 2021. We are also working with Caltrans to secure construction funding for FFY 21/22 but this may not be feasible and construction may need to be delayed to FFY 22/23. In Progress PA-4 - San Francisquito Creek Upper Reach Flood Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project. The purpose of the project is to detain excess runoff generated from storms that exceed 70-year storm event. Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No This project is part of PA-2 - The Upper Reach of San Francisquito Creek. The Final Environment Impact Report was certified in September 2019. The Upper Reach Flood Reduction project is to be located within Stanford property. SFCJPA awarded a contract to a consultant in fall 2020 to commence the study that will ultimately determine if detention is feasible upstream In Progress PA-5 - Matadero Creek Storm Water Pump Station Improvements. No Short Term (<5yrs.) No Project is completed. Completed PA-6 - Storm Drain System Replacement and Rehabilitation Yes Other, please specify No Public Works completed the Loma Verde Avenue Trunk line improvements in October 2020. The project upsized an existing 36-inch to a minimum of 48-inches to increase flows that drain into the new Matadero Creek pump station. As part of this project segment of the existing pipe along Louis Road were replaced to improve capacities. We also intend to rehabilitate the 6-ft by 6-ft box culver over Oregon Expressway in December 2020. Ongoing Capability PA-7 - Recycled Water Pipeline Expansion Project to expand the recycled water purple pipeline within South Palo Alto towards Stanford Research Park Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No An agreement has been established with Valley Water to fund reverse osmosis facility to improve recycled water salinity to enable this project. Reverse osmosis facility is under development. Economics of recycled water project is also under development. In Progress PA-8 - Continue to maintain good standing and compliance in the NFIP and maintain the Community Rating System Class to provide higher CRS premium discounts. Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No CRS Site Visit occurred on July 21 2020, Public Works submitted a package to the CRS specialist for review, comment and Ongoing Capability approval. The resubmittal is under review but goal is to maintain the CRS rating of 6. PA-9 - Complete the Strategy to Advance Flood protection, Ecosystems and Recreation (SAFER) San Francisco Bay Draft Feasibility Report to identify potential strategies for sea level rise adaptation flood protection and other benefits. No Long Term (5+yrs.) No San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority released a Public Draft Feasibility Report in June 2019. http://sfcjpa.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/08/SAFER-Bay-Palo- Alto-Public-Draft-Feasibility-Report-June- 2019.pdf Completed PA-10 - Construct new Public Safety Building to mitigate current risks to public safety essential services Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No The project was bid in fall 2020, but the bids were rejected for technical reasons. It is being rebid, and construction is expected to begin in spring 2021. The new completion date is estimated for summer 2023. In Progress PA-11 - Rebuild Fire Stations 3 and 4 to mitigate current risks to essential services . Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No Fire Station 3 rebuild is nearly complete. Fire Station 4 design will begin spring 2020. In Progress PA-12 - Continue seven-year cycle for high priority tree trimming to reduce impacts of falling branches and other tree related damages to public and personal property. Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No A contract extension was awarded to continue pruning of street trees and park trees on the seven-year cycle. The contract expires on June 30, 2021. A new contract will be executed following June 2021 to continue the maintenance of city trees. Ongoing Capability PA-13 - Replace the Baylands Tide Gate Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No Planning Application is underway, the Palo Alto provided comments to the Draft Mitigate Negative Declaration (MND) on October 15, 2020. This is anticipated to be a 4 year project, but with work only occuring between September 1 - January 31 due to enviromental restrictions. In Progress PA-14 - Consider the use of alternative energy sources for critical infrastructure (essential facilities, key resources) Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No Palo Alto entities continue to explore the use of alternative forms of energy to offset vulnerabilities of carbon based fuels. Palo Alto OES was awarded a grant to purchase a solar powered trailer capable of storing 100mWH of energy to be used at critical facilities. In addition, the City has included a Proposed Key Action "Increase energy resilience by assessing opportunities for local distributed energy resources, energy storage, microgrid installations, and home- to-grid" in the draft 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, which will go to Council for approval in mid - 2021. Ongoing Capability PA-15 - Implement Wastewater Long-Range Facilities Plan Yes Other, please specify No The Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) has been successfully implementing the long-range facilities plan since 2012. The capital improvements to RWQCP facilities are guided by this master plan and funded through the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds. Ongoing Capability Projects recently completed include replacement of the existing solids handling facilities. In early 2021 the City will award a contract to rehabilitate existing primary sedimentation tanks and go out for bid on secondary outfall pipeline. RWQCP will also update the design of the secondary treatment plant to remove nutrients in the future. PA-16 - Conduct a feasibility analysis concerning the continued use of water reservoirs in the Foothills region. Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No The Consultant contract was terminated in October 2019. Staff evaluated the parts of the analysis completed by the Consultant. The approach was to move forward with replacing a key tank (Corte Madera) in critical condition. The an alysis of the remaining two tanks and replacement costs was done by staff. Currently, this staff analysis is being reviewed by management, and final decisions will be forthcoming in 2021. In Progress PA-17 - Consider construction of a new water reservoir in the low lying areas of Palo Alto. Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No This project is tied to PA-16. The Financial Analysis of Dahl and Park Reservoir Replacement Options will be finalized in February 2021. This report will provide recommendations whether Dahl and Park tanks should be relocated to the low lying areas of Palo Alto. In Progress PA-18 - Rebuild and Reconfigure Electric System in Stanford Hospital/Mall Area to increase reliability during emergencies Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No This project is in progress. The project estimate and construction drawings are completed. The project is delayed pending completion of installation of hardware by Stanford University. Once this is complete, Palo Alto Utilities upgrades can begin. No Progress Reported PA-19 - Install Fiber Optic Service to Monte Bello Reservoir to improve public safety communications along Skyline Drive Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No The City contracted with Magellan to develop a Utilities specific fiber optic network (SCADA,protection, AMI, traffic signals, ect., and Emergency communications for OES),with the ability to expand to fiber to the node or fiber to the home in the future. There are four phases to this project and the City awarded all four phases to Magellan; however, agreements covering each phase must be approved, w ith the work completed and accepted by the Council before the City decides whether to proceed with the next phase. Phase 1 should be complete in early 2021. http://cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/doc uments/77770. In Progress PA-20 - Convert overhead utility lines to underground transmission. Installation of new underground electric, communication, and cable television systems in Electric Underground Districts 46 and 47 Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No District 47 is completed. Poles have been topped above the AT&T lines. AT&T will remove the poles once they completed their work. District 46. Project is mid-way through completion - Underground cables are being installed - above ground poles will In Progress be moved in May 2021 and project is estimated to be complete in June 2021. PA-21 - Construct a second electrical transmission interconnection to PG&E using a new corridor. Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No Stanford and SLAC decided against participating in establishing a new intertie with Palo Alto. Palo Alto Utilities is pursuing a new option and has contracted with a consultant to obtain the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) approval for a transmission project to construct a 115kV circuit from Palo Alto Adobe Creek Substation to PG&E Ames Substation. In Progress PA-22 - Construct a second water interconnection from Palo Alto Utilities to Stanford Hospital Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No A second water interconnection exists to the Stanford Hospital. Palo Alto Utilities is coordinating an agreement with Stanford Hospital and Stanford University on the use of this second interconnect. The second water interconnection remains in place, but the agreement is still under negotiation. In Progress PA-23 - Connect Palo Alto to adjacent Public Safety agencies' Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) by Fiber Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No Palo Alto Police Department (PAPD) is in discussions with the City of Mountain View and Los Altos on creating a fiber connection between PSAPs. Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services has provided initial recommendations for the PAPD to consider. No Progress Reported PA-24 - Implement a Public Safety Wireless Data Network Yes Long Term (5+yrs.) No Palo Alto Utilities solicited via an RFP for vendors to install a pilot network of 10 nodes but had no responses to the RFP. This project is nested with a larger effort to consider Fiber to the Node (FTN) within the City. Following this, Palo Alto OES attempted a public / private partnership with CMU Moffet Field to compete for Federal grant funding, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The project is currently on hold pending decisions by Palo Alto Utilities on how to move this project forward. No Progress Reported PA-25 - Conduct a Hydrology Study on Buck-Eye Creek for flood protection and erosion control at Foothills Park No Short Term (<5yrs.) No The study was completed and sent to the Palo Alto City Council on May 29, 2018. Here is the link to the study and the Council staff report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/fileb ank/documents/65118 Completed PA-26 - Develop a Baylands Comprehensive Conservation Plan Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No A draft plan is complete. It was undergoing CEQA review, however, the CEQA work was temporarily stopped when the pandemic started. Work resumed in November 2020, and should be completed by early Spring 2021. In Progress PA-27 - Address hazardous fuels and reduce structural ignitability in the Foothills region in accordance with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Foothills Fire Management Plan Yes Other, please specify No Palo Alto provides annual funding for wildfire mitigation activities in accordance with the Foothills Fire Management Plan. The City continues to work annually with the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council under a three year contract to reduce fuel load in the WUI and protect the Page Mill evacuation route. In addition, Palo Alto Fire Department conducts annual WUI home inspections each Spring to assist homeowners to reduce structural ignitability. Ongoing Capability PA-28 - Encourage creation by Foothills Residents of a Firewise Ready Community Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No OES conducted a neighborhood meeting of the Laurel Glen neighbors with PAFD, PAPD, CSD Open Space Rangers and the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council in June 2019 in which we encouraged the formation of a Firewise Community. The Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties experienced wildfires in August 2020 that became federal disasters. During these incidents Palo Alto Public Safety officials met with neighborhood leaders to discuss the WUI safety of the residents in this area of Palo Alto. There has not been interest by this neighborhood to form a FireWise community. In Progress PA-29 - Consider a policy for Seismic Retrofitting of earthquake prone structures Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No In 2016, the City contracted a study of building types with a high seismic risk within Palo Alto. Following this study, the City Council was to direct the staff to develop policy recommendations to No Progress renovate these structures. No progress has made on this item due to reduced resources and other emerging priorties. PA-30 - Develop a Policy for Sea-Level Rise considerations (what actions should the City take) No Short Term (<5yrs.) No The City of Palo Alto City Council adopted a Sea Level rise policy on 18 March 2019. https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/fileb ank/blobdload.aspx?t=71340.78&BlobID=7 0115 Completed PA-31 - Develop a post-disaster Community Long-term Recovery Plan Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No OES has drafted a framework document that is at a 50% level of completion. OES plans to continue this planning process in conjunction with the Santa Clara County OEM as they develop a County-based recovery plan, and plans to involve the Planning and Development Services department in this effort. The 2020 COVID crisis delayed the advancement of this topic. The City implemented a partial recovery strategy for economic impacts resulting from the COVID shutdown; the City will continue to build from this experience and the existing working draft to develop a stronger framework, when the County restarts its planning efforts. In Progress PA-32 - Conduct public education that raises awareness of Palo Alto threats and hazards and improves community resilience Yes Other, please specify No The 2020 COVID crisis significantly impacted our ability to provide the activities associated with this project. However, the City of Palo Alto implemented a very robust Ongoing Capability Public Information campaign across a range of communications platforms to outreach to the Palo Alto community. In September, Palo Alto OES also initiated a monthly virtual training/presentation program to continue to raise awareness and increase preparedness throughout the community. PA-33 - Maintain Storm Ready Community designation Yes Other, please specify No OES maintains this certifications through annual activities and requirements set by the Storm Ready program. Ongoing Capability PA-34 - Improve Palo Alto Fire Department ISO rating Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No The Fire Department is pursuing an improved ISO rating; the PAFD has a rating of 2 but is pursuing a corrective action plan to inspect 100% of and correct water supply (hydrant) issues. The department released a three year contract for these inspection services and currently the Department has completed 2 years of hydrant inspections. They have not pursued a new audit due to the lack of an additional reserve Type 1 engine. E64 was taken out of service after a crash on 8/4/19 and not been replaced. Based on preliminary calculations that may be enough to keep us from the points necessary to reach ISO 1 rating. We will revisit when we are able to replace the reserve Type 1 engine. In Progress PA-35 - Maintain Building Effectiveness Grading Schedule classification of 1 Yes Other, please specify No BEG of 1 has been maintained by Building Inspectors. Ongoing Capability PA-36 - Where appropriate, support retrofitting, purchase or relocation of structures located in high hazard areas and prioritize those structures that have experienced repetitive losses Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No The City does not currently have a policy to purchase or relocate repetitive loss structures. Additionally, sizable portions of the City are located in high hazard areas where relocation is not feasible. Retrofitting of properties is encouraged for those properties that may be impacted by floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. See also PA-29. Additionally, the City has adopted the most current State building code, which enhances the standard of new construction. Ongoing Capability PA-37 - Integrate the hazard mitigation plan into other plans, ordinances and programs that dictate land use decisions within the community Yes Other, please specify No The Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan recently finalized in 2017 integrates the LHMP in the Safety Element. The Safety Element informs land use planning by describing the natural hazards faced by the Palo Alto community. Additionally, the new Sea Level Rise policy (PA- 30) also integrates the LHMP. Additionally, the City of Palo Alto Sustainability and Climate Action planning take into account land use decisions. Ongoing Capability PA-38 - Actively participate in the plan maintenance protocols outlined in Volume 1 of the hazard mitigation plan. Yes Short Term (<5yrs.) No OES is in compliance with the stated maintenance protocols. Ongoing Capability Changes That May Impact Implementation of the Plan The City of Palo Alto was heavily impacted economically by the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Fortunately, no mitigation projects in this plan were affected by these impacts. Public review notice The contents of this report are considered to be public knowledge and have been prepared for total public disclosure. Copies of the report may be provided to the governing boards of all planning partners and to local media outlets. The report, once approved by the Palo Alto City Manager, will be available online on the OES website. Any questions or comments regarding the contents of this report should be directed to: City of Palo Alto OES, 650-617-3197 or lhmp@cityofpaloalto.org Next Plan Update Palo Alto OES will provide a review and update of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in January 2022.