File #: 2019-0518   
Type: Consent Calendar Item Status: Passed
File created: 4/8/2019 In control: County Administrator
On agenda: 5/14/2019 Final action: 5/14/2019
Title: Recovery Update
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator
Attachments: 1. 05-14-2019 CAO Recovery Update Summary, 2. Permit Report 5-2-19

To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office

Staff Name and Phone Number: Michael Gossman, 565-2341

Vote Requirement: Informational Only

Supervisorial District(s): All

 

Title:

Title

Recovery Update 

End

Recommended Actions:

Recommended action

Receive an update on the status of recovery operations, planning and seeking of funding opportunities following the October 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires and the 2019 Winter Storm Events. (Informational Only)

end

 

Executive Summary:

Office of Recovery and Resiliency staff provides the Board regular updates on disaster recovery efforts, including building permits; external funding and grant efforts; and relevant legislation.

 

Discussion:

In an effort to keep the Board and community informed about the County’s recovery efforts, the Office prepares a standing agenda item for each Board meeting, typically included on the consent calendar. This update includes information on: Ongoing Recovery Efforts; Housing; Recovery Related External Funding Opportunities; and other items of interest.  In addition to the standing agenda item, the Office will be presenting quarterly updates to the Board on the status of the implementation of the Recovery and Resiliency Framework.  The quarterly updates are scheduled for the following Board meetings this calendar year:  April 16 (already held), July 9, and November 5, 2019.

 

2017 Sonoma Complex Fires

 

1.                     Ongoing Recovery Efforts

A.                     Debris Removal

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 2018 concluded the Government-Sponsored Debris Removal Program in Sonoma County on 3,674 participating properties and stopped accepting new debris-related complaints.

 

Additionally, the California Office of Emergency Services on December 14, 2018 concluded the program that addressed over-excavation and property damage issues that occurred during the Government-Sponsored Debris Removal Program. Owners of 722 properties in Sonoma County requested site assessments by the September 21, 2018 deadline; 381 properties were ruled eligible and remedied by CalOES; 341 properties were ruled ineligible for the program.

 

All properties in the Public Debris Removal Program have been cleared. CalOES has completed remediation work for properties it deemed eligible for the Over Excavation Program, except for one. This one project is incomplete due to weather, and will be completed at the end of the rain season. We have been advised that FEMA completed the cost reports, and both CalOES and the County expect to receive them in the near future.

If property owners require additional clarification specific to the Debris Removal Program, they can contact the California Office of Emergency Services Recovery Section at 916-845-8200. If property owners have other questions or concerns, they can contact Sonoma County’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency at 707-565-1222.

 

B.                     Legislative Update

 

On May 14, 2019, staff from the Office of Recovery and Resiliency will be providing testimony to the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management.  This hearing will examine the theme of “The 2019 Wildfire Season: Are We Prepared?”

 

Staff will highlight the successes and challenges that Sonoma County has experienced since the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires and focus on those areas where there are resource and funding gaps in making the County more resilient in the future.

 

2.                     Housing

A.                     Resiliency Permit Center

Permit Sonoma established a Resiliency Permit Center providing expedited comprehensive permitting and inspection services for those who lost homes in the fires and their representatives dealing with reconstruction of approximately 3,000 residential structures destroyed or damaged by the Sonoma Complex Fire. Services at the Resiliency Permit Center began February 13, 2018.  In 2019, the Resiliency Permit Center will also provide, free of charge, a general review of bid proposals to fire survivors to help them determine where scope and pricing are appropriate.

 

B.                     Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) Financing Expansion: Fire Hardening and Seismic

 

Currently, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) finances improvements that can make a home more fire hardened as long as those improvements meet the Program’s energy requirements (e.g. roofing, siding, windows and air sealing).  In addition, SCEIP is authorized for water conservation improvements and could add the additional improvement of hardscaping as a water saving feature.

 

The County has been actively marketing this aspect of the Program through a postcard mailer to the roughly 1,512 properties in Sonoma that are part of CalFire’s very high fire severity zone.  In addition to the mailer, there is a social media campaign and both print and digital ads in the Press Democrat. 

 

On April 30, 2019, your Board considered expanding the Program to include seismic and wildfire safety improvements.  This Program expansion includes a public hearing to be held on June 4, 2019 at 8:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as feasible, at which time interested persons may object to or inquire about the proposed Program expansion.  The remaining process is expected to take another three to four months to complete and allow the County to begin offering wildfire and seismic financing through SCEIP.

