The City Council instructed its staff Wednesday to provide quarterly reports regarding fiscal recovery efforts from January’s wildfires.
Council members received a report Wednesday from the City Administrative Officer that detailed initial costs incurred by the city totaling $358 million during the first few days of the firestorm.
On a 14-0 vote, with Councilman Bob Blumenfield absent, the council instructed the CAO to provide updates on damage estimates, as well on the status of special fund loans and other funding sources that may be used to front recovery costs.
Staff were also asked to communicate on the status of Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.
According to the CAO’s report, the city incurred a cost of $6.6 million for emergency protective measures, $350 million for damage to city buildings, equipment and infrastructure, and an additional $1.2 million for debris removal.
The report reflects costs reported in the initial days of the wildfires from Jan. 7-10.
“… Further, once the city is able to enter the fire damaged areas, additional damage to city facilities and infrastructure may be identified,” the report reads.
The city submitted an application for California Disaster Assistance Act funds, which they anticipate will offset 75% of the city’s 25% share of expenditures not covered under FEMA reimbursement.
Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades, noted that she introduced a motion earlier in February calling for quarterly reports from the city’s Emergency Management Department. She’s called on the agency to share details on contracts for fire recovery, so the council can understand the scope of work and ensure there’s an operational plan.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez noted there are some departments contracting with the same outside entities.
“…We want to get going forward so that we can ensure that we are maximizing taxpayer dollars for the purposes of focusing on our staff resources that are necessary in the recovery,” Rodriguez added.
Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson agreed with Rodriguez, adding there will be an expectation that staff provide quarterly reports and additional reports on other contracts that have been entered into separately.