HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2019 Public Safety Task Force Agenda PacketSaratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 1 of 2
SARATOGA
PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
June 3, 2019
6:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
City Hall, Linda Callon Conference Room | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Any member of the public may address the Public Safety Task Force for up to three (3)
minutes on matters not on the Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Public Safety Task
Force from discussing or taking action on such items. However, the Public Safety Task
Force schedule the item for discussion at a future meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Recommended Action:
Receive presentation on the City of Saratoga Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP). Discuss the CWPP.
2. Firewise Communities
Recommended Action:
Receive presentation on the Firewise Communities program and efforts of the
Santa Clara County FireSafe to encourage neighborhoods to become Firewise
Communities.
3. Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Fuel Reduction/Break Projects
Recommended Action:
Receive presentation from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council on past and
future fuel reduction and fuel break projects in the Saratoga area.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 2 of 2
4. Development of a Proposed Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Begin developing a proposed work plan for the Public Safety Task Force based
on Council priorities and timeline of the Public Safety Task Force.
5. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings and decide whether to schedule
a special meeting in July 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA PACKET,
& COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
I, Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the
foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Public Safety Task Force was posted and
available for review on May 23, 2019 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue,
Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us.
Signed this May 23, 2019 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other
materials provided to the Public Safety Task Force by City staff in connection with this
agenda are available at the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue,
Saratoga, CA 95070.
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to
participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 408.868.1294. Notification
24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements
to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 5.102-35.104 ADA title II]
Wildfire Public Safety
Task Force
MEMBERSHIP
NAME NOMINATED BY EMAIL PHONE
Bill Cooper Mayor Cappello bill@cgv.com
Paul Hansen Council Member Bernald paul.hansen@gmail.com
May Lu Mayor Cappello mayweilu@gmail.com 408.828.1068
Chuck Page Vice Mayor Miller chuck@chuckpage.org 408.839.9555
Arun Venkatachar Council Member Kumar aruntv@gmail.com
Michael Zhang Council Member Zhao mtzhangusa@gmail.com
Staff Liaison:
Crystal Bothelio | 408.868.1269 | cbothelio@saratoga.ca.us
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES – RESOLUTION 19-007
The Wildfire Public Safety Task Force serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council on
matters related to wildfire and emergency preparedness. The Task Force is charged with
providing recommendations on improvements and additions to the City of Saratoga
Community Wildfire Protection Plan, strategies to strengthen wildfire hazard mitigation and
emergency preparedness efforts in Saratoga, and serving as community ambassadors on
the topics of wildfire and emergency preparedness for a limited term, ending November
30, 2020.
AGENDA PLANNER
The Wildfire Public Safety Task Force holds regular meetings on the 1st Monday of even-
numbered months at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall, Linda Callon Conference Room and may
schedule special meetings as needed.
MEETING DATE AGENDA ITEMS
May 6, 2019 • Presentation on State/City Laws & Policies
• Presentation on Wildfire Prevention/Preparedness & Emergency
Preparedness
• Nomination of Chair & Vice Chair
• Review of Task Force Objectives & Proposed Task Force Work Plan
• Task Force Regular Meeting Schedule
May 29, 2019
6:00 p.m.
Commission Recognition Dinner
Saratoga Senior Center, 19655 Allendale Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070
June 3, 2019 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
• Review of Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• Firewise Communities
• FireSafe Council Past & Future Fuel Reduction/Fuel Break Projects
• Proposed Task Force Work Plan
July 1, 2019
Tentative
• Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
• Building Code for Wildland Urban Interface
• Process for Creating Wildfire Foundation
• WUI Information
• Proposed Task Force Work Plan
August 5, 2019 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
October 7, 2019 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
December 2, 2019 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
February 3, 2020 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
April 6, 2020 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
June 1, 2020 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
August 3, 2020 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
October 5, 2020 • Review/Approval of Draft Minutes
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 3
MINUTES
MAY 6, 2019
WILDFIRE PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
The Wildfire Public Safety Task Force Meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Linda
Callon Conference Room at Saratoga City Hall at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Members Bill Cooper, Paul Hansen, May Lu, Chuck Page, Arun
Venkatachar, Michael Zhang
ABSENT: Non
ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Chief Jason Falarski, Santa Clara County Fire
Patty Ciesla, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
Michal Taylor, Recreation & Facilities Director
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Overview of State and City Laws and Policies
Recommended Action:
Receive brief presentation on the State and City laws and policies that apply to the
Public Safety Task Force.
Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio provided a presentation on laws and policies that
the Public Safety Task Force is subject to.
2. Wildfire Prevention/Preparedness and Emergency Preparedness
Recommended Action:
Receive presentations on wildfire prevention/preparedness and emergency
preparedness efforts in the City of Saratoga.
Chief Jason Falarski with Santa Clara County Fire presented on preparing for wildfire
and prevention efforts that are in place.
Patty Ciesla, Executive Director of the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, presented on
the services and programs offered by the FireSafe Council to the Saratoga community.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 3
Michael Taylor, Recreation and Facilities Director, presented on the City of Saratoga’s
emergency preparedness efforts, including the Community Emergency Response Team.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Nomination of Chair and Vice Chair
Recommended Action:
Nominate a member of the Task Force to the position of Chair and Vice Chair.
LU/ VENKATACHAR MOVED TO NOMINATE CHUCK PAGE AS TASK FORCE CHAIR.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: COOPER, HANSEN, LU, PAGE, VENKATACHAR, ZHANG. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ZHANG/ VENKATACHAR MOVED TO NOMINATE PAUL HANSEN AS TASK FORCE VICE
CHAIR. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COOPER, HANSEN, LU, PAGE, VENKATACHAR, ZHANG.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. Review of Public Safety Task Force Objectives & Development of a Proposed Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Review Council priorities and timeline for the Public Safety Task Force. Begin developing
a proposed work plan for the Public Safety Task Force based on Council priorities and
timeline of the Public Safety Task Force.
Chair Chuck Page requested a detailed review of the Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP) at the next Task Force meeting and asked staff to schedule development of
the work plan for future meetings, as needed.
3. Task Force Meeting Schedule
Recommended Action:
Decide on a regular meeting schedule for the Public Safety Task Force.
The Task Force agreed to hold regular meetings on the first Monday of even-numbered
months at 6:00 p.m.
4. Future Agenda Items
Recommended Action:
Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings.
Chair Chuck Page requested a future agenda item on the process for forming a
foundation that could accept donations and facilitate grants for various fuel
reduction/break projects.
Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 3
Chair Chuck Page requested a future agenda item on Firewise Communities, including
the formation process.
Chair Chuck Page requested a detailed review of the CWPP at a future meeting.
Chair Chuck Page asked staff to include Development of the Proposed Work Plan on
future agendas, as needed.
The Task Force requested a future agenda item on the FireSafe Council fuel
reduction/break projects that are planned and have been completed, including the
project at the Mountain Winery.
Task Force Member Bill Cooper requested additional information about the City of
Saratoga and Wildland Urban Interface Area (WUI) at a future meeting, including:
- Number of residents in the WUI
- Number of houses in the WUI
- Number of miles of public roads in the WUI
- Number of homeowner association type groups in the WUI
- Number of houses in the City of Saratoga with shake roofs
ADJOURNMENT
COOPER/HANSEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING AT 9:06 P.M. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: COOPER, HANSEN, LU, PAGE, ZHANG. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: VENKATACHAR.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
City of Saratoga
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: June 3, 2019
Subject: Community Wildfire Protection Plan
In 2016, the Santa Clara County Fire Department concluded the Santa Clara County
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This countywide plan also included CWPPs
for cities in the County Fire jurisdiction area at the greatest risk for wildfire. The Saratoga
City Council adopted the Saratoga annex as its CWPP in August 2018.
The purpose of the CWPP is protect human life and reduce property loss due to wildfire
by identifying wildfire risks and strategies for mitigating those risks within the
community. To create the CWPP, County Fire engaged various stakeholders and the
public to identify physical hazards and community values that should be factored in plan
development and prioritization of mitigation strategies.
The CWPP is intended to be a living document that should be updated approximately
every two years as priorities are met, conditions change, and new information arises. The
County Fire Department is beginning an effort to update the countywide plan and the
City Council has directed the Wildfire Task Force to provide recommended updates to
the CWPP.
A copy of the City of Saratoga CWPP is attached. At the meeting, staff will share a status
update on the different strategies within the CWPP.
