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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - HURRICANE RELIEF (2)Agenda Item: 19 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Rick Gould DATE: November 22, 2005 SUBJECT: HURRICANE RELIEF DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council to provide direction to staff regarding the allocation of $34,000 to provide disaster relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. BACKGROUND On September 27, 2005, City Council received a follow-up report on City relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Hurricane Katrina, a Category Four hurricane, hit the Gulf States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, followed shortly afterward by Hurricane Rita. City Council suggested a total of $100,000 for relief in the devastated region. Of this, $66,000 was allocated specifically for Habitat for Humanity for "Operation Home Delivery." The building costs for a 1,200 square foot home with three bedrooms and one bathroom averages $66,000, with 30 volunteers constructing one home in one week. Council requested staff seek another appropriate location in the affected region to potentially allocate the remaining funds. At this time, staff is requesting City Council provide direction to staff regarding any further funds. Options may include: • Return the funds to the General Fund. • Authorize City Manager, or designee, to allocate $34,000 to assist the residents of Houma, Louisiana. • Direct funds to another relief organization as determined by City Council. Staff worked subsequent to the City Council meeting and developed background on these options. A local realtor, Frank Ball, brought to the City the plight of the town of Houma, Louisiana, to which he has family connections and that he visited following Hurricane Katrina A�PROVED and Rita. Houma, located in the Parish of Terrebonne, is a small seafood and oil city of about 30,000 residents which acts as a hub for the surrounding bayou communities. Hurricane Katrina displaced 15,000 people from New Orleans, as well as the children living in the bayou areas, with school uniforms. Eleven schools were either damaged or destroyed. With the receding waters comes mud, mildew, and ruined clothing, furniture, and household items. In addition to the schools, there is a need for appliances, furniture, and building supplies. Appliances would be a priority, as the salt water ruined everything it touched. Contact has been made with the Volunteer Fire Department that is willing to coordinate the efforts. The Santa Clarita Valley Disaster Coalition (SCVDC) was formed in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A group of community leaders in Santa Clarita wanted to help former Gulf Coast residents, who relocated to the Santa Clarita area, to rebuild their lives (see attachment for the list of Coalition members). The group's preliminary meetings also addressed the need for a local disaster preparedness and response plan to assist families who have no other means of support. The Santa Clarita Coalition is long standing and will assist in future disasters. The Coalition is currently working to assist the DeBosses family, who arrived in Santa Clarita from New Orleans to live with family members. Two sons are enrolled at Valencia High School and the eldest son will start College of the Canyons in January, with the school waiving his tuition. The family is moving into their rented townhouse, and the Coalition members are helping with the family's needs, including employment. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Return the funds to the General Fund. Authorize City Manager, or designee, to allocate $34,000 to assist the residents of Houma, Louisiana. Direct funds to another relief organization as determined by City Council. Direct staff to transfer funds from Account Number 2250-7401 to Account Number 1210-8001. Other action as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The City Council Contingency Fund balance is $714,677. Transfer funds in the amount of $34,000 from Council Contingency Fund Account Number 2250-7401 to Account Number 1210-8001. ATTACHMENTS Santa Clarita Coalition Members. Attachment Santa Clarita Coalition Members Rev. Richard Assad SONSHINE Christian Church Brad Berens SCV Committee on Aging Sharon Bronson KHTS Radio Richard Budman The Signal Robin Clough SCV Committee on Aging Don Fleming Valencia Acura Rob Gardner eSCV Web Services Bryan George SCV Interfaith Council Carl Goldman KHTS Radio Jeri Seratti Goldman KHTS Radio Diane Green SCV Resident Millie Jones Los Angeles County Phil Lantis City of Santa Clarita Will Leonard American Red Cross Adele Macpherson City of Santa Clarita Larry Mankin SCV Chamber of Commerce Janice Murray KHTS Radio SuzAnne Nelson Santa Clarita Senior Center Gail Ortiz City of Santa Clarita Stephen K. Peeples The Signal Andree Walper City of Santa Clarita