Kenai commission secures short‑term state funding to develop site‑specific emergency plans for seniors

The Kenai Council on Aging reported that staff applied for and obtained a state emergency‑preparedness grant intended to fund site‑specific planning and supplies for senior centers.

Staff said the funding stems from federal COVID/ARPA dollars that the state reallocated to the Department of Health and directed to Division of Senior and Disability Services for one‑time grants to Title III grantees. The commission’s application was successful; staff said the local award was roughly $45,000 and must be spent within a six‑month window.

Commission staff told members the grant will cover three main categories: replacement of medical/emergency supplies (AEDs and first‑aid kits), shelf‑stable food to augment the home‑delivered meals program during emergencies, and professional services to produce site‑specific emergency plans for area senior centers. Staff identified a local consultant, Dan Nelson, a former bureau emergency planner who now runs a consulting company, as a likely vendor for the planning work; the commission estimates about $26,000 would pay for the consultant’s services across participating sites.

The commission’s report said the state gave grantees a short turn‑around to apply and requested site‑specific plans (not general municipal master plans). Staff said they would continue coordinating with JT, the city’s fire chief, the borough, and the city controller, Jennifer Anderson, to complete the work. Because the funds are time‑limited, staff also said they expect to devote about 9–10 hours per month each to managing the grant during the implementation period.

Staff told the commission they will bring the award to city council for introduction and adoption in a single meeting on Jan. 15; the commission has not yet recorded a formal council action in the meeting transcript and the city council adoption remains pending. Staff also said some initial funds may already have been disbursed to begin purchasing supplies and contracting professional services.

Why it matters: the Older Americans Act and federal/state grant requirements call for continuity of services to older adults during emergencies; the grant is intended to create site‑specific continuity plans and to lower the operational cost of emergency supplies for senior‑service providers in Kenai.

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement for professional services (competitive bids/quotes are planned), coordinate with neighboring Title III grantees to reduce duplication, and return to the commission with a detailed implementation schedule and purchase orders.