2014 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW. Consider receiving the 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan annual review.

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1 STAFF REPORT MEETING DATE: July 22, 2014 TO: FROM: City Council Police Chief James Berg 922 Machin Avenue Novato, CA (415) FAX (415) SUBJECT: 2014 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW REQUEST Consider receiving the 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan annual review. RECOMMENDATION Receive the 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan annual review. DISCUSSION To ensure the Hazard Mitigation Plan remains an active and relevant document an annual review is suggested and an evaluation and revision is required every five years. The Plan was adopted by the City Council on November 29, 2011 and approved by FEMA on March 29, The plan is organized into six sections and identifies four major goals: Sections: Section One - Introduction Section Two - Planning Process Section Three - Hazard Vulnerability Analysis Section Four - Capability Assessment Section Five - Hazard Mitigation Strategies Section Six - Plan Maintenance Four major goals: to promote disaster resistant development, encourage residents to adopt mitigation actions, improve hazard mitigation communication with other governmental agencies and private entities, reduce the possibility of damage and losses to people, existing facilities and infrastructure. cc14_128.docx; 7/16/ Novato City Council Agenda Staff Report Date: File No. Page 1

2 For each of the goals, one or more objectives were identified that provide mitigation actions to attain that goal. These mitigation actions form the implementation plan which is the core of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Implementation Plan lists each action and identifies who has responsibility for the action, the estimated time frame for completion and estimated funding or funding sources to support implementation and a cost benefit review. Most mitigation actions are designed to be carried out through the normal governmental and operational mechanisms used by the City in the performances of its duties and responsibilities on a day to day basis; this has been accomplished with the majority of the mitigation actions. The remaining actions are either: complete, in progress or no action taken. The two action items below were added to the Implementation Plan with Council s acceptance of last year s report: PG&E gas transmission pipeline incidents: Because of the 2010 San Bruno natural gas line explosion, maps along with pictures identifying gas transmission pipelines for the Novato area from the National Pipeline Mapping System were included in the City s approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. The gas transmission pipeline incidents mitigation action was added to the Hazard Mitigation Plan as a result of gas leak incidents occurring in 2011 and SMART rail: The SMART rail item will address the need for specific rail safety response training as we approach the opening date of the SMART rail service traveling through Novato. The next update to the Hazard Mitigation Plan will address any mitigation efforts needed with regards to this transportation system. Several mitigation success stories occurred this past year: A Facilities Condition Assessment was completed and reported to the City Council in March, In November, 2013, Pump Stations #1 and #2 were drained and cleaned out with a vacuum tube; the station was then inspected On April 2, 2013, the City Council approved a conceptual work program and process as outlined by staff to prepare an update to the 1996 General Plan. City staff participated in the Great California Shakeout by conducting earthquake drills at city facilities. In addition, the City hosted a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) as part of the regional Golden Guardian Exercise. The Novato TTX included the City, Novato Fire District, North Marin Water District, Novato Sanitary District, Novato Unified School District, Novato Community Hospital, and Novato Chamber of Commerce staff. In addition, online and certified disaster related FEMA training opportunities were offered for City staff. This year, the Get Ready Program included co-hosting a session with the Novato Community Hospital. After piloting a Get Ready 5 course for 5 th graders, we will be working with the Novato Unified School District to increase the offerings. 2 Page 2

3 Accomplished in 2012 and 2011: When a gas leak occurred in October, 2012, the Telephone Emergency Notification Service broadcast a prerecorded message to approximately 100 homes in the potential exposure area of the gas leak. The message provided instruction on how to shelter-in-place until the hazard was abated. A 3,000 gallon fuel tank was installed, providing 24 hour access for city emergency crews. Several emergency trainings were held for city staff and volunteers in 2013 An emergency generator was installed at the Margaret Todd Center. The generator provides an alternative source of power allowing the site to function as a critical shelter during an emergency. Additional details for these completed items are included in the Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Review, an attachment to this report. FISCAL IMPACT No fiscal impact. ATTACHMENTS 1. Hazard Mitigation Plan Annual Review 3 Page 3

