To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator, County Counsel, Emergency Management, Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: 707-565-2241
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
November 2024 Atmospheric River Storm Event
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a Resolution ratifying local emergency proclamation in the Sonoma County Operational area due to November 2024 Atmospheric River Storm Event, issued by the County Executive Officer (CEO) in her capacity of Director of Emergency Services;
B) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Public Infrastructure to utilize Road Commissioner contracting authority for emergency repairs to County-maintained roads necessitated by the November 2024 Atmospheric Bomb Cyclone Rain Event. end
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution ratifying the local emergency proclamation issued by the County Executive Officer (CEO) in her capacity of Director of Emergency Services due to the November 2024 category 4 Atmospheric River Storm Event.
Sonoma County Code Chapter 10, Article 1, Section 10-5(b) provides authority for the Director of Emergency Services to issue a proclamation of local emergency, if the Board of Supervisors is not in session, and subject to ratification by the Board within seven days.
Assessments of storm impacts are ongoing. Based on Sonoma Public Infrastructure’s (SPI) initial evaluation, there are at least three slip-out sites requiring immediate attention to prevent further deterioration and potential loss of roads. One damage site is on Pine Flat Road and two sites are on Cavedale Road. These roads serve not only as primary access points for residents and services but also as critical evacuation routes. An immediate response is essential to stabilize these areas to safeguard life, health, and property, and before additional precipitation exacerbates the damage. Accordingly, this item requests that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of SPI to utilize Road Commissioner contracting authority for emergency repairs to County-maintained roads necessitated by the November 2024 storm.
Discussion:
Beginning on November 20, 2024, heavy rainfall as a result of a category 4 atmospheric river storm brought over 13 inches of rain in the span of six days, as recorded at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. Other areas of the county received over 20 inches of rain.
The event resulted in flooding, landslides, downed trees, disrupted utility services, and blocked and damaged roadways including slides in parts of Sonoma County. Several creeks and streams are still above the action/monitor stage, requiring emergency protective measures. Due to these ongoing conditions of extreme peril to safety of persons and property, the Director of Emergency Services issued a Proclamation of Existence of Local Emergency in the Sonoma County Operational Area on November 26, 2024.
Based on ongoing damage assessments and existing conditions, SPI recommends the Board authorize the Director of SPI to utilize Road Commissioner contracting authority for emergency repairs to County-maintained roads necessitated by the November 2024 Atmospheric River Storm Event.
Under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, awarding construction contracts above specified dollar thresholds is a function of the Board of Supervisors. However, for work done on County-maintained roads, the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, allows the Board to authorize the Director of SPI, as the County Road Commissioner, to utilize alternative contracting procedures. Where emergency road repairs are necessitated by the imminence or occurrence of a landslide, flood, storm damage, or other emergency and the public interest and necessity demand immediate action to safeguard life, health, or property, Public Contract Code Sections 22031 and 20395, allow the Director of SPI, with Board authorization, to contract for such repairs without advertising for bids or to perform the work with County forces.
Based on SPI’s evaluation, there are at least three slip-out sites caused by the November 2024 Atmospheric River Storm Event requiring immediate attention to prevent further deterioration and potential loss of roads. One damage site is on Pine Flat Road and two sites are on Cavedale Road. These roads serve not only as primary access points for residents and services but also as critical evacuation routes. An immediate response is essential to stabilize these areas to safeguard life, health, and property, and before additional precipitation exacerbates the damage. SPI’s initial damage estimate for repairs to these roads is approximately $2.1 million.
Ratifying November 26, 2024, local emergency proclamation will make available to the County/Operational Area, state, and local mutual aid, and allow for any State and Federal emergency funding, if it is made available.
The enclosed resolution language also gives the CEO authority to make decisions regarding pay for the County workforce should impacts from the storm on County facilities require directing county workforce to execute protective and/or recovery measures and services.
Staff will be available to provide current conditions and response at the meeting.
Prior Board Actions: None
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution Ratifying Proclamation of Local Emergency
Director of Emergency Services November 26, 2004, Proclamation of Local Emergency
Resolution Authorizing the Director of the Department of Public Infrastructure to Utilize Road Commissioner Contracting Authority for Emergency Repairs to County-maintained Roads
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None