ORDINANCE approving and authorizing submission of Grant Application  to the TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD (TWDB) for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) for the Freeway Manor/Gulf Terrace Neighborhoods Flood Risk Reduction Project; declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grants; authorizing the Director of the City of Houston Public Works (“Director”) to act as the City’s representative in the Grant application process

RECOMMENDATION: Approve an ordinance for authorization to apply to the Texas Water Development (TWDB) for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) for the Freeway Manor/Gulf Terrace Neighborhoods Flood Risk Reduction project; declaring the City's eligibility for such grants; authorizing the Director of Houston Public Works or designee to act as a signatory on the grants application.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program is a federal grant program designed to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to people and property. It provides funding to state and local governments for projects that mitigate flood risks.

Houston Public Works (HPW) prepared an application to the FY24 FMA for the Freeway Manor/Gulf Terrace Neighborhoods Flood Risk Reduction Project. The project will reduce the risk of flooding for three neighborhoods within the City of Houston: Freeway Manor North, Freeway Manor South, and Gulfway Terrace. The proposed mitigation activity includes improvements to two existing channels (C106-10-00 and C106-10-01) by enclosing the channels within a closed drainage system to prevent localized flooding.

The total cost for this project is over $86.6 million including engineering, design, and construction costs. If awarded, the City of Houston will be responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and 100% of overruns, if any. The table below identifies the requested funding amount, estimated local share, and total projected cost. If awarded, approval of the grant agreement and appropriation of the local share will be requested at a later date. 

FISCAL NOTE:

No fiscal note is required on grant items. 

No Significant Fiscal Operating Impact is anticipated as a result of this project.

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Randall V. Macchi, JD

Director, Houston Public Works

$50,000,000.00 Fed/Local/Pass Fund (5030)

$36,681,325.66 Dedicated Drainage And Street Renewal Capital Fund - Ad Valorem Tax Fund 4046 (Future Appropriation)