Attachments:
- Saratoga Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 1 August 2016
ANNEX 6. CITY OF SARATOGA
The City of Saratoga is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley directly west of San
Jose, bordered to the east by Los Gatos and Monte Sereno to the southeast (Figure 6.1). The
population in 2010 was 29,926 with a population density of 2,416.9 people per square mile (U.S.
Census Bureau 2010).
Figure 6.1. City of Saratoga .
ORGANIZATION AND JURISDICTION
The City of Saratoga is governed by a publicly elected city council and has authority for General
Plan-land use planning, code adoption and permit processing. The City of Saratoga does not have
a city fire department; services are provided through two fire districts .
State law designates all lands within the city limits of Saratoga as Local Responsibility Area (LRA)
for purposes of wildland fire protection. Most state fire prevention and defensible space laws do
not apply within LRA. Recent legislation requires State review and input on General Plan Safety
Element updates where wildland fire is a hazard (Government Code Section 65040.20).
Fire Protection services for the City of Saratoga is split jurisdictionally between the two fire
protection districts. The Saratoga Fire Protection District (Annex 5), an independent special district
encompasses the western half of the City of Saratoga. The eastern half of the city is w ithin the
Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District (a Board of Supervisors governed dependent
special district) that also provides fire protection to other local cities and unincorporated areas
(Annex 1 - Chapter 3).
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 2 August 2016
The planning area is best described as a wildland urban interface (WUI) with homes scattered
among wildland fuels, although Saratoga Village is also considered a WUI designation. The City
of Saratoga WUI planning area includes designated and adopted very high fire hazard severity
zone (FHSZ) areas in the LRA. Structures that fall within the City of Saratoga are subject to the
City planning ordinances:
Designated WUI areas require application of Chapter 7A WUI regulations of the City’s adopted
Building Code.
Saratoga has adopted the WUI Requirements under the California Fire Code with amendments to
address local conditions that can be viewed here:
https://library.municode.com/ca/saratoga/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH16BURE_ART
16-20FICO_16-20.150AMCH49FICOREWIBAINFIAR
Tree Information and Permits: http://www.saratoga.ca.us/172/Tree-Regulations
LAND USE PLANNING, GENERAL PLAN, BUILDING CODES, AND LOCAL
HAZARD MITIGATION PLANS
Authority and jurisdiction for approving the General Plan and elements, determining land use,
community design and building code adoption rests with the Saratoga City Council. The Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) identifies hazards that exist in Saratoga that create risk to citizens
and properties in Saratoga. WUI fires are a real and present danger to the western portions of
Saratoga. This Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) identifies several goals related to
functions the City of Saratoga has the authority to undertake.
This CWPP may serve as basis for the WUI fire component for LHMP, General Plan, or General
Plan element updates.
MITIGATION PROJECTS AND PRIORITIZATIONS
The following project matrixes have been developed by the community and Core Team to direct
specific project implementation for communities in the City of Saratoga WUI (Table 6.1 through
Table 6.5). The matrixes below are tiered to the strategic goals presented in the body of the
countywide CWPP through project IDs in the first column of each matrix.
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 3 August 2016
Table 6.1. Recommendations for Public Outreach and Education in the City of Saratoga
ID
(S) Project Presented
by Target Date Priority
(1,2,3) Resources Needed Serves to
Strategic Goal:
EO1- Educate citizens on how to achieve contemporary WUI code compliance in retrofits/cost: benefit ratio. Provide workshops and/o r demonstration site. and
EO5- Emergency preparedness meetings. Use American Red Cross volunteers and other preparedness experts. Attend community functions and hold special
meetings to provide guidance for creating household emergency plans. Use Ready, Set, Go! program.
S-EO1.1 Wildfire Preparedness and
WUI Code workshops.
Fire Safe
Councils,
County Fire
Within 2 years. 1 Workshop expenses, personnel.
Workshop venues.
Demonstration site.
Strategize on avenues for
engaging the public.
Increase compliance with County code.
Reduce fire risk level for individual parcels and
community as a whole.
Strategic Goal: EO3- Organize a community group made up of residents and agency personnel to develop materials and communicate relevant defensible space
messages. Could coordinate with fire departments or Fire Safe Council.
S-EO3.1 Form community working
group for defensible space
outreach.
