FEMA Grant_North Catfish Creek InterceptorTHE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
October 10, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Application for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos recommends City Council authorization to submit an
application for $1,428,187.50 in FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds and
committing to the allocation of the necessary $285,637.50 in matching City funds for the
sanitary sewer improvements associated with the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary
and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project.
I want to offer my thanks to ECIA Executive Director Kelley Deutmeyer and Community
Development Director Mark Schneider for making the City aware of this funding
opportunity. This is another example of the value of the City's partnership with ECIA.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
r
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Kelley Deutmeyer, ECIA Executive Director
Mark Schneider, ECIA Community Development Director
THE CITY OF
DuB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
October 5, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
. --~
SUBJECT: Application for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to seek authorization to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program (HMGP) funds for the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater
Drainage Improvements Project.
BACKGROUND
In March of 2004, the City funded an evaluation of the sewer referred to as the "Key
Way sanitary sewer system." Based on the recommendations of the study prepared by
Veenstra & Kimm, Inc., the City Council established $1,904,250 to upsize the Catfish
Creek interceptor sewer line from University Avenue Extension at US20 to the
Northwest Arterial. The project consists of replacing the existing 12-inch diameter clay
sewer with a 24-inch diameter ductile iron sewer from University Avenue to Key Way
and replacing it with an 18-inch diameter ductile iron sewer from Key Way to the
Northwest Arterial. The City has completed a topographical survey from University
Avenue to Key Way.
On November 6, 2006, the City Council authorized an application and subsequently
approved the use of State Revolving Loan funds for the project. In December of 2006
the State approved the City's application, placing the project on the Iowa Finance
Authority State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program intended use plan.
DISCUSSION
Authorized under Section 404 of the Stafford Act, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(HMGP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard
mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the program is to
reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation
measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
HMGP funds can pay up to 75 percent of the project cost. The State covers 10 percent
and the City must cover the remaining 15 percent, though it need not be in cash.
In August of 2007, the City submitted a "Notice of Interest" (NOI) for grant funding to
Iowa Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (IHS) for the City's
North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project.
In September, IHS concluded that the sanitary sewer portion, $1,904,250, of the City's
project is eligible for funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). They
invited the City to submit a formal application for HMGP Project grant funding. The
application (see attachment) will enable the City to compete in the state-wide
competitive "post disaster" Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. It is designed to capture
the necessary information to meet the program requirements. Submission of an
application does not automatically guarantee a grant award. The application process is
another step in the review and certification phase of the grant program that ensures
both state and federal funding requirements are met.
Applications must be submitted to IHS by November 16, 2007. However, IHS
recommends that the application be completed as soon as possible to allow adequate
time for changes or corrections that may need to be made before the deadline date.
City staff has enlisted the help of ECIA to complete the application. Application
materials have been assembled and ECIA is seeking input from IHS, the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, and the State Historical Preservation Office while
working through the process of filling out the application.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the City apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to
upsize the Catfish Creek interceptor sewer line from University Avenue Extension at
US20 to the Northwest Arterial.
BUDGET IMPACT
The HMGP funds can pay up to 75 percent of the project cost and the State can pay 10
percent, leaving the City responsible for 15 percent. With the North Fork sanitary sewer
improvements estimated at $1,904,250, funding through the program would be as
follows:
Federal (75%)
State (10%)
City (15%)
$1,428,187.50
$ 190,425.00
$ 285,637.50
With the adoption of the FY08 budget, $1,904,250 was established for the sanitary
sewer improvements with project financing through the State Revolving Loan Fund. The
project was to be funded by borrowing the money and financing it at 3.25% over 20
years. If the application is approved, the City will save $1,618,612.50 and the interest
paid over the life of the loan.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the
City Manager to submit an application for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds
and committing to the allocation of the necessary $285,637.50 in matching city funds for
the sanitary sewer improvements associated with the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary
and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project.
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Ken TeKippe, Finance Director
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II
Attach.
RESOLUTION NO. 506-07
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR HAZARD
MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR THE SANITARY SEWER
IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NORTH FORK CATFISH CREEK
SANITARY AND STORMWATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Whereas, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security & Emergency
Management has announced the availability of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(HMGP) funds.
Whereas, the sanitary sewer improvements associated with the North Fork
Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project are eligible
activities for HMGP funding.
Whereas, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security & Emergency
Management has invited the City to submit a formal application for HMGP Project grant
funding for the project.
Whereas, the HMGP requires fifteen percent (15%) local matching funds.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the submission of an application for Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program (HMGP) funds for the sanitary sewer improvements associated with the North
Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project is hereby
authorized.
Section 2. That the City of Dubuque agrees to allocate the local matching
funds as required by the HMGP.
Passed, approved and adopted this 15th day of october, 2007
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk