Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 9/6/2022
Item Status: New
From: Zachary Hood, EMA Director
Submitted by: Vernon Dandridge, EMA Planning and Grants Division Manager
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Letter of Intent - DR-4632 (Severe Storms and Flooding) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
End
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) for Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency (BCEMA) to apply for DR-4632 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds, and to sign any related documents. The LOI will summarize the project types for which the Baldwin County Commission, through its department and staff, intend to apply.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments so they can rebuild in a way that reduces or mitigates future disaster losses in their communities. This grant funding is available after a presidentially declared disaster and is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (FEMA P-592), May 2019.
In this program, homeowners and businesses cannot apply for a grant. However, a local community may apply for funding on their behalf for safe room and flood or wind mitigation projects for residential structures (e.g., home elevations to eliminate the flooding of flood prone properties).
The Baldwin County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee met on August 11, 2022, to discuss and prioritize projects count-wide for the Master LOI and ensure these projects align with the current Baldwin County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. This Master LOI will be submitted by the EMA Planning and Grants Division Manager to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA). Each respective eligible applicant will complete their own individual documentation and applications in the AEMA Grants Portal (MB3).
If awarded, these funds provide up to 90% of federal cost share for eligible applicants and projects to reduce the threat to life, safety, and future damages and losses to property and infrastructure.
Projects which have been requested and compiled on the Master LOI List include two (2) Magnolia Springs Street Drainage Improvements projects, one (1) Gulf Shore Homeowner House Elevation project, (1) Baldwin County unincorporated homeowner Elevation/Reconstruction project, and five (5) potential residential flood mitigation projects.
Although the projects are still in the development stage, we must submit the LOI to AEMA to notify them of our intent to apply for HMGP funds. Future agenda items will be presented to the Baldwin County Commission for approval prior to commitment by the county to proceed with any project, if applications are awarded.
Commission Departments coordinate with the EMA Planning and Grants Division Manage, to ensure potential projects are captured in the LOI
Additional information is available on the Mitigation section of the Baldwin County EMA webpage at https://baldwincounty.gov/departments/EMA/ema-hazard-mitigation.
Previous Commission action/date: None
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: TBD by grant revenue, based on final award determinations
Budget line item(s) to be used: TBD by the final determination of applications and the outcome of applications and awards. Each county department will be responsible for the budget line items and matching funds, with the exception of the residential flood mitigation projects.
Homeowners are responsible for their local match requirement and must provide documentation to Baldwin County EMA staff for reimbursement requests to be prepared and submitted to FEMA through the Alabama EMA.
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
No
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? No
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: Yes - Vernon Dandridge will submit the LOI to AEMA no later than September 8, 2022.
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration and Staff
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Administration: Prepare correspondence and obtain Chairman’s signature on original Letter of Intent Form. Retain one (1) copy for BCC Administration records, courier original LOI to Vernon Dandridge for all follow up implementation.
Address correspondence to:
Michael Johnson, State Hazard Mitigation Officer
Alabama Emergency Management Agency
Post Office Drawer 2160
Clanton, Alabama 35046-2160
Vernon Dandridge will submit the Master LOI, with the Chairman’s signature to Alabama EME via the Alabama EMA Grants Portal and email to the Alabama EMA Mitigation- Grants Department; and will copy Administration and Departments whose staff will be submitting applications in the Alabama EMA Grants Portal for their respective projects.
Additional instructions/notes: N/A