 

C.                     FEMA Direct Housing Program Extension

This federally-implemented program was intended to run for 18 months (thru April 10, 2019) for qualified fire survivors in need of mid-term temporary housing while they searched for alternative long-term housing solutions. 

As of April 26, 2019, the FEMA Direct Housing program was supporting 30 households within Sonoma County who are displaced because of the October 2017 wildfires.  Of these, nine (9) households were in direct lease apartments and 21 in RVs at the fairgrounds.  There are a total of four (4) owners and 26 renters still in the program. Of the 21 in the RVs at the fairgrounds, there were two (2) owners and 19 renters. 

FEMA has approved the request to extend the period of assistance for Direct Temporary Housing.  The period of assistance for pre-disaster owners is extended to July 10, 2019, and the period of assistance for pre-disaster renters is extended through May 10, 2019. After April 10, 2019, participants will begin paying rent.  This rent is based on fair market values and the participants’ ability to pay. FEMA will be working with participants to determine the amount.

 

The County and the City of Santa Rosa have jointly requested that the State of California request an extension for the renters to be extended to July 10, 2019, the same as the owners in the program.

 

D.                     Rebuilding Permits

1.                     The County has 977 building permits for homes issued as of May 2, 2019; 150 permits are in the review process; and 73 homes have been finished. For the latest numbers, go to <http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/PRMD/Performance-Data/Rebuilding-Permits-Data/>

 

2.                     The City of Santa Rosa has issued 1,405 building permits for homes issued as of May 2, 2019; 255 permits are in process; 275 homes have been finished. For latest numbers, go to <https://www.srcity.org/2675/Rebuilding>

 

See attachment: Permit Report 5-2-19

 

3.                     Recovery-Related External Funding Opportunities

 

A.                     Federal Funding In Process:  FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

 

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Spotlight

 

After the 2017 Fires, the newly formed Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR) convened a Grant Steering Committee to identify and prioritize projects that could be eligible for funding from various grant sources, but particularly the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).  The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) administers these federal funds to provide for the implementation of hazard mitigation project activities.

 

Through ongoing coordination of the Grant Steering Committee, 28 applications for federal funding were approved by the Board of Supervisors for submittal with a total estimated project cost of $47.7 million.  The grant proposals aim to support the five strategic areas for recovery identified in the Sonoma County Recovery and Resiliency Framework (i.e., Natural Resources, Community Preparedness & Infrastructure, Safety Net Services, Housing, and the Economy). 

 

CalOES has notified the County Administrator’s Office that 18 of the County’s submitted proposals have been recommended for FEMA funding.  Of the ten remaining, nine are still being reviewed and one has been waitlisted.    The Seismic Strengthening and Retrofit of Existing Structures is the waitlisted proposal.  Waitlisting is akin to “not being moved forward” rather than “being denied.” The anticipated start date for the 18 projects is October 2019.

 

This week’s Spotlight is on three Risk Reduction Planning proposals from Permit Sonoma.  Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessoning the impact of disasters.  Hazard mitigation plans are key to breaking the cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.  It is most effective when implemented under a comprehensive, long-term mitigation, or risk reduction, plan. 

 

The three mitigation planning proposals will strengthen coordination efforts across the jurisdictions throughout the county through an organized approach to identifying long-term strategies for risk reduction.  These strategies are intended to be broadly-supported and focuses future implementation resources on the greatest risk and vulnerabilities of the County.  The total cost for all three planning efforts is $633,000, and described in detail below.

 

1.                     Sonoma County Operational Area Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. This planning project will update the current County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, to incorporate better understanding of the wildfire, landslide, flood, and earthquake hazards that face the area, including custom federal Hazus models for each jurisdiction.  A Hazus model is a geographic information system-based natural hazard analysis tool developed by FEMA.

 

A technical advisory team, led by Permit Sonoma, will review previous incident data, evaluate maps of areas for accuracy, and conduct hazard risk assessments using HAZUS for landslide, flooding, earthquake, and wildfire in plan areas. The LHMP provides Disaster Mitigation Act compliance for up to 17 local governments within the Sonoma County. Operational Area.  The total cost is $333,333, with 75% of the total funded by the grant.  Cost share for this project will be provided by the Sonoma County Recovery and Resiliency Set Aside fund.

