FEMA awards $2M in phase 1

ST. MARYS - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the city a little more than $2 million for phase 1 of a buyback program, allowing the city to buy and raze about 16 homes in a notorious floodplain.

Council members on Monday passed under rule suspension a resolution designating city safety service director Greg Foxhoven as project manager to implement the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

City officials were reportedly informed in March that they had been awarded roughly $2 million in grant funding. The city will be responsible for a 12% match, or about $257,000. Foxhoven said about $150,000 of that would be paid in cash, while the rest would be paid through use of city equipment and manpower.

The program's goal is to acquire properties in floodplains that have a history of being hit hard by rising waters, razing the properties and transforming them into green space. Properties acquired through this program cannot have structures built upon them in the future.

The 16 targeted properties are along McLaine and Hackney streets. While other areas have also been inundated by frequent flooding, Foxhoven has said these properties tended to be especially hard hit.

The homes also border Larkin Park, and the city believes it would be simple to raze the buildings, level the properties and maintain them as additional park greenspace.

The next step would be for appraisers to visit the properties. City officials and homeowners would then be notified about the valuations. Foxhoven previously said if homeowners disagreed with the appraisal, they could hire their own appraiser, who could work out any differences with FEMA's appraiser. Homeowners can also choose to drop out of the program at any time.

In other business, Foxhoven said citizens experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19 could call the utility department about helpful programs or to set up a payment plan. The city has received calls almost daily regarding utility bills, he said. Like other municipalities, St. Marys is temporarily waiving late fees and other penalties associated with unpaid utility bills. The city has also always offered a payment plan option for customers, as they are aware people can fall on hard times, he said.

Foxhoven also notified council members that work on the new water treatment plant was now 95% complete, with only cosmetic work remaining. The old plant will remain online for the next two weeks and the city will alternate providing water between the old and new plants each day to ensure the new plant is running smoothly.

Council members also,

• passed under rule suspension a resolution amending the sale of bleachers from Skip Baughman Stadium to the Shawnee Youth Football Organization. Two sections of bleachers, rather than three, will be sold for $1,200.

• passed under rule suspension an ordinance levying special assessments for curb, gutter, sidewalk and drive approach improvements. The total amount to be assessed against various property owners is $4,673.60. Property owners will have an opportunity to review the costs for discrepancies, and will have 30 days to make payment to the city before any unpaid balance will be forwarded to the county auditor's office.

Earlier in the day, city officials notified the public that the water department has scheduled a Main Street water tower maintenance project for this week. The contractor will update safety items and prepare the tower for painting.

During the prepping and painting process, the water tower will be shrouded to contain air blasting materials and paint. Vehicle traffic will be maintained, but pedestrian traffic will be restricted for safety reasons. The process is expected to last for 6 weeks. For any questions please contact the St. Marys Water Department at 419-394-4114.