AgdaPkt 2015-08-24 Joint SA and PAF

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REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager August 24, 2015 SUBJECT Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement with the County of San Mateo and other Cities within the County RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of a Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement. BACKGROUND During heavy winter storms in late 2012/early 2013, the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services (OES) encountered significant difficulties in obtaining public works mutual aid assistance for cities affected by severe storm events. OES staff requested the assistance of the City/County Engineers’ Association of San Mateo County (CCEA) to address the need for supporting mutual aid between Public Works Departments. CCEA members drafted an agreement and a final draft was routed to all Public Works Directors in 2014. The document was then forwarded to County Counsel, who agreed to be the clearinghouse for the agreement. ANALYSIS The purpose of this agreement is to provide an organized means of providing voluntary mutual aid to neighboring entities during the event of a disaster. In many ways, this provision of aid is similar to what already exists amongst the police and fire services. The language of the Agreement and its accompanying Procedures Guide specifically envision establishing a “zone” concept of aid that mirrors existing and developing zones in police and fire mutual aid. The mutual aid agreement will allow the City to leverage county-wide resources (equipment, material and labor) during emergencies such as flood events. While there is no requirement for an agency to enter into this agreement, there is a high likelihood that a majority of the entities will do so due to the mutual benefit involved. Currently, three out of twenty cities in San Mateo County have adopted the agreement and six more had the item on their July City Council agendas. 6.3.A. - Page 1