From Garry Sanfacon   gsanfacon@nullbouldercounty.org

Hello,

As we approach the end of 2014, I want to let you know that County staff are very much focused on continued flood recovery activities in 2015. Below are brief summaries of some of these activities.

I’m feeling very hopeful about the recovery programs that we have been working hard to bring online over the last several months. Please don’t hesitate to contact staff identified below or me with any concerns, questions or suggestions.

I wish you and your family the best and I look forward to our work together in 2015.

Best regards,

Garry

Garry Sanfaçon | Flood Recovery Manager

Boulder County | Board of County Commissioners

Office: 720.564.2642 | Cell: 720.315.5371

Flood Debris Cleanup project (FDC): The County is preparing to apply for a second round of funds to assist with debris cleanup on private property in unincorporated Boulder County to begin in Spring 2015. Disposal costs associated with FDC debris removal are covered by the FDC program and are not charged to the property owner. Please email Mark Wesson at mwesson@nullbouldercounty.org or call 720.564.2725 ASAP with a brief description of the type of debris, a best estimate of volume (i.e. 100 cubic yards), and whether or not heavy machinery will be necessary.  FDC supervisors retain the right to determine if debris exceeds program capabilities.

Home Access Program: We are making progress with obtaining permission from HUD and the State on several items. We have verbal approval about decoupling access repair with home repair. And we have verbal approval that once the general environmental assessment comment period is completed (December 24) and the contract with the State is executed (early January) residents who have been awarded a home access grant may start the engineering work before the site-specific checklist is completed.   A note of caution: we are not moving forward until we have written approvals, however, I wanted to let you know that there is progress. Next up is shared-bridge challenges.  We are working with Senator Bennet’s office and other elected officials to push for solutions to shared-bridge scenarios with ineligible (nonprimary homes)/uncooperative neighbors. Stay tuned. Home Access Program staff will keep you posted: Kate Williams, kwilliams@nullbouldercounty.org and Matt Betz,mbetz@nullbouldercounty.org.

CDBG-DR Funding Assistance: It is not too late to apply for financial assistance for repairs to your home, access, well, and septic system as well as temporary rental assistance and down payment assistance. New: all full-time rental properties are eligible and reimbursement of costs are allowable if incurred between 9/12/13 and 9/11/14 or application date (whichever is earlier). Documentation for all expenses must be provided and the work must comply with local building and flood code. There is no income limit for most programs. However, funds may be awarded via a grant or a loan depending on your financial situation.

Here is a link to the programs: http://www.bouldercounty.org/doc/flood/cdbg-dr_summary.pdf . To apply visit:http://www.bouldercounty.org/dept/housinghumanservices/pages/cdbgdr.aspx. We’ve received 261 applications. Forty-four have been taken to the funding panel with 37 approved, 6 in progress and one ineligible. It looks like there will be 4 completed projects by the end of the year. We are currently finalizing funding for round two and hope to have additional funds available in May/June 2015.

Buyout Programs: These programs (FEMA HMGP and HUD CDBG-DR) are moving forward. We are awaiting to hear from FEMA about any additional information we need to submit. As we’ve communicated all along, the buyout programs take time. Please hang in there and do stay in touch with Abby Shannon if you have any questions or concerns: ashannon@nullbouldercounty.org. We know it is extremely challenging to wait and to have to pay a mortgage and rent. If your FEMA or insurance funding is running out for rental assistance let us know so we can explore ways to help.

Comprehensive Creek Planning: The watershed master plans are now complete for St. Vrain Creek, Left Hand Creek, and Fourmile Creek. While the majority of the recommended projects in the master plans are unfunded, the plans will be used to seek funding to continue recovery from the September 2013 flood. For more information contact Stacey Proctor, sproctor@nullbouldercounty.org. The website is:www.BoulderCountyCreekPlan.org

Permanent Road Reconstruction: Work has been completed in several areas and much more is in the planning and design phase. Here is a comprehensive list of projects and their status:http://www.bouldercounty.org/roads/construction/pages/2015transfloodprojects.aspx . For more information contact Andrew Barth, abarth@nullbouldercounty.org.

FEMA Recoupment Letter: FEMA has sent 141 letters to Boulder County residents requiring refunds. It is CRITICAL that you not ignore the letter. The Long Term Flood Recovery Group (LTFRG) can help you with an appeal. They have had a high success rate. Contact LTFRG at 303-442-2178 or emailfloodrecovery@nullunitedwayfoothills.org.

Flood Rebuilding and Permit Information Center: The flood recovery center at 1301 Spruce will continue to be open and staffed in 2015. Please stop by anytime 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and staff will provide you with an update about your recovery plan.