TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute the Mutual Assistance Agreement with the members of the California Utilities Emergency Association for the exchange of personnel, material, equipment, and supplies in the presence of unplanned events that constitute a utility emergency. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Staff is currently reviewing all emergency planning documents to ensure they are up-to-date and adequately address potential emergency needs, especially for a large event such as an earthquake. It was determined Long Beach Gas and Oil (LBGO) may not have sufficient resources to meet the needs during a significant emergency and may need assistance from surrounding utilities.
Staff is seeking City Council approval to enter into the Mutual Assistance Agreement (Electric and Natural Gas) with members of the California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA). The CUEA includes surrounding utilities such as Southern California Gas Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Pacific Gas & Electric. This Agreement replaces agreements executed in 1994 between the City and individual utilities that have been subsequently cancelled. The purpose of the Agreement is to clearly state the goals and objectives of exchanging emergency resources and to promptly indemnify the various parties, regardless of jurisdictional or geographical boundaries. This Agreement would be used in situations where LBGO resources were overwhelmed and needed additional emergency assistance.
While the Agreement formalizes relationships between the requesting and assisting utilities and provides general operational parameters, it also allows for specific details to be jointly determined at the time assistance is requested.
The Agreement will support the City's compliance with Federal Pipeline Safety Standards to minimize hazards to life and property, and hasten the stabilization/recovery of gas infrastructure during unplanned events.
The Mutual Assistance Agreement with CUEA members will remain in effect until cancelled. Withdrawal from the Agreement of any party may be made with thirty (30) days prior written notice to all other parties.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony on February 11, 2014, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 13, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 18,2014, in order to have the Agreement in place in case of an emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost to join the California Utilities Emergency Association Mutual Assistance Agreement. Similar to other mutual aide agreements the City has in place, cost is only incurred when providing or requesting services from other jurisdictions. The extent of those costs will be determined at the time the request is made/received and the City has the option to deny such a request. There is no impact to local jobs associated with the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTOPHER J. GARNER
DIRECTOR OF LONG BEACH GAS AND OIL
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER