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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2602-5971CITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Monday, March 23, 2026 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:00 PM     Agenda Item     A.Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Update for Calendar Year 2025; CEQA Status: Not a Project City Council Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: INFORMATION REPORTS Lead Department: Office of Emergency Services Meeting Date: March 23, 2026 Report #:2602-5971 TITLE Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Update for Calendar Year 2025; CEQA Status: Not a Project RECOMMENDATION This is an informational report as a status update on the Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. No Council action is required. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Office of Emergency Services provides this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) annual report to share the progress the City has made as of December 2025 on LHMP projects over the prior twelve months. The purpose of this information report is to provide an update on the City’s implementation of the mitigation actions identified in the 2023 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, Palo Alto Annex. BACKGROUND The City of Palo Alto, as part of the Santa Clara County multi-jurisdictional planning process (including participating local cities and special districts), developed a Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan from 2022- 2023 to meet Federal guidelines and thereby 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. The performance period for the 2023 Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan, Volume 1 became effective in February 2024 with the final approval of the plan by FEMA. FEMA approved the City of Palo Alto Local Jurisdictional Annex, Volume 2 in July 2024, and the Palo Alto City Council adopted both Volumes 1 and 2 on October 7, 2024. The performance period for this plan is five years. The 2023 MJMHP Base Plan - Volume 1 and the Palo Alto Annex -Volume 2 which articulates our local natural hazards and mitigation activities can be viewed online at https://www.paloalto.gov/lhmp. ANALYSIS ● 3 out of 27 initiatives (11%) have been completed. ● 7 out of 27 initiatives (26%) indicated work is conducted as an ongoing capability. ● 14 out of 27 initiatives (52%) reported progress toward completion. ● 1 out of 27 initiatives (4%) reported having not started. ● 2 out of 27 initiatives (7%) are closed and not will not be continued. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ATTACHMENTS APPROVED BY: Page 1 of 6 City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Update Reporting Period The reporting period for this progress report is from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 Background This is an annual update of the status of identified projects/actions listed in the City of Palo Alto Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023. The City of Palo Alto, as part of the Santa Clara County multi-jurisdictional planning process (including participating local cities and special districts), developed a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan from 2022- 2023 to meet Federal guidelines and thereby 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. The 2023 MJMHP Base Plan - Volume 1 and the Palo Alto Annex -Volume 2 which articulates our local natural hazards and mitigation activities can be viewed online at paloalto.gov/lhmp. Purpose The purpose of this information report is to provide an update on the implementation of the mitigation actions identified in the 2023 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, Palo Alto Annex. The objective is to maintain a planning process that will keep the Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan dynamic and responsive to the needs and capabilities of the City of Palo Alto and its stakeholders. Summary Overview of the Plan’s Progress The performance period for the 2023 Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan, Volume 1 became effective in February 2024 with the final approval of the plan by FEMA. Page 2 of 6 FEMA approved the the City of Palo Alto Local Jurisdictional Annex, Volume 2 in July 2024, and the Palo Alto City Council adopted Volume 1 and 2 on 7 October 2024. The performance period for this plan is 5 years. As of this reporting period, the performance period for this plan is considered to be 44% complete (including completed, ongoing projects, and closed/discontinued projects). The Palo Alto Volume 2 includes hazard mitigation actions to be pursued during the 5-year performance period. This includes 17 actions that were part of the previous LHMP that were not completed, and 10 new actions. As of the reporting period, the following overall progress can be reported: ● 3 out of 27 initiatives (11%) have been completed. ● 7 out of 27 initiatives (26%) indicated work is conducted as an ongoing capability. ● 14 out of 27 initiatives (52%) reported progress toward completion. ● 1 out of 27 initiatives (4%) reported having not started. ● 2 out of 27 initiatives (7%) are closed and not will not be continued. Review of the Action Plan Appendix 1 provides the action plan, reporting the status of each initiative. Actions PA-2 through PA-38 were actions carried over from the previous 2017 LHMP. Actions 1-10 are new as of the 2023 LHMP. In the table, each action provides a description of the action, what hazard(s) applies to the action, the lead agency for the action, potential sources of funding, expected timeline for completion, the priority assigned to the action, and current status of the action. 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. Any questions or comments regarding the contents of this report should be directed to: City of Palo Alto OES, 650-617-3197 or lhmp@paloalto.gov. Next Plan Update The Office of Emergency Services will provide a Calendar Year 2026 update in February of 2027. Page 3 of 6 Appendix 1: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023: Calendar Year 2025 Projects Update PA-2 * The JPA's consultant began the analysis of alternatives and coordinate community meetings to present the alternatives. The Alternative Evaluation Report will be finalized in 2026. PA-3* Caltrans authorized the project to advance into the construction phase and approved and programmed the funding needed to replace the bridge and associated improvements. Bid solicitation was completed and construction contract was awarded to the Granite Construction. Granite completed the tree removal and is working throught the submittal process. AT&T, Comcast, and PG&E completed the relocation of overhead lines and removed the poles. Bridge project was intentionally delayed until Spring 2026, due to limited 2025 in-channel work window. The project will begin in May 2026 and completed by December 2026. PA-6* The design for a capacity upgrade along Alester Drive was completed. The construction bids for the work were higher than expected and PWE decided to rebid the project next year so that the work could be done in Summer 2026, while school is not in session. This