REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 2, 2020
FROM
GARY McBRIDE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Continuation of Local Emergency for the July 4 and 5 Earthquake Swarm
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Continue the Emergency Proclamation, originally proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services on July 6, 2019 and ratified by the Board of Supervisors on July 9, 2019, resulting from the July 4 and 5, 2019 Earthquake Swarm, followed by serious aftershocks, affecting Trona and surrounding areas of San Bernardino County including the communities of Westend, South Trona, Argus, and Trona Village, which still exists and continues to be a local emergency, for an additional period in accordance with Government Code Section 8630(c).
(Presenter: Daniel Munoz, Emergency Services Manager, 356-3998)
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COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The action to continue this local emergency will not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On July 6, 2019, the Chief Executive Officer, while serving as the Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed the existence of a local emergency for the July 4 and 5, 2019 Earthquake Swarm that resulted in damage to critical infrastructure in the Trona area of Searles Valley. This action, which was ratified by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on July 9, 2019 (item No. 60) in accordance with Government Code section 8630(c), was in response to the earthquakes causing damage to the roads, including Highway 178, and the local water system. The communities of Westend, South Trona, Argus, and Trona Village were advised to use only boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. In addition, there were damages to the electrical infrastructure and gas leaks. The damages resulted in the need for emergency protective measures in addition to emergency repairs and detours.
Pursuant to Government Code section 8630(c), the Board shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the Board terminates the local emergency. Approval of this recommendation would continue the local emergency for an additional period in accordance with Government Code section 8630(c). The Board last took action to continue this local emergency on April 7, 2020 (Item No. 19).
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Miles Kowalski, Deputy County Counsel, 387-
5475) on May 13, 2020; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on May 13, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on May 18, 2020.