Title
Public Assistance Sub-grant Agreements for Tropical Storm Fay (NB)
Staff recommends the City Commission approve the execution of Public Assistance Sub-grant Agreements with the State of Florida in order to receive Federal and State public assistance funding that will reimburse the City for expenses incurred during and after tropical storm Fay (August 2008).
Explanation
On August 22, 2008 tropical storm Fay battered the City of Gainesville and caused general government and the utility to expend labor, resources and materials to protect the citizens of Gainesville, maintain utility services, and repair infrastructure. In order for the City to receive reimbursement, funding agreements between the City of Gainesville and the State of Florida must be executed. Two agreements have been constructed, one for general government's use and one for the utility's use.
In order protect the citizens of Gainesville the general government expended funds to provide additional police and fire services, maintain roads and buildings, and repair boardwalks. Damages and expenses totaled $190,605. Execution of a Public Assistance Sub-grant Agreement will enable general government to receive 87.5% of those costs plus 100% of related direct administrative costs, or approximately $167,613.
In order to maintain utility services to its customers GRU expended funds to provide emergency services to maintain and repair the electric transmission and distribution systems, the Deerhaven Generating Station, the Murphree Water Plant, the wastewater collection system and GRUCom fiber optic cables. Damages and expenses totaled $1.422 million. Execution of a Public Assistance Sub-grant Agreement will enable the utility City to receive 87.5% of those costs plus 100% of related direct administrative costs, or approximately $1.244 million.
Recommendations
The City Commission: 1) authorize the General Manager and the City Manager to execute Public Assistance Sub-grant Agreements for the reimbursement of expenses related to tropical storm Fay, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality and 2) approve the disbursement of funds from the State of Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the City.
Fiscal Note
Execution of Public Assistance Sub-grant Agreements will enable the City to recoup approximately $1.412 million spent during FY 2008 and FY 2009 resultant from tropical storm Fay.
Drafter
Prepared by David E. Beaulieu, AGM/Energy Delivery
Submitted by Robert Hunzinger, General Manager and
Russ Blackburn, City Manager