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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.13.2008• COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 13, 2008 4:45 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Members absent: Greenwood. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley explained that the purpose of the work session was to update council on the 2008 Flood and the Jumpstart Programs. Jamie Knutson, Associate Engineer, gave an update on the public assistance work sheets application for FEMA for assistance. Mr. Knutson reviewed the list of city departments with claims for FEMA funds with a total damage of $1,911,438.52, and $1 million identified from other departments that have not been submitted. The Army Corps of Engineers has estimated damage to the levees at about $1.5 million. There is a lot of sand relating to the levees along River Road and at Riverview Park that needs to be removed. Lou Cutwright, Building Official/Maintenance Administrator, updated the damage to city buildings caused by the flood. All major structures were impacted, with the most damage at the Carnegie Library, City Hall, the Public Library and Center For The Arts. The city's insurance adjuster has put together the dollar numbers. The city contracted with Servicemaster to clean out and dry up the buildings. The invoices submitted by Servicemaster totaled $497,520.00. The insurance company hired a consultant to review the invoices and determined that there were some errors in the invoices and determined the actual amount to be paid to Servicemaster should be $453,000.00. Servicemaster submitted an amended invoice, and the City Clerk has requested those funds from the insurance carrier so that the invoice may be paid. Mr. Cutwright reported he is working with Doyle & Gilmor to mitigate the problem at City Hall so that future floods would have less impact on the building and personnel so that the pumps work to get the water out of the building. At Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, there were enough pumps in the lower level boiler room to keep the water out saving the basement or there could have been loss to the kitchen areas and boilers. Mr. Cutwright explained that the storage containers in the back of City Hall are holding material that have been removed from the building until a new floor and shelving can be installed in the room adjacent to the code enforcement office. This is a storage room for the City Engineer, Building Department and Planning Department. Rudy Jones, Community Development Director, gave an update on the Jumpstart Program for Housing Assistance. Last Friday, 140 housing assistance applications were mailed. Of the 140 applications, 47 have been submitted on-line. Nineteen applications have been completed, ten for rehab and five for down payment assistance. The average cost is just over $19,000.00 per application. Down payment assistance is just over $31,000 per application which is about $344,000.00 if all are approved. There are still 36 application to process, and staff is trying to determine if those applicants would be eligible for CDBG supplemental funds. Mayor Hurley noted that the start date was September 23, 2008, and any work started on a house before that date would not be eligible. Aric Schroeder, City Planner gave an update on the Jumpstart Small Business Assistance Program. Mr. Schroeder reported that the city has 16 applications with only a couple of those complete as most of them do not have the loan documents needed to be considered complete. Eight of those completed total about $200,000.00 out of the $456,000.00 available. There are still 10 or 15 applicants that the city has not heard from. Mayor Hurley noted that no checks have been written at this time, but they will go through the bills process. Mayor Hurley updated the council on the structural acquisition buyout. Mayor Hurley noted that the city submitted a list to the state with the Sans Souci area as the top priority. The city has been invited to submit a detailed report. Aric Schroeder, City Planner, reported that the city will be putting together an application to be filed with the state by January 30, 2009. Staff is Council Work Session October 13, 2008 Page 2 gathering information such as photos, cost analysis, substantial damage, etc. Staff will be meeting with Homeland Security to discuss the application process and INRCOG has scheduled a meeting next week with all entities. Mr. Schroeder noted that if a property has been substantially damaged, they did not have to do the cost analysis. Rudy Jones, Community Development Director, reported that Mark Boesen went to training and will be working with the Planning staff on the buyouts. Mayor Hurley explained that the supplemental Community Development Block Grant funds can be used for rehab, down payment assistance or mortgage assistance. The down payment assistance is only for those who are going to be bought out, and they can apply once they are notified of a buyout. Mayor Hurley reviewed the mitigation list that was put together by him, staff and some council members. Mayor Hurley reviewed the list of Capital Improvements Project priorities which consists of the current waste management and storm water systems, lift stations, backup power, trailered pumps, etc. Mayor Hurley invited council forward any additional ideas to him. Shelia Baird reviewed the Black Hawk County Ladder of Assistance. A long term recovery committee was created which included members from Black Hawk County, the cities and the faith community. There are about 40 individuals still needing assistance due to the flood. Ms. Baird noted that because they are a 501c, they could get a list of everyone affected in the Black Hawk County area. The Christian Reform organization (green shirts) walked all the impacted areas, and they were able to do a door-to-door evaluation. They performed about 139 intakes with an estimated damage of $3.2 million. They will be doing case management to assist with housing, personal issues, etc. Representatives from FEMA explained that they are the lead for the long-term recovery. They are working with ten communities in the state. They are partnering with INRCOG to assist communities and will look at what has happened since the flood and the forward progress, they will be looking at goals and objectives before and after the flood, and they will serve as a spring board for INRCOG. They will provide technical assistance if needed in a collaborative effort with INRCOG. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Cole that the meeting be adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •