RECOMMENDATION: 

ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of a grant application to the TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (TDEM) for wastewater facility emergency generator projects through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); declaring the City’s eligibility for such grant; and authorizing the Director of Houston Public Works to act as signatory on grant applications for an estimated project period of 36 months. 

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: 

Houston Public Works recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing submission of a grant application to TDEM for  emergency generator projects through the HMGP program; declaring the City’s eligibility for such grants; and authorizing the Director to act as signatory on grant applications. 

The HMGP program, authorized by Section 404 of the amended Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, provides post-disaster funding for eligible mitigation projects in accordance with the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Unified Guidance and the 44 CFR § 206.430. 

As the grant recipient for the HMGP program for the State of Texas, TDEM published a notice of funding opportunity on May 10th, 2021 for funding available for the HMGP program related to the presidentially declared DR-4586 Severe Winter Storms (Winter Storm Uri). 

The “Wastewater Facilities - Emergency Generator Project” (PROJECT) will provide backup power through the placement of emergency generators at three wastewater facilities within the 69th Street Wastewater Treatment Plant service area that currently do not have permanent backup power capability.  

The three locations are as follows: 

Clinton Lift Station – 4221 Clinton Drive (District B) 

Lockwood Lift Station – 698 Lockwood Drive (District H) 

69th Street Wastewater Treatment Plant  –  2525 Ssgt. Macario Garcia Drive (District H) 

The Project facilities collect, convey, and treat approximately 60% of Houston's wastewater, and over 80% of the City's sludge processing and disposal for an estimated 1.3+ million residential, commercial and critical government customers including the Texas Medical Center, Downtown Houston, City Hall, HPD Headquarters, Federal and County Buildings, Federal Courthouse and Holding Facility, County Jail and Courthouse, University of Houston, Minute Maid Stadium, Toyota Center, George R. Brown Convention Center, and various other facilities critical to the City of Houston, State of Texas, and United States of America. Providing uninterrupted wastewater services during emergency events would help mitigate the risk of sanitary sewer overflows and contaminated flood water and bayous.

There is a 25% local match requirement. Under the HMGP program, management costs of up to 5% may be reimbursed under the 100% federal share. If and when individual projects are selected for award, Houston Public Works will bring acceptance of the grant award(s) to City Council for approval with detail of the specific amounts and sources of the required local funding match.  

The table below identifies the requested funding amount and anticipated local match requirement.  

GRANT FISCAL NOTE: No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

CIP FISCAL NOTE: No significant Fiscal Operating impact is anticipated as a result of this project.

_____________________________ 

Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director

Houston Public Works 

Total Funding - $7,717,500.00 

$5,880,000.00 Fund 5030 - Federal/State/Local - Pass Through  

$1,837,500.00  Fund 8500 - Water and Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund

Brian Mason, Assistant Director

Houston Public Works Department

Phone: (832) 395-2047