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5 City of Novato HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Annual Review Hazard Mitigation Plan (2011 version) Review City codes every 3 years and adopts the most up to date State of California, revisions to the California Building Codes based on the International Code Council with California amendments, which increase resistance of structures to ground shaking and other geologic hazards Update the City of Novato's Local Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years Compile and inventory City-owned buildings at risk Continue to conduct annual inspection and maintenance of storm sewer drainage systems and utilize vacuum truck with additional capacity and enhanced storm drain clearing technology Update The state published the 2013 California Building Standards Code to be effective, January 1, To be in compliance with local amendments, the City adopted the 2013 California Building Code and 2013 California Residential Code based on the 2012 International Building Code and the 2012 International Residential Code on November 12, 2013 with an effective date of January 2, The Local Flood Mitigation Plan is expected to be updated in A Facilities Condition Assessment was completed and reported to the City Council in March, In that assessment, 20 of the 21 evaluated facilities received a good rating, with one, the Hamilton Gym and Bowling Alley, being in poor condition. The assessment was conducted by Faithful and Gould, Inc. This assessment did not include buildings that were either vacant, maintained by others or under construction at the time of the assessment. These included the following vacant buildings: Hamilton Hospital, Hamilton Theater, Base Officers Quarters and Officers Club, as well as the Simmons House, Haven House, Scott House and Community House. Those sites maintained by others included Morningstar and the Miwok Museum. The New City Hall was under construction at the time of the assessment and was not included. The Maintenance Division s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program provides annual inspection and cleaning of drainage inlets and storm drains within the street right-ofway. Once inspected, a priority list for cleaning is developed. A second sweeper has been used to assist in pick-up of heavy 1 Page 5

6 leaf fall prior to winter storms. In addition, the City continues to integrate NPDES Phase II permit requirements into its maintenance program Update General Plan every 10 years as feasible. In November, 2013, Pump Stations #1 and #2 were drained and cleaned out with a vacuum tube; the station was then inspected. On April 2, 2013, the City Council approved a conceptual work program and process as outlined by staff to prepare an update to the 1996 General Plan. This General Plan Update will occur as a series of discrete tasks. These tasks will be informed by public feedback collected during community workshops and through various education and outreach efforts, as well as through meetings with the various Commissions and the City Council, all of which will occur throughout a three-year effort Identify appropriate staffing levels of public safety personnel to address vulnerabilities identified within the capabilities of the City Conduct training biannually on response and recovery exercises for city staff and volunteers. In addition, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) approved the City s Housing Element Update, a section of Novato s General Plan. Compliance with state housing element law makes Novato eligible to receive state funding for transportation projects, and allows the City to prepare its Housing Element which is required to be adopted by the end of the year. The police department currently has 1.10 officers per 1,000 residents, falling below the state average ratio of 2.3 full-time officers per 1,000 residents and below the nation-wide average of 2.4 officers per 1,000 residents. Emergency trainings were held during 2014: Online and certified disaster related FEMA training opportunities continue for City 2 Page 6

7 staff. City staff participated in the Great California Shakeout by conducting earthquake drills at city facilities. In addition, the City hosted a Tabletop Exercise as part of the regional Golden Guardian Exercise. The Novato TTX included City, Novato Fire District, North Marin Water District, Novato Sanitary District, Novato Unified School District, Novato Community Hospital, and Novato Chamber of Commerce staff Implement and maintain the telephone emergency response system to broadcast emergency information and warnings to designated first responders, the public, individuals, pre-designated telephone listing and selected geographical areas Protect the city s data, technology infrastructure and staff against cyber attacks such as but not limited to: Viruses Network and system attacks Web site hacking Police personnel attend quarterly meetings for the North Bay Incident Management Team. Some meetings have included table top exercises for wild land fire scenario below the Big Rock Ridge in Novato. A telephone emergency response system has been implemented and the Police Department currently collaborates with the Marin County Office of Emergency Services to provide service with their reverse system, which includes several enhancements to our prior system and at less expense. Marin OES maintains the contract and database. The City uses several technologies to protect against cyber attacks and maintain proper electronic security: Anti-Virus software installed on all City computers and servers, software updated in real time. Firewall surrounding City with an additional layer of protection for the Police Department managed by Marin IT. The City s public facing internet website is hosted by a third party provider which does not have any direct connection to the City s internal network. This approach helps to mitigate the risk to the City network infrastructure associated with most types of website attacks. 3 Page 7

8 2.1 Encourage the public to prepare and maintain a 3-day preparedness kit for home and work useable for all hazards. The City recommends every citizen prepare a basic emergency supply kit for their family and be prepared for 72 hours of survival. The City provides a basic emergency supply kit for every city employee and replaces perishable items annually. Also available on the City s web site is FEMA s A guide to Citizen Preparedness brings together facts on disaster survival techniques, disaster-specific information, and how to prepare for and respond to both natural and man-made disasters. In addition, the City is active in the Countywide Get Ready program that teaches households to be prepared with the necessary skills and information to survive and cope with a disaster. The City provides this training to the community on in English and Spanish every even numbered month, with additional offerings upon request. This past year 8 Get Ready trainings were offered with 86 of residents attending. 2.2 Continue the City s outreach program to flood-prone property owners and the citizens of Novato to help them mitigate their flood risks. 2.3 Update City websites to provide convenient public access to earthquake This year, the Get Ready Program included co-hosting a session with the Novato Community Hospital. After piloting a Get Ready 5 course for 5 th graders, we will be working with the Novato Unified School District to increase the offerings. A Flood Information letter is sent annually to property owners located within the floodplain and is available on the City s website at: ge=458 This webpage also provides links and information regarding preparedness information, insurance, repetitive loss areas, sandbag locations and a history of flooding in Novato. Available on the City s web site is a link to the County s Office of Emergency Services 4 Page 8

9 hazard maps and educational mitigation materials and distribute printed publications to the community concerning hazards Update the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan, as needed and update the plan when the State of California and the County of Marin update their Emergency Preparedness plans. 3.4 Identify projects for pre-disaster mitigation funding and assure adequate funding where feasible to restore damaged facilities. and information page and to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Earthquake and other hazards program page. A link is also provided to a PG&E online outage mapping feature launched by PGE. The map will shows all current electrical outages in the service area. The new outage map uses a Google Maps interface to show all current electrical outages, with data pulled from PG&E's Outage Information System (OIS). The City updated its plan in 2009 and will provide additional updates as the State or County issue plan updates. In a joint effort with other local emergency managers we are in the process of updating the plan with an expected issue date in The City partners with the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to secure funding for flood reduction projects as identified in the Watershed Work Plan. 3.5 SMART rail The Police Department completed training regarding potential SMART train incidents. The next update to the Hazard Mitigation Plan will address any mitigation efforts needed with regards to this transportation system Continue to require adherence to the California Building Codes for Seismic Risk Zone 4 design requirements in order to protect against seismic hazards Repair and resurface Atherton US 101 bridge crossing for safe vehicle traffic and protect rebar that is beginning to be exposed, this bridge crossing is a major evacuation route for the Novato area PG&E gas transmission pipeline incidents The City of Novato has adopted and enforces the 2013 California Building Code and 2013 California Residential Code which continue to require strict Seismic Risk Zone 4 design requirements to protect against seismic hazards. This is a funded Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) project. Caltrans performs biannual bridge inspections on all major bridges in California, according to their bridge report a new surface was needed. The City will apply a new polyester surface; this project is expected to be completed this fiscal year. With the 2012 gas leak incidents, PGE has provided public safety response training for Police and Fire personnel on proper 5 Page 9

10 emergency techniques for pipelines incidents. PGE has repaired and replaced 200 feet of pipe at the corner of San Marin Drive and Redwood Blvd and continues to implement its Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan to modernize its natural gas transmission operations over the next several years in order to help achieve new, tougher standards for pipeline safety. With effort from a longtime Novato resident an unsupported 60-foot section of exposed Pacific Gas and Electric pipe over Novato's Pacheco Creek with natural gas rushing through it under high pressure, was rerouted underground and the pipe over the creek in Novato's Pacheco Valle was removed; source: Marin IJ Continue to enforce the City's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and use current Flood Insurance Rate Maps for development Require all development in the 100 year flood zone to comply with the Floodplain Zoning requirements in the Novato Municipal Code and ensure projects comply with the California Environmental Quality Act and refer any development proposal that has a direct or indirect impact on flood protection to The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is the official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. (Additional information is available at: The current Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) became effective May 4, The new maps are a digital product, also known as DFIRMs. These maps reflect current flood risks and areas of recent growth, as a result, property owners throughout Novato will have up-to-date, reliable, internet-accessible information about their flood risk on a property-byproperty basis. The City continues to maintain its standards for preserving the 100 year Flood plain as development in the City of Novato is carefully regulated, and any construction that takes place, inside or outside the building, requires permits from the City. In the Special Flood Hazard Areas, special rules apply that require new developments 6 Page 10

