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City summarizes FEMA claims after Tropical Storm Hillary; $5.05 million submitted with several items pending review
Summary
Cathedral City staff reported the status of FEMA public-assistance claims related to Tropical Storm Hillary, saying roughly $5.05 million in costs were submitted to FEMA (including an estimated $240,551 in administrative costs), with some categories already obligated and others pending review.
City staff provided an update on Jan. 8 on FEMA public-assistance claims tied to Tropical Storm Hillary (incident period Aug. 19–21, 2023, FEMA disaster designation 4750CA), reporting that the city has submitted roughly $5.05 million in eligible costs across multiple FEMA categories and is working with FEMA and Cal OES on documentation and reimbursement.
Finance staff member Rick Vogt summarized the city’s submissions and status: category A (debris removal) claims total about $2,893,792 and are pending FEMA review; category B (emergency protective measures) claims of $152,007 are obligated and Cal OES has been asked to disburse those funds to the city; category D (debris removal/repairs of bridges and water-control structures) claims total $1,603,049 and are pending; and category G (parks and perimeter fencing) claims of $28,670 were obligated and Cal OES funds were received in late December 2024. Vogt reported an overall submitted total of $5,051,574, which includes an estimated $240,551 in administrative costs (category Z). He also noted a separate estimated $640,280 of road-related costs that are under review and may be submitted.
Vogt described the cost-share structure: FEMA reimburses 75% of eligible costs; the State of California covers 75% of the remaining 25% share (effectively about 18.75% of eligible costs); and the city’s match is approximately 6.25%. He cautioned that pending items remain subject to FEMA review and that the timing of reimbursements depends on FEMA obligations and Cal OES processing; Cal OES reimbursement of obligated projects can take up to three months. Several prior council contract approvals were listed as part of the recovery effort: a contract with Petrochem Materials Innovation for rubber emulsion aggregate slurry (approximately $1,281,788 including contingency), a contract with Hardy and Harper for pavement reconstruction (about $731,400 including contingency), and a contract with Cantera Construction for soil removal and channel lining work (about $3,094,099 including contingency) — these contracts were described as funded actions taken in response to the storm-damage needs.
Council members asked clarifying questions about administrative costs and whether certain roads (notably Date Palm Drive and Vista Chino) were FEMA-eligible. Staff replied that Date Palm Drive is categorized under Federal Highway Administration funding and not FEMA-eligible, while Vista Chino has FHWA involvement with a separate environmental/Caltrans review and federal requirements that staff are addressing. Staff said they are meeting regularly with FEMA (weekly) and will provide additional documentation as required.
