HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 20420: PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ECOMOMIC RECOVERY, RELATED TO HURRICANE HARVEY City of Port Arthur
Code Enforcement/Inspections
Demolition Division
Memo
To: Harvey L. Robinson, Interim City Manager
City Council
From: Darlene Pierre-Thomas,Director of Inspections &Code Compliance;Mary Essex, Grants Manager
Date: August 21, 2018
Re: P. R. NO. 20420 —A RESOLUTION DECLARING A PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND
ECONOMIC RECOVERY EMERGENCY RELATED TO HURRICANE HARVEY-
DAMAGED STRUCTURES; HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY FUNDS ARE BEING
REQUESTED TO DEMOLISH THESE STRUCTURES [DISASTER#4332-TX]
COMMENT
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt P. R. No. 20420, declaring a
public health, safety, and economic recovery emergency related to Hurricane Harvey-damaged residential
structures.
BACKGROUND: The existence of Hurricane Harvey-damaged, abandoned, and neglected properties which
remain in disrepair creates an emergency condition and threat to the Public Health, Safety, and the Economic
Recovery to the City of Port Arthur and its residents. The City of Port Arthur is requesting the use of
Disaster Recovery funding for the demolition and clearance of residential properties that were damaged as a
result of Hurricane Harvey and are now uninhabitable.
BUDGET AND REVENUE IMPACT: Acceptance of this recommendation will not require a budget
amendment. We are seeking disaster recovery funding for the demolition and clearance activity.
STAFF LEVEL IMPACT: No additional staffing will be needed to implement this program.
SUMMARY: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt P. R. No. 20420 declaring a public health,
safety, and economic recovery emergency related to Hurricane Harvey-damaged residential structures.
DTP
Cc: Ron Burton,Asst. City Manager
Rebecca Underhill,Asst. to the City Manager
P. R. No. 20420
08/21/18 DTP
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DECLARATION OF A PUBLIC
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY EMERGENCY
RELATED TO HURRICANE HARVEY DAMAGED STRUCTURES;
HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY FUNDS WILL BE USED TO
DEMOLISH THESE STRUCTURES [DISASTER#4332-TX]
WHEREAS, Hurricane Harvey was a massive and extensive tropical event that battered the coast of
Texas in August of 2017;and,
WHEREAS, simultaneous to the Hurricane conditions experienced by Harvey, Port Arthur,Texas
also experienced unprecedented rainfall associated with the tropical system;and,
WHEREAS,in excess of 50 inches of rainfall overwhelmed the City of Port Arthur's and the region's
ability to move the rainfall and associated floodwaters away from homes and businesses; and,
WHEREAS, over 7,000 structures were impacted by the Hurricane conditions and associated
flooding in the City of Port Arthur;and,
WHEREAS,even after 11 months of individual and community based recovery efforts have been
ongoing, significant damage to the city's infrastructure, operations,and private property remains;and
WHEREAS, the recovery of the City of Port Arthur is hampered by residential properties remaining
in a significantly damaged state; and,
WHEREAS, in areas that residential private properties have been abandoned or neglected after
Hurricane Harvey related impacts the health, safety, and economic recovery of those areas continue to be
adversely impacted and remain at risk for further long-term impacts; and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur desires to take action to remedy such recovery obstacles;and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur, through its Demolition Department has assessed and identified
the risks to Public Health and Safety due to these damaged private residential properties; and
WHEREAS,City personnel have and continue to monitor these properties in their states of distress;
P. R. No. 20420
08/21/18 DTP
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PORT ARTHUR;
THAT it is declared that the existence of Hurricane Harvey damaged, abandoned, and neglected
properties which remain in disrepair create an emergency condition and a threat to the Public Health, Safety,
and the Economic Recovery to the City of Port Arthur and its residents;
THAT it is further Declared that immediate relief in the form of Demolition of said structures which
meet the established criteria outlined in the appropriate Demolition Department Policies and Procedures, and
in accordance with all local ordinances be advanced to demolition;
THAT all applicable resources from local, state, and federal agencies associated with the recovery
from Hurricane Harvey,Disaster#4332-TX be utilized to eliminate said risk; and
THAT a copy the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the City Council
READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED this the 28th day of August, A.D., 2018, at a Regular
Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote:
AYES: MAYOR: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES:
MAYOR
P. R. No. 20420
08/28/18 DTP
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Y'd
CITY SECRETARY CITY ATTORI (:Y
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
1 .
CITY MANAGER D . i; OROFCEWORCE ENT&
I t ECTIONS
APPROVED AS TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE