Title
Approval of Budget Revision 2026-80 for FEMA Grant to Fund the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project - Electrical Undergrounding in the Federal Share Amount of $2,632,746.18 and accept sub-grant agreement DR-4652-0006-NM
Recommended Action
I move that the Board recommend approval of Budget Revision 2026-80 (Attachment C) for a FEMA grant to fund the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project - Electrical Undergrounding in the Federal share amount of $2,632,746.18 , available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under FEMA-DR-4652-NM; the non-federal match requirement is $842,770.27 for a total project cost of $3,475,516.45. I further move that the Board recommend to Council to accept New Mexico Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) sub-grant agreement DR-4652-0006-NM and authorize the County Manager to sign this agreement in Attachment B.
Utilities Manager's Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends that the Board approve the motion as presented.
Body
Los Alamos County was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Assistance Listing 97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to receive a Federal share in the amount of $2,632,746.18, which is available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under FEMA-DR-4652-NM. The non-federal match requirement of $842,770.27 will be provided by Los Alamos County. Total amount awarded is $3,475,516.45. These numbers represent a 25% local match with FEMA’s 75% federal match for electrical undergrounding and removal of the overhead power lines. During windstorms there have been trees that have crossed the overhead powerlines and have caused fires. The additional benefit is bringing power to the four water booster pump stations that will allow for water to be pumped to the top of the Ski Hill where a 10-million-gallon water storage reservoir exists and available for fire protection.
The attached memo (Attachment A) outlines the scope of work that was approved for reimbursement utilizing these funds for the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project - Electrical Undergrounding work. Quarterly progress reports are due at the end of the quarter in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
Alternatives
If the Board could choose not to recommend approval of the budget revision and the sub-grant agreement, then the grant funds would not be available for project expenses. The County would need to fund this electrical work from county funds to complete the Jemez Mountain Project Phase - Electrical Undergrounding.
Fiscal and Staff Impact
The $2,632,746.18 FEMA grant will be applied to the project funds to complete the remaining electrical undergrounding and removal of the overhead power line work to complete the project. Fiscal impact is detailed in Attachment B and C.
Attachments
A - Approval Notification of FEMA Grant
B - Sub-Recipient Grant Agreement
C - Budget Revision 2026-80