HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem P2 P2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Michelle Lincoln,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
June 18, 2025
Agenda Item Number: P2
2023-4035
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Sustainability
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Mike Lalbachan
11:00am
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Discussion and Direction of the Monroe County -FEMA Flood Mitigation Grant Assistance Program
and whether to transition applicants for home elevation to the State of Florida Department of
Emergency Management (FDEM) sponsored "Elevate Florida" program.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
After Hurricane Irma, Monroe County applied for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program(HMGP)
funding on behalf of interested private citizens, for mitigation activities in support of creating a more
resilient community. Then, starting in 2021, under additional HMGP opportunities and other similar
FEMA programs such as the Flood Mitigation Assistance(FMA)program, the county has been
accepting and forwarding residential applications (residential elevation and mitigation reconstruction)
to FDEM for review and in turn FEMA then reviews the projects for consideration of grant funding.
This process takes approximately 3 years.
Some of the applications submitted were approved by the State and FEMA; but since the grant process
takes several years to gain an approval, none of the approvals to date have been implemented.
Furthermore, there are other challenges related to the program, for example:
• Changes in the homeowner's life where they no longer have the match funding for the grant
• The homes are unable to elevated because they are older and not structurally sound
• The homes are mobile homes, which are difficult to elevate
• The inability to find an elevation contractor(several contractors have left the Keys)
• The inability to find a general contractor willing to abide by the conditions in the contract
developed by Monroe County to meet the grant requirements as well as the conditional risk
associated language related to insurance requirements and bonding.
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• Upon working with Flood Insurance agents, it was discovered under Risk Rating 2.0, there would
no longer be substantial insurance savings upon elevation of the home.
The FDEM has developed a residential mitigation program called"Elevate Florida". The State
program is now accepting residential mitigation applications for elevations and reconstruction,
reviewing those applications within the FDEM agency and providing contractors and technical support
to residents directly. This action should expedite the residential mitigation process when compared to
applications that were sent first to FDEM for review, then to FEMA for review and approval. It could
also produce a faster and effective result in mitigating homes and reduce any duplication of time by
Monroe County or the FDEM staff.
Finally, if the Monroe County residential program is closed, staff is planning on assisting homeowners
to transition into the "Elevate Florida" program.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
On 7/18/2018, following Hurricane Irma, the BOCC granted approval to submit an HMGP application
for the elevation of residential properties.
On 4/19/2023, the BOCC accepted the HMGP application (1-10938) between Monroe County and the
FDEM for the elevation of four(4)residential properties with a project cost of$720,140.00.
On 01/01/2025, the BOCC granted staff approval to submit residential mitigation applications under the
Flood Mitigation Assistance program for FY 2024 in the budget amount of$9,000,000.
On 04/16/2025, the BOCC accepted a hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) agreement with the
Florida Division of Emergency Management for the elevation of two (2) residential structures in the
amount of$515,844.00
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve staff to closeout/stop the Monroe County Flood Mitigation
Grant Assistance Program for residential elevation and mitigation reconstruction that are funded by
FEMA's FMA and HMGP funds and transition current applications to FDEM's "Elevate Florida"
program.
DOCUMENTATION:
Residential Mitigation Program Flyer(v3).pdf
Elevate Florida m One Pager (002).pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
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ELEVATE
FLORIDA
The Florida Division of Emergency
Management is excited to announce
Florida's first statewide Residential
Mitigation program, Elevate Florida.
The goal of this program is to
enhance community resilience b � '°j; u
mitigating private residences
against natural hazards. IIIOIIlllllllllli illlllllllllllll IIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIII
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Application i
Submittal
---------------
More information about how and when to apply is coming soon.
StepsNext Subscribe to receive future communications by selecting at Residential Mitigation
Communications at https://www.FloridaDisaster.org/Subscription-TopicsL.
You can prepare for the application by compiling the following information:
• Photos of any flooding inside or outside of the home A list of aesthetic alterations to the home and year
(if available) completed (if home is over 45 years old)
• Photos of high-water marks and photos measuring the o Window/door replacement
height of the marks o Roof replacement
• Insurance claim payouts or assistance documentation o Remodeling
(if available) o Painting or re-siding
• Receipts or estimates for repairs from previous events o Additions, decks, landings or garages
• Records and receipts for any disaster-related o Any historic use of structure
assistance received
FloridaDisaster.org/ResidentialMitigat[o , - 2283
Residential 1 . 1
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Mitigation is the reduction or elimination of potential risk to life and/or property. Mitigation is a cost-effective way to avoid future
damage from disasters,such as flooding or high winds. Typical residential mitigation projects include:
o Structure Elevation: Physically raising an existing structure utilizing a variety of methods
o Structure Mitigation Reconstruction: Construction of an improved, elevated building where an existing building has been
partially or completely demolished or destroyed
o Structure Acquisition & Demolition (Buyout): A local community purchases a structure from voluntary sellers and it's
demolished
There are two federal mitigation grant programs that the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) administers under which
residential projects are eligible. For each project there may be a homeowner cost share, due at contract signing. Please see below for
details regarding each program and cost share information.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
This program is federally funded and becomes available after a major disaster declaration. The cost-share requirement is 75 percent
federal and 25 percent non-federal, meaning the property owner would ultimately be responsible for 25 percent of the project cost.
Learn more at https://www.floridadisaster.org dem mitigation/hazard-mitigation-grant-program
Flood Mitigation Assistance(FMA)Swift Current
This program is federally funded and appropriated funding annually. Under this program the residential property must have a National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood policy. The cost-share varies based on the number of flood claims for the property:
o If the property is a severe repetitive loss (SRL) property,the cost share is 100 percent federal
o If the property is a repetitive loss (RL) property,the cost share is 90 percent federal and 10 percent non-federal
o If the property is not an SRL or RL property,the cost share is 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal
The definitions of properties are explained at https://www.fema.gov grants mitigation/floods/before you apply. For more information
about FMA,visit https://www.floridadisaster.org dem mitigation/flood-mitigation-assistance-program .
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It is important to remember for any of these programs, project work cannot begin until after a contract has been executed. FEMA will
not proceed with a mitigation project if work begins before the contract is executed.
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In Florida, each county has a Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Working Group. These groups are made up of community stakeholders
and are responsible for coordinating mitigation within the county including maintaining the Local Mitigation Strategy Plan and
prioritized project list.
Previously, the decision to put forward an application was solely at the discretion of the local government, however, there is an
upcoming opportunity for homeowners to apply directly with the State for structure elevations, mitigation reconstruction, and
structural acquisitions. If you would like to receive future updates about this program, please scan the QR code in the bottom left or
subscribe to receive FDEM Residential Mitigation Communications at https://www.floridadisaster.org/subscription-topics
QU
Scan to the left to For your county's LMS Working Group �subscribe to FDEM contact or for further questions, email
Residential Mitigation your information to
residentialmitigaii @gm.myflorida.comCommunications! or scan the code to the right! �■
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MitigationState Hazard Office Florida Division of Emergency . � ,2284