Approval is requested to permit the City Manager or his designee to request and \n \n accept, as awarded, Public Assistance funds from the Federal Emergency \n \n Management Agency (FEMA) in the approximate amount of $421,121, for \n \n reimbursement of disaster response, recovery, and sheltering expenses \n \n associated with the Presidentially-declared disaster caused by Hurricane Irma \n \n on and around September 11, 2017 and to coordinate the reporting, receipt, and \n \n disbursement of these reimbursements with applicable city departments and to \n \n enter into a MOU with Columbus Public Health Department for the receipt and \n \n disbursement of approximately $44,559 of this amount for expenditures they \n \n incurred.
Approval
Pending
Background
Hurricane Irma landed in the Southeast in early September 2017 and travelled to
and beyond Columbus on September 11, 2017, resulting in a
Presidentially-declared disaster covering the area. As a result, the city of
Columbus and other local agencies involved are eligible for reimbursement of
expenditures related to emergency response, recovery, and sheltering of
evacuees.
Analysis
Expenses eligible for reimbursement by FEMA include but are not limited to,
debris removal, emergency services, medical services and supplies,
transportation, housing and food services for over 600 evacuees, and repair or
replacement of damaged assets.
Financial Considerations
There is no additional cost to the city to receive these reimbursements and no
local matching funds required. All expenditures have already occurred. This
program will reimburse the city for those expenditures that qualify under the
FEMA disaster relief program. Approximately $44,559 of these funds will belong
to the Columbus Public Health and will be passed to them, but the city will
incur no obligation for these reimbursements, as they will only be forwarded
after receipt by FEMA.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
This is a one-time reimbursement of expenditures already incurred by the City.
Legal Considerations
The City is eligible to receive these funds as a result of disaster #4338DR.
Because the Columbus Public Health is not affiliated with the City, but needs
to be on the same application as the City, the City will need to issue a MOU to
govern the receipt and disbursement of funds due to them.
Recommendations/ Actions
Authorize a resolution to approve the City to request reimbursement of eligible
expenditures incurred as a result of this disaster, and if awarded, accept
funds from FEMA and disburse funds received as appropriate to the corresponding
city departments and entering into a MOU with Columbus Public Health for the
receipt and disbursement of funds due to them from FEMA.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR AND
ACCEPT, AS AWARDED, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (FEMA) FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$421,121, OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED, FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR RESPONSE,
RECOVERY, AND EMERGENCY SHELTERING COSTS IN A PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTER,
WHICH WILL REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR DAMAGES AND EXPENDITURES RESULTING FROM THE
PASSAGE OF HURRICANE IRMA ON AND AROUND SEPTEMBER 11, 2017, AND TO ENTER INTO
AN MOU WITH THE COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT GOVERNING THE PASS-THRU
RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY $44,559 OF THIS AMOUNT THAT TO
REIMBURSE THEIR EXPENDITURES.
WHEREAS, Hurricane Irma hit the Southeast in early September, 2017; and,
WHEREAS, a Presidential disaster declaration, 4338DR, was issued on September
07, 2017, making the area eligible for public assistance; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the hurricane, over 600 evacuees from Florida and
southern Georgia were sheltered in Columbus; and,
WHEREAS, the city and local agencies incurred expenses sheltering and caring
for these evacuees; and,
WHEREAS, high winds and heavy rains caused storm damage and the need
for emergency services and debris removal; and,
WHEREAS, the City, and other local agencies incurred expenses in the
amount of at least $421,121 responding to this disaster; and desires to apply
for a grant and if awarded accept FEMA funds in that amount to reimburse its
expenses;
WHEREAS, the City, if awarded such grant, will from funds received
reimburse Columbus Public Health the approximate amount of $44,559 on a pass
through basis for expenses it incurred providing emergency services and care of
sheltered individuals., The City will enter into an MOU with Columbus Public
Health to govern the receipt and disbursement of funds due to them;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
1. The City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to apply to
FEMA for grant funds in the amount of $421,121 to reimburse allowable costs
associated with emergency response, damages, debris removal and sheltering
associated with the Hurricane Irma disaster and if approved receive the funds
and amend appropriate fund budgets as needed for the receipt and disbursement
of funds.
2. If the grant is awarded, the City Manager or his designee is also
authorized to enter into an MOU with Columbus Public Health for the
disbursement and receipt of grant proceeds in the amount of $44,559 expended by
them on allowable disaster relief services.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the
_________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative