Baldwin Park staff outlines timeline and outreach for five-year hazard mitigation plan update

City staff told the Baldwin Park Planning Commission on Monday night that the city is updating its five-year Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LMHP) to maintain eligibility for FEMA hazard mitigation funding and to guide capital improvement priorities.

"Local jurisdictions must have a FEMA approved local hazard mitigation plan to be eligible for FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance funding and are required to be updated every 5 years to continue that funding," the staff presenter said, explaining the plan identifies hazards, vulnerable areas and long-term risk-reduction strategies.

The presenter said the LMHP identifies a set of natural hazards the city's mitigation committee has prioritized for study, including dam failure, drought, earthquake, extreme heat, high winds, inland flooding and urban wildfire. The staffer said the city is working with consultant Constant and Associates to prepare a draft for public review and that the draft is expected to be released for comment in midsummer, with adoption by the Baldwin Park City Council targeted for December.

Commissioners asked how hazards will be ranked and what methodology the consultant is using. Staff said ranking will follow the data analysis phase of the study and that the process includes both required hazard identification under FEMA and Cal OES standards and opportunities to focus on concerns localized to Baldwin Park.

"We're taking input. They're doing the data analysis now and the ranking will be one of the major findings of the study," staff said. The presenter noted that identifying the highest-priority hazards will help the city target limited mitigation funds toward projects such as storm-drain improvements or vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk.

Commissioners pressed on outreach and languages. Staff said advertising materials for the LMHP will be produced in English and Spanish and that the draft plan posted online may have additional translation support depending on resources. The presenter also described outreach already under way, including attendance at local events to distribute the consultant's survey and a school event where staff collected responses.

Nick, a staff member who aided outreach, said the team had set up a booth at a school event and distributed the survey QR code to attendees to solicit feedback.

Staff emphasized multiple ways for residents to participate: the consultant's survey (accessible via QR code), online posting of the draft plan when released, and in-person viewing at city hall upon request. The presentation materials and the survey link will be posted on the city's website.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the LMHP at the meeting. Staff said the plan update is meant to position Baldwin Park to apply for FEMA mitigation grant programs and to better prioritize capital-improvement projects that reduce long-term disaster risk.

The commission will receive the draft for review when it is issued for public comment; staff indicated they expect the document to be available for review in midsummer and adoption to follow by December.