Fire Safe
Council, fire
departments,
local
residents,
Eagle
Scouts, High
School
Community
Volunteer
Program
Within 1 year. 1 Funding to help cover costs of
materials (green waste removal
or chipper) and participation.
Hire contractor trained in
defensible space practices.
Engage diverse stakeholders in reaching out to
community members and encourage defensible
space practices.
Empower homeowners to make affordable and
effective changes to reduce the vulnerability of
individual homes.
Strategic Goal: EO4- Media involvement.
Develop a local newspaper column that provides fire safety information, promotional information for volu nteer fire departments, fire announcements, and emergency
planning.
S-EO4.1 Develop a local newspaper
column or community
newsletter for the Saratoga
community that provides fire
safety information, promotional
information for fire
departments, fire
announcements, and
emergency planning.
City of
Saratoga,
County Fire
Within 1 year. 1 Columns, information, and
articles to be provided by fire
departments, local residents,
Santa Clara County Fire Safe
Council (SCCFSC).
Protect communities and infrastructure through
increasing public awareness and providing a
channel for information regarding emergency
fire response.
Strategic Goal: E10- Insurance Services informational meetings
S-E10.1 Outreach to the community to
schedule an Insurance
Services informational
meeting.
Invite Insurance Services
representatives to speak to
groups regarding ways to
improve WUI insurance ratings
in the community.
Insurance
Services in
conjunction
with County
Fire and
SCCFSC
Within 2 years. 2 Resources provided by
Insurance Services.
Communities can learn how to improve their
insurance ratings, which will reduce insurance
costs in their community by implementing
wildfire prevention measures.
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 4 August 2016
ID
(S) Project Presented
by Target Date Priority
(1,2,3) Resources Needed Serves to
Strategic Goal: EO11- Increase signage/replace or augment existing signage.
S-EO11.1 Increase signage/replace or
augment existing signage.
Use existing signage to spread
fire prevention message along
highways and in public open
space areas (trailheads, info
kiosks) to reduce human
ignitions.
Promote the use of existing
electronic signs at firehouses
and other locales to display fire
prevention information, safety
messages, and fire danger
rating linked to safety actions.
County Fire,
Saratoga
Fire
Protection
District, City
of Saratoga
Within 2 years. 2 Mostly existing signs and posting
sites, people to post and update
signs.
Replace, or augment the
existing Smokey Bear signs with
electronic Fire Danger Warning
Signs that are solar powered,
LED displays (visible day and
night), and accessible and
programmable through an
internet website.
Protect communities and infrastructure by
raising awareness of local citizens and those
traveling in the area about actions that can
prevent fire.
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 5 August 2016
Table 6.2. Recommendations for Reducing Structural Ignitability in the City of Saratoga
ID (S) Project Presented by Programs Available Description Priority
(1,2,3) Timeline
Strategic Goal: SI1: Retrofit/Eliminate flammable roofs
S-SI1 Identify all wood shake roofed
properties within planning
area and target homeowners
with outreach on retrofitting
roofs.
City and County Planning
in conjunction with County
Fire and municipalities.
FEMA grants. Require elimination of all flammable
roofs through attrition or time deadline.
1 By 2030
Strategic Goal: SI5- Adopt landscape standards for recommended plant landscape materials.
S-SI5.1 Adopt landscape standards
for recommended plant
landscape materials.
Fire Safe Councils to lead. Research Firewise plants
suitable for the region.
Develop plant list, poster
materials and research
demonstration site.
Firewise Communities USA:
www.firewise.org
Educate property owners, landscape
firms and landscape architects in
appropriate ornamental plantings,
mulches, and landscape design/
maintenance in WUI areas.
3 Next 2 years
Strategic Goal: SI6- Develop landscape contractor maintenance program for “Right Plant-- Right Pl ace” and maintenance.
S-SI6.1 Develop landscape contractor
non-flammable plant list.
Fire Safe Councils to lead
in cooperation with local
homeowner association
(HOA)
Firewise Communities USA:
www.firewise.org
Educate property owners, landscape
firms and landscape architects in
appropriate ornamental plantings,
mulches, and landscape design/
maintenance in WUI areas. Work with
HOA.
2 Next 2 years
Strategic Goal: SI8- Interactive tool for citizens to use on line, ID their property and what hazard/risks exist and mitigations they can apply to improve their
survivability.
