HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency mgt July 2013GRANT COUNTY EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES CEMMITTEE MEETING
GRANT COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER
Lancaster, WI 53813
July 8, 2013
The Grant County Emergency Disaster Services Committee was called to order July 8, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.
by Chairman Larry Wolf. The following members and personnel were present:
EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES COMMITTEE: Pat Schroeder, John Beinborn, Lester Jantzen, Bob
Scallon, Vince Loeffelholz and John Patcle.
GUESTS: Sheriff Nate Dreckman, Chief Deputy Jack Johnson, Kelly Bird, Grant County Sheriff’s
Department; Ron Sturmer, Grant County Coroner’s Office; Chris Johll, Grant County Sheriff’s
Department; Bob Middendorf, WGLR; Dave Timmerman, Herald Independent; Steve Braun, Emergency
Government; and Tonya White, Recording Secretary.
Steve Braun verified the agenda had been posted and was on the Grant County website. Lester
seconded by Vince approved the agenda as mailed. John B seconded by Lester approved the minutes.
The bills were approved by Vince and seconded by John B. All above motions carried.
Public Comments/Open Forum: Cuba City contacted John B. about getting two different time stamps on
their dispatch sheets. Chris Johll, Communications Supervisor explained there was a problem with the
server synchronizing with the computers. The IT Department has fixed the problem and if there are
further problems the departments are to let Chris know.
Under the Director’s Report there was no old business to discuss.
Under new business Steve discussed the flooding that took place throughout the county. Steve handed
out sheets with the damage estimates for infrastructure that has been reported to him since the
flooding. The report numbers will be refined as some Townships consult with contractors and engineers
on major projects.
There were approximately 600 homes affected by the flooding in the northern area of Grant County.
We established a phone bank and over 300 homes called that phone line reporting damage. There were
approximately 40-50 homes that had major damage, and approximately 30-40 families that were
temporarily displaced. Several of the county agencies staffed a temporary assistance center in Boscobel
City Hall to help the affected residents, including Health and ADRC.
On the public assistance side there was $3.5 million in damage reported. Steve explained the per-capita
damage requirements for FEMA to provide public assistance funding. Grant County has met the county
per-capita for damage to qualify for FEMA aid, but as of yet there has not been enough damage
reported throughout Wisconsin to meet the state per-capita threshold for assistance.
Steve discussed the Wisconsin Disaster Fund, which can provide similar funding for roads and
infrastructure. The fund is done on a 70/30 split. Grant County will qualify for the fund, but there is
some question as to how much money is currently available in the fund since there are several pending
claims submitted before us.
On the individual assistance side, Steve sent out a letter to the affected residents describing the
programs available. Steve discussed the CDBG-EAP program, which he feels is the best option for many
families. All of the programs currently available are income restricted. The City of Boscobel may submit
a separate application. Steve proposed that the County submit an application for $500,000, which is the
maximum amount allowed per application. The City of Boscobel may also submit an application for an
additional $500,000. Steve explained the public hearing and application process for CDBG funds, noting
that they had already begun the process in anticipation of applying. A required public hearing is set for
Thursday, July 11, 2013, 7 p.m. at the Tuffley Center in Boscobel. Pat made a motion and seconded by
Lester to send the application to the County Board. Motion carried.
Also in new business Steve discussed the AFG Grant Award for Communications System Upgrades.
FEMA has approved the grant in the amount of $312,000. The local match is $31,000 and has already
been budgeted. The grant will replace our five oldest radio repeaters. The grant will also address a
problem we have with the radio system. Currently, cars in the northern end of the county are unable to
hear cars in the southern end. The grant will upgrade our system so that all radio broadcasts come over
all towers simultaneously, which will greatly improve reception.
The required switchover to narrowbanding has caused other serious issues with the radio system, which
are not addressed by this grant. Steve explained how interference (referred to as the "noise floor") is
blocking our radio transmissions. Prior to narrowbanding, this wasn't really an issue at all. However,
the narrowband signals do not seem to penetrate the interference as well as the wide band signals did.
Unfortunately, the only remedy to this problem may involve installing new receiver sites on towers
throughout the county, which would be expensive. Steve noted that he hoped to work with engineers
to come up with some less expensive solutions, and to get the RFP for our grant-funded radio project
out early enough so we could discuss it at the next Law Enforcement Committee meeting.
It was motioned by Vince and seconded by John B. to adjourn to August 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Motion
carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Tonya White, Recording Secretary