To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, South Park County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency, Occidental County Sanitation District, Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, South Park County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1900, Bradley Elliott 707-547-1060
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
Resolutions to Apply for Future FEMA Disaster Assistance Grants
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a Resolution designating the Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, Director of Engineering, and Assistant General Managers, on behalf of the Sonoma County Water Agency, to file applications and execute agreements for federal and/or state disaster financial assistance, effective for all open and future disasters for up to three (3) years from the date of approval.
B) Adopt a Resolution designating the Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, Director of Engineering, and Assistant General Managers, on behalf of the Occidental County Sanitation District, to file applications and execute agreements for federal and/or state disaster financial assistance, effective for all open and future disasters for up to three (3) years from the date of approval.
C) Adopt a Resolution designating the Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, Director of Engineering, and Assistant General Managers, on behalf of the Russian River County Sanitation District, to file applications and execute agreements for federal and/or state disaster financial assistance, effective for all open and future disasters for up to three (3) years from the date of approval.
D) Adopt a Resolution designating the Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, Director of Engineering, and Assistant General Managers, on behalf of the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District, to file applications and execute agreements for federal and/or state disaster financial assistance, effective for all open and future disasters for up to three (3) years from the date of approval.
E) Adopt a Resolution designating the Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager, Director of Engineering, and Assistant General Managers, on behalf of the South Park County Sanitation District, to file applications and execute agreements for federal and/or state disaster financial assistance, effective for all open and future disasters for up to three (3) years from the date of approval.
end
Executive Summary:
The statewide competitive grant programs make funds available for activities that will lessen damage to people, structures, and infrastructure in the event of a disaster. Adopting resolutions designating authorized representatives to apply for and receive grant funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency and/or the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will allow Sonoma County Water Agency, on behalf of the Agency and the sanitation districts it operates, to quickly respond to funding opportunities for open and possible future disasters for a period of up to three (3) years following the date of approval. The language and form of the resolution are provided by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Discussion:
Background
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) manages and maintains a water transmission system that provides naturally filtered Russian River water to nine cities and special districts that in turn delivers drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties.
In 1995, Sonoma Water assumed responsibility from the County of Sonoma for managing the county sanitation zones and districts, which provide wastewater collection and treatment, and recycled water distribution and disposal services for more than 30,000 residences and businesses. Sonoma Water operates and manages four County Sanitation Districts under contracts with the Districts: Occidental County Sanitation District (Occidental District), Russian River County Sanitation District (Russian River District), Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (Sonoma Valley District), and South Park County Sanitation District (South Park District).
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
Natural disasters can result in enormous cost to the public through loss of life, human suffering, property damage, and economic loss. Lack of preparedness can make recovery a very arduous and drawn-out process, which can last for many months or years and can continue to depress a region long after the physical signs of the disaster have disappeared.
As an incentive for pre-disaster mitigation planning, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 established pre-disaster mitigation programs, administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Collectively referred to as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA), a larger amount of funds is available for communities that have developed a comprehensive mitigation plan prior to a disaster. Funding for the implementation of these plans reduces overall risks to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations. HMA grants are awarded on a competitive basis and without reference to state allocations, quotas, or other formula-based allocation of funds.
Through its HMA programs, FEMA helps states, territories, federally recognized tribes, local communities and certain private, non-profit organizations become more resilient to potential infrastructure damage and reduce future disaster costs. In the past 30 years, FEMA has invested more than $1.4 billion to reduce disaster risk in California. Funding for the implementation of these plans reduces overall risks to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations.
For projects to be eligible for HMA funds, the applicant must have a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The LHMP creates a blueprint for reducing the damage to infrastructure from natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, fires, and earthquakes.
Sonoma Water’s LHMP was approved by FEMA on September 19, 2024. The Sonoma Valley District has its own plan that was approved by FEMA on February 24, 2023. The Occidental, Russian River, and South Park Sanitation Districts, along with the sanitation zones, are included in Sonoma Water’s LHMP.
<https://www.sonomawater.org/lhmp>
Every application for these grant funds must be accompanied by a resolution from the applicant’s governing board authorizing specific individuals to apply for the grant and take certain actions if the grant is awarded. The actions normally associated with these grants include applying for, obtaining, modifying and claiming reimbursements, and amending and closing out grant documentation.
The resolutions can be adopted as either a disaster-specific resolution or a “universal” resolution that is effective for all open and future disasters up to three (3) years of the date of approval. The disaster-specific option limits the designated agents’ authority to a particular grant or project. Additional resolutions would be required for any subsequent grant or disaster approved for funding. Staff recommends adopting the “universal” version to enable staff to efficiently interact with FEMA in the wake of disasters. Federally declared disasters activate numerous potential funding programs that often have short windows to apply. If the universal option is adopted, staff will keep the Boards of Directors informed of any subsequent grant awards via staff update reports.
FEMA funding received to date
Since 2010, in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, Sonoma Water has successfully managed over $11.8 million in hazard mitigation funds for construction and planning projects, with $2.9 million for a current project, and an additional $6.2 million in a pending award.
Since 2013, Sonoma Valley District has received approximately $5.8 million in hazard mitigation funds for construction and planning projects.
Since 2018, Russian River District has received $1.5 million in hazard mitigation funds for construction, with an additional $44,365 for planning projects.
To date Occidental District and South Park District have not received hazard mitigation funds.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
This item directly supports Sonoma Water’s Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following goal, strategy, and action item.
Goal: 1. Organizational Excellence - Strengthen the organization and workforce to perform our core functions and responsibilities.
Strategy: 1.3 Ensure financial integrity and stability by implementing sound and equitable practices to meet infrastructure and service needs.
Action Item: 1.3.1 Ensure adequate funding and increase grant revenues to support priorities.
Goal: 2. Planning and Infrastructure - Implement comprehensive, integrated, and innovative infrastructure planning to strengthen existing services, minimize life cycle costs, and prepare for the future.
Strategy: 2.1 Conduct planning that integrates and balances operational, maintenance, and infrastructure priorities.
Action Item: 2.1.1 Conduct and update natural hazard vulnerability assessments to reliably meet performance requirements and service goals.
Action Item: 2.1.3 Continue to engage in planning efforts to support reliable wastewater and flood management services.
Projects funded by mitigation grants allow Sonoma Water and the Districts to increase infrastructure resiliency and reliability before disaster strikes. By adopting these resolutions staff will be able to quickly and efficiently interact with FEMA and Cal OES in order to apply to potential funding opportunities available under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance program.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
5/9/2023: Adopted resolutions authorizing application and acceptance of Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants for a period of three years for the Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma County Water Agency, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District.
6/9/2020: Adopted resolutions authorizing application and acceptance of Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants for a period of three years for the Russian River County Sanitation District, Sonoma County Water Agency, and Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no fiscal impact associated with adopting the resolutions. Staff will return to your Boards with future grant awards and resulting fiscal impacts.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution A: Sonoma County Water Agency
Resolution B: Occidental County Sanitation District
Resolution C: Russian River County Sanitation District
Resolution D: Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Resolution E: South Park County Sanitation District
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.