Agenda Item # 2
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
06/19/2018
Agenda Report # 135
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: FEMA Disaster Assistance
INITIATED BY: Finance Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to permit the City Manager or his
designee to request and accept, as awarded, Public Assistance funds from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the approximate amount of
$421,121, for reimbursement of disaster response, recovery, and sheltering
expenses associated with the Presidentially-declared disaster caused by
Hurricane Irma on and around September 11, 2017 and to coordinate the
reporting, receipt, and disbursement of these reimbursements with applicable
city departments and to enter into a MOU with Columbus Public Health Department
for the receipt and disbursement of approximately $44,559 of this amount for
expenditures they incurred.
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 vote of
_____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
________________________ _________________________
Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
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