Sumas council authorizes city signatories for FEMA public assistance grant

The Sumas City Council on June 8 authorized city signatory authority to pursue reimbursement under a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Grant Agreement and related supplemental documents.

Mollie Bost, the city's Finance Director, told the council the grant is "with FEMA and the Washington State Military Department to submit for reimbursement for recovery efforts." She said the authorization "authorizes Widener & Associates, flood consultants, the Mayor, and Mollie to act on behalf of the city for project development and reimbursement requests." Councilmember Josh Clawson moved that the mayor and finance director sign the Public Assistance Grant and related supplemental contract documents; Councilmember Richard Postma seconded and "all were in favor," so the motion carried.

Why it matters: the authorization gives staff and retained consultants the ability to complete project development tasks necessary to claim eligible recovery costs under the FEMA program. Councilmembers did not record line-item amounts in the discussion; staff will manage project submittals and return to council as specific reimbursement requests are prepared.

Next steps: staff will work with Widener & Associates and state FEMA liaisons to develop project worksheets and submit claims. The council did not set a timeline for particular claims during the meeting.