FEMA says ‘no’ to Solid Waste Agency to the tune of $2.1 million

FEMA knows how to say “No” to jurisdictions other than Cedar Rapids.

The federal agency reports that it has rejected $2.1 million in disaster-payment requests from the multi-jurisdictional Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency.

FEMA spokesman Russ Edmonston in Des Moines said FEMA has concluded that the $2.1 million in requested payment already is covered in landfill tipping fees the solid waste agency is receiving from FEMA as it buries flood-related debris at its Site 1 landfill.

To date, the solid waste agency has taken in more than 200,000 tons of such debris, including debris from property demolitions and the ongoing demolition of the former Sinclair meatpacking plant.

Karmin McShane, the solid waste agency's executive director, on Monday said the agency does not view FEMA's decision as a rejection of submitted claims since the agency has not submitted bills for most of the items in question. The items were proposed for payment in the solid waste agency's “project worksheet,” which was filled out in 2008, she said.

McShane said FEMA has paid the agency $115,963 for items now viewed as covered by tipping fees and so a duplication of benefits. However, she said she expected the solid waste agency to appeal about $80,000 of that amount.

FEMA reported that the solid waste agency's “project worksheet” had sought payment for $821,198 for equipment rental; $4,692 for emergency proactive measures; $70,685 for reopening of the Site 1 landfill for flood debris; $745,395 for Site 1 landfill re-closure; $84,931 for re-rocking roads; $66,541 for temporary employees; and $306,923 for equipment operation.

All of the requests have been denied because the costs are part of operational costs which landfill tipping fees are designed to cover, FEMA's Edmonston said.

Speaking of appeals of FEMA decisions, the city of Cedar Rapids has embarked on one.

FEMA in recent weeks informed the city that it will not pay $36.4 million to the city related to flood-damaged, city-owned properties – the former Sinclair plant, the former Quality Chef plant and a hydroelectric plant at the 5-in-1 dam – that cannot be reused. The city has said FEMA representatives in Iowa had encouraged it to seek the funds for use on “alternative” projects.