TO: CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 1, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The community has been invited to attend this workshop, which will focus on wildfire preparedness and prevention. City staff, along with representatives from Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and local utilities, will present the measures they are taking to prevent and respond to wildfires and other emergencies. Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions. The meeting will be live-streamed on Zoom and will be recorded and posted on the City website for later viewing.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Receive presentations from City staff, LACoFD and local utility representatives regarding wildfire preparedness and prevention;
B. Hear public comments and questions;
C. Provide City Council comments and questions;
D. Hold a brief recess;
E. Have staff and outside representatives respond to comments and questions received; and
F. Provide City Council closing comments.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The staff cost to prepare this report and conduct the special meeting is estimated at $13,300 and is included in each department’s operating budget.
ANALYSIS
Considering recent wildfires and wind events in the Los Angeles region, the City Council directed staff to coordinate a public workshop focusing on wildfire preparedness and prevention. City staff will provide a high-level overview of what a coordinated emergency response entails and will discuss some of the City’s efforts related to wildfire and emergency preparedness. The following community partners have also been asked to prepare brief presentations regarding their wildfire preparedness/response efforts:
• Battalion Chief Noble Robinson on behalf of LACoFD;
• Foothill District General Manager Ben Lewis on behalf of Golden State Water;
• Public Affairs Manager Jessica Alvarenga on behalf of SoCalGas;
• Regional Public Affairs Manager Marissa Castro-Salvati on behalf of Southern California Edison;
• Disaster Management Area Coordinator Diana Manzano-Garcia on behalf of Area D Office of Disaster Management; and
• Principal Management Analyst Mackenzie Bolger on behalf of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG)
Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions. The meeting will be live-streamed on Zoom and will be recorded and posted on the City website for later viewing.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, and the General Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Adam Pirrie Katie Wand
City Manager Deputy City Manager