Council adopts local hazard mitigation plan into city safety element to preserve FEMA cost‑share benefits

The Half Moon Bay City Council on May 6 voted unanimously to amend the city’s 1991 General Plan safety element to incorporate the city’s 2021 local hazard mitigation plan, a procedural step staff said is important to preserve state incentives that reduce local cost shares on federal disaster recovery grants.

Planning‑division staff explained the update responds to recent state legislation and guidance intended to encourage local governments to formally tie their hazard mitigation plans to the safety element of the general plan. The staff presentation described the action as a way to “take the carrot” offered by the state: when the city qualifies for FEMA emergency funding, the state can assume the typical local share — about 6 percent — if the local hazard mitigation plan is properly incorporated into the safety element.

City staff reminded the council the local hazard mitigation plan itself was adopted in 2021 and that the safety element is actively being updated; the new safety element is expected to come before the planning commission and council later this year for a substantive update. Staff also noted the local hazard mitigation plan will have to be re‑adopted into the safety element again in October 2026 to remain current.

After a short public hearing with one online commenter seeking clarification about past unfunded projects, a council motion to adopt the amendment passed on a roll call vote: Council Member Johnson — yes; Council Member Nagenghast — yes; Council Member Penrose — yes; Vice Mayor Redick — yes; Mayor Brownstone — yes.

Staff said the amendment should preserve potential state cost‑share advantages in future FEMA funding cycles and help ensure the city remains eligible for certain hazard mitigation and disaster recovery funds.