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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - LOCAL EMERGENCY PROCLAMATIONS (2)►II • ' ' 1' CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: February 14, 1995 Approval Item to be presented by: Michael P. Murphy WIM SUBJECT: State Legislation: Local Emergency Proclamations DEPARTMENT: Management Services The California Emergency Services Act requires that a local emergency may be proclaimed only by an authorized local governing body or designated official. Government Code Section 8630 requires a local governing body to review, at least every 14 days, the need for continuing a local emergency. In the case of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, while the City declared a local state of emergency to begin the state and federal assistance process, many of the funding reimbursements are predicated on federal action in terms of the length of the incident period. To ensure maximum reimbursement eligibility, the Santa Clarita City Council maintained the local emergency declaration concurrent with Federal Emergency Management Agency actions. In order to continue the local emergency over an extended time duration as triggered by the Northridge earthquake, the City Council was required to meet on occasion in extraordinary sessions. These special, single -purpose meetings entail additional public notice postings, development of agendas and commitment of staff and Council Member resources, often within a few days of a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. It appears appropriate to request a change in state law giving local governing bodies more flexibility in the emergency continuation process. Assembly Member Pete Knight has agreed, pending City Council authorization, to introduce state legislation which would change the 14 -day requirement to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the local governing body not to exceed 30 days. The City Council Legislative Committee has approved the bill concept with a request that the 30 -day limit be amended to a maximum of 35 days to accommodate those cities whose Councils meet on a once -per -month cycle. , Agenda liem:��. Approve the City Council Legislative Committee's recommendation requesting Assembly Member Pete Knight to introduce the attached bill authorizing a change in the California Emergency Services Act. Direct staff to seek an amendment from a maximum of 30 days to a maximum of 35 days for the local governing body review period. ATTACHMENT Proposed legislation: Local Emergencies. MPM/emergncy.mte 26364 Bill No. 01/27/95 9:06 Ax RN9503665 PAGE 1 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST as introduced, Knight. General Subject: Local emergencies: maatings of governing bodies. Pursuant to the California Emergency ServiCes Act, a local emergency may be proclaimed only by the governing body of a city, county, or city and county, or by a designatcd official. The governing body is required to review, at least every 14 days until the emergency is terminated, tha need for continuing the local emergency. This hill would, inctaad, require that the governing body make this review at its regularly scheduled meetings, or at least every 30 days, until the emergency is terminated. Vote: majority. Appropriationo no. Piecal committee: no. State -mandated local program: no. 01/27/95 9:08 AM 26354 RN9503665 PAGE 2 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE or cALIronmiA Do ENACT AS FOLLOWSa SECTION 1. Section 6630 of the Government Code is amended to read: 0630. A local cmcrgcnoy may be proclaimed only by the governing body of a city, county, Zr city and county, er city or by an official so designated by ordinance adopted by such that governing body. Whenever a local emergency is proclaimed by an official designated by ordinance, the local emergency shall not remain in effect for a period in excess of seven days unless it has been taLiCied by the governing body. The governing body shall review, at its regularly scheduled meetings, or at least every }4 30 days, until such the local emergency is Lerminated, the need for continuing the local cmcrgency and. The governing body shall pruclaim Che termination of such the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.