may likely reduce the cost of construction. PA-7* No Comments Required. Project is removed. PA-8* Palo Alto's Community Rating System (CRS) continues to be 6. This rating provides a 20% discount on the flood insurance rates that residents within the Special Flood Hazard Areas receive. All the tasks required to support the 2025 Multi- Jurisdictional PPI document were accomplished. In 2025 the CRS re-certification was delayed nationwide due to layoffs within the Federal government. Cycle visits that were programmed for Fall 2026 were also affected. FEMA is working on rescheduling visits that were skipped in 2025 along with those that should have occured in 2026. PA-10* PA-11* Rebuild Fire Station 4 to reduce impact from seismic events Earthquake, Terrorism Public Works - Engineering CIP: PE-18004 Short-Term High In Progress PA-13* Valley Water's contractor began the Tide Gate Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation project in September 2026. The project includes the install two piles on either side of the with concrete cap to provide structural reinforcement. This work is scheduled to be completed in January 2026. Valley Water's contractor will replace 8 of the existing tide gates as a separate phase of the project in September 2026. That work will be done by November 2026. Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated Lead Position, Office, Department, or Division Responsible for Implementation Potential Funding Sources Expected Timeline for Completion Priority Status Calendar Year 2025 Status Comments: Currect project status & anticipated actions over next 12 months Page 4 of 6 PA-15* AWPS: First major step was to relocate an 8" sewer line coming into the plant that would be in the way of the AWSP process. Second major step was to put in service a new blower that will treat the foul air for the influent flow of sewage into the facility. The previous treatment filter was located where the AWPS currentley is located. We are currently in our thrid major step have started to excavate the area to build the facility. We should be able to fix/update various pipes for the process and set the foundation for the facility by the end of the year. This project should conclude in the summer of 2027. PA-19* Phases 1-3 and 5 have been completed with Phase 4 to be completed in June 2026. Electrical line and fiber have been run underground on Arastradero and most of Page Mill Road, with most utility poles also removed. 41,700' substructure has been completed out of 49,200'. Cable installation and energization of 39,200' has been completed out fo 49,200'. PA-21* CAISO has approved a second transmission cooridor through their Transmission Planning Process (TPP). The Ames 115kV project is now approved for construction in 2034 or afterwards. Additional review of area loads may advance this project to 2030. Approval for advance will come in May of 2026 with CAISO's 2025-2026 TPP. PA-27* In 2025, the FFMP working group updated a multi-year contract with the Santa Clara County Firesafe Councl to perform the majority of the fuel treatment work required outside of the Foothills and Arastradero Nature Preserves. This enabled the accomplishment of the annual required work along the three evacuation routes designated by the CWPP- FFMP. All required fuels reduction work was completed including those by CSD Open Space Rangers and contracted labor. PA-29* Consider a policy for Seismic Retrofitting of earthquake prone structures. Earthquake Contract approved Feb 2025, consultant work began in May 2025, community advisory group was formed and met twice (once in August and once in October). Consultant completed several background reports and prepared an ordinance outline before the end of the year. Staff will bring outline and updates to Policy & Services Committee in early 2026 for further direction. Draft ordinance targeted for mid-2026 with Council consideration by the end of 2026. PA-32* Public Safety departments continue to engage our community at various events throughout the year to rasie awareness, lower personal risks, and increase preparedness. This includes social media messaging, classes, conversations at events, emergency messaging, and online content. PA-36* The City maintains a record of repetitive loss structures in high hazard areas but the City is not considering purchase or relocation of these structures in the next 12 months. PA-37* Planning and Development Services, in partnership with other departments, is in the process of updating the City's Safety Element. This will include incorporating additional references to the LHMP. The Safety Element Update is anticipated to be completed by June 30, 2026. Two area plans underway and continuing in 2026, the Downtown Housing Plan and San Antonio Road Area Plan, evaluate hazard mitigation planning as part of the plan development process. Page 5 of 6 PA-38* The City is in compliance with the stated maintenance protocols. 1 Completed a Benefit-Cost Analysis of seismically retrofitting the two tanks was completed in 2025. Since the City already completed a series of seismic retrofits throughout the drinking water system, the analysis indicated a benefit cost of less than 1 to complete this work. Additional seismic structural analysis will be completed in 2026; however, scope 2 About 0.5 mile of water main planned for FY2027. 3 These generators have been furnished to City. 4 Solicitation for the Water System Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (Water Master Plan) expected to be solicited in 2026. 5 6 Utility Substructure for Phases 1, 2, 3, and 5 are completed. Phase 4 construction has been approved and is currently in construction. The project is expected to be completed before the end of June 2026. 7 In spring 2025, City’s consultant installed a seepage weir on the downstream side of the Foothill Nature Preserve Dam as requested by the Department of Water Resources’ Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). The weir is expected to provide quantitative measurements of the seepage flow for further evaluation. This is an ongoing effort and staff will continue to investigate seepage trend for future long-term solution under the guidance from the DSOD. 8 A permanent CIP is not likely to occur in the next several years. The Army Corps of Engineers determined the cost to benefit ratio does not support federal funding for this project currently. They will re-evaluate in 2040. New Actions from 2023 Planning Process Page 6 of 6 9 AWPS: First major step was to relocate an 8" sewer line coming into the plant that would be in the way of the AWSP process. Second major step was to put in service a new blower that will treat the foul air for the influent flow of sewage into the facility. The previous treatment filter was located where the AWPS currentley is located. We are currently in our thrid major step have started to excavate the area to build the facility. We should be able to fix/update various pipes for the process and set the foundation for the facility by the end of the year. This project should conclude in the summer of 2027. 10 The remaining two substations are in design and pending final review. Construction is expected to resume in late 2026.