Note: the same critical infrastructure generator for Public Safety (Police, Dispatch, EMS, Fire, Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management) will appear on Resolution 25-R-092. This allows for two (2) opportunities of funding for this particular project. If this project is awared on this resolution during the application process our city will be able to deobligate the funds for this same grant project item on Resolution 25-R-092 without consequence. This is a fantastic opportunity to have this line item within our grant projects looked at multiple times for grant funding increasing our chances of an award.  

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is one of the most significant federal programs designed to help communities reduce their vulnerability to future natural disasters. Unlike the pre-disaster focused Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, HMGP funds become available after a major disaster declaration by the President.

Here's a background on HMGP for Schertz, Texas:

1. Purpose and Goal:

• Reduce Future Losses: The primary goal of HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to future natural disasters. It aims to implement long-term hazard reduction measures during the recovery process following a major disaster.
• Break the Cycle of Damage-Rebuild-Repeat: Instead of simply rebuilding what was lost, HMGP encourages communities to rebuild stronger, safer, and in a more resilient manner, thereby breaking the cycle of repeated damage from recurring hazards.
• Focus on Mitigation Projects: HMGP funds are specifically for mitigation projects that will reduce or eliminate damage, loss, or suffering from future disasters. This is a critical distinction from immediate disaster response or short-term recovery aid.

2. Funding Availability and Allocation:

• Post-Disaster Trigger: HMGP funds become available only after a Presidential major disaster declaration has been issued for a state. The amount of funding available is directly tied to the estimated total federal assistance provided for that specific disaster, typically up to 15% (or up to 20% for states with enhanced mitigation plans) of the total Stafford Act disaster grants.
• State-Administered: Like other FEMA mitigation grants, HMGP is administered by the State Administrative Agency (SAA), which in Texas is the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). TDEM acts as the grantee and manages the sub-grants to eligible local entities.
• Competitive Process (within the State): While federal funds are allocated to the state, TDEM then establishes funding priorities and criteria for selecting proposed mitigation activities from local jurisdictions, which submit sub-applications.

3. Eligible Activities and Project Types:

HMGP can fund a wide range of mitigation activities, provided they are cost-effective, technically feasible, and reduce risks from identified hazards. Examples include:

• Property Acquisition and Demolition/Relocation (Buyouts): Purchasing hazard-prone properties (e.g., those in a floodplain) to remove structures and people from harm's way, often converting the land into open space. Guadalupe County, which includes Schertz, has experienced significant flooding and has participated in similar programs.
• Property Elevation: Raising homes or businesses in flood-prone areas above the base flood elevation.
• Retrofitting Existing Buildings: Strengthening structures against specific hazards like high winds (e.g., installing hurricane shutters, improving roof-to-wall connections) or seismic activity.
• Minor Localized Flood Reduction Projects: Improving drainage, creating stormwater detention basins, or restoring floodplains.
• Utility and Infrastructure Retrofits: Protecting critical public facilities (e.g., water treatment plants, lift stations, police stations, fire stations) and utilities from damage (e.g., elevating electrical components, installing generators). (Schertz's budget previously accounted for HMGP funds for generator projects related to Hurricane Harvey.)
• Developing and Updating Hazard Mitigation Plans: While the LHMPP (via GLO) specifically targets plan development, HMGP can also be used to fund the development or update of Local Hazard Mitigation Plans if a community does not have one, as it is a prerequisite for project funding.
• Safe Rooms/Storm Shelters: Construction of community or residential safe rooms, particularly in tornado-prone areas.

4. Key Requirements for Schertz (as a Sub-applicant):

• Presidential Disaster Declaration: HMGP funds are only available for areas covered by a specific Presidential Major Disaster Declaration (e.g., for hurricanes, severe storms, or floods that impact Guadalupe County).
• FEMA-Approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: This is paramount. Schertz must have a current, FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) at the time a project application is submitted to TDEM and at the time of the grant award obligation. This plan demonstrates that the city has systematically assessed its risks and identified mitigation priorities.
• Cost-Effectiveness: All proposed projects must be determined to be cost-effective, meaning the benefits (avoided future damages and losses) must outweigh the costs of the mitigation project. FEMA provides specific tools (Benefit-Cost Analysis Toolkit) for this evaluation.
• 25% Non-Federal Match: HMGP typically provides 75% federal funding, requiring a 25% non-federal match.This match can come from state or local funds, in-kind services (e.g., staff labor, donated materials), or a combination of sources.
• Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Compliance: All projects must comply with federal environmental and historic preservation laws and regulations.
• Application to TDEM: Schertz would submit its sub-applications to TDEM, which then reviews, prioritizes, and submits eligible projects to FEMA for final approval and funding. The state typically has 12 months from the disaster declaration date to submit project applications to FEMA.

