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CC Resolution 2010-018RESOLUTION NO. 2010 - 018 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE COACHELLA VALLEY REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE WARNING SYSTEM (CREWS) AND REQUEST RECOGNITION, SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS FOR THIS REGIONAL MODEL WHEREAS, in at least three countries (Japan (2007), Mexico (1991), and Taiwan (2001)), disaster preparedness includes operational early warning earthquake systems, which can provide several tenths of seconds to a few seconds of warning of a large magnitude earthquake, both to mitigate injury and to aid disaster response and recovery efforts; and, WHEREAS, standalone early earthquake warning units in the Coachella Valley, QuakeGuards have the ability to provide 0-60 seconds warning time depending on the location of the unit from the hypocenter; and WHEREAS, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and the Coachella Valley Emergency Managers Association (CVEMA) CREWS proposal will expand the early earthquake core units in the Coachella Valley from 12 to 52 and network them into a system that can afford double the warning time; and, WHEREAS, Geologic studies show that over the past 1,400 to 1,500 years large earthquakes have occurred at about 150-year intervals on the southern San Andreas Fault. As the last large earthquake on the southern San Andreas occurred in 1857, that section of the fault is considered a likely location for an earthquake within the next few decades; and, WHEREAS, because the southern section of the San Andreas Fault spans throughout the Coachella Valley, a thorough emergency preparedness plan must include earthquake response and awareness, and local municipalities must strive to mitigate the devastating effects of earthquakes; and, WHEREAS, on December 7, 2009, CVAG's Executive Committee approved CVAG's participation to co-lead the creation and implementation of CREWS with CVEMA and local legislators; and, WHEREAS, CREWS will be critical to the safety of first responders, approximately 69,000 students and faculty of the local school districts, healthcare facilities; those people at critical infrastructure sites, an estimated 100,000 seasonal residents and visitors, as well as the entire population of 477,948 permanent residents (Riverside County 2009 Progress Report), such that CREWS Resolution No. 2010-018 Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System Declaration of Need and Call for State Support Adopted: March 16, 2010 Page 2 participating partners and affiliates will receive an advanced alert of an earthquake, thereby. enabling them to take mitigating actions, potentially reducing the number and severity of injuries; and, WHEREAS, the implementation of CREWS will require collaboration between CVAG, CVEMA, the local school districts and both the academic and private sector (Seismic Warning Systems, Inc.). Therefore, the CVEMA formed an Earthquake Early Warning Subcommittee to establish an Action Plan to develop the project; and, WHEREAS, the CREWS Project will: 1) seek funding for the expansion of CREWS to provide early earthquake warnings, 2) be responsible for the development of earthquake warning response procedures, 3) develop and implement sustainable and periodic education and training programs for each school district partner, and 4) focus on regional needs, hazards, and priorities, and include collaboration with other regions; and, WHEREAS, CVAG's role will involve: 1) research and administer grant applications and other revenue streams for funding of this project; 2) work with jurisdictions to secure strategic sites for system locations; 31 work with the CREWS partners to facilitate, implement, expedite, and expand the CREWS networking capability thus doubling the warning time; and, 4) work to expand the early earthquake warning system through regional partnerships; and, WHEREAS, it has been determined by the CVEMA that the CREWS project will need approximately 53 million dollars to expand the current 12 sites to include early earthquake warning devices along the Southern San Andreas Fault and the San Jacinto fault zone and to provide education and training; and, WHEREAS, the budget will include the CREWS Self-Funding Cooperative model in which those interested in receiving early earthquake warnings (CREWS Affiliates) would subscribe to the Network Earthquake Warning Service (NEWS). Subscription fees (approximately 5100 per site per month) for NEWS will pay for system operation, maintenance, upgrades, and on-going training and education efforts and relieve the school districts of significant long term cost. This model for long-term support of the system ensures that CREWS will continue to be available as long as needed, thus, creating a sustainable funding model for on-going operations, maintenance, and education; and, WHEREAS, The City of La Quinta requests that local State and Federal Representatives: 1) endorse and recognize the importance of CREWS, 2) facilitate, in coordination with CVAG and the CREWS partners, any legislation, to support and assist with the development of CREWS and 3) assist with and identification of Resolution No. 2010-018 Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System Declaration of Need and Call for State Support Adopted: March 16, 2010 Page 3 funding streams to facilitate the implementation of this project which will monitor the southern section of the San Andreas Fault, mitigate the loss of life, prevent injuries, and protect first responders, from a major earthquake in Southern California; and, WHEREAS, The City of La Quinta requests that local State and Federal legislators recognize the importance of CREWS in providing a collective and regional disaster preparedness response to earthquakes, and assist CVAG using legislative means and efforts as available to fund such disaster preparedness is necessary to the safety of the population. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La Quinta, California, hereby declares the public safety need for the CREWS program to assist with the protection of life and property from a large magnitude earthquake in the Coachella Valley and call upon local state and federal legislators to endorse and support the regional program through financial and/or legislative support. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City Council held on this 16`" day of March 2010, by the following vote to wit: AYES: Council Members Evans, Franklin, Henderson, Sniff, Mayor Adolph NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: i / V RONICA J. h City of La Qui~ (City Seal) ~~ DON ADOLP May r City of La Qulnta, Ca I ornia UTECINO, CMC, City Clerk California Resolution No. 2010-018 Coachella Valley Regional Earthquake Warning System Declaration of Need and Call for State Support Adopted: March 16, 2010 Page 4 APPROVED AS TO FORM: M. KATHERIN J SON, City Attorney City of La Qui a, California ._^_ , .~ .- ~.. ~~ r/_ .