S-SI8.1 Work with County Fire to
develop parcel level
application of Community
Wildfire Protection Plan risk
assessment using Intterra
software.
Santa Clara County Fire
Department with revised
Intterra contract
Intterra County Fire to pursue funding to
increase contract provisions with Interra
to provide public facing tool.
Simplify tool and provide easy to follow
instructions.
Could develop You Tube informational
video.
1 Next 3 years
Strategic Goal: SI11- Implement spring community yard clean-up days.
In combination with Fire Safe Council chipper program.
S-SI11.1 Implement community work
day to encourage yard clean-
up and defensible space
maintenance.
County Fire, Municipal Fire
Departments, CAL FIRE,
Fire Safe Councils
Fire Safe Council chipping
program
Ready, Set, Go
CAL FIRE
A community led day of yard clean-up
with fire mitigation in mind would
encourage large numbers within the
community to carry-out mitigation
measures and implementation of
defensible space.
2 Next 2 years
Strategic Goal: SI12- Assess and improve accessibility to property.
Weekend program to inform homeowners about emergency response access .
S-SI12 Institute a weekend program
to inform homeowners about
emergency response access.
Fire departments, Fire
Marshal
Firewise Inform homeowners about the
importance of keeping driveways
accessible to fire trucks and emergency
responders.
1 Within 1 year
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 6 August 2016
Table 6.3. Recommendations for Improving Firefighting Capabilities in the City of Saratoga
ID Project Description Fire
Department/Agency Benefits of the Project to the community Timeline Priority
(1.2.3)
Resources/funding
sources available
Strategic Goal: FC2- Define Safe Refuge Areas and establish maintenance program in WUI areas where fire behavior and evacuation timing is problema tic.
S-FC2.1 Define and delineate
spatially Safe Refuge Areas
and establish maintenance
program in WUI areas
where fire behavior and
evacuation timing is
problematic. Example:
Mountain Winery
County Fire/CAL
FIRE/Fire Safe
Councils
Provides safety measure for residents of rural
areas in event that evacuation is limited.
Provides for public and firefighter safety by
creating escape routes.
2 years 1 Grants: Federal Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA), California Fire Safe
Council, Department of
Homeland Security
Strategic Goal: FC5- Develop WUI preplans and accompanying evacuation plans for all WUI areas in Santa Clara County using standardized format.
S-FC5.1 Develop WUI preplans and
accompanying evacuation
plans for Saratoga WUI.
County Fire/CAL
FIRE/Fire Safe
Councils
Helps fire response agencies pre-plan for
evacuations.
Helps identify areas where mitigation
measures are needed to facilitate safe
evacuation.
Helps establish consistent model across all
agencies.
1 year 1 Grants: FEMA, CA FSC,
DHS
Strategic Goal: FC8: Where road systems are antiquated and do not provide for proper evacuation or two way flow, require removal of obstructions o r upgrade to
minimum 2 lanes road system over time.
S-FC8.1 Evalulate poor road access
issues, develop long-term
plan for road improvements
where feasible and
prioritized routes for
evacuation.
City of Saratoga Public
Works
Alleviates evacuation concerns of residents
living in areas with poor ingress/egress.
Provides for improved response capabilities
and reduces risk that responding emergency
vehicles will conflict with evacuation of
residents.
2 years 1 HOAs, Road Associations,
City staff
Strategic Goal: FC11- Investigate and potentially install Fire Detection Robots to alert departments of a fire start in remote areas.
S-FC11.1 Investigate installation of
Fire Detection Robots on
open space lands adjacent
to Saratoga.
County Fire Uses technology for single-tree wildfire
detection solution that help forestry agencies
and fire protection professionals manage the
risks of fire damage cost-effectively.
Within 2
years
1 Private companies provide
robotic technology
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 7 August 2016
ID Project Description Fire
Department/Agency Benefits of the Project to the community Timeline Priority
(1.2.3)
Resources/funding
sources available
Strategic Goal: FC14- Where possible encourage sharing of water sources in areas where residential water supplies may be low or non -existent during periods of
drought or when wells/springs have run dry.
S-FC14.1 Address water shortage
concerns, particularly at
high elevations by following
the model currently under
way by Loma Prieta
Volunteer Fire Company.
