Title
Resolution to accept federal disaster assistance funding for the February 1-2 severe winter storm and execute grant agreement(s) with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for such funding.
Staff Summary
• Lake County was impacted by a severe winter storm, blizzard conditions, and record snowfall from January 31 through February 3, 2011.
• Lake County Board Chairman Stolman, in consultation with other county officials, proclaimed a state of emergency and disaster in the county as a result of the storm.
• Lake County Emergency Management Agency worked with local jurisdictions, districts, and private not-for-profit organizations to prepare preliminary cost estimates for the statewide preliminary damage assessment process conducted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Various Lake County Departments and Divisions incurred substantial excess costs related to preparing for and responding to the blizzard.
• Illinois Governor Quinn requested a federal disaster declaration for Lake and numerous other Illinois counties, and President Obama declared the blizzard to be a disaster for sixty Illinois counties on March 17, 2011.
• The Illinois Emergency Management Agency will manage federal cost-sharing for eligible disaster-related expenses through the Public Assistance Grant Program. Lake County Departments and Divisions are working with IEMA and FEMA personnel to prepare detailed project worksheets documenting the costs incurred and eligible reimbursement.
• Lake County will receive reimbursement funds upon approval of the various project worksheets and execution of the necessary grant agreements with IEMA.
Body
WHEREAS, Lake County and surrounding areas of northeastern Illinois were impacted by a severe winter storm, blizzard conditions, and record snowfall on February 1st and 2nd, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman proclaimed a state of emergency and disaster for Lake County as a result of the storm; and
WHEREAS, this weather disaster caused an extraordinary response by Lake County departments and divisions to clear snow, open roads, and protect the public safety, and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Illinois requested that Lake and other counties in Illinois be provided assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in responding to this disaster; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on March 17, 2011, the President of the United States declared the January 31-February 3 winter storm as a major disaster for Lake and other counties, thereby providing an opportunity for federal cost-sharing in extraordinary expenses for snow removal, property damage, and other emergency protective actions undertaken by local units of government and certain not-for-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, various Lake County departments and divisions have applied for federal disaster reimbursement through the Public Assistance program managed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that Lake County does hereby accept the available federal disaster assistance and authorize the Chairman to execute the necessary Public Assistance Program Grant Agreement(s) with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on this 10th day of May, A.D., 2011.