2023-08-20 Emergency Proclamation - LQ Tropical Cyclone HilaryPROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
A DECLARATION OF THE ACTING CITY MANAGER /
EMERGENCY CORPS COMMANDER OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING A LOCAL
EMERGENCY PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 8630 AND LA QUINTA
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.20.080
WHEREAS, on August 18, 2023, Hurricane Hilary began bringing heavy rain,
flooding, lightning, and gusty winds to Southern California, necessitating the proposition
of significant resources, including swift water rescue teams and the California National
Guard, to protect health and safety and preserve the lives and property of the people of
the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service issued a series of Flood Watches
August 18, 2023, warning of potential significant flooding between August 19, 2023, and
August 22, 2023, in several California counties, including Riverside County; and
WHEREAS, the City of La Quinta is incorporated in Riverside County and located
in an area of the county, the Coachella Valley, that has been identified as potentially
suffering from extreme weather-related events as a result of Hurricane Hilary; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has warned that Hurricane Hilary may
bring the potential for isolated tornadoes across portions of Southern California; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has warned that Hurricane Hilary is
expected to reach Southern California at tropical storm strength on August 20, 2023;
Flash Flooding and strong tropical storm force winds can be expected across the whole
region, with rare and dangerous flooding expected across the mountains and desert; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a State of
Emergency on August 19, 2023, in response to the extreme weather-related events as a
result of Hurricane Hilary; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 8630 and La Quinta Municipal
Code Section 2.20.080 empowers the City Council, or, if the City Council is not in session,
by (1) any member of the City Council acting individually; (2) City Manager; (3) Chief of
Police; (4) Fire Chief; or (5) Acting City Manager, to proclaim the existence or threatened
existence of a local emergency when the City is affected or likely to be affected by a public
calamity; and
WHEREAS, La Quinta Municipal Code Section 2.20.020 defines the terms
emergency or disaster to mean the actual or threatened existence of conditions of
disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within this city caused
Proclamation of Local Emergency — Hurricane Hilary
Declared: August 20, 2023
Page 2 of 4
by such conditions as, among other events, floods, storms, and other conditions that are
or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, regular personnel, equipment and
facilities of the City and which may require the combined forces of other political
jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, based on the foregoing recitals and the continued monitoring of
extreme weather-related events resulting from Hurricane Hilary, the Acting City Manager
does hereby find that potential conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and
property may arise within the City, caused by heavy rain, strong tropical strength winds,
and major flash flooding, expected to commence on or about 12:00 p.m. on the 20th day
of August 2023, and that the aforesaid conditions of extreme peril warrant and necessitate
the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to La Quinta Municipal Code Section 2.20.090, the Acting
City Manager shall be the Emergency Corps Commander for the duration of the existence
of a local emergency, as the City Manager has designated the Acting City Manager to
serve in his absence while on vacation pursuant to Memorandum dated August 10, 2023,
incorporated herewith by the reference as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with La Quinta Municipal Code Section 2.20.100, the
Emergency Corps Commander may direct all agencies of the city government to utilize
and employ city personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all
activities designed to prevent or alleviate actual or threatened damage due to the local
emergency; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 3100 declares that the
protection of the health and safety and preservation of the lives and property of the people
of the state from the effects of natural, manmade, or war -caused emergencies which
result in conditions of disaster or in extreme peril to life, property, and resources is of
paramount state importance requiring the responsible efforts of public and private
agencies and individual citizens; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the exercise of the police powers of the state,
counties, and local agencies, in protection of its citizens and resources, all public
employees are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service
activities as may be assigned to them by their superior or by law; and
WHEREAS, as required by California Government Code Section 3102, all City
employees, before they enter upon the duties of their employment, take and subscribe to
the oath of affirmation affirming and accepting to act in their capacity as disaster service
workers as prescribed by law.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED by the Acting City Manager
of the City of La Quinta, California, that a local emergency now exists throughout the City
of La Quinta; and
Proclamation of Local Emergency — Hurricane Hilary
Declared: August 20, 2023
Page 3 of 4
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the
existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the Emergency
Manager and the emergency organization of the City of La Quinta shall be those
prescribed by state law, by ordinances, and resolutions of this City; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that the Emergency
Operations Center Director or his/her successor or assignee is hereby designated as the
authorized representative of the City of La Quinta for the purpose of receipt, processing,
and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain available state and
federal assistance; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that said local
emergency shall be deemed to exist for a period of seven (7) days, and unless ratified
and extended by the City Council of the City of La Quinta, it shall terminate at 11:59 p.m.
on the 27th day of August 2023, in accordance with La Quinta Municipal Code Section
2.20.080; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that a copy of this
proclamation shall be forwarded to the Governor of California with the request that he
proclaim the City of La Quinta to be in a state of emergency; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that a copy of this
proclamation be forwarded to the State Director of the Office of Emergency Services; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that a copy of this
proclamation be forwarded to the Riverside County Emergency Management Department
Duty Officer; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that the City Manager
or Acting City Manager is hereby designated as the authorized representative for public
assistance and the City's Finance Director is hereby designated as the authorized
representative for individual assistance of the City of La Quinta for the purpose of receipt,
processing, and coordination of all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain
available state and federal assistance.
ISSUED, DECLARED AND PROCLAIMED this 20th day of August 2023, pursuant
to California Government Code Section 8630 and La Quinta Municipal Code Section
2.20.080.
MONIKA RADEVA, Acting City Manager
City of La Quinta, California
Proclamation of Local Emergency — Hurricane Hilary
Declared: August 20, 2023
Page 4 of 4
ATTEST:
a,<.4i rv( r
LAURIE McGINLEY, Deputy Cit, Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WILLIAM H. IHRKE, City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
4 aide'
GEM of rhe DESERT —
MEMORANDUM
TO: Madam Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jon McMillen, City Manager
DATE: August 10, 2023
SUBJECT: Designation of Acting City Managers
August 12-30, 2023
EXHIBIT A
I will be out of the area and on vacation August 12-30, 2023. I will return to
the office on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
During my absence, I have designated City Clerk, Monika Radeva as Acting
City Manager from August 12th thru August 20th. Monika's direct contact
information is as follows:
Cell: 760-567-6605 City: 760-777-7035
mradeva@laquintaca.gov
From August 21st thru August 30th, I have designated Gil Villalpando,
Director of Business and Housing, as Acting City Manager. Gil's direct
contact information is as follows:
Cell: 951-537-8671 City: 760-777-7094
gvillalpando@laquintaca.gov
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Thank you
cc: Executive Team
Bill Ihrke