 

 

2.                     Surface Fault Rupture and Seismic Induced Landslides Analysis to Annex into the Sonoma County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.  This proposal considers two major seismic risk types: surface fault rupture and seismic induced landslides.  This will contribute an update the Sonoma County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and inform the rebuild of homes and infrastructure following the October 2017 Sonoma County Wildfires.

 

The post-fire rebuild phase provides a rare opportunity to plan and mitigate surface fault rupture hazard. The existing Local Hazard Mitigation Plan estimated risk associated with surface fault rupture based on development within the Earthquake Fault Zones, while recent studies have shown active traces in Sonoma County extend beyond the previously identified Earthquake Fault Zones.  Given the high development pressure of Sonoma County in the aftermath of the Sonoma County Complex Fires of October 2017, Sonoma County would like to update Earthquake Fault Zones as quickly as possible, particularly the Rodgers Creek Fault and other active faults.

 

Through this planning work, Permit Sonoma intends to build upon newly available datasets to improve and refine the assessment and delineation of seismic hazards. Reports and maps will be incorporated into an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and used to update local ordinances relating to planning and development. The total cost of this project is $150,000, with 75% of the total funded by the grant.  Cost share for this project will be provided by the Sonoma County Recovery and Resiliency Set Aside fund.

 

3.                     Community Wildfire Protection Plan Annex into the Sonoma County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.  This project will provide critical updates to the Sonoma County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan created by this project will inform the update of the countywide Local Hazard Mitigation Plan General Plan Safety Element.

 

The existing Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be updated to include new mapping and data analysis and better reflect changes to the natural and built environment subsequent to the 2017 Sonoma Complex fires. In addition, the current Local Hazard Mitigation Plan clearly identifies the need for enhanced planning for Sonoma County’s Wildland Urban Interface/Intermix communities. This project will be a partnership between Permit Sonoma, Fire Prevention Division, and Fire Safe Sonoma, Inc.

 

The updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan will meet the requirements of collaborative wildfire risk reduction plan, including a hazard assessment and addressing structural hardening to prevent wildfire ignition. The total cost of this project is $150,000, with 75% of the total funded by the grant.  Cost share for this project will be provided by the Sonoma County Recovery and Resiliency Set Aside fund.

B.                     Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery

Announcement of $212 Million: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on April 10, 2018, that California would be receiving $212 million to support long-term disaster recovery through the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, including $124 million for unmet disaster recovery needs, and $88 million for preparedness and mitigation. The Federal Register governing the $124 million portion for unmet disaster recovery needs was issued on August 20, 2018.

Action Plan: on March 15, 2019, HUD approved the Action Plan for the $124 million portion for unmet disaster recovery needs as submitted by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), who is the Grantee and receiver of the funds.  HUD is still reviewing HCD's Implementation Plan, Capacity Assessment, and Financial Certifications to ensure sufficient capacity to manage the funds and associated risks.  HUD also is encouraging HCD to revisit the unmet needs assessment in the Action Plan as new data becomes available and recovery progresses throughout the life cycle of the grant.

 

The Action Plan details the proposed use of all funds.  HCD’s proposed Action Plan includes a budget of $47.6 million for an owner-occupied housing program, $66.7 million for a multifamily housing program, $3.5 million for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) match program, and $6.2 million for administration.

                     

The owner-occupied program is proposed to be a Statewide program by HCD. HCD will release a Survey to help finalize the owner-occupied program prior to opening up the application process.

 

The multi-family program awards sub-grant funds to the impacted local jurisdictions. Multi-family program funds are allocated proportionate to the number of Low and Moderate Income renters (those with incomes below 80% of the Area Median Income) within the disaster-affected areas of each jurisdiction. In HCD’s Action Plan, Sonoma County received an allocation of $4,698,809 and the City of Santa Rosa received $38,469,772. Once HCD publishes program guidelines, the Community Development Commission will use these to inform a proposed process for selecting projects - likely via a Notice of Funding Availability. The Board of Supervisors will make the final determination of what local requirements will be, and for making the final selection of developments to be submitted to HCD for eligibility and compliance review. Community Development staff will be responsible for ensuring compliance with HCD and HUD requirements for use of these funds.

 

Status of $88 Million for Preparedness and Mitigation Funding: HUD to develop and finalize the rules and publish in the Federal Register in order to begin the funding cycle.  The date the Federal Register will be published has not been announced.

 

The County Administrator’s Office has worked with Congressman Mike Thompson’s Office to advocate to the United States Senate through U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein to include an additional $11.1 million in CDBG-DR monies for the State of California. 

