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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of a Soft Story Retrofit Program Sub Application for $465,000 in Grant Funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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Meeting Date: June 10, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Tim Koutsouros/ Planning and Development Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5802
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/06/2024)
Department Approval: Mark Muenzer, Planning and Development Director (06/03/2024) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Soft Story Retrofit Program Sub application for $465,000 in grant funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
BACKGROUND
On October 24, 2022, the City Council unanimously passed a motion directing staff to apply for a FEMA grant to incentivize property owner compliance with the Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance. On January 19, 2024, FEMA released a Hazard Mitigation Grant notice of funding opportunity, DR 4750. Staff identified this as a potential funding opportunity and on March 4, 2024, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) determined the Soft Story Retrofit Program is eligible to apply.
Cal OES representatives indicated that the available project fund amount is $8,000,000 and will be awarded to multiple sub applicants throughout California.
DISCUSSION
There are approximately 400 soft story buildings in the City. Grants from the City to each soft story building owner in an amount of $15,000 would result in a direct program cost of $6,000,000. There is a low probability FEMA will award an individual project over half of the total available statewide grant funding.
One of FEMA's sub application evaluation criteria is whether the project protects a socially vulnerable community. 21 soft story buildings ...
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