Maintenance chief describes winter storm damage; finance staff outlines FEMA and procurement process

Maintenance supervisor Mister Dantrell updated the board on damage from a recent winter storm, describing roof and gutter damage at several schools (Pin Oak, Southside, Scottsdale), interior leaks, isolated gas‑meter incidents that the city addressed, and temporary power outages. He said teams have vacuumed water from affected buildings, staged cleanup supplies (about 500 towels), and begun temporary repairs while insurance adjusters complete inspections and quotes.

Megan from finance/insurance explained that the district’s property insurance typically covers structural damage but may depreciate payout amounts; FEMA can potentially cover eligible remaining costs after federal and state shares are applied, but reimbursements may take one to three years. She recommended adding insurance language for salaried employees to improve future reimbursement eligibility and said there is a 90‑day window from the declared emergency end to submit claims.

Regarding emergency spending, board members asked whether the district needs a formal emergency declaration to authorize immediate repairs. Staff said the director can authorize emergency work to address imminent hazards and must inform the board after the fact; routine procurement procedures remain in force for noncritical repairs.

Next steps: staff will complete damage inventories, pursue insurance and FEMA claims where appropriate, obtain repair quotes, and report back to the board with cost estimates and timelines.