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Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, hosting a joint informational workshop for the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission to solicit input and encourage public participation during the process of developing the Safety Element Update.
FUNDING: General Fund (87%), El Dorado County Water Agency (13%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
This joint informational workshop for the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission is being hosted by the Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit. The purpose of the workshop is to solicit input and encourage public participation during the process of updating the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element (Safety Element) of the County General Plan. No formal action will be taken.
The County is in the process of updating the Safety Element, which is one of the seven (7) mandatory elements of El Dorado County's General Plan. The General Plan must contain a Safety Element that serves as a policy guide to reduce the potential risk of death, injuries, property damage, economic loss, and social dislocation resulting from natural and human-caused hazards, such as drought, earthquakes, extreme heat, fire, flood, and landslides. The County has contracted with WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. (WSP) to assist with this effort, which is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2024.
The Safety Element Update identifies potential health and safety concerns in the unincorporated areas of the County and lays out goals and policies to protect the community. As a required element of the General Plan, the Safety Element provides a long-term framework on how the County will grow and keep communities and their assets safe through hazard identification, goals and policies, and implementation programs focused on hazard risk reduction and avoidance. The Safety Element does not address or analyze specific safety or hazard related projects. This effort will result in modifications to the current Safety Element to address the changing needs of County residents as well as changes to State law.
Staff plans to return to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in Spring 2024 with a final draft Safety Element Update reflecting comments from today’s workshop and written public comments received along with direction from the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and California Geological Survey.
Throughout the Safety Element Update review process, the public is encouraged to provide written comments to Thea Graybill at thea.graybill@edcgov.us or 2850 Fairlane Court, Building C, Placerville, CA 95667.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On May 14, 2019 (File No. 19-0600, Item No. 33.), the Board adopted Resolution of Intention 068-2019 to amend the County’s General Plan Safety Element following amendments to the Housing Element and as required by State law.
In March 2020, the Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services to update its General Plan Safety Element. Following the RFP process, the Department selected Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (Wood Environment) (now WSP as explained below) and began negotiating an agreement.
On March 16, 2021 (File No. 21-0288, Item No. 19), the Board approved Agreement 5185 with Wood Environment (now WSP) to complete the Safety Element Update for a 3-year term in the amount of $215,142. Wood Environment (now WSP) began working on the Safety Element Update shortly thereafter; however, due to unforeseen delays surrounding COVID and the Caldor Fire, significant progress was not made during Fiscal Year 2020-21.
In November 2022, the County was notified by Wood that because of an acquisition, it had merged with WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. (WSP) effective September 21, 2022. On March 14, 2023 (File No. 22-2250, Item No. 14), the Board approved Amendment I to Agreement 5185 with WSP to assist the County with updating its Safety Element, modifying various articles and administrative details following the acquisition of Wood, with no changes to the scope of work, term, or not-to-exceed amount of the Agreement.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office - Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR)
Sheriff’s Office - Office of Emergency Services
Air Quality Management District
El Dorado County Department of Transportation
El Dorado County Water Agency
El Dorado County Transportation Commission
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
California Geological Survey
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file the information as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for the Safety Element project has been included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget. Funding for services beyond Fiscal Year 2023-24 will be included in subsequent budgets accordingly. Additionally, the contribution of $50,000 from the El Dorado County Water Agency was received in full during Fiscal Year 2021-22.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities - “Encourage and support through policy and resources the pursuit of local, state and federal, private and public funding opportunities to support and promote healthy communities.”
Economic Development - “Explore the feasibility of biomass and cogeneration plants.”
Public Safety - “Improved communication and coordination between public safety and other agencies and the public.”
CONTACT
Rob Peters, Deputy Director of Planning
Planning and Building Department