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Council approves sewer cleaning and elevator repairs despite FEMA funding uncertainty
Summary
Montpelier approved sewer cleaning and City Hall elevator repair work after staff warned the city faces reimbursement risk if FEMA policy changes; finance staff said most prior claims have been obligated but deadlines require prompt action.
The Montpelier City Council on June 11 approved two consent‑agenda items that staff had asked to pull for discussion: sewer inspection/cleaning related to recent floods and repairs to the City Hall elevator.
Finance Director Sarah LaCroix told the council FEMA reimbursements for prior declared disasters have largely been processed but cautioned that federal policy and funding priorities can shift. "I can't say with 100% certainty that we will get FEMA money for these things," LaCroix said, adding that the city has so far received about $1,300,000 in FEMA obligations related to the July 2023 event and that one sewer inspection item has a July 9 deadline to be completed and submitted for reimbursement.
Council members stressed the practical need to repair the elevator regardless of FEMA outcomes. One councilor said the elevator is necessary to ensure residents with mobility devices can access municipal services. Councilor Beth (full name not specified in the record) noted the two projects together could exceed $2.25 million, and asked whether the city would use reserves if FEMA denied reimbursement.
LaCroix said some work is time-sensitive because of FEMA's project obligation deadlines and that FEMA generally obligates funds to "put things back in kind to codes and standards," which for the elevator includes bringing it up to current accessibility and code requirements.
After discussion, the council moved and approved the two items. Staff recorded that the sewer cleaning project required immediate action to meet the July 9 submittal date for FEMA reimbursement.
