REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: SANTINO DANISI, City Controller/Finance Director
Finance Department
COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Business Manager
Finance Department, Grants Management Unit
SUBJECT
Title
Action pertaining to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for eligible expenses under various disaster preparedness programs.
1. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Apply for and Accept Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Funding through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for reimbursement related to disaster preparedness funding (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all documents related to FEMA reimbursement
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a resolution to apply for and accept Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement through the California Office of Emergency Services for eligible expenses under various disaster preparedness grant programs and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all documents related to FEMA reimbursement through the California Office of Emergency Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Under the California Disaster Assistance Act, certain financial assistance can be obtained under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988, which amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. This applies to expenses eligible under FEMA’s disaster preparedness grant programs and will provide the City of Fresno reimbursement for expenses incurred during declared emergencies. In May 2023, Council approved a resolution identifying new authorized agents on behalf of the City of Fresno, to include City Manager Georgeanne White, City Controller Santino Danisi and Assistant Controller Kaleb Neufeld. With Council approval these authorized agents would also apply for and accept future FEMA funding for prior expenses eligible for disaster preparedness funding.
BACKGROUND
Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 and California Disaster Relief Act, governments are able to obtain certain financial assistance. All governmental or public entities requesting FEMA Public Assistance are required to have a Designation of Applicant Agents (CalOES Form 130) Resolution on file to be eligible for reimbursement of any public assistance grants for declared disasters. This resolution comes as a mandate directly from FEMA to the qualifying recipient CalOES and applies as a condition to qualifying for public assistance under CalOES.
In May 2023, City Council approved to designate authorized agents to provide required assurances and execute agreements with FEMA and CalOES on behalf of the City and approve corresponding Cal OES Form 130. The attached resolution authorizes the application and acceptance of disaster related funding eligible for reimbursement in connection with related disaster preparedness grant funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from the CEQA requirements. Projects that may be funded under FEMA or Cal OES will be subject to project-specific review.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not a factor due to the fact that there is no bid involved. Activities in which local preference is a factor may be funded under FEMA or Cal OES but will be subject to independent review.
FISCAL IMPACT
If a current Cal OES Form 130 is not on file with Cal OES, the City will be ineligible to apply for reimbursement under any public assistance grants made available for declared disasters. Adoption of this resolution will ensure the City is eligible for FEMA Public Assistance and Cal OES Assistance in the future providing reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of a declared emergency.
Attachment:
Resolution