 

C.                     Economic Development Administration Investment Award

Notice of Investment Award for the Economic Development Board: the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has notified the Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) Foundation of a Notice of Investment Award for 2018 Disaster Supplemental Funding - Disaster Revolving Loan Fund.

This EDA investment funds a revolving loan fund in Sonoma County to assist disaster recovery and resiliency efforts for local businesses in the wake of the 2017 wildfires and the 2018 severe winter storms and flooding. The investment from EDA will be $800,000 and the EDB has secured an additional $200,000 required matching grant commitment from Tipping Point to make this a total investment of $1 million.

The investment will provide access to affordable capital for business start-up or expansion in the state to encourage job creation, retention, high paying jobs, economic diversification and economic stability. It is anticipated that 120 jobs will be created with these funds as well as 55 jobs saved and will allow $2 million in private investment to be leveraged.

EDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application’s merit, the applicant’s eligibility, and the availability of funds.

 

2019 Winter Storms and Flooding Update Summary

 

A.                     Flood Overview

 

On February 26, 2019, Sonoma County Supervisors declared a Local Emergency as powerful winter storms battered the county. On February 28, 2019, Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency for Sonoma County. On April 13, 2019, Governor Newsom requested a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for the two atmospheric river storm systems that struck California in February 2019, including the County of Sonoma. 

 

Through the request, the Governor has noted the need for supplemental Federal assistance via the FEMA Public Assistance program.  FEMA is currently reviewing the Governor's request and will submit a recommendation to the President.  However, Sonoma County was impacted by the second of the two disaster events - this had a much smaller impact statewide and is very close to minimum threshold for eligibility for federal assistance.

 

Sonoma County’s Health Officer declared a local health emergency on March 5, 2019 due to the scale of household hazardous waste scattered along waterways, roadsides, and on public and private properties after flooding.

 

At the March 7, 2019 Special Meeting, your Board ratified the County Health Officer’s proclamation of local health emergency due to the presence of significant household hazardous waste in the flood zone that requires proper disposal. 

 

1. Damages

 

Damage assessments estimated over $150 million in countywide flood damages.  Thirty-one structures received red tags, which means that the structure is damaged and poses an imminent threat to life or safety under expected loads or other unsafe conditions, while 527 structures received yellow tags, which means inspectors determined that there is some risk from damage to the structure.   There were 1,035 green tags, which means the structure has been impacted by the event but remains safe yet repairs may still be needed.  Finally, an additional 136 locations did not have access provided in order for an inspection to occur. 

 

Permit Sonoma does not change the Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment tag status when the safety issue is addressed via permitted work or otherwise. The Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment tag represents the safety of that structure the moment it was evaluated and posted per CAL OES Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment guidelines.

 

As of April 12, 2019, Permit Sonoma reported 192 permits have been pulled on parcels identified as impacted by the 2019 Winter Storm and Flooding event to make needed repairs.  There are 140 permits on unique parcels, with some parcels having multiple permits. 14 permits have been issued on parcels with red tags, 122 permits have been issued on parcels with yellow tags, 25 permits have been issued on parcels with green tags, and 6 permits have been issued on parcels identified as no access.  The remaining 26 permits are on parcels that were not included in the Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment inspections but have subsequently been determined by permit technicians as repair work directly related to the flood event.  The permits cover a range of repairs, with the most common being electrical, sheetrock, insulation, and plumbing repairs common with such events. 

 

In addition to private property damage, there are at least $23.5 million in damages to public property including debris removal, emergency protective measures, non-federal road and bridge systems, water control facilities, public buildings, public utilities, and park and recreational facilities.  Damage estimates also include approximately $4 million in physical agriculture damage.

 

The County experienced significant road damage on several sites that require exigent work to open or maintain the road as passable due to the importance of the routes.  Transportation and Public Works (TPW) has estimated that the temporary repair work is of significant cost. 

 

Site locations and estimated costs of the temporary repairs are:

 

1.                     King Ridge Road - roadway slip (estimated repairs: $660,000).

2.                     Mays Canyon Road - bridge approach failure (estimated repairs: $200,000).

3.                     Geysers Road in Cloverdale - roadway slip (estimated repairs: $600,000).

 

Further, TPW is reviewing another site on Moscow Road that may have high temporary repair costs.   Finally, Fort Ross Road had two culvert washouts, and a temporary portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge was installed and TPW is working with CalOES on options for permanent solutions.

