Agenda 10-15-19 Item 6-a - Designation of an Agent to Administer Orange County’s Application to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

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2 Over the past 10 years, this property has suffered repetitive losses due to heavy rains and flooding. Both the Planning and Inspections Department and Emergency Services Department have coordinated efforts during this time period to secure the necessary funding to purchase the property and remove the existing residence. Based on its flooding history, the property officially constitutes a potential public safety hazard, but staff had been unable to sufficiently justify requests for acquisition and removal due to a lack of significant damage. However, as a result of the flooding that occurred during Hurricane Florence, staff can designate the property as being `substantially damaged', consistent with the provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and are able to justify a grant request for acquisition. Once the County receives the grant funds, the County will acquire the property, contract for the deconstruction of the house, and restore the property to green space. Project #2 Orange County has received a request from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to serve as the sub-applicant for an emergency generator project on the University's behalf. UNC Chapel Hill is seeking grant funding to install an emergency generator to support its environmental health and safety facility on Estes Drive Extension which serves as the campus Emergency Operations Center. The total of this grant request is approximately $414,000. A letter of request from UNC Chapel Hill is attached. As a part of the process, the County must adopt a resolution designating an agent to apply for and receive project assistance from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grants Program. FINANCIAL IMPACT: FEMA provides Hazard Mitigation Grants Program funding up to 75% of total project costs, and North Carolina Emergency Management has historically provided the 25% local share for counties, resulting in no direct financial impact to the County. Project # 1 (Acquisition - 503 Brandywine Rd) — The current estimated cost of the property acquisition project is $322,150 with $242,612.50 being paid by FEMA and the remaining $80,537.50 being paid by the State of North Carolina. Project # 2 (UNC Chapel Hill Generator — EHS Facility) — UNC Chapel Hill has submitted an initial budget amount of $414,217 with $310,662.75 being paid by FEMA and the remaining $103,554.25 being paid by the State of North Carolina. Orange County will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement to serve as the fiscal agent on behalf of the University, and Orange County will retain any reimbursements for management costs associated with this project (estimated to be 5% of the overall project total or approximately $20,700). SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental