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RESOLUTION R-1516-24: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA APPROPRIATING $500,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND 2% EMERGENCY RESERVE FUND TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR DISASTER RECOVERY MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY TETRA TECH, INC., PURSUANT TO CONTRACT K-1415-141.
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BACKGROUND: Between May 5-24, 2015, the City of Norman experienced an EF-1 tornado and multiple flash flooding events. Data prepared by staff at the National Weather Center, illustrates a historic level of flooding and rainfall in Norman in May 2015. Over 23 inches of rain fell in Norman in May 2015 or nearly 10 more inches of rain than the previous May, 1957 rainfall record in Norman of 13.43 inches. City staff has worked closely throughout May 2015 with officials from Oklahoma Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding storm damage assessments and the potential for state and federal disaster relief financing. Mayor Cindy Rosenthal declared a local disaster by resolution in May 2015. Governor Mary Fallin declared a state disaster by resolution in May 2015. President Obama established a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cleveland County on May 26, 2015 for the period of May 5-24, 2015, making the City eligible for up to 87.5% reimbursement (75%-federal; 12.5% state) for debris removal from the May 6, 2015 tornado and infrastructure repairs caused by the May 5-24, 2015 floods.
On June 9, 2015, Council approved Contract K-1415-141 with Tetra Tech, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $500,000, for the Disaster Recovery Management Services related to infrastructure damages sustained in Norman from the May 5-24, 2015 weather events. Since approval of the contract with the City in June, Tetra Tech has been working with Norman to administer road and bridge repair projects that are eligible for FEMA reimbursement and coordinate reimbursement efforts.
DISCUSSION: An appropriation of funds from the General Fund Emergency Reserve Account is necessary to fund Tetra Tech’s services. Reimbursement is anticipated at a rate of 87.5% through both FEMA and the Federal Highway Administration Disaster Relief Program (FHWA-DR) for these services, but these funds will need to be paid by the City while the reimbursement is being processed by FEMA and FHWA. This transfer of funds should have occurred as a part of the June 9, 2015 agenda item K-1415-141, but was inadvertently overlooked.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends an appropriation of $500,000 from the General Fund Emergency Reserve Account (Account No. 010-1001-411.40-97) to Engineering Consultant Services (Account No. 010-5010-429.40-09) to provide funding for services provided by Tetra Tech, Inc. pursuant to Contract No. K-1415-141.