Example:
Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire
Company is providing small
grants to home owners to
purchase and install
additional water tanks on
private residential lots
where a reliable supply of
water exists. These tanks
then provide water for
adjacent properties where a
well or spring may be
seasonal or dry.
Fire agencies, local
community
organizations, local
water purveyors.
Encouragement and assistance from Fire Safe
Council can provide a catalyst for action.
1–5 years 1 County Fire
Strategic Goal: FC15- Where Open Space and Park Agencies establish trail head parking areas, operating facilities such as horse stables and camping areas that will
increase public access add large capacity water tanks and hydrants for wildfire protection.
S-FC15.1 Installation of water tanks
on Open Space property for
fire suppression purposes.
Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
(MROSD will follow
permitting
requirements.); County
Parks.
Alleviates public and agency concern for
limited water supply in remote areas.
Within 5
years
3 This could eventually be
amended into the building
code.
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 8 August 2016
Table 6.4. Fuel Reduction Treatment Recommendations in the City of Saratoga
ID Project
Description
Location and
Responsible Party Method Serves to:
Timeline
for
Action
Priority
(1,2,3) Monitoring Resources/funding
sources available
Strategic Goal: FR1- Incorporate single track trails into fire defense system where practical
S-FR1.1 Form a
community
working group to
work with open
space land
managers to
collaboratively
develop fuel
treatments plans
on open space
lands. Prioritize
treatments along
existing trails
that could help
to provide a
more substantial
fuel break and
break up the
continuity of
fuels.
Open space lands:
Trails that run adjacent
to community.
Detailed analysis would
be needed in
development of
treatment location to
ensure protection of
natural resources.
Provide access when
fires occur to reduce
spread.
Enhance Community
fire defense by
breaking up fuel
continuity.
Ongoing-
long
range
1 Regular
monitoring to
determine
project
success in
reducing fuel
loading and
enhanced
access.
Grants: California Fire
Safe Council
(CAFSC); California
Forest Improvement
Program (CFIP);
Natural Resource
Conservation Service
(NRCS), Federal
Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA), Green House
Gas Reduction Fund
(GHGRF)
Strategic Goal: FR7- Develop roadside fuel treatment program, including suite of methods available and sustainability mechanism
S-FR7.1 Implement
roadside
brushing/mowing
throughout
community to
increase buffer
from wildfire
ignitions and
provide for safe
evacuation.
Community
members to
approach
SCCFSC to
identify roadside
fuel treatment
priorities and
seek funding to
implement.
County and city road
agencies; private road
associations, PG&E,
Cable and Phone
companies.
Led by SCCFSC.
Determine suite of
treatment methods
allowed and restriction
for roadside hazard
reduction including
mowing, mastication,
chemical, plantings,
mulching, etc.
Develop treatment plan
and rotation schedule
for roadside treatments,
focusing of primary
evacuation or
access/egress
corridors.
Reduce fuel loading
around roads and
highways to ensure
safe passage of
vehicles in event of
evacuation and
reduce unplanned
ignitions from vehicles
and highway users.
Within 2
years
1 Regular
maintenance
schedule
should be
implemented to
ensure
clearance
levels are
maintained.
Develop
standards for
road crews.
Grants: CA FSC;
CFIP; NRCS, FEMA,
GHGRF
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 9 August 2016
ID Project
Description
Location and
Responsible Party Method Serves to:
Timeline
for
Action
Priority
(1,2,3) Monitoring Resources/funding
sources available
Strategic Goal: FR9- Establish assistance program for hazardous fuel reduction for physically or fiscally challenged parcels
S-FR9.1 Establish
assistance
program for
hazardous fuel
reduction and
defensible space
for elderly or
physically
challenged
individuals within
Saratoga.
Saratoga neighborhood
groups, Home Owner
Association (HOA).
Identify barriers to
achieving parcel level
defensible space and
establish assistance
program of resources:
education, consulting,
guidance, people,
funding.
Ensure that individual
properties with poor
property hygiene do
not put adjoining
properties at risk in
event of wildfire.
For residents who are
not capable of
implementing good
property hygiene.
Within 2
years
2 Establish
levels of
participation by
assistance
type.
Grants: CA FSC;
CFIP; NRCS, FEMA,
GHGRF
Strategic Goal: FR 11- Create Sustainable programs for creating Defensible Space at the parcel Level.
