Council
Communication

Office of the City Manager

 
 

Date

April 9, 2007

 

Agenda Item No.       31

Roll Call No.              07-

Communication No.  07-183

Submitted by: Allen McKinley, Finance Director/Treasurer

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Designating Kurt A. Rueckel, Finance Department, as the City's Authorized Representative for Federal Disaster Declaration.

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend approval to designate Kurt A. Rueckel as the City’s Authorized Representative in order to receive FEMA funding. On March 26, 2007, President Bush declared that estimated costs of response and recovery due to the winter storms during the incident period of February 23, 2007 – March 2, 2007 in Polk County warranted an emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42, U.S.C 5121-5206. In order to receive Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) funding, the City is required to designate an Authorized Representative to be the first point of contact for all official correspondence, audits, and other administrative issues related a Federal Disaster Declaration.   Kurt A. Rueckel has served in this capacity in the past.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount:  The preliminary estimate of eligible claims for the City of Des Moines is around $550,000 meaning the City may be reimbursed up to $429,000.

 

Funding Source:  Reimbursement of eligible expenses is 78% Federal (including a three percent administrative fee), 10% State, and 12% Local.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

 

During incident period of February 23 through March 2, 2007, the City of Des Moines incurred significant expenses responding to and recovering from the effects of the storms.  Preliminary estimates are: $55,000 - Public Works for Tree/branch pick-up/disposal on Public ROW only – includes overtime, equipment expense, and disposal costs;  $100,000 - Parks for Tree/branch pick-up/disposal on public park, cemetery, and golf course properties - includes overtime, equipment expense, and disposal costs; $360,000 - Public Works for salting/sanding – includes OT, equipment, and materials; $10,000 – Engineering for Traffic Signal repairs – includes overtime, equipment and materials; and $25,000 Police and Fire  - for emergency calls related to the storms.

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S): 

 

Date:  October 10, 2005

 

Roll Call Number:  05-2458

 

Action:  Designating Kurt Rueckel, Finance Department, as the City’s authorized representative for FEMA reimbursements, Federal Disaster Declaration - Hurricane Katrina.  (Council Communication No.  05-574)  Moved by Hensley to adopt.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

Date:  July 12, 2004

 

Roll Call Number:  04-1453

 

Action:  Designation of Kurt Rueckel, Finance Department, as the City’s authorized representative for FEMA, Federal Disaster Declaration #1518 for Polk County.  (Council Communication No.  04-323)  Moved by Brooks to adopt.    Motion Carried 7-0.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): NONE

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE