Minutes – November 14, 2005 – 1:00 pm

VO-AD Inter-Agency Meeting

 

Randy Anderson, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), Moderator

Carolyn Horton (attending with Randy) taking notes – with Teresa M. Julian, ARC

 

27 Groups with 43 Persons Attending

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Opening and Agenda:  Item I

 

Randy Anderson opened the meeting to address long-term recovery.  He presented copies of the agenda to all present, and began by reading through Item 1 - Definition of Long-Term Recovery, including how it works (3 M's: Money, Manpower, Materials), who needs to be at the table, and who it benefits.  Discussion included emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual needs, which were subsequently adopted as the committee's long-term goals.  Survivors will be treated without regard to their county of residency (Vanderburgh vs. Warrick).  The focus will be on survivors, uninsured and underinsured, and helping folks get back to where they were.

 

Boonville and DeGonia Springs felt significantly slighted by the relief effort, especially immediately following the disaster.  Particular mention was made that outlying residents felt only the trailer park in Evansville and certain areas of Newburgh were being adequately serviced.  St. Vincent's DePaul Society serves these areas, and the media may have focused on areas that saw the most deaths.  Both American Red Cross and First Christian Church Newburgh vehicles with food have been to outlying areas, and both had been turned down by all residents approached.  Other workers (Vectren, SBC, etc.) were very hungry and did not turn down the food.  However, tensions in the outlying areas were still acknowledged by the group and a commitment was obtained that none be left out that needed services. 

 

Discussion by the group at large added that portions of DeGonia Springs in Spencer County were affected but since no declaration of disaster was made for Spencer County no FEMA funds are available for those residents.  Discussion continued to add that representatives from DeGonia Springs in Spencer County need to be included for long-term recovery.  A motion was made to make all of the tornado damaged areas, whether or not they had been declared a federal disaster area, the focus of our assistance.  It was seconded.  Motion carried. None opposed.

 

Item 2 – Sequence of Delivery

 

Kevin Cox reported on how to organize ourselves.  While several attendees were from government charities [501(c)(3) organizations], many were not.  Kevin pointed out that a 501(c)(3) organization must adopt By-Laws, maintain a checking account, and donations can only be tax-deducted if they are given to an organization with 501(c)(3) status.  However, the paperwork necessary to become such an organization cannot be completed in a timely fashion as it takes 5-6 months to incorporate, and a lawyer would be advisable.  Thus, a suggestion was made that the group form as a simple committee.  Each group would maintain their own fundraising efforts, provide the manpower for the group at large, and decide how to spend their own funds collected.  A motion was made by Allen Haynes, Southwestern Baptist, that this group form itself as a committee, the motion was seconded by Traci Buck, United Way; motion carried with none opposed.  The new name of our group is the

Long-Term Recovery Committee of Southwestern Indiana (LTRCSI)

 

Randy then turned the meeting over to Valerie Black, FEMA.

 

Valerie provided those attending with a handout on FEMA's Sequence of Delivery for Individual Assistance (Individual and Household Program, or IHP)

 

Discussion of items not on her handout:

-          1-800-621-3362  is the number to contact FEMA directly

-          Victims should file with FEMA immediately even if they have insurance to cover any losses because the initial application period will close 90 days from the declaration date (Tuesday, 11/8/05 + 90 days = Wed, January 31, 2006)

-          Applications are only rarely accepted after the closed date and only in extreme cases (i.e., victim was in a coma and could not file)

-          642 applications to date from designated counties

-          14 applications from undesignated counties

-          $61,895.04 approved cumulative, to date

-          $36,975.26

-          FEMA has 3 mobile disaster relief centers set up: Eastbrooke Mobile Home Park, the Apple Center, and Boonville

-          131 inspections completed

-          395 issued

-          Estimated turnaround time: 2.3 days from inspection to contractor begin

-          IT WAS NOTED THAT LACK OF AN SBA APPLICATION CAN STOP THE FEMA PROCESS COMPLETELY – This is important because personal insurance often does not cover enough for personal property losses, loss of transportation, etc.

-          Lodging expenses are usually provided for up to 14 days

-          Direct housing would not be provided for this disaster

-          Repairs up to $5400 for primary residence (not $5100 as listed)

-          Replacement up to $10,900 (not $10,200 as listed)

-          Permanent housing (cinder block homes) is only provided in remote locations (Guam) and other U.S. Territories

-          The number of dependents and annual income determines SBA or VAL

-          SBA includes total replacement including landscaping and litigation

-          SBA has a credit requirement

-          SBA is reduced by FEMA funds received for Repairs or Replacement (Temporary Housing monies do not affect SBA loan amount)

-          The maximum amount FEMA will award is $27,200 cumulatively

-          It is possible to obtain the maximum FEMA award of $27,200 and still receive an SBA loan (i.e., high medical bills, death without burial coverage, need for a chain saw or generator, etc.)

-          ONA (Other Needs Assistance) disaster-created needs would include the purchase of a chain saw, generator, humidifier, dehumidifier, etc.

 

Valerie then turned the meeting over to Bob LeGrange, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, who indicated that once FEMA was involved, they were in charge and not the state, and the state of Indiana was cooperating fully with FEMA.

 

The meeting was then turned back over to Randy Anderson, moderator.

 

Item 3 – Now that we recognize the process, is there a need? (Vote by consensus, YES)

 

Item 4 – Now that we have determined who is here, who is not?

-          Habitat Warrick

-          Habitat Boonville

-          DeGonia Springs representatives

-          Auto Mission

-          Muslim group

-          Jim Collins

-          Catholic Charities

-          Main Street Baptist Church

 

Tri-State Food Bank said a grant had been applied for so no one slips through the cracks, and Thrivent confirmed that that grant had been initially approved and was in the final confirmation process.

 

David Mark Owens, I-CART, said his group provides primarily mental health services, and any agency in need could call him (317-883-1182).

 

Teresa Julian mentioned that a list of contractors had been requested by several victims, and she asked if one could be provided for the agencies involved in this group.  The local chamber of commerce websites were mentioned, but Kevin Cox, HCRN, said a list had been made of pre-approved contractors and would be provided for the group's use.

 

Teresa Julian then announced the PSA press release for the ICAP Tornado Victim's Meeting of EMA (for victims only-ID required) in Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties, Monday night (same day as the meeting), November 14, 2005, at 7:00 pm, to be held at First Christian Church Newburgh.  A copy of this PSA was provided after the meeting for all present.

 

Item 5 – If we are to move on, we must identify leadership

 

Randy Anderson was immediately nominated by several attendees, an unknown second received; the vote was carried by consensus; none opposed.  Randy did not decline after the hasty vote, but he did tell all present that if he were to accept this responsibility, he wanted all to clearly understand that his primary focus would be for survivors' benefit only, and only what was best for them would be his focus.  No agency would be considered more important than any other. All present agreed to this condition of his acceptance.  Shane O'Neill, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, was elected as Vice-Chairman.  Teresa Julian, American Red Cross, was elected as secretary.  A copy of the sign-in sheets with agency name and phone numbers was copied for all present, and Stephanie Norrick, United Way, agreed to disseminate the minutes and meeting information to all participants.

 

Randy informed the group that International Association of Lions Clubs had several $300 cash grants available, and he could be contacted by phone at 476-4788 or by cell phone at 459-4788.  (Note:  It was learned by the secretary late Sunday this source is unavailable.)

 

Item 6 – Next Meeting – When and Where?

-          A suggestion was made that we convene weekly for 3-4 weeks, then monthly afterward as needed – a consensus agreed to this schedule without formal vote

-          David Schmitt, American Red Cross Government Liaison, checked the availability of the current meeting room and said it would be available from 1:00 – 3:00 pm for the next two Mondays

-          Two meeting dates were set

-          Monday, 11/21/05, 1:00 pm, same room at the American Red Cross

-          Monday, 11/28/05, 1:00 pm, same room at the American Red Cross

-          Next Agenda should cover fiscal responsibility

 

Copies of the sign-in sheets and news release were made and distributed.

The meeting was dismissed at 3:20 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Teresa Julian

Secretary