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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2007/10/23 MINUTES OF AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA October 23, 2007 6:00 P.M. An Emergency Meeting of the City Council ofthe City ofChula Vista was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Castaneda (arrived at 6:09 p.m.), McCann, Ramirez, Rindone and Mayor Cox ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Garcia, Senior Assistant City Attorney Marshall, Fire Chief Perry, Police Chief Emerson, Communications Director Pursell, Planning and Building Director Sandoval, Recreation Director Martin, Senior Deputy City Clerk Peoples PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE ACTION ITEM I. RESOLUTION NO. 2007-255, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY ISSUED BY THE CITY DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND EXTENDING THE PROCLAMATION UNTIL OCTOBER 25, 2007 AT 1:00 P.M. The City Council determined that an emergency situation existed due to the vast local and regional fires and called an emergency meeting to consider adoption of the above resolution. Telephonic notice and fax or electronic notification was provided to all media outlets that had requested notice of any special meetings. This notice was provided more than one hour prior to the meeting, and the agenda was posted for the public more than one hour prior to the meeting. ACTION: Deputy Mayor Rindone offered Resolution No. 2007-255, heading read, text waived. Councilmember McCann seconded the motion, and it carried 4-0-1 with Councilmember Castaneda absent. OTHER BUSINESS 2. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT . Update regarding fires in Southern San Diego County. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (continued) City Manager Garcia, assisted by Fire Chief Perry, Police Chief Emerson and Recreation Director Martin, provided an overview of the City's response to, and actions taken, due to the threat to the City posed by the Harris Potrero Fire, which began October 21, 2007 and had been at and around the perimeter of the City. At the time of the meeting, the fire had been contained and all City ofChula residents were being allowed to return home. City Manager Garcia thanked the efforts of all City employees, public safety and civilian, noting that Chula Vista responded one hundred percent with no support from outside agencies other than 2 helicopters, noting that there was a complete mobilization of municipal resources and the employees discharged their duties in a superior fashion. Mayor Cox stated that she did not think she had ever been prouder to be part of an association, such as the City of Chula Vista as she had been these past two days, and that words failed to express the gratitude that she and the members of the City Council had for showing the best in what we have in the community. She extended gratitude to not only the Chula Vista Fire and Police Departments, but all others involved and stated she wanted to make sure that people realized the incredible task it was to put everything together and have an evacuation center set up within 6 hours that provides sleeping bags, supplies, food, counseling and nursing services, an animal shelter with food and supplies for large and small animals, food for staff and employees as well as guests. She thanked Recreation Director Martin and his staff, Information Technology Services Director Vignapiano, Human Resources Director Raskin and Communications Director Pursell and her staff, and those employees at City Hall who made sure that people's questions were answered as quickly as possible. She recognized that the Departments of Public Works, General Services, Engineering, Planning, HR, Finance and the Library were in the background making sure things got done. Next, she read a list of those who assisted including, Chula Vista High School who at a moments notice agreed to accommodate up to 1,000 people, Sweetwater Union High School District, Chula Vista Elementary School District, Southwestern College who allowed us to use their facility as a Police command center, San Diego County Courts who were closed provided their Bailiffs to assist with our law enforcement; Chula Vista Kiwanis, South Bay Family YMCA, South Bay Community Services, Chula Vista Collaborative and San Ysidro Health Services helped take care of the people issues; and then there were contributions from Wal-Mart, Costco, Howard Light Industries, Neighborhood Market Association, Starbucks, South Bay Fish & Grill, Henry's Market, Hacienda del Patron, La Bella's Pizza Garden, Stella's on Third, Pat & Oscars, Jack in the Box, Brett Davis Nutrition; San Diego Gas & Electric bought food for the first evening at the evacuation center and Debbie Reed, Sempra Energy CEO, who had personally been evacuated called to assist and provided a marked truck to assist with gas and electric problems in neighborhoods. KOA, Sunnyside Saddle Club, Wigginton Ranch and Driving Range on Hollister Street allowed for the boarding of horses; Petco and PetSmart provided animal food and supplies; San Diego County Apartment Association surveyed their apartment owners to ask if any had apartments they could loan free of charge for those who are displaced from their homes; American Medical Response made sure our medical calls were attended to; the United States Navy flew in 300 cots on a single call; Community Congregational Church ofChula Vista; McMillan Companies made sure basic toiletry supplies were provided. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (continued) Page 2 - Council Minutes htto:/ /www.chulavistaca.20v October 23, 2007 J Deputy Mayor Rindone thanked the Mayor for covering the wide range of support from the community and stated he had observed the Mayor's personal efforts noting she should add herselfto the list. He then commended the coordination of the two chiefs and the City Manager, and their strategy to split the fire coverage into two areas. He spoke regarding the diligence, dedication and tenacity of staff in the overall planning/organization, and the individual's leadership that made a difference and saved our City without outside help. He also spoke regarding the tremendous volunteerism from individual citizens, businesses and organizations who asked what was needed and provided whatever was requested, as well as the coordinated effort with the Sweetwater Union High School District to set up the evacuation center and expand the use of their entire campus when needed. Lastly he stated that the effectiveness was the outcome, not a single structure was lost, nor anyone injured, and expressed accolades to all. Councilmember McCann stated he and his family were evacuated, and compared the experience to the Cedar Fire of 2003, noting that all Chula Vistans chipped in and helped and that the number of volunteers at the evacuation center exceeded the number of evacuees, which showed the level of support of the citizens for their City. He stated the evacuation center had been reviewed by several Red Cross individuals who said it was one of the best-run centers they had ever seen, and it had been set up without their assistance. Further, unlike 2003, the scene was not chaotic; people knew their roles and were where they were needed. It was well run, everyone worked together as a team, and the City showed they were prepared. Mayor Cox stated she was sure staff would take steps during to review the things they did well as well as areas for improvement, and that she would like to involve herself in and would welcome the assistance of Council, in the setting up an emergency fund for the City of Chula Vista, so should an emergency occur and the City not be able to count on the agencies that communities typically count on, they would have funds available to do what is necessary. She suggested that the upcoming Endow Chula Vista Campaign that the San Diego Foundation had invited them to join be considered as a vehicle for this. Councilmember Ramirez stated he visited the evacuation center and Emergency Operations Center, and witnessed everything his colleagues were referring to, noting that he was impressed with everyone's efforts and extended thanks to all. He then thanked Sweetwater Union High School District Superintendent Gandara and Chula Vista High School Principal Ohnesorgen for opening their facilities and providing people to assist. Councilmember Castaneda added his thanks to the men and women who stepped up and chipped in to help the City get through the situation, stating that he was proud to be a member of an organization made up of such professional men and women who take their job seriously and who had a true concern for the people of Chula Vista and their health and safety. He then thanked Mayor for putting' him where he was qualified to help out, at the Animal Control Center, to assist with the care of the animals there and assist in making room for displaced animals, and stated that he supported the Mayor's suggestion for putting together a fund to be used in future emergencIes. ADJOURNMENT Page 3 - Council Minutes http://www.chulavistaca.gov October 23, 2007 At 6:58 p.m. Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to an Adjourned Regular Meeting, Thursday, November 1,2007 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Q{~OO~bi~CINk Page 4 - Council Minutes htto:/ /www.chulavistaca.!lQV October 23, 2007 i .---"