In summary, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is a vital lifeline for communities like Schertz after experiencing a significant disaster. It offers a unique opportunity to invest in long-term resilience, reduce future losses, and protect residents and infrastructure, but critically hinges on the community having a current and approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in place

This Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant will fund the replacement of a critical infrastructure generator for the Police Department, Dispatch Center, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Department, Fire Marshal's Office, and Office of Emergency Management. The primary goal is to enhance the resilience and ensure the uninterrupted continuity of essential public safety services during power outages and disaster events, thereby safeguarding the lives and property of our community members. 

The overarching goal can be broken down into several key objectives:

• Break the Cycle of Damage-Rebuild-Repeat: HMGP aims to help communities avoid repeatedly suffering damage from the same hazards. Instead of simply restoring what was lost, it funds projects that make structures and communities more resilient, thereby preventing or reducing future losses.
• Fund Long-Term Mitigation Measures: The program focuses on long-term, sustainable solutions to identified hazards. This means funding projects that permanently reduce risk, as opposed to temporary fixes.
• Build Resilient Communities: HMGP supports the development of infrastructure and capabilities that enable communities to better withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural hazards.
• Integrate Mitigation into Disaster Recovery: By making funding available after a disaster declaration, HMGP encourages communities to think about mitigation during the recovery phase, using the opportunity to rebuild stronger and safer.
• Promote Cost-Effectiveness: A critical objective is to ensure that mitigation projects are cost-effective, meaning the benefits (avoided future damages and losses) outweigh the costs of implementing the mitigation measure.
• Support Local Mitigation Planning: While it primarily funds projects, HMGP also supports the development and update of local hazard mitigation plans, which are essential roadmaps for identifying risks and prioritizing mitigation actions. Having an approved plan is a prerequisite for receiving HMGP project funding.

In essence, HMGP is FEMA's flagship post-disaster mitigation program, designed to turn the immediate aftermath of a disaster into an opportunity for long-term risk reduction and community resilience.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) delivers a wide array of significant community benefits, transforming the aftermath of a disaster into an opportunity for long-term safety, economic stability, and enhanced resilience. While triggered by a disaster declaration, its impacts are felt long after recovery efforts cease.

Here are the key community benefits of HMGP:

Reduced Loss of Life and Injury:

• Direct Protection: Projects like safe room construction, property acquisitions (buyouts) that move people out of dangerous floodplains, and structural retrofits directly protect residents from the immediate dangers of future hazards.
• Enhanced Safety Infrastructure: Upgrading public facilities like fire stations, hospitals, and emergency operations centers (EOCs) to withstand disasters means these critical services can remain operational when needed most, safeguarding the community.

Minimized Property Damage and Financial Losses:

• Cost-Effective Prevention: Studies, such as those by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), consistently show that every $1 invested in hazard mitigation saves an average of $6 in future disaster costs. HMGP projects directly contribute to this massive return on investment.
• Reduced Reconstruction Burden: By funding projects like home elevations, floodproofing, and improved drainage, HMGP prevents repetitive damage, reducing the need for costly post-disaster repairs and lessening the financial burden on homeowners, businesses, and taxpayers.
• Lower Insurance Premiums: Communities that actively engage in mitigation and maintain approved hazard mitigation plans may qualify for discounts on flood insurance premiums through FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), leading to direct savings for residents and businesses.
• Business Continuity: Protecting critical infrastructure and commercial properties through mitigation projects reduces business interruptions after a disaster, leading to faster economic recovery and preserving jobs.

Increased Community Resilience and Sustainability:

• Breaking the "Damage-Rebuild" Cycle: HMGP is designed to fundamentally change how communities recover by encouraging them to build back stronger and safer, rather than simply replacing what was lost. This fosters long-term sustainability.
• Informed Development: Mitigation plans, which are a prerequisite for HMGP project funding, guide future development away from high-risk areas or ensure new construction is built to higher, more resilient standards.
• Environmental Co-Benefits: Many HMGP-eligible projects, such as restoring floodplains, improving natural drainage systems (green infrastructure), or stabilizing slopes with natural vegetation, offer significant environmental benefits like improved water quality, enhanced ecosystems, and increased green spaces.
• Strengthened Social Fabric: The process of identifying community vulnerabilities and collaboratively developing mitigation solutions can foster stronger relationships among residents, local government, and community organizations, building a more cohesive and resilient social fabric.

Faster and More Efficient Recovery:

• When infrastructure is less damaged, and buildings are more resilient, emergency response and recovery efforts can be streamlined. Less damage means fewer resources are needed for immediate relief, allowing the community to return to normalcy more quickly.

In essence, HMGP allows communities to leverage federal funds after a disaster to make strategic investments that yield exponential benefits in the long run. It's about smart recovery that leads to a future where natural hazards cause less suffering, less damage, and less disruption for everyone in the community.

Authorize the submission of an application and accept an award for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) as it relates to DR-4781; designating the City Manager as the Authorized Official not to exceed the amount of $325,000.00.

TOTAL Cost of $325,000 with a  75 / 25 Cost Share leaving the following:  

Federal Cost Share (75%)

• $243,750.00

Local Cost Share (25%) - City of Schertz

• $81,250.00 

Staff recommends approval of this agenda item.