 

                     2. Debris Collection

 

Your Board voted to direct staff to offer curbside debris collection to assist Russian River communities with the significant amount of waste created by the flood disaster at no cost to residents.  This was in response to the health and environmental risk posed by flood debris accumulating in streets, parking lots and in other public areas.

 

The County collected roughly 4,000 tons of debris from March 1, 2019 through March 29, 2019.

 

As of April 30, 2019, the draft final Recology bill is $1,952,529, subject to minor line item revisions as it is still being reviewed.  The estimated monitoring bill from 4 Leaf is anticipated to be $70,000 for a total of $2,022,529 before contingency.  Up to a 20% contingency has been presumed.  Contingency includes items such as traffic control, county staff time (drivers, field supervisors), signs, and accounting and record keeping.  Contingency costs are currently estimated at $273,042, an amount that is currently within the 20% contingency.

 

Following the debris program, Permit Sonoma sent out four teams of Code Enforcement Officers and only three properties received warnings for minor infractions.  Code Enforcement sent a team out less than a week later and all three properties had fully addressed the violations.

 

On March 6, 2019, Sonoma County requested California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funds for private property debris removal because of damages sustained during the event.  Governor Newsom has authorized CDAA (CDAA-2019-01-06) for Sonoma County who will perform the debris removal from the public rights-of-way and request reimbursement from Cal OES for the eligible activities at a 75 State/25 County percent cost share.

 

Immediate response costs totaling $2.5 million were programmed on March 12, 2019. This includes a $625,000 match and $1,875,000 of State disaster aid.  Funding for the match includes $125,000 of contingencies, $250,000 from the Reinvestment and Revitalization Fund, and $250,000 from the Transportation and Public Works Special Concessions Fund.  Funding for local cost share on permanent work will be identified as projects are identified and developed.   The County is collecting updated information from Departments and, once compiled, this section will be updated.

 

B.                     Assistance for Residents and Businesses Impacted by Flood

 

1. Local Assistance Center/Recovery Center

 

The Local Assistance Center/Recovery Center was opened in Guerneville by the Office of Recovery and Resiliency on Sunday, March 3, 2019 and closed on Saturday, March 9, 2019.   The LAC served a total of 886 individuals with 1,995 total services provide by all agencies.  The most visited County agencies were Permit Sonoma who served 264 individuals, Cal Fresh who served 145 and Community Development Corporation who served 114.  The most visited State agencies were DVM who served 216 individuals and CDPH (Vital Records) who served 113.  Of the Non-Profit agencies, Red Cross was the most visited, serving 404 individuals, while Catholic Charities served 173 individuals.

 

The Local Assistance Center/Recovery Operations Center was demobilized on March 20, 2019 and the County transitioned to long-term flood recovery, led by the Office of Recovery and Resiliency but with significant participation from several County agencies.

 

On March 19, 2019, your Board approved a $150,000 contract with West County Community Services for a Flood Survivor Rapid Re-Housing Program.  West County Community Services, the established and capable provider of a range of safety net services in the area, will use the funds to provide housing navigation, short-term rent assistance (including deposits), and transportation services as needed for those without vehicles, for those individuals who have been directly displaced by the Flood Disaster. The ability to quickly invest these one-time funds will prevent affected flood survivors from becoming homeless.

 

 

 

2. Loans

 

The Economic Development Board is helping local businesses impacted by the 2019 winter storms and floods to recover by providing support to access a number of loan programs and resources. There are six different loan programs available.

 

Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation (FDC)

 

Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation (FDC) is offering three loan opportunities for small businesses who incurred damages from the floods. Opportunities include:

                     Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program, which offers up to $1.25 million in loans to repair or replace property, inventory, supplies, and equipment, or to relocate the businesses. Interest rates for these loans are less than 9% and are negotiated with lender for up to 7-year terms. This is offered through a partnership with IBank.

                     Jump Start Loan Program, which offers up to $10,000 in quick microloans for small businesses to meet their obligations and pay their necessary operating expenses, as well as general start-up expenses. Interest rates are less than 9% with 5-year terms.

                     Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, which offers up to $20 million in loans with a maximum loan guarantee of $2.5 million or up to 80% of the loan with 0- to 7-year terms.

 

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank)

 

The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) is providing two loans. Opportunities include:

                     Industrial Development Bond Financing Program is available for all manufacturing or processing businesses and offers up to $1 million to $10 million in low-cost, low-interest loans for manufacturing companies to be used for land acquisition, building construction, building renovation, or equipment purchasing.