11 Public Works for comment and other agencies as necessary Maintain Novato s compliance and good standing under the National Flood Insurance program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS). be protected from flood damage, elevating their lowest level above the base flood elevation. The City continues to participate in the CRS program and is currently rated a CRS Class 6 Community, giving policyholders in a SFHA a 20% discount on their premiums, and those not in a SFHA a 10% discount. By participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), (administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA), federally backed and reasonably priced insurance is available to Novato citizens Create a comprehensive computerized model of the Novato s basins and produce maps to aid the Clean Storm Water program by completing the Storm Drainage Master Plan. The GIS database will work to monitor flow throughout the City s network of storm drains. By participating in the NFIP the City is mandated to meet or exceed standards set by FEMA. When communities go beyond the minimum standards for floodplain management, the NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) provides discounts off flood insurance premiums for policyholders in that community. Development of the Storm Drainage Master Plan is scheduled for completion in FY 2014/15 and will be completed in conjunction with current pollutant discharge elimination programs (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); Marin County Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP); and best management practices. The initial master plan work was done during and supported the Measure F bond funding component for storm drainage improvements. The focus at that time was identifying areas where existing local storm drains (as opposed to Flood Control District facilities) warranted upgrades in capacity design to convey flows. The new work includes compiling all the previous work done into a comprehensive 7 Page 11

12 4.2.8 Meet annually with all agencies involved in Marin County Flood Control projects to ensure that structural projects are considered and continue to cooperate with Marin jurisdictions in pursuing all available sources of funding to finance improvements to storm drainage facilities Train Public Works and Police personnel in emergency flood response techniques Reduce flooding in northeasterly area of downtown Novato by providing enhancements to the existing ditch on the west side of the railroad tracks Participate with FEMA to update and maintain the Flood FIRM/DFIRM maps Provide emergency flood control resources such as plastic sheeting and sand bags to businesses and citizens in emergencies. computerized model of the Novato basins. Mapping will be produced to aid the Clean Storm Water program and the drainage component of the Development Impact Fees. The information obtained will be integrated with the existing storm drain inventory. The work product will also focus on the creation of a GIS database which will serve as a key to facilities management work in the City of Novato with respect to the NPDES mandate to monitor flows throughout the city's network of storm drains. The master plan work will assist creek inspections and pollution complaint investigations. The maps produced will show all pipe outfalls into creeks, and will help fulfill the outfall monitoring task required by the Goals 2000 Clean Storm Water Program (MCSTOPPP). Public Works Director meets regularly with County and other jurisdictions to discuss flood control projects; the Novato Watershed study is a result of open and ongoing communications. Training personnel in emergency situations is an ongoing effort, and as resources are available, specific training for flooding response techniques will be addressed. The Olive Ave. Improvements project will replace failing drainage facilities, provide a storm water treatment outfall structure and rehabilitate the pavement between Redwood Boulevard and Railroad Avenue. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin construction in the spring of City staff updates FEMA as required to maintain the Flood FIRM/DFIRM maps. During an emergency the City provides a limited stockpile of sand bags and sand at the City s Corporation Yard. The City s website lists vendors where bags and sand may be purchased in addition to sandbag 8 Page 12

13 Manage seepage at the Hamilton Levee to minimize impacts and inundation risks to private property Continue to identify and update facilities within urban/wildland fire interface areas. construction. The Hamilton Levee Seepage Collection Phase II project will collect seepage (relative to the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project) and discharge it into a drainage system that takes the water to the storm drain pump station. The Hamilton pump station was updated with monitoring hardware, software, and radios to provide more reliable communication. The Novato Fire District has provided the City of Novato with a WUI interface map that has been added to city mapping programs and WUI parcels are identified in the City's permit software. When permits are applied for that affect building exteriors, the applicant is required to meet WUI or fire resistance construction requirements as part of the permit process. Any new developments are identified in the same manner. The City prohibited new Class C roofs beginning in 1989 and has only allowed Class A and B roofs since that time. The City estimates that there are currently less than 50 Class C roofs remaining in Novato at this time. 9 Page 13