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Sanford moves to hire disaster‑recovery firm after stalled FEMA reimbursement for marina and arena
Summary
City staff told commissioners FEMA has slowed processing on claims related to downtown arena and marina repairs; staff recommended hiring a firm that specializes in FEMA claims to pursue reimbursement, noting high hourly attorney rates but no retainer and a goal to increase potential recovery.
City staff told the Sanford City Commission on March 10 that FEMA has delayed processing reimbursement requests tied to marina repairs and downtown arena work following Hurricane Ian, and recommended engaging a disaster-recovery firm to pursue the city's claims.
Craig Radzak, assistant city manager, said FEMA requested another site visit and that the agency was effectively "starting over" on the city's claim, unexpectedly raising issues such as "deferred maintenance" on a 62‑year‑old marina. Radzak said the city has an existing FEMA consultant that helps with documentation and reporting; the new firm would serve as an advocate to help secure higher reimbursement.
Radzak and other staff said the firm’s top hourly attorney rate is $600, with lower rates available depending on staff assignment, and that staff has not identified any retainer fee. Commissioners asked for periodic reporting on how much the city spends with outside counsel as the work proceeds.
City officers said they expect FEMA's initial offer could be lower than the $18,000,000 the city has requested; staff argued engaging outside advocacy could increase the city's recovery. The commission moved and heard the recommendation to engage the firm (identified in the transcript as Donaldson, Beerman, Caldwell and Brzwath) to support FEMA reimbursement efforts; the motion was made and seconded (the transcript does not include a full roll‑call tally in the record provided here). Staff said they would be prudent in using the firm and would incorporate the firm's work with existing consultants on the team.
The city will report back to the commission on outside counsel spending and on any changes to FEMA's offer; no final contract dollar total or vote tally was fully detailed in the meeting transcript.
