Public Forum
12.21.17
Announcements:
- The live oak tree trimming ordinance is posted on the website
- For the counseling hotline, please call 1-800-985-5990 or send a text to #66476
- The Governor has extended the Disaster Declaration for another month through January 17
Questions
- Q: What does the Governor’s 30 day extension of the disaster declaration mean to us?
A: Extension of the disaster declaration keeps support agencies, both state and federal in town and assisting. It extends the hotel voucher program as well. The extension also addresses purchasing and administrative matters.
- Q: Who is responsible for signage in city and on the highway?
A: The city is responsible for all signs located in the city limits. At this time, the City has exhausted its inventory of poles and has 150 on order. The order of installation is safety signs first, then street addressing signs. Highway signs are installed and maintained by TXDOT.
- Q: When will electric poles and lights be addressed?
A: Electric poles and lights will be addressed by TxDOT, the city, or AEP based on your location.
Q: Will AEP use better, more efficient lighting and does it cost more?
A: The cost and efficiency of lighting will be decided by the jurisdiction of that area and their cost/benefit analysis. The community may be able to utilize hazard mitigation funding which allows for rebuilding at a higher standard.
- Q: What is the difference between public assistance (governmental, non-profits) funding vs. individual assistance.
A: Public Assistance can reimburse for emergency protective measures, debris removals, and infrastructure repairs or replacement needed due to disaster-related damage. Individual Assistance is provided by FEMA directly to eligible individuals and families who have sustained losses due to disasters. More information can be found on www.fema.gov.
- Q: How will unmet needs be addressed?
A: Aransas County and cities have partnership agreements with organizations with the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG) and other non-profits to address unmet needs. Citizens may be eligible to receive assistance for unmet needs if they have been rejected by FEMA for Individual Assistance (IA) or their need has not been fulfilled. CBDRG has an interlocal agreement with FEMA so they have access to the names of individuals needing assistance. Case managers will contact everyone on the FEMA list. They use volunteer manpower/non-profits, donations, grants, materials.
- Q: Is there any way to designate a piece of land for wildlife?
A: The LT Recovery Team will ask A&M’s AgriLife Extension division, post the answer on-line, and follow up based upon the answer.
- Q: Can there be a temporary reduction in speed on the 35 Bypass?
A: The LT Recovery Team will ask the Texas Department of Transportation, post the answer on-line, and follow up based upon the answer.
- Q: At this point in the recovery, what waste can still be pushed to the curb and picked up?
A: A: Construction debris and brush from the hurricane can be picked up; brush from general trimming and upkeep cannot due to FEMA rules of reimbursement.
- Q: What is the status of the FEMA program for on-site pick-up of debris?
A: The community is still waiting on FEMA approval of this request. To date, we have picked up approximately 2.5 million cubic yards of debris. Assessments of PROPERTIESare ongoing by FEMA.
- Q: I have a tree that has fallen into cable and electric lines. I am concerned about liability associated with removal and potential damage. Who is responsible?
A: The Long term Recovery Team suggests that you register for assistance at the Volunteer Registration Center.
- Q: Three long term care facilities are gone. Some residents have been relocated more than once. Families are not receiving any information from ownership of these facilities. Are they rebuilding? When are they re-opening?
A: Two of the three retirement facilities will be rebuilding and working with insurance providers. The LT Recovery team is inquiring whether federal recovery grants can be utilized for retirement housing.
- Q: There are significant transfer issues occurring for nursing facility residents due to displacement. Reimbursement and other cost issues are unresolved. How can this be addressed?
A: The LT Recovery staff will contact the Counsel of Aging in Corpus Christi to explore this issue.
- Q: What is the timeline for demolitions and will the code enforcement process be initiated?
A: The LT Recovery team is waiting for the rules to be published in the federal register to determine whether Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds may be utilized for residential demolition. If demolition is an eligible expense, the city and county may establish a program and issue a contract to demolish residential structures with citizen voluntary consent. If voluntary consent is not accomplished or if funding is unavailable, the city may choose to pursue demolition through the process allowed under the Local Government Code. Regarding commercial demolitions, the Chamber of Commerce is establishing a Small Business Recovery Grant and Loan Program which is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2018. The eligible expenses include mitigation, improvements that achieve code compliance, demolition, asbestos abatement, sign replacement, etc. The Chamber has applied for grant funding for this program.
- Q: What is the current situation with TWIA claims? Can we have a local forum with TWIA?
A: The TWIA town hall was conducted on January 31, 2018.
- Q: How will loss of bulkheads be addressed?
A: Bulkheads fall under the category of Hazard Mitigation. The communities are currently adopting a Hazard Mitigation Plan so that we are eligible for funding that will be available in the future.
- Q: Is there any assistance for people who have been taken advantage by franchised companies out of state? The corporate level is not helping.
A: Contact the Consumer Protection and Fraud Division of the Attorney General’s Office. The web link is www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint. You may fill out the form on-line or download the documents and send them to: Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, P.O. Box 12548, Austin, TX 78711-2548.
- Q: Where have the monetary donations gone?
A: The Community Foundation has received $1,200,000. These funds are earmarked for unmet needs and can only be spent in Aransas County. These funds were recently transferred to the Coastal Bend Community Foundation to be used through unmet needs system and associated cash management. The unmet needs funds have not been distributed yet. Q: How can I contribute a cash donation?
A: Individuals can go to the County website (www.aransascounty.org/harvey/assistance-donations/) and go through the link to donate.
- Q: What happened to the funding that was generated by the George Strait event?
A: The funding went to the Michael and Susan Dell/One Star Foundation called the Rebuild Texas Fund. The Rebuild Texas Fund is prioritizing most vulnerable neighbors in need: children, the elderly, disable, individuals, and low income families and communities. They focus on 6 areas: community and economic development, health, housing, education and childcare, transportation and workforce, and capital for rebuilding small businesses. The Foundation hopes to raise $100 million. The Foundation looks for projects they can invest in over the entire recovery period. See: www.rebuildtx.org for more information.
- Q: What about material supply donations? Where have the materials gone?
A: The community received $250,000 of materials donations. It will be distributed through the case management process.
- Q: Are most FEMA programs for people who don’t have insurance?
A: Eligibility for FEMA programs are for those who reside in a disaster area regardless of insurance. You are encouraged to register with FEMA, even if you are unsure that you qualify. Registration can be completed by visiting www.disater assistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362.
- Q: People are being turned away by FEMA and have gotten little or no help. What can be done?
A: The LTRT has been out to the field multiple times to search out citizens in need of assistance. Nevertheless, if someone is in need of assistance or if someone you know is in need of assistance, please have them call the recovery hotline at 361-790-9496 or FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. In addition to resources from FEMA, faith based organizations are active and willing to assist with resources as is the Federal Government. Assistance can be met through a case management system as well as an unmet needs table. Please call the recovery hotline and we will assist you to access the correct portion of the recovery assistance system.
- Q: The tax base is an issue. Will the cities and county be able to receive help due to lack of revenues?
A: The Community Disaster Loan program allows cities and counties to apply for “gap” funding. It is a federal FEMA program which provides loans at very low interest rates. The LT Recovery Team is coordinating a webinar to train our leaders on the program. We are also engaging our state legislators and governor’s office.
- Q: The hotel occupancy tax collections are significantly reduced. How will this impact city funding of the local non-profits?
A: Currently the City of Rockport has a one year reserve of hotel occupancy funds. The City plans to fund the 501c3’s at the same level as the previous year.