S-R11.1 Create
Sustainable
programs for
creating
Defensible
Space at the
parcel Level
within Saratoga.
Home Owner, Fire Safe
Councils, Home Owner
Associations, County
Fire, Administrators for
SRA fee distributions.
Example projects:
Curbside green waste
pickup programs,
community chipping
piles, drive-up chipping,
on site chipping.
Ensure that
defensible space
actions are sustained
in all communities.
Within 1
year
1 Regular
maintenance
schedule
should be
implemented to
ensure
clearance
levels are
maintained.
Grants: CA FSC;
CFIP; NRCS, FEMA,
GHGRF
Table 6.5. Recommendations for General Planning Projects in City of Saratoga
ID Project Description Method Timeline for
Action
Priority
(1,2,3) Monitoring/Sustainability Resources/Funding
Sources Available
Strategic Goal GP1: Ensure project sustainability.
S- GP1.1 The CWPP serves as the
wildfire component of
Saratoga LHMP and
General Plan - Safety and
other element
amendments.
Work with city planning to identify timeline
for incorporation in next LHMP update.
Aim to have the strategic-level CWPP
incorporated into the Safety Element of the
General Plan when the safety element is
next revised. Getting it into the General
Plan is equivalent to getting the CWPP
adopted.
Next 5 years 2 The core group of stakeholders
would need to ensure that the
document is kept relevant in that
time and position it for
incorporation.
Internal funding
Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Annex 6. City of Saratoga
SWCA Environmental Consultants 10 August 2016
ID Project Description Method Timeline for
Action
Priority
(1,2,3) Monitoring/Sustainability Resources/Funding
Sources Available
Strategic Goal GP3: Ensure project sustainability.
S- GP3.1 Ensure project
sustainability.
Have a target date for updating the
datasets used in the risk assessment model
and re-running the model.
Establish trigger points for updating CWPP.
Make contact with Santa Clara County Fire
Department to note your interest in
participating in the project and identify
CWPP meeting schedule.
Annually
1 Establish annual oversight of the
CWPP and project status.
Get buy-in from Core Team
members for long-term
commitment to CWPP review.
Internal funding
S- GP3.2 Designate a member to the
Countywide CWPP Core
Team for CWPP updates.
Identify staff and convene a kickoff of the
working group and identify tasks and goals
for CWPP updates.
Meet
quarterly
1 Commit to attendance at one
CWPP meeting annually.
Internal funding
S- GP3.3 Develop methods for
sustainability of hazardous
fuel reduction.
Develop action for city council to adopt
method to fund sustainable hazardous fuel
maintenance (such as Mello-Roos
Community Facility Districts for new
subdivisions).
As needed 2 Enactment of policy. Internal funding
Strategic Goal GP4: Parcel Level Defensible Space Inspection Task Force
S-GP4.1 Join countywide task force
to do parcel level
inspection work to enhance
model; utilize portable data
collection and ArcGIS as
analysis tools.
Carryout parcel level assessments to
enhance risk assessment model
components at a finer scale.
Add data to model and re-run as necessary.
2 years 1 Set target number of parcels to
be assessed each year.
Review number of parcels
assessed each year at annual
CWPP meeting.
Internal funding
Strategic Goal GP5: Develop countywide standard and method for continued data gathering and risk analysis.
S-GP5.1 Use a countywide standard
and method for continued
data gathering and risk
analysis.
Conduct funding to purchase a commercial
application, such as Fulcrum, that provides
a standard data collection platform that
could be used on a smart phone/tablet.
2 years 1 Annual review of progress as part
of Core Team.
California Fire Safe
Council
clearinghouse
grants; internal
funding
Strategic Goal GP7: Add hyperspectral and LiDAR imaging to periodic aerial photography flights.
S-GP7 Seek LiDAR and
hyperspectral imagery for
aerial photography of
Saratoga.
Work in conjunction with the City Planning,
County Assessor, or others to add
additional sensing cameras to aerial photo
flights.
Hyperspectral and LiDAR can provide in
depth identification and analysis of hazards
and risks.
1–3 years 1 Periodic new flights to update
data sets.
