HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-15-19 Item 6-a - Designation of an Agent to Administer Orange County’s Application to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 15, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-a
SUBJECT: Designation of an Agent to Administer Orange County's Application to FEMA's
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services and Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution - Designation of Applicant's Kirby Saunders, 919-245-6135
Agent Dinah Jeffries, 919-245-6100
Brandywine Property Map Michael Harvey, 919-245-2597
Request Letter from UNC Chapel Hill Craig Benedict, 919-245-2592
PURPOSE: To designate an agent for Orange County's application to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grants Program for repetitive loss property
acquisition and to serve as a sub-applicant for the University of Chapel Hill to fund the
installation of a generator for its Emergency Operation Center.
BACKGROUND: During September 14t" through 17t", 2018 Orange County was significantly
impacted by torrential rain and winds due to Hurricane Florence. As a result, significant flooding
occurred over the course of several days, and Orange County was included in the list of
counties that received a major disaster declaration from FEMA on October 22, 2018. (Disaster
number: 4393-DR-NC). Orange County is submitting a grant request for the two projects
outlined below:
Project #1
Despite emergency protective measures that were taken by the County, several
residential properties were flooded during Hurricane Florence due to heavy and
cumulative rainfall. One of these properties, 503 Brandywine Road (PIN 9777-20-6348)
within the Chapel Hill Township, sustained significant damage. Flood waters effectively
destroyed the first level of the home and all of its contents. Staff completed a damage
assessment of the property and concluded that the property sustained approximately
$87,000 in damage.
The property was developed sometime in 1971 before the County adopted
comprehensive floodplain mitigation standards, and it is located within an identified
floodplain. This property is considered to be at `high risk' for flooding, as defined by
FEMA.
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Over the past 10 years, this property has suffered repetitive losses due to heavy rains
and flooding. Both the Planning and Inspections Department and Emergency Services
Department have coordinated efforts during this time period to secure the necessary
funding to purchase the property and remove the existing residence. Based on its
flooding history, the property officially constitutes a potential public safety hazard, but
staff had been unable to sufficiently justify requests for acquisition and removal due to a
lack of significant damage. However, as a result of the flooding that occurred during
Hurricane Florence, staff can designate the property as being `substantially damaged',
consistent with the provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and are able
to justify a grant request for acquisition. Once the County receives the grant funds, the
County will acquire the property, contract for the deconstruction of the house, and restore
the property to green space.
Project #2
Orange County has received a request from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill to serve as the sub-applicant for an emergency generator project on the University's
behalf. UNC Chapel Hill is seeking grant funding to install an emergency generator to
support its environmental health and safety facility on Estes Drive Extension which
serves as the campus Emergency Operations Center. The total of this grant request is
approximately $414,000. A letter of request from UNC Chapel Hill is attached.
As a part of the process, the County must adopt a resolution designating an agent to apply for
and receive project assistance from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grants Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: FEMA provides Hazard Mitigation Grants Program funding up to 75% of
total project costs, and North Carolina Emergency Management has historically provided the
25% local share for counties, resulting in no direct financial impact to the County.
Project # 1 (Acquisition - 503 Brandywine Rd) — The current estimated cost of the property
acquisition project is $322,150 with $242,612.50 being paid by FEMA and the remaining
$80,537.50 being paid by the State of North Carolina.
Project # 2 (UNC Chapel Hill Generator — EHS Facility) — UNC Chapel Hill has submitted an
initial budget amount of $414,217 with $310,662.75 being paid by FEMA and the remaining
$103,554.25 being paid by the State of North Carolina. Orange County will enter into a
Memorandum of Agreement to serve as the fiscal agent on behalf of the University, and Orange
County will retain any reimbursements for management costs associated with this project
(estimated to be 5% of the overall project total or approximately $20,700).
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
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consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
Project # 1 (Acquisition - 503 Brandywine Rd) has a positive social justice impact by relocating a
family of five including three small children (a vulnerable population) from a hazard prone area.
The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides temporary assistance to those displaced
by this mitigation action. The owners of this property are voluntarily committing to the acquisition
process, as required by federal law. Further, the removal of this house from the floodplain and
returning the property to open space helps to reduce flood levels in the area and protects
adjacent property owners from debris during a storm event.
Project # 2 (UNC Chapel Hill Generator — EHS Facility) will help to ensure continuity of UNC
Chapel Hill's ability to maintain emergency coordination and support of the campus community
(including students, staff, and visitors).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts are applicable to this item:
• RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY
Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of
the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases.
The 503 Brandywine Road property will be deconstructed and returned to green/natural space
under a 100 year deed restriction. All aspects of both projects; including but not limited to debris
removal, will follow all federal, state, and local environmental and historic regulations. The target
acquisition property is not identified as a historic property.
The installation of the generator at UNC will involve unearthing a section of land and installing
concrete, wiring, and associated equipment. This project will also follow all local, state, and
federal regulations regarding environmental and historic regulations. Due to the size of facility,
the generator being installed will be fueled by diesel. Currently, this equipment is the most
efficient, cost effective, and least obstructive.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) approve the attached resolution designating Kirby Saunders as the County's Primary
Agent and Michael Harvey as the Secondary Agent for this Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program application;
2) direct the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners to sign as the Certifying Official;
3) authorize the designated agent to submit the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project application
to North Carolina Emergency Management for approval; and
4) authorize the Manager to execute and sign all necessary documents in support of this
grant opportunity.
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RESOLUTION
DESIGNATION OF APPLICANT'S AGENT
North Carolina Division of Emer enc Management
Organization Name(hereafter named Organization) Disaster Number:
Orange County,NC FEMA-4393DR-NC
Applicant's State Cognizant Agency for Single Audit purposes(If Cognizant Agency is not assigned,please indicate):
Applicant's Fiscal Year(FY)Start
Month: July Day: 01
Applicant's Federal Employer's Identification Number
56 - 6000327
Applicant's Federal Information Processing Standards(FIPS)Number
037 - 135 -
PRIMARY AGENT SECONDARY AGENT
Agent's Name Kirby Saunders Agent's Name Michael Harvey
Organization Orange County organization Orange County
Official Position Emergency Management Coordinator Official Position Flood Plain Manager
Mailing Address Mailing Address
PO Box 8181 p PO Box 8181 p
City,State,Zip Hillsborough, NC, 27278 City,state,zip Hillsborough, NC, 27278
Daytime Telephone (919)245-6135 Daytime Telephone (919)245-2597
Facsimile Number Facsimile Number
Pager or Cellular Number Pager or Cellular Number
BE IT RESOLVED BY the governing body of the Organization (a public entity duly organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina)
that the above-named Primary and Secondary Agents are hereby authorized to execute and file applications for federal and/or state assistance on
behalf of the Organization for the purpose of obtaining certain state and federal financial assistance under the Robert T.Stafford Disaster Relief
&Emergency Assistance Act,(Public Law 93-288 as amended)or as otherwise available.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above-named
agents are authorized to represent and act for the Organization in all dealings with the State of North Carolina and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency for all matters pertaining to such disaster assistance required by the grant agreements and the assurances printed on the
reverse side hereof. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the above-named agents are authorized to act severally. PASSED AND
APPROVED this da of 20
GOVERNING BODY CERTIFYING OFFICIAL
Name and Title Name Donna Baker
Name and Title Official Position Clerk to the Board
Name and Title Daytime Telephone (919)245-2130
CERTIFICATION
Donna Baker Clerk to the Board
1, ,(Name)duly appointed and (Title)
of the Governing Body,do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed and
approved by the Governing Body of orange County Board of commisioners (Organization)on the 15th day of
October 2019.
Date: Signature:
Rev.06/02
Subject Property
503 Brandywine Road
(PIN 9777-20-6348)
0.47 acres
Zoned Rural Buffer(RB) ;
University Lake Critical Watershed
Overlay
Approximate location
of residence
rn
M
niversity Lake
Pr ected Watershed
1% annual chanc(
RB (formerly known a
flood zone)
AE Floodway
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) 4,
for the property is 393.3 feet
(395.3 based on County requirements)
House is at an existing elevation (i.e. constructed)
of 385 ft.
PIN#:9777206348
MICHELE L ENGLISH
ADAM S ENGLISH
503 BRANDYWINE RD
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
V,Floodplain Buffer 65ft 0.2%Annual Chance of L.3Zoning N °-
rJ Regulatory floodway Flooding (Previously Watershed W \ E
1%Annual Chance of referred to as the 500- -
Flooding (Previously year flood zone) S o
referred to as the 100 0 Buildings 2008
year flood zone) 2' Contours (NCDOT) 1 inch = 30 feet
0 Parcels 30 15 0 30 Feet
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�► FINANCE AND OPERATIONS The Universityof North Carolina at Chapel 11111
II tAc1120 Estes Drive lstension,Rm.2328,CB# 1650
i Chapel I lill,NC 27599-1650
Emergency Management an Panning
Telephone: 919-962-5729 & Far.919-9G2-0227
W. Kirby Saunders
Emergency Management Coordinator
Orange County Emergency Services
Hillsborough, NC
Mr.Saunders,
In reference to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program "Generator Procurement"funding opportunity
through the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management for Disaster Number 4393-DR,The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (UNC) Office of Emergency Management and Planning is
requesting Orange County, NC serve as Sub-applicant for said grant for the purchase and installation of a
new generator at the Emergency Operations Center on our Main Campus in Chapel Hill (1120 Estes
Drive Extension). This facility has and continues to serve as a critical coordination venue for campus,
local, and county level incidents and events. Therefore, it is essential that emergency power is
preserved during an outage.
Attached are reference documents that detail the project's scope.
Thank you for considering this request, and I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
i
Darre`N H.Jeter
Director of Emergency Management& Planning
cc. Derek Kemp,AVC for Campus Safety& Risk Management