City offers workshops to residents, contractors for upcoming 2022 FEMA grant program

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program requirements, deadlines to be discussed

The City of St. Augustine will offer several open house workshops with Quality Engineering and Surveying, LLC, (QES), to provide Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) guidance to residents and will also include a workshop specifically for contractors.  The workshops will be held in The Alcazar Room of City Hall, located at 75 King Street, on Tuesday, May 24 at 4:00pm for contractors, and on Wednesday, May 25 at 11:00am and 5:00pm for residents.

As part of the application process, residents must provide three elevation and or reconstruction quotes from qualified elevation firms.  However, due to the increased demand for elevation and construction contractors and because many firms were not aware of this federal program and its requirements, many qualified firms were not able to participate last year.

Contractors who provide elevation, reconstruction or flood mitigation services are encouraged to attend the contractor workshop.  There will be a brief presentation of the FMA application process with a focus on what is required of contractors in providing quotes.  QES staff will be available for questions and one-on-one discussions with attendees.

Following the resident workshop, QES staff will be available to schedule individual appointments and site visits with residents.  There will be a brief presentation of the FMA application process with ample time for questions and one-on-one discussions with the consultant.

City staff contracted QES in 2021 after realizing the need for subject matter experts who not only understand the intricacies of the FMA Program application process but also know how best to maximize the potential financial return for the applicants.  “With the help of Quality Engineering last year, we submitted an application packet including 25 properties that is currently under review by FEMA,” stated Richard “Buddy” Schauland, the City’s Building Official and Floodplain Manager. “With last year being our first year, and being new to this process, we recognized the need to give our contractors more guidance and advance notice of the requirements set forth by FEMA.”

For questions in advance of the workshop, contact Zachary Gibbons, Project Coordinator, Quality Engineering and Surveying, LLC, at 225-698-1600 or send an email to [email protected].

Media inquiries may be directed to Melissa Wissel, Communications Director, at 904.293.3307 or via email at[email protected].