Grants: Federal
Emergency
Management
Agency, Department
of Homeland
Security,
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: June 3, 2019
Subject: Presentation on Firewise Communities
Firewise USA is a National Fire Protection Association program that seeks to teach the
public about how to live with fire and work together as a neighborhood to prevent loss
due to wildfire. To become a Firewise community, a neighborhood must include at least
8 homes and may not contain more than 2,500 homes. Firewise communities must
receive a written wildfire risk assessment from the local fire department that is updated
every 5 years and create an action plan for reducing wildfire risk. Additionally, Firewise
communities must host outreach events and efforts to address action items on the
assessment. Each community must contribute one volunteer hour per home in wildfire
risk reduction activities every year. To remain registered as a Firewise community,
neighborhoods must participate in an annual renewal process.
The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is a non-profit that aims to protect communities
in Santa Clara County from wildfire risk. The Saratoga City Council recently authorized
execution of a 5-year agreement with the FireSafe Council to provide wildfire prevention
and preparedness services in the City of Saratoga. This is the second agreement between
the two organizations. As part of the services provided, the FireSafe Council helps
neighborhoods to become Firewise communities.
Staff from the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council will be providing a presentation on
Firewise communities and the assistance provided by the FireSafe Council.
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: Public Safety Task Force
From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager
Date: June 3, 2019
Subject: Development of a Proposed Work Plan
The City Council (via Resolution 19-007, attached) established the Wildfire Public Safety
Task Force to serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council until November 2020 on
matters related to wildfire and emergency preparedness. Specifically, the Counc il has
tasked the Task Force with providing recommendations on improvements and additions
to the City of Saratoga Community Wildfire Protection Plan, strategies to strength wildfire
mitigation and preparedness, bolster emergency preparedness efforts, and serve as
community ambassadors on wildfire and emergency preparedness.
Before the Task Force begins its work in these areas, the Task Force should develop a
work plan for the City Council to consider and approve. The work plan should detail
specific efforts to achieve the goals established by the City Council. Once finalized, the
work plan will be placed on a future City Council agenda.
As requested by the Task Force at the May 2019 meeting, the development of a proposed
work plan will be a standing item on Task Force agendas until the proposed work plan is
complete. Staff will capture any work plan ideas that come from Task Force at the
meetings and draft work plan that the Task Force can refine and revise until the Task
Force is satisfied with their proposed work plan.
Attachments:
- Resolution No. 19-007 Establishing the Public Safety Task Force
RESOLUTION NO. 19-007
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, the City Council established a 5-member Public Safety Task Force via
Resolution 17-010 for a limited term to serve in an advisory capacity on matters related to public
safety; and
WHEREAS, the term of the original Task Force ended November 30, 2018 and the City
Council wishes to form a new Wildfire Public Safety Task Force to address matters not
addressed by the original Task Force; and
WHEREAS, the new Public Safety Task Force will serve in an advisory capacity to the
City Council on matters related to wildfire and emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force is charged with providing
recommendations on improvements and additions to the City of Saratoga Community Wildfire
Protection Plan, strategies to strengthen wildfire hazard mitigation and emergency preparedness
efforts in Saratoga, and serve as community ambassadors on the topics of wildfire and
emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force will be comprised of five members,
each member nominated by a member of the City Council and appointed by the City Council;
and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force shall serve for a limited term ending
November 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force shall hold regular meetings every
other month and schedule special meetings as needed; and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force shall be subject to City Code Article
2-12 City Commissions (not including City Code Section 2-12.020(d), which by its terms does
not apply to committees such as the Task Force) and other City policies and State laws that apply
to the operation and administration of City Commissions; and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force will not be subject to the City of
Saratoga Conflict of Interest Code; and
WHEREAS, each member of the City Council is hereby requested to submit their
nomination to the Public Safety Task Force to the City Clerk no later than March 6, 2019 so that
appointments to the Public Safety Task Force may be made at the March 20, 2019 City Council
Meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saratoga
hereby establishes a new Wildfire Public Safety Task Force for a limited term ending November
30, 2020.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga
City Council held on the 20th day of February 2019 by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor E. Manny Cappello, Vice Mayor Howard Miller, Council Members Rishi
Kumar, Mary -Lynne Bernald, Yan Zhao
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATT
G
ebbie Bretschneider, City Clerk
E. Manny Cappello, Mayor
DATE: 2i /74 /v , i