The Director of Houston Public Works recommends that City Council approve an ordinance approving submission of a grant application to the TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD for community flood mitigation assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program; declaring the City’s eligibility for such grant; authorizing the Director of Houston Public Works to act as signatory on the grant application with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds, as awarded, and to apply for and accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements and documents with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant programs provide funding for mitigation projects and studies to reduce or eliminate claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The City of Houston applied for and received funds to implement this program in 2015, 2016 and 2018 which is pending award.
Homeowners volunteered to participate in this program prior to developing application.
Depending on the National Flood Insurance Program loss history of each property at the time of the grant application, participating homeowners will be awarded between 90% (repetitive loss) and 100% (severe repetitive loss) of eligible home elevation or acquisition and demolition project costs. Homeowners in these applications will be responsible for the local grant match of $1,418,846.72 collectively.
The City’s costs for administering the grant and application development are reimbursable with the exception of
$ 73,673.15 for administrative and project management costs.
The period of performance for this grant will be three-years from the effective date of the contract. Eligible Activities include design, permitting, construction and project management.
The City of Houston will submit three elevation applications, (application 1, 37 homes, application 2, 29 homes and application 3, 26 homes)
FISCAL NOTE:
No fiscal note required for Grant Funded Items
Funding for this item is included in the FY2020 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Director
Houston Public Works