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Santa Cruz council adopts combined hazard mitigation and climate adaptation plan
Summary
The council adopted a combined Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan that identifies 27 mitigation actions, incorporates FEMA and state guidance and will be submitted to FEMA for final approval.
The Santa Cruz City Council voted to adopt a combined Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan covering the next five years, a document the city says is the first combined plan of its kind approved by the California Office of Emergency Services.
Sustainability and Resiliency Officer Tiffany WeisWest (Weisbeth) told the council the plan identifies hazards and vulnerabilities, outlines long-term strategies to reduce impacts and is required for certain FEMA mitigation funding. She said the plan was funded by a FEMA hazard mitigation grant, prepared with consultant support, and included input from more than 500 residents and 11 community partners during an 18-month process.
WeisWest said the plan expands the city’s analysis to include climate-driven hazards such as extreme heat and integrates coastal, riverine, tsunami and wildfire risk assessments. She also noted the plan contains 27 prioritized mitigation actions and described next steps: filing the plan with FEMA for approval, completing a multi-hazard interaction analysis and pursuing funding for projects already on the city’s list.
Councilmembers asked how plan outputs will affect insurance and regulatory outcomes and how the city will manage dynamic multi-hazard threats. WeisWest said the plan will include initial “triggers and thresholds” for adaptation pathways, will be monitored and updated, and that the city intends to report annually to council on progress. Councilmember Golder asked about creek and river flood mapping; WeisWest confirmed riverine mapping was included and that an additional Department of Water Resources study will be integrated in the next plan update.
Councilmember O’Hara moved to adopt staff’s recommendation; the vice mayor seconded. The motion passed on roll-call vote. Staff said the plan’s strategies are intended for implementation over five years and that some projects already have funding identified.
Next steps: the city will file the adopted plan with FEMA for final approval, begin the multi-hazard interaction analysis and pursue funding for identified mitigation actions.
