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Regular-General Government # 32.
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| Board of Supervisors |
County Administrator |
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| Subject |
| Consider approving the concept of FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0, a proposed coordinated comprehensive flood management planning effort. (No general fund impact) (Blacklock/Sabatini) |
| Recommended Action |
| Approve the proposed FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 concept, a coordinated comprehensive flood management planning effort, and provide feedback to staff. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Operational Excellence
Thriving Residents
Safe Communities
Flourishing Agriculture |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
Background
During January and February of this year, the western side of Yolo County experienced significant localized flooding. This flooding situation is a recurring problem taking place almost every year where average or above average precipitation occurs. A major storm event in 2006 (roughly equivalent to this year’s storm events) motivated the City of Woodland, the County of Yolo (County), and Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (YCFC&WCD) to join together to initiate the FloodSAFE Yolo program. Though this partnership concluded after two years, it succeeded in developing several key technical reports and advancing the Lower Cache Creek Feasibility study that serves as the basis for the City of Woodland’s current flood management efforts.
Staff believes that the original FloodSAFE Yolo concept and format can serve as an appropriate basis for a focused flood management planning effort, tentatively named FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0.
Discussion
There is no current comprehensive flood prevention and management strategy for the western side of Yolo County. Instead, various agencies and landowners attempt individually to maintain drainages where feasible. Additionally, annual meetings are held among government agencies to prepare for possible flooding. When flood events occur, it becomes an emergency management exercise to contain the flooding where practicable and to detour and evacuate people otherwise.
Staff believes that a comprehensive approach to flood management for the west side could lead to more effective flood risk reduction through strengthened and coordinated drainage maintenance, construction of system wide drainage improvements, and support of flood friendly farming practices where appropriate. The attached infographic (see Attachment C) visually displays how a collaborative FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 initiative might become the vehicle for a comprehensive approach to flood management on the west side.
Absent a coordinated planning effort, flooding on the west side is likely to increase in frequency and duration with worsening damage. FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 represents an opportunity to relatively quickly, and cost effectively, launch a comprehensive and collaborative planning effort.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that YCFC&WCD and the County jointly fund FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 in their 2019-20 budgets (at $100,000 each). Much of the work done to develop FloodSAFE Yolo 1.0 could be refreshed to form the backbone for FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 (see Attachment A, Mission Statement and Attachment B, Strategic Plan). This seed funding would allow YCFC&WCD to collaboratively launch 2.0. Initial steps include engaging the partners identified on the attached infographic, provided as Attachment C to this staff report; identifying and implementing strategies to ease the permitting process for drainage maintenance; setting up a process to identify near, mid, and long-term system wide drainage improvement projects; and researching grants to sustain funding and implement projects.
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| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| Staff has collaborated with the Yolo County Office of Emergency Services, the Community Development Department, and the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District on development of FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
| The proposed $100,000 contribution to the FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 effort will be included in the FY 2019-20 budget. If FloodSAFE Yolo 2.0 is successful in its first year endeavor, there is potential for an on-going financial commitment from the County. However, any future plans, modifications to the proposal, or funding will return to the full Board for consideration at a later date. |
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