SUBJECT:
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 (TWDB) for community flood mitigation assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 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.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended City Council adopt an Ordinance approving the submission of a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board to support home elevation projects.
SPECIFIC EXPLANTATION:
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, 2018, and 2019 (2018 and 2019 are pending award).
The City of Houston will submit one elevation application for 5 homes. Homeowners volunteered to participate in this program prior to application development. 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 $60,552.37 collectively.
It is recommended that City Council authorize the Mayor to execute all related contracts, agreements, amendments and documents with the approval as to form of the City Attorney in connection with the grant program and to authorize the Director or her designee to act as the City’s representative with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the term and/or budget and project period not to exceed five years.
The City’s costs for administering the grant and application development are reimbursable except for $2,718.56 for administrative and project management costs. This is anticipated to be allocated from Fund 8300 and will be included within the proposed FY2022 annual budget.
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Estimated Cost
|
Grant Amount
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Homeowner Cost Share
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Administrative & PM Costs
|
|
$1,456,947.39
|
$1,393,676.46
|
$60,552.37
|
$2,718.56
|
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.
FISCAL NOTE:
No fiscal note is required on grant items.
Funding for this item will be included in the FY2022 Proposed Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Estimated Spending Authority
|
|
Department
|
FY 2021
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Out Years
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Total
|
|
Houston Public Works
|
0
|
$2,718.56
|
$2,718.56
|
____________________________
Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Director
Houston Public Works