REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: May 14, 2020
FROM: MICHAEL LIMA, Finance Director/Controller
Finance Department
BY: YVONNE DEDMORE, Administrative Manager
Finance Department
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Designating Authorized Agents of City of Fresno for California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Public Assistance Grants
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the corresponding California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Resolution designating Michael Lima (City Controller), Yvonne Dedmore (Administrative Manager) and Veronica Diaz (Management Analyst II) as authorized agents to execute agreements on behalf of the City of Fresno for the purpose of obtaining post-disaster public assistance grants from Cal OES and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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. In order to obtain this assistance, a new designation identifying authorized agents to submit claims is required if the previously submitted resolution is older than three (3) years from the last date of approval or if changes are required to the name and/or title of authorized agents. The attached resolution designates Michael Lima (City Controller), Yvonne Dedmore (Administrative Manager) and Veronica Diaz (Management Analyst II) as authorized agents for the City of Fresno for the purposes of applying for financial assistance from Cal OES.
BACKGROUND
To help communities recover from the broader spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the California Governor declared a State of Emergency on March 4, 2020. The City of Fresno then declared a State of Emergency March 16, 2020 in order to support the City’s requests for public assistance in response to COVID-19. The President approved the declaration of a State of Emergency for the State of California on March 22, 2020, authorizing Federal Assistance to aid recovery efforts of eligible state, tribal and local governments affected by COVID-19.
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 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 Cal OES and applies as a condition to qualifying for public assistance under Cal OES.
The City Council must:
- Designate authorized agents to provide required assurances and execute agreements with FEMA and Cal OES on behalf of the City, and;
- Approve corresponding Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution (Cal OES Form 130).
Staff recommends the City designate Michael Lima (City Controller), Yvonne Dedmore (Administrative Manager) and Veronica Diaz (Management Analyst II) as authorized agents for the purposes of providing the necessary assurances and executing agreements with Cal OES. This designation will be effective for up to three (3) years following the approval to address future disasters declared by the state and federal government. A new designation will be required once the submitted resolution is older than three (3) years from the date of approval or if changes are required to the name and/or title of authorized agents.
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, nor is State or federal money involved with this item. 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 Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution (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 make the City eligible for up to 75% of FEMA Pubic Assistance and Cal OES Assistance including but not limited to non-congregate sheltering.
Attachment:
Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies