Bill No. 1747-04
No. _________________
TITLE
Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, calling upon our Honorable United States Senators and Congressmen Members of Congress to assist in expediting the Federal reimbursement of funds expended by Allegheny County during the emergency declaration in September 2004 due to Hurricane Ivan.
BODY
WHEREAS, on September 17th and 18th, 2004, Allegheny County received record-setting levels of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, resulting in flooding and flash-flooding that damaged thousands of homes, businesses, and government buildings; and
WHEREAS, a declaration of disaster emergency was made by the Chief Executive on September 17th, following by a proclamation of disaster emergency by the Governor; on September 19th, the President made a declaration of a major disaster in several counties in the Commonwealth, including Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, in responding to the Ivan Disaster, Allegheny County has expended operational and capital dollars to provide police protection to communities in need, to remove debris, to repair and shore up roads, bridges, shoulders, ditches, and culverts, and to assist in other repair, replacement, and restoration needs throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Allegheny County has qualified for Category A and B reimbursement for costs associated with the relief efforts; yet it is expected that such reimbursement may not be received for three to six years; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County Council and the Chief Executive have taken steps to provide for these costs; most recently through the passage of Bill No. 1717-04 which amended the 2004 Capital Budget to transfer appropriations of almost $6.2 million for construction inspection and emergency road repair and clean-up for county roads damaged by Ivan; and
WHEREAS, such reallocations and added costs from both the operating and capital budgets of the County put a severe strain on the county's already-stretched resources and will result in the further delay of needed capital improvements and projects within the County; and
WHEREAS, the expedited reimbursement of these expended funds is essential to the continued day-to-day operations of the County and its overall fiscal health.
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1.
We call upon our Honorable United States Senators and Congressmen Members of Congress to assist in expediting the Federal reimbursement of funds expended by Allegheny County during the emergency declaration in September 2004 due to Hurricane Ivan.
SECTION 2.
Copies of this resolution, once enacted, shall be forwarded to the members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate who represent Allegheny County to communicate this request for assistance.
SECTION 3. If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.