Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Carolyn Bloede, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Measure K Agreement with Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District for flood and sea level rise resilience projects
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of a Measure K agreement with the Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) to provide funding for flood and sea level rise resiliency projects for the term July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028 in an amount not to exceed $2,250,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Sea level rise is one of the most serious consequences of climate change and it will have a significant effect on San Mateo County, which has more property and assets at risk from rising seas than any other county in California. To help address this risk, the County established a Flood Resilience Program under the San Mateo County Flood Control District (SMCFCD) in 2016. In 2019, special legislation (AB 825) modified the SMCFCD to create a new agency called the Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District, also known as OneShoreline. By connecting and aligning the efforts of multiple jurisdictions, OneShoreline reduces the duplication of efforts, facilitates the sharing of expertise, and creates a unified voice to position the County to secure state, federal, and private funds.
The OneShoreline board includes five San Mateo County city council members appointed by the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County, and two standing members from the County Board of Supervisors. One of these board members is at large and one represents the coastal area of the County as defined by this Board.
On January 29, 2019, this Board authorized start-up funding to OneShoreline of $750,000 annually for three years with a total amount not to exceed $2,250,000 (Resolution No. 076380). The county’s 20 cities and towns contributed an annual allocation of $745,000 based on a three-tiered funding model depending on their size. This resulted in a total combined County and city funding amount of $4,485,000 for three years from FY 2019-20 through FY 2021-22.
On November 9, 2021, a $1,000,000 Measure K Grant Agreement (Resolution No. 078501) was awarded for operating expenses to support cross-jurisdictional work to address sea level rise, flooding, coastal erosion, and water quality. This work included:
• Construction of the Bayfront Canal and Atherton Channel Flood Protection and Ecosystem Restoration Project.
• Creation of a countywide flood early warning system and flood emergency action plans.
• Identification of multi-jurisdictional and long-term solutions to sea level rise and erosion in the Pillar Point Harbor area along the coast.
• Identification of four California Environmental Quality Act alternatives and draft of an Environmental Impact Report for the Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Protection and Enhancement Project.
On October 17, 2023, the County and OneShoreline entered into a Measure K agreement (Resolution No. 079994) not to exceed $1,750,000 with a term of October 17, 2023 through June 30, 2025 to support projects that addressed gaps in shoreline protection. This effort included expanding the benefits of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System to reduce the cost of flood insurance for communities that go beyond FEMA’s minimum floodplain management requirements and completing the latest iteration of OneShoreline’s Planning Policy Guidance to protect and enhance county bay shoreline areas.
DISCUSSION:
Measure K funding will be used to pay the expenses of OneShoreline, including but not limited to contracted consulting services; staff salaries and benefits; rent; and administrative, financial, and information technology services, and will support progress in the following categories:
• Advancing the incorporation of climate resilience and future conditions thinking into local jurisdiction land use documents and approvals of private and public developments.
• Working with jurisdictions to advance and align the planning, funding, design, and permitting of projects that incorporate climate resilience for developed, natural, and recreational areas.
• Assisting jurisdictions and partners with planning for, supporting early warning of, and reducing the impacts of, extreme storms.
• Collaborating with the County to provide technical support services for planning, policy development, and flood risk assessments.
The resolution and agreement have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
This agreement will help to address and mitigate the risks of flood and sea level rise faced by all of San Mateo County and its residents, including those in historically vulnerable communities.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-2026 Target |
FY 2026-2027 Target |
FY 2027-2028 Target |
|
Advance the incorporation of future conditions thinking into at least two decisions or planning processes. |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
|
Work with at least two jurisdictions to plan and design climate resilience projects for developed, natural, and recreation areas. |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
|
Provide technical assistance to at least two jurisdictions, partners, or stakeholders to reduce the impacts of extreme storms. |
Complete |
Complete |
Complete |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028 with $750,000 allocated for FY 2025-26, $750,000 allocated for FY 2026-27, and $750,000 allocated for FY 2027-28 for a total amount not to exceed $2,250,000; the agreement is funded from Measure K Reserves. There is no Net County Cost associated with this action.