City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: TERRY SUEHR, DIRECTOR, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Approving $28.5 million Grant Applications for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs for the Commonwealth Ashby Glebe Flood Mitigation Project. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of competitive 75/25 matching grant applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for up to $28.5M for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Programs to fund the construction for the first phase of the Commonwealth Ashby Glebe (CAG) Flood Mitigation Project estimated at $38 million.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit competitive 75/25 matching grant applications to FEMA for up to $28.5 million for both the FEMA BRIC and FMA Programs for the first phase of the Commonwealth Ashby Glebe (CAG) Flood Mitigation Project;
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into any agreements that may be required to receive these funds, should the requested allocation be approved, and to provide certification of Council’s commitment to fund the City’s local share; and
3. Commit to fund its local share of engineering and construction costs.
BACKGROUND: FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre-disaster grant program supports states, local communities, tribes, and territories to undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. BRIC is a FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces FEMA’s existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. The BRIC program aims to categorically shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience. FEMA anticipates BRIC funding projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to partnerships, such as shared funding mechanisms, and/or project design.
FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S territories, and local governments. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.
The Department of Project Implementation (DPI), working with Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), has submitted preapplication materials and intends to apply for FY 2023 funding from the BRIC and FMA programs. The full applications are due to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) by November 10, 2023. FEMA FMA and BRIC Grants require two separate applications to both VDEM and FEMA. Both grants provide up to 75/25 matching funds, or up to $28.5 million for the first phase of Commonwealth, Ashby, Glebe Flood Mitigation project. Only one grant funding source may be adopted for the subject project. Therefore, BRIC and FMA grants are not additive, and maximum grant funding for this project is $28.5 million.
DISCUSSION: The Commonwealth Ashby Glebe Flood Mitigation Project is a combination of the top two prioritized large capacity stormwater projects, and one of the two large capacity projects that the City is currently undertaking. In the Four Mile Run Watershed, roadway low points at Commonwealth Avenue and East Glebe and at Ashby Street and East Glebe do not have sufficient storm sewer capacity to convey stormwater runoff. During high intensity storm events, the drainage network becomes over capacity and unable to accommodate heavy discharge, creating flooding impacts to nearby residential and commercial properties. The City has been experiencing widespread flooding due to the increase in high intensity precipitation events associated with climate change. The City of Alexandria Storm Sewer Capacity Analysis (CASSCA, 2016), Alex311 service requests received during large storm events, and subsequent investigations have identified segments and junctions of the storm sewer system which could be improved to better convey storm flows and help to reduce surface flooding and impacts to properties and vehicles.
The overall project is currently at 30% of the design phase working towards 60% design, and the construction cost estimate is approximately $49 million for all phases of the project. Grant funding is being requested for the first phase of construction, which will target flooding at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and East Glebe. The first phase of construction will consist of upgraded storm sewer along Commonwealth Ave from Ashby St to a new outfall at Four Mile Run, and along E Glebe Rd from Commonwealth to just east of Wilson Ave. The cost estimate for this portion of work is $38 million.
FISCAL IMPACT: FEMA requires funds to be available (or to otherwise demonstrate that funds will be made available to complete the project and meet the match requirements) at the time of application (November 2023). FEMA cost share may fund up to 75% or up to $28.5 million of the project’s construction costs with the City funding providing the remaining 25% or up to $9.5 million for this first phase of the project. DPI as the project manager is working with T&ES to submit application materials to VDEM by the November 10, 2023, deadline. If Council does not approve this phase of the project for grant funding, this phase would be wholly funded out of the dedicated project budget using prior year funds. If awarded, currently dedicated project budget funding will be reprogrammed towards additional flood mitigation improvement projects throughout the City.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Adriana Castañeda, Director, T&ES
Morgan Routt, Director, OMB
Arthur Wicks, Capital Improvement Program Manager, OMB
Daniel Medina, Portfolio Manager, DPI
Jesse E. Maines, Division Chief, Stormwater Management, T&ES