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December 23, 2009

 

 

Michael W. Beaman

Alternate Governor’s Authorized Representative

Department of Public Defense

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management

7105 NW 70th Avenue

Camp Dodge, Building W-4

Johnston, Iowa 50131-1824

 

Re:       Second Appeal-City of Cedar Rapids, PA ID 113-12000-00,

Library Temporary Relocation, FEMA 1763-DR-IA, Project Worksheet (PW) 202

Dear Mr. Beaman:

This letter is in response to your letter dated February 25, 2009, which transmitted the referenced second appeal on behalf of the City of Cedar Rapids (Applicant).  The Applicant is appealing the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial of $379,127 for temporary relocation assistance. 

Beginning on May 25, 2008, severe storms and flooding caused damage to the City of Cedar Rapids Main Library (Library).  The Applicant requested $379,127 to lease a temporary facility to operate the public Library for approximately 18 months during construction on the Library building.  Section 403(a)(3)(D) of the Stafford Act authorizes the provision of temporary facilities for schools and other essential community services.  Not all government facilities are essential.  For example, recreation facilities, parking facilities, and other facilities that do not provide essential community services are not eligible.  FEMA did not approve PW 202 for a temporary facility for the Library because FEMA determined that library services were not an essential community service pursuant to Response and Recovery Directorate Policy 9523.3, Provision of Temporary Relocation Facilities.  The Regional Administrator sustained this determination on first appeal in a letter dated January 9, 2009.  The Applicant submitted a second appeal in a letter dated February 19, 2009.  The Applicant described the services that the Library provides and asserted that Section 403 of the Stafford Act also authorizes assistance to protect and preserve property.  The Applicant restated its contention that libraries provide essential community services and should be eligible for temporary relocation assistance.

I reviewed all the information submitted with the appeal, including Response and Recovery Directorate Policy 9523.3, and have determined that the City of Cedar Rapids Main Library provides essential community services and is eligible for temporary relocation assistance.  Accordingly, I am approving the second appeal.  By copy of this letter, I request that the Acting Regional Administrator take appropriate action to implement this determination.

Please inform the Applicant of my decision.  This determination is the final decision on this matter pursuant to 44 CFR §206.206, Appeals.

Sincerely,

/s/                                                                                                                                                       

Elizabeth A. Zimmerman

Assistant Administrator

Disaster Assistance Directorate

cc:       Art Freeman

Acting Regional Administrator

FEMA Region VII