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County: debris removal and levee repairs complete except one private pile; FEMA reimbursement estimates given
Summary
Public works reported that all creek debris piles have been extracted and levee repairs completed; one large debris pile remains on private property pending owner action. County staff outlined FEMA and state reimbursement estimates for debris removal and levee repair projects and noted Cal OES paperwork and hazard-mitigation-plan inclusion steps.
Steve Loop, public works administrator for San Benito County, told the Pacheco Stormwater District on Oct. 27 that debris-removal crews have removed all creek piles except one still on private property adjacent to Lovers Lane and Pacheco Creek, and that levee repairs are complete.
Loop said county staff have met several times with the property owner who holds the remaining pile and are prepared to bring equipment to separate piles so they can be burned with a fire department presence. The county has encouraged the owner to coordinate with CAL FIRE or Hollister Fire to conduct a safe burn.
On reimbursement, Loop summarized FEMA’s obligation estimates for the storm-related projects. He said FEMA’s estimate for debris removal was $935,000 and that FEMA would reimburse 75% of that amount. Using the FEMA estimate, Loop said the district’s expected FEMA reimbursement would be about $701,250 and the state’s anticipated share about $175,312.50, leaving roughly $58,000 described as a typical unobligated remainder. He said FEMA also allocated about $46,000 for management costs that may be captured by agency staff time or consultants.
For levee repairs, Loop said FEMA estimated repair costs at about $376,000, with an approximate FEMA share of $282,000 and a state share near $70,000; he noted about $23,000 would remain unobligated and an $18,000 allocation for management costs was attached to the project.
Loop said the district and county have completed the steps required to reach the obligation phase with FEMA, but county reimbursements have been slow; the county has received only limited payments so far. He described the multi-step FEMA process and said the district’s projects are in the queue for obligated funding.
Paperwork and signatory details were discussed. Loop said the Cal OES application paperwork has been filled out but that county counsel is confirming whether trustee titles selected as signatories duplicate other listed positions; he said the clerk will be required to sign the final documents.
On hazard-mitigation planning, staff said the county’s Office of Emergency Services plans an update of the hazard mitigation plan starting early in 2026 and that OES requires a trustee email requesting inclusion. Trustee Schroeder volunteered to send the email to OES to request district inclusion in the next update.
Ending — Trustees asked clarifying questions; staff said they will assist the private property owner with pile separation when the owner is ready and will coordinate with county counsel on Cal OES signatory language.