                     Farm Loan Program is available for owners or operators of family farms and vineyards who are otherwise unable to secure a loan without a guarantee. This program provides up to $1.4 million in low-interest loans for operation and production expenses, including repair or construction of buildings and storage facilities; purchase of equipment, livestock, seed, or fertilizer; soil and water conservation; or refinancing debt.

 

In addition, Working Solutions offers the North Bay Emergency Relief Loan Program, providing up to $50,000 in loans to pay for obligations and operating expenses, as well as replacement/repair of equipment, inventory, or property. Working Solutions is a certified nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that supports San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneurs to start and grow local businesses.

 

Since the floods, Nor-Cal FDC has helped connect four businesses with possible financing to be guaranteed by the state Disaster Loan Guarantee Program. Working Solutions is also assisting five businesses for possible direct loan assistance as well as giving existing loan clients a forbearance on their payments.

 

For additional information about loans and other resources for local businesses, go to <http://sonomaedb.org/Business-Assistance/Flood-Recovery-Business-Resources/>

 

SBA Flood Loan Program For Businesses and Residents

 

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses and residents affected by winter storms and flooding that began on Feb. 25, 2019.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Governor Gavin Newsom on March 14, 2019.  The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

 

According to SBA, low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster. 

 

From March 25, 2019 to April 12, 2019, SBA operated a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at the former Bank of America building in Guerneville.   Representatives were on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. 

 

Individuals and businesses will be able to apply for loans until May 20, 2019.  Applicants may still apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at <https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela>.  Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, as well as by e-mail at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov <mailto:disastercustomerservice@sba.gov> for more information on SBA disaster assistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

 

The deadline to apply for property damage is May 20, 2019. The deadline to apply for economic injury is December 23, 2019.

 

As of April 11, 2019, SBA Disaster loans received and approved for CA 15894 were 40 Home loan applications received and 4 approved for a total of $383,000 and 13 Business loan applications received and none yet approved.

 

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

 

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.063 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

 

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

 

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

 

3. HOPE Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Grant

 

The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, known locally as California HOPE, is administered in Sonoma County through the County Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Division. California HOPE counselors continue to see a need for counseling services and emotional support. From January through March, 2019, California HOPE counselors provided 11,158 services and counseling sessions to community members (this data contains duplicate individuals).

 

The California HOPE program helps individuals and communities recover from natural and human-caused disasters through community outreach, counseling, and access to mental health services for survivors of these disasters. Counselors are available to meet people wherever they are to provide crisis counseling, resource navigation, and disaster recovery education. Counselors specialize in helping survivors understand their current reactions, reduce stress, receive emotional support, prioritize their needs and solve problems, choose coping strategies, and connect with people and agencies who can help. Bilingual counselors are available.

 

Following the winter floods, California HOPE counselors with West County Community Services have been focusing on serving individuals impacted. Including holding Mind-Body wellness groups in Guerneville and reaching out to assist individuals in North County through listening sessions as well. Other California HOPE counselors with these counselors also held family workshops in Spanish and created and distributed emergency preparedness “go-bags” for seniors. California HOPE counselors with Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire continue to work collaboratively with the Santa Rosa City Schools to support students and teachers. Counselors with Petaluma People Services have established support groups at Sonoma Valley High School and have started a bilingual Mind-Body support group for the Sonoma area. These counselors are also running support groups in Petaluma’s elementary schools.

 

This program is funded from a variety of sources. The initial recovery work was supported by short-term disaster relief grants from FEMA for $4.3M. The California HOPE funding from FEMA, as well as a supplemental $1 million from Kaiser Permanente, will end on June 30, 2019, Sonoma County Department of Health Services is actively working on a transition plan to ensure community members have access to other free, ongoing mental and emotional support services.   

 

Prior Board Actions:

Regular Recovery Updates have been provided to your Board since November 2017.

 

 

Fiscal Summary

 Expenditures

FY 18-19 Adopted

FY19-20 Projected

FY 20-21 Projected

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Additional Appropriation Requested

 

 

 

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General Fund/WA GF

 

 

 

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Fees/Other

 

 

 

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Contingencies

 

 

 

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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:

 

 

Staffing Impacts:

 

 

 

Position Title (Payroll Classification)

Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step)

Additions (number)

Deletions (number)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):

 

 

Attachments:

1. Permit Report 5-2-19

 

Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board: