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Home My WebLink About2005-011• RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 011 RESOLUTION OF THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REQUESTING FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF FOR HURRICANES FRANCES AND JEANNE. WHEREAS, the residents of Indian River County suffered an estimated 2.9 billion dollars ($2,900,000,000) in losses due to the impact of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne; and WHEREAS, damage to property, building and equipment owned by Indian River County suffered an estimated $70 million dollars ($70,000,000) this amount includes emergency response costs such as overtime, emergency supplies; ice, water, etc. and debris cleanup in losses due to the impact of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne; and WHEREAS, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne were officially recognized and declared disasters by the local, state, and federal government agencies having appropriate legal authority to do so; and WHEREAS, direct impact of two hurricanes on a single community within a period of three weeks is historically unprecedented; and WHEREAS, Indian River County has expended $ 19,226,301, however, this amount includes some estimates since we are still compiling some of the data related to overtime) dollars to date in hurricane related expenses, including debris removal, road repair, traffic signal and sign repair, overtime wages, and supplies, and WHEREAS, Indian River County is insured for part of these loses but has received only $1.5 million dollars in reimbursements from its insurance carriers to date, and WHEREAS, Indian River County has received only $952,463.15 to date in reimbursements for hurricane related costs from federal government sources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), despite submitting over $20 million dollars in approved project work sheets for reimbursement. WHEREAS, the delay in obtaining reimbursement from FEMA is placing Indian River County in the position of assuming the daunting financial responsibility caused by damage from two hurricanes that hit the County three weeks apart. The County has turned to the federal government for help and needs the financial assistance to be expedited; and WHEREAS, the information submitted to FEMA to date is of sufficient quality and quantity on which to base an advance payment of disaster reimbursement to Indian River County, and the County hereby asks that funds be released to the County with the understanding that they will be viewed as an advance against the total sum F:\Attorney\Bill\Resolutions\FEMA Resolution to pay IRC from Jeanne and Frances.doc 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 011 reimbursement the County is to receive from qualifying losses sustained in the two storms. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THAT: 1. The Board of County Commissioners hereby petitions the Federal Emergency Management Agency to advance funds due to Indian River County for reimbursement of disaster related expenses for both hurricanes. 2. The Board further requests the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expedite the processing of said funds to Indian River County as reimbursement of disaster related expenses for both hurricanes. 3. The Board further directs the Clerk to provide a copy of this resolution to FEMA and all state and local elected officials representing Indian River County. This Resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Wheeler , and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Davi s , and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Chairman Thomas S. Lowther A.ye Vice Chairman Arthur R. Neuberger Ay Commissioner Wesley S. Davis Aye Commissioner Gary C. Wheeler Aye Commissioner Sandra L. Bowden Aye The Chairman thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 1st day of February, 2005. Attest: J. K. Barton, Clerk Deputy Clerk Approved as to form and legal suffices cy: illiam K. DeBraal Assistant County Attorney BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA Arthur R. Neuberger Vice airman F:\Attorney\Bill\Resolutions\FEMA Resolution to pay IRC from Jeanne and Frances.doc 2 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS February 22, 2005 The Honorable Jeb Bush Office of the Governor The Capitol, Room 210 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0001 Dear Governor Bush: 12 FRANNIE HUTCHINSON COMMISSIONER Please find attached Indian River County's Resolution No.. 2005-011 and St. Lucie County's Resolution No. 05-059 whereby the. County Commissioners from both counties are requesting an advancement of funds for disaster -related expenses from Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. We are also requesting processing of hurricane claim payments on an expedited basis and urge FEMA to reimburse local governmentfor debris removal in gated communities. On behalf of our respective Boards of County Commissioners, we have attached a copy of the resolutions. Sincerely, Frannie Hutchinson, Chair St. Lucie County Commissioner 05-34 s. Thomas S. Lowther, Chair Indian River County Commissioner c: Boards of County Commissioners Douglas M. Anderson, County Administrator, St. Lucie County Joseph Baird, County Administrator, Indian River County Dan McIntyre, County Attorney Craig Fugate, Director of Emergency Management State and Federal Legislative Delegation Attachments JOSEPH E..SMITH, Disrrict No. 1 • DOUG COWARD, District No. 2 • PAULA A. LEWIS, District No. 3 • FRANNIE HUTCHINSON, District No. 4 • CHRIS CRAFT, District No. 5 County Administrator - Douglos M. Anderson 2300 Virginia Avenue • Fort Pierce, FL 34982-5652 • (772) 462-1451 FAX (772) 462-2131 • TDD (772) 462-1428 www.co.st-lucie.fl.us BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS February 22, 2005 Michael Brown, Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and Response FEMA 500 C Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Dear Under Secretary Brown: FRANNIE HUTCHINSON COMMISSIONER Please find attached Indian River County's Resolution No. 2005-011 and St. Lucie County's Resolution No. 05-059 whereby the 'County Commissioners from both counties are requesting an advancement of funds for disaster -related expenses from Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. We are also requesting processing of hurricane claim payments on an expedited basis and urge FEMA to reimburse local government for debris removal in gated communities. On behalf of our respective Boards of County Commissioners, we have attached a copy of the resolutions. Sincerely, . 5.. Frannie Hutchinson, Chair Thomas S. Lowther, Chair Indian River County Commissioner St. Lucie County Commissioner 05-34 c: Boards of County Commissioners Douglas M. Anderson, County Administrator, St. Lucie County Joseph Baird, County Administrator, Indian River County Dan McIntyre, County Attorney Craig Fugate, Director of Emergency Management State and Federal Legislative Delegation Attachments JOSEPH E. SMITH, District No. 1 • DOUG COWARD, District No. 2 • PAULA A. LEWIS, Disrricr No. 3 • FRANNIE HUTCHINSON, District No. 4 • CHRIS CRAFT, District No. 5 County Administrator - Douglas M. Anderson 2300 Virginia Avenue • Fort Pierce, FL 34982-5652 (772) 462-1451 FAX (772) 462-2131 • TDD (772) 462-1428 www.co.st-lucie.fl.us RESOLUTION NO. 05-059 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR JEB BUSH TO FACILITATE ADVANCE HURRICANE FUNDING AND PROCESSING OF HURRICANE CLAIM PAYMENTS ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS AND TO URGE FEMA TO REIMBURSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL IN GATED COMMUNITIES WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following determinations: 1. St. Lucie County was struck by the twin Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in September, 2004. 2. 5t: Lucie County suffered massive hurricane -related debris damages and incurred significant hurricane -related damages to its public facilities and infrastructure. 3. St. Lucie County is facing estimated •restoration and hurricane -related obligations exceeding $109,000,000.00. 4. St. Lucie County has been forced to secure lines of credit totaling $60,000,000 to cover contracts on various hurricane -related restoration projects. 5. St. Lucie County has limited reserve funds of $8,400,000.00 to utilize toward hurricane restoration costs and will then be forced to draw upon its lines of credit. 6. 5t. Lucie County estimated FEMA and State ' reimbursements exceed $ 34,000,000.00. Up to ninety percent (90%) of this amount can be paid in advance by the State of Florida on eligible large projects. 7. 5t. Lucie County will incur a cash-flow problem that can be minimized by receiving hurricane reimbursements on a quick -turn -around basis. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of 5t. Lucie County, Florida: 1. This Board does hereby urge the Honorable Governor Jeb Bush to facilitate advance hurricane funding and processing of hurricane claim payments on an expedited basis. 2. This Board requests the Governor 1-o urge FEMA to reimburse local governments for debris removal in gated communitites. 3. The County Administrator is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Governor Jeb Bush. After motion and second the vote on this resolution was as follows: Chairman Frannie Hutchinson AYE Vice -Chairman Doug. Coward AYE Commissioner Paula A. Lewis AYE Commissioner Joseph E. Smith AYE Commissioner Chris Craft AYE PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 15' day of February, 2005. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA APPROVE ► AS TO LEGAL FORM AND CORRECTN SSr COUNTY ORNEY Distribution List for Resolution No. 2005-011 FEMA Regional Director, Bill M. McSwain 3003 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, GA 30341 Honorable Ken Pruitt 318 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Honorable Dave Weldon 332 Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 Honorable Bill Nelson United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Honorable Mike Haridopolos 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 Honorable Mel Martinez United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Honorable Stan Mayfield 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Honorable L. Ralph Poppell Room 1101 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 The letter regarding IRC Resolution #2005-011 and SLC Resolution # 05-059 was sent to the following: The Honorable Jeb Bush Office of the Governor The Capitol, Room 210 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0001 Michael Brown, Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and Response FEMA 500 C Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Copied to State and Federal Legislative Delegation: Senator Ken Pruitt 1850 SW Fountainview Blvd., Suite 200 Port St. Lucie, FL., 34986 Senator JD Alexander 122 E Tillman Avenue #1 Lake Wales, FL., 33853-4130 Senator Mike Haridopolos 2955 Pineda Causeway Suite 215 Melbourne, FL., 32940-7307 Representative Richard Machek 100 N US Highway 1 Fort Pierce, FL., 34950-4205 Representative Stan Mayfield 1053 20th Place Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Representative Gayle Harrell 121 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard Port St. Lucie, Florida 34984 Representative Joe Negron 2400 South Federal Highway Suite 250 Stuart, FL., 34994-4590 The Honorable Mark Foley 104 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515-0916 The Honorable Alcee L. Hastings 2235 Rayburn 'HOB Washington, DC 20215-0923 Senator Bill Nelson United States Senate Hart Senate Office Bldg., Room 716 Washington, DC 20510 Senator Bill Nelson US Court House Annex 111 North Adams Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Also copied: Indian River County 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, FL., 32960-3365 Craig Fugate, Director of Emerg. Mgmt. Florida Department of Community Affairs 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard Tallahassee, F132399-2100