BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
SMITHS STATION — The city of Smiths Station is moving forward with its Community Tornado Saferoom.
Before the start of the new year, the Smiths Station City Council approved two items related to the safe room during its Dec. 28 council meeting.
Firstly, it executed the agreement for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) FEMA/AEMA for funding, consulting, project management, design, engineering, bidding, construction and closeout of the HMGP FEMA/AEMA Mitigation Grant. It also agreed to provide the matching funds needed for the grant match.
It then executed a professional service agreement with Emcompass360 Inc. to provide consulting and project/grant management during the process.
During the work session prior to the Jan. 9 city council meeting, the council welcomed Eddie Culpepper, the liaison for the grant, to discuss the process.
“That’s part of why I’m here today is to try and understand what y’all want to do,” he said. “FEMA will pay for certain parts of this project … anything outside of [that] is y’all’s responsibility.”
Culpepper and the council discussed options for the safe room and amenities that could be included.
For instance, one of the council members expressed wanting a kitchen. Culpepper said that FEMA deems that an unnecessary amenity and wouldn’t cover the expense.
Carpeting, a security system and internet access are also not among the things FEMA will pay for, Culpepper said.
Necessities, such as a sprinkler system, are.
“What FEMA’s going to pay for is in the base bid,” Culpepper said. “So, when we get that bid back, you’re going to know, whatever that number comes back at, that’s what FEMA’s going to pay 90% of.”
The storm shelter will offer protection to Smiths Station residents with FEMA-rated doors, bathrooms, a large open space to accommodate meetings and possibly an alcove out front for anyone needing last-minute shelter.
The council discussed different options such as whether to allow pets or not, with final decisions on things like that to come later.
Using the space as a meeting center was also considered by the council, but then they may need to install things like a kitchen or carpeting.
More decisions will be made in the future.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Place 5 Council Member Victoria Green gave an update on the planning and zoning meeting.
- The council heard recommendations from the finance committee.
- The council heard recommendations from the historical commission for nominations on the Historic Jones Store Museum Memorial Sidewalk.
- The council approved a contract for the Parks and Recreation Department.
- The council approved the Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
- The council approved an agreement with Black Mountain Accounting Software.