Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 16, 2022
Subject
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF THE METRO 2022 ALL-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution in Attachment A that:
A. ADOPTS the Metro 2022 All-Hazards Mitigation Plan in Attachment B;
B. AUTHORIZES the Emergency Management Department to forward the resolution of adoption to FEMA for issuance of the Final Letter of Approval. Upon receipt, the Final Letter of Approval will be included in the Final Plan; and
C. AUTHORIZES the Emergency Management Department, in collaboration with Countywide Planning and Development, to pursue FEMA preparedness grant funding to support all Metro departments and collaborative stakeholders.
Issue
ISSUE
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires government entities to develop, implement, and update hazard mitigation plans recognizing potential natural hazards and develop mitigation measures that reduce associated risks and vulnerabilities. The plan is a tool to aid in facility infrastructure planning and improvements, including climate resiliency, and is a requirement to apply for the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program (previously known as the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program).
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro has been ineligible to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs without a Board adopted and FEMA approved All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (AHMP). Over the past ten years an estimated $15B has been awarded by FEMA to states, local communities and special districts, like Metro, to reduce their vulnerability to disasters and natural hazards. FEMA has identified Transportation as the first Emergency Support Function needed to help communities increase their resilience and respond to and recover after a major disaster. This will aid Metro in supporting important but underfunded projects.
As part of the planning process, the Planning Team developed a Mitigation Actions Matrix that identified current and future programs and projects related to the vulnerability of Metro assets to natural hazards including those identified in the 2016 Active Transportation Strategic Plan and the 2019 Metro Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Additional mitigation strategies were derived directly from the Planning Team members based upon their knowledge and/or experience of Metro assets within the region. The All-Hazards Mitigation Plan reflects the following goals: (1) protect life and property, (2) enhance public awareness, (3) protect natural systems, (4) promote partnerships and implementation, and (5) enhance emergency services. The adoption of the AHMP will allow Metro to apply for FEMA emergency preparedness grant funding programs. The AHMP will be a living document and will be reviewed by the Planning Team members on a biennial basis to ensure strategies in the Mitigation Actions Matrix are implemented based on grant awards.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
In 2021, the HMGP received a commitment from President Biden of more than $3.46 Billion to increase resiliency and subsequently $1 Billion to the BRIC Program nationwide. This is Metro’s first Local All-Hazard Mitigation Plan and has received the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) approval on July 13, 2022, with FEMA full acceptance, pending Metro Board adoption within twelve months from the approval date.
Metro’s Emergency Management began the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan (AHMP) process in May 2019 with contracted services from General Technologies and Solutions and Emergency Planning Consultants. Metro’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Team consisted of 45 representatives from twenty-six departments, with involvement in Metro assets including facilities and infrastructure management. To develop the First Draft Plan, the Planning Team conducted four strategy workshops over a twelve-month period. As a federal requirement of the planning process, the general public and external agencies were invited to participate by providing comments and input into iterations of several drafts, resulting in the final draft being submitted to and conditionally approved by FEMA, pending Metro Board adoption. The public and external agencies were informed of the Plan’s availability through Community Relations email blasts, Metro’s The Source online Blog and posting on Metro’s public facing website.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The projects identified in the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan, will have a direct impact on the safety of our customers during and after a natural disaster. These projects are aimed at lessening the impacts and effects of natural disasters for our customers, employees and assets.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of the resolution will allow Metro to apply for grant funding. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program both require an approved All-Hazard Mitigation Plan as a prerequisite for grant eligibility and access to these funding sources.
Impact to Budget
Adoption of the resolution has no impact on the FY 2023 Budget. In future fiscal years grant dollars Metro was previously ineligible for, will be pursued to offset the costs of projects identified in the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
With public transit being largely used in Los Angeles County by Equity Focus Communities and by vulnerable groups, this plan has identified Metro agency-wide facility assets, their current vulnerabilities to natural hazards and climate change, and mitigation strategies to prevent or minimize risks to Metro properties, which benefits all public riders. There may be some burdens created for residents and businesses at the initiation and implementation of specific projects, however, the benefit of mitigating projects within the AHMP would be less severe than the loss of critical services and the large economic impact on the community it serves. Metro is responsible for prioritizing projects submitted for mitigation funding, based on recent natural disasters and available funds. Metro commits to prioritizing projects that greatly impact Equity Focused Communities to help lessen service interruption and recovery time for service restoration.
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports strategic plan goal # 1, Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. This supports improvements to Metro’s current assets to decrease transit system delays due to inclement weather, or other natural disasters, aiding in recovery operations to restore service delivery. It also supports investing in infrastructure improvements and mitigating the impacts of climate change to Metro assets.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve the resolution in Attachment A. Staff does not recommend this alternative because it will impede Metro’s eligibility to apply for grant funding from large federal funding sources.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Adopt the attached Resolution, finalize the federal hazard mitigation planning and approval process. Emergency Management staff will then work with internal stakeholders to apply for grant funding to support projects identified in the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution
Attachment B - Metro 2022 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan
Attachment C - Federal Emergency Management Agency Approvable Pending Adoption Notice LA County Metro All-Hazard Mitigation Plan
Attachment D - Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool, July 13, 2022
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Aldon Bordenave, Sr. Director, Emergency Services and Homeland Security, (213) 922-4507
Moniek Pointer, Manager, Emergency and Homeland Security Preparedness, (213) 922-4509
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Gina Osborn, Chief Safety Officer, (213) 922-3055
