Subject:
Title
Grant Funding Agreement with the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management regarding a Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Grant for disaster relief funding associated with Hurricane Ian.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the federally funded subaward and grant agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for public safety costs related to the response to and damage from Hurricane Ian.
• Execution of this grant funding agreement with the FDEM is necessary to appropriate funding for eligible disaster relief costs.
• As of November 22, 2022, the County had expended approximately $6.53M on Hurricane Ian emergency response, sheltering, debris cleanup, and building repairs.
• The County will leverage FEMA for reimbursement of emergency response and permanent repair activities.
• No other Board actions have taken place related to this item.
• Most funds ($6.23M) expended apply to Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, but permanent work expenditures (~$300,000.00) will apply to FY23.
Authorize the Chairman to sign.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
Execution of the attached Grant Funding Agreement with the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management is necessary to receive reimbursement for disaster-related costs associated with Hurricane Ian.
Body
Background Information:
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida. While Pinellas County was not directly hit by this storm, the County incurred significant costs preparing for what was forecast to be a major Category Four hurricane making landfall in the Tampa Bay Area as well as damage from high winds and heavy rainfall. As a result, Pinellas County submitted a Request for Public Assistance to the State of Florida and FEMA for reimbursement of disaster-related costs.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program is a federal grant to aid state and local governments in returning a disaster area to pre‐disaster conditions. For this disaster, FEMA is reimbursing emergency protective measures and debris cleanup at a 100% federal cost share. Additionally, a minimum of 75.0% of eligible cost is provided by FEMA and 12.5% by the State to primarily address the repair and restoration of public facilities and infrastructure which have been damaged or destroyed, or the restoration of services which were negatively impacted.
Hurricane Ian was declared a State emergency on September 23, 2022.
Fiscal Impact:
An estimated $6.53M has been identified as damages with the State and FEMA. The actual dollar amount will be determined upon review and approval of eligible storm costs by FEMA. The County can anticipate reimbursement of 100% for approximately $6.23M in emergency protective measures and debris costs, and 87.5% of approximately $300,000 of eligible permanent repair expenses between FEMA and the State.
Impacted funds were: General (~$5,640,000), Emergency Medical Services (~$36,900), Building Services (~$141,100), Airport Revenue and Operating (~$73,800), Solid Waste Revenue and Operating (~$73,900), Water Revenue and Operating (~$248,300), and Sewer Revenue and Operating funds (~$312,200).
Approximately $4.03M in funding has already been expended, with ~$300,000 yet to be expended. Additionally, ~$2.2M will need to be transferred to the Pinellas County School Board for their sheltering costs in accordance with the County’s emergency sheltering agreement.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daniel Schoel, Disaster Cost Recovery Coordinator, Office of Management & Budget
Partners:
State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Administration
Attachments:
Funding Agreement Z2996
Amended Disaster Declaration DR-4673 10.27.22
Request for Public Assistance - RPAEF6EE7 10.10.22
Subgrantee Risk Assessment 12.01.22
Funding Agreement Applicant Instructions