To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter, Inc. to Exchange and Share Information In Order To Explore and Potentially Facilitate An Ongoing Relationship Related To Disaster Recovery
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the County Administrative Officer to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding with the Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter, Inc. (Habitat for Humanity) to exchange and share information in order to explore and potentially facilitate an ongoing relationship related to disaster recovery for the period of beginning Jan. 20, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025;
2. Authorize the County Administrative Officer to execute any and all subsequent amendments or agreements with Habitat for Humanity, after review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund, Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF), California Department of Housing and Community Development funds and other philanthropic donations.
DISCUSSION:
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Humboldt County. Since this earthquake, the county has experienced over 200 aftershocks, one of which being a 5.4 magnitude on New Year’s Day. Damage assessments are ongoing in communities that experienced earthquake impacts. As of Jan. 12, 1,387 individual structures have been assessed for damages following the Dec. 20 and Jan. 1 earthquakes. Over 90 structures have been red tagged, or determined to be unsafe to occupy, and over 200 structures have been yellow tagged, allowing for restricted use.
Following the earthquake the county’s Recovery Operations Center (ROC), in collaboration with the City of Rio Dell and the County Administrative Office, have explored many different options to establish a recovery program which allowed for effective and efficient rebuild and rehabilitation of impacted structures, particularly those that remain uninhabitable and are a primary residence. The city and the county have remained hyper focused on the goal of returning residents to their homes. In response to this effort, your Board allocated $1 million dollars of LATCF funding for recovery response. Staff have also explored other opportunities to repurpose housing dollars so that they may be used for rehabilitation efforts in the City of Rio Dell. Other philanthropic donations may also be realized through the Office of the Governor Gavin Newsom and Humboldt Area Foundation (HAF).
As the county has explored potential partnerships to assist in these efforts, Habitat for Humanity has been identified as the most viable option. Habitat for Humanity has unique experience and capabilities in disaster response, disaster funding mechanisms and resource acquisition allowing for an expedited recovery process. Accordingly, the county would like to further explore a collaborative relationship with Habitat for Humanity as a primary resource in disaster recovery efforts. In addition, to allow for a nimble and expedited recovery program, the County Administrative Officer requests approval to execute the attached memorandum of understanding with Habitat for Humanity and any and all future amendments or agreements with Habitat for Humanity that may be required related to recovery operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached Memorandum of Understanding with Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter Inc. has no financial impact. However, in the event that these collaborative efforts result in additional revenue sharing agreements, the previously allocated $1 million in LATCF may be used to finance recovery efforts through Habitat for Humanity. In addition, staff continue to explore other funding mechanisms and/or the repurpose of current funding allocations to address recovery needs. Staff will return to your Board for approval of any necessary funding allocations or budget transfers.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the agreement, however this alternative is not recommended as it will delay earthquake recovery efforts.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter, Inc.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: I-5
Meeting of: Jan. 10, 2023
File No.: 23-10