Maverick County Commissioners hold FEMA Hazard Mitigation Public Workshop

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

Maverick County Commissioners Court held a public workshop on Monday, November,16, 2015, pertaining to the submittal of an Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant application regarding the flood affected areas within Maverick County in Precincts 1,2,3 and 4.

During the workshop, Maverick County Planning Director April Rodriguez presented Commissioners Court with a detailed explanation as to the basis behind the FEMA application, including requirements for qualifying and deadlines.

Commissioners Court proceeded to have a constructive conversation to prioritize certain areas, streets, and neighborhoods to submit for possible buyout options as allowed through the FEMA grant being applied for, if such grant funding is approved.

After discussion, Commissioners Court approved a list of 16 streets to be established in the priority list for the submission to the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Application.

The list of streets include: No 1. Cedar Ridge Drive , Pct.1; No. 2, Barrera St., Pct.3; No.3. Jardines Verdes, Pct.2; No.4 Rafael Street, Pct. 1; No.5 Rodriguez St., Pct.3; No.6 Branch St. Pct.1; No.7 Vennesa St., Pct.2; No.8 Dalia St., Pct.3; No.9 El Indio Hwy, Pct.2; No.10 Clavel St., Pct.3; No.11 Lewis St., Pct.1; No.12 Becos St., Pct.3; No.13 Erica St., Pct.2; No. 14 Elm Creek Drive, Pct.3; No.15 Sioux St., Pct.1: and No.16 Diaz St., Pct. 3.

The 16 streets were selected as having top priority in the grant application and possible funding for potential property buyouts of owners due to existing and recurring issues arising from heavy rains and flooding during 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo closed the workshop portion of the meeting and opened up action item No.4 of the public meeting which called for the discussion and possible action on directive from the workshop dealing with the FEMA application due on December,15,2015.

Commissioners Court proceeded to take a vote on agenda item No.4 , which was approved unanimously.

Rodriguez advised Commissioners Court that due to certain requirements for qualifications, community members who have experienced flooding within these designated streets/areas listed as having top priority in the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Application would be asked to contact her at her office located at the Maverick County Courthouse, 500 Quarry Street , second floor, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and also during the following two Saturdays , November 21, 2015 and November 28, 2015 from 12pm to 8 pm.

If you are interested in being a part of Maverick County’s FEMA Grant Application due to flooding damages to your home and property, you are asked to please bring proof of damages, and copies of flooding insurance documents.

Deadline for the FEMA Grant Application is December 15,2015. The Maverick County FEMA Hazard Mitigation Application will be reviewed for determination if the County will qualify for funding from over $30,000,000 set aside for flooding reparation across the state. The County is applying for $10,000,000 in funding but it may be determined that it may qualify for less if the applications is approved.