Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance accepting Federal Emergency Management Public Assistance grant funds from the Texas Department of Emergency Management and amending the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20230816-008) to appropriate funding in the amount of $25,750,310 for Winter Storm Mara and COVID-19 expenses.
Body
Lead Department
Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $25,750,310 is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the Texas Department of Emergency Management. A City match of 25 percent is required and available in various departments’ Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund. A fiscal note is attached.
For More Information:
Aoife Longmore, Deputy Officer, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 512-974-0468; Heidi Cruz, Financial Manager, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 512-974-0462.
Additional Backup Information:
On January 30, 2023, through February 2, 2023, Winter Storm Mara caused freezing temperatures, sleet, and icy conditions across the City. The unprecedented ice accumulation resulted in road closures, extensive tree damage, broken power poles, and widespread power outages. On February 3, 2023, Mayor Watson and Travis County Judge Brown signed local disaster declarations. On April 22, 2023, President Biden issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas counties impacted by the effects of ice conditions and winter weather. CTM Wireless cell towers and Parks and Recreation Department electric connections on the Hancock Recreation Club house sustained damages. FEMA Public Assistance grant awards reimburse the City for expenses incurred for carrying out repairs from the Winter Storm Mara damages incurred during a period of January 30, 2023, through February 2, 2023, which have been completed.
On March 6, 2020, a Declaration of Local Disaster was issued by Mayor Adler to have the City take measures to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the City and County. On March 13, 2020, Governor Abbott issued a Declaration of State of Disaster to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the general public, requiring emergency response and protective measures. FEMA Public Assistance grant awards reimburse City departments for expenses incurred for carrying out COVID-19 public health responses from January 20, 2020, to May 11, 2023.
The General Fund will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently budgeted to this grant. When the grant funds expire, the department’s need for continuing funding will be evaluated and may be denied.
|
Project |
FEMA Reimbursement |
City Match |
Total Project Value |
|
Winter Storm Mara PW 147 |
$14,320,564 |
$4,773,521 |
$19,094,086 |
|
Winter Storm Mara PW 160 |
$14,091 |
$4,697 |
$18,788 |
|
Winter Storm Mara PW 149 |
$5,405 |
$1,802 |
$7,207 |
|
COVID-19 PW 1232 |
$7,024,104 |
$0 |
$7,024,104 |
|
Winter Storm Mara PW 159 |
$4,386,146 |
$1,462,049 |
$5,848,194 |
|
Total |
$25,750,310 |
$6,242,069 |
$31,992,379 |