Cornell City Council - City agrees to act as pass-through for FEMA funding

Jordan Buss, of JBAD Solutions, spoke Nov. 7, to the Cornell City Council, about acting as a pass-through entity for a FEMA grant that the school district wants to apply for, to help fund a new high school. If awarded, the project could pay for 80 or more percent of the costs. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

A few months ago, the Cornell City Council was approached about acting as a sub-applicant for a FEMA BRIC Grant that the Cornell School District hopes to attain. If awarded, the funds for a “tornado safe room,” would be used to help construct a new high school, with the exception of the existing gym commons and tech ed portion.

Members felt they needed a little more information, so Jordan Buss, president of JBAD Solutions, and superintendent Paul Schley were in attendance at a meeting Nov. 7.

“There will be no fiscal responsibility by the city, it would all be from the school district,” said Buss.

If the city agrees to act as a pass-through for the application, since the school district does not have a hazard mitigation plan in place, a single-year audit would be required, but the school would pay for it. All paperwork would be taken care of by the school and submitted to the state for approval, with just signatures needed from the city.

The new 10,000 square-foot construction would be located on the east side of the current building, with the old parts demolished, giving the school less rooms to maintain. Although classified as a tornado shelter, the new build would serve multiple purposes as classrooms that are rated to withstand an EF 5 tornado, as well as serving as an extreme temperature shelter.

“Why not have more mitigation efforts that are possible?” said Buss.

“There’s not just going to be a building sitting there and waiting for a tornado,” said council president Steve Turany.

If awarded, the FEMA money would not effect any other grants pursued by the city, unless they wanted to build their own storm shelter from a FEMA grant, nor does it hinder avenues of funding coming into the city.

“The way we administrate it does not affect your shared revenue,” said Jordan.

The grant cycle has yet to open, but Buss wants to be ready when it does after the first of the year, so the council approved an assumption agreement and a resolution, stating they support the action. If awarded, the school could receive upward of 80 percent of the project funded.

“That would help the taxpayers, because we would spend less on a building,” said Schley.

During the meeting, members also approved the 2025 tax levy, at $533,951.

Council member Bill Kvapil also reported that they are the lowering the speed limit on South Eighth Street, from 35 mph to 25 mph, after a petition was presented to the city.

“It’s going to be taken care of,” said Kvapil. He also mentioned that a sign on state Hwy. 64, stating there is no jake braking, must be taken down.

“The state says it’s not legal, so it has to be removed,” said Kvapil.