REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  March  7, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Law and Justice-5.

SUBJECT:

Sheriff  – Continuation of Local Emergency Proclamation

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Anthony Bertain, Lieutenant, Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (530) 245-6059

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Tom Bosenko, Sheriff

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution recognizing that the circumstances and factors that led to the January 24, 2017 ratification of a proclamation of a local emergency due to storm damage which occurred in the unincorporated area of Shasta County during January 2017 and damages which occurred in the unincorporated and incorporated areas of Shasta County during the February 2017 storms have not been resolved, and  there is a need to continue the proclamation.

SUMMARY

N/A

DISCUSSION

On January 19, 2017, the Shasta County Director of the Office of Emergency Services proclaimed the existence of a local emergency due to storm damage.  The Board's January 24, 2017 adoption of Resolution No. 2017-009 ratified the Proclamation of Local Emergency which enables the County and other local governments to request State and Federal assistance under the State and Federal Disaster Assistance Programs if State and Federal Proclamations are issued; allows the Director of Emergency Services (or authorized official) to take preventative measures necessary to protect and preserve public health and safety; and enhances legal protection for government entities, agencies, and employees with respect to emergency decisions and actions. 

On February 7, 2017, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2017-014 which continued the proclamation.  Since February 27, 2017, the extreme weather systems have subsided.  However, due to the high releases from Keswick Dam implemented by the Bureau of Reclamation to reduce the level of Shasta Lake, extreme conditions still exist and a full assessment cannot be completed until such releases are lowered to a safe level.  The high releases from Keswick Dam also creates conditions of extreme peril to safety of persons and property which would hinder efforts to abate or mitigate those conditions.  After conferring with other public officials involved in this situation, it has been determined that the damage assessments and other issues have not been fully addressed, and the conditions of leading to the extreme peril to the safety of persons and property warrant the continuation of the local emergency declaration as originally set forth in Resolution No. 2017-009 and continued by Resolution No. 2017-014. 

Further, the Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Services, received information from Bureau of Reclamation that they have no timetable, at the time of this report, when the flows out of Keswick Dam will be reduced.  Such flows present a significant threat of peril to persons and property.

Therefore, it is recommended that the Board continue the local emergency proclamation due to storm damage and flooding occurring in January and February 2017.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may suggest modifications to the resolution.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The Department of Public Works, Sheriff’s Office, City of Anderson, City of Redding, CAL Fire and the State of California, Office of Emergency Services collaborated on the recommendation.  County Counsel approved the resolution as to form.  The County Administrative Office has reviewed this recommendation.

FINANCING

There is no additional General Fund impact associated with approving the resolution.  Additional assessments will be conducted to determine whether costs associated with mitigating storm damage will require County funds.