REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 6, 2026
FROM
MELANIE OROSCO, County Librarian, County Library
SUBJECT
Title
Community Resource License Agreement with Southern California Edison Company
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Community Resource License Agreement, including non-standard terms, between San Bernardino County Library and Southern California Edison Company, for the use of designated County Library branch locations as Community Resource Centers during public safety power shutoff and other public safety events, at a rate of $1,500 per Use Day, per location, per Public Safety Event, for the period of October 13, 2026 through October 12, 2031.
(Presenter: Melanie Orosco, County Librarian, 387-2220)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Southern California Edison Company (SCE) will reimburse the County Library (Library) for the use of designated Library branch locations as Community Resource Centers during qualifying public safety events.
Under the agreement terms, SCE will compensate the County at a rate of $1,500 per Use Day, per designated Library site and per Public Safety Event. Compensation will offset costs associated with staffing, utilities, facility preparation, and operational support provided during activation periods. Actual revenue will depend on the frequency and duration of public safety events occurring during the agreement term. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in Library’s budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Southern California Edison Company (SCE) conducts public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events and other emergency response activities during periods of elevated wildfire risk, extreme weather conditions, or other threats to public safety. During these events, SCE activates Community Resource Centers (CRCs) to provide affected residents with access to critical services and information.
The proposed Community Resource License Agreement (License Agreement) establishes a five-year partnership between SCE and the Library system to allow designated Library branch locations to serve as CRC sites during public safety events. Library staff will provide SCE staff access to CRC site locations, and will be available during regular operation hours, or other hours agreed to by SCE and Library during a Public Safety Event. CRC operations will provide residents with access to charging stations for personal electronic devices, outage information, water and snacks, climate-controlled indoor spaces, internet access, and other community support resources.
Under the agreement, designated Library locations may be activated for up to five consecutive days per public safety event during regular operating hours. SCE will provide advance notice to the County prior to activation and will coordinate operations with designated County staff.
The agreement includes the following participating San Bernardino County Library locations:
• Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library
• Barstow Branch Library
• Big Bear Lake Branch Library
• Bloomington Branch Library
• Crestline Branch Library
• Janice Horst Lucerne Valley Branch Library
• Mentone Branch Library and Senior Center
• Baker Family Learning Center
• Needles Branch Library
• Phelan Memorial Library
• Running Springs Branch Library
• Trona Branch Library
• Twentynine Palms Branch Library
• Wrightwood Branch Library
The License Agreement contains the following non-standard terms:
1. The License Agreement does not require SCE to meet all of the County’s insurance standards as required pursuant to County Policies 11-07 and 11-07SP.
• County policy requires that a contracting party carry appropriate insurance at limits and under conditions determined by the County’s Risk Management Department and as set forth in County policy and in the County standard contract.
• Potential Impact: The County has no assurance that SCE will be financially responsible for claims that may arise under the License Agreement.
2. The License Agreement does not require SCE to fully indemnify the County, as required by County Policies 11-05 and 11-07. SCE is only required to indemnify the County for damages or claims that result from SCE’s negligence.
• The County standard contract indemnity provision requires the contractor to indemnify, defend, and hold County harmless from all third-party claims arising out of the acts, errors or omissions of any person.
• Potential Impact: SCE is not required to defend, indemnify or hold the County harmless from all claims. If the County is sued for a claim outside of the scope of the indemnification provision, then the County may be solely liable for the costs of defense and damages.
3. The County is required to indemnify SCE from claims arising out of the agreement due to the County’s negligence.
• The County standard contract does not include any indemnification or defense by the County of a contractor.
Potential Impact: By agreeing to indemnify SCE, the County could be contractually waiving the protection of sovereign immunity. Claims that may otherwise be barred against the County, time limited, or expense-limited could be brought against SCE without such limitations and the County could be responsible to defend and reimburse SCE for costs, expenses, and damages.
4. SCE’s maximum liability to the County is limited to $10,000.
• The County standard contract does not include a limitation of liability.
• Potential Impact: Claims could exceed the liability cap, leaving the County financially liable for the excess.
Library recommends approval of this item, including the non-standard terms, because it supports the Countywide Vision by strengthening emergency preparedness capabilities, expanding community access to critical services during emergencies, and fostering collaborative partnerships with regional utility providers.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniella Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 1, 2026; Risk Management (Arrissia Beaven, Staff Analyst II, 386-9030) on September 9, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Terri Sumrall, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on September 11, 2026.