TITLE: Title
Initiation of Process to Pursue FEMA Public Assistance Funds
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Board to direct the Manager and staff to participate in the process for FEMA Public Assistance funding resulting from impacts from Hurricane Florence.
body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works, Fire and Rescue, Manager's Office
CONTACT INFORMATION: Joe Guckavan, Public Works Director (919) 918-7427; Randy Dodd, Stormwater Utility Manager (919) 918-7341; Heather Holley, Stormwater Specialist (919) 918-7426; Susanna Williams, Fire Chief (919) 918-7349; Rebecca Buzzard, Project Manager, (919) 918-7438
INFORMATION: On October 22, FEMA declared Orange County as being eligible for Public Assistance associated with damages from Hurricane Florence. This particular FEMA program is intended to "provide funds to assist communities responding to and recovering from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. The program provides emergency
assistance to save lives and protect property, and assists with permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident." In initial staff discussions, these funds could potentially be used to address impacts to and options for the Public Works facility including: losses incurred; a highly eroding stream bank adjacent to the fleet's fuel tanks; and the potential unique opportunity for funding support for facility relocation. Contextual concerns include repetitive loss and operational impacts from recurring flooding, insurability in the future, and the risk/liability associated with a major fuel spill/incident. There is also the potential to receive funds to replace an undersized culvert on Broad Street. A staff memo provides additional information.
At this stage it is preliminary to recommend or anticipate specific opportunities for these funds, and the level of support for the Town to seek. Staff are seeking Board approval to participate in a Recovery Scoping M...
Click here for full text