To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Approve and Authorize a refund payment to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) related to the 2017 severe winter storms.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve and Authorize the Auditor-Controller, or designee, to issue a refund payment in the amount of $90,845.20, to Cal OES, related to the County’s response to the 2017 severe winter storms, Countywide.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Roads Special Revenue Fund.
BACKGROUND:
During the 2017 winter storms, County facilities sustained significant damage from heavy rainfall, flooding, debris flows, and mudslides. The County responded by removing fallen debris and mud from roads, flood control channels, and County properties, and implementing emergency protective measures (EPM) to ensure public safety. This work included sandbagging; removing wind-blown trees and vegetation; grading; placing K-rails, barricades, and delineation markers; repairing/replacing traffic signs and pavement striping; temporary paving; installing emergency information kiosks; setting up temporary parking; placing temporary traffic signal and lighting towers; performing emergency bridge reinforcement work; and performing ongoing inspection, surveys, and maintenance of road closures. EPM were performed by County staff and with County equipment, as well as with contracted vendors and rental equipment.
A Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued for California, and an emergency proclamation was issued by the State, as well. This allowed the County to be eligible for federal assistance. The County applied for, and received, reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program. The County incurred approximately $4.7 million in costs to address the storm damage resulting from the 2017 winter storms, and was able to successfully receive reimbursement from FEMA for that amount.
During the closeout process, the County submitted final actual costs, which came out to be lower than the estimated costs. Consequently, FEMA is requesting that the County return the underrun of $90,845.20, to Cal OES.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not be able to return funds to Cal OES, and FEMA and Cal OES will not release any payments to the County for any current or future disasters.