Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fema Dhs Grants Capital Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Watertown district seeks FEMA, DHS funds after February disaster; $6M–$10M mitigation possible
Summary
Superintendent said applications to FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security have been submitted for mitigation funds tied to a February disaster; approvals and allocations are pending review, and awards could reduce local capital project scope.
Dr. Larry Schmiedel, superintendent of schools, told the Board of Education the district has submitted applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to the Department of Homeland Security for mitigation funding related to a February disaster.
"We've now submitted all of our applications. We're awaiting the CRC to improve the financials. Once they approve that, then it will go back out and we'll see what monies are available for mitigation. It could be anywhere from $6,000,000 to $10,000,000," Schmiedel said.
Nut graf: The district is simultaneously planning a capital project and a building condition survey; potential federal mitigation funding could pay for site improvements now on the capital list and reduce local taxpayer costs if awarded.
Schmiedel said the district has also submitted a separate Department of Homeland Security emergency services grant application that, if awarded, would pay for testing required for mitigation work and could assist the capital project. He said district staff had provided additional information to DHS in response to a request.
The superintendent said some items in the district’s capital project could be removed from the local capital scope if mitigation funds are awarded, but any changes depend on FEMA/CRC review and award decisions. "So we're excited about that and all things are pointing in the right direction," Schmiedel said.
Discussion only: administrators reported they are waiting for federal review and for the CRC to complete financial reviews. No formal board action was recorded on the grant submissions at the meeting.
Background details shared at the meeting: the district conducts a building condition survey every five years and has been coordinating with FEMA and DHS across several months; detailed award amounts and conditions will be communicated after federal review.
