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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $332,976.54 FROM FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND $48,351.56 FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FOR TORNADO RELATED EXPENSES DURING MAY 2013.
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BACKGROUND: During the severe weather outbreak event May 18 - June 2, 2013, Norman experienced severe storms, flooding and tornados that caused widespread damage throughout the City of Norman. During this time, there was an immediate threat to lives, property and public health and safety and FEMA Declaration OK-DR-4117 was approved.
DISCUSSION: Due to severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds during the period of May 18 - June 2, 2013, vegetative and construction/demolition debris was deposited upon public properties and rights-of-way. It was determined that this debris posed a significant threat to citizens’ lives, and public health and safety which necessitated debris removal. Under FEMA Declaration Number FEMA-OK-DR-4117, the City of Norman was determined to be an eligible applicant for reimbursement under Category A, Debris Removal. The City of Norman is a participant in the Accelerated Debris Removal Program of the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures, whereby the City will receive reimbursement for days 0- 30 of debris removal at 85%; for days 31-90 at 80%; and for days 91-180 at 75%. The City of Norman requested to use the Debris Management Plan Procedure and will receive a one-time Federal Cost Share increase of two (2) percent for the first 90 days after the start of the incident period for its debris removal operations.
Project Worksheet #00008 covered the first 30 days for the Public Works Department and determination was made that $315,804.46 was the amount eligible for the reimbursement application. FEMA processed the application based on a cost share basis of 87 percent. The 87% reimbursable amount was $274,749.88. This reimbursement was received by the City in August of 2013.
Project Worksheet #00139 covered days 31-90 for the Public Works Department and $71,008.12 was determined to be the amount eligible for the reimbursement application. FEMA processed the application based on a cost share basis of 82 percent. The 82% reimbursable amount was $58,226.66. This reimbursement was received by the City in October of 2013.
The State of Oklahoma operates a Public Assistance program that provides for 50 percent of the remaining cost share not covered by FEMA (12.5% of the total eligible reimbursable amount). The amount of the 12.5% provided by the State of Oklahoma for the first 30 days of debris removal is $39,475.56. The amount of the 12.5% for days 31-90 is $8,876. These funds in the total amount of $48,351.56 were received in October 2013.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council approve the acceptance of this reimbursement from FEMA in the amount of $332,976.54 and from the State of Oklahoma in the amount of $48,351.56 and receipt $332,976.54 into FEMA Reimbursements (010-0000-334.13-28) and $48,351.56 into Other Agency Reimbursements (010-0000-366.12-39).