Flood Disaster Study Committee (11/19/2013)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

FLOOD DISASTER STUDY COMMITTEE

Date:	11/19/2013	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:49 AM to 11:58 AM	DelGrosso	E
		Foote	E
Place:	Evans Community Complex	Humphrey	X
		Jones	E
This Meeting was called to order by		Kefalas	X
	Senator Renfroe, Representative Young	Lambert	X
		Lundberg	X
This Report was prepared by		Nicholson	E
	Julia Jackson	Renfroe	X
		Singer	X
		Sonnenberg	X
		Young	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Public Testimony		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

10:49 AM -- Public Testimony

Senator Renfroe, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order and discussed the charge of the committee. Representative Young thanked the city for hosting the meeting. Senator Lundberg noted the role of the private and nonprofit sectors in disaster relief.

10:52 AM -- Mayor Lyle Achziger, Mayor of Evans, introduced himself and his staff. He noted that Evans received 15 inches of rain in September's flood event. He explained that the community received a great deal of assistance from the private sector, the faith community, nonprofit organizations, and private citizens.

10:58 AM -- Sheryl Trent, Community and Economic Development Director and Recovery Manager for the City of Evans, detailed the flood damage and recovery in the City of Evans. She showed the committee a prepared presentation (Attachment A). Committee members also received a fact sheet about the flooding in Evans (Attachment B) and a map of damages (Attachment C). She noted that major damages to city infrastructure came to the wastewater treatment plant and a large public park. Private property damage included two mobile home parks. She detailed lessons the city has learned so far.

1119Attachment A.pdf

1119Attachment B.pdf

1119Attachment C.pdf

11:08 AM

Ms. Trent continued to detail flood response in Evans, including the flood recovery teams the city created. She described breaches in the berm, remaining debris, communications, and relationships. Ms. Trent noted the outstanding areas where the city needs help. She explained that the city is still seeking help from FEMA to remove

debris from private property (particularly in manufactured home parks). She explained the complicated issues surrounding a flooded landfill about which the city was not previously aware. She added that repairing the city's wastewater treatment plant is a priority for the city.

11:20 AM

Ms. Trent continued to discuss areas where Evans still needs help, including repair issues on private property, cash flow problems, and finding additional resources. Senator Lambert and Ms. Trent discussed the limited insurance resources in the area because few residents had flood insurance.

11:26 AM

Senator Kefalas and Ms. Trent discussed the impact of the wastewater treatment plant flooding on public health in the area. They also discussed assistance provided by groups such as the Colorado Youth Corps. Representative Young and Ms. Trent discussed the role of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in responding to the landfill problem. They also discussed affordable housing issues after the flood. Senator Renfroe added comments about home prices in Weld County.

11:37 AM

Senator Marble and Ms. Trent discussed berm breaks on private property and maintenance responsibility for the berm. Representative Sonnenberg and Ms. Trent continued to discuss the landfill. Representative Humphrey noted the role of nonprofit organizations like Samaritan's Purse, as well as private companies, in immediate disaster response.

11:48 AM

Representative Duran and Ms. Trent continued to address the landfill, noting that Weld County received a permit for an adjacent landfill in 1970. Ms. Trent explained that it is unclear who currently has jurisdiction over the landfill, but that it is on land annexed by the City of Evans.

11:50 AM

Fred Starr, Public Works Director for the City of Evans, addressed a question from Representative Duran regarding the costs of repairing or replacing the wastewater treatment plant. He explained that repairs would cost $3 to 4 million. Senator Renfroe noted that businesses suffered from the loss of wastewater treatment as well. Representative Singer and Ms. Trent discussed FEMA's work after the flood. Ms. Trent also noted the TABOR problems regarding cash flow in disasters.

11:56 AM

Representative Young and Senator Renfroe noted their desire to continue to discuss matters with FEMA representatives.

11:58 